The news before kick off that Fitzpatrick had chosen to move to Ross County highlighted how close we are to the bare bones of a football club. The fine performance last Sunday gave optimists the opportunity for hope but the hard facts are that the loss of Blackman, Gow and now Fitzpatrick has reduced us to a dangerously low level.
Forbes and the rest worked hard but we were at best, mechanical. We went through the motions but there was no spark. Close attention on Humphrey snuffed out his threat on the wing while Sutton and Murphy seemed to be strangers. The United keeper was not fully fit yet he had an easy time.
To make matters worse, United were not in great form. Nevertheless, they had by far the greater attacking possession and Randolph had to make a series of good catches. Perhaps we reacted to the lack of atmosphere in the stadium. The crowd, short of 5,000, only came to life before the second half opening goal when Dixon was booked for a dive at the home end. That was the only yellow card shown in the turgid ninety minutes and yet another indication that for long spells it looked like a training match.
After the game a disappointed McCall delivered his verdict. In a soft-spoken tone that reflected the manner of our showing, he admitted that we had started badly and failed to make enough chances. He focussed on a late header by Humphrey that might have given us an undeserved point but his tone was downbeat. He acknowledged that we are in urgent need of a few players and suggested that he would be trying to have someone in before Saturday.
Following three games on the road we now have a couple at home. At the moment, the thought that we might get some advantage by playing at Fir Park is the only straw worth grasping! Unfortunately we play the away team specialists, Inverness.