Manager Post Dundee United

14/07/09: "At times we knocked the ball about well. It was without that wee cutting edge tonight, but it was a step up in opposition an

Jim McIntyre thought that his team got into good positions and passed the ball well at times against a good side who not only showed their quality on the ball but showed how hard they worked to get it back as well.

"They put you under pressure which is the sign of a really good side. They have better players than us, that's the facts, but we have good players ourselves and at times we knocked the ball about well. It was without that wee cutting edge tonight, but it was a step up in opposition and a good workout.

"The players worked hard tonight. We could have defended the goals better, but the second goal is typical Goodie - that is what he is all about.  There are not many centre backs who will deal with that.  He is so good at taking a ball in, and it was just fizzed in at him. He turned and banged it in the net before we could move. He is a real finisher.

"We weren't pleased with the first goal, it should have been put out for a corner.  Big Andy has got to deal with that better and he knows that.He took a chance and he got robbed."

Macca agreed that his new wide players gave the home fans a glimpse of what they were capable of.

"They are capable but they have to improve the final product at times. The wee bit of skill was great but the actual end product wasn't there. There were other occasions when we didn't have anyone on the end of them.

"There was a lot to be pleased about tonight. A lot to be positive about."

He explained that injuries revealed this morning to Calum Woods and Greg Ross - a strain to a calf and an achilles - meant that he decided to play Scott Muirhead at right back. Both absentees are expected to be fit for the next game.

The Manager confirmed that he had released pre season trialist Ben Carson.

"We just couldn't accommodate him.He had to be better than what we had, he did very well and we were pleased with him but he is not better than what we have got just now. I wouldn't expect him to be since he has only turned 19. If I had a reserve side to take him for a year then I would have taken him in a minute. He is a boy that I like and I think he is going to be a player. It is just unfortunate that we don't have spare wages to bring people on. It is as simple as that.