Dundee United

Paul McNicoll
Fan writer

When it comes to picking a first XI I'm a big advocate of horses for courses, but down Tannadice way recently there seems to have been an awful lot of chopping and changing from week to week. Different formations, different personnel.

Now I appreciate, if recent results had been more favourable, I likely wouldn't feel the need to raise this question, but recent results and performances haven't been great, so it's getting raised.

Should United focus more on themselves than on what they should do to stop the opposition?

Look at Motherwell, for example. They've got a clear identity. They play the same way every week. Come rain, shine, or a 3-0 deficit, you know exactly what you're getting with them.

It might not always come off, but at least the players look like they know which way they're supposed to be kicking. There's something to be said for that.

So does Jim Goodwin need to stick to a formation he believes in and go with it? Or should he continue doing what he is doing at present, the horses for courses method?

I suspect he won't change, and I'm also not overly pushing for the change, but it does merit mentioning.

As for the recent run of results and performances, perhaps the team are just struggling at the moment, and it's merely coincidence that different formations/players have been employed, almost from game to game, while the form has dipped. Who can say?

Whatever the reason, the next test is a trip to Tynecastle and if Goodwin doesn't get his selection right there, it could be a very long afternoon in Gorgie.

Let's just hope the horses he picks that day can actually gallop, because Hearts won't be standing still waiting for us to catch up.

Paul McNicoll can be found at The Dode Fox Podcast, external

Dundee United were among the clubs tracking Pierre Landry Kabore over the summer before the Burkina Faso forward chose to join Hearts. (The Courier), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Sportscene pundits Neil McCann and Jackie McNamara are unimpressed with defender Krisztian Keresztes' efforts at preventing Motherwell's second goal in Dundee United's midweek defeat in Lanarkshire.

We asked for your views on Dundee United's 2-0 defeat against Motherwell at Fir Park.

Here's what some of you said:

Jamie: It's time for Jim Goodwin to go. Our squad has evolved with some exciting players joining in the summer, but his tactics haven't. He talks a good game in his press conferences, but come matchday he fails to deliver. In almost every league game this season he has got his tactics and team selection wrong in the first half and been forced to change things in desperation. Hats off to Motherwell, they played some beautiful football.

Joe: That was dreadful from start to finish. Feared what might come from the game, our shockingly poor starts to matches have become a regularity and this was no different. Outside of Luca Stephenson hitting the post we offered next to nothing. A very concerning night in terms of result but particularly performance, questions have to be asked as to why we can't take the game to the opposition from the off.

Gary: Shocking from start to finish. We were miles off it and second best in every department. I'm glad Goodwin shouldered a lot of the blame, but the excuses have to stop. Yes we're a new team, but they've had time to gel and have a strong squad now which will only get stronger as the last few injuries return. But we MUST get consistency of performance.

Steve: Four matches in a row where we've been incredibly poor, flappy goalkeeper and lumping balls to a big striker with no one near him for support is what got us relegated. Would love to know what Goodwin has been working on at training as the contrast with Motherwell was stark.

Kieran: Toothless, timid and tactless just some of few words we have been accustomed to this season. Again another diabolical first half, defending for both goals questionable, especially the second and the midfield again were bystanders.

George: Weak defence is causing problems throughout the team. Goalkeeper not brave enough, time for a change. In defence, three or four switch off allowing attackers to get there first. We need to sharpen up at the back or we could be in real trouble.

Watch the goals as Motherwell beat Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership (UK only).

Motherwell head into Saturday's League Cup semi-final on a high after recording consecutive Scottish Premiership victories for the first time this season by downing Dundee United.

Read the full match report here.

Let us know your thoughts.

Image source, SNS

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin told BBC Scotland: "We were really poor on the night, but I don't want to take anything away from Motherwell - I thought they were excellent, particularly in the first half.

"I've got to take my share of the blame in that because tactically, I don't think we got it right. We made changes, we were able to commit more bodies forward, be more aggressive in our press.

"In the first half, we were too cautious. Motherwell want the press, want you to come onto them, they want to break lines and take your midfield out the game. They caused us numerous problems.

"The second half was a little bit better but nowhere near good enough and we didn't deserve to take anything on the night.

"Sibbald took a bad gash to his shin, that's the reason. [Pan] Camara made a real difference when he came on in the middle of the pitch. Unfortunately, we couldn't start Pan tonight."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Much has been made about the impact a resurgent Craig Sibbald has had on Dundee United in recent games.

But another development that will be just as welcome is Zac Sapsford's return to the scoring charts.

The Australian striker, who arrived from Western Sydney Wanderers during the summer, made an instant impact with two goals in Conference League qualifiers and a couple of strikes early in the Premiership.

But Sapsford's goal in the 3-1 win over St Mirren last weekend was his first since the middle of September, a four-game barren run.

Sapsford scored nine and provided four assists last term in his homeland and has already shown plenty of promise here.

Only Ivan Dolcek (five) can trump Sapsford's haul of three league goals so far, while the Australian has had the most shots - 17 - of any United player and has put 10 on target.

Sapsford also leads the way for United with five of what Opta deem 'big chances', but the fact he has only scored one of those suggests some calmer finishing may be required with gilt-edged opportunities.

The 23-year-old should of course be cut some slack as he continues to adapt to life in a new country and football culture.

However, like all strikers, he will thrive off confidence and United will be hoping that now that he is back among the goals there will be plenty more to follow - starting tonight at Fir Park where the Tannadice men have toiled in recent years.

Image source, SNS

• Motherwell have won their past two home games against Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership, with those games seeing a combined 12 goals (3-2 in May 2023, 4-3 in December 2024).

• United have only won one of their past six away league visits to Motherwell (D1 L4), a 2-1 victory in April 2023.

• Motherwell's last home league game was a 2-1 defeat to Falkirk – ending their eight-game unbeaten run at Fir Park in the Scottish Premiership (W4 D4).

• United remain unbeaten in their four away league games this season (W1 D3), last going five without defeat on the road in the Premiership in October 2021.

• United's Jim Goodwin has lost seven of his 17 Scottish Premiership games against Motherwell as a manager (W5 D5), only losing more in the competition against Rangers (14), Celtic (11), and Hibernian (9).

Image source, SNS

Goalkeeper Aston Oxborough is out of the Motherwell squad with a hand injury. Long-term absentees Sam Nicholson, Filip Stuparevic (both knee), Eseosa Sule, Jordan McGhee (both thigh) and Zach Robinson (Achilles) remain sidelined.

Dundee United remain without Ross Graham and Max Watters (both hamstring). Isaac Pappoe (knee) is out long term.

Image source, SNS

Jim Goodwin will aim to showcase his Dundee United's squad's flexibility when they visit a Motherwell side who present a "completely different challenge".

United beat St Mirren 3-1 on Saturday but Goodwin believes they will need to "show a different side" to their game at Fir Park.

"It's a completely different challenge to the one that we faced at the weekend against St Mirren. Two real contrasting styles of play," said the Tannadice boss.

"On Saturday it was about the physicality, it was about matching the effort and the athleticism of St Mirren and having to defend the box pretty much every moment they had the ball.

"Motherwell are completely different in their approach - they try to build from the back, they've got some very good technical players in the midfield area. They've got real pace at the top end of the pitch as well.

"That's why the recruitment side of things is so important as well. You can't be one-dimensional. We're not afraid to change things up here - change systems, change formations, change personnel.

"We showed a side to ourselves on Saturday that gave us all a lot of confidence that we can stand up to that physical approach.

"On Wednesday night against Motherwell, we're going to have to show a different side to our game in terms of the discipline and the structure of the team behind the ball.

"The shape of the team is going to be important when we don't have possession, but also when we do get it, then we have to go and show what we're capable of doing as well.

"It's two very good attacking teams and hopefully that will make for a really entertaining game of football.

"It's only Hearts that have scored more goals in the Premiership than ourselves, which is great."

Ronny Costello
Fan writer

That's more like it.

After three games without a win, it felt like United needed this one badly, not just for the points but to remind ourselves what we're capable of when we dig in and show a bit of fight.

It didn't start well. Another mistake, another cheap goal conceded. Yevhen Kucherenko will know he should have done better and you could almost hear the groan from the stands as Dan Nlundulu nodded it in.

Same story, different week. But to their credit, United didn't fold.

The man from Down Under's equaliser just before half-time was the spark we needed.

From there, the momentum slowly shifted. Gorgeous Jim's subs made a difference again - fresh legs and more energy brought more threat.

Then came the big moment: Alex Gogic's late lunge on Nikolaj Moller. A definite penalty despite what some pundits have said then led to VAR doing its job for once and Amar Fatah as cool as you like.

Craig Sibbald doesn't score a bad goal it seems and it was the icing on the cake - two goals in two games and three points in the bag.

We matched St Mirren physically, stood up to their aggression before using the bench to win it late. They had over 20 shots, but only three on target, which is something to tighten up for sure.

It wasn't pretty but that's fine as you can't play champagne football every week.

Three goals, three points and maybe a little smash and grab like the Louvre last week but the rollercoaster rolls on to Motherwell.

Ronny Costello can be found at the Dode Fox Podcast, external

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Who is talking-up Craig Sibbald these days, eh?

Craig Sibbald: Followed up his stunning strike against Rangers at Ibrox with another goal of similar quality. This time bending it in from a slight angle into the top corner to sink St Mirren. Bringing back all the memories of Sibbald's early days at Falkirk when he was a mercurial number 10.

If you're wanting more on the man of the moment, read on here.

Watch Sportscene analysis of Alex Gogic's red card for St Mirren in their Scottish Premiership game against Dundee United.

Watch highlights as Dundee United win 3-1 against St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership.

We asked for your views on Dundee United's 3-1 win against St Mirren.

Here's what some of you said:

Jimbo: United were awful again in the first half and were lucky to go in level. The introduction of Amar Fatah gave us pace and directness, and for once VAR was on our side. Craig Sibbald can't score like that every week, can he?

Gary: Jim Goodwin got lucky. United were poor again but that was exacerbated by the wrong formation for an hour. Anytime we got the ball at the back, the midfield were covered and too narrow up front. The enforced change of Luca Stephenson made a significant difference because of the change of shape, and personnel. Vicko Sevelj and Iurie Iovu, and even Bert Esselink at times, weren't at the races, and St Mirren's goal was pathetic. Yevhen Kucherenko needs to learn how to catch, if you get hit whilst doing that, you'll get a free-kick all day long. We're tired of him costing us needless goals. Good shot stopper, shocking at dealing with crosses.

Dave: I spent most of the match expecting St Mirren to score a second and winning goal, so to snatch three points was massive. It's time to give Dave Richards a run in goal - Kucherenko's a bomb scare on every cross. The team, and the referee got him out of jail today.

Joe: A tough watch again for the most part but it was all about three points. That said, if we continue to start games as slow as we have done this season then these wins will filter out. Motherwell are a dangerous side and if we give them as much opportunity to get a grip of the game like we did with St Mirren then I fear a negative result on Wednesday. Hoping the huge three points can galvanise the team to up their game and really take it to the 'Well. A much needed win.

Stephen: Three points are three points. No matter if you're playing the better football, stick the ball in the onion bag more times than the other team you're going to win and that's pretty much what happened at Tannadice. Into third place and going into the mid-week game in good (results) form, if not actually good form, against a Motherwell side that seem to have finally figured out how to win. Let's see if we can grind out another three points! Nikolaj Moller for Sibbald is a nice repetition!

Ben: We dug in, stayed in the match and capitalised on St Mirren's lack of potency. To be honest, we've more than deserved a win from a game that we probably shouldn't have won. We dropped a point against Hearts in the last seconds, following an energy sapping game days earlier, against Vienna, Hibs snuck a draw in the last minute with a contentious penalty, Rangers scored late on for a draw and we really should have beaten Livingston given our second half bombardment. I have to say, the strength in depth we have is brilliant, especially when you consider Ivan Dolcek wasn't used against St Mirren.

It was quit the dramatic finish at Tannadice as Dundee United left it late against 10-man St Mirren, but what did you think?

Match report can be read here.

Have your say on the match here.

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin was content to focus on the outcome rather than the method following his side's late 3-1 win over St Mirren at Tannadice.

"Sometimes the result is more important than the performance," he said.

"We knew it was going to be a tough test because I don't think there's a team in the Scottish Premiership that makes you defend you're box more than St Mirren does.

"They're really good at what they do, they get the ball forward early, they make life difficult for defenders, and lots of set plays are coming in the box, lots of long throws into the box too, so our guys at the back had to stand up and be counted.

"I thought they did that brilliantly. The game wasn't a great spectacle in terms of nice and neat football but It was about grinding out a result for us."

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

Dundee United remain without Ross Graham and Max Watters (both hamstring) while Owen Stirton is working his way back from an ankle problem. Isaac Pappoe (knee) is a long-term absentee.

St Mirren are without the suspended Jayden Richardson while strikers Jonah Ayunga and Mikael Mandron are both struggling with knee problems.

Image source, SNS

Jim Goodwin has warned Dundee United cannot afford another slow start when they host a St Mirren side who will "come flying out of the traps at us".

United have conceded the opener in their past three Premiership fixtures, losing 2-0 at Kilmarnock, drawing 1-1 at home to Livingston and 2-2 against Rangers albeit the visitors led at Ibrox until late on.

Boss Goodwin, who captained and managed St Mirren, said: "There was a lot of positives to take from the game against Rangers last weekend, particularly in the second 45 minutes.

"The learnings are similar to the previous two games where we can't afford to have a slow start, especially in the game like tomorrow against St Mirren, where you know what you're going to get with Stephen Robinson's side.

"They are one of the most difficult opponents in the league, physically so strong, so athletic, everyone has a real understanding of what the manager is asking them to do.

"It's really important that we don't get off to a slow start tomorrow, because if we do, then we'll find ourselves in a similar situation to that of the previous three games, which is us trying to chase the game.

"I look back on things in terms of preparation for games but I don't think there's a whole lot wrong with what we're doing in terms of the training day to day, the analysis that we're doing, the message that we're giving to the players.

"It's not like before we go into games that we're saying, 'let's just ease our way in here, lads.' That's never been the message.

"Sometimes it's got to come from within, mentally, you've got to be prepared. I think the players have played eight or nine games up to now and understand what the Scottish Premiership is all about.

"You can't afford to have slow starts and give the opposition the encouragement, especially an opponent like tomorrow, they will come flying out of the traps at us tomorrow.

"We've talked long and hard about that this week. The message is clear before the game of how we want to approach it. We know we have to win all those individual battles."