First Team
THE TANGERINE ARMY | PARTICK THISTLE (H)
27th April 2024
Dundee United Manager Jim Goodwin is anticipating a special evening at Tannadice on Friday, as we host Arbroath in the showpiece event of our ‘United for 100 Years’ celebrations.
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RECORD-BREAKING START
Speaking exclusively to DUTV in the aftermath of our 5-0 demolition of Partick Thistle, he began: “It’s now the start of the second quarter, and we’ve had a great return in the first."
With 21 points from our opening round of fixtures, Goodwin’s side have recorded the club’s best start to a second-tier campaign in our 114-year existence.
Furthermore, only two other bosses have managed to steer United through a nine-game Championship quarter without defeat - Ray McKinnon and Robbie Neilson in 2016/17 and 2019/20 respectively
Ever a perfectionist, the Irishman is still rueing the two draws on home soil this term, however.
“We’re exactly where we want to be, albeit I believe we’re a couple of points short of where we should be. That’s the standard we’ve set now - we can’t take our eye off the ball."
'UNITED GROUP'
Displays of passion and grace in equal measure have helped restore the connection between the fanbase and the playing group. Arabs continue to back the Terrors in sensational numbers, both in the city of Discovery and on the road.
In our four league matches at Tannadice so far, we’ve boasted a higher average attendance when compared with our final four home matches of 2019/20.
Goodwin resumed: “There seems to be a ‘United group’ if you’ll excuse the cliche! The team, fans and board - we’re all together.”
“The message from me to everyone connected with the club is let’s not get carried away. Let’s recognise why we are in this position - it’s all down to hard work and effort on the training pitch.”
HANDLING THE OCCASION
The clash with Arbroath unfolds exactly a century on from our first match under the name of Dundee United. A crowd of 2,000 watched on as Jimmy Brownlie’s history-makers faced Dumbarton in the shadow of the rock, raising the curtain on 100 years of unity, tradition and success.
For current United gaffer Goodwin, ensuring his charges aren’t over-awed by the occasion will be vital in extending our unbeaten run to a scintillating 14 matches.
“We cannot expect an easy game next Friday against Arbroath. There’s a lot riding on the match, not just the result. We need to mark the occasion memorably as a group of players and staff.
“Let’s make sure we go out and get the positive result the fans and the club deserve.”
