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Dunfermline boss Jim McIntyre says no crisis at Tannadice
DUNFERMLINE manager Jim McIntyre has dismissed talk of a Tannadice crisis as he prepares to welcome his old team to Fife tomorrow.
Speculation was rife that Arabs gaffer Peter Houston’s position was under threat after a poor start to the season and the midweek League Cup defeat to First Division Falkirk.
But McIntyre believes that Houston has done a brilliant job on Tayside, and that missed opportunities against the Bairns detracted from their overall performance.
He said: “Dundee United’s result on Tuesday will make people think they’re not performing at a high level.
“But I was at the game and they had unbelievable chances to score against Falkirk and never took them.
“They did most things very well and they will be very disappointed but I don’t see it as being a crisis. Peter Houston has done a marvellous job there.
I was at the game and they had unbelievable chances to score against Falkirk and never took them.
“This business can be horrible at times and expectation levels among clubs vary. The one thing I will say about Dundee United is that they have a very good manager.”
Dunfermline beat United at Tannadice earlier in the season and McIntyre is hoping they can take their recent improved from into the game at East End Park.
He added: “Good results give you confidence, but so can good performances and the last two games have been more like us. We played very well at Inverness, dominating the early stages and creating good opportunities. We know we’ll make mistakes but it’s how you react to them.
McIntyre admits he’s still feeling the effects of having so many vital players unavailable through injury adding: “Steven Bell had an operation on Monday to relieve the scar tissue around his tendon, so it will be four-six weeks before we see him running again. I was expecting big things from Nicky Phinn but he is still a few weeks away from a return.
Kevin Rutkiewicz is going to see a specialist, while Martin Hardie is getting closer to a return, so we just need to be patient.”