In this week’s Talking Football it’s all about the playoffs as Courier sports writers Ian Roache, Neil Robertson and Eric Nicolson assess the chances of our local teams in their end of season bids for glory

Q IR:

Yes, I would say so. They say the league table doesn’t lie and that is true in United’s case. Their goal difference would back that up and they lost far too often on the road, with the two Dumbarton defeats standing out for me.

I always thought pipping Hibs to first place was a huge ask for United but I believed second place was definitely up for grabs. The fact McKinnon’s men failed to secure it has to be regarded as a failure.

Second, third or fourth would all have been fair enough. United haven’t been significantly better or worse than either Falkirk or Morton, really.

NR: EN: Q IR:

They looked fine on Saturday. They passed the ball about well and deserved to win by a couple of goals. They need to convert those golden chances they are getting but I think they will start to do so.

I last saw United against Dumbarton at Tannadice when they were incredibly wasteful in front of goal. It is easier said than done but unless they start putting those opportunities away, then it is difficult seeing them negotiating a successful path through the play-offs.

Falkirk didn’t exactly burst the finishing tape, Morton peaked a few months ago and whoever finishes second bottom of the Premiership (unless it is Inverness) will inevitably be on a downer. Psychologically, Morton should probably be the most relaxed of the four as they have already overachieved. Falkirk have the ghosts of playoffs past haunting them, while we all know that United have huge pressure on them. The positive is that, for all the

NR: EN: IR:

I think Morton have taken a huge gamble by making so many changes and the fact they have no wins in nine tells me that they have lost momentum. I would rather be in the Tangerines’ shoes, even though it will be a serious test of their fitness.

Morton manager Jim Duffy has years of experience in the job and although his side’s form has slipped, there will be a freshness about the team while United have had no choice but to play mostly the same starting XI in their quest for second. On the flip side, Morton could be ring rusty while the Tangerines are battle hardened. We will know which by the end of this week.

NR:

Picture: SNS Group. Clockwise, from above: Thomas Mikkelsen heads over one of a number of good opportunities that fell Dundee United’s way against Dumbarton, chances that must be converted if the Tangerines are to find a way through the play-offs; Andy Jackson, who could...