Dundee United have conceded too many cheap goals.
Dundee United have not scored enough cheap goals.
And set pieces are THE key battleground.
United’s fragility from dead ball situations was thrown into sharp relief when Kyogo nodded home a 90th-minute goal on Saturday to make it 3-2 to Celtic.
The laudable work done by the Terrors in getting to that point level at 2-2 was undone in a flash.
Boss Liam Fox described the lapse as “unacceptable” and, Courier Sport analysed the incident in detail.
However, focusing on United’s vulnerability in their own box from set pieces is only telling half the story. They must also become more dangerous in the opposition area.
Attacking set pieces
Dundee United last scored a Premiership goal from a corner kick in February, with Ross Graham rising highest to nod home against Rangers.
Nine months ago.
A special moment for Ross Graham, bagging his first goal for the Terrors! 🍊#cinchPrem | @dundeeunitedfc pic.twitter.com/ARr69vv4ZW
— SPFL (@spfl) February 21, 2022
It should be noted that Steven Fletcher did convert from one in United’s Premier Sports Cup quarter-final win against Livingston — but that does nothing to assuage their league woes.
At certain moments, misfortune can be rued. Fletcher’s scissor-kick which flashed wide against Motherwell; Ryan Edwards nodding off the post at Celtic Park.
However, the simple fact is: United are the only team in the league yet to find the net from a non-penalty set-piece (below).
An xG of 2.17 and the accrual of 48 shots (more than five other sides) suggests profligacy has played a part but, nonetheless, United must find a way to be more potent.
Liam Fox has done plenty right since taking charge of a United side in complete free-fall. Three wins and two draws from 11 games in all competitions is unspectacular but passable.
He has toughened up the heart of midfield and United have scored in all-but two of Fox’s matches at the helm. Gradual progress, but progress nonetheless.
Now he must find a way to improve efficacy from dead balls. Preferably in the next two matches. But certainly as a matter of urgency following the World Cup hiatus.
Defensive set pieces
Throwing spotlight on United’s lack of attacking prowess from set pieces should not pull the focus away from their defensive weaknesses in those situations.
United are one of four clubs tied on seven goals conceded from dead balls.
They are level with St Johnstone on five efforts shipped from corners.
Some of those goals pre-dated Fox’s time in charge.
Nevertheless, Fox’s preference for wing-backs Liam Smith and Scott McMann either side of Ryan Edwards in central defence — while affording United advantages in possession — undoubtedly makes them less imposing.
Barring Edwards, Fletcher and Arnaud Djoum, United’s line-ups are rarely blessed with much height.
Goalkeepers Mark Birighitti and Carljohan Eriksson are also — by the standards of Scottish football — lacking in physicality.
Those issues may account for certain goals, but Kyogo’s free header on Saturday showcased a lack of concentration which has also plagued the Terrors.
Fox will back himself to fix that. But he must do it sharpish. And there is an element of personal responsibility belonging to those on the pitch.
A small amount of solace can be taken from the fact that United concede more goals than they should.
Their xGA (expected goals against) from set pieces is 4.21 — less than Kilmarnock, Aberdeen and Livingston — yet they have shipped seven.
United have only allowed 44 shots from set pieces. That is fewer than seven of their Premiership rivals.
The key battleground
Only Celtic have scored more goals from corner kicks in the Premiership than Derek McInnes’ men.
However, they have also shipped the same amount of goals from set pieces as United — and ‘boast’ the second-highest xGA in the league at 4.81.
After that for the Tangerines? Aberdeen: the team with the highest xGA from set pieces in the division at 4.88.
Set pieces could very well define United’s next two games and if they can find some mastery of the them, it could breathe life into their survival bid.
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