United improve at just the right time

THE pressure was on Dundee United after a few iffy performances but they pulled out a good display on Saturday just when it was needed.

The last thing they want is for any gaps to appear ahead of them and, with this week’s opponents Dunfermline flying at the moment, dropping any points going into that one really would have turned up the heat.

The key thing was, especially after they didn’t create much in the 0-0 draw at Falkirk the week before, that they opened up Morton.

They did that and could easily have been further ahead than they were when the visitors levelled.

Playing like that allows them to put that Falkirk game behind them as just a one-off, a bad afternoon.

They had a bad spell before the weekend but it was only a couple of weeks — if they can call that their poor run for the season they’ll be happy! The next game, though, is a big one. The Pars are banging in the goals every week at the moment and it looks like they’ll be the biggest rivals to United for the Championship.

I reckon they’ve got a bit more about them than St Mirren but, with Falkirk and Inverness struggling, it looks like it’ll be those three fighting it out at the top.

With their stadium, fanbase and overall size of the club, Dundee United should be in the top flight — but the same can be said of Dunfermline.

When I was a player at Dundee, the Pars were always tough and well-supported and there’ll be plenty of folk who say they should be a Premiership club, too.

Four wins from the last five games has Allan Johnston’s men deservedly at the top of the table with plenty of goals flying in.

However, it’s up to United to slow them down.

The good thing about the Tangerines this season is they have a lot of experience about them and they won’t have any problem getting themselves prepared for a massive game like this — certainly enough to get a result.

Play like they did against Morton and they’ve definitely got a chance — but not coming away with a win won’t be the worst result.

Whatever happens, though, a positive result would be massive.

James Keatings strikes to give Dundee United the lead against Morton, a game they went on to win 2-1.