Dundee United

We asked you for your views following Dundee United's derby defeat to Dundee.

Here's what some of you said:

Ross: Second in every department, except basic defensive errors as United won that hands down. Outfought, outplayed (in the first half especially) and just, it appeared, neither on it nor up for it.

Although it feels more than three points lost, it's more bragging rights lost but upcoming games get the same three points to play for. Don't let the good season slip away.

Denis: We were shambolic. Too many long balls and no one in midfield controlling the play. Substitutes were ineffective, too. Our home record at Tannadice this season is shocking.

Chris: I would admit that I did not see that result coming, but the performance was of greater concern. As the season end gets closer it would appear the position the lads had worked so hard to put themselves in is now in jeopardy. It's not too late though to get a couple more wins to secure top six, but fingers crossed for that third place!

Rebecca: Undoubtedly the worst derby performance I've ever seen as well as one of the worst United one's in my lifetime. Utterly hopeless in the first half to the point that only being two goals down was generous to us. We can't have a performance that bad ever again.

Jamie: Made a poor Dundee side look good by gifting all four goals. Strain, awful yet again. Ferry's worst performance - has been a standout so can be forgiven. Campbell, dreadful. Side note: can referees stop being so afraid of Simon Murray, and can someone tell Sylla he's 6'4 and doesn't need to hit the deck when a player breathes near him?

George: One team fighting for survival the other being told all week they are overachieving, this is what happens. Jim needs to get back to the players who did so well at the start of the season, otherwise we'll miss out on top six.

Dave: Bewilderingly poor in defence first half. Walton has been overrated for too long and was clearly rattled after his epic fumble of an easy save. Second half was a good effort to retrieve a dire situation but spoiled by utter stupidity in the last minute. We're struggling just now.

Dundee United produced their worst 45 minutes of the season in an error-strewn defensive performance against Dundee. (The Courier)

Read the rest of Monday's gossip.

United fans, were you at Tannadice or following the action from home? Either way we want to know what you made of the game. How are you feeling about top six now? What did you make of your team's performance?

Have your say on the game, external.

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "The opening 45 period was completely unaceptable in every department.

"I could have made a whole load of changes at half-time but we gave the players 10 minutes to show a positive reaction and we got that.

"Every mistake that we made in the first half, Dundee capitalised on it. A free header for the first goal, a mistake from Jack Walton [for the second] who has been outstanding all season, Will Ferry runs the ball [for the third]. All of those really avoidable on our part.

"We were second best in that first half. It's unacceptable in a game of this magnitude.

"We haven't been as bad as that all season. It's really out of character. We spoke about not having a repeat performance [of the Cup performance at Dens] and for the life of me, it's so hard to put your finger on why."

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

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Dundee were superb, yes, but United manager Jim Goodwin will look back on the first-half concessions with dismay.

They looked rushed, panicked and overwhelmed by Dundee's fast start and coughed up possession in dangerous areas an alarming amount.

Walton made an uncharacteristic error for Scott Tiffoney's goal and Jordan McGhee was twice left unmarked to score.

Emmanuel Adegboyega's decision to push Simon Murray late on was a daft act, one borne out of his side's desperation to level perhaps, but he will now miss United's trip to Dingwall after the international break.

With the league as tightly packed as it is and only three matches until the split, Goodwin's side will be sweating over their league position.

A difficult visit to Tynecastle follows before they host St Johnstone, with seventh-placed Motherwell just three points back.

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has rated Declan Gallagher, Will Ferry, Ross Docherty and Louis Moult as 50-50 to feature.

Dundee midfielder Scott Fraser could face his former club after a groin injury, while Jordan McGhee (Achilles) will be given every chance.

Antonio Portales (calf), Seb Palmer-Houlden (knee), Clark Robertson (hamstring) and Billy Koumetio (ankle) remain out.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dundee United winger Glenn Middleton says he "definitely" would be keen to extend his stay at the club, adding it has been a "privilege" to be part of the Tangerines' dressing room.

The 25-year-old's current deal is up in the summer and while there is no update on what will happen after that, Middleton has admitted he would be keen to stick around at Tannadice.

"Definitely, I think anyone just wants to be happy and play football," Middleton said when asked if he'd like to extend his stay in Dundee.

"Everyone likes to be settled and that is what I have been the last couple of years and for what it is worth I am grateful for that.

"I think the best way to look at it from my point of view, and every other player I guess throughout the whole of football, is you have got an opportunity every weekend to show what you can do.

"That is just the attitude that I am sure myself and everyone else is using, just focussing on what you can do on the pitch and showing what you are capable of doing."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin says he has "loved every minute" of his two years at Tannadice and believes his team are overachieving at present.

Goodwin took over in March 2023 but was unable to steer them clear of the drop.

However, they bounced back in the best possible fashion, winning the Championship at the first attempt, and are now flying high, sitting fifth in the top flight, just two points off third-placed Hibs.

United host neighbours Dundee on Sunday and Goodwin is relishing the challenge as his side try to secure their top-six status.

"I am delighted to be here, I have loved every minute of being manager of this club," he said. "It is just over two years since I joined and it has been really positive.

"Off the back of the relegation, what we have done since then in terms of restructuring of the club and rebuilding the squad to put us in this position.

"I would say we have probably overachieved in terms of where we should be or where we probably believed we would be at this point.

"So it has been terrific, I have loved it and I am really excited for the game on Sunday."

Goodwin believes matches like the Dundee derby help promote Scottish football, with Celtic and Rangers also meeting on Sunday.

"I think the league this season is brilliant," he said. "It is great to have all of the regional derbies that we have, with the Glasgow clubs, with the Edinburgh clubs and ourselves here.

"I think it is better for our competition as a whole in terms of the marketing of the product, hence why the game is live on the TV."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premiership derby with Dundee at Tannadice.

Here are the key points from the United boss:

• Goodwin says it is the "biggest game of the season" – with "lots at stake for both clubs".

• Ross Docherty, Louis Moult, Will Ferry, Ross Graham and Declan Gallagher are all "touch and go" for the match.

• While United have just one league win in six games, Goodwin is happy with their performances in the past three and says "we are in a good place".

• He isn't getting "bogged down" with league positions, but knows "things are in our own hands" as they look to guarantee a top-six slot.

• United are "still hurting from the cup exit at Dens" and the manager insists they are determined to "make amends for that one".

• Goodwin is "surprised" to see Dundee struggling in second bottom and adds: "I think a lot of people out there will be surprised given the level of investment that was made in the squad in the summer."

• It is just over two years since Goodwin took charge at United and he has "loved every minute".

Colin Moffat
BBC Sport Scotland

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On Sunday, Dundee's city neighbours meet for the fourth, and most likely last, time this season, with concerns in different halves of the league, but the same burning desire for derby day success.

Dundee's need seems more urgent as they bid to get out of the relegation play-off spot, but United are in the thick of a tight race for Europe.

United, promoted over the summer, are already just one point shy of the tally that took Dundee to a surprise sixth place last season.

And they have had the better of this fixture in recent times. Unbeaten in their previous five Premiership derbies, the Tannadice men have lost just one of the past 17 at home in the top flight, winning 11.

However, the last meeting went the way of the Dark Blues in the Scottish Cup, with Simon Murray's first-minute header at Dens Park enough.

Cup interest is over now and that leaves Dundee seeking a first league win since 5 January.

Dundee have conceded the most goals in the division, with problems in midfield leaving defenders exposed too often.

United just happen to have the Premiership's top scorer. Sam Dalby has 13 goals, which have been worth 12 points, also a league-high total for any player this term.

Jim Goodwin's side will go long in search of the powerful striker. Dundee know what's coming, but can they deal with the threat at Tannadice?

Read all the weekend Premiership picks

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• Dundee United are unbeaten in their last five Premiership meetings with Dundee (W2 D3), and are looking to win back-to-back derbies against their rivals in the top-flight for the first time since January 2015 under Jackie McNamara.

• After only losing two of their first 10 home league games of this season (W5 D3), United have since lost three of their last four on home soil in the Premiership (W1).

• Dundee have only won one of their last 17 away games at Tannadice in the top-fight (D11 L5), and are winless in 10 (D6 L4) since a 2-1 victory in August 2004 under Jim Duffy.

• Dundee have lost each of their last three away games in the league, last losing more in a row within a single season in the Premiership in January 2022 (five).

• Coming into this round of matches, Sam Dalby is the top scorer in the Scottish Premiership this season with 13 goals, which have been worth 12 points to Dundee United, also a league-high total for any player in the division this term.

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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It's been 21 long, long years since United lost to Dundee at Tannadice. As Sunday's latest derby looms, we take a look at three of the best for United...

Dundee United 6-2 Dundee (30 August 2019)

Dundee had been relegated the season prior, while United were searching for a way back to the top flight after four years away. After just one derby, the tone for the season was set.

Four goals in the space of 13 minutes from Louis Appere, Lawrence Shankland, Calum Butcher and Ian Harkes put United in command after Butcher and Kane Hemmings traded efforts in the opening quarter.

Andrew Nelson did pull one back for a chastened Dundee, but Cammy Smith scored the sixth to repeat the outcome of the New Year's derby of 2015.

Dundee United 6-2 Dundee (1 January 2015)

That's right, it had happened before!

With no Rangers, Hearts or Hibernian in the league, both teams were tilting at a top-six finish and both managed it, but not without United humiliating their neighbours.

Stuart Armstrong scored after less than a minute, deflecting in a Chris Erskine strike. Dundee managed to equalise, but Gary Mackay-Steven soon re-established the hosts' lead.

Erskine and Mackay-Steven again netted before half-time, Jaroslaw Fojut and Charlie Telfer also scored and Luka Tankulic claimed a late consolation.

Dundee United 2-2 Dundee (20 March 2016)

There's no denying the 2015-16 season was a hard one for United as they went down with a whimper, finishing eight points behind Kilmarnock.

Despite all that, they were determined not to give up their Tannadice record - already 12 years old at that point.

Two first-half strikes from Dundee's Hemmings left United toiling in a feisty match.

But a brace from Billy Mckay - a penalty and a stoppage-time header - ensured Dundee would still be unable to secure bragging rights on Tannadice Street.

Dundee United defensive stalwart Declan Gallagher looks set to be fit for Sunday's derby at Tannadice. (The Courier)

Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip.

Ronny Costello
Fan writer

There's been plenty to chew over during our enforced break in action.

First off, huge well done to Owen Stirton and Sam Harding on their Scotland Under-19 call-ups.

Sam had a brilliant first half of the season at Kelty while Owen has been banging them in up at Montrose - he also picked up the League 1 Player of the month award - so it's great to see the hard work paying dividends.

Young talent emerging is what it's all about, it's something Dundee United have done forever. I'd just like to see them stick around at Tannadice a bit longer than some recent youngsters have.

And now, on to the elephant in the room - Sam Dalby's disallowed goal against Hibs. At the time, anybody who had a couple of working eyeballs could tell you it was a goal.

Until VAR glanced at the ball striking 'something'. That's right, 'something'. Listening back to that audio clip just makes you shake your head and nearly now fully abandon any positive thoughts regarding VAR in Scotland.

We all know that had that goal been valid, we'd have headed home with three points. I'm certain of it. It totally changes the composition of the game. It's another reminder of how much these types of decisions can hang over our season.

Some days, I'm convinced it's like we're fighting more than the opponent.

That being said, the free week, thanks to our early cup exit, is a welcome relief we certainly need to get the walking wounded back.

Declan Gallagher in particular needed the rest after injury last time out and Will Ferry missed out completely. Having the pair of them fully fit is absolutely crucial to the starting 11, and this break couldn't have been better timed.

Hopefully the rest and recovery time will let us come back stronger and ready to push on.

Essentially, it has been a week of conflicting emotions. Pride in our young players, anger at VAR and that daft panel, and relief at some well-deserved rest.

Oh and there is a sold out Dundee derby on the horizon...

Ronny Costello can be found at The Dode Fox Podcast, external

Celtic have reportedly scouted Dundee United forward Owen Stirton, the 18-year-old forward on loan at Montrose. (National), external

Dundee United winger Glenn Middleton aims to "put things right" in Sunday's Scottish Premiership meeting with Dundee, who knocked United out of the Scottish Cup earlier this season. (Record), external

Lee Wilkie, who featured for both Dundee and United, believes Tangerines supporters would milk every moment of winning the derby, should they secure the three points at the weekend and add to the Dark Blues' woes. (Courier - subscription required), external

Dundee manager Tony Docherty believes the derby is the perfect fixture to turn around the Dark Blues' fortunes. (Record), external

Defender Ryan Astley says Dundee are determined to prove their doubters wrong against United. (Courier - subscription required), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

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With 13 goals this season Sam Dalby not only tops the Dundee United scoring charts, but the Scottish Premiership one too.

Since joining on loan from Wrexham, and playing his first game on 1 September against Hearts, United have won 10 matches. Dalby has scored in half of them, and a further four draws.

Nine of those 13 have come from open play - only Rangers and Celtic players Daizen Maeda, Nicolas Kuhn, Vaclav Cerny and Cyriel Dessers have more open play goals.

His expected-goals tally (9.8) is the highest in the league, bettered only by departed Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi and he has a respectable shot conversion rate of 25%.

He's top for big chances scored (11) and his conversion rate of those is almost 60%.

The 25-year-old's importance to Jim Goodwin's side is obvious to anyone who has watched the Tangerines this season and it may even be they're too reliant on the striker's prowess.

However, taking a deeper dive into the numbers behind United's season, it's no surprise they're competing at the upper end of the table.

They've got a solid goalkeeper in Jack Walton who is top of the charts for goals prevented this season (6.9) plus he's made 82 saves so far, only Motherwell's Aston Oxborough has made more.

Defensively, Declan Gallagher has been solid and is top of the league for blocks made (27) and third for clearances (196) while Vicko Sevelj is joint top for tackles won (49).

Further outfield, Will Ferry has been important for defensive and attacking exploits. He's third for interceptions made (39) and fifth for outfield recoveries while further up the pitch, only Alistair Johnston, Arne Engels and Vaclav Cerny have a higher expected assists than Ferry (5.86).

We asked you to tell us the one thing nobody is talking about at Dundee United.

Here's what some of you said:

Ian: Far too much defending for my likes. No decent wide men/wingers to supply crosses, got to rely on the full-backs. Midfielders are too defensive minded, no one to drive on against the opposition.

George: What has happened with David Babunski? From vice-captain (and often captain when Ross Docherty has been injured) we've hardly seen him over the past couple of months. Now the weather has turned his creativity in the middle of the park could help.

Davie: Not enough was said about the Hibs game, we did not deserve to lose it and an inexplicable and unexplained decision was made by VAR to rule Sam Dalby's goal out and has arguably cost us sitting in third right now, despite Hibs' form. Our performance level is okay but we merited more points this week.

Thomas: What's not being talked about is the very real chance of not finishing top six is now upon us. We have enjoyed an amazing return to the league and I have thoroughly enjoyed watching them play and grow this year under Jim Goodwin. After such a great season, not getting top six and a European spot is now a reality. Are expectations too high?

Ross: With new recruits added to the squad and results not improving, Goodwin should consider going back to the tried and tested players he used with "one of the smallest squads in the division". Whether it be injuries or loss of form and accepting new players need to bed in, when there's no improvement, a back to the drawing board ethos should be considered.

Anon: We had "free hits" against Dundee in the cup, Hearts, Kilmarnock and Rangers, chances to play attacking football and capitalise on our league position. We ended up playing five defenders and three defensive midfielders. Goodwin's safety-first approach has served us well so far, but now is the time to get on the front foot and take a risk with team choices.

After losing 3-1 to Hibs, Dundee United squandered a two-goal lead in their 2-2 draw against Aberdeen last time out.

Jim Goodwin's side are just one point off the Dons and two behind Hibs in third, but can they keep the pressure on as the split approaches?

You know your club best, so what is the one thing regarding United - good or bad - Nobody is talking about?

Let us know., external

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

While Dundee United would love to be contesting the Scottish Cup quarter-finals this weekend, the enforced break has come at the perfect time.

They appeared a team running on empty in the later stages of their weekend draw with Aberdeen, throwing away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2.

Manager Jim Goodwin's post-match comments were telling. Three games in eight days "took its toll on the players" and they looked "dead on their feet".

United are fifth in the table – just two points off third – a great achievement, and one that is even more impressive given they have had injuries to key players for large portions of the campaign.

Will Ferry, Ross Docherty and Louis Moult are currently sidelined while Declan Gallagher went off during the first half at Pittodrie.

Goodwin admitted influential midfielder Craig Sibbald – who recently returned from injury – was rushed back to make his first start in five months.

The stretched squad has been creaking lately and that is reflected in their recent form, just two wins in nine Premiership games.

So when you factor all this in, the hiatus is a chance for United to regroup – and more importantly recharge – before the business end of the campaign.

Paul McNicoll
Fan writer

After last Wednesday's chaos at Tannadice, United headed up the A90 to face an Aberdeen side as unpredictable as a Scottish summer.

One minute they're flying high, the next they've crash landed, and now they're desperately trying to take off again, all in the space of 29 games. They've got good players, but they're not always a good team. Still, this was never going to be easy.

United were missing a few key men, but the first-half gameplan was executed to perfection: defend well, counter dangerously, and make the most of set-pieces. By half-time, things were looking rosy.

The second half? Not so much. I've no idea what was said in the dressing room, but what I saw was United setting up camp in their own box, playing what can only be described as a flat back nine.

Predictably, Kevin Nisbet, who never misses a chance to score against United, pulled one back with 15 minutes to go. The equaliser arrived in the 91st minute, again from Nisbet, and truth be told it had been coming.

A point at Pittodrie is usually a decent result, but when you're 2-0 up with 16 minutes left, it stings.

Maybe the players sat too deep on their own, maybe it was the manager's plan, or maybe I'm not giving Aberdeen enough credit. Either way, United now head into a two-week break likely feeling a little flat.

With the Scottish Cup taking centre stage this weekend, our attention shifts to the small matter of yet another sold-out Dundee derby the following Sunday.

If United want third place, they'll need to be braver, a little better and far less cautious in this one, because there's a lot more than just bragging rights at stake.

Paul McNicoll can be found at the Dode Fox Podcast, external