Sturrock’s return fails to lift United’s game
Their manager got the dreaded vote of confidence before Dunfermline came to town.
But Dundee United’s players looked drained of the stuff as they fell to fourth in the Championship.
On the day they welcomed club legend Paul Sturrock back into the Tannadice fold, the Tangerines were a shadow of their former selves.
They fell behind to a Nicky Clark goal as the Pars threatened to leapfrog them in the table.
They equalised only thanks to some comic defending by Dunfermline’s James Craigen.
There was effort aplenty from the Tangerines, but too little quality.
That’s becoming a familiar tale round Tannadice way.
But the bigger story of their campaign is most starkly told by the stats. On December 9 last year, United were top of the Championship after a 2-0 away win at Morton. Since then, they have picked up just 12 points.
Never mind the title, United are now in a scrap to stay in the play-off places.
And for Csaba Laszlo, the man whom “Luggy” has been brought back to Tannadice to assist, even the public backing chairman Mike Martin offered on Friday must provide precious little comfort.
Laszlo has never been afraid to shuffle his pack – and he did so for the Pars’ visit.
Among six changes to the side that lost to Queen of the South in midweek, former Rangers man Bilel Mohsni was handed his United debut, while Harry
Lewis, Jamie Robson, Willo Flood, Matty Smith and Scott Fraser also came in.
Dunfermline were winless in 12 games against the Tangerines, but knew victory would put them above their hosts in the table.
It was United who started the stronger, however, and Jamie Robson should have put them ahead within a minute after bursting into the napping Pars box.
Instead, with time and space to pick his spot, he allowed Lee Robinson to make a diving save.
The Tangerines threatened again on 15 minutes when Sam Stanton turned in midfield and tried to feed Smith, but his through-ball had too much fizz. Then Dunfermline came alive. Declan Mcmanus struck the post after Nicky Clark cushioned Ryan Williamson’s cross into his path on the edge of the box, then saw a looping volley fly just over the bar.
James Craigen’s effort from the edge of the box had home hearts in mouths on the half-hour, but whipped past the