Jim Goodwin believes there has to be an element of perspective of how his new-look Dundee United team has started the season.
United, who face St Mirren this weekend, have come in for some stick after they have failed to win in their last three games. They lost to Rangers and in the cup to Motherwell, although they did show their character to come back from being two down to salvage a late stoppage time draw at Kilmarnock last time out. United sit fifth in the table and Goodwin believes as the newly-promoted team and with 14 new signings that isn’t a bad return – so far!
“The players have done great,” Goodwin proudly declared. “You know what it is like in this game. You win a game and everything is rosy and you lose a game and it is the end of the world. When you look at the teams we have played in the league, we have competed with five of last season’s top six teams in the opening seven games. We only have one defeat in those opening seven games and that was a narrow one to Rangers. It is important to put them in perspective at times. We have to remind people that this is a newly-promoted team. A team that has 13 or 14 new players who haven’t played in the Scottish Premiership before. The boys have done great up to now.”
All United’s new players are still finding their feet but Goodwin knows there is already a strong spirit within the Tannadice dressing room, coming from 3-1 down to get a draw at Kilmarnock. “That gives us great belief and stands the boys in good stead going forward,” the United managed said. “If they stick together, work hard and don’t throw the towel in then they are capable of picking something up in every situation.”
Goodwin returns to St Mirren for the first time as Dundee United boss. He has already got a result against them in the cup. He stated: “I have fond memories as a player and manager. They are probably the biggest, most physical team in the league.
“They are well organised, with good energy and you’ve got to do the ugly side of things really well to get a result. I seem to get a half-decent reception when I go back to watch their games. But it’s irrelevant, really. They are the opposition and I’m going there as Dundee United manager to try and get a result for Dundee United.”