Latest news with #UNAStrassen
Daily Record
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Jim Goodwin will have Dundee United up to speed after what I witnessed but they can't fall into UNA Strassen trap
The Tangerines head for Luxembourg with a 1-0 lead ahead of the second leg of their Europa Conference League qualifier Peter Pawlett knows Dundee United can't take anything for granted going into their Europa Conference League second leg against UNA Strassen. United are 1-0 ahead from the first game at Tannadice and head out there for Thursday's return. The former United midfielder knows what it is like to lose in Luxembourg. He was part of Aberdeen's side who beat Fola Esch 3-1 at Pittodrie and then lost 1-0 in Luxembourg City to narrowly scrape through. Rangers have even worse memories of Luxembourg as they embarrassingly crashed out of the Europa League under Pedro Caixinha to Progres Niedercorn back in 2017. Pawlett has backed Jim Goodwin's side to get over this potential banana skin and set-up a Europa Conference League clash with what looks like Rapid Vienna in the next round. The midfielder said: 'It is going to be a hard game for Dundee United. 'They have the first leg lead and hopefully they can go and finish the job on Thursday. 'UNA Strassen will be an organised set-up. From what I heard, they created a few chances at Tannadice 'It'll be a tough one away from home for them, but hopefully they can get the job done in Luxembourg but they will know they can't take anything for granted. 'It will need to be a professional performance, which is exactly what you would expect from a Jim Goodwin side.' Pawlett was part of an Aberdeen squad that lost to Fola Esch back in 2016. He recalled: 'I remember it was a tough one when I was out in Luxembourg with Aberdeen. 'Obviously, we were favourites going into it but we didn't play well that day. "The pitch was big and it was quite dry. It was a hot night so I remember it. 'They were physical and they were quite fit lads, all of them, quite athletic. 'I remember it well and I remember it being a bit chaotic at half-time and full-time to an extent. There were a few harsh words from Derek McInnes.' A big issue for Scottish teams is that competitively they are undercooked. United's first competitive game was against UNA Strassen. Pawlett admitted: 'Of course, Scottish clubs aren't at full speed yet. That is a massive factor but I'm sure, you know I think Jim Goodwin will have his team up to speed. 'I remember when Jim Goodwin came in at Dundee United, his sessions were tough, really tough. 'I saw a clip on social media earlier this summer with Jim Goodwin saying, this will be the hardest pre-season you've ever done. 'So I'm sure they'll be up to speed.' Pawlett was injured but was part of the last United squad who made it into Europe when they beat AZ Alkmaar at home then got hammered in Holland. The Peterhead player recalled: 'It was unbelievable, Glenn's goal when he went inside and the finish was some finish. But then it all went to pot in the second leg. 'Tannadice was amazing that night. 'Everyone knows what European nights mean to the Dundee United support. 'Hopefully, they can get past this game and get a few more games to enjoy.' Goodwin first came in and United were relegated from the Premiership. Pawlett only worked with him for a few weeks before he was released that summer but was impressed with the Irishman He believes Goodwin has done job in taking United back into the top flight and into Europe within two seasons. Pawlett admitted: 'He has done a really good job. When he first came in I'd never come across him before as a manager. 'Well, I came across him on the horrible pitch. He was horrible to play against. When he came in at Dundee United, he was a really nice guy. 'Obviously, I was coming back from my operation and he showed me really good support and had good chats with him. 'In the summer when I left, he was really honest with me and just a really nice guy. 'I think that speaks volumes. I think as a player, you want your manager to be honest with you, and that's one thing that he was. 'I'm really pleased that he's done well at United.'
STV News
4 days ago
- Sport
- STV News
Dundee United match-winner Sapsford aims to finish the job in Luxembourg
Zac Sapsford's debut goal gave Dundee United a narrow UEFA Conference League qualifying win over UNA Strassen and now the Australian is looking to complete the task in Luxembourg. A new-look United side had found their opponents a troublesome obstacle in the first half of their second qualifying-round clash at Tannadice. But Sapsford, playing his first competitive game since signing from Western Sydney Wanderers, fired in from 25 yards in the 47th minute to give Jim Goodwin's side a 1-0 advantage going into the second leg next week. Sapsford said: 'Good game. Tough, to be fair. We expected that. We're disappointed we didn't make it two, three, four, going to Luxembourg, but I think 1-0, it's not too bad, and we can build on that and go to Luxembourg and hopefully finish the job. 'I'm a striker. I love scoring goals and to get a winner is obviously a great feeling, but I know there's still more work to do in Luxembourg. 'We created some really good chances. If we take those, as I said, we'd probably score two, three, maybe even four. 'We didn't underestimate them, we knew they'd be a great opponent and we just need to make sure we get the job done in Luxembourg.' Sapsford relished his first appearance for the Terrors in front of a packed Tannadice. He said: 'It was incredible. Everyone told me it's amazing and really, they showed up and it was great. I had goosebumps walking out, hearing the fans scream. I've honestly never heard a stadium like that. It's crazy. 'I'm loving it. It's a new experience for me. I'm from Australia, so it's completely different. I know it gets colder, so I'm ready for that. But, I'm loving it, so it's good.' Goodwin has recruited 11 new players into his squad – seven started against UNA Strassen – and Sapsford admits it will take time to settle. He said: 'It's not easy, but I think we're doing really well. It's 11 new players, it's tough for any manager and players to get used to each other. But I think we're doing it really well and these games are definitely helping. 'We had a good pre-season to work on the way we wanted to play and I think we're bringing that out every week more and more, so that's good. 'We learned a bit (on Thursday). That's what we're going to work on during this week, preparing for the game next Thursday. So we'll do our work and we'll be ready.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
United will be better in second leg
Vicko Sevelj has vowed Dundee United will improve on their opening performance of the season and progress past UNA Strassen in the Conference League. Zac Sapsford's goal is all that separates the sides going into next Thursday's second leg in Luxembourg, with United spurning a number of chances. However, while acknowledging their failings, midfielder Sevelj says a recast United side will grow as the weeks go on. "In parts of the game, we should have been better and we spoke about that in the dressing room, but it's early in the season and we will improve," the Croat said. "We have a positive result at home and a new game to come in seven days and I think we will manage to go through."
BBC News
4 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
United will be better in second leg
Vicko Sevelj has vowed Dundee United will improve on their opening performance of the season and progress past UNA Strassen in the Conference Sapsford's goal is all that separates the sides going into next Thursday's second leg in Luxembourg, with United spurning a number of while acknowledging their failings, midfielder Sevelj says a recast United side will grow as the weeks go on."In parts of the game, we should have been better and we spoke about that in the dressing room, but it's early in the season and we will improve," the Croat said."We have a positive result at home and a new game to come in seven days and I think we will manage to go through."
BBC News
5 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Utd not surprised by Strassen
Craig Sibbald insists Dundee United were not surprised by the quality of UNA Strassen after they edged to a 1-0 win over their visitors from Luxembourg in the first leg of their Conference League second qualifying round Sapsford's goal is all that separates the sides going into next Thursday's second leg in Differdange. And Sibbald says United will face another tricky test."We knew it would be tough," he told BBC Sport Scotland."We'd watched them all week and expected a fast start from them and they didn't disappoint."It would have been nice to get the second goal, and we need to be more clinical, but we're a new team."
