Dundee United's Jamie Robson praises '˜unpredictable' Scott Fraser

Jamie Robson is used to seeing Scott Fraser in full flight. With the Dundee United midfielder's latest display simply overwhelming Dunfermline, there was not a hint of surprise from someone whose also been left a victim.
Dundee Uniteds Sam Stanton goes head to head with Michael Paton. Picture: SNS.Dundee Uniteds Sam Stanton goes head to head with Michael Paton. Picture: SNS.
Dundee Uniteds Sam Stanton goes head to head with Michael Paton. Picture: SNS.

Robson knows better than anyone the raw talent which Fraser possesses having himself been given the run-around by his Tannadice team-mate within the confines of their training ground.

The United playmaker demonstrated his capabilities where it mattered most at the weekend, with his first-half double propelling Csaba Laszlo’s side back into pole position in the Championship.

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As if the 22-year-old’s stunning free-kick opener in 15 minutes wasn’t enough, he added a second three minutes before the break with his supposedly weaker right foot, rendering Declan McManus’s 75th-minute penalty a mere consolation for Allan Johnston’s visitors.

Robson, United’s burgeoning full-back, wasn’t taken aback as Fraser flummoxed their Fife opponents and admits trying to curtail him on the training field is similarly challenging. “Everyone knows Scott is capable of doing things like that,” said Robson. “We see what he can do every day of the week. You can’t tell what he is going to do next so it’s difficult to defend against him.

“I work with him every day and sometimes even I can’t tell so it must be impossible for opposition players to guess right. There is unpredictability about Scott and he is two-footed as well, as we saw with those goals. Indeed, you don’t want to mark him in training because of what he can do. I try my best but he has such quick feet and is probably the best technical player I have seen at Dundee United.

“Scott’s consistency is also getting better and every week he is performing better. If he keeps that up then he will really help the team over the rest of the season.”

The Tayside club once more find themselves leading the race for promotion, owing also to St Mirren’s 1-0 loss to Dumbarton.

Robson, who claimed an assist with the second goal, is urging Laszlo’s men to strengthen their grip on top spot in the weeks ahead. “It was a massive result that put us top of the league so I’m delighted,” said the 19-year-old. “That’s us now five games undefeated in the league – four wins and a draw – so we have to keep it up.

“It’s good to be top again and with St Mirren not having a game in hand on us. We are there on our own now and a point ahead. We are not relying on anyone else other than ourselves to keep us there.”

Dunfermline are now without a win in their last five league outings.

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Johnston’s side require to somehow find form again soon, though youngster Lewis Martin remains confident they will turn things round.

He said: “We’re disappointed not to have anything to show for our efforts but it will come if we keep playing like this.”