Dundee United’s Fraser Fyvie is determined there will be a big reaction following last week’s desperately-disappointing defeat at Livingston when his side return to action this afternoon.
The Tangerines travelled to the Tony Macaroni Stadium in a confident frame of mind following their memorable victory at high-flying Dunfermline before the international break.
However, that buoyant mood quickly evaporated when they conceded after just seven minutes and then struggled to get back into the game with Livi sealing all three points when they doubled their tally in the second half.
Fyvie is now looking for his side to bounce back strongly against Inverness at Tannadice today –
however he is definitely taking nothing for granted against the side currently sitting second bottom of the Championship table.
The 24-year-old former Aberdeen, Wigan and Hibs midfielder said: “There are a few things we have gone over after last week.
“Obviously it wasn’t a great result for us but we will move on quickly and look forward to the Inverness game at home.
“I think it is going to be tough as they are a good side.
“They might not have shown that so far in the league in terms of where they are and their position in the table but I think they will come good this season.
“It will be a big test for us but we have to show a reaction to it (Livi defeat) this weekend.
“Obviously a few things went wrong last Saturday but fair play to Livingston, their game plan worked well while we never carried ours out the way the gaffer wanted us to.
“So as I said, we will move on quickly and hopefully get a reaction against Inverness.”
Fyvie’s performances in recent weeks have earned him lavish praise from his manager Ray McKinnon especially after the Dunfermline win when he scored two good goals in the 3-1 victory.
However, the player insists that all that matters is the team and the ultimate aim of promotion back to the Premiership.
He said: “I just want to play. I would rather win the game and come away with three points than personal plaudits.
“I just want to win games and help this football club get back to where we think it should be.
“I have been in this league for a few years now and it is tough. There are no easy teams to play against as all the sides offer something different.
“You have to find a way past them but we didn’t do that at Livingston.”
Fyvie only joined United at the start of August after leaving Hibs and while he had been working hard on his own during the summer to keep his fitness levels up, he knows now that is no substitute for a proper team pre-season.
It has taken him a while to get up to speed but he believes that having done that, he is just looking to continue improving in a tangerine jersey.
He said: “I am finally there now. It took me about five games, to be honest.
“I had nothing in pre-season. You do as much as you can when you are by yourself but I never had a proper team pre-season which I now know is definitely there for a reason.
“I certainly don’t want to be in that position again.
“But I am definitely at full fitness now and the last few games I feel I have done well.
“However, it isn’t about that – we want to be winning games and play well and get plaudits as a team.
“That’s what we are all aiming for.”
United midfielder Jordie Briels is rated doubtful for the game after receiving injections in his hips although Scott Fraser could return to the squad after getting a full week’s training under his belt.
