The best derby in Scottish football didn't live up to it's billing last night as two poor teams played out a goalless draw that didn't really have much quality to it.
Obviously my focus is more on United and for me we were our usual toothless selves. Although they weren't exactly knocking on the door for much of the match, Dundee did seem to have more of a threat and a great save from Benji was required in the first half, while they had a couple cleared off the line. It wasn't until the last 10 minutes of the second half that we even looked threatening and we missed the best chance of the game when Clark somehow put the ball over the bar from four yards when it was easier to score.
There are a few issues with the way we play and my main concern is the continued presence of McNulty, who is, to put it kindly, not very good. He only wants to play on the shoulder of the defenders and he makes himself far too easy to defend against. He doesn't drop off very often and doesn't try to link the play. Yet he never seems to get onto the end of any balls over the top. In essence he does nothing for the team and last night we ended the game without dirtying the Dundee keepers gloves, which isn't acceptable.
We finally took control of the game in the last ten minutes for two reasons. Firstly McNulty came off (always a good thing) and we put Pawlett in as number 10 and pushed Clark up the park. Clark is ineffective as a 10 and Pawlett took up the spaces that Clark should have been taking. Secondly Harkes finally took a game by the scruff of the neck and drove us forward. If we can get Harkes to do that throughout a game then he'll finally become the player that he has the potential to be.
Man of the match for me was Ross Graham who was pitched in for his first start with Mulgrew continuing to miss out. I thought he was excellent throughout which is a real surprise considering he couldn't get into the Dunfermline team earlier this season while out on loan. The young lad will have put himself in the managers thoughts for the rest of the season and he should be very pleased with his performance.
In terms of negatives, on top of what I've said above I didn't think either wingback played well and I don't think McMann can play that position effectively.
It's not been a great run (5 points from 30) but I think it's premature that some fans are declaring the "experiment to have failed" and wanting yet another manager to be appointed. Courts is a young manager and needs time to learn and adapt. It's a challenging situation but he needs an opportunity to show that he can turn things around and I'm sure he'll be given that opportunity. Hopefully he can find a solution that provides some entertainment.
Mon the Terrors
DFC 0 DUFC 0
posted on 2/2/22
It was good to see some effort from the players last night, just not quite the quality. I suspect a loss to County, coupled with United losing to Saints will begin the process of us being cut adrift at the bottom.
posted on 2/2/22
Cmon Barry have a bit of faith. With any luck both Dundee clubs will stay up and Saints relegate.
I wonder how this Arsenal loan lad will do. Sounds like he's more defence-minded which is exactly what united need
posted on 2/2/22
so much effort deserves some debate surely.
how weird has the leauge been this year btw, there have been 2 or 3 teams that at one point were absolutely flying - united, motherwell, hibs, and then just gone off the boil totally.
posted on 2/2/22
The MOTM was McMullan.
posted on 2/2/22
Glass has gone on loan to Killie. Strange one.
posted on 2/2/22
comment by Punday Oliseh (U21588)
posted 45 seconds ago
Glass has gone on loan to Killie. Strange one.
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I thought the window was shut? Can't get Glass in when the window is shut. If anything you'd need to remove the window completely first.
posted on 2/2/22
comment by Ricardo Calder (U1734)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Punday Oliseh (U21588)
posted 45 seconds ago
Glass has gone on loan to Killie. Strange one.
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I thought the window was shut? Can't get Glass in when the window is shut. If anything you'd need to remove the window completely first.
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I knew you'd say something like that.
One might say I saw right through you.
posted on 2/2/22
comment by Punday Oliseh (U21588)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Ricardo Calder (U1734)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Punday Oliseh (U21588)
posted 45 seconds ago
Glass has gone on loan to Killie. Strange one.
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I thought the window was shut? Can't get Glass in when the window is shut. If anything you'd need to remove the window completely first.
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I knew you'd say something like that.
One might say I saw right through you.
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It panes me to say it but I think Killie are just trying to glaze over their midfield problems by acquiring Glass.
posted on 2/2/22
Was shocked when McNulty re-signed considering how poor he was in his loan spell and he's done nothing to change my mind on him. I just don't see the point, especially if we're pushing Watt out wide to accommodate him.
If only there were a predatory striker from the lower leagues we could sign... I hear there might be one going.
Thought Levitt was comfortably the best player on the park last night. Not saying much, but at least he knew how to kick a ball and stop a ball.
Also why are we sending Glass to Killie and not the superior Arbroath? Would be better to help out a local team too and it would avoid subjecting the poor lad to the West Coast.