Dundee United reserve team boss Craig Easton believes Saturday’s Irn-Bru Cup clash with Alloa will be the perfect test for his young team.
The Tangerines second string were on the wrong end of a 5-1 score in the Reserve League at Hearts on Monday.
But Craig believes the margin of the home team’s victory was not a fair reflection on his side’s play and is viewing the weekend tie as a chance to show that.
“We are looking forward to the game even though it comes on the back of what wasn’t a good result for us against Hearts,” he said.
“It wasn’t a 5-1 performance, though. We missed two penalties and we were always in the game until the last two goals went in later in the second half.
“So, I think the score was harsh on us in the end but you still don’t want to lose five goals in any game and you want to defend better.”
Looking forward, he suspects Alloa will not be much changed from the side that drew with United in the Championship last weekend
“I think they don’t have a massive squad so it could be similar to the league game against us on Saturday. They are a good, fit and organised outfit. It will be a hard game.”
As was the case in the first-round victory over St Johnstone Colts last month, the United ranks at Tannadice on Saturday are likely to be bolstered by several first-team men.
And young midfielder Archie Thomas is back in contention for a starting place.
He was injured in the first minute of the first-round victory but returned for half an hour of Monday’s game.
United have set the entry price for Saturday’s game at £10.
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