Dundee Utd 5
Alloa Athletic 0
League Cup (Group Section 1)

Manager's Programme Notes

Tonight we continue on the League Cup trail with the visit of AIIoa for the first of our sectional ties which are being staged in midweek between now and the end of November, thus ensuring us a hectic autumn programme with our European commitments. The new League Cup format has come in for a certain amount of criticism, but I firmly believe that the tournament still has a role to play in Scottish football. It is essential that the smaller sides are afforded the opportunity to compete against the top clubs in the country. Surely Brechin's magnificent performance against Celtic and Forfar's narrow defeat by St Mirren can only act as a tremendous stimulus to the little clubs. Viewed in its overall context I was happy with our tie with Dunfermline. An 8-1 aggregate win in modem football is highly acceptable no matter the level of opposition. Certainly, I have few complaints concerning last Wednesday's home performance excepting the slackness in defence when Dunfermline scored.

Last Saturday, however, was not so pleasing. Even allowing for our substantial first leg lead, I am of the opinion that we should entertain at all times. However. Dunfermline worked hard, and our lack of fluency, rather than effort, caused our below par performance. In any event, we were faced with a catch 22 situation, with the 2-0 scoreline a moral victory for Dunfermline. Still it was pleasant to sample the new East End Park pitch in what must be one of the best spectating stadiums in Scotland. It is well over 20 years since we have had the pleasure of welcoming an Alloa side to Tannadice. Willie Garner's men had some outstanding results in their pre-season build-up, then eliminated a much improved Falkirk team in the last round of the League Cup. It is vitally important that we get off to a good start in the section but to do so we will have to exercise patience against a not to be under estimated Alloa side.