Source: FOOTYMAD
United Focused On Making Life Hard For Hamilton
Another game to be ticked off for United on the catch up With so many games tripping over each other, Dundee United manager Peter Houston is carrying on with his mix-and-match squad selection policy to ensure his players do not succumb to fatigue. United best Aberdeen on Monday, play Hamilton tonight, have Motherwell lined up on Sunday before preparing to take on Hearts next Wednesday to complete an exhausting two weeks. Houston's side have had to pack in the games to catch up with the rest of the SPL clubs before the split and he is conscious that he cannot risk asking too much of the same players. The Tannadice manager, who is likely to bring back David Robertson and Paul Dixon to tonight's squad, admits he has one eye on Sunday's Scottish Cup tie but insists his players' focus is solely on Accies. He said: "I mixed it up against Inverness and Aberdeen so I will make a couple of changes because I want to rest a couple of them before Sunday. But it will still be a strong team against Hamilton. It won't be a team of boys like I did before the cup last season. It's an important game for us because although we've put six points between ourselves and Aberdeen, I still see them as a threat so we need to get as many on the board as possible. We have three games in hand but they're all hard games so we can take nothing for granted.'' While Accies are struggling at the bottom of the table Houston will not be taking them lightly. Hamilton held United to a point at New Douglas Park less than a fortnight ago. Housten went on: "I have a lot of respect for Hamilton. They have made it difficult for us in the past, most recently just 12 days ago. If we create the amount of chances we did at New Douglas Park then I'll be happy. Scoring the first goal is important because it will entice Hamilton out a bit. They have good experience and will have Alex Neil back, although he might be on the bench.'' Houston will be without Craig Conway after he strained a thigh muscle on Monday against Aberdeen, but he is expected to be back for Sunday to feature against Motherwell. Striker Jon Daly and Garry Kenneth are also making steady progress from injury and could be back next week. Houston said: "Craig Conway will miss out because of the thigh problem he picked up on Monday but Paul Dixon is back again. Jon Daly and Garry Kenneth are getting better too. They have both healed quickly but we'll have to be careful with them. Daly might have a chance for the bench next week while Garry is bouncing about desperate to be involved. It would be great to get them back soon.'' Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba net)Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba net)This is Scottish-Fitba Net
