Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has urged patience with Idjessi Metsoko and other summer signings, insisting “people are very quick to judge” after the striker struggled on his first Premiership start.
The Togo international had an afternoon to forget in the derby defeat, offering very little before being hooked after an hour. The on-loan Viktoria Plzen forward was not alone in struggling as United were put to the sword by city rivals Dundee.
Manager backs new signings to adapt
Goodwin insisted it will take time for some of his new signings, including Metsoko, to find their feet and adapt to Scottish football.
“I think people are very quick to judge players,” Goodwin claimed. “Obviously, first impressions are important and Saturday wasn't an ideal game for Idjessi.”
“Sometimes it takes players in every position a little bit of time to adapt to a different type of football. Also, there are moments when you've got to credit the opposition as well. I thought the two centre-halves for Dundee (Owen Bevan and Ryan Astley) were excellent on the day and defended the box well. They certainly didn't give Idjessi any free time on the ball – but he's a good player. He's got attributes that we feel we need.”
Physicality of Scottish game
Goodwin acknowledged Sunday would have been an eye opener for the 24-year-old.
“Idjessi needs to get used to the physicality of the game here,” the United boss confirmed. “He's not going to get an easy ride, that's for sure, but we need to be patient. Sometimes that’s the case with certain individuals, whereas others settle immediately. But I’ve got no concerns about Idjessi whatsoever. He just needs to understand what it takes to play in the Scottish game.”
“He trained brilliantly and had a great week in the build-up to the game to get selected. We were all really looking forward to seeing him perform. It just didn't quite work out for us at the top end of the pitch.”
United eye further signings
The Tannadice outfit is well into double figures in terms of summer signings and is looking to add further. Record Sport exclusively broke the story that United has tabled a six-figure bid for Falkirk star Brad Spencer, as Goodwin looks to strengthen his midfield options.
Goodwin, who takes his squad to Kilmarnock this weekend, believes it is the best squad he has had and they will come good. United haven't scored in their last three games and conceded 10, but Goodwin is adamant there is no crisis.
He claimed: “Most teams in the league will be in similar situations to us, with the number of players coming in. It’s very easy for people to write players off. Everybody wants instant success and, in society, it just seems like there isn’t any patience. But I am delighted with the recruitment that we've done, and I have total confidence in all the players that we've brought to Dundee United.”
“They're all very, very good players. We've got lots of players with different attributes. We've not carried a great deal of luck in the opening few fixtures and there is no concern here, in terms of our approach to the games or the recruitment that we've done. There are lots of good players here. We just need to make sure that we pick an 11 for the game on Saturday that's going to go and get us the result.”
