Statistics are useful but they can be misleading. Right now, there may be no better example of that than those surrounding Dundee United’s rise in the Championship.
Look only at the stats of the Tangerines’ recent form and the conclusion would be this is a team whose success is based almost entirely on defensive strength.
Despite playing the last half-hour at Raith Rovers on Saturday with 10 men, United defended comfortably without conceding to record a sixth clean sheet on the bounce.
Add to that the second half of their victory at Queen of the South early last month and it is now an impressive 585 minutes since an opposition effort has had to be chalked up in the goals-against column.
At the same time, that run has not included too many goals-for.
Since blasting four past the Doonhamers that November day, Ray McKinnon’s men have only troubled the scoresheet on four occasions.
Simon Murray grabbed a late winner as constant pressure was finally turned into a goal against Dunfermline in the first game of the no-goals-against run.
The following weekend again saw the Pars faced, this time in the Challenge Cup, and Mark Durnan popped up to grab the only counter.
After a goalless draw at Morton, the top-of-the-table clash with Hibs was decided by a Tony Andreu penalty.
And the following week saw Tope Obadeyi’s early effort decide the outcome of the clash with Ayr United.
That does point to the defence being responsible for the lofty league position, a view that’s strengthened if you go beyond the recent run of perfection.
Astonishingly, over the last 11 games just two goals have been conceded, making them among the most frugal anywhere.
But while it would be ridiculous to argue against the fact the work of the defenders has been the cornerstone of the rapid rise up the league table, it would also be wrong not to recognise there is more to this team than just an ability to shut up shop.
While the goals-for have not been flowing of late, and as much as William Edjenguele, Cammy Bell and Co deserve huge credit for their work, the attacking players have made a contribution.
And not just through a work ethic that means they are always on hand to help out when the defence is under pressure.
Because, despite that lack of recent goals, United remain basically an attacking team. In no game this season have they been set up to soak up pressure and try to sneak victory on the counter attack.
The manager’s policy is to get his team forward and look for goals. That in itself adds to the praise of the defence because at times, with the rest of the side pressing forward, the back four and goalkeeper are left to their own devices.
But what should not be lost in the current ocean of impressive defensive stats is Ray McKinnon’s boldness of selection and when it comes to tactics has played a big part in the number of points earned to date.
No better example came at Raith when, rather than attempt to hold out for a draw after seeing the team reduced to 10 men for most of the second half, he sent on striker Simon Murray and played him alongside Tony Andreu up front.
That means rather than play out the rest of the proceedings pinned back in their own penalty area, the defence spent most of their time watching play from the halfway line.
So while the defensive record is something of which United are rightly proud of, do not make the mistake of thinking it is the sole reason for their success so far, or that this is a dull team.
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