Kmcalpin

Thats been the case for a few seasons now, although the current run takes the biscuit. I always believe in building from the back and making a team hard to beat, but that hasn't happened for years. We have one of the poorest performing "defences" in the league. We've not been playing good football and most fans will accept that as long as we're winning, but they won't accept that if we're losing. For a team of our size - mid Scottish top league we'll never be able to field a good footballing team that can achieve results. There's always a trade off.

Tonight's result came as no surprise to me and in our current shocking run I don't care how we play so long as we pick up points. Surprised that Donnelly was still staring with no sign of Dean Cornelius and we had no strikers starting. Over the years I've seen many games just like this at Tannadice. I don't know if GA knows his best 11 and I sure as hell don't. I don't even know our best set up. In mitigation, we've been disrupted by injuries and we don't know whats been happening behind the scenes. We have some decent players, like Slattery, who aren't performing for whatever reason. The only thing I know is that if we play 3 midfielders, then they should be Slattery, Goss and Cornelius. In defence, I don't know our best line up. Months ago I would have said that it must involve Ojala but he seems to be made of glass. I was genuinely shocked to see him pitched in tonight after having been out for months. It could be that the 4-3-3 set up doesn't suit the squad we have. If Tierney plays then we must ditch 4-3-3. I have real problems up front. As I see it we only have 2 out and out strikers - one isn't ready and the other is currently doing nothing. This should have been rectified when Watt left, and thats another issue. We have 4 wingers, none of whom is setting the heather on fire, albeit one is still settling in. We're on a shocking run just now, with no end in sight, albeit thats against the better teams, but I doubt if we'd have fared any better against bottom 6 sides. Whatever w edo that run has to be arrested. Interesting tonight that Celtic dished out a 3-2 hammering to Aberdeen.

It's hard to see where our next goal is coming from.

I never expected us to replace like for like but surely we should have had another striker lined up?

Game was lost when United scored the opener. No red cards and no bad injuries please. Apart from that limit them to 2.

I couldn't care less how we play in the second half so long as we score more than United. I'd be more than happy if they played us off the park but we get a draw or better still beat them. Limited options on the bench ie an off form Van Veen.

I take your point but neither are strikers.

All very well but are we testing Siegrist?

Is that game over as we can't seem to buy a goal and are shipping them at the other end?

Now there's a surprise.

Maybe squad rotation has shaped tonight's line up given games are coming thick and fast just now. Defence looks OK but midfield will struggle. A lot will fall on Slattery's shoulders. 3 wingers up front?

Our recent record against United is poor. Doubt if that will change but here's hoping.

I believe Celtic players and staff are also given some complimentary tickets for the POD Stand.

I'm glad our club supports us as opposed to chasing the dwindling once or twice a season green/blue pound.

To a degree we were no worse yesterday than we have been of late but, as Celtic are possibly the best team just now, they ruthlessly exploited our weaknesses. Team selection again looked odd but we don't know if there are any fitness reasons behind it (Ojala for example). We're not the best side when not in possession as Celtic well knew. There are also a few unknowns just now like the impact of players like Efford, Shaw and possibly Tierney. We need to sort out all areas of the team; defence; midfield and up front. For me Slattery, Goss, and Cornelius are stick on starters in midfield if we play with 3 nominally up front. If we go with 2 up front then Tierney slots in between them and the 3 midfielders. I'll reserve judgement on Shaw for the time being. Longer term, I would be in no rush to renew the contracts of Donnelly and O'Hara. Maguire is a squad player at best.

For starters, hammer sectarianism and erode their fanbase. However there is zero political will for that to happen. Too many votes at stake.

Shields is work in progress and in any event I don't see him as being an out and out traditional no 9 striker. That's what we need. I haven't seen Efford in the flesh but again I don't see him as being an out no9 striker.

Spot on OTF and your comment was made before today's game. I'm not blaming solely Donnelly for the result or performance though. Our best players were Liam Kelly, the much maligned Nathan McGinley, and young Dean Cornelius. Our weaknesses today have been evident for a wee while. I know its hard to compare like with like due to the fixtures schedule but we now have the 3rd highest goals against tally in the league.

Normally I'd agree but what are the alternatives?

Now Celtic's biggest away win of the season. What does that tell us?

The yardstick for me is the results the other 9 clubs get against Celtic.

Celtic heading for their biggest away win of the season?

No red cards or injuries please.

A very cautious line up with Van Veen up front in isolation. Not sure where our fast break will come from. One bright spot is that its good to see young Dean Cornelius get another start, although I doubt if he'll be 100% match fit.

Not sure what that means; I can only guess.