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Goodwin Praises Output But Wants More Goals in Perth · Sat 17 Oct
Description
United are at McDiarmid Park today for a three o’clock Premiership kick-off against St Johnstone. The teams begin level on eleven points from eight matches, with Saints fifth and United sixth on goal difference. Jim Goodwin’s side are chasing a third consecutive league win after clean-sheet victories over St Mirren and Hibs.
Goodwin says United’s physical output, structure, discipline and organisation have driven those two clean sheets. In possession, he has liked the bravery, control and decision-making, although he wants more of the chances turned into goals. He says the squad was recruited to build from the back and add pace higher up the pitch. The challenge now is to reproduce that level in Perth without underestimating St Johnstone.
Bert Esselink says the defensive improvement is a team effort that begins with the press from the forwards. He believes United are becoming more compact and giving away fewer chances. Esselink expects St Johnstone to show similar ambition to play from the back, and says a full away end can give the team another lift.
Goodwin has said Will Ferry and Mehdi Merghem remain out. Zach Mitchell is the only expected absentee for St Johnstone, according to Sports Mole.
On the St Johnstone side, BBC Sport reports that Simo Valakari is enjoying life back in the Premiership but says every match is tough, with Saints staying realistic and humble. The National reports that defender Cheick Diabate is set to return from suspension. Ruari Paton is now at St Johnstone, and The Courier reports that United considered making his loan move permanent. Goodwin says his work rate makes him one to watch today.
For supporters travelling to Perth, United sold their allocation of more than two thousand, and The Courier reports that Goodwin is disappointed the club were refused extra tickets. He says United asked for more and could have easily sold double. Roadworks on the southbound A90 between Inchture and the Rait Junction could add twenty to thirty minutes, United say. Turnstiles open at half past one.
In the academy, Emil Franczak and Marcus Buchanan have both joined Jeanfield Swifts on short-term loans. United say the moves are designed to give both players regular first-team football at an important stage of their development. Both were part of the Under-seventeen squad that won last season’s CAS Elite League Cup, and Franczak has scored in this season’s KDM Evolution Trophy.
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