As they battled to a hard-earned three points against Dumbarton on Saturday, without question a key to Dundee United unlocking the opposition defence was gaffer Ray McKinnon’s decision to move Nick van der Velden right up front.
Although he didn’t score himself, the Dutchman’s ability to hold the ball and link meant the Tangerines were able to spend most of the second half putting pressure on the Sons goal.
So far this term, Van der Velden has been used in that role on a few occasions, yet despite the impressive recent form that’s taken United right into the thick of the Championship promotion race, no one player has occupied the “No 9” position for longer than a couple of games at a time.
Although Van der Velden has admitted he sees himself as more of a player who operates just behind the main striker, his weekend performance could see him asked to fill the same role when Falkirk visit on Saturday.
He is, though, by no means the only candidate and tonight the Tele looks at who else in this United squad has, or can, play there.
Simon Murray
Murray is the one man, who’s played at No 9 this season, who would be classed as an out-and-out striker. If the 24-year-old is in the team, he will be right up top and, with six goals this term, he’s been used to good effect.
The Dundonian, though, has not scored in his last six outings and there’s a feeling he is better in a front two as opposed to the lone striker’s role boss Ray McKinnon prefers to go with.
Cammy Smith
The man on loan from Aberdeen can play right up top or just behind the No 9 and it was in the latter position his best performance in Tangerine came when he struck a League Cup hat-trick against Partick Thistle in August.
Despite displays like that, Smith has been struggling to hold down a regular place and hasn’t started for over a month now. Even so, there’s no doubt he will have a part to play in the coming months.
Tope Obadeyi
In the League Cup tie when Smith scored his treble, Obadeyi was used right up top and his strength and pace helped created both room and chances for his team-mate to exploit.
Throughout his youth career, the former team-mate of Daniel Sturridge was used through the middle. But there’s little doubt his current boss likes to see him wide. At times, the Englishman’s use of the ball is erratic but his pace down the flanks is a big weapon for United.
Tony Andreu
The Tangerines’ star man and top scorer with 10 goals so far this term, Andreu has started the last two games right up top and there is no question the Frenchman is good enough to play in any attacking role.
Equally, though, there’s little question the man who’s on loan from Norwich for the season does his best work operating as a No 10, which is where he moved to for the second half on Saturday. It would be a surprise if he doesn’t start there when United face the Bairns next time out.
Nick van der Velden
The elegant Dutchman can operate effectively in any of the four attacking roles in McKinnon’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation and most often he’s been seen on either side of the forward midfield three.
During the second half on Saturday, however, he was very impressive in that No 9 slot and, in that position, he was certainly more involved in the play.
When used wide, he can drift in and out of games and perhaps the best way to get the most out of his considerable talent would be to keep him right up top through the middle.
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