WHAT. A. PERFORMANCE.
Best performance of the season for me yesterday. That was an absolute joy to watch and there was not a bad performance from any of the players. Even the three subs who came on contributed well.
Some of the football was fantastic and all the goals had real quality to them. Ciftci took both of his goals brilliantly, both after great play by Armstrong. Stuart's goal was also fantastic with a couple of lovely flicks and then fantastic pace and power from Armstrong to get in. Dow scored a fine finish after a lovely pass from Gunning and Graham slotted away his chance fantastically well.
MOTM was a tough one for me and it was between Armstrong and Dow, both of whom put in their best performance in a United jersey for me. I thought Armstrong in the first half was simply sensational and was still very, very good until he came off, whereas Dow second half absolutely bullied their defenders and ran them ragged. The sponsors gave it to Armstrong but I'm not sure I could seperate them to be honest.
A wee bit disappointed that they got their goal at the end as it would have been good to finally get a clean sheet this year, but it wasn't to be. I'm sure it would have been frustrating for the keeper and defence when they scored.
That also has to be the cup final team. Souttar and Gauld will need to be content with the bench as those boys are earning their place, Dowser particularly. Even Dillon was excellent yesterday!
Hopefully we keep playing close to this level for the rest of the season and if we play like that in the cup final then the trophy will be heading back to Tannadice.
DUFC 5 (fehve) MFC 1
posted on 27/4/14
Ivan
When I heard about all the goals flowing in yesterday, you were the first person I thought of. There is no doubt that on their day, Jackie's boys are a great team to watch and if you can add consistency to that you might give us a run for our money next season, along with the Dandies. If you can play as well in the Final, and keep Stevie May quiet, then that famous old trophy should be yours
posted on 27/4/14
Steve
Consistency is the right word mate. The last two games have been such a contrast. Absolutely honking last week and then absolutely brilliant yesterday. All part of the rollercoaster though!
posted on 27/4/14
Hopefully that's us getting warmed up for the final now, a wee bit of consistency over the next couple of weeks will have the team full of confidence and raring to go for the final.
posted on 27/4/14
Ivan/Barab - Of all your good players, the one who consistently impresses me most is Armstrong - seems very level headed off the pitch too
posted on 27/4/14
Steve, got to agree with that, he's getting better and I'm sure he will go a long way in the game, unfortunately it wont be with us.
posted on 27/4/14
Was a magnificent performance yesterday Ivan. Lots of energy and movement that was missing at McDiarmid. The question is can we find a way to put in those levels of energy, movement, quick passing when we play against St Johnstone? I'm sure Jackie and the coaching staff will be thinking hard about that one over the next few weeks.
Agree by the way that has to be the starting line up unless someone has an obvious dip in form. Great to see Dillon in particular back on form. Would be great for him to lead the team out on 17th May after he must have wondered if he was yesterdays man earlier in the season.
posted on 27/4/14
Did you see Rado at their goal? Was absolutely distraught; looked like the guy at the end of the Planet of the Apes.
It does seem odd to say it, but the only one who didn't play well was Gauld. Everyone else was brilliant, and a big part of that was playing Mackay-Steven on the left, Dow on the right & Armstrong in the middle, even if they spent most of the game switching about. The defence & attack actually linked properly this game, with Armstrong going deeper to receive the ball, and Paton & Rankin running forward to help out with attacks. Hadn't been doing that for the last few games. And Çiftçi actually looked as if could be bothered, which is nice.
Was also nice to see Graham come on and do well. Some of the flicks were great, and produced a wonderful outside of the foot pass to Mackay-Steven, just like Çiftçi did earlier.
posted on 27/4/14
Gauld got himself into a couple of brilliant positions but looked for a pass rather than have a shot which was baffling. I can only assume that's a confidence issue.
posted on 27/4/14
I sit at the other end so didn't see it properly, but he did seem to be through on goal then try to cross it or something bizarre.
Maybe I'm expecting too much of him, but there was at least one occasion he could have played someone through, but just held onto the ball for too long & lost it.
posted on 27/4/14
Arabs
I swithered whether to drive up yesterday as the old man wasn't going. Delighted that I decided to make the journey. In terms of possession, tempo pace and quality on the ball, that is the best that I have seen us all year. Armstrong is so more effective in that central position and was unplayable yesterday. The pace he showed for his goal was scary. I lost count of the number of times that we got in behind them with little passes.
I still thought we looked vulnerable at the back at times. Lasley missed an absolute sitter at 2-0 when the ball bounced right through our box. We also made a mess of it a couple of minute later, but the laddie shot just wide.
We need to tighten up, but when we attack the way we did yesterday, we will always win. A side note of congratulations to Ryan Dow who is a constant pest to defenders and wins so many balls that he has no right to. A cup final starter for me now please