Blair Spittal admits the Dundee United players are fully focused on this afternoon’s Premiership game against Motherwell but if any extra incentive was needed to do well it is the carrot of forcing their way into manager Jackie McNamara’s thoughts for next week’s League Cup semi-final.
The Tangerines were below par on Wednesday night against St Mirren in Paisley and even although they came away with a point, the overwhelming feeling from within the camp was one of disappointment.
They will look to get back to their normal selves against the struggling Steelmen this afternoon at Tannadice with all the players knowing that a good performance could secure them a starting berth for the semi-final at Hampden.
The National Stadium is a venue Spittal knows well having played there for his former club Queen’s Park and he would like nothing better than to return there next week.
The 19-year-old said: “It was pretty frustrating the other night.
“When we played St Mirren in the previous two games, we pretty much dominated.
“But on Wednesday we couldn’t really get to grips with the game.
“The conditions were tricky so we have to adapt to something like that, but St Mirren did play well.
“We should have got the three points but we didn’t so we have to move on.”
When asked about the impending semi-final, Spittal replied: “That’s got to motivate everyone.
“When the manager names the starting team for the Motherwell game, everyone will want to give him something to think about for next week.
“The games have just started being played back at Hampden.
“We’ve just got to use that as extra motivation to get into the team for the semi-final.”
McNamara admitted after the St Mirren game that his players had not been brave enough on the ball.
That is something Spittal and the rest of the Tangerines will look to address against Motherwell.
He said: “I think collectively we have to get on the ball, pass it and not be afraid to express ourselves.
“We’ve got to play around that.
“We know that if we play the way we can, we can beat anybody on our day.
“I think in most games this season we’ve played well. We’ve got the ball down and passed it.
“There’s just been a couple of games away from home that we’ve not really performed the way we should have.
“And I think we’ve been punished for that.
“We’ve got to learn from that and hopefully play the way we can every week and get as many victories as we can.
“Most of the boys in the dressing-room are confident within themselves.
“I think you can see that when we’re playing well.”
The 19-year-old has been in and out of the United team in what is his first season at Tannadice.
However, he admits that is something he understands and insists it is up to him to persuade his manager he should be a regular fixture for the Tangerines.
He added: “I think more about what I can do every week to play well and get into the team.
“Obviously the manager is going to change things and we don’t know the team from week to week.
“You just have to be patient and wait for your chance.”