The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Laszlo happy to play hand dealt at United
Dundee united: New manager aims to help existing squad hit targets
New Dundee United boss Csaba Laszlo is content to work with the players he has at his disposal as he starts his promotion push.
Laszlo has spent his first full week in charge at Tannadice assessing the squad ahead of Sunday’s home Championship clash against Falkirk.
If the Tangerines can beat the Bairns then they will find themselves three points clear at the top of the table, with St Mirren not playing this weekend.
That is some incentive for both Laszlo and the players.
Despite the embarrassing loss to Crusaders in the Irn-bru Cup by a group of youngsters and fringe men last Saturday, the Hungarian is happy to play with the hand he has been dealt, safe in the knowledge that none of the likely starters against the Bairns were involved in the debacle against the Northern Irish side.
“I am not a manager who is asking after a day or two for new players,” said Laszlo.
“We have to work with the players we have here.
“I think Dundee United have the quality to beatthetop of this league.
“Also, I think Dundee United have the quality to be at the top of this league.
“Everybody knows that we have a lot of experienced players who have performed at a high level.
“It is about making those players hit their targets.
“I think getting the right level of confidence is everything.
“If you don’t have enough or you are too confident then you will play against a team that has been in the Championship for some time and lose very easily.
“You have to go out on the field and show that you want to move forward.
“At the moment, everyone wants to beat Dundee United but this is normal.
“So when you go out on the pitch you can’t just think ‘Oh, we are Dundee United.’
“You have to work hard to win games. “Confidence is what I want to see and, during the last two league games, I think that was OK.
“I want to see the same attitude every match now.”
Laszlo confirmed he has been looking to assistant boss Laurie Ellis for help and advice as he settles into the job.
He said: “I have a fantastic staff and Laurie is my right-hand man.
“It is early days but I feel I can get a lot of good tips and information from them.
“It is also important to have my own ideas and I do have those.
“So it is a mixture.
“What I don’t like I will change but what I see is good then I will keep the same.”
iroache@thecourier.co.uk
CSABA LASZLO