Csaba Laszlo was disappointed his rebuilt Dundee United team did not get off to a winning start in the Betfred Cup against Arbroath on Saturday.
But he was not too critical of his squad, simply because he knows how hard they’ve been worked in training.
The Tangerines gaffer revealed rather than the customary light workout 24 hours before a competitive game, he’d put his players through a double session on Friday.
That plus the fact they are a new team, meant he was not going to be too harsh about them being held over 90 minutes before missing out on a bonus point as they lost the penalty shoot-out.
“We have a little bit tired legs. We trained twice on Friday so there were heavy legs,” he said.
“I think we have to play quicker football, especially in the front. We kept the ball too long in the midfield.
“And I think it is more important for that, although some people will be disappointed with the result, we look at some of the decisions we made in the game.
“We had 1-0 and the game in hand. Then we make a mistake and let them back in.”
Csaba, though, remains confident a team he is still building will come together over the next few weeks.
“I have to say this team needs a little bit of patience and time. We are not finished with the recruitment.
“We’ve got Adam Barton now and we need definitely one player more in the central defence and also a striker.”
Barton signed up on a two-year deal from Partick Thistle, who agreed to cancel his contract and let him head for United as part of the cost-cutting process they’ve implemented in the wake of relegation from the Premiership.
That left Csaba delighted to snatch a player from an outfit who could be among his big rivals in the league campaign.
“I am very happy that Adam has made the decision to come to us because he is a player who can play in central midfield and also in the centre of the defence.”
Meanwhile, United pair James Keatings and Paul McMullan have been linked with moves away.
Former club Hamilton are reported to be keen on Keatings, while Partick Thistle are said to want former Celtic wide man McMullan at Firhill.
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