New boss Houston has a problem

29 January 2010 14:43
The 51-year-old was given the Tannadice job until the end of the season on Thursday but faces a stern test against Kilmarnock this weekend as he could be missing up to four regular first-team players.[LNB]Inspirational captain Andy Webster, on loan from Rangers, looks set to miss out because of a calf injury, while fellow defenders Darren Dods and Garry Kenneth are carrying knocks.[LNB]Houston's problems are as acute at the other end of the pitch, with in-form striker Jon Daly toiling because of a thigh problem and his strike partner David Goodwillie is also listed as doubtful.[LNB]Therefore, Houston will delay naming his team until the last possible moment on Saturday in a bid to give his players time to prove their fitness.[LNB]He said: "I won't be able to pick a team until Saturday morning because I genuinely don't know who is going to be available.[LNB]"Andy Webster is highly unlikely to make it because of his injury, while Darren Dods and Garry Kenneth played through the pain barrier against St Johnstone and might have to do the same again.[LNB]"On top of that Jon Daly has picked up a thigh strain and might not be available, while David Goodwillie is also struggling with a groin problem.[LNB]"I'll really just have to wait until a few hours before the game, see who is available and pick the team from that.[LNB]"One thing is for sure, the character of the lads will be spot on as it always is.[LNB]"If we ask one or two of them to play through (the pain barrier) they would do it, that's the kind of boys they are."[LNB]Killie recently installed ex-Aberdeen boss Jimmy Calderwood as their new manager and this makes Houston wary of the Rugby Park side.[LNB]Calderwood is well known in Scottish football for his imaginative tactical plans so Houston admits there is an element of stepping into the unknown against his teams.[LNB]He said:[LNB]"Kilmarnock are fighting for their lives and with the two Jimmys going in there the place will have had a lift.[LNB]"They are two bubbly characters so that will have rubbed off on the players.[LNB]"Jimmy is not shy to make changes, I've been on the other end of him going 2-4-4 before when he was at Dunfermline.[LNB]"So there's always a bit of the unexpected when you play one of his teams.[LNB]"Killie have not been having the best of times lately but we know that one little spark will be enough to bring them to life.[LNB]"They have some really good players so just because they are down there at the bottom end of the league doesn't mean you can write them off.[LNB]"United don't have the best of records against them down there, the players know that are are determined to get back to winning ways after our draw in midweek."[LNB][LNB][LNB]

Source: Team_Talk