It's a sad state of affairs when you're overjoyed at beating Dumbarton at home, but there we are. United won last night and I was very pleased.
It would have been an entertaining game for the neutral, especially in the first half, as both times made a host of chances. You could probably make an argument that Dumbarton made the better chances but didn't take them, while United of course scored twice in that period.
The Terrors opened the scoring after McDonald, playing in the number 10 position, played a lovely ball through to McMullan, playing as a number 9, who slotted home. They doubled their lead just before the break, the legend that is Mohsni staying up the park and scrambling home as the ball came back into the box.
This game probably summed up the best and worst of United this season. Some of the play was actually very good and we were at times able to carve Dumbarton open at will. And then we'd switch off and give clear cut chances to the opposition. A better team than Dumbarton would have hurt us on the day and we need to be wary of giving teams so many opportunities. I'm assuming Mohsni got MOTM but I'd have been tempted to give it to the keeper who made a collection of fine saves.
The players were very hit and miss on the day too. In flashes many of them showed what they are capable of - King going by his man, McMullan looking dynamic, Mohsni taking the ball out from the back, McDonald pulling the strings - but then they'd also have spells where decision making was poor, we'd take our foot off the gas and we'd look slow, ponderous and at times dreadful.
I know our Old Firm friends reading will want a focus on two particular players so I'll give them what they want:
Mohsni - I thought he played well and at times he was comfortably the best player on the park. But he also gave the ball away in dangerous areas a handful of times that really could and should have been punished. A couple of times he and Durnan were caught square too. But he was generally composed on the ball and gives us a lot more than we get from our other defenders. He's also a goal threat, with this his second goal for the club.
Ralston - I was unimpressed and to be honest I thought he was poor. He didn't get forward much (might have been tactical) and his defensive positioning was poor. He got caught out a few times and didn't impact the game at all. I expected more from him.
Anyway, we're back in the play-off spots and we go again in the return against Dumbarton on Saturday. Hopefully we get another three points.
Mon the Terrors
DUFC 2 DFC 0
posted on 4/4/18
comment by Glen Kamara (U1734)
posted 14 minutes ago
comment by CelticTornado (U4316)
posted 48 seconds ago
comment by NNH (U10730)
posted 10 minutes ago
Ivan, I assume the club's hierarchy would be relatively pleased if they finished 3rd or 4th and potentially have another few home games to boost the coffers?
That said, not sure what type of crowd you guys would expect?
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Crowds will be decent ... suspect there will be loads of neutrals there , after last night's game
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You have to wonder how anyone can be neutrals in games like that last night though. No matter where you go in Scotland, ask anyone, and they'd have a preference either way for Dumbarton or Dundee Utd. There are no neutrals in that fixture.
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It's you again intit?
posted on 4/4/18
comment by NNH (U10730)
posted 2 minutes ago
Many neutral fans were there mate?
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I think 10% is a fair estimate
posted on 4/4/18
comment by IvanGolacIsMagic 🐍 (U5291)
posted 1 hour, 38 minutes ago
comment by NNH (U10730)
posted 2 minutes ago
Many neutral fans were there mate?
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I think 10% is a fair estimate
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There is no such thing as a neutral Football fan
posted on 4/4/18
I think most of us want to see Ivan's mob back at the top table.
posted on 4/4/18
Ivan do you think there’s a confidence problem in the team? Billy King looks like he can beat a player, but he turns back about eight times out of ten. Thought Stanton looked really good but the rest of the team were often hiding from the ball, with McMullan, McDonald and Mohsni being the exceptions (notably the ones you mentioned).
I know their ‘keeper had some really decent saves last night but for me we missed an opportunity to do our GD a favour. There’s a casualness about some of our play, which doesn’t often work out for us.
That said, it’s a win, three points and a clean sheet. It’s essential that we do the same again on Saturday...
posted on 4/4/18
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 4/4/18
comment by Wee Jum (U5055)
posted 1 minute ago
I think I’m ready to concede the bet Call Sign. Do your worst 😬
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Not until it’s mathematically won
I may go to the panel for it. Best I can think of just now is along the lines of your love for Dundee Utd legend Jackie McNamara
posted on 4/4/18
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 4/4/18
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 4/4/18
comment by Wee Jum (U5055)
posted 1 hour, 35 minutes ago
Is the panel the clique by any chance 🤔
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Depends if the clique pick only clique panel members