Dundee United

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, Opta

By the middle of October, Sam Dalby was yet to net a goal in five games for Dundee United.

Two months later, the on-loan Wrexham forward is the Scottish Premiership's top scorer with eight, which have come in his past nine games.

Where that tally becomes more impressive is when you factor in his goals-per-minute ratio of 121 - the sixth best record in the entire top flight.

The 25-year-old has also racked up that total from just 11 starts, plus the fact he has eight goals from an expected goals (xG) rating of six highlights his ability to make the most of his chances.

The former Watford striker has impressive aerial ability, given he has scored four of his goals with his head, and the fact all eight have come from inside the box shows his poacher's instinct.

His link-up play has also impressed, particularly with strike partner Louis Moult in Saturday's 4-3 defeat at Motherwell.

Despite the weekend loss, manager Jim Goodwin would have been impressed with the combination play of his front pairing, who both scored at Fir Park.

And keeping the duo fit and firing will be key if United are to wrestle fourth spot back off Motherwell in the coming weeks.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Every team is allowed a bump in the road and Dundee United will be hoping the defeat at Motherwell last time out was theirs.

An uncharacteristically slack defensive display contributed to the 4-3 loss at Fir Park.

Jim Goodwin's men will be looking to bounce back this weekend, the only problem is they face the sternest test Scottish football has to offer – Celtic.

On numerous occasions in this column I have praised the guts, grit, character and determination of this United side – one that has a real skill in finding different ways to get something from matches.

They will need to call on all those qualities when the champions head to Tannadice on Sunday.

United are well placed despite dropping to fifth in the table – a really impressive job done so far by Goodwin's side - but we will find out what they are made of in the next few weeks.

Among the difficult hurdles they have to try to overcome is the fact they play Celtic twice in their next six games, home and away.

Oh, and in that little block of fixtures, they also host second-place Aberdeen and travel to play their city neighbours Dundee.

If they can emerge from the coming weeks with a healthy haul of points, then the Tannadice faithful will be justified in believing their dreams of looking out the passports for next season could become reality.

Ronny Costello
Fan writer

I'm fed up watching Dundee United play Motherwell this season.

Fir Park, again, and yet another defeat. That's three games against Motherwell this season and three losses. At this point, they're not just a bogey team - they're a full-blown nightmare.

This time, it was a seven-goal thriller where our soft defending handed them the upper hand, and we just couldn't claw it back.

Motherwell didn't waste time, scoring after just 46 seconds when Apostolos Stamatelopoulos turned in a cross. Potential foul on Declan Gallagher in the build-up? I'd say so. Referee and VAR? Of course not. Typical.

We briefly hit back with Sam Dalby's penalty, but they were ahead again before half-time with two more goals - one bundled in by Andy Halliday, the other a free header for Stamatelopoulos. All preventable. All frustrating.

The second half brought a glimmer of hope. Aston Oxborough's howler gifted Dalby another, but then came a crazy 60 seconds. Louis Moult almost levelled with a shot that smashed off the bar.

Naturally, Motherwell punished us immediately. Tom Sparrow curled in their fourth after some Harlem Globetrotter-esque control with his arm. Handball? Apparently not.

Moult's late header gave us a flicker of belief, but by then it was too little, too late. Motherwell leapt over us in the table and we were left cursing them for the third time this season.

Slack defending and failure to react to loose balls cost us again. The one positive? Dalby keeps banging them in, although even he can't do it all.

Losing to Motherwell is starting to feel like clockwork. Something has to change - because this is getting beyond frustrating. And next up? Celtic on Sunday. Great.

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

Luca Stephenson, the 21-year-old who has been impressing out wide with Dundee United, reckons Liverpool see the obvious advantage of sending their young talent on loan to the Scottish Premiership. (Daily Record), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Sam Dalby: Now the top scorer in the Premiership with eight after his double against Motherwell.

Watch highlights from Motherwell's 4-3 win against Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership.

Watch Sportscene analysis of Dundee United's penalty award during their 4-3 defeat by Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership.

We asked for your thoughts on Dundee United's 4-3 Premiership loss against Motherwell.

Here's what some of you said:

John: Why is Ross Graham on the bench? Losing 4-3 to a team that lost 3-0 to Hibs a fortnight ago is embarrassing. Emmanuel Adegboyega is a disaster waiting to happen every week. He is OK going forward but messes up too often.

Jamie: Yes, in the St Mirren game we had decisions that we benefitted from and got three points. A blatant handball assist for Motherwell's winning goal. Another point, potentially three lost due to inept officiating. An utter disgrace.

Jamie: Another loss to Lennon Miller FC, a one-man team if ever I've seen one. Also another atrocious refereeing performance. In the first half, I lost count of the Motherwell players throwing themselves to the floor at every opportunity.

Image source, SNS

• Sam Dalby has scored eight goals in the Premiership this season (two in this game), more than any other player.

• Apostolos Stamatelopoulos scored after just 46 seconds, the fastest goal in the Premiership this season.

• Dundee United have scored in their last seven games in the Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of 10 games from 9 February 2022 to 30 April 2022.

• Motherwell have scored in their last three games in the Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of three games from 30 October 2024 to 23 November 2024.

Motherwell leapt to fourth in the Scottish Premiership after edging out Dundee United in pulsating seven-goal thriller.

Louis Moult's 88th-minute header looked to have set up a tense finale, but Motherwell held on to leapfrog their visitors who drop to fifth.

What did you make of that Dundee United fans? Were you unlucky not to take a point there?

What's been going right this season so far and what went wrong today?

Let us know your thoughts, external.

Image source, SNS

Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin told BBC Scotland: "It was a strange game. It's as poor as we've defended the box all season. It could have been another two goals for each team, it was very end-to-end.

"Both teams, looking at the goals they've conceded, will be very disappointed. Our defensive record prior to today has been excellent, one of the best in the league. Today, for whatever reason, we didn't defend the box well enough.

"Statistically, in terms of possession, crosses into the box, final third entries, we've probably had the better of it throughout the game. But Motherwell we more clinical than us and that's why we've lost the game.

"It's as poor as we've defended. I don't want to be overly critical of the lads at the back because they've got a lot of plaudits this season for how good they've been. Today, they don't need told that we need to do better in certain situations.

"We actually played some reasonably good football in the game and had some good chances to take something on the day, but it wasn't to be."

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Even the most ardent of United fans might admit that this season they have excelled up the table without displaying the most eye-catching football.

Results tend to be ground out, and one of their big strengths is their mentality and their consistency - something the other teams around them have not managed.

However, their five-match unbeaten run is now over after they conceded three first-half goals that were all far too easy.

Each time, Motherwell attackers were either allowed too much space in the box or just reacted quicker to loose balls.

Once again though, they threatened when Middleton was able to get forward and when he's allowed to find Dalby, it tends to be a dangerous combination.

Image source, SNS

Sam Dalby. The big striker is getting a bit lucky at the moment, and sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.

The first-half penalty took him to the top of the Premiership's scorers charts - not many would have predicted that at the start of the season. The second just bounced off him.

More importantly, he spearheads United's attack, gives them a focal point, and has added real threat to the front line.

Dundee United midfielder Vicko Sevelj, 24, criticises Danny Armstrong, 27, following the Kilmarnock winger's challenge at Tannadice last weekend. (Record), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

Image source, SNS

On-loan Dundee United striker Tony Watt drops out of the Motherwell squad but Stephen O'Donnell is available to start after a hamstring injury.

Tom Sparrow (ankle), Ross Callachan (hamstring), Paul McGinn (thigh), Callum Slattery (knee), Jack Vale (calf) and Zach Robinson (Achilles) remain out.

Dundee United wide player Will Ferry is suspended but Kristijan Trapanovski has returned to training and could be involved. Ross Docherty (calf) and Craig Sibbald (groin) are still absent.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Dundee United midfielder David Babunski believes the way they have hit the ground running this season was "maybe beyond a lot of people's expectations".

After winning the Championship last season, United made a raft of new signings during the summer, with former Barcelona youth graduate Babunski, 30, among them.

The North Macedonia international has become a key player for the Tangerines, who are fourth in the Premiership prior to Saturday's game at Motherwell.

"It seems like we all clicked in from the very beginning and maybe beyond a lot of people's expectations given the circumstances," said Babunski.

"But I think we managed to bring together a good, strong squad with quality players and also very good characters. So there are several reasons why we are where we are right now but we don't want to get complacent.

"We saw that we have good reasons to believe we can push even further."

Babunski has settled well in the City of Discovery since arriving on a one-year deal from Hungarian side Mezokovesdi Sport Egyesulet.

"I tell my wife from time to time, 'See, I told you it was the right decision to come here' from some other options that might have been on the table," he added.

"It has been a long time since I was searching for an opportunity like this in a scenario like this and I am very happy that it is going well, I am enjoying it a lot."

Andy Campbell
BBC Sport Scotland

Two points separate Motherwell in fifth and Dundee United one place above.

Hence, a home victory will change the shape of the table while United will be keen to maintain the status quo with a win or draw.

The Tangerines are unbeaten in five and Well warmed up for this one with a precious away victory over St Mirren in Paisley last Saturday.

It was the Steelmen that came out on top the last time the sides met in the league and Motherwell also won this season's League Cup encounter, again 2-1.

Dundee United cannot go above League Cup holders and finalists Rangers with victory but can at least get closer to them and second-placed Aberdeen, who are not in action this weekend.

Read all the weekend Premiership picks

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has hailed the impact their loan players have made this season, saying they have all done "brilliantly" since they came to Tannadice.

United are looking to continue their fine start to the season when they travel to play fifth-placed Motherwell on Saturday.

Goodwin believes the role played by their quartet of loan players - Jack Walton, Emmanuel Adegboyega, Luca Stephenson and Sam Dalby - has been a key part of the continued upward progress of his side.

"Emmanuel has become a better player in a short period of time from working here at United and playing week in, week out," Goodwin said.

"Luca has been a breath of fresh air since he came to the club, a great attitude in training and his performances on the pitch are always very consistent.

"The loan lads have come in and done brilliantly for us, obviously Jack was here previously and Sam at the top end of the pitch, banging in goals for fun.

"Right through the spine of the team, they are all really important players for us. It would be great if we could continue to do that good work in the loan market because it is something we have to continue to look at."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premiership trip to Motherwell.

Here are the best bits from his press conference:

• He says his side are looking to "make amends" after dropping two points against Kilmarnock last time out.

• With just two points separating United and Motherwell in the table, Goodwin admits there is "a lot riding on the game for both teams" adding that Motherwell have had a "terrific season" to this point.

• United officials held talks with Scottish FA head of refereeing Willie Collum in the aftermath of last weekend's 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock - Goodwin says "a few decisions in the game we were a little bit confused by", and that the club wanted "a bit of clarity".

• He believes his squad is going to be stretched over the next few weeks during the busy festive period, a spell he believes is "the most significant" period of the campaign so far.

• Will Ferry - who Goodwin called "one of the signings of the season" - is suspended, but Kristijan Trapanovski could be in the matchday squad.

Image source, SNS

• Motherwell have won their last two league meetings with Dundee United, last winning three in a row against the Tangerines in September 2009.

• Dundee United are unbeaten in five Scottish Premiership games (W2 D3), their longest such run since February 2022 (also five), last going longer without defeat in the competition in October 2021 (seven) – when their sixth game was a win over Motherwell (2-1).

• Motherwell are unbeaten in seven league meetings with newly-promoted opposition (W3 D4) since a 2-1 defeat to Kilmarnock in August 2022. At home, the Steelmen are unbeaten in eight against such opponents (W5 D3) since a 1-0 loss to Dundee United in August 2020.

• Motherwell have lost three of their last four home league games (W1), as many as their previous 12 beforehand (W5 D4).

• Motherwell's 18-year-old Lennon Miller has won possession more times (103) than any player in the Scottish Premiership this season.

Image source, SNS

Defender Emmanuel Adegboyega, 21 will remain on loan at Dundee United for the rest of the season, parent club Norwich City's head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup has confirmed. (Courier - subscription), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

We asked for your views on Dundee United's new video-game-inspired, purple third kit.

Here's what some of you said:

David: More for fans to fork out. Third kits are just rip-offs.

Ross: My son loves it, I hate it. Sums up the generation gap.

Jamie: Brutal? Rancid? Ghastly? Take your pick. What do pink and purple have to do with Dundee United? Our kits should be tangerine, and then black or white for away or third. A reversed version of our home kit, mainly black with tangerine trimming, would have been ideal. Fed up with these so-called 'eye-catching' kits. An assault on the eyes if you ask me.

Leon: I think it's going to be a miss from me; the thought behind it was good, execution leaves to be desired.