The Terrors continued their 100% record in Group C with a convincing victory over the Blue Brazil to set up a group decider next week at Dens Park.
United lined up without a striker due to injuries and only having two on the books, and it was Matty Smith who led the line for United. In truth this led to a fairly tame first half where United really looked quite toothless going forward, with plenty of possession but little thrust. This was until I jinxed it by saying we didn't look like scoring in my group chat, and within 30 seconds Stanton combined with King and slotted home beyond the on-rushing keeper. United went in at the break a goal to the good.
The second half started with a goalkeeping change for Cowdenbeath and it was former United youngster McGovern who came on for the Fifers. And he is, without doubt, the smallest keeper I've ever seen. He looked like a wee boy. And his first job was to pick the ball out of the net, great tenacity by Smith winning the ball back from the defender and King picked up the loose ball and dinked it over McGovern to double United's lead.
United had more about us in the second half and pressed for more goals, and the third came from a penalty incident when someone went down (I was pre-occupied by something, which I'll get to in a minute) and Scott Fraser neatly tucked the ball into the back of the net. Fraser came off later in the game and he's clearly not right after his foot break at the end of last season. Hopefully he'll be ok.
United made a few changes, and it was immediately after we brought on 17 year old local lad Logan Chalmers, switching to a 442, that the Blue Brazil pulled a goal back, United seeming all over the place after the change. We settled again though and Smith pounced on a spilled save to score the final goal.
All in all it was a controlled and professional performance by United in a game they dominated.
The big talking point however, and the big distraction for the penalty incident, was the 40+ seagulls that descended on Tannadice for the second week in a row. The bassas were swooping down at the crowd for most of the second half and, given I have a slight phobia about birds (the flying variety, before you start), it was very unsettling.
Another talking point of course was the fact that United had 7 academy graduates in the squad. That is either a good thing in that our youths are getting a chance, or a bad thing in that we are forced to rely on our youths due to a small squad. Take your pick.
Good performances - I really like the look of Briels in the midfield. Scobbie played well at centre half and Toshney again looked ok. Smith led the line well and Chalmers had a few nice touches and, more importantly, wasn't afraid to get stuck in. King got man of the match and probably just about deserved it.
Bad performances - McMullan was very wasteful with the ball despite getting into promising areas, and at times he ran down cul-de-sacs. I think he was the only one who stood out as not playing particularly well.
All eyes on next week now and, depending on how many the Dees score mid-week against Cowdenbeath, a draw might well do us.
Mon the Terrors
DUFC 4 CFC 1
posted on 24/7/17
All group winners and the 4 best runners up go through. I think that puts us through, but could be wrong??
posted on 24/7/17
I would be surprised if many runners up get to 9 points.
Nonetheless, hopefully we get something at Dens as a wee marker for them, and to help ease the pain from our last visit.
posted on 24/7/17
Exactly Ivan. I don't think they are up to much to be honest, but will easily be our biggest test thus far 👍🏻
posted on 24/7/17
It will take time for us to gel but we have some real hardmen in our team now who won’t take any nonsense in a derby. We would have drawn that game against Raith last season. McCann installing a winning attitude. Don’t think the Buckie game was really relevant.
posted on 24/7/17
No complaints about Ray's signings so far except for N'Koyi.
Signing an unfit striker seems strange to me as we can't afford to gamble on players this season.
And the fact that we played a competitive game with no strikers is down to the manager.
He should have had at least another first team striker on board by now.
Keatings injury has only highlighted the issue.
Maybe another of Ray's tactical plans. Playing with 2 wide players but nobody for them to cross to.
posted on 24/7/17
old shed boy - apparently he's after the lad from Dundalk but I believe he won't be able to be registered until January since we're signing him in October when his contract runs out.
We desperately need another striker though. Hopefully some of the Robertson money goes on a wage for a forward.
Lewis - think that experience of derby games might be good for Dundee. Should be an interesting game though and hopefully a good contest.
posted on 24/7/17
Ivan - even if he is I still think it's too late.
We can't wait that long.
To have no strikers available at this stage is criminal.
Obviously he couldn't account for Keatings being injured but still not good enough from the manager.
posted on 24/7/17
I know it's a derby, but group wise it's a dead rubber. With the injuries we have and the importance of the league, I would rest players who are carrying injuries such as Robson and Fraser. It's not worth it for s game that carries no competitive significance.
posted on 24/7/17
old shed boy
AK - I think it does carry significance though. Both in terms of giving the fans a much needed result after last time and also because a good result might encourage a late surge in season tickets. The club desperately needs positivity again.
posted on 24/7/17
comment by Arabian Knight (U4850)
posted 12 minutes ago
I know it's a derby, but group wise it's a dead rubber. With the injuries we have and the importance of the league, I would rest players who are carrying injuries such as Robson and Fraser. It's not worth it for s game that carries no competitive significance.
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Excuses already?