The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Dose of Mixu realism works Saints can’t stop scoring just now and the big man (Cummins) is playing a big part in that
United pick up their first win under new boss Paatelainen while Dundee strive for consistency in their bid for a top six place. And is a St Johnstone striker the signing of the summer? The Courier’s football writers discuss the burning issues...
Q So United have got their first Premiership win under Mixu. Panic over in the league then?
IR: I’m not sure there was ever any panic at United but there certainly has been a realistic assessment of the club’s predicament from Mixu. The important thing has been getting the players to appreciate how serious the situation is and then have them go out and do something about it. They did well to beat Ross County but their gaffer has been talking about small steps and this was just one little one towards better days.
EN: Swallows and summers etc. Mixu knows this will not be a quick fix. I can’t see United suddenly going on a five-game winning run in the league. The big positive though (apart from the obvious three points and cutting the gap to Partick Thistle) was that the manager’s telling of home truths drew the desired response. If the players had shown any sign of feeling sorry for themselves against Ross County I’d really have feared for United.
NR: It was a very welcome three points from a United perspective although it’s far too early to tell whether the win is the start of a sustained revival. County boss Jim McIntyre bemoaned his side’s lack of quality during the game and it would be churlish to point to opposition failings after the Tangerines’ first league win since August, but Mixu will be aware that there is still a lot of hard work to be done.
Q What did we actually learn about United against Ross County?
IR: We learned that there is hope for the players when they listen to instructions from their manager. The major factor behind Mixu’s frustration at Celtic Park was that some of the team didn’t follow orders on the park. That had to change and change it did against County. Having seen that the gaffer knows best it should stay like that for the rest of the season.
EN: That there is fight in them and that there probably isn’t a huge difference between most of the teams in the top flight. There’s also a nagging feeling though that United aren’t one of the fittest teams in the league.
NR: That they can grind out a result. United did not create an abundance of chances but they kept plugging away and ultimately got their reward. The clean sheet was also important considering they had leaked five the week before against Celtic.
Q Which manager needs a victory more at Pittodrie – McInnes or Paatelainen?
IR: The Dons are diving but United’s need is the greater by far. Aberdeen’s form collapse is intriguing and -– for our friends in the north – worrying. Nevertheless, this remains a hugely difficult fixture for the Tangerines. If they can win or even draw at Pittodrie then it would be a wonderful result.
EN: Obviously United’s predicament is far more serious. But Mixu is just in the job and nobody will be overly critical if United lose at Pittodrie. McInnes, on the other hand, may have his team considerably nearer the top of the league but their run of form is appalling. Aberdeen are expected to win and if they don’t there will be talk of a crisis.
NR: Considering Aberdeen’s blistering start to the season, it is incredible that they have now gone six games without a win, a run that included a 5-1 defeat to St Johnstone and last weekend’s loss at Celtic Park. There will be a huge burden of expectation on Aberdeen at home on Saturday for a game their fans will expect them to win comfortably. United will start as underdogs despite the Dons’ dismal run, so all the pressure is on McInnes.
Q Saturday has the makings of a crossroads game for Dundee. Beat Partick Thistle and they’re 10 points away from the play-off spot, lose it and would they start to look down rather than up?
IR: A draw up at Inverness is never a bad result and I agreed with Paul Hartley that ICT’s penalty should not have been given. However, while the focus around these parts has been – understandably – on United’s woes it should be noted that the Dark Blues have won only two of their last 10 matches. I fancy them to see off Partick at Dens but if they don’t then it will be a wee bit worrying.
EN: I watched Dundee play Thistle at Firhill and they were very fortunate that afternoon. Partick hit the woodwork three times before Greg Stewart did his thing. They’re well suited to playing away, as they showed against St Johnstone recently. I don’t think Dundee will be dragged into a relegation battle, whatever the result, but I’m getting less and less confident of a top six finish.
NR: Dundee really could do with a victory against Thistle after three games without a win. There is very little between the teams in the middle of the Premiership table but it would be worrying if the Dark Blues were to lose at the weekend, especially as the next three games are against Hearts and St Johnstone away followed by Aberdeen at Dens.
Q What’s the missing ingredient for Dundee just now?
IR: A win over Partick would give everyone a huge boost and, as I have said above, I think they will get it. Consistency of selection would also be desirable and it would be nice to see key men James McPake and Kevin Thomson fit again.
EN: Width. Dundee have got a genuine out and out winger in Riccardo Calder, and I’d give him a run in the team now (and play Greg Stewart more centrally).
NR: I still feel there is more to come from this Dundee side, especially if they can finally get influential skipper Kevin Thomson back fit again after his latest injury. They could also do with putting together a run of results – Dundee haven’t won back-to-back games all season.
Q It’s one of football’s old sayings that you need consistency of selection. St Johnstone haven’t had it but it isn’t doing them any harm just now, is it?
IR: They might be even better if Tommy Wright could pick the same team every week, no? It must have been a massive boost to Saints fans to see them play so well at Hamilton without top scorer Steven MacLean, not to mention other senior absentees such as skipper Dave Mackay and Chris Millar.
EN: St Johnstone’s squad strength will be a recurring theme over the next few months. The Aberdeen win could be the most significant one of their season because it showed that they can win well without players who were thought to be their most important ones – Michael O’Halloran, Chris Millar and Alan Mannus. They have now got cover in every position, which is every manager’s dream.
NR: Once again on Saturday at Hamilton Saints were without Millar, top scorer Steven MacLean, as well as suspended skipper Dave Mackay. Despite that, manager Tommy Wright still had strong options on the bench including Simon Lappin, Chris Kane and John Sutton, which showed the depth of quality in the squad.
Q Graham Cummins was the best summer signing in the Premiership. Discuss.
IR: It’s a tad early to make that claim but what Saints did get is an intelligent and talented frontman who is perfectly suited to the Scottish game. He was excellent against Accies and took his two goals – so different in type and execution– extremely well. Saints can’t stop scoring just now and the big man is playing a big part in that.
EN: I’ve had a long think about this one, and that could well be the case. Go through the league club by club and you’ll struggle to find a better one. An unselfish striker who can play wide, has a great leap and an eye for goal. What’s not to like? I’d be shocked if Saints don’t get him tied up on a longer contract in the next few weeks.
NR: It’s just the start of November, so I will withhold full judgment until later in the season. However, so far, Cummins had made an impressive start to his Saints career. Michael O’Halloran and
MacLean may have grabbed most of the headlines but the Irish striker looks like a player’s player, doing a lot of unselfish work which benefits others.
Q Dropping down a division, has the Championship now got a genuine title race?
IR: A resounding no from me. Rangers will walk it and will book their place back in the top flight as champions with several weeks to spare.
EN: Probably not. Rangers should have got at least a draw on Sunday. Mind you, I wouldn’t want to be the second bottom Premiership team having to beat Hibs in the play-offs to stay in the league.
NR: The gap between Rangers and Hibs is now just down to five points. Hibs will be hoping that their victory over Mark Warburton’s side will have planted a seed or two of doubt at Ibrox but I still feel Rangers will bounce back strongly and go on to clinch the Championship.