Mellon happy with system

There were some new characters but it was a case of the same old story for Dundee United as they drew a blank for the second game running, writes Calum Woodger.

Following their goalless draw against Aberdeen at Tannadice, United toiled to another Premiership stalemate against St Johnstone on Saturday.

Although United started with a front three of Lawrence Shankland, Nicky Clark and Marc M c N u l t y, Saints dominated the clash at McDiarmid Park, enjoying 56 .5% possession, putting in 24 crosses from open play and firing in 14 shots to United’s three – none of which were on target.

Most of those tangerine opportunities came early in a contest that was all St Johnstone.

Poor delivery and the lack of a final pass hindered a United side failing to break the lines and often resulting in launching long balls.

The poor service, being double-teamed and the lack of help in pressing from his team-mates left star man Shankland cutting a frustrated figure throughout.

Un i t e d boss Mi c ky Mellon said they expected to work hard defensively but admits they must do the attacking side of the game better.

“It was just what we expected coming into a game like this,” Mellon said.

“We’ve worked ver y hard on the defensive side of things over the last few weeks and I don’t want to speak too soon but, up to this point, it’s come to fruition.

“We want to get better coming out from the back and h av i n g the ball ourselves, especially with the talent of the front three we have.

“McNulty will get fitter, he’s not quite there yet, but he showed in good spells on Saturday how dangerous he’s going to be.

“We need to get better at that first pass and finding the runs of the front three.

“T he y also have to retain it a little better but to get that right you have to have the platform of defending properly.

“G e tt i n g the clean sheets allows us to try to grow something.”

Once again, United’s attackers were starved of service as Mellon set up his team deep and narrow with central midfielders Dillon Powers, coming into the side, and Ian Harkes making little impact going forward.

Mellon was happy with his system, insisting they will soon reach “a good place” in attack.

He continued: “It works both ways, they’ve got to keep it up there and let us come up to join them or the quality into them has got to be a wee bit better.

“In order to do that, for a team that’s just come up, you’ve got to get the balance right.

“That’s about getting the defensive side of it right first but we’ ll be back in training tomorrow, working on both sides of the pitch.

“The relationships will be built in training and with Marc getting fitter but, with the quality of that front three, it’s going to click at some stage.

“We’ll keep working on that and we’ ll be in a good place.”

Micky Mellon with David Wotherspoon at full-time.