Source: Team_Talk
Houston confident of repeat
Dundee United manager Peter Houston has told his players to enjoy the pressure of trying to emulate last season's success.[LNB] The Tannadice side finished third in the Scottish Premier League and also lifted the Scottish Cup so go into the new campaign with a weight of expectation upon them.[LNB]They have been tipped in some quarters to challenge the Old Firm for the SPL title and the players themselves have set a target of splitting the Glasgow giants at the head of the table.[LNB]Houston, who replaced Craig Levein last December, believes his men can handle the pressure and reckons they can get their season off to a positive start against St Mirren this weekend.[LNB]He said: "Expectations will go up because of last season, but what we've got to remember is these players think they can do it.[LNB]"They have had a taste of success and they want more and I certainly believe they can get it. It was a fantastic year for us, so we are looking forward to starting again.[LNB]"We've got a very tough game, but it will be the first of many and we are up for it.[LNB]"The performance levels have been improving, I believe, and the boys are ready for what's ahead.[LNB]"There is a bit of the unknown about St Mirren tomorrow because they have brought in quite a number of players over the summer.[LNB]"They also had a closed-door game last weekend, I don't know why, but it meant we couldn't watch them.[LNB]"We don't know a lot about them but we know enough to prepare properly and what I do know is they have brought in one good manager in Danny Lennon to replace another good manager (Gus MacPherson).[LNB]"Danny has brought Cowdenbeath up from the Third Division to the First in back-to-back seasons and that's something you have to respect.[LNB]"He will want to prove himself at SPL level and I'm sure he will.[LNB]"But we've got to focus on ourselves and go about the job the way we did the majority of last season.[LNB]"We've a good set of players and we've kept most, almost all, of them over the summer so it's up to them to continue their good work.[LNB]"If they do that it will be up to St Mirren to worry about us rather than the other way round."[LNB]Striker Francisco Sandaza is fit again following a hamstring injury but Danny Swanson is suspended.
