Houston expects Terrors reaction

Houston is backing his men to get back on track against St Mirren in the Scottish Premier League this weekend, following the blip of losing 2-0 to Accies at home in midweek.United were going for eight matches unbeaten but blew that chance, although Hibs' home draw against Aberdeen ensured damage in the race for third place was minimal.Houston has masterminded a resurgence in the team's fortunes over the past two months and saw the resilience of his men when they bounced back from a 7-1 defeat at Ibrox.And the former Hearts and Leicester coach, who will assist Craig Levein for Scotland's game against the Czech Republic in March, believes they will produce a similar reaction.He said: "I didn't need to tell the players they didn't play well on Wednesday."I just took one look at them and could see from their body language that they felt they'd let their standards slip."They are an honest bunch so they don't need me telling them. I don't need to say too much because I can sense how desperate they are to recover."They have bounced back before; it was a wee blip and I'm pretty sure we'll get a reaction this weekend."While he is confident of getting a reaction from his own players, Houston knows it will be tough in Paisley against a side buoyed by getting through to the Co-operative Insurance Cup final.He is full of admiration for the work done by boss Gus McPherson and rates him as one of the country's top managers.He said: "St Mirren are a good side and credit to Gus for the job he's done down there."He's a very good manager. He went into St Mirren as a rookie manager, has taken them into the SPL and now they're in a cup final."For me, they are not too far away from breaking through to be a regular top-six team. They have some very good players, Gus has them well organised and there is plenty of confidence about them."So we know just how tough this game is going to be because when you go down there you know you're in a game."United could be without Garry Kenneth, who took a knock against Accies, and are definitely minus Andy Webster, Paul Dixon and Mihael Kovacevic for the trip to Paisley.New signing Pavels Mihadjuks will play his second game for the team inside a week, while Jon Daly hopes to pass a fitness test.Houston said: "Garry Kenneth has taken a knock and Andy Webster, Paul Dixon and Mihael Kovacevic are definitely out so we're down to the bare bones again this weekend."Jon Daly hasn't been training so we'll wait and see about him but David Goodwillie should be fine."I don't think we've got a player who isn't carrying some sort of problem but that's normal at this stage of the season and we'll just get on with it."

Source: Team_Talk