Macca looks forward to Tannadice

26/10/08:- "United were really unlucky last year to lose the final. That could

After a great result against St Mirren in the last round of the Co-operative Cup, Jim McIntyre is looking forward to pitching his team against more SPL opposition in the shape of Dundee United. The Pars have now gone seven games without defeat and the Manager knows that they have to use that to their advantage:-

"Winning breeds confidence and we have had a decent start this season. Nothing spectacular but we have kept ourselves in the hunt or thereabouts. That is the most important thing that you have to do in our league."

Jim McIntyre has only been involved in one of the Pars three recent Cup Final appearances but he has played in four finals. A Scottish Cup winner with Kilmarnock in 1997 he will be telling his players to go out and enjoy the game, express themselves and stick to their game plan as they hope to take one more step towards a Hampden Final.

"You need to know and do your own jobs and see where it takes you. We know Dundee United have 30 players and great options. They have a quality manager and great assistant in Peter Houston. We know how difficult a task it will be but we have to go and have a go and try and win the game."

St Mirren were visitors to Tannadice on Saturday so the club will be set to face life without their former Chairman Eddie Thompson. Jim considers that will only serve to heighten the Arabs resolve to find success:-

"The players will be really determined to win a cup for Eddie. For everyone outside the Old Firm the best chance of silverware is in the cup competitions. He was such a massive influence, Eddie. He was great with me when I was there. He was a lovely man who just wanted to make his club as successful as he could. He was there every day, I have never seen a club where the Chairman did so much. He was Dundee United through and through. The players will be out to do everything they can for him especially being really unlucky last year to lose the final. That could work against us.

"Dundee United are a good side, they are very strong and pass the ball well. They are a real threat at set pieces and have a bit of pace in their team. We know that we are the underdogs and will need to be at our best to get a result but we take confidence from beating St Mirren. It is a totally different game though and we will go and give it our best shot."

Although back in training Jim McIntyre sees it more important to be part of the squad than actually playing:-

"Andy Kirk and Graham Bayne have been great signings, reliable front men who link well. If I can get myself fit I can put a wee bit of pressure on them, that would be healthy. I am about two or three weeks away from being fully fit."

While Dunfermline have dangermen up front Dundee United are well endowed in that area as well. Macca has sympathy for John Daly and pleased to see him over his prolonged injury problems last season. As an ex United player Macca admires some of the players he has seen develop:-

"Young Goodwillie has come on the scene and he is starting to show what we saw when he was 18. He is a player. Sandaza was good in the pre season game. I like Robertson, the boy signed from Dundee and Willo Flood is another. You could name ten of them and then another ten in their reserves!

"They are solid at the back - Big Lee Wilkie, Darren Dods, Gary Kenneth - whatever pairing that goes. Lee is a man mountain. Sometimes it is the second ball that you need to defend. Watching it from the side, Dundee United look like one of the biggest teams in the country."

There will be no pressure on the Dunfermline players on Tuesday night since they are not expected to win.

"Dundee United have real strength in depth but we are a decent side on our day, we will go there and put our game plan on to them and see where it takes us."