Dundee United manager Peter Houston knows his side face a tough task to respond from the defeat by Hearts when they face St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park on Tuesday night.
United conceded a late goal and then missed the opportunity to earn a point from the penalty spot at Tynecastle. Houston was happy with the performance - believing it to be better than in the 3-0 win over Hibernian last month - but knows another strong display will be necessary against Saints.
He said: "St Johnstone are a good side. I like them as a team. They've got good experience and good young players as well. I like the balance of their side and if we're going to go to Tayside and win the match, I think it will be a tough one."
Garry Kenneth (knee) is the latest casualty for United, but Craig Conway is set to return and is in contention to start.
United like to play with the ball on the ground, but the McDiarmid Park pitch has been subject to criticism from all quarters with even St Johnstone chairman Geoff Brown saying it was "acting like a sponge" in the inclement weather.
Houston knows United might have to adapt to the difficult turf.
"We always try to find a way you can win a match," he said. "Certainly if the ground's loaded and heavy you've got to think about what players we're going to play.
"Whatever shape we play our lads know it inside out."
St Johnstone are also looking to bounce back from a defeat following their reverse in Inverness. Saints suffered a 2-0 defeat to Caley Thistle last Saturday, but manager Derek McInnes is aiming to recover quickly after not conceding a goal at McDiarmid Park in five matches.
"I was disappointed with the result at Inverness because we had a big support up," McInnes said. "But we have got a derby game to hopefully try to remedy that and give them something to cheer about."
Source: PA
