Jim Goodwin has emphasised the importance of building from the back as Dundee United’s transfer business gathers pace.
There has been a recurring theme to the Tangerines’ signings to date, with Goodwin seeking to strengthen the core of his side following the key departures of players such as Jack Walton, Declan Gallagher and Ross Docherty.
Goalkeeper Yevhenii Kucherenko has been recruited, while the centre of United’s defence has been boosted by the arrivals of Iurie Iovu and Bert Esselink.
Panutche Camara has been joined by Ferencvaros midfielder Isaac Pappoe in the engine room.
Incoming defender Dario Naamo can cover both full-back positions.
Zac Sapsford is the only attack-minded player the Terrors have snapped up so far.
While United chiefs have already identified and done the groundwork on a host of forward options, that will become a more pressing priority in the coming weeks now that Goodwin has solid foundations in place.
“The priority was to initially build from the back and into the midfield,” explained Goodwin. “The forward areas tend to be a little bit more time-consuming in terms of getting deals finalised.
“We made big decisions on key players in the summer, so we had to replace those guys who were influential last season – Kevin Holt, Deccy Gallagher and Emmanuel Adegboyega. We lost three really good centre-backs over the course of the season.
“Up until around the split, our defensive record was excellent. We want to be similar this season; to ensure those foundations are good, back to middle.
“Then we’ll bring in quality and speed to the top line and wide areas. That’s what the strategy has always been.”
Comfortable
He added: “We’re comfortable with what we’ve done in the defensive side of things, now. We still need a little bit of cover in one or two areas, which is again something that we’re continuously working on.
“But in terms of those key positions – goalkeeper, centre-backs, midfielders – I think we’ve done really well.”
Conversation