Clean sheets will not be Mixu’s priority in a shootout for survival
MIXU PAATELAINEN knows it’s too late to solve Dundee United’s chronic defensive problems between now and the end of the season, so he has challenged his strikers to shoot his team to survival instead.
If goals and excitement are expected in today’s Dundee derby, the next few weeks should prove pretty stimulating for United fans, too.
With Henri Anier finally hitting his stride after a troubled year of injury and poor form, Paatelainen believes he finally has an effective foil for top scorer Billy Mckay, who had effectively been carrying the goalscoring burden all on his own after his loan switch from Wigan last summer.
Anier burst into life with two goals in the Scottish Cup triumph at Ross County earlier this month before Mckay headed home the late winner.
Although the 3-2 victory did not yield any league points, it did signpost the route which Paatelainen believes they will need to follow if they are to haul themselves off bottom place.
‘I don’t think anyone can call us soft touches any more,’ said the Finn. ‘I think there’s a real fighting spirit about us and a real bite to our game.
‘I also believe we are more dangerous offensively. The mistakes still creep in every now and then, which obviously we don’t like at all.
‘We are still making stupid mistakes as we have done throughout the season — for example the first goal against Motherwell last week. You shouldn’t concede goals like that.
‘We need to put a lot of emphasis on the attacking end, absolutely. If we score two and concede one, we’re happy. That’s the mentality.
‘It’s not my philosophy as a manager. I would like to win 5-0 every match. Clean sheets — that’s my philosophy. But, unfortunately, development doesn’t happen 100 per cent like that.’
Paatelainen (right) took over from Jackie McNamara in October but struggled to effect any improvement on the team’s form during the first months of his tenure.
The recruitment of goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima, defender Gavin Gunning and midfielder Guy Demel has aided some improved form since the turn of the year and given the club a fighting a chance of staying up.
Yet it’s the return of Anier from a loan spell at Hibs that has provided most recent cause for encouragement.
Prolific at Motherwell under Stuart McCall, the Estonian was sold to German side Erzgebirge Aue but did not settle before being snapped up by McNamara in January of last year.
The return to Scotland failed to reignite his career and soon he was on loan at Easter Road, fighting niggling injuries and unable to force his way into Alan Stubbs’ team.
Anier returned to Tannadice to find a new manager desperately in search of firepower.
‘Henri has been great for us, absolutely fantastic,’ added Paatelainen. ‘I’m delighted for him because of his attitude to work. He runs and puts himself about, he’s also quick and strong and has a powerful shot, as we saw when he scored against Motherwell last Friday. ‘We have options now — Mckay and (Edward) Ofere, who gives us another option in the air and with his power. We also have Simon Murray, who likes to run in behind and use his pace.
‘That gives you a chance because I feel we need to score to survive.’
A relatively short boat ride separates the Finnish capital of Helsinki with Estonia’s principal city Tallinn, so it’s not especially surprising to see Paatelainen and Anier establish some common ground. And the former Finnish national-team coach admits he’s delighted to see the Estonian called up for the friendlies against Norway and Serbia. ‘I see that as a positive for us,’ continued the manager. ‘When I was called up to play for Finland, I came back full of confidence, a national-team player, proud to represent my country.
‘I’m sure Henri feels like that as well. So when he comes back here, we’re expecting a hat-trick!’
Anier laughs at the suggestion but admits he was heartened to get the call from his national coach Magnus Pehrsson.
‘I haven’t played so much since my injuries, so I’m delighted to represent my country again,’ enthused the 25-year-old.
‘From a United point of view, it’s good that I go there and train hard every day and with two top-level games as well. Hopefully I am at the same level or even better when I come back.
‘It’s important for every player that the manager believes in you.
‘Our languages are quite similar although we don’t exactly understand each other every time.
‘We come from similar areas and the relationship is good.
‘But at the moment we know everybody must fight as one team.’
Anier featured in only one of last season’s Dundee derbies and lasted just 45 minutes before coming off in a 3-1 defeat at Dens. Now, he feels ready to do better. ‘Levadia Tallinn versus Flora is the big derby in Estonia,’ he added. ‘I played a few derbies and scored a few goals for Flora.
‘It’s kind of similar around the world but the fan base and atmosphere here is much bigger than back home.
‘I think everybody knows the importance of the game — it’s the biggest of this season with what is coming up and the point we are at. We know this season hasn’t gone that well but we keep believing. There is no other thing, we need to get three points.’