United were held at home to an organised Morton side and, while the home team were fairly poor throughout, they could and really should have taken all three points after spurning a host of opportunities.
It wasn't a great spectacle to be honest and the first half in particular was extremely poor. Morton set up negatively and it worked extremely well for them, with United struggling to make any kind of headway against the visitors. It didn't help that the United players seemed to be playing a game of 'who can get rid of the ball quickest', while also mixing it with 'who can try the most optimistic and impossible long pass' game. It wasn't great.
Morton looked threatening from set pieces and that's how they took the lead - a terrific delivery headed home at the back post.
Second half was slightly better from United, and they grew into the game as it progressed. Chances were spurned as we entered the last quarter, Fraser missed an absolute sitter while Murray missed a couple of great chances (fine saves from the keeper) and one or two other chances went begging.
Finally it came down to Mark Durnan to rescue a deserved point, the big centre half once more pushed forward and quite frankly embarrassing the other forwards by out-performing them in that position. He is ridiculously our best forward. He won every aerial battle, got himself into great positions and, while he might not have known much about his goal, he was still there to score it. If only we had another decent centre half we could push him up top permanently.
The manager deserves criticism for his team selection. Murray should have started and I don't see why he can't play two up top against Morton at home. VDV predictably was poor while the midfield two of Fraser and Flood were poor.
The fans also deserve criticism. Some of the negativity around me and through other parts of the stand are unhelpful and quite frankly are making going to Tannadice a chore these days. I can count on one finger the amount of songs that broke out during the game from the home fans. Yes we're sheidt, yes the chairman is a kant, but ffs get behind the team. The number of negative shouts from the stands was hugely disappointing, sometimes even before a player did anything wrong. The team needs the fans behind it now more than ever and yet the fans aren't backing the team. That needs to change if we're going to get out of this league.
With Hibs drawing we're still technically alive in this title chase but realistically we're not going to win the league, and I expect that will be confirmed in a fortnight when we entertain the Leith junkies at Tannadice.
DUFC 1 GMFC 1
posted on 27/2/17
Curly, at the risk of being pedantic, we could potentially still get promoted even with a points deduction as we would still have a chance of qualifying through the playoffs
Marcus, were you there on Saturday? Couldn't believe it when your HT score came through.
posted on 27/2/17
Nah Fir Park is the one ground out of the top 2 divisions I haven’t actually been to. I went to Motherwell once for 10 minutes and then left immediately, it was still far too long a time to be there. We are still really shiiite but are getting some results somehow.
posted on 27/2/17
You're not missing much to be honest. I remember being entirely grateful and stunned that my car was still where I left it after my last visit, and then I had the sad realisation that even the people of Motherwell wouldn't steal my rustbucket of a car.
posted on 27/2/17
Far too slow, predictable in the first half. Team selection justifies this with no pace in the side. VDV is not a winger and to replace Murray for him is nonsensical. I thought Fraser was the only player showing real drive and desire to make something happen
We flaked a point from a lucky goal which yes we deserved on balance, but we need to be taking the game to the opposition, particularly at home and not relying on a centre half to get us goals.
Regarding the fans, it's like a library. Beaten into submission by the garbage we are watching and the uncertainty surrounding the direction of the club. Exemplifies the need for wholesale changes.
posted on 27/2/17
Teckle
I don't understand why he persists with VDV in that position. He offers nothing. I'd rather he played Murray wide than him.
Sadly it doesn't look like the boy Nicholls is going to contribute much either. We desperately need some pace in the team and that means Murray.
posted on 27/2/17
Murray as a winger is a real menace because he's so fast, I had really hoped they would start with him and Mikkelsen. Three massive chances missed though, Andreu in the first half from Fraser's cut back, Fraser in the second and Murray - at least Murray made the 'keeper save it.
Every time Andreu touched the ball on Saturday the guys behind me grumbled "ffs McKinnon, get him aff", they also said the same for Durnan and Telfer. Honestly. I think we need to remember what state we were in when McKinnon took over, look at what he was left with. I'm not saying I'm happy with the quality of football but I'm simply not prepared to boo the players!
posted on 27/2/17
Your really must take advantage when your rivals drop points and united have failed to do that 2-3 times recently.....for that reason I can see them winning the league, Ivan. And to be totally pessimistic, I think whoever gets to the play-off final will get beat by a battle hardened premier team
posted on 27/2/17
**cant**
posted on 27/2/17
7returns
I have no optimism when it comes to the play-offs. I'm not even convinced we'd beat Morton or Falkirk over two legs never mind a top league team.
posted on 27/2/17
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