First league game of the season. You want to lay down a marker. And we definitely did that. And the name on everyone's lips was Lawrence Shankland.
What a performance in front of goal from the new man. It's exactly what you want from your new striker and he showed just why we pushed the boat out to get him to come to Tannadice. Three headers and a wonderful fourth and he was absolutely lethal in front of goal.
The last player to score 4 in a game for United? We're going all the way back to Robbie Winters against CE Principat in 1997. This doesn't happen often.
That's not to say that this was just the Shankland show though, because he was ably assisted by others in the team, no one more so than his striker partner Louis Appere. The United youth product looked finished last season as he was shipped out on loan to the juniors to play for Broughty. But he certainly staked a claim for regular first team football on Saturday.
The Shankland-Appere strike force looks very potent. Both are big, physical players (Appere reminds me a bit of a young Jon Daly in his size and shape, and the way he uses his body) and both caused all kinds of problems for the Caley defence. Appere's bit of skill to create room for the cross for the opener was terrific.
We also need to credit the response United gave to the equaliser, as we went back in front in less than a minute. A great response that arguably won the game for us, again it was a lovely delivery into the box by McMullan that Shankland was on the end of.
While the third was another lovely bit of wide play by Appere again, the fourth was the pick of the goals, Cammy Smith getting down the right and sliding the ball into the middle of the box, and Shankland sent Donaldson for a pie before drilling it with precision into the bottom corner.
Inverness didn't actually play that badly in the game - they had a good few chances - they just got brushed aside because of a display of magnificent finishing.
Away from the front two, we had good performances over the park but I was impressed with the two full backs. Robson has a challenge with the new lad Sporle but he staked his claim, while Smith at full back showed why we were keen to capture him from Ayr with an assured performance.
It was a real statement of intent and I'm sure our rivals in the league have taken notice.
Mon the Terrors
DUFC 4 ICTFC 1
posted on 5/8/19
There was a nasty incident at our game. We were sitting next to the stairs about half way up, and suddenly this old bloke came flying down the stairs head first, smacking his head on the stairs as he fell. Sickening sound as he hit his head.
He was out cold and we had to lay him behind the top of the tunnel bit to shield him from view until paramedics got there. Fortunately he came around and shouted "Faaack off and leave me alone". I wonder if they caught it on one of the cameras. It was pretty epic.
posted on 5/8/19
I take it there was no lasting damage then?
posted on 5/8/19
He was refusing to get on the stretcher to go and get bandaged up, then Dunfermline scored so they took him away as they celebrated. Priiiick Dow wound him up too much. Came back with a big head bandage and watched the rest of the match.
posted on 5/8/19
Just how far out have United pushed the boat?
How much do you reckon United are paying Shankland?
There were reportedly several teams down south interested in him and he would easily have got a couple of grand a week even at League one level.
posted on 5/8/19
Great seeing Utd attacking for 90mins instead of the cautious approach which we had adopted previously. As you touched upon, the response for the equaliser was perfect and it summed up the way we played he match.
I had forgotten what it was like to have a natural finisher in the team...! Friday night match next up, fingers, toes and eyes crossed for another three points.
posted on 5/8/19
comment by border_arab (U5560)
posted 1 minute ago
Great seeing Utd attacking for 90mins instead of the cautious approach which we had adopted previously. As you touched upon, the response for the equaliser was perfect and it summed up the way we played he match.
I had forgotten what it was like to have a natural finisher in the team...! Friday night match next up, fingers, toes and eyes crossed for another three points.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Definitely mate. Such a change from the cautious approach that Neilson normally adopts. Made a big difference.
I totally agree about Shankland though. I was saying to my old man on Saturday that too many strikers these days don't seem to prioritise scoring goals. They all want to be running channels and linking the play etc. Shankland first and foremost wants to score and I love that about him.
To answer your question Hamish - whatever we're paying him is worth every penny if he keeps scoring goals. As one ICT tweeter said, the only way United won't win the league with Shankland in the team is if we go bankrupt because of the goal bonuses we have to pay him
posted on 5/8/19
Mon the Arabs
posted on 5/8/19
Ivan.
A win.🤣🤣😃🤣
Take the week off pal.
Enjoy.
posted on 5/8/19
Sure it's been done already, but Rangers goal times 16,90 mins.
A sign.
posted on 5/8/19
I abandoned my part-timer status and actually went along to this. Genuinely great performance by all attacking players especially the TWO UP TOP (subtle hint there to Nielson) but the centre-backs could still give you nightmares.
I realise in this league nobody has good centre-backs, but it'd be nice to at least have a competent duo.
Although if Shankland scores 4 every week it might not be too much of an issue.