Bert Esselink has insisted that Dundee United have the quality and the firepower to blast themselves out of their current rut. The Tangerines suffered a sobering 2-0 defeat at home in the first derby of the season. United have now gone three games without a goal and have conceded 10 in that time, and Jim Goodwin knows the buck stops with him.
Esselink takes responsibility
Esselink stated: “I just spoke to the guys. I think I had four shots and that says something about us, with the amount of shots on target or at goal.
“In the end, we need to put the ball into the net. I hold myself accountable for that as well.
“We had big opportunities. It is a difficult one and we have to change that.
“We have to start scoring goals and doing better.
“Definitely, it will turn. We have to get back to basics by working and working harder in goals and games.
“The first goal can’t happen. It is a basic moment we have to get out of our system. That will then give us the mentality to start winning games.”
Confidence remains high
Esselink doesn’t think confidence has been impacted, but they need to turn the tide at Kilmarnock this weekend.
He claimed: “I don’t think there is a lack of confidence. We are a tight group and we really believe in each other.
“We are doing things properly every day. We get our goals in training, but that doesn’t count because we need to get goals in the games.
“I don’t believe it is a lack of confidence. We need to change it together. Next week is the first opportunity.
“I believe that as well. We created many final third entries. We do well until we get there and the ball doesn’t go in.
“I feel there is a lack of luck just now. I feel when that changes then things will go our way. That is what we hope for and need to keep working away at. You can see the chances are there and it is not good enough not to take them.”
The Dutchman felt that United gave as good as they got in the derby but Dundee took their chances.
“It was a very tough result,” Esselink admitted. “It was a hard day for us and we need to stick together. You can see there are chances when we get into their box; we created opportunities. It just doesn’t fall our way and that is what we need to change.”
Support for young defender
Abdoulaye Yoro sold the first goal. He gave a poor pass and then just stopped in his tracks as Dundee broke. Esselink knows the youngster on his first start will have learned from it.
He said: “I agree, but we are a team. These things can happen.
“He knows that as well, although he is still a young guy. Everyone makes a mistake or gives a bad pass. It is part of the game and it is the reaction that matters the most. He knows it.
“We need to keep on top of it with everyone. You have to react yourself when you lose the ball.
“These are the basics I am talking about.
“We need to keep on top of that from the training sessions and into the games.”
Jim Goodwin's United have just one point on the league and Esselink is well aware that is not acceptable. Their only result came in the league opener against Rangers. Since then they have lost to Hearts and then Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup.
The centre half added: “We need to get a result there and that needs to be the mentality. It starts and we need to get through it and to take the three points.
“It is a very big one.
“It might be, but I really believe we are a good group and we need to get through this together. That is what we will do and everyone will help the other guys come through this because there are some young guys in the team as well.
“Monday, we come back with positivity for a new week.”
