WILLO Flood watched new team-mate Francisco Sandaza score a stunning goal to down Plymouth and immediately backed him to terrorise Premier League defences this season.
The Spaniard continued an excellent start to his career at Tannadice by scoring the only goal of the match just two minutes after coming on as a half-time replacement for Jon Daly at Home Park.
United were deserved winners after producing an e
xcellent second-half display and will take a major morale boost from defeating Paul Sturrock's Championship side.
Flood returned to Tannadice on loan from Cardiff because he believes United are set to improve on last season and thinks the introduction of former Valencia player Sandaza will give the Tangerines a sharp cutting edge.
He said: "Francisco looks to be a bit special. He's come in a bit later than the rest of the lads so he's still working on his fitness, but his finishing looks like it's top class.
"He only needed half chances to score two against Dunfermline the other week and again here he's been deadly in front of goal.
"He's really settled in with the rest of the lads, his English isn't the best, but the lads are teaching him a few words so he will catch on soon.
"It was a blow to lose Noel Hunt because he scored loads of goals, but the manager has done some great work in the transfer market.
"As a midfielder, it's great to have guys you can pick out and who can turn even half chances into goals.
"Francisco can definitely do that, he's looked a top-drawer player so far and also Jon Daly and Warren Feeney have shown they can put the ball in the net."
Feeney's tireless performance was another highlight for United and Flood, who is putting pressure on himself to score more goals this coming season, believes his Cardiff team-mate will also be a hit.
United manager Craig Levein has boosted the numbers in his squad by signing seven players this summer and Flood, who has agreed a new one-year loan deal from Ninian Park, is confident for the season ahead.
He said: "Feeney's work-rate is amazing and I know he will score goals, while Jon doesn't look like a guy who has been out for so long. We've got young Andis and Goodie as well so that's a good team of strikers this season.
"There's a strength in depth across the whole team, we've got 22 people in the squad who think they should be playing every week.
"That maybe gives the gaffer a bit of a headache when he's choosing his team, but it's one I'm sure he enjoys because it's a problem every manager wants to have.
"One of the reasons I was so keen to come back here is because I can see the potential of this team.
"We weren't far away last season and I knew that with a few good additions we can kick on to the next level.
"I think the gaffer has done that over the summer so it's now up to us to do our work out there on the park."
United's players are now fine tuned for the new campaign to kick off, but Flood admits having to wait until a week tonight to face Hamilton Academical live on television is a source of frustration.
He explained: "We can't wait for the season to start but it's just a pity it's on a Monday night.
"It's a bit of a pain that everyone else will be starting their season at the weekend but all we'll be getting to do is train.
"It is frustrating and I suppose it's just bad luck that we came out of the hat with Hamilton for that night but it's still going to be a bit annoying next weekend."
Plymouth manager and Dundee United legend, Paul Sturrock, was delighted to get a massive cheer from the 500 travelling fans and went onto the park to thank them but only after giving his own players a roasting.
He said: "The reaction from the United fans was fantastic, they are great fans and I'm glad they've enjoyed their trip down here.
"But it wasn't so enjoyable for my team and I've had a ten-minute chat with my players after that.
"There are several players with a lack of belief, it is disappointing that some people are not expressing themselves properly.
"They don't want the ball and lack that hunger.
"Pre-season is pre-season, but it is now up to us to get it right ahead of next week.
"We are hoping to bring in new players for next season."
He added: "Some people are not expressing themselves as far as getting on the ball is concerned, being comfortable on the ball and wanting the ball."
Plymouth Argyle: Larrieu (Stack 46), Duguid, Paterson (Puncheon 58), Timar (Seip 65), Easter, Doumbe, Fallon (MacLean 65), McNamee, Sawyer (Clark 62), Summerfield (Folly 72), Mackie.
Dundee Utd: Zaluska, Dillon, Wilkie (Kovacevic 72), Dods, Grainger, Flood, Robertson, Buaben (Swanson 81), Gomis, Daly (Sandaza 46), Feeney (Shala 90). Subs: Robertson, Dixon, McCord, McGovern.
Referee: S Tanner
Attendance: 4120.
The full article contains 881 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
