Published: Wednesday, 21st July, 2010 10:57am

Scott Walker Column

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IT was good to get a 2-0 friendly win over Sauchie Juniors at the Recs on Saturday as our preparations for the new season gather pace.

We played pretty well and started brightly, our movement was good, although I felt we over-passed at times and a simple ball from back to front, to mix things up a bit, might have brought us a few more goals. But it was a good result and an excellent fitness exercise for us.

The team is shaping up nicely, it was pretty much our strongest side we had out there on Saturday, and overall, things look very positive.

I am delighted with the way me and big Mick Dunlop are gelling together at the back, we're developing a really good understanding, which bodes well for next season.

In the midfield, Kevin McDonald is excellent, he has a great range of passing and can provide our forwards with plenty of ammunition.

This Saturday, we travel to Dens Park for what promises to be an exciting, but tough cup-tie against Dundee in the first round of the Challenge Cup. Games against full-time opposition always are, but we'll go into it with confidence.

Look at our performance against Ross County last year in the same competition, when we took them to extra-time in the opening round. That was one we could have won - so there will be no lack of belief.

For me, the most important thing against Dundee will be to keep things tight at the back, that's my department. If the lads pull that off then we have the ability to grab a goal at the other end.

Our way of playing, trying to get the full-backs more involved in the game, should make it an entertaining one for the fans. If the Dens players have an off day, which they could well do considering some of their big players have left for pastures new in recent weeks, that could work to our advantage.

I've played three full games so far in the close season, I would have liked a few more against higher-end opposition to have tested my fitness levels, but on the whole I'm pretty happy with where I'm at in my preparation.

A word for Dougie 'Jinky' Wilson. The Wasps favourite has been out of contention for a long time through injury but is doing really well in pre-season.

In my opinion, he's shown in the game time he's had that if he can stay fit, he could be worthy of another contract at Recreation Park.

Next week, I'll give my reaction to the Dundee game and preview our League Cup first round tie away to East Stirling.