JIM GOODWIN | WE HAVE TO RAISE THE TEMPO

Dundee United Manager Jim Goodwin insists attacking patience coupled with an intent to move the ball quickly will be the key to tangerine success as his side prepare to welcome Partick Thistle to the city of Discovery for their final bow of the year.

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SPIDERS FRUSTRATION 

First reflecting on last week’s stalemate at the National Stadium, the Terrors boss admits he left Mount Florida rueing a multitude of missed chances carved out by his side. A dry evening in front of goal contrasted the sodden conditions that faced both sides. 

“Unfortunately, football can go that way sometimes - where you can be doing a lot of things right and getting into good areas, but don’t get the break of the ball.

“There’s no getting away from the fact we were extremely disappointed not to score more goals. In the early part of the season, we were scoring four, five, six, and everyone gives us lots of praise.

“When we aren’t able to achieve that, we accept the criticism that comes our way, because we know we have a quality group of players."

POSITIVE SIGNS PERSIST

On the face it of it, the Glasgow lock-out contributed to a relatively barren December. 

However, United actually boasted an attacking potency superior to their last clash with tomorrow’s opponents - a match which saw them score five goals without reply.

“A lot has been made of the fact we haven’t scored in the last couple of games against Raith and Queen’s Park, but I’m capable of stepping back and analysing the situation.

“We have a certain set of key indicators and metrics we look for when analysing the games – and we created as many opportunities against Queen’s Park at Hampden as we did in the 5-0 victory against Partick Thistle. We had more penalty box entries, more final third entries and just as many crosses.

“I reiterate the point that we are still playing the same way, still creating the same opportunities, but not being as ruthless as we once were. I’m full of belief that we’ll get back to that, hopefully on Friday night.”

A DIFFERENT CHALLENGE

The aforementioned meeting between the sides in October was United’s most convincing league victory in over four years.

Kevin Holt’s remarkable second-half hat-trick was also the first of it’s kind since Lawrence Shankland left the same venue with a three-goal haul in January 2020.

Goodwin, however, is adamant the scoreline wasn’t necessarily an accurate representation of the challenge that faced his charges in Maryhill that afternoon. Furthermore, the Jags have been defeated just once since that matchup - by table-topping Raith Rovers.

“When I look back at that 5-0 victory, the first half was very competitive and close. We only managed to get in one goal in front after the first 45 minutes. Once we scored the second, the game became a bit easier. Partick had to come out and it opened up.

“I would expect more of the same from what we saw in the first half at Firhill, in terms of how Partick will set up here.”

The 42-year-old is anticipating a backs-to-the-wall approach from opposite number Kris Doolan - a familiar sight when hosting second-tier opposition at Tannadice this term.

Therefore, a high-tempo brand of attacking football to create gaps in the Thistle backline and entertain the supporters is being demanded by the Gaffer.

“As with any game here at Tannadice, the onus is on us to take the game to the opposition and to find a way to break them down. Every team that’s come here up to now have defended deep and got lots of bodies behind the ball. That’s something we have to be prepared for. 

“We have to raise the tempo and raise the intensity in our possession; move the ball nice and quickly and hopefully exploit the spaces.”

ENDING ON A HIGH

This evening’s fixture falls almost exactly one year to the day of our final match of 2022.

Glenn Middleton, Charlie Mulgrew and Craig Sibbald all rippled the net at Tannadice as United triumphed 3-0 over Ross County to record their first victory since the resumption of domestic football following the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The hosts were roared onto victory by a bumper festive crowd, and Goodwin is hoping to emulate the result by feeding off the energy from the stands and getting the supporters enthused in the opening exchanges.

“Here at home, the crowd have been brilliant and always turned out in great numbers. In the main, I think we’ve given them good performances to enjoy and get excited about.

“We want to finish this year on a positive note and go into 2024 with lots of confidence and feeling good about ourselves. We’ll just have to try to bring that killer touch in front of goal, get the supporters out of their seats and give them something to cheer about."

DOCHERTY WOES CONTINUE

Whilst not sustaining any further knocks during the trip to Hampden, United will suffer from the absence of their skipper, Ross Docherty, once more as he continues his battle against a niggling injury.

The 30-year-old, however, could be in the frame to feature in our first match after the turn of the year, according to Goodwin.

“Ross will unfortunately miss Friday and then we’ll assess him in the build-up to the Arbroath game. That one will be touch-and-go, but we’ll hopefully have him available in the next ten days.”