BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
ONE of Peter Houston’s managerial maxims is that he does not take notice of the league table until the end of January.
The Falkirk boss has been around the block enough times to know when momentum really counts; that it is better to finish strongly than explode out of the traps.
And, just like last season when his side upset the odds to finish second in the Championship, Houston’s Bairns appear to be building up a head of steam at the perfect time.
Falkirk have now claimed four wins and a draw from their last five Championship fixtures and, after outclassing Dundee United 3-0 on Saturday, are just three points behind the Tannadice outfit.
A somewhat underwhelming first-half of the campaign is rapidly becoming a distant memory.
“I thought we outworked them, outplayed them and outfought them,” said a delighted Houston.
“Our players are picking up more consistency – that’s 13 points out of 15 – and I’ll settle for that.
“More than just today, I’m delighted with the last three performances – and the fact that we are finding that consistency that we have been thriving for – and not getting – for a lot of this season.
“This is a big result for us, it puts us nine ahead of Queen of the South. There are plenty of games left and plenty to play for [above us], but we’ll also keep an eye behind us.”
Indeed, the only negative to a hugely satisfying afternoon for Houston was the sight of John Baird limping off with a hamstring strain.
The diminutive striker opened the scoring with his 10th goal of the season before being replaced by Nathan Austin. Not that it had any adverse effect on the Bairns, who went on to extend their advantage through Aaron Muirhead and James Craigen.
Houston added: “Baird and Lee Miller were terrific. Hopefully it is nothing serious for Bairdy, he has never done his hamstring before so he’s not sure what he’s done.
“We’ll get him scanned if we need to and hopefully he’s not out for long because that’s four goals in three games.
“Big [Nathan] Austin is a different option – like Bambi on Ice up there sometimes. I don’t know what he is going to do and he doesn’t either! But he upsets people, gets in behind them, he’s got pace and is good in the air.”
