Jim Goodwin has answered Dundee United’s SOS.
The former Aberdeen, St Mirren and Alloa Athletic manager has penned a contract until the end of the season with the Tannadice outfit — just a month after being axed by the Dons.
As fate would have it, his first match in charge comes against the Reds on Saturday as Goodwin begins his rescue mission in earnest.
And, with the Tangerines four points adrift at the foot of the Premiership, Goodwin has plenty of challenges to tackle.
Shape and solidity
Finding a remedy for the porousness which characterised Liam Fox’s final games as United boss is crucial.
The Tangerines were woeful in Saturday’s 4-0 defeat at Ross County. The Highlanders took advantage of gaping holes between the midfield and defence, a lack of pace at the back and a ragged shape.
United have conceded 10 goals in their last four matches, with Fox deploying a 4-3-3 against St Johnstone and County, having previously relied upon a 3-4-2-1 in a bid to find solidity at the back.
With no scope to add to his group — beyond the potential arrival of USA international goalkeeper Bill Hamid — Goodwin must work some magic with the tools he has and start racking up the clean sheets.
That will extend to finding the right mix of pace and physicality in the back-line, toughening up the engine room and alighting on a regular No.1 between the sticks.
Get support to Steven Fletcher
Only Kilmarnock and County have scored fewer goals in the Premiership than United.
They have rippled the net 27 times in the league, with 11 of those coming in three matches against Killie (4-0), County (3-0) and Goodwin’s Aberdeen (4-0).
Fletcher has too often cut a lone figure in attack. In a bid to toughen up the midfield, Glenn Middleton and Jamie McGrath have been charged with dropping deep — and done a decent job, for the most part — and it can leave the former Scotland striker isolated.
Fletcher’s ability to win headers, take possession and bring others into the game is superb. However, he needs bodies around him.
Both Jack Ross and Fox struggled to strike a balance between a solid defence and inputs in attack. Indeed, Goodwin found it a challenge latterly at Aberdeen.
But it will be key to Goodwin’s survival bid.
Lifting the dressing room
United players were at a loss to explain their capitulation in the Highlands.
Captain Ryan Edwards said County seemed to “want it more”.
Experienced defender Liam Smith noted that the Terrors were in danger of “sleepwalking” back to the Championship.
This is a squad that has been battered and bruised this campaign — 9-0 against Celtic; 7-0 against AZ Alkmaar; last-minute goals conceded against Hearts, Hibs and the Hoops — and confidence is clearly in short supply.
United will hope that a new voice can lift spirits and reenergise the group ahead of a fraught fight for survival. Man management will be every bit as crucial as any tactical or coaching tweaks; perhaps more so.
Give the fans something to shout about
The last few weeks have been testing and turbulent.
And anxious Arabs have made their voices heard.
There were repeated chants for sporting director Tony Asghar to resign, which he did on Tuesday evening.
Fox left the club by mutual consent following the debacle in Dingwall.
Granted, some supporters were enthused by the prospect of Craig Levein returning to United but they will undoubtedly give Goodwin an exceptionally warm welcome under the lights at Tannadice on Saturday night.
If the team can do their bit and put on a performance — as they did when they defeated the Dons 4-0 earlier this season — then it could provide some much-needed positivity and momentum for the run-in.
Get the best out of Jamie McGrath
It seems churlish to focus on one player, given the macro issues facing United.
However, the idea of Goodwin unlocking McGrath’s full potential is tantalising.
The Irish duo worked together at St Mirren when the attacking midfielder enjoyed a break-out two years, earning a move to Wigan Athletic.
Jamie McGrath, finally #wafc pic.twitter.com/RWTKyoHUCW
— tics (@allthingstics) January 31, 2022
McGrath bagged 20 goals and seven assists in 79 outings for the Buddies.
Goodwin was reportedly keen to tempt McGrath to Aberdeen at the start of this season.
As a general rule this term, when McGrath has played well, Dundee United have played well. He is a player capable of linking the midfield with attack, as well as offering a dangerous deliveries from set-pieces.
McGrath could be a pivotal performer for the Tangerines in the coming weeks.
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