Dundee United

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dundee United goalkeeper Jack Walton was delighted to finally beat Motherwell, after the Steelmen won the first two matches of the season between the sides.

United had not lost three topflight home games in a row against Motherwell since May 2000 but managed to avoid repeating the feat thanks to Sam Dalby's score.

"They've won the previous games we've played against them, so obviously we're delighted to finally get one over them," Walton admitted. "It was a tough battle. It was always going to be a close game with probably one goal deciding the game, so we're happy to be on the right side of it today.

"We've had some difficult fixtures. We've not played a game here for a long time, so it's good to be back at home in front of our fans and happy to get the result."

The main difference in the Motherwell side that United faced was a new man in the dugout, as Michael Wimmer took charge of the Steelmen for the first time.

"This week it's been a bit different," Walton continued. "We weren't sure who was playing, the style of play that the new manager would play, so we had to concentrate on ourselves and make sure that we were at it today and do what we're good at.

"I feel at this time of the season it's about winning games and obviously it's a massive three points for us today."

The win briefly moved United back into third before Aberdeen's late goal against Dundee. However, the on-loan Luton stopper insisted his teammates are only focusing on themselves.

"It's the first time I've experienced a split. The good thing is it's in our own hands. We're not chasing. All we have to do is concentrate on ourselves. We don't have to look at anybody else or any other fixtures.

"We've just got to take care of our business and we know if we do what we're good at and carry on doing what we're doing, we'll be in that top six."

Dundee United claim defender Kevin Holt forced a transfer to Derry City by intimating that he "may be unavailable for selection" for the remainder of the season. (The Courier), external

Read the rest of Sunday's Scottish gossip.

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Derry City have brought in Kevin Holt on a two-year deal from Dundee United for an undisclosed fee.

The 32-year-old defender scored four goals in 29 appearance for the Scottish Premiership side this season.

Holt began his career with boyhood club Queen of the South, helping them to Scottish Challenge Cup success in 2013.

The left-sided defender also lined out for Dundee before stints at Cypriot First Division sides Pafos and Ermis Aradippou either side of a Queen of the South return.

Holt settled with Partick Thistle and was a senior figure in their journey to the Premiership play-off final in 2023, which earned him the move to Dundee United that summer.

The move to League of Ireland side Derry is subject to international clearance.

Michael Wimmer's reign as Motherwell manager began with a defeat as Sam Dalby's goal earned Dundee United a first win in four Scottish Premiership games.

The Fir Park side have now lost six consecutive matches and now slip down to ninth.

United's own form had been pretty poor of late, but they got back on track thanks to division's top scorer Dalby converting a towering first-half header for his 13th of the season.

What did you make of that, United fans? Worthy of the victory? Who impressed you?

Let us know your thoughts, external.

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Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin told BBC Scotland: "The result was huge today given how the other results have gone in the Premiership today.

"Really important for us to get back to winning ways. Prior to the match we were on a difficult run, albeit played some difficult teams within that. We defended brilliantly, working a lot in terms of our defensive shape in the build-up to today's game.

"It was about getting back to basics, keeping clean sheets, defending well, and I always feel we'll get good chances. With a guy like Sam Dalby given service, nine times out of 10 he'll put the ball in the back of the net.

"He was unlucky not to have a double today, denied by a really good save in the second half.

"I couldn't be any more pleased with the outcome today. We know we could have played better, we were very good in the first half and well worthy of the lead. The second half was a little scrappy and Motherwell put us under pressure going into the last 10 minutes of the game."

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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Although plenty had talked about United's poor form, including Jim Goodwin, some context needed provided.

Six losses in their last seven doesn't sound great, but two of those games were against Celtic and one was against Rangers.

They didn't look like a team down in the dumps, immediately taking the game to Motherwell and it was their strong start that ended up winning the game.

Any ball sent into the box at a decent head height was bound to be attacked by Dalby, and the striker's header was a classic target man's goal.

They had chances to make it two, but when presented with chances they couldn't find a way to truly kill the game off with Luca Stephenson particularly guilty with his second-half miss.

However, they dealt with everything that Motherwell threw at them - if not by the three-man defence, then by Jack Walton in goal. Perhaps no surprise that only the Old Firm have kept more clean sheets than them this season.

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Sam Dalby. Another goal for the league's top scorer. It was brilliantly taken, a proper old-fashioned number nine's goal.

A word for Jort van der Sande. His wait for a goal goes on but when he came on, he linked up the play nicely, held it up well, and calmed things down.

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Dundee United midfielder Craig Sibbald is back in training after a groin injury but not ready to play. Kevin Holt and Will Ferry return for United while Lewis Fiorini is also pushing to be fit.

On-loan United striker Tony Watt is ineligible for Motherwell, who remain without Jack Vale (Achilles), Apostolos Stamatelopoulos (calf), Steve Seddon (ankle), Ross Callachan (hamstring), Paul McGinn (thigh), Zach Robinson (Achilles) and goalkeepers Archie Mair and Aston Oxborough (both hand).

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Ross Graham insists Dundee United "aren't too worried at all" by their recent run of results, stressing "we know we are a good side".

Despite sitting fourth in the Scottish Premiership, United have just one win from their last six league games, but the defender is adamant that will change and hopes it does so against Motherwell on Saturday.

"I don't think we are too worried at all," he said. "We know we are a good side, we have got really good players and this form over the last few weeks, it is going to change at some point and hopefully it can be this weekend.

"On the season as a whole, it has been pretty good up until now, and we are still looking to keep going through this last period."

The 23-year-old is looking to start playing his part, after enduring a campaign hampered by injury.

"I started well, then I got a hamstring injury so I was out for about eight weeks and the team were doing so well so I couldn't get back into the side," he added. "That's just football.

"Over the last few weeks, I have been in and out but now I am looking to hold my place in the team and finish the season off strongly.

"Everyone is frustrated when they are not playing, sitting on the bench, but you have just got to be ready for an opportunity to come back into the team.

"So, I am looking to get a good run in the side from now until the end of the season."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin admitted star striker Sam Dalby will have attracted the attention of other clubs with his goal-scoring exploits at Tannadice.

Since arriving on loan from Wrexham, Dalby has netted 11 times for the Tangerines and is the Premiership's leading scorer.

Goodwin says United are keen to keep Dalby at the club beyond this season, but accepts it might not be possible.

"There is no surprise Sam has got a lot of attention off the back of what he has done for Dundee United," Goodwin said of his target man, who has reportedly been offered a new contract by his parent club.

"It's been a really successful loan for everybody. Do we want to try and hold on to him? Of course we do, and we will be at the table having those conversations in the summer.

"But some of these teams out there have got bigger budgets and we are quite realistic about that aspect of it as well."

Dalby was linked with a return back to north Wales in January but, a few weeks into the winter window, Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson confirmed the striker would be staying in Scotland

"All I can say is that Sam has loved his time at Dundee United, he has really appreciated what the club have done for him," Goodwin added. "We have given him that opportunity to put himself in the spotlight and I know he is very grateful for that.

"Sam has played a huge role in putting us in the position we are in right now and I know he has got one eye on being the top goal scorer in the Premiership which would be a hell of an achievement for him."

Another player who has been linked with an exit from Tannadice is defender Kevin Holt. With the Irish transfer window still open, Derry City have been linked with a possible move for the 32-year-old.

"Kevin has been instrumental in the last couple of seasons," Goodwin added.

"The Irish window is different to our one here so no doubt there are a number of teams in Ireland that would love a number of our players, but this is a really important time for us and we are not thinking about any outside distractions at this time."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin admitted that recent results "haven't gone the way we would have liked" but pointed out they "are still in a very good position".

United have won just one of their last six league games, however, with his side sitting fourth in the Premiership table, Goodwin is keen to accentuate the positives ahead of Saturday's visit of Motherwell.

"There is no getting away from the fact that, on paper, the last half dozen results or so haven't gone the way we would have liked but it's important to put these things in perspective as well," Goodwin said.

"We have played Celtic twice during that period at Parkhead, Rangers at home and in the other games they have been really narrow defeats where there hasn't been a great deal in the games.

"We are still in a very good position as far as we are concerned, there is still a really positive feel-good factor about the group and there are seven games to go before the split.

"It is an exciting time for the club, players and supporters. If you had offered us this position away back at the beginning of the campaign, we all would have taken it."

United face a step into the unknown as they look to get back to winning ways against a Motherwell side who have just appointed Michael Wimmer as their new manager.

"It's definitely not ideal that you go and play against a team that has a new manager and there are no games to analyse," Goodwin admitted.

"In fairness to my analysts, they have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to try and get some footage from some previous clubs. But, it is very difficult for us to try and predict what the system is going to look like, what the personnel is going to look like and what their game plan is going to be.

"The main focus for us has always been on ourselves, making sure we are in the right frame of mind defensively, making sure we are solid and doing what we have been good at all season which is what put us in this really strong position we are in."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media ahead of Saturday's Premiership visit of Motherwell.

Here's a taste of what he said:

• The manager said that having Craig Sibbald, who has been out of the squad with a long-term injury, back "feels like a new signing" but points out the midfielder is not ready to start.

• On facing a Motherwell side with a brand new manager in Michael Wimmer, Goodwin says it is 'not ideal' to be coming up against in terms of preparation, but adds United need to "focus on ourselves".

• With the Irish transfer window still open, there have been reports linking Derry City with United defender Kevin Holt. Goodwin said "no doubt there are a number of teams in Ireland that would love a number of our players" but highlights how important a time it is for his team, saying they are not focussing on "outside distractions".

• Amid their recent run of one win in their last six league games, Goodwin admits "on paper the last half dozen results haven't gone the way we would have liked" but notes they have played Celtic twice and Rangers during that run.

• Speaking on Sam Dalby and whether he wants to keep the striker - who is out of contract in the summer - the manager said: "Of course we do and we will be at the table having those conversations".

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• Dundee United have lost both of their last two home games against Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership but haven't lost three times in a row at home to the Steelmen in the top flight since May 2000.

• Motherwell have won both of their league meetings with Dundee United in 2024-25 so far and could win three league games in a single season against them for the first time since 2004-05.

• Dundee United have lost each of their last three league games – as many as their previous 13 beforehand (W6 D4 L3).

• Motherwell have lost each of their last four league games, last losing five on the spin in January 2015 – when the fifth defeat was away to Dundee United (1-3).

• Only Motherwell's Aston Oxborough (85) has made more saves in the Scottish Premiership this season than Dundee United's Jack Walton (79). Walton has conceded 31 goals (excl. own goals) from an expected goals on target faced total of 38.7 – with his 7.7 goals prevented based on xGoT the highest of any goalkeeper in the competition this season.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Those of a Dundee United persuasion may well be asking the question: 'Where have all the goals gone?'

In their last seven games – in all competitions - United have only managed to hit the net twice.

That statistic is all the more surprising when you consider that Tangerines striker Sam Dalby tops the Premiership scoring charts, with 11 goals.

And, as a general football rule, when you aren't scoring you aren't going to be winning games.

So, that's been reflected in their recent results. Jim Goodwin's side have mustered just the one victory in that run of seven matches, losing the other six.

With United still sitting very well placed - fourth in the Premiership table - no one will be pressing any panic buttons at Tannadice.

But the lack of goals will be source of concern for Goodwin.

With the likes of Dalby, Louis Moult and Ruari Paton at their disposal – United certainly appear to have plenty of firepower at their fingertips.

But the United manager knows he needs to find a way of getting it firing over the coming weeks and months.

If he can, then you see absolutely no reason why they won't consolidate their position at the right end of the table and remain very much in the mix in that battle for a European spot.

Manager Jim Goodwin confesses that Dundee United cannot compete with the financial muscle of Wrexham in their bid to secure Sam Dalby on a permanent contract, with the striker's parent club having tabled a contract extension for the on-loan 25-year-old. (The Courier), external

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin says centre-half Kevin Holt is going nowhere as the League of Ireland's transfer window prepares to close on Friday and with big-spending Derry City having made a preliminary enquiry about the 32-year-old. (The Courier), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Paul McNicoll
Fan writer

Dundee United have certainly been doing their best impression of a team that's forgotten how to win.

Six defeats in the last seven games - five of them in the league - tell their own story. Not exactly the kind of form that inspires confidence.

Yet, somehow, despite this miserable run, we're still sitting in fourth place. Go figure.

The battle for the top six is shaping up to be an absolute scrap, with barely an inch separating a clutch of clubs all dreaming of European football.

Aberdeen, who hadn't won a league game since just after Bonfire Night, somehow find themselves in third. Meanwhile, our noisy neighbours across the road are just 11 points off them in 11th. The league is tighter than a John Souttar hamstring.

And now, here we are, the final sprint to the split.

Seven games to decide if this season has been a success or just a slow, painful fizzle.

If United can rediscover their early-season form, top six should be within reach and maybe, just maybe, a push for Europe. But, if the current form continues, we could be in for a frustrating end to the campaign.

For now, this squad still has enough goodwill in the bank from earlier performances, but time is running out. The next few months will tell us a lot about what this team is really made of.

Strap in, it's going to be a fun ride.

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

Dundee United are facing a potential £600,000 tax bill. (Courier - subscription), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Dundee United remain on course for an "unbelievable" season on their return to the Scottish Premiership, says Ross Docherty, despite a run of four straight losses. (Courier - subscription), external

Read Monday's Scottish gossip

Sportscene pundit Neil McCann's on Dundee United's recent rut in the Scottish Premiership following Saturday's 3-0 defeat to Celtic.

Watch highlights from Celtic Park as the Premiership leaders dispatch Dundee United 3-0. (UK users only)

United fans, we asked for your views on Saturday's Scottish Premiership defeat to Celtic.

Here's what some of you said:

Jim: Celtic are now 31 points ahead of the third team in the league so it is damage limitation for trips to Parkhead. However, our manager could maybe stick to the maxim of "if it ain't broke don't fix it" and revert back to the players that had given us such a good start to the season.

John: Our season isn't defined by this result. We've done very against teams around us and we need to get that momentum back, and we will. Despite a sticky patch we are still in the mix for Europe next season.

George: Jim Goodwin called it correctly when he said we have seven cup finals coming up before the split. Fortunately none of them is against the Old Firm. We have a real chance to clinch a top-six spot with the next two home games against Motherwell and Hibs. Forty three points with five games to the split thereafter would see us there. Few expected anything from this game.

Scott: Our battle isn't with Celtic, it is with the teams around us. Massive two games coming up next week at home. I think United need at least four points from these games to have a realistic chance of finishing top six.

Brian: Too easy to say better quality from them, let's go and play our game. I'd rather give them a scare by going at them 11 v 11.

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• Celtic have kept a clean sheet in 19 of their 26 games, more than any other in the Premiership this season.

• Jota has contributed to goals in his last four games in the Premiership (two goals, two assists).

• Celtic have scored 19 goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, more than any other team in the Premiership this season.

• Dundee United have lost their last three games in the Premiership, their last longer losing streak was from 6 May 2023 to 28 May 2023, a run of five games.

• Dundee United have failed to score a first-half goal in 19 of their 26 games, no team has failed to do so more often in the Premiership this season.

Will Ferry and Kevin Holt's absence from the Dundee United team at Celtic Park was precautionary, says manager Jim Goodwin, and both should return next weekend. (Courier - subscription), external

Read Sunday's Scottish gossip