JIM GOODWIN | I'M EXPECTING A REACTION

Following a disappointing defeat last time out to relegation-threatened Ross County, Jim Goodwin is demanding a reaction from his players to ensure United's destiny remains in their own hands heading into the final pivotal eight days of the cinch Premiership campaign

Watch the Gaffer's press conference in full below! 

Ross County Reflection

A bumper home crowd packed out four sides of Tannadice for last weekend's basement battle between ourselves and Ross County.

Towering striker Jordan White headed home from close range inside the opening 45 seconds when United switched off from a corner, before going on to grab a hat-trick with two second-half strikes to ensure the points headed for the Highlands.

First reflecting on the events of Matchday 35, Goodwin began: "I didn’t think we did ourselves justice in the second 45 against Ross County.  Of course, we had the worst possible start to the game conceding in the first minute, but I thought the reaction for the remainder of the first half was very good.

"We deservedly got out equaliser and played some really good football in that first 45."

The Irishman admitted the majority of his grievances when analysing the crux of last weekend's issues come from the manner of the goals surrendered by the Terrors.

"However, it’s very hard to legislate for the two goals we concede. There are some individual errors in there, some poor defending and some things we just simply can’t allow to happen in the next three games.

"As a group, we’re all in agreement that those goals we gave away on Saturday were soft and in the situation we’re in, fighting for our lives to stay in the Premiership, quite simply we can’t allow that to happen."

Reality Check

It was a result which, when coupled with a narrow 1-0 loss to St Johnstone in Perth, has brought United crashing back down to earth following an impressive run of victories in April.  

Goodwin continued: "I think the message has probably been that it’s a reality check. We have been getting a lot of plaudits in terms of the shape, discipline, aggression and desire which has been shown in recent games. it just goes to show the importance of concentration and discipline at this level. 

"We’ve spoken about it, analysed it and were all in agreement those mistakes can’t happen going forward. We’ve still got a chance on Saturday which is always the great thing about this game - you’ve always got a chance to make amends in the next match."

Expecting a Reaction

Propping up the table with just three cinch Premiership matches remaining, United have no time to dwell on previous setbacks. Therefore, Goodwin is insistent he must see an immediate upturn in both performances and results to revive our survival bid, starting against Livingston.

"I'm expecting a really positive reaction this Saturday from the first minute. We have to go for it, we have to go and try and get maximum points and we’ll see where that leaves us come Saturday night.

"There’s still 100% belief within our squad of players and the staff here that we have more than enough to maintain our Premiership status.

"Every team that is down there is fighting for their lives. We want to finish these three games knowing we’ve given everything, put our bodies on the line and left nothing in the tank. I think if the players do that, they’ll give themselves a great opportunity of giving us the results needed.

Middleton's Return

One positive which can be taken from the County clash was the return of dynamic wideman Glenn Middleton. The 23-year-old climbed from the bench with 20 minutes remaining as he begins to build back towards full match sharpness at the business end of the season.

"Glenn is a very attacking-minded player who brings real pace and directivity in the attacking third. He’s a terrific option for me, whether that’s making an impact off the bench or starting the game on Saturday, that remains to be seen.

"He’s a very important member of the squad so having Glenn back available has given the camp a real boost."

Crunch Time

A triple-header sees United contest three matches in just over a week. First, we travel to West Lothian to clash with Livingston, before hosting Kilmarnock at Tannadice just four days later.

Fast forward less than 96 hours from the Killie joust and Goodwin leads his side to Lanarkshire for the season finale against Motherwell. A defining eight days lie ahead.

"We’ve got a huge week coming up - three games in eight days against very tough opposition. We’ve had extremely positive results against all three of them throughout the course of the season. That's got to be where our thought processes are.

"We’ve shown already that we can go and win three games on the spin, and we have to do something similar in the next three."

"We’re very much up for the fight with a very positive mindset. We’re not going to throw the towel in, anyone who plays against us in the next three games are going to know they’re in a battle and that we’re very much up for that scrap."

United have defeated all three sides they prepare to face over the next week. Livingston were swept aside at Tannadice less than a month ago thanks to goals from Jamie McGrath and Steven Fletcher in either half, whilst just seven days prior to that match, Motherwell fell at the hands of the Terrors. 

Back in November, United's joint-biggest victory of the season came at the expense of Kilmarnock.

When queried about the necessary amount of points required to preserve our top-flight status, Goodwin answered: "It’s very hard to put a number on it. Kilmarnock and Ross County are in a similar situation to ourselves where they are fighting for their lives as well.

"Both of those teams have picked up some very important results in recent games but we just have to focus on ourselves and make sure that the energy levels are there and that we’re getting after the opposition from the start of the game to the last minute.

"We have got quality in the team there’s no getting away from that. We just have to do a little better in those key moments. Defend better and be a bit more clinical in front of goal when those opportunities arise."

Looking to Livingston

Our opposition for Matchday 36 have little aside from pride to play for, as they are all but arithmetically safe from automatic relegation. Furthermore, they have lost five of their last six league matches.

However, the 41-year-old is still expecting a formidable test at the Tony Macaroni Arena, and stresses focusing on our own performance will be the key to leaving with maximum points.

"I think, and I’m sure David Martindale won’t mind me saying, the game is more important for us in terms of what the points mean to us compared to Livingston. But, knowing David as I do, I know he’s a very proud guy and he’ll be extremely disappointed with recent results. 

"The players at Livingston will be playing for their futures at the club so we’re not going into this game underestimating them and thinking we’re going to have it all our own way. They are a good side with some good players but we have to focus on what our strengths are and where we can cause Livingston problems."

We can’t go there and be uptight, we have to go there and put on a show to make amends for a poor second 45 last Saturday.

Having already been victorious on the artificial surface at Almondvale this season in the ViaPlay cup, the Gaffer briefly touched on the fact that this cannot be utilized as an excuse for a poor tangerine showing.

"I'm not a big fan of astroturf pitches but that’s not going to faze us this weekend. Our team have had some good results against Livingston his season already. There’s no issue with the pitch."

Team News

Finally, long-term absentees Peter Pawlett and Dylan Levitt could be in line to make their return to action imminently, according to Goodwin.

"We’ve had a bit of positive news in terms of Peter Pawlett and Dylan Levitt joining back in. Today has been their first day of competitive training and they’ve both come through it fine so we’ll see how they cope tomorrow. Hopefully there will be an opportunity for those two to be involved."