Dundee United played out a 1-1 draw against Arbroath in conditions that Tannadice gaffer Jim Goodwin described as “impossible”.
Bert Esselink opened the scoring after three minutes of the testimonial clash to honour Lichties boss David Gold.
With the wind at their backs in the first period, the Tangerines should have extended that advantage.
The hosts benefitted from the same Gayfield gale after the break and deservedly levelled through Scott Stewart. Indeed, the same man should have completed the turnaround in the dying embers, lashing wildly over the bar when clean through.
While building fitness and understanding is the priority during pre-season, there was still plenty to glean from the encounter.
The famous Gayfield gale
Another week, another team left somewhat frustrated after conditions on the Angus coast sabotaged any attempts to implement work done on the training pitch in the prior days.
Last Saturday it was Steven Pressley’s Dundee who belied the gusts to claim a 2-0 victory but, beyond the two goals, very little coherent football was possible. Simon Murray’s missed penalty wouldn’t even stay on the spot.
Similarly, United and Arbroath found it almost impossible to get out of their own half when they were playing against the wind. Clearances barely made it 30 yards, passes were misjudged and defending was a lottery as the ball shifted in the air.
At one point in the second period, Esselink attempted the shell the ball away from the edge of his own box. It held up in the air and ended up behind him, forcing him to back-pedal and head it clear.
Effectively a one-two.
With himself.
The fact it is often windy in Arbroath isn’t blockbuster news. Nevertheless, the game does need to be viewed through that prism. Neither side can be properly judged in those conditions.
The early standout: Panutche Camara
Even with the above caveat, Panutche Camara continues to enjoy a solid start to his United career.
He was a dynamic presence in the engine room on his non-competitive debut against Brechin City, snapping into challenges and using those telescopic limbs to burst forward.
It was more of the same at Gayfield, with Camara the pick of the summer signings on show. He was combative out of possession, muscled several Arbroath players off the ball and his passing was better than it was at Glebe Park.
Following glowing endorsements from numerous people who have worked with Camara, the expectation within Tannadice is that Camara will be fittest player at the football club.
And one can already see the energy and mobility he brings to the side.
His final ball – a couple of misplaced killer passes; a sliced finish against Brechin – has left a little to be desired, but he certainly pops up in dangerous areas. He looks an exciting prospect.
The debutants: Naamo and Pappoe
Dario Naamo can be very content with his first outing in tangerine.
Firstly, he showcased a versatility that will be appreciated by Goodwin over the course of the campaign, operating in a right-wing role in the absence of Miller Thomson and Kai Fotheringham.
He looked assured, nippy and did not shy away from the first couple of physical clashes on the flank; always the first thing you look at when a newcomer arrives in Scottish football.
And the flying Finn even claimed an assist, floating a perfectly clipped cross for Esselink to head beyond Aidan McAdams.
Isaac Pappoe, meanwhile, only got the final 30 minutes and, with United struggling for any fluency after the break, his opportunity to shine was more limited.
However, he showed a couple of moments that excited watching Arabs. One pirouette in the heart of midfield was delightful, while he crunched into challenges and showed a willingness to surge forward.
He may only be 5ft7ins, but the Ghanaian looks carved from granite. He evidently won’t shirk the rough and tumble of the Scottish Premiership, while he looks to have the technique and bravado to take the ball in tight spots.
Attacking reinforcements needed
“Yes, we know,” will presumably be the cry from the Goodwins – Jim and Ross – and chief executive Luigi Capuano.
No-one is sitting on their hands at Tannadice. Having built the foundations of the squad over the opening weeks of pre-season, the priority is now to add two wingers and potentially two strikers (definitely, one).
Kyle Vassell and Said Hamulic were considered. Those are only the names in the public domain. Myriad other live options exist.
However, the collective intake of breath from the fans when Zac Sapsford took a dull knee to the thigh, sending him to the turf for a couple of minutes, spoke volumes. The Australian forward has a dead leg and should be back in training next week.
That’s a relief because, with Owen Stirton and Jort van der Sande both nursing knocks, United’s pool of attackers is incredibly shallow.
The Tangerines are building a squad for the season – not just for UNA Strassen – but there is little doubt that securing the right striker ahead of that tie would be a major boost and, depending on the fitness of the group, potentially a necessity.
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