Dundee United boss Jackie McNamara focused on the positives from his side’s two-week trip to Germany and Spain, despite returning to Scottish soil without a pre-season win under their belts.
McNamara had, of course, wanted his team to taste victory in the fixtures arranged during their fortnight abroad but says three straight defeats matter little at this stage when building up match fitness is the main aim.
The losses would no doubt have hurt the United boss, particularly the 3-1 setback at lowly Spanish outfit CD San Roque on Friday which eventually descended into farce as a result of local referee Sergio Gonzalez Perez’s exuberant performance.
But while taking full responsibility for organising the last-minute fixture after the original game with Cordoba had to be called off, McNamara tried to look on the bright side of their time in the Bay of Gibraltar last week.
“There were a few bad knocks in the game against San Roque but the pleasing thing is getting our captain Sean Dillon 90 minutes,” he said. “I thought he did well second half and it’s great to have him back.
“First half you could see that the back four was makeshift to see the least, but that’s what these games are for finding wee things out. It was also good for David Goodwillie getting a goal as well, but it was a wee lesson learned there overall.
“With so many new faces coming in, it was important to get the group together and let them get to know each other and that’s what the trip was all about. That worked very well, the boys worked really hard even when it was hot at times, and the facilities were good.”
McNamara was still mulling over what to do with his three trialists, with defender Jean-Yves Koue Niate, left-sided midfielder Graham Carey and forward Nadir Ciftci all awaiting news on whether or not they have a future at Tannadice.
Frenchman Niate, 20, is unlikely to be offered a deal following his showing against San Roque, a game in which he scored a calamitous own goal, and that would leave just Ciftci and Carey on McNamara’s radar probably in that order.
But Courier Sport understands that whether or not both can be offered contracts may well hinge on the status of defender Brian McLean, who has been in talks with Ross County over a possible move to Dingwall.
Meanwhile, McNamara is confident that Paul Paton will escape further punishment following his sending off against San Roque on Friday.
Referee Perez capped a bizarre performance by showing the United midfielder a straight red card for telling an opposition player to calm down, and there were fears Paton could potentially have to serve some sort of suspension.
But McNamara, who said afterwards he had thought about taking his players off the pitch after the incident, remains optimistic Paton will be available to play against his old club Partick in the SPFL opener on August 2.
“I don’t think it can be classed as a proper game as they had lots of trialists playing as well,” he pointed out. “I thought the referee was bad for both teams, not just us but them as well, but some of his decisions just made it into a farce.”
United travel to play Dunfermline Athletic on Wednesday night with a 7.30pm kick-off and the Pars have confirmed that entry will be £10 for adults and £5 for concessions.
Away fans will be housed in the East Stand at East End Park.