JIM GOODWIN | WE’VE GOT THE STRONGEST SQUAD IN THE LEAGUE

Dundee United Manager Jim Goodwin claims the two-week lay-off has enabled his ranks to be restored to the ‘strongest squad in the league’.

By the time Graham Grainger’s shrill whistle reverberates around Tannadice to signal kick-off, the Terrors will have had almost 15 full days to nurse the knocks from an arduous winter schedule.

Pivotal senior members of the squad including but not limited to Ross Docherty, Louis Moult, Declan Gallagher and Craig Sibbald have found themselves sidelined through injury or suspension throughout recent weeks.

All but one, Gallagher, are now in the picture to feature when the Pars pitch up on Tayside. 

Goodwin began: “We've enjoyed the recent break that we've had, with it being a couple of weeks now since our last fixture, albeit we would much rather have been involved in the Scottish Cup. From our perspective, it actually came at a pretty good time for us given the injuries that we had and how small the squad was looking up at Inverness.

 “So it's given us a really good opportunity to get boys back training and get them fit. We've got a really good, strong, healthy-looking squad now going into this game. We're in a much better position going into this one than we were in the last fixture - there are lots more options for me to choose from. 

And with the playing group on the cusp of full strength once again, the Irishman believes he has the best collective in the division at his disposal.

“When we have got a fully fit squad available, I believe we've got the strongest squad in the league. Our major issue this season has been that we've had to go considerable periods of time without key players.

"We've got 16 league games left and it's really important that we try and keep as many of those players fit and available between now and the end of the season

FINDING HOME COMFORTS

Hosting just our second fixture of the calendar year, Goodwin is desperate to make Tannadice a fortress for the final few months of the season, having endured a slightly inconsistent campaign on home soil.

United have failed to win 50% of our cinch Championship fixtures in the city of Discovery this term - a stark contrast to our flawless record on the road which boasts no fewer than eight wins from ten matches. 

First-footed by Greenock Morton, the Ton headed back the the west coast with all three points after a remarkable George Oakley hat-trick. However, since the appointment of the 42-year-old, his charges have only suffered back-to-back home defeats once.

“We've really enjoyed playing at Tannadice, although our points return at home probably hasn't been what I would like it to be when you consider how well we've done on the road this season,” continued Goodwin.

“It's been a few weeks now since we've had a home game and hopefully the supporters will turn out good numbers like they have done all season to get behind the team. We're at that point now where every game is of significant importance - we are entering that business end of the season where wins really matter. We'll just take it one at a time."

BEDDING IN 

Less than seven days remain until last orders are called for the winter transfer window. United have made two additions to date, Alex Greive and David Wotherspoon, who have utilised the break to familiarise themselves with their new surroundings.

“We've done great business in the window up to now already. We’ve added real quality when you look at Wotherspoon and Greive both coming in. It was good to get both those deals done relatively early in the window as well.

“Both players know some of the guys from previous clubs, which always makes the settling in process a little bit easier. They're two very good characters. That’s something that we should be very pleased with in terms of the recruitment we've done from the summer up to now - the type of characters that we've brought in.

Greive made his Terrors bow in the Highland capital, cutting an energetic figure at the forefront of United’s attack before succumbing to cramp around the hour mark. 

Former St Johnstone hero Wotherspoon is set to make his debut when the Pars come to town, with the Gaffer left with the decision of whether to make use of his talents from the start or the bench.

“We've tried to develop a really positive culture here at the club and those two enhance that. Technically and from an ability perspective, they've added real quality. We're delighted with both of them and look forward to seeing plenty of them in the next 16 league games.”

FURTHER REINFORCEMENT

With the forward areas bolstered, attention could shift to strengthening the backline due to the absence of Scotland international Declan Gallagher. The 32-year-old went under the knife in the hopes of speeding up his recovery from a groin injury.

Despite the desire to add depth to his defence, Goodwin insists he won’t jump the gun on snapping up a centre-half from the market should they lack the requisite quality to become an integral member of the squad.

“Gallagher has recently received surgery, and that does leave us a little bit short at the back - that's an area that we're looking to try and strengthen. 

“But there's not a great deal of concern around that because I do think we've got players that could potentially fill in in those areas if necessary. We've got a couple of really good young centre-backs at the club that I'm really excited about in Greg Petrie and Sam Cleall-Harding.

The youthful pair highlighted by the United boss, Petrie and Cleall-Harding, are a regular fixture within first-team training, also being named in numerous matchday squads throughout the previous two campaigns.

“If we weren't able to get anybody in, I'm not just going to add to the squad for the sake of it If we do bring one in that position, they need to be better than what we have. If they're not then I'm quite happy to go with one of those two young lads within the squad.”

THREE-HORSE RACE

The race for the cinch Championship title shows no signs of slowing down. The gap between first and second place has seldom widened beyond three points, and Goodwin states another challenger has hoved into his rear-view mirror - Partick Thistle.

The Jags have suffered just two defeats in their last 12 league matches - both coming to the only sides above them in the table. Kris Doolan’s side now sit eight points off the summit of the second tier, albeit the leaders have a game in hand  

“The message to the players for the last number of months is to enjoy the challenge from Raith Rovers. Let's not rule out Partick Thistle either,” warned Goodwin.

“They've slipped under the radar in recent weeks. They've been on a great run of form, picking up some really important results and closing the gap on ourselves and Raith Rovers at the top of the table. It's not just a two-horse race as far as I'm concerned - there are three teams very much involved in it.”

Rather than induce nerves, he has challenged his side to embrace the three-way chase for the trophy.

“We have to be excited by that. When you're playing for a big club like Dundee United, you've got to relish the opportunity and the challenge of someone trying to take that top spot from you. We're there at the moment - I believe we're there on merit but there's lot of football to be played between now and May.

“We just have to make sure that we maintain our focus, continue to try and develop and improve - that's something that I believe we're capable of doing. I don't think we've hit the heights yet that we're capable of, and we'll continue to strive for that.”