United showed terrific character to come from behind and secure all three points against an organised and at times threatening Partick side.
The big issue pre-game was the weather but strangely enough it brightened up for the game and it was a good job it did as United got their second win in a row to sit top on maximum points.
It was a tough game. United started very well, Stanton having a great chance in the opening minute, and looked strong early doors. But Thistle came back into the game midway through the first half and took the lead and after that United seemed to wilt as Partick dominated the first half.
But I said last week that the difference between this United team and the ones from previous seasons was that when the going is tough, we have someone to bail us out when we need him, and that was proved this week with Shankland pulling us back into the game with a (slightly mishit) volley at the back post which bounced into the turf and looped over the stretching keeper. Once we were level we were never going to lose the game and so it proved, as Shanklands toepoke after a wonderful run by Robson was smashed home virtually on the line by Pawlett.
A couple of things changed the nature of the game in our favour. A lot of people have commented on Thistle sitting back and inviting us on, but for me a big part of our domination of the second half was when they took off their striker and put Miller up front rather than in behind the striker. I thought he was causing us a lot of problems in that gap and we weren't dealing with him at all.
We also improved dramatically once Pawlett came on. I've not been overly impressed by the former Dons man - he's often looked unfit and barely impacted games - but he was very positive on the ball and linked the play well, and was a massive improvement on what Nicky Clark had been offering.
After a dodgy first half, a few players stood out as playing well. Robson really kicked on after the break and was very important. I thought Appere struggled but kept working hard, while again Smith at RB did a good job. Butcher did well in the middle of the park too, even if I remain to be convinced by his play when we are in possession. I still have concerns about our defensive partnership and how dreadful they are with the ball, which was the source of a lot of our problems in the first half.
It was an important win though and continues the positivity around the club.
Also a wee note to say that the away kit (or alternative kit as our Americanization (z deliberate in this situation) continues) is very nice and I'm pleased our deal with Macron has given us two terrific kits this year. No more brown sleeves.
Mon the Terrors
PTFC 1 DUFC 2
posted on 12/8/19
i love strikers like that tbh, see the one's that other teams will mark as tightly as possible, but will always find a yard.
henrik was superb at it
posted on 12/8/19
Good morning. Who have you got at the weekend?
posted on 12/8/19
comment by JFK - The Rebel Treble (U8919)
posted 3 minutes ago
i love strikers like that tbh, see the one's that other teams will mark as tightly as possible, but will always find a yard.
henrik was superb at it
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Yeah me too.
It amazes me how many strikers don't seem to be that bothered about scoring goals. They all try to do all the link up play out of the box but never seem to think about actually getting in the box and getting on the end of things. That should always be there first thought - "how am I going to score?".
posted on 12/8/19
comment by Danny Johnson (U1734)
posted 1 minute ago
Good morning. Who have you got at the weekend?
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the Championship leaders are being given a week off to recharge the batteries.
I think we might have a couple of bounce games at St Andrews to give the fringe players a run out.
posted on 12/8/19
The sign of champions Ivan
posted on 12/8/19
I notice that only one striker has scored for Dundee Utd so far in the league. Two strikers have scored for Dundee so far. That's double the amount. We have also added ANOTHER striker. So when he starts scoring we will have treble the amount of goalscoring strikers. That's 3 times as many as United, who themselves have a 3rd of the number of prolific strikers compared to Dundee. That's 3 times less.
posted on 12/8/19
comment by Irishred (U2539)
posted 1 minute ago
The sign of champions Ivan
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Good start to the season for your men Irish. What's your thoughts for the season ahead?
posted on 12/8/19
We are best placed to challenge city mate but I fear we’ll not be good enough and they’ll be out of sight by April
posted on 12/8/19
comment by Irishred (U2539)
posted 1 minute ago
We are best placed to challenge city mate but I fear we’ll not be good enough and they’ll be out of sight by April
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Surprised you didn't invest more in the squad to be honest. Always good to freshen things up with one or two quality signings.
posted on 12/8/19
comment by IvanGolacIsMagic (U5291)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Irishred (U2539)
posted 1 minute ago
We are best placed to challenge city mate but I fear we’ll not be good enough and they’ll be out of sight by April
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Surprised you didn't invest more in the squad to be honest. Always good to freshen things up with one or two quality signings.
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It’s something we always done even in our heyday. We may go into the market in January