Highlights: Dundee United 3-0 Ross Countypublished at 18:03 10 November
18:03 10 November
Watch highlights as Dundee United win 3-0 against Ross County in the Scottish Premiership.
(Available to UK audience only)
'The performance we've been waiting for'published at 15:15 10 November
15:15 10 November
We asked for your views on Dundee United's 3-0 win against Ross County.
Here's what some of you said:
Scott: To a man, United were excellent. What a difference it makes playing two up front. Best performance of the season by a mile. The team had intent and positivity. Jim Goodwin got the tactics and formation spot on. Just desperate for big Jort van der Sande to get off the mark!
Stephen: A slow first 45 against a stuffy and physical County side was vastly improved on in the second 45. More pressure and urgency were backed up by good one and two touch passing with intent to get forward as often as possible. Goodwin was able to adapt and use his tactics and subs well, cherry on top was the clean sheet!
Gordon: United controlled the game despite the refereeing, matched County's physicality then came good in the second half. A good win in the end.
Ross: Second half performance was the best of the season so far. After a slow but steady first half the pace increased. Passes were crisper, players were looking forward not back. Every move was positive, every cross was menacing. Quality goals with standout performances from Sam Dalby, Luca Stephenson and Will Ferry, and who doesn't love a goal from local talent!
Eddie: Best, most complete performance this season so far! Some great goals and some really excellent performances. Absolutely buzzing for young Owen Stirton, take a bow young man!
David: That was the performance we've been waiting on for a few weeks. Second half especially was the best of the season so far. Top six now looks achievable given this start but can we finish 4th? And what an acquisition Will Ferry has been (to mention just one).
Dalby delights at 'composed gamble'published at 13:53 10 November
13:53 10 November
Martin Dowden BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Goalless at half-time, what did Jim Goodwin say to spur the reaction which hit in the second half at Tannadice?
"Just stay calm and keep going," according to Sam Dalby.
Keep going they did in a half they scored three, including the 24-year-old's composed finish.
"It was good ball from David [Babunski] to be honest, in behind the defence and sometimes that causes a lot of problems for teams, especially when they're pushing for a goal," he said of his strike to BBC Scotland post match.
"So, sort of just gambled on it and then once I was through on goal, it's about just staying composed and putting it into the corner.”
Dalby has delighted many United fans since joining in the summer on-loan from Wrexham and he believes it's been a "positive" move for him.
"It's been something that's been positive for me, you know, the start to the season and our start to the season, really it's all about trying to help the team get three points at the end of the day, and thankfully we did that," he added.
Dundee United 3-0 Ross County: Key statspublished at 12:27 10 November
12:27 10 November
Dundee United have scored eight goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, more than any other team in the Premiership this season.
Sam Dalby has contributed to goals in his last 3 home games in the Premiership (3 goals, 0 assists).
Ross County have conceded eight goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, only Hibernian (nine) have conceded more in the Premiership this season.
Ross County have conceded four goals to opposition substitutes in the Premiership this season, only St Johnstone (six) have conceded more.
Dundee United 3-0 Ross County: Have your saypublished at 17:56 9 November
17:56 9 November
Dundee United's impressive return to the Scottish Premiership continues as they ease aside Ross County to maintain their fourth-place position.
Manager Jim Goodwin was rewarded with a contract extension this week and his players showed by with an accomplished victory.
What did you make of that win, United fans? Was the scoreline reflective of the United performance?
Dundee United 3-0 Ross County: Analysispublished at 17:54 9 November
17:54 9 November
Martin Dowden BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
When a side gain promotion, the priority has to be retaining their Premiership place. But United's ambitions may be growing after such a strong start.
Three points here, heading into an international break, gives an opportunity to reflect on a job very well done so far.
Goodwin's reward with an extended contract brings stability to him, the club and the squad.
Here, what seemed key was the intent they showed after the break. Until then, they had tried to create but were frustrated by a well-drilled County.
After that, they swarmed forward and didn't settle for one goal. That has to be encouraging.
The goals were of a high quality and the impact of Stirton was the cherry on top.
United are signalling what a club of their size should. They are showing they have Premiership presence.
Dundee United 3-0 Ross County: What the manager saidpublished at 17:36 9 November
17:36 9 November
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin told BBC Scotland: "We're really pleased with the overall performance. We started the game really slow, Ross County had us penned back in but we grew into the game.
"We built on that in the second half, and the second-half performance was a really dominant one. The majority was played in the Ross County half, played good football, moved it about well, good tempo. We got numerous deliveries into the box and we scored three really good goals.
"It's our most complete performance of the season so far and we certainly didn't underestimate Ross County coming into this game.
"We've got hopes and dreams like every other team, but there's far too long to go in the season for us to get carried away. That's the message to the players. It was a brilliant performance for 85 minutes but we won't allow ourselves to get caught up in top six talk.
[On Owen Stirton] "He's been in and around the first team since he's come in full time. He's only 17, come through the Baldragon Academy, been part of the club since he was 10 or 11 years old. The fans really enjoyed it, and it's a proud moment for Owen and his family to score on his Premiership debut. It's 'Roy of the Rovers' type stuff and I'm delighted for him. He deserves the opportunity. It's easy to chuck him on when we're 2-0 up and comfortable but I believed he would get a chance."
Dundee United 3-0 Ross County: Who impressed?published at 17:11 9 November
17:11 9 November
Will Ferry. Luca Stephenson's goal was Ferry's 11th cross into the box and most of them were good.
It was a wonder United didn't score more given they had two big men in the box - Sam Dalby and Jort van der Sande - but the strikers often struggled to create clear chances.
Perhaps that's a bit harsh on Dalby. He was able to hold up well against a County side that had been watertight for the last few games.
LINE-UPS from Tannadicepublished at 13:59 9 November
13:59 9 November
Dundee United: Walton, Adegboyega, Gallagher, Holt, Strain, Stephenson, Sevelj, Babunski, Ferry, Van der Sande, Dalby.
Have your say on Goodwin's new dealpublished at 19:05 8 November
19:05 8 November
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has signed a contract extension at Tannadice, taking him to the summer of 2026.
The 42-year-old steered the club back to the top flight last season as Championship winners and they sit fourth after collecting 16 points from their first 11 matches.
He called it an "easy decision", but what do you think United fans?
Sevelj credits hard work for United's positive startpublished at 15:21 8 November
15:21 8 November
Tyrone Smith BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Dundee United midfielder Vicko Sevelj says he is not surprised at the successful start the team have made to the Scottish Premiership season because they "work so hard" every day.
The 24-year-old Croatian was one of 13 new players brought in during the summer as last season's Championship winners prepared for their top-flight return.
And United have transitioned seamlessly to Premiership life - they go into Saturday's match against Ross County fourth in the table after 11 games.
"Everyone has to be buzzing about this because we are a newly-promoted team and we are a new group, like 20 new faces so we are very happy," Sevelj said.
"I am not [surprised] because we work so hard in training every day; we have an amazing coach and coaching staff."
Despite that positive start, Sevelj is taking nothing for granted against Ross County.
When asked what he is expecting from the Dingwall outfit, he said: "A tough game against a good opponent.
"Ross County are just four points behind us, they have a great goal-scorer in form, so I think it will be a tough match for us. It is very important because if we win this it will do us a big favour."
Dundee Utd v Ross County: Pick of the statspublished at 14:31 8 November
14:31 8 November
Dundee United have won seven of their last 10 top-flight home games against Ross County (L3), although lost their most recent in May 2023 (3-1).
Ross County are unbeaten in three league meetings with Dundee United (W2 D1), their longest ever such run over the Tangerines in the top flight. The Staggies’ two wins in those last three fixtures are more than they managed in their previous 12 Scottish Premiership encounters beforehand (W1 D2 L9).
Dundee United have only kept one clean sheet in their last seven home league games, conceding 2+ goals in five of them (13 total).
Ross County have drawn eight of their last 14 league games (W2 D4), with both of their last two ending goalless. The last side to play out three straight 0-0s in the Scottish Premiership were Hibernian between February to March 2022.
Ross County’s Connor Randall has made more combined tackles (35) and interceptions (18) than any other player in the Scottish Premiership this season (53), while only four players have won possession more times than the Staggies captain (58) in the division this term.
Goodwin keen to strengthen 'smallest squad' - gossippublished at 08:04 8 November
08:04 8 November
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin is keen to strengthen his squad in January after insisting they are operating with the smallest squad in the Scottish Premiership. (The Courier), external
'Remarkable' United adjustment pleases Goodwinpublished at 16:54 7 November
16:54 7 November
Tyrone Smith BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has hailed the "remarkable" way his new-look squad have adapted to life in the Scottish Premiership.
United go into Sunday's Premiership visit of Ross County in fourth place after 11 games.
Goodwin said: "Newly promoted, we have had to sign 13 new players. To get all those guys so quickly and adapt to the Scottish game, it has been remarkable.
"We just have to take it week to week, we are not too focused on the league table at this point.
"Our points return in the opening 11 league games has been very positive. I think most people from a Dundee United perspective would have taken the position we are in prior to the league starting, but we are not getting carried away.
"The league hasn’t surprised us in any way. Every game we have been involved in has been really tight, competitive, not a great deal between any of the teams.
"We haven't played Celtic yet, we know how good they are going at the moment, but in all of the games we have played up to now we have had some terrific results."
United are currently just three points behind third-place Rangers, but only four above County, who sit ninth.
"I think Ross County have pretty much slipped under the radar up to now, but Don Cowie has done a terrific job," added Goodwin.
"They have some good players at the top end of the pitch that can cause us problems. They are a good side."
Goodwin on United's start, canny recruitment & no league surprisespublished at 15:20 7 November
15:20 7 November
Tyrone Smith BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media before Dundee United's Premiership game with Ross County this weekend.
Here are the key lines from the United boss:
With his side fourth in the table, just three points behind Rangers, Goodwin says they are not getting carried away and "can still improve".
Asked if he is surprised by United's start on their top-flight return, Goodwin says he had "great confidence" in their summer recruitment and is impressed with how quickly the new-look squad has gelled.
The United boss also points out that "if you drop the standards by just a couple of percent then things can change dramatically" and highlighted the never-say-die culture he has been trying to create at the club.
Goodwin says "the league hasn't surprised us in any way" but does note they have yet to play Celtic.
Kristijan Trapanovski misses out after injuring his hamstring against Hibs last Sunday.
On the challenge posed by County, Goodwin is expecting a tough game against a side he believes "has slipped under the radar" this season.
'Fourth after 11 games beyond the wildest dreams of United fans'published at 11:39 6 November
11:39 6 November
Tyrone Smith BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Last season's Championship winners have now played 11 games back in the top flight. A third of their pre-split fixtures have now been ticked off.
If manager Jim Goodwin was a teacher preparing his early season report card, what would he say about his class of 24-25 in assessment of the work they have done so far?
It might read something like this...
Have settled into their new surroundings very well, very hard working, diligent, resilient, and have exceeded pre-term expectations, but there is still more to come.
OK, you can tell I am no teacher, but I have seen enough of Dundee United this season to know Goodwin will be more than happy with how his side have adapted to life back at Scottish football’s top table.
To be sitting in fourth place at this stage of the campaign is undoubtedly beyond the wildest dreams of even the most optimistic of Tangerines fans.
If they can see off Ross County at Tannadice in their final game before the next international break, then all connected with United will be justified in taking a step back and being rightly satisfied with the work done so far
However, football moves quickly and no one at United will be resting on their laurels as they look to try and further cement their top six credentials, and continue to put as much day light between themselves and the more unsavoury fight for survival at the other end of the table.
'Dalby was United target before last season' - gossippublished at 08:51 6 November
08:51 6 November
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has revealed that he had tried to sign in-form striker Sam Dalby, who arrived from Wrexham this summer, before his side even started last season's Scottish Championship campaign. (Daily Record), external
'Will Goodwin shake things up from the start?'published at 15:03 5 November
15:03 5 November
Ronny Costello Fan writer
It's been yet another week on the United rollercoaster! After two games packed with more twists than a soap opera, we've managed to cling to fourth place. But let's be honest, it's not been without a bit of self-inflicted drama and a whole lot of VAR-induced whiplash.
Manny Adegboyega doesn't need some podcast pundit telling him he could've done better in that midweek slip-up against Motherwell. Letting the points go south like that? Not our finest moment. With back-to-back defeats for the first time in ages, the Easter Road showdown on Sunday came with some extra pressure.
Now, picture the scene: a nail-biting penalty salvaged us a point against Hibs after VAR caught Mykola Kukharevych trying to make Manny's shirt part of his own kit. The ref did the classic screen-drawing gesture, pointed to the spot, and the home fans went into meltdown. Up stepped Sam Dalby, ice in his veins, slotting home the equaliser.
That first half, though? About as lively as an overcooked tattie. United's midfield got overrun, Dalby spent half the game chasing sky-high balls, and Hibs were all over us like a rash. But after a shift to 4-2-3-1, Richard Odada bulldozed his way in with crunching tackles, while we finally saw what our number 10 can do – in the actual number 10 spot!
As the match ticked into 10 minutes of injury time, Hibs were pleading for their own penalty, but the ref shrugged it off, leaving the Hibees faithful in near combustion. Swings and roundabouts, eh?
Up next: Ross County. Will Jim Goodwin stick with his trusty 3-4-3 that's never actually finished a game, or shake things up from the start?