Motherwell travel to Tannadice on Saturday aiming to extend the good run while Dundee United are in a bit of a dip.
The Tangerines have won only once in their last ten attempts but that series included five draws to leave them eighth in the table. They had a 2-0 defeat in Paisley last Saturday that prompted Jim Goodwin to note that they were “going through a really difficult period at the moment.”
That opinion is widely shared both in the press and in social media as the players and manager are on the receiving end of unflattering comments.
Their chosen goalkeeper has switched from error prone Yevhen Kucherenko to Dave Richards without improvement and their defence has looked unimpressive. In the last six games they have conceded eleven goals with only four in favour.
Motherwell added a fourth consecutive clean sheet to this season’s record with the draw in Falkirk. The team continue in their refreshing new style and have been widely praised for their effort. The players have taken to the manager’s philosophy and one benefit has been the ability to switch personnel without disturbing the team’s rhythm. There were seven changes on Saturday yet the same fluent passing movement continued uninterrupted.
TW scores at Tannadice
Tawanda Maswanhise was recognised for his contribution by winning the SPFL’s November Player of the Month award. In addition to his dozen goals so far this campaign he has been producing assists for his team-mates. He will be available for the game against United before he jets off to the African Cup of Nations to represent Zimbabwe.
The rotation that has become a feature of Jens Berthel Askou’s selection in recent weeks is likely to continue. A full week’s preparation after the intense spell of five games in a fortnight should offer lots of fresh legs and good competition for places.
Maswanhise and Elliot Watt scored under the Fir Park floodlights in October to beat Jim Goodwin’s side and there’s every reason to hope for another success on Saturday, 2-1.
