Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
This bad result doesn’t define our season – stick with us, pleads Walton
JACK Walton has urged Dundee United supporters to “stick with us” ahead of a nerveshredding finale to the Championship title race.
United were again backed by a bumper support at East End Park last Friday night, with boss Jim Goodwin acknowledging that the travelling Arabs were “let down” during the 3-1 defeat.
A large swathe of those fans had already taken their leave by the time Colin Steven sounded the full-time whistle. Those who remained made their feelings known in no uncertain terms.
Walton is adamant he understands the mounting frustration following a third league defeat in seven Championship games. United only lost two league games in their prior 22 outings prior to this run.
However, he has emphasised the importance of the supporters – who have roared on the Terrors in their numbers all season – ahead of the final seven games.
Walton told Tele Sport: “We would have liked to win on Friday and go four points clear on the night, but the fact is we didn’t take that chance – and I understand the frustration of the supporters.
“We know our standards and what we’ve done for the majority of this season, but unfortunately we didn’t meet them. That first half killed us. It’s an uphill battle from 2-0.
“But we need the fans. When they get behind us, it really helps us and drives us on.”
Asked what he would say to those United fans worried that the Terrors are wobbling as a fraught fight for the title reaches the final straight, Walton added: “The message is stick with us because we need you for the rest of the season. It’s going to be close. And we need to make sure
we do our jobs for the rest of the season.”
Raith Rovers failed to take full advantage of United’s slip, playing out a creditable – if slightly disappointing in the context of what was at stake
– 0-0 draw at Queen’s Park. Nevertheless, the stalemate moved Ian Murray’s men level on points. The Tangerines’ superior goal difference keeps them top.
And, with a sprint-finish on the cards – and Rovers visiting
Tannadice on March 30 – Walton is steadfast a major off-night in Dunfermline cannot be allowed to derail their season.
With Raith not playing next weekend, if United win their next two home matches (Inverness
and Rovers), they will be six points ahead of the Kirkcaldy club. A big if.
“It wasn’t the result we wanted, and we were punished for not being at the races,” Walton continued.
“But we need to dust ourselves down and make sure that result doesn’t define our season.
“There are seven games to go, and we need to ensure we get back to what we are good at next week (against Inverness). As a team,
we’ll need to analyse the game and the goals we conceded. I’m sure they were very preventable from our perspective and maybe it’s a case of going back to basics.
“It’s another massive game next Saturday.”