Frustrated Csaba Laszlo believes Dundee United remain underdogs in their play-off clash with Dunfermline, despite drawing Tuesday night’s away leg.
He feels his side still have a lot to do when the teams meet again at Tannadice on Friday night.
And, although he was happy overall with the goalless stalemate at East End Park, Csaba was disappointed the Tangerines did not capitalise on facing 10 men for the final 35 minutes.
“I was thinking if you play against 10 people you need to be more patient, move the ball from left to right, from right to left and have very good and accurate crosses,” he said.
“We didn’t do this but at the end of the day Dunfermline’s goalkeeper had some good saves.
“At Tannadice on Friday evening I think, again, it will be a very difficult game for us.”
The big talking point of the night was home defender Lee Ashcroft’s 55th minute red for a tackle on Scott McDonald when referee Bobby Madden felt the United striker was clean through on goal.
That infuriated the Pars, who will be appealing the decision, but Csaba felt it was the right call.
“I am not a referee, but if a player goes alone to a one-against-one with the goalkeeper and from behind is fouled, according to the rule it is a red card.
“I don’t want to make a judgement because I have to see the pictures from the TV. For me from the outside it looks like a mistake from the defensive player.”
If Madden did get a big call wrong, Csaba felt it was at the other end when appeals for a penalty for a challenge on Bilel Mohsni were waved away.
“I tell you there was also a penalty against us and this was more clear than the red card.”
While on paper it may look like United have taken a big step to a semi-final against Livingston next week, Csaba is taking nothing for granted. On current form, he labelled the Pars favourites before a ball was kicked in the tie and sees no reason to change that view.
“Still I think Dunfermline are favourite and it will be a very difficult game on Friday evening.
“But we didn’t concede a goal so let’s see if we can go to Tannadice and score goals.”
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