United were back in action last night, playing the game against St Johnstone that was postponed on Saturday, and United picked up yet another point in our long, slow slog to safety that keeps us in the top six and 10 points ahead of bottom placed Hamilton - although that may well change after Thursday's SPFL hearing.
The headlines were obviously written by Shankland and rightly so after his sublime equaliser from just inside the Saints half. A smashing strike and I'm delighted for him. Due to our negative tactics, he's been asked to operate 50 yards from goal all season and this time he decided just to have a shot anyway, and what a shot it was. A great goal from a player who isn't being given the opportunity to shine.
We started brightly and scored early, and I was delighted to see Louis Appere get the goal after a wonderfully worked move involving Shankland and Clark. It's not been a great season for Louis and he hasn't really kicked on in the way we were all hoping he would, but hopefully that goal will give him a bit of confidence.
Sadly after the bright start we reverted to type and invited Saints onto us. Two moments of poor defending let Saints turn the game around, a woeful attempted clearance by teenager Neilson and poor marking at a set piece.
After that it was a bit of a slog but thankfully Shanks gave us the equaliser. If I'm honest Saints looked the more likelier to score a winner so all in all we have to accept the point and move on. Again though, it wasn't the prettiest game and, while we have flashes of showing we've got the makings of a decent enough team, it just doesn't happen often enough and we've no real composure on the ball.
I was looking at some of the statistical analysis on twitter and the problem is clearly in the midfield, where too often our players are all trying to do the same job. There's no balance or cohesion, and nobody that can dominate that area of the park for us. I actually think Powers is a decent player and is always looking for the ball, but sadly he's a yard or two too slow for this level.
Onto the next one then and hopefully we can keep gaining points. I think we'll all have an eye on the SPFL hearing though to finally find out what the bottom half of the table is going to look like.
Mon the Terrors
DUFC 2 SJFC 2
posted on 13/1/21
comment by Zico - IX (U21900)
posted 4 minutes ago
Fluke by a bitter sashman
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He was some wrester.
I'm a Sash man
posted on 13/1/21
old shed boy - To be fair you're right - it is two points dropped.
I can't speak for most of the United support, but going by my group chat then Mellon's popularity has dropped quite dramatically. A couple of my mates think he's a terrible manager.
I'm personally concerned by the direction we're going in and, while I'm willing to give him a bit of time due to the covid situation - but not too much time
posted on 13/1/21
I didn't know st Johnstone could score goals
posted on 13/1/21
comment by HB Fash - Listening to f**ckin UB40 or something like that (U21935)
posted 27 minutes ago
comment by Zico - IX (U21900)
posted 4 minutes ago
Fluke by a bitter sashman
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He was some wrester.
I'm a Sash man
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Bee bababada Bo
posted on 13/1/21
It was quite interesting that Dundee Utd could not get the game on on Saturday, when just a few metres away, Dundee were able to play their match on the same day? What does this say about the professionalism at both clubs??
posted on 13/1/21
comment by Garry Brady (U1734)
posted 31 minutes ago
It was quite interesting that Dundee Utd could not get the game on on Saturday, when just a few metres away, Dundee were able to play their match on the same day? What does this say about the professionalism at both clubs??
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I would suggest it says something about the designing of the different stadia. While Dens is dependent on the bush for structural integrity, Tannadice has big stands that stay upright via steel and concrete and other such materials that those in the building trade will be aware of.
Unfortunately these big stands create a significant bit of shade on the pitch, meaning no direct sunlight. While Dens of course does have the issue of shade being thrown on the pitch from various discarded trolleys that are left around the Derry, it is no comparison to the shade created by the Jerry Kerr stand, and therefore any frost is more difficult to clear.
All the best.
posted on 13/1/21
comment by IvanGolacIsMagic (U5291)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by Garry Brady (U1734)
posted 31 minutes ago
It was quite interesting that Dundee Utd could not get the game on on Saturday, when just a few metres away, Dundee were able to play their match on the same day? What does this say about the professionalism at both clubs??
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I would suggest it says something about the designing of the different stadia. While Dens is dependent on the bush for structural integrity, Tannadice has big stands that stay upright via steel and concrete and other such materials that those in the building trade will be aware of.
Unfortunately these big stands create a significant bit of shade on the pitch, meaning no direct sunlight. While Dens of course does have the issue of shade being thrown on the pitch from various discarded trolleys that are left around the Derry, it is no comparison to the shade created by the Jerry Kerr stand, and therefore any frost is more difficult to clear.
All the best.
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That makes sense that you do not get much sunlight, due to always being in our shadow.
posted on 13/1/21
Well DP lasted long last night.........
posted on 13/1/21
Ivan,
I can't speak for most of the United support, but going by my group chat then Mellon's popularity has dropped quite dramatically. A couple of my mates think he's a terrible manager.
..........
I don’t have much time for Mellon and don’t think he was the best choice for us.
We do have points on the board but I don’t think that’s because of him.
We’ve had a few draws not because of his team selections but because we’ve been lucky. Outplayed in most of them and only saved by the opposition missed lots of chances. Hibs and Motherwell.
posted on 13/1/21
comment by Arabs4ever (U3310)
posted 55 minutes ago
Well DP lasted long last night.........
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That’s what she said.