UNITED CONCLUDE PRE-SEASON WITH CLOSELY-CONTESTED MOTHERWELL CLASH

United and Motherwell played out a closely-contested 90 minutes at Tannadice as both sides concluded their pre-season schedules ahead of the Viaplay Cup Group Stages, which begin this weekend.

Organisation 

With a plethora of positives to take from our clash with the Steelmen, Terrors Manager Jim Goodwin spoke exclusively to DUTV in the aftermath, highlighting, in particular, his satisfaction with the tactical nous shown by his players. 

"I thought it was a really good game" the 41-year-old began.

"We knew it was going to be competitive and a real step up in quality, without being disrespectful to QOS and East Fife, but that was always the plan throughout pre-season - that we were going to play lesser opposition at the start and then gradually build it up.

United opted for a 4-3-3 in possession whilst compacting into a well-drilled 4-5-1 without the ball. Ross Docherty and Liam Grimshaw anchored the midfield admirably as they patrolled the central areas whilst keeping play ticking over with simple but effective passing moves.

Declan Glass was deployed just ahead of our two summer signings with the task of unlocking the Lanarkshire outfit's door by picking up neat pockets to receive on the turn in the half-spaces.

"There are lots of positives for us to take from the game in terms of the things we’ve worked on in the last three weeks - the organisation, the overall shape of the team and discipline. 

"We denied Motherwell space and time on the ball throughout the game and we’re really starting to hone in on the tactical element. It was disappointing not to score a goal of our own considering the fact we had some good passages of play in both halves but there’s lots for us to build on.

"We’re trying to get every element of the game in there by working really hard at St Andrews to ensure we get that organisation."

Lessons To Learn

The only goal of the game came in the 36th minute when Well new boy Conor Wilkinson rifled the ball into the roof of the net from close range after a sharp counter attack from the men in white involving Callum Slattery and Blair Spittal.

"We’re obviously very disappointed with the goal we conceded." Goodwin continued.

"It was one of the rare occasions in the first half where we lost balance, having committed bodies forward and then being done on the counter attack.

"It's something for us to look at and go back over with the players when we come back to training to make sure we learn from it"

Pressing from the front 

United showed a clear intent to harry their opponents high up the pitch, with the front three of Logan Chalmers, Miller Thomson and Kai Fotheringham in particular instructed to close the 'Well backline down at the earliest opportunity.

Effective in regaining possession on numerous occasions, the work ethic shown was pleasing for the Gaffer.

"The whole idea and why you go after teams high up the pitch is to win the ball back closer to their goal. Not every team we play against in the Championship will build from the back, but a number of teams will. 

"I watched Inverness try to do it last year, Queen’s Park are big on it, Partick Thistle are a very good footballing team and Falkirk under John McGlynn try to play total football, so there’s a real emphasis on our work rate and intensity of our press at the top end of the pitch from the forward players.

"The most important thing at this stage of the season is that the players buy into what you’re asking them to do and learn their specific roles within the team. That gives us the best chance of keeping clean sheets."

New Faces

Both Tannadice new boys Jack Walton and Ollie Denham featured from the off despite only making the switch to the city of Discovery a mere 24 hours earlier.

Shot-stopper Walton pulled off a smart stop to deny Spittal in the first half despite the linesman's flag being brandished in the proceeding moments, and young centre-half Denham's technical ability was on full display as he complimented veteran Kevin Holt nicely.

"The guys only met the group yesterday so it’s been a pretty quick turnaround from the training session to then going straight into an 11 v 11 game.

"They both handled it really well. We wanted to push to have the game at Tannadice so we could familiarise the five new recruits with the stadium and with the dressing room."

The Irishman added: "We didn’t want their first time playing here to be a competitive match against Partick Thistle in the cup so it was a very worthwhile exercise. There were some very good individual performances but more importantly for me, as a team, we looked very organised."

In the Market

When queried on potential further additions to the squad, Goodwin commented: "Tony Watt is making great progress and he’s going to be a big player for us this season whether that’s centrally or play on the left and drifting inside. I do think the forward area is somewhere we need to strengthen though. 

"We’ve got Rory MacLeod and Miller Thomson who both played a half each and have their own individual qualities but I don't think either will mind me saying they are not the kind of physical, number-nine striker we had last season in Steven Fletcher so that’s something we need to look at and we are doing that continuously."

Fletcher hit double figures for the Terrors last season before departing earlier this month, however, Goodwin is insistent the club won't jump the gun on finding a replacement to ensure a hitman with the requisite quality is recruited.

"Between myself and the Chief Executive, Luigi Capuano, we’re working tirelessly to find the right type of player. We could’ve signed a number of players in that position but we want to make sure the one we do bring in is of real quality. 

"Someone who not only can hold the ball up and win aerial battles but someone who can go and get on the end of crosses."

Fully Focused

The Terrors begin their assault on the Viaplay Cup this Saturday with a trip to the capital, with newly promoted The Spartans FC lying in wait at Ainslie Park. United are also grouped with Partick Thistle, Peterhead and Falkirk.

You can buy your ticket for that match by clicking here!

It's a trophy that the club have raised aloft on two occasions, and Goodwin is adamant his squad will treat the competition with the respect it deserves.

"It’s an opportunity for us to get through to the Last 16 if we win the group. The League Cup is a tournament I’ve taken very seriously no matter which club I’ve been at and I’ve got to the semi-final on a couple of occasions which is a great day out for the fans.

"We can’t underestimate The Spartans - they’re a good side and try to play some good football. It’ll be different surroundings to what we’re used to with a smaller, astroturf pitch but we need to make sure we’re in the right mindset when we go there. 

He concluded: "The onus is on us to take the game to them and we’re going to be heavy favourites. I always believe the group stage of this competition gives you a good platform to build on, get some confidence into the players and gain some momentum going into the league campaign.