Competitive Return

Dundee United's competitive campaign gets underway late Saturday afternoon as Jim Goodwin's side travel to the Forthbank Stadium to face Stirling Albion in our opening Premier Sports Cup Group B fixture.

Competitive football returns after six weeks of preparation, with the men's first team looking to make a positive start before attentions turn to the William Hill Premiership campaign later this month.

While the two clubs last met in a pre-season friendly in July 2009, with United victorious courtesy of a 2-1 victory, Saturday's encounter will be their first competitive meeting in almost 28 years.

The sides previously clashed, also in the Scottish League Cup, this time in the second round back in August 1998, on that occasion, the ninety-minutes ended in a 2-2 draw. The Terrors progressed courtesy of a three-nil penalty shoot-out victory as Roger Boli, Gary McSwegan and Andy McLaren all converted from the spot, while Sieb Dykstra denied three of Stirling Albion's spot-kicks.

Preparations Complete

Following several demanding weeks of pre-season preparation, Goodwin believes his squad are ready to make the transition from training ground work to competitive action.

"The players have come back in relatively good shape after the break, and it's now about getting that sharpness and intensity raised," the manager said.

"Thankfully, we're in a good place. The players are looking fit and, while no team in the country is going to be at 100 per cent at this stage, I believe we've got enough within the squad to go and take care of our business in this Premier Sports Cup group and hopefully ensure that we get through into the last 16."

Although pleased with the physical condition of his players, the Irishman acknowledges that the opening weeks of the season always present unique challenges, particularly when integrating a number of new faces into the squad.

"From the first day of pre-season you're trying to bed down the key principles of how you want the team to look, both in and out of possession, while at the same time making sure the players get the required distances into their legs from a fitness point of view."

"Ultimately, you've got new players coming in, and every time there's a new face you've got to restart that whole process again. You've got to keep repeating the same messages over and over until everybody is on the same page and everybody is clear about what their jobs are within the team."

New Faces, Shared Ambition

Among those settling into life at Tannadice is defender Michael Forbes, who has impressed since arriving from West Ham United earlier this summer.

The Northern Ireland Under-21 international has spent the past few weeks adapting to his new surroundings following his capture from West Ham United and says he has enjoyed every minute of life in tangerine so far.

"I've been here just over a couple of weeks now, and I'm settling in really well," said Forbes.

"We've been training hard, but we've been training well. The manager and the coaches have been getting their messages across, and I think everybody has taken them on board. We're moving in the right direction, so now we're just looking forward to getting stuck into these games and getting the season underway."

The defender also revealed that conversations with the manager were a decisive factor in choosing Tannadice as the next chapter of his career.

"We spoke to a number of clubs, but after speaking to the gaffer, the feeling that me, my family and my agent got from him was really positive. We really grasped onto everything he was saying."

"He showed me a pathway for my own development and how I could improve individually while helping the club as well. He had a massive part to play in me coming here, and I'm just really happy to be here now because all the talking is done, and it's over to the players."

Having progressed through the academy system at West Ham before gaining valuable senior experience on loan, Forbes is embracing the responsibility that comes with becoming a permanent first-team player.

"Whenever you're a permanent player at a club, it's different because there's nobody to fall back on. You have to embrace that challenge and look forward to these situations. If you don't, then there's no point being here. Football is about enjoying the good days, managing the difficult days and continuing to work hard."

Fellow summer recruit Dylan Tait has also settled quickly into his new surroundings and believes Dundee United provides the perfect environment to continue his progression.

"Once I sat down with the club, my agent and my family, it just felt like the right move for me at this stage in my career," said Tait.

"Dundee United is a massive club with so much history and, when you look at the facilities we've got here at St Andrews and Tannadice, I just felt it was the right place to take the next step. I just want to do really well here."

Having joined a squad full of new faces, the midfielder has also been impressed by the togetherness already developing within the dressing room.

"The boys have been really welcoming, and I think we've got an excellent changing room. On the pitch, it's a superb squad and, once everything comes together, I think we can have a really successful season."

"These cup games are never easy because there's always upsets, but we're ready for the challenge, and hopefully we can go there, put in a good performance and get the three points."

Ready to Get Started

While the manager accepts the Premier Sports Cup arrives earlier than many other managers would ideally like, he insists there can be no excuses once the first whistle blows at Forthbank.

"It's always too early, and I think every manager would probably agree with that, but it is what it is. We understand why the competition is played at this stage, and it's good competitive football for the supporters to enjoy."

"Regardless of where we are in pre-season, we've got to be in the right frame of mind to make sure we go and get the job done. That's our focus going into Saturday."

"It's always too early, and I think every manager would probably agree with that, but it is what it is. We understand why the competition is played at this stage, and it's good competitive football for the supporters to enjoy."

"Regardless of where we are in pre-season, we've got to be in the right frame of mind to make sure we go and get the job done. That's our focus going into Saturday."

Continue the build-up to Saturday's Premier Sports Cup opener by watching the full pre-match interviews with Jim Goodwin and Dylan Tait, available now on DUTV.

For supporters unable to make the journey to Stirling, DUTV Live will provide comprehensive coverage from Forthbank Stadium, while live updates will be available across Dundee United's official digital channels throughout the afternoon.

Kick-off at the Forthbank Stadium is at 5.30pm.