What Jim Goodwin said as he slammed ’embarrassing’ Dundee United side after derby defeat

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Dundee United could have conceded more than the four goals Dundee put past them in yesterday’s derby.

Dundee ended up 4-2 victors after being two goals ahead twice before being pegged back, but they also had two disallowed and had further chances.

The visitors attacked their rivals at will at Tannadice with the Tangerines at times looking shellshocked and unable to cope with wave after wave. The game could’ve been beyond them by the break.

So, while some credit may be due for managing to hang on in there, manager Jim Goodwin would rather focus on what they need to do better.

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Goodwin on ’embarrassing and unacceptable’ Dundee United derby display

The Irishman was embarrassed by his team’s showing, particularly in the first half, which he admits was “unacceptable.”

The defending from his men left a lot to be desired with individual errors under pressure hugely contributing to Dundee staying in the ascendancy.

And while he insists it was totally out of character for a side who have punched above their weight in the Premiership and are challenging for a European spot, he wasn’t about to try and paper over the cracks.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
3	HibernianHibernian	30	11	11	8	45	41	4	44
4	AberdeenAberdeen	30	12	7	11	38	46	-8	43
5	Dundee UtdDundee Utd	30	11	8	11	38	40	-2	41
6	Heart Of MidlothianHeart Of Midlothian	30	11	6	13	43	40	3	39
7	MotherwellMotherwell	30	11	5	14	36	50	-14	38

“The first 45 (minutes) was embarrassing at times,” said Goodwin. “We’ve got a lot of looking in the mirror to do to make sure we don’t have a repeat of that in the next eight games.

“Some of our defending and the individual mistakes were unacceptable in a game of this magnitude.

“To be second best all over the park, as we were in the opening 45 minutes, is unacceptable and completely out of character. When I look back on the goals…so many mistakes.”

Goodwin and Dundee United will accept fan criticism

The Terrors boss will accept flak that comes his way from the support and says the players should do.

“The players are hurting, but we know what this fixture means to the supporters,” he continued. “We are grateful for them turning out in the numbers they did, and we’ll take all the criticism that comes our way – because it will be warranted.

“The fans want to see passion, tackles and aggression. We didn’t do that enough in the first half. That’s what it boils down to sometimes. In games like this, where it can be 100MPH and frantic, it’s about doing the basics and winning your battles.”