Dundee United can’t afford to only play for half a match if they are to keep their promotion dream alive, according to Jamie Robson.
The left-back was as baffled as everyone else inside Tannadice by the Tangerines’ terrible first half performance against Inverness Caley Thistle on Saturday.
They fought back to earn a 1-1 draw thanks to Thomas Mikkelsen’s second-half goal and even had late chances to win it.
However, if they play as badly as they did in the opening 45 minutes when they face Queen of the South at home tomorrow night then they will be in trouble.
It had all looked to be set up nicely for United, with confidence high after beating the Doonhamers in Dumfries just days earlier.
However, Robson admitted: “We weren’t fast enough at the start and didn’t up the tempo.
“I don’t know why that was.
“We tried to start the game as we finished our last game but it seems the first halves of matches are just not going too well for us.
“All credit to the boys because in the second half we dug in hard and deep to get a draw.
“It was probably a fair result but we had some great chances in the second half and their keeper made some worldy saves.
“Maybe it (the poor start) was because they played in a way we did not expect.
“We didn’t expect them to set up like that and we got caught off guard.
“They played a diamond so when the wingers were cutting in I didn’t know whether to go or stay.
“It wasn’t working for us so at half-time we had a meeting in the dressing room with the manager and all the players and we sorted it.
“It was an open discussion about what would work best – plan A, B or C.
“We came to our conclusion about what to do and, thankfully it worked.
“The gaffer told us to go out and press them more and I think we passed the ball more as well.
“When we pass it no one can live with us but we just didn’t do it, not in the first half anyway.”
Robson was asked if that inconsistency within games could cost them promotion.
He replied: “We are not consistent to a point but in games we do have our spells when we are playing good football and pressing the opposition.
“We can do well but we have to maintain that throughout a full 90 minutes, not just 45.
“I think we still have a really good chance of going up.
“St Mirren won again and are getting further away but we are still close to second and we need to get that position at a minimum.”
