Ex-boss defends Dundee United team

Sacked Dundee United boss Craig Brewster has explained his team selection against Falkirk at the weekend.

The Arabs lost the match 5-1, but Brewster said he had no options left apart from bringing youngsters into the side. David Goodwillie, Greg Burnett, Grant Smith, Euan McLean and Lee Wilkie were all handed starts, but he changes didn't have the desired effect.

Brewster told the Daily Record: 'It had got to the stage where I decided to go for broke against Falkirk at the weekend - and why not? It was basically the last throw of the dice for me and my team selection reflected that.

'Some people were quick to say I made too many changes but I'd like someone to honestly tell me what my options were. I would rather get beaten 5-1 with these kids in the team than 1-0 with the guys who hadn't been doing the business.

'I tried to shield the younger players but by the time Saturday came it was win or bust. That, as everyone knows, was made quite clear to me at the start of the week.'

To be fair to Brewster, there must be many fans who would rather see their manager make the changes in an attempt to improve their club's fortunes than sit back and all-but throw in the towel. If Brewster changes had led to an Arabs win, he could still be in the hot-seat and the team would not be in the relegation spot.

Craig Levein has since taken the reins at Tannadice and he will need to achieve better results than his predecessor if Dundee United are to climb off the foot of the SPL.

His first chance will be against Rangers at Tannadice on Sunday (Nov 5) - hardly the easiest of first games...

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