Dundee United

We asked for your views on Dundee United's 2-2 draw against Falkirk.

Here's what some of you said:

Kieran: Fair result at a ground we have struggled at in previous seasons. Performance was miles better than what we saw in the two legs against UNA Strassen. Panutche Camara could be an early shout for POTY a midfield machine. Onto Vienna we go on Thursday

Ricky: We have to learn how to play on a plastic pitch. Every time we play on one we struggle more. Bad mistakes cost us the game, we have to be more positive and pass the ball better - it's either too long or to short.

Jim: Thought all the new players have began to bed into the team more than in past performances but worried that with injuries to Ryan Strain, Kristijan Trapanovski and Will Ferry the subs bench look a bit bare of experience.

Terry: Three games in and we are sitting with two wins in Europe and an away draw in the league opener. Hardly a crisis!

Kenny: Much better. Camara had a great game and we were unlucky not to pick up all three points. A good shift from the whole team and a definite step up in attitude and application. Two great goals!

Steve: After looking ragged despite progressing in Europe, United showed signs in Falkirk that they're settling and beginning to develop better understandings. Some good individual performances too. A decent start.

Uddy: Some really positive signs throughout the game that this new squad is starting to gel. Some of the football we played was really encouraging. Just a shame it was the basics that let us down - Falkirk's second equaliser being the perfect example. Regardless of that, I feel far more positive after this performance than I was after the matches on the last two Thursday nights when struggling past UNA Strassen. Rapid Vienna will be a far tougher test, but that's exactly what being in Europe is all about.

Watch highlights from Falkirk's 2-2 draw with Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership.

Dundee United twice squandered the lead against newly-promoted Falkirk as Jim Goodwin's side began the new league season with a 2-2 draw.

Have your say on the game here.

Read the full match report here.

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin tells BBC Scotland: "It's probably a fair outcome for both teams.

"There are so many key players for us out injured. We ask the group of players to go again on Thursday. Those are the challenges we want.

"We've made a lot of progress in a couple of years.

"It's going to take time for this group to come together, but I do believe we've built a really strong squad."

Dundee United are interest in bringing Liverpool's Luca Stephenson back to Tannadice on loan, while Aberdeen are also keen. (Liverpool Echo), external

Read the rest of Sunday's Scottish gossip.

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• Falkirk and Dundee United last met in the top fight in February 2010, when the Tannadice side won 3-0. Indeed, United have the past five meetings with Falkirk in the top tier.

• United are winless in six away games against newly-promoted opposition in the Scottish Premiership (D2 L4) since a 3-2 victory at Hamilton in January 2015.

• This is Falkirk's first game back in the top fight since their relegation in 2010. The Bairns last faced Dundee United on matchday one of a top-fight campaign in 2006-07, winning 2-1 under John Hughes.

• United are winless in their opening match in each of their past five Premiership seasons (D3 L2) since beating Aberdeen 3-0 in 2014-15.

• Falkirk boss John McGlynn last took charge of a side in the top tier in 2012-13 with Hearts; he won just seven of his 28 league games as manager that season (D9 L12) – although two of those victories were against Dundee United (3-0 in September, 2-1 in December).

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Falkirk will be without Sean Mackie (calf), Finn Yeats, Barney Stewart (both foot), Coll Donaldson (pelvis) and Jamie Sneddon (hernia) but Gary Oliver has recovered from a groin issue and should be fit.

United are without captain Ross Graham (hamstring) while Kristijan Trapanovski went off with a problem in the same area against UNA Strassen in midweek.

Ryan Strain and Dario Naamo missed the win in Luxembourg.

We asked for your views on how Dundee United are shaping up for the new Premiership season, which gets under way against Falkirk on Sunday.

Here's what some of you said:

Steven: We need more quality in the final third. The defence looks solid and big Bert Esselink will be the pick of the bunch with the new signings, he's captain material. We have very little creativity in the the middle of the park. I like Zac Sapsford but he's not a number nine. Keep everyone fit and we are okay, but I worry if any of our big players get injured. Midfielder and another striker in the door and I'm happy. Top of the list is Ronan Hale, he'd be a terrific signing for us. Finally, sorry to judge so early but Ivan Dolcek is awful.

Jamie: Very worried going on the performances so far. A real lack of pace and creativity which we lacked last season as well, only this time we don't have Sam Dalby. Long season ahead with a bottom-six finish nailed on already in my book.

Sean: Hard to judge so early in the season against poor quality opposition, but the defence and goalkeeper seem to be well organised and calm. Not sure Panutche Camara or Isaac Pappoe have what's required. Dolcek has not impressed. Hardly seen Max Watters so will reserve judgement. Sapsford appears to work hard and took his goal well in the first leg or the Conference League. Owen Stirton, in his brief appearances seems to be the best striking option. A team that is going to struggle for goals this season which might translate into struggles for points.

Brian: Such a weak pre-season, I'm finding it difficult in seeing anything but struggles. Lack of goals and a bench light on quality and game-changers will see us fighting relegation.

Scott: Very tough start to the season for United. Two very poor performances against UNA Strassen albeit two wins. I expect a really difficult game against a well-organised Falkirk team on Sunday. Away to Rapid Vienna on Thursday night gives me the fear. AZ Alkmaar all over again It's going to be a struggle to make top six this season as we look a bit lightweight from middle to front. Long season ahead for us!

Brian McLauchlin in Luxembourg
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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"We made it a lot harder than we wanted", said full-back Will Ferry after Dundee United squeezed past UNA Strassen.

Defender Iurie Iovu's header gave United victory in Luxembourg as they advanced 2-0 on aggregate to a Conference League third-round qualifier against Rapid Vienna.

"We're not happy necessarily in our performance and we probably should have managed the game a little bit better, but we know what we need to improve on," Ferry told BBC Scotland.

"A win's a win so we're happy. We're obviously a new group, we know we need to get better quickly and we're going to work hard to do that.

"You can see little improvements. We know we're not there yet, but we're starting to gel."

Ferry is relishing the "massive" meeting with Rapid Vienna, with United travelling to Austria for next Thursday's first leg after opening their Scottish Premiership campaign on Sunday at newly-promoted Falkirk.

"Rapid are obviously a big club, but we're going to go there and treat it like any other game," said the 24-year-old.

"We'll always back ourselves and we know that if we put up our performance we've always got a chance."

We asked for your views on Dundee United's 1-0 win away to UNA Strassen that completed a 2-0 aggregate victory and set up a Conference League third-round qualifier against Rapid Vienna.

Here's what some of you said:

Russ: Untidy and slow on the ball, communication seemed to be missing. United will need to get better over the next few matches. The bench was very light too, hopefully Kristijan Trapanovski injury is short term.

Greg: Hard work over the two legs. Need a few more additions going forward, and in midfield, if not it could be a long season.

Derek: Great result but poor performance. Our clean sheet was more due to bad finishing rather than tight defending. Too many crosses coming in, too much space in midfield. We need to improve quickly to get a good start in the league.

Jamie: A very painful, tedious watch. Job done at the end of the day, but the midfield looks an absolute shambles. Too much space, no link-up, no creativity. Will take a miracle to keep the score down in Vienna.

Robert: Glad we won. The game was dire, very similar to last week. Our defence looks pretty solid but that's about it. Really think we're going to struggle this season. Nothing inspiring at the moment, but I really hope things improve, and quickly.

Andrew: Well done team, great result and two clean sheets. On to the first league game and a tricky tie in Vienna. Plenty of work to do to improve and the players to gel.

United fans, did you make the trip to Luxembourg or were you following the action from home? Either way we want your views on United's narrow win over UNA Strassen.

Have your say on the game

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "I didn't realise it had been nearly 30 years since we won away from home in Europe.

"It's a great result for this new group of players. Any game away from home in Europe is extremely difficult, there are no easy ties.

"On paper people would have looked at the game and thought it should be straightforward but Strassen were technically very good. They're no mugs so we're delighted with the result and clean sheet but we know we have to improve. We were really untidy on the ball, maybe that was a case of nerves.

"Over the two ties I don't think anybody could argue we deserved to go through. Neither performance was perfect, we've got a lot to learn and we need to do it quickly.

"There are definitely things we need to brush up on. We were very untidy on the ball. When we did play and pass the ball quickly we got into dangerous areas but [Yevhenii] Kucherenko, over the two legs, has had very little to do."

Brian McLauchlin in Luxembourg
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Jim Goodwin wants to see a sharper and calmer Dundee United tonight as they bid to avoid a European shock in Luxembourg.

United lead UNA Strassen 1-0 from the home leg of the Conference League second-round qualifier and boss Goodwin said: "I thought they finished the game strongly at Tannadice.

"I don't know whether there was a little bit of nervousness and anxiety creeping in from our players.

"We discussed that after the game. We need to be a little bit calmer in those situations and not be slashing at things as much and try and get a bit more control.

"But they didn't catch us by surprise the other night. We prepared for a difficult game. I think they're a really well-coached team. They've got some really good, experienced players.

"The pleasing aspect of last week was we limited them to only two shots on target. We had eight or nine shots on target and should have taken at least another two or three of those good opportunities. We've tried to work on that during the week and hopefully that will show in the game."

Defender Vicko Sevelj is wary of Strassen's quality but convinced United will advance.

"We learned are really composed on the ball and can play good football," said the Croat.

"It will be a very tough game but we'll give everything for this shirt and I think we'll go through. That's a big achievement for us."

Brian McLauchlin in Luxembourg
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Jim Goodwin has been speaking to BBC Scotland before the second leg of Dundee United's Conference League qualifier away to UNA Strassen on Thursday.

Here are the key lines from the United boss:

• Goodwin says it will be "like a home game" for his side with over 1,000 United fans in attendance and adds: "We need to make sure that we put on a performance that justifies the level of travel and financial commitment these guys have made."

• Ryan Strain, Max Watters and Dario Naamo are struggling with contact injuries. Goodwin says: "It's very frustrating that we don't have all of our players available to us, but I do believe we've got enough within the squad."

• On fielding no Scots in his starting XI last week and signing 11 non-native players this summer: "I'd be lying if I said that the financials didn't play a part in it. We believe that there's really good value on the continent for players, but we're not dismissing the Scottish market. We have made offers to Scottish players over the course of the summer and unfortunately those players have chosen to either go to England or Europe, which is their right."

• The United boss adds: "If [captain] Ross Graham was fit he would have been playing. Owen Stirton came off the bench, he's one of the youngest homegrown players to play for Dundee United in Europe in about 20 years. Kai Fotheringham, Miller Thomson, they're all really good members of our squad that have come through the academy system. So I do think people are making a little bit too much of it. Other teams in the Premiership are doing similar business to ourselves."

• Goodwin felt anxiety crept into his players in the closing stages of the 1-0 first-leg win and has urged them to be "calmer" and "not slashing at things" and take more of their chances.

• He denies Strassen took United by surprise: "Technically and tactically, they're a very good outfit. So we're expecting another difficult game here."

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Might a lack of creativity cause Dundee United stress against UNA Strassen in Luxembourg on Thursday night?

Jim Goodwin's new-look side still have work to do after Zac Sapsford's debut goal earned a 1-0 win in the first leg of the Conference League second-round qualifier at Tannadice last week.

"I think this is where Dundee United might struggle," said Scottish coach and analyst John Walker on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"When they got into that final third, I felt like it was half chances they were creating. There wasn't really any opening.

"There wasn't sustained pressure where I felt they were going to score two, three, four or five. The other team were in the game, although they didn't create much themselves.

"I expect Dundee United to be able to scrape through this one. They will have enough to dig in."

Paul McNicoll
Fan writer

Where will you finish in the league and why?

I have a sneaking suspicion United will finish in the bottom six this season. Yes, I know that may sound defeatist, and I truly hope I am wrong. But it looks from the outside that the top five will be all the big spenders, and then, if last season is anything to go by, there really isn't much between the rest of the sides.

Jim Goodwin has been tasked with building a new team yet again and I suspect the law of averages will kick us in the pants at some point in that a few of players may not quite live up to our hopes and expectations.

I'm going to say we'll finish seventh, but please feel free to prove me wrong lads, and by that, I do mean finish higher up the table not lower.

Who is the best signing or has he not signed yet and who should it be?

Bert Esselink. The big, strong colossus from the Netherlands has been a standout at the back so far, albeit I'm referring to pre-season games and one Conference League match. But from the small sample size of evidence of this season's new recruits, he does look to be a class above.

What do you want from your manager this season?

A great question, and tricky to answer. Most fans will say they want progress year upon year, but Goodwin managing the team to fourth place last season was probably above and beyond where he would have thought the team would finish. If he was to consolidate the team's place in the top half, I don't think any fans would be upset.

Also, and this is a big one, we need to do better in cup competitions. A little trip to Hampden, and not to play Queen's Park, would not go amiss.

Who will be the breakout star in your squad?

I hope, and believe it can be, Owen Stirton. Owen is highly rated at United, and I'm sure by other clubs, and after a successful loan spell at Montrose last year he has come back to Tannadice in great shape and has developed physically over the last few months too.

He's a goalscoring striker and also has that little selfish streak about him when it comes to 'getting a shot way' being his main focus. I like that in my strikers, and if he gets a chance in the team, I can only see him being a success.

What is your one major concern?

Creativity. We have brought in a couple of wingers this summer, so perhaps that is how we hope to craft chances and goals for our strikers. But from what I have seen so far we have a very hard-working midfield that lacks someone who will put their foot on the ball, split open a defence with a pass, and change the game in the blink of an eye.

Now that I have typed that out and it's not just in my head, I would imagine most teams in the SPFL also have that issue.

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

New Dundee United defender Krisztian Keresztes, 25, already wants an extended stay at Tannadice. (Courier - subscription required), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

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Kilmarnock will host Dundee United in an all top-flight match in the second round of the League Cup.

As a European participant, Dunee United enter the competition at this stage, while Killie topped their group under new manager Stuart Kettlewell.

Ties are due to be played on the weekend of 16th/17th August.

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We asked for your views on Dundee's United 1-0 victory over UNA Strassen at Tannadice in the first leg of the Conference League qualifier.

Here's what some of you said.

Calum: We looked like exactly what we are - a team that hasn't played together and lacks sharpness. The back three were solid but I'm struggling to say much else positive. Zac Sapsford took his goal well. We should definitely have enough to get through this round but we'll need to improve quickly to have any chance against Rapid Vienna.

Kenny: Really disappointed in the manner the team played, especially in the first half. We gave them far too much respect and stood off them too much. The second leg will be tough as they look a very competent side.

George: It's a new team and early in the season so not surprising we didn't quite get the desired result. Enough to show that there is the basis of a good team though. Let's finish the job over there and set us up for another great season.

Alan: I don't want to be judging these players too harshly as it's still early days and trying to get 11 new players to gel in a few weeks is a tough ask. I'm hoping the nerves that come with a European fixture will settle now they have a competitive game under their belts. It was a tough watch at times but still trying to be positive as there is a lot of promise there when the team gets up to speed. If we play like we did in the first half every game though, the likes of Celtic and Rangers will absolutely murder us!

Kenny: A win's a win but we should have put the tie to bed. The defence looked strong. The cohesion up the park wasn't there because it's basically a brand new team. We need to be ruthless next week. Game on, United!

Grant: We Dundee United fans are a nervy bunch. Taking a lead to the away leg is great, but I think everyone should be aware that UNA Strassen would have been content taking a 1-0 defeat back home for the final leg.