The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Connolly credits attacking threat
Defender highlights part played by Tangerines’ goal-getters in title push
He was a big part of the best defence in the league but Mark Connolly believes Dundee United’s prowess at the other end of the pitch is what won them the Championship title.
As well as conceding just 22 goals, United were also the highest scorers in the division with 52 as they romped home to the second-tier crown and Premiership promotion.
Lawrence Shankland tallied a large chunk of that total – with the 24-yearold netting 28 goals in his first season at Tannadice.
However, Irish centre-half Connolly was keen to praise Louis Appere, Nicky Clark and Paul McMullan for their contribution last term, too.
“The difference for us last season was we had someone who was scoring goals,” the 28-year-old said on the Dode Fox Podcast.
“We had that belief and when we were playing other teams they were afraid.
“They knew they had to put two or three men on Shankland and then you had the likes of McMullan, Clarky and Louis getting their chances to show what they’re about.
“That was the biggest thing that changed last season. Having that sort of identity going forward.”
Appere particularly impressed Connolly, with the 21-year-old returning from a loan spell at Broughty Athletic in the juniors like a new man.
The young attacker had a terrific first campaign with the Tangerines, scoring six goals in 33 appearances and capping it off with a call up in the Scotland0 under-21 squad.
Connolly continued: “I don’t what Louis did last summer.
“He wasn’t at that level before that but in pre-season he came back, we did a run and he was flying.
“In training he was holding people off, using his body. He was like a different player.
“When you see him running beside you, you have to get away from him because he’s a machine and he’ll show you up.
“He’s one of the fittest guys I’ve ever seen now.
“I’ve been asking him what he did last summer but he won’t tell me!”
As much as the Terrors dominated the league, Connolly was quick to praise the quality of the Championship, particularly part-time teams Alloa and Arbroath.
The defender added: “It was my first time in the Championship and it’s a tough league.
“It’s a very, very unpredictable league. A lot of the teams you play are more direct.
“I found when I was at Kilmarnock, the Premiership was easier at times because you knew what style you were going to be playing against.
“Whereas, in the Championship you can come up against 11 players behind the ball for 90 minutes.
“People can say ‘we have the best players’ and this and that but it’s still very difficult to play against.
“Everyone expected us to win every week and always put us down if we didn’t know