Dundee United endured another damaging defeat on Saturday as Motherwell claimed a controversial 1-0 victory.
Tony Watt was given his marching orders by referee John Beaton following a visit to the VAR monitor, deeming the striker’s challenge on Sean Goss reckless.
After innumerable replays, debate rages on — albeit Saturday evening’s Sportscene saw ex-Terror Steven Thompson, James McFadden and Richard Foster in agreement that the decision was “harsh”.
While United weigh up whether to appeal, the damage is done; a third successive loss and a maddening sense of déjà vu around Sondre Solholm’s winning goal.
Courier Sport was at Tannadice to analyse the major talking points.
Watt’s contentious red card
On-field whistler Beaton did not even deem Watt’s challenge on Goss got be worthy of a foul in real time, allowing the Tangerines to counter-attack and craft a passable opportunity.
However, his attention was drawn to the incident by VAR David Munro.
As United boss Liam Fox acknowledged following the defeat, certain angles were damning; Watt appeared to commit a late, high challenge with his studs showing.
However, subsequent footage suggested that Watt got a slight touch on the bouncing ball, then attempted to pull away, making very minor contact with Goss.
As per Scottish FA rules, United have until Monday to state their intention to appeal and then until Tuesday at 5pm to officially lodge it, complete with supporting evidence.
Defining serious foul play (the offence Beaton will almost certainly cite in the referees’ report), IFAB’s laws of the game state:
“A tackle or challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality must be sanctioned as serious foul play.
“Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force or endangers the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play.”
Should United appeal, it will come down to whether an independent fast-track panel believe Watt’s challenge falls into either category.
Dundee United’s cross to bear
United’s fragility from wide areas was noted in defeats against Kilmarnock and St Mirren.
The fact that, after a week on the training ground, the Terrors conceded from yet another simple cross and header is alarming.
The Tangerines were on their heels from a quickly taken free-kick — not that quickly taken, in all honesty; that’s no excuse — and Dylan Levitt failed to close down Blair Spittal with the requisite aggression.
Making the most of the quick free kick ⚽️@SondreSolholm pic.twitter.com/ePXrEHYUa0
— Motherwell FC (@MotherwellFC) October 30, 2022
Sondre Solholm ghosts away from Watt and Liam Smith is caught ball watching when he should have tucked in.
And, as with Dan Armstrong, Curtis Main and Alex Greive before him: Solholm meets the delivery.
Could keeper Mark Birighitti have done better with the Norwegian’s effort? Probably. But it was a header from seven yards. If he is being asked to bail you out from that situation, then plenty has gone wrong before you reach Birighitti.
Fox must solve the problem as a matter of urgency because — as Motherwell’s attacking patterns (image below) illustrate — teams know how to get at this United side.
Birighitti’s big chance
After bringing Birighitti back into the side in place of Carljohan Eriksson, boss Fox stated that he has “two number ones”.
He presented it as a virtue. He has to.
However, there is a reason clubs like to have an established first-choice custodian. It allows the keeper to build confidence, to find form and cultivate an understanding with his teammates.
So far, neither Birighitti or Eriksson has cemented their place.
It appears the Australian international — who, despite leaving a bit to be desired with the only goal of the game, made a couple of decent stops in the first period — will get another opportunity.
Birighitti’s pedigree suggests he has quality.
United desperately need him to prove it, because the departure of Benji Siegrist has, so far, left a bigger void than even the most pessimistic of Arab would have predicted
Engine room progress
For all their woes defending attacks from wide areas, United have improved immeasurably in the heart of midfield compared to the timid, porous showings earlier this season.
Craig Sibbald was effective once more on Saturday. He won 10 duels, second only to Ryan Edwards, and won possession 12 times, more than any other player on the pitch.
His 41 accurate passes was the most of any man in Tangerine.
Jamie McGrath, operating deeper following a stint as a right-sided forward in a 3-4-3, continues to impress, creating more chances (three) than any other player against the Steelmen.
Such progress rings hollow after another damaging defeat — but it is worth noting United’s improvement in central midfield, nonetheless.
Terrible trio
United now face an onerous task to ensure they are not bottom of the Premiership during the World Cup break.
That is perhaps an arbitrary target.
After all, there will be 66 points to play for when the league resumes.
However, propping up the division during that four-week hiatus would be an unwanted blow to morale and a damning indictment of the opening months of the campaign.
But the next three games are testing ones.
Celtic away is next up as Fox seeks to somehow manufacture a result against a team that smashed NINE past them at Tannadice earlier this term.
With the non-restricted view tickets for the United section understood to be selling briskly, even at £35, travelling Arabs can only be saluted for their commitment.
Kilmarnock at home looks like a true six-pointer, especially with another onerous trip to face Aberdeen following hot on its heels.
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