Holt hammers home positivity and patience

Defender says Utd have reacted well to setbacks

KEVIN Holt is adamant Dundee United have already proved their resilience as they seek to bounce back from a galling 2-1 defeat against Raith Rovers.

Jim Goodwin’s men saw their lead at the summit of the Championship cut to a single point courtesy of Scott Brown’s 30-yard thunderbolt at Stark’s Park last Friday night.

However, the Tangerines have suffered similar setbacks this term, most notably when the Fifers won 1-0 at Tannadice in December to move five points clear at the summit.

Rather than lick their wounds, United achieved a nine-point swing over the course of the next two months to reclaim top spot.

The Terrors are also yet to lose successive league matches this season.

“Whenever there has been a setback we have reacted well and that comes from having a good group,” said Holt. “When we do have a knockback, we don’t let it get to us.

“There’s a lot of frustration and nobody’s happy about the (Raith) result, especially when it’s a game as big as it was, and against your closest rivals going for the league.

“But it shows the character in the group that we have come back and had a positive week. Nobody is dwelling on the result.”

Holt added: “I don’t think anyone was too hard on themselves. We are honest enough to hold our hands up when it hasn’t been good enough. But that wasn’t the case. We knew we played well.”

Rovers have now claimed seven points from a possible nine against United and effectively blew the title race wide open with the dramatic televised triumph.

If the visitors had won, the gap would have been extended to seven points.

Even four points, given United’s superior goal difference, would have been a mountain to overcome.

Nevertheless, Holt – a veteran of many second-tier campaigns – was always steeled for the title battle to go to the wire.

“Ideally, you’d have a season like Falkirk when it’s all going smoothly,” he smiled. “They’re doing well and running away with

League One. But it has not been like that in the Championship for years now and we weren’t expecting it to be. Fair play to Raith, they’re having a good season and they’re right behind us.

“But we need to make sure we look after ourselves and pick up another three points against Queen’s Park.”

Since Callum Davidson’s appointment, the Spiders have only lost one of their last five games, winning three.

They haven’t conceded a goal in their last three fixtures.

Given the issues United have endured trying to break down stubborn opponents this term – they have failed to win more league games (six) than they have won (five) on home soil – a challenge is likely in store.

And Holt knows patience, persistence and courage may be required over the course of another fraught 90 minutes.

“We have really good quality in the attacking areas and teams know that, so they come here and sit in and try to frustrate us,” Holt continued.

“It has happened several times this season and it’s something we knew we’d come up against.

“If you can get that early goal, teams open and you can blow them away.

“But we could go 30, 40, 50 minutes without scoring, and we have also gone behind in games at home. It’s about not panicking and trusting in what you are doing as a group. We need to be brave.”

Holt added: “This club should be in the Premiership. We all feel that pressure – but it’s that pressure that drives you on every week.”

Callum Davidson brings his Queen’s Park side to Tannadice today.

RESPONSE: Kevin Holt is looking for Dundee United to bounce back from last week’s defeat.