Source: FOOTYMAD
Holders Keen To Retain Cup
Paul Dixon wants to be involved in the cup final this year Dundee United saw off Hamilton with a 3-1 win to book their place in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup where they will meet Motherwell, Defender Paul Dixon and his team-mates are determined to retain the Scottish Cup. Dixon in more determined than most to do just that after missing last year's Hampden game through injury. A broken metatarsal meant Dixon was forced to look on from the sidelines as his team-mates beat Ross County to lift the silverware. Dixon gave a flavour of the desire within the dressing room to match their previous efforts in the competition when he said: "It's a massive ambition for us to retain the cup. Unfortunately, I wasn't involved in the final because of injury but I was definitely there and part of the day. It's an unbelievable feeling to be part of it and hopefully we can be back there. I broke my metatarsal and I was doing oxygen treatment to try and get myself back but it was a bit far-fetched to be honest, looking back at it. But I had to give myself the chance and if it worked, it worked. It didn't but I felt better with myself having given it the chance and not just lying down to it." United won the game thanks to goals from Jon Daly, Dixon and Prince Buaben to put them into the draw for the quarter-final. Accies managed to pull a goal back through Mickael Antoine-Curier early in the second half but never really looked like causing problems for the holders. Dixon said: "That's only my second goal for Dundee United. So fingers crossed that I can carry on and keep getting forward and having shots and trying to score." As well as winning the cup last season, United also secured the coveted third spot in the SPL, and Dixon believes they can rediscover that form in the second half of this campaign. He said: "There are definitely positive signs of that. The manager touched on it in a meeting during the week, that in the last three games at home we have not conceded a goal. That's a massive positive, especially for the back four and the goalkeeper. That spreads through the team and gives the front boys the confidence to go on and score goals, knowing the back door is locked. Again, in this game, I didn't think we were threatened too much. The goalkeeper has had a relatively quiet game in terms of saves to be made apart from the goal they scored. That's a positive as well." As well as crashing out of the cup, Accies sit an uncomfortable four points adrift at the bottom of the SPL. Manager Billy Reid said: "The most important thing is that I've got to find a formula, a team, a bond - that's what we've had in recent years here. When you bring in so many different players and you try so many things, different formations, I've got to try and make sure I get it right." Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba net)Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba net)This is ScottishFitba Net
