Silver lining for Fox as Swans outwit United
DUNDEE UNITED 0
SWANSEA CITY 2 Paterson (43), Manning (70)
Dundee United boss Liam Fox admitted he was pleased with his players despite seeing them lose to Swansea City in a friendly at Tannadice.
Russell Martin’s English Championship side won thanks to a first-half strike by Jamie Paterson with Ryan Manning netting after the break.
However, Fox was still happy with his squad who had been put through punishing triple sessions in training last week in preparation for the return of Premiership action on the 17th of this month at Livingston.
The United head coach said: “It was a great test and a really good game.
“I am very pleased as the boys have had a tough week as well.
“We have worked them really hard so we knew this was going to be a tough game as Swansea are a good side.
“I am really pleased with a lot of the aspects of the performance.
“We have a lot to work on but their application and attitude has been really good in training and it was the same today.
“There were some good moments but we were really tested because Swansea are a top side.
“So I am pleased but there is more to work on.”
United created the first real opening of the game in the 14th minute when Arnaud Djoum played a superb pass with the outside of his boot into the path of Steven Fletcher but the striker could not capitalise under pressure from Swansea defenders.
However, the deadlock was finally broken in the 43rd minute.
Liam Smith’s attempted back pass was intercepted by Paterson who calmly rounded United keeper Jack Newman and fired the ball into the back of the net.
Swansea doubled their advantage in the 70th minute when Manning picked up a long ball from the back down the left and hit a shot that beat Newman at his near post.
Swansea boss Martin said: “It was a really good game for us and we will really benefit from today’s work.
“I was frustrated we weren’t more clinical in front of goal especially in the first half.”