Dundee Utd 0
Partick Th 0
League (Premier Division)

Manager's Programme Notes

Good evening and welcome back to Tannadice for the first of our rearranged league fixtures of the current term. Tonight's visitors Partick Thistle should have travelled east to meet us on January 19, but was 'one of several games which was caught up in the freeze-up to have affected the scheduled programme. As far as our two clubs are concerned the situation has not changed all that much since then with each still involved in our respective bids to escape the clutches of relegation dangers. However, as- far as we here at Tannadice are concerned the important thing is that tonight's meeting takes place with us having elevated ourselves off that dreaded second bottom spot in the Premier League table. Having done so we find ourselves on the same pomtage as the men from Firhill and duly expect the clash to resemble those we have experienced against other clubs currently involved in thoughts of a possible drop in stature next season. I expect Thistle to attempt to play very coolly and hope to reduce the pace of the game to their own liking. It's up to us to ensure that that does not occur.

And once again that's where you the fans come in with your vocal assistance to our aims. One very important feature lately as far as myself and the players are concerned is the unfortunate impact on our own support brought about by the terracing segregation here at the ground. But back to the task ahead of us for the remainder of the season and I would say here and now that I have no criticism of the players' recent efforts from the point of view of their determination. In fact I see their current efforts as the perfect example for the future in that had they displayed a similar characteristic earlier this term then we would not be in the position we are at the moment. Lesson learned I hope. On a personal note I am delighted to see that our own Willie Pettigrew will be back in the international arena again in the Scottish League squad for Eire and Northern Ireland next week. Finally, it would be remiss of me to ignore the most recent exploits of our Tannadice reserve string who have done us all proud during the past week or two. They maintained their remarkable unbeaten run throughout that spell when no less than five games were contested at League and Cup level in the space of eight days.