Anyone who was at the game feel like giving a decent match report?
To me it seems like yes of course we should be beating a managerless St Johnstone at home, but in the current circumstances I'm just happy to see that we kept a clean sheet.
Are United still using zonal marking? Because it never seems to work when we do it. What was our formation today? Was Flood playing at RB again or did he get to play in his more natural midfield role?
I don't know when I'll next be able to get down to Tannadice but hopefully United will start to get the ball rolling soon.
I also saw in the paper that Gazza Kenneth was saying we "traditionally start kicking on around Christmas" so our current form wasn't too much to worry about! Someone should tell him the season starts in July now!
0-0 with St Johnstone
posted on 22/10/11
It was:
Pernis
Watson Kenneth Gunning Dixon
Flood Rankin Douglas
Daly Dalla Valle
Robertson was apparently also playing in midfield, but I'm not sure I saw him touch the ball once.
Terrible game, St. Johnstone were looking for a draw, and as Houston only ever plays for a draw these days, that's how it was finishing. Absolutely no width. Watson and Dixon had about 1 cross each, but with players infront of them that didn't help them out at all, they were rendered pointless. Flood and Douglas, as we all know are not wingers and did nothing. Robertson really did nothing. Rankin did something, although impossible for him when you're the only one playing in midfield. Daly was also pointless, as he had absolutely nothing to work with, Dalla Valle made runs and had an effort from a cross, but was otherwise rendered ineffective by seldom getting the ball. Defence was solidish, but some terrible marking once again that could have cost us. Gunning still looking good.
Best effort on goal - a Garry Kenneth free-kick. That sums up the game. At least he hit the bar.
posted on 22/10/11
How can you say Gunning is still looking good. His distribution today was shocking. Did you give him the MOTM as the sponsor. Scott Robertson never once wanted to hold on to the ball, Scott Allan was better in the short time he was on the park.
One thing for sure though is Robertson will be starting against Falkirk.
posted on 22/10/11
yet again kenneth robertson and daly were shocking we threw away 3 points poor finishing cost us houston should have taken flood off at half time he was in danger of being sent off with his next foul so became a passenger in 2nd half too scared to make a tackle
posted on 22/10/11
Thought we did well against a determined St J. side, we fought well as a unit (exc S Robertson) which is what we need right now.
There were chances for either side to win it - though we were the slightly better of the two sides.
Kenneth did well, Gunning too IMO, Dalle Valle worked hard and J Rankin (hard as nails BTW) fighting for everything.
Only dissapointment for me (tho' not unexpected) was Scott Robertson who was awful!
God knows what Houstie sees in him - he must be brilliant in training or something, but he is just destructive to our cause on a saturday! Honestly, we are down to 10 men when SR is in the starting 11 - which he always is! What a shame, this guy was great when he first came to us. Now he's not even a shadow of the player he was. Costing us, costing him!
Apart from that. Got to be pleased with the level of effort and fight, cause that is what we are in for for the rest of the season.
so, that's my take on it today. Still enjoyed the match even tho' it was a 0-0
Arab thro' & thro' - struggle ahead - but UNITED we stand!
posted on 23/10/11
My opinion was that the game was a war of attrition with both teams set up to not give anything away, which is not surprising given that we've conceded 3 goals every week for ages and that Sainties have had a great deal of turmoil this week.
I was happy to see we played 4-4-2 but then unhappy that we again didn't play a winger. Willo Flood does his best work in his own half when we don't have the ball and, as harsh as this may sound, I really don't see what Barry Douglas actually offers us as a wide player. He never tries to beat a man, rarely offers much of an outlet and isn't the type of player who can carry the team 60 yards up the park (in the way Conway used to).
I personally thought our best players were Lauri Dalla Valle and Gary Kenneth. Kenneth had one of his better games (they normally happen every third game I think) and Dalla Valle was the only player on the park who actually looked like he might do anything. Beyond that, it was a collection of mediocrity and averageness. Nobody seemed keen on getting forward (even Dixon seemed quite subdued and unwilling to get forward, which probably came from the managers instruction to tighten up) and the quality of deliveries were poor. The only really good delivery was for LDV's header early in the second half when he really should have scored.
I think it's a sad reflection on where we are at the moment that I came away from the game relieved to get a 0-0 home draw.
posted on 24/10/11
Another thing...the sun today stated that Scott Allan was "booed on by section of own support". I didn't hear any boos. Id say he got a muted reaction, but nothing more.
Trouble making again by that rag.
But then it also said that LDV had a shot saved by Pernis just to prove they don't know what they're talking about.