United robbed a point from the capital after a Benji Siegrist masterclass somehow kept United in a game that should have been well out of sight by the time Luke Bolton scored an injury time equaliser.
Have no doubt about it, Jack Ross must have been raging on Saturday night that they didn't get the three points. It was save after save by Benji and he's really worth his weight in gold for us. Which will make it all the more gutting when we sell him to Celtic in January (something I've heard is likely).
The manager deserves criticism and a wee bit of praise too. The criticism should be severe - he once again set us up with 7 at the back and for an hour it was an abject performance that deserved absolutely nothing. Hibs dominated us from the very first minute (Benji having a fantastic double save early on) and how he didn't change it earlier is beyond me. We were totally uncompetitive across the park and it was as dire as it's been this season.
But credit to him, he finally changed it by bringing on two wingers, which I think came as a shock to everyone, and we went 442 which was a relief to everyone. His 7 at the back and three up front 'tactic' doesn't work and all the stats show that we get better results with 442. He needs to stick with this now, because we improved and we ultimately salvaged a point where we didn't deserve it.
I do understand that McMullan is horribly inconsistent and possibly not up to this level, but what other choice do we have? We're dreadful with 7 at the back and it's painful to watch, to the point where I really don't want to watch United at the moment. I understand that Connolly is horrendous and can't be trusted without plenty of cover, and that Reynolds isn't much better, but Edwards looks like he's came on to a game and we need to have a bit more belief and leave ourselves a wee bit more open so that we can actually attack once in a while - and dare I say have a very rare spell of sustained pressure in games.
I hope he's learned his lesson and I hope this is a turning point where we change tactics.
Mon the Terrors
HFC 1 DUFC 1
posted on 21/12/20
Nelson did the job he was employed to do. We got up after to long in the championship. Sorry to see him go? Nope I think his celebration of going to a penalty shootout with St Mirren in the play off final summed up Neilsons tenure at United just happy not to lose.
posted on 21/12/20
Delighted to see Hughes go to County. HOpefully he lets the tea lady pick the team again.
posted on 21/12/20
Bolton was a speed merchant
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Brilliant. Haven’t heard that expression since I was at school and that wasn’t yesterday.
posted on 21/12/20
Like Hughes. Speaks a lot of sense albeit he probably doesn’t know when it’s better to say nothing than say the truth in the modern game.
posted on 21/12/20
I like Hughes as well, but I wouldn't want him managing my club.
posted on 21/12/20
comment by an old shed boy (U3945)
posted 2 minutes ago
Bolton was a speed merchant
......................
Brilliant. Haven’t heard that expression since I was at school and that wasn’t yesterday.
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Been a while since I heard it as well. I should have put it in quotes as it was a direct commentary quote. Those guys are probably of a similar generation to me so terms like speed merchant and stramash still mean something to me.
posted on 21/12/20
Apart fro Hughes being undermined by the ICT chairman he wanted to jack it in anyway to get back the central belt.
I guess 3 years without a job takes it’s toll?
posted on 21/12/20
His spell at Raith was a disaster to be fair (and where the tea lady reference comes from).
posted on 21/12/20
comment by IvanGolacIsMagic (U5291)
posted 42 minutes ago
His spell at Raith was a disaster to be fair (and where the tea lady reference comes from).
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His verbal volley at the young players there was spectacular!
posted on 21/12/20
Just sounds like Peter Houston all over again:
Start extremely defensively playing for a point.
Lose a goal because the other team always has the ball.
Wait until 60+ minutes to make a change.
Actually play 4-4-2 and attack.
Get a goal because the team is going forward.
Draw 1-1 and be delighted that the "play for a point" tactic worked.
Repeat next week.