Paatelainen’s battlers just aren’t ready to be written off
WHISPER it softly, but reports of Dundee United’s Premiership demise may have been greatly exaggerated. Certainly, on Saturday’s evidence, the pulse is still beating strongly.
At the home of a team who pulled off their own great escape act last season, the Tannadice team produced a storming performance to cut the gap on Kilmarnock from 11 points to eight with one game in hand.
Everything on show pointed to a belief now burning brightly in Mixu Paatelainen’s squad that a preservation of top-flight status can be theirs. The Tayside team’s spirit and determination was there for all to see.
Paul Paton, United’s opening goalscorer on Saturday, was one of a set of players carrying themselves more like European contenders than a team cut adrift at the foot of the table. Not surprisingly, the Northern Ireland cap was buoyant in the aftermath of a precious victory.
“We know we are a good side and it’s in our hands,” the 28-year-old United stand-out said.
“We know we are capable of getting enough points to stay up, but we’ll only do that with more hard work. The management staff have got us working hard every day and we’ve got a real determination to keep the club in the Premiership. There’s a long way to go and it’s going to be hard, but we’ve given ourselves a good chance.
“We just need to keep playing well and getting the points. It would mean so much the boys to do it for the fans and keep this club up. The fans have been brilliant since I first came here.
“I think we’ve got a bit of momentum now going into the Aberdeen game on Wednesday. We’ve got a bit of confidence but we also know what a good side Aberdeen are. They are challenging Celtic for the league so we know what lies ahead, but we’ll go into it positive.”
County, completely off-colour in a rare slump of form at home, faced an aggressively determined set of players from the off. United now have seven wins to their name this season, five of them coming in the last eight matches.
“You have to have commitment and fight. When you’re sitting bottom of the league it would be criminal to show anything other than that,” Paton said. “You have to fight to the end and, since I have come back into the team, I’ve been really impressed with a desire that’s never changed.
“I’m really chuffed but it’s only one win and we’ve got another big game on Wednesday. I think we massively underachieved in the earlier part of the season when you look at the squad we’ve got.
“There are good players and maybe it just takes one or two wins to build a bit of momentum. But, as I say, it’s only another win .We’re still bottom of the league. We just need to keep it going.”
Goals from Paton, Billy Mckay and Ryan Dow sealed the hugely-important three points, while County slipped from fourth to fifth place on goal difference.
United made a strong start to a scrappy first half in a game infused by a ferocity of intent in tackles from the away team in particular.
County’s Paul Quinn shouted for a penalty after seven minutes when his shirt was held by Donaldson as he headed over from Ian McShane’s corner but referee John Beaton waved the appeal away.
From a United corner, with 10 minutes gone, came the opener. Scott Fraser’s delivery from the left was decent but County’s defence were posted missing as Paton raced across the six-yard box unhindered to head into the left-hand side of the net.
The physicality continued with home striker Alex Schalk thumped over from behind by Gavin Gunning after 17 minutes. The Dutchman reacted angrily, squaring up to the United defender – and both took yellow cards.
County warmed to the task leading up to half-time, finally pressuring United in a more concerted fashion, but skipper Andrew Davies was unable to convert a couple of aerial chances.
But it was United who were celebrating a killer second after 71 minutes. Great work from Scott Fraser on the left created space for a fine low cross which found its way to Mckay at the back post and the ex-Caley Thistle striker was lethal from close in.
It was all over after 77 minutes as Coll Donaldson headed a Fraser corner powerfully at goal, saved by Scott Fox. Substitute Ryan Dow was sharp on the follow-up to force the third goal over the line.
For Andrew Davies, the Ross county captain, it was obviously a bitterly disappointing day but one he believes his team can quickly shrug off.
“We never seemed to get going and that isn’t like us. It was just so frustrating,” said the former Middlesbrough and Bradford City defender.
“We’ve got to be realistic. We’re still in the top six and have to go to Kilmarnock on Tuesday and perform a lot better to get a result.
“Some people just seemed to be a little bit off their best.You can have all the talent in the world but if you don’t run around and win battles it is going to be tough.
“It was one of those days but the lads have been fantastic all year.
“We’ve just got to move on from this and go away on Tuesday. If we get a win on Tuesday, it’s put to bed.”