Dundee United assistant boss Gordon Forrest insists the team’s focus will be exactly the same tonight at Stenhousemuir as it was on Friday evening against Hearts.
The Tangerines lost out on penalties to the Premiership Jam Tarts at Tynecastle and will look to secure their first Betfred Cup Group A victory against the League 2 Warriors at Ochilview.
However, Forrest will be taking absolutely nothing for granted against Colin McMenamin’s side or in their other matches still to come against Cowdenbeath and East Fife.
He said: “We approach every game in this competition the same way as we approached the Hearts game.
“The season started for us on Friday and we can’t take any of these games lightly.
“They will be difficult places to go, especially Stenhousemuir on the astro, but we are in full flight as how we want to approach this game.
“We faced East Fife in pre-season and we have seen what Cowdenbeath have done in recent matches, so we know all the games will be difficult.
“Every team approaches pre-season differently but we will try our best to win every game.
“We want to start and end the season well and hopefully get out of the league.”
Osman Sow and Peter Pawlett are still being monitored carefully due to injury with Liam Smith also suffering a minor problem during the Hearts game.
Forrest added: “Liam has picked up a slight injury but we are assessing him and we will see how he goes.
“Osman is progressing well after he picked up that little niggle in the middle of pre-season.
“We are trying to manage him properly so he is ready, particularly, for the start of the season.
“He was looking in decent shape. Obviously, he can improve his fitness and get sharper but he is at a good stage and we will continue to work with him as best we can.
“We don’t want to risk him getting battered about by defences and so we will take it a little lighter on him just now.
“Peter is another one who we have a plan for. We don’t want to rush him into anything too hectic.
“Hopefully, he will be another one who is ready for the start of the season, edging into the first few games.”
One player though who is in contention to start against Stenny is new signing Adam King with the former Hearts and Swansea player an unused sub on Friday night.
Forrest added: “Adam has had his experiences down south and has also been out on loan.
“Going down there takes you out of your comfort zone and we have managed to recruit him and he adds to our midfield quality.
“He is very comfortable on the ball and in possession and is also a great person and character.
“He will add to the competition in the midfield areas and he is ready to start.
“He has trained well and he knows he will get fitter and sharper and more used to the boys with the more games he gets, but he is available for selection.”
Forrest admitted that King might not be the final addition to the United squad with the management team set to have another look at former Brighton and Motherwell centre-half Ben Hall this week.
The assistant boss said: “We are just about there but we are always assessing.
“We would be stupid not to keep looking to recruit and add to the squad but that depends on our resources and size of the squad.
“We have a good group, good cover and numbers and we are looking to start the season well.”
Forrest added: “Ben is doing very well. He is another who has been down south and you can see he is quite comfortable in possession for a centre-back.
“We will continue to assess him but he is doing well.
“We have a couple of bounce games arranged and after he has played and trained a bit more we can assess things and make a decision.”
