Dundee United Preview

Before today’s (Thursday) news, most ‘Well fans would have fancied our chances of taking at least a point. We have not been brilliant since the winter break but we were looking good for a second consecutive clean sheet at Rugby Park until Frankie’s moment of madness. Dundee United have struggled for a while and are currently one point below us. Indeed, they have not won since defeating us 2-1 at Fir Park on November 16. However, they have made four signings during the January window and would have been confident of improving.

Pearo Scores!

That improvement will come not under Paul Heggarty, he was dismissed and Ian McCall was swiftly appointed in his place. McCall has proven himself in the lower leagues but the move does seem bizarre. McCall had already turned down the Tannadice job and it seems incredible that the United board would allow Heggarty to sign players if they knew that he was soon to be on his way. Conspiracy theories are not our problem though but we do have to deal with a reinvigorated side who will be eager to please a new boss.

Still, the one thing we have had consistently in our favour this season is that we have the heart and desire to compete with anyone. Our problems are a result of too many vital players being missing or having off days. Everyone tries their best but at times that is just not good enough to pick up points.

Frank DuBourdeau joins McFadden on the suspension list meaning that Stevie Woods will make his first start since the beginning of November. Dirk Lehmann will be out with a hamstring injury meaning that our front pair will be inexperienced. Terry Butcher must be tempted to try a combo other than Craig and Clarkson, who looked out of their depth on Wednesday night. Derek Adams went off with an injury at Rugby Park and William Kinniburgh also seemed to damage an ankle. If either of them are missing, we could be in big trouble. The one bit of good news is that Stevie Hammell will definitely return to left back – a big bonus to our attack, as well as our defence.

There is no doubt that a draw would be a more than acceptable result. We will fight hard and it won’t be pretty but our lack of firepower upfront will cost us dearly in a 2-0 loss.

Remember the last time we were at Tannadice?