Jim Goodwin has challenged his front players to show they have the goals to fire Dundee United up the table. United have scored just nine goals in seven Premiership games so far this season, with three of them coming against St Mirren last time out.
Goodwin is looking for his new-look front line to show that firepower on a more consistent basis, starting with the weekend clash at home to Hibs.
Goodwin wants more from final third
Goodwin said: “I think back to middle and in possession we are looking really, really good.
“It is more at the top end of the pitch. I think if you ask any manager out there they would always want improvement in the final third.
“That is why the top strikers get paid so much money at the top clubs because their end product is very consistent.
“Wide players and strikers are judged on goals. It is up to us as a coaching staff to keep working with these players.
“We need to give them the confidence and self-belief on a matchday to go and do it. That is an area where we want to get better.
“We want to score more goals. We have created a lot of chances and got into dangerous areas, but we haven’t really been productive enough or ruthless enough. We will continue to work on that. I don’t like to put any more pressure on the forward players but we need them to score goals and catch fire quickly because we can’t rely on defenders and midfielders.”
New signings settling in
United have brought in a number of new frontline options like Lachlan Rose, Idjessi Metsoko, Jesse Randall and Mehdi Merghem, to add to the likes of Zac Sapsford. Goodwin accepts it will take time for them all to find their feet.
He acknowledged: “We got the goals against St Mirren. Jesse Randall scored a great goal. Metsoko never got on the scoresheet, but had a huge part to play in all the goals. Lyall Cameron also scored. I’m not saying we are not scoring but we are always greedy. We always want more.
“It is still very early days. We saw glimpses against St Mirren, Celtic and the derby. We got into some great areas and just haven’t capitalised.
“Consistency will be key. That is an area we have been working on in this break. Hopefully, the players will get confidence and kick-on.”
Adapting to a new style
Goodwin has made wholesale changes to his squad in the last window. He has been pleased with the way his squad has adapted to a more attacking style of play.
The United boss claimed: “I have been really pleased as to how receptive the players have been to this new playing style we are trying to implement, especially the players who have been with us for a couple of seasons.
“The new signings it is not a great change because they are expecting that, coming into a new club. For the players who have been with us I have been delighted with how they have adapted and embraced things.
“The new players have also really settled well and that is down to the group who are already here. They have made them feel really welcome, as have the coaching staff, the footballing department and everybody at the club.
“When we look at the metrics and we break things down from last season, we are clearly a team that is enjoying a lot more possession.
“We have a lot more control of games because we have added quality players who really enjoy being on the ball.
“We saw that in abundance at St Mirren in the last game and we’ve seen it in numerous games in this campaign.
“Collectively, as a group, I can see signs of improvement week after week.”
