Terror on the road? || Dundee United 0-0 Motherwell

Matchday 17 for the Well seen us travel to Tannadice to face the Tangerine Terrors, Dundee United. Jim Goodwin hoped for a better result than the last time we faced each other, a 2-0 win for JBA's side at Fir Park. Meanwhile, the Well looked to follow up on our 3-0 win at Livi last week with another victory.

The backdrop the last time we faced off with Dundee United

Dundee United headed into this match with a poor run of form on the outset. The Terrors haven't won a game in the league since their 3-1 win against St Mirren on October 25th. Since then, Dundee United have played 6 matches, losing 3 and picking up 3 points from 3 draws. The draws though, make it seem like things could turn for United, as they picked up a point against Hearts (1-1), Falkirk (1-1) and Rangers (2-2). A win for United wouldn't see them move up the league, but would see them step away from St Mirren in 9th, opening the gap to 5 points while simultaneously closing the gap on Falkirk above to 2 points.

As for the Well, a win would've seen our unbeaten run extended to 9 in the league, and see us close the gap on Celtic to 3 points, while also opening the gap on Rangers as we lie tied on points, but ahead on goal difference, ahead of the Gers facing Hibs on Monday.

Line-ups

Dundee United lined up in a 3-4-3, changing shape from their defeat last week against St Mirren, and also a change form our last encounter.

United kept in Dave Richards as their keeper for today. Richards played in last weeks game, but not in our last match, as Goodwin tries to find a keeper in form.

The 3 at the back largely stable, with Iurie Iovu and Ross Graham keeping their spots. Out went Kristzian Kerestzes, and in came Bert Esselink.

The midfield lose a man for their formation and shape, and the man that dropped out the team from last week was Vicko Sevelj. Otherwise, the midfield was unchanged, with Ryan Strain, Craig Sibbald, Luca Stephenson and Will Ferry making up the midfield.

The loss of a number in midfield, meant gaining an attacking option for United. That didn't stop Goodwin making changes, with the only remaining striker from last week in the starting XI this week being Zac Sapsford. Out went Nikolaj Moller, and in came Max Watters, with the extra spot going to Amar Fatah.

As for the Well, 3 changes from our side that won last week. Out went Liam Gordon, Regan Charles-Cook and Callum Hendry. In came Stephen Welsh, Callum Slattery and Callum Hendry. The shape and formation for us, the 4-2-3-1 we've become accustomed to.

Timid terrors, or Woeful Well?

Now, we don't want this to look like "aw, 0-0, nothing to bother writing about" (much like our match against Falkirk recently).

However, sometimes you have those games, where nothing major happens, it's just 2 sides who can't break the deadlock.

An early issue we may need to hope for a positive outcome is the early sub of Stephen Welsh with a head knock. Hopefully just a precaution/following protocols and he'll be fit for our next match (at home to Dundee). This being the only thing of note in the first half.

As for the second 45? Not much better. Some chances falling for both sides, but with an xG of 0.2...they're not exactly open goals or amazing saves.

Captain Paul McGinn appluades the travelling fans

What does this result mean for both sides? Dundee United remain where they started the day, in 8th place, with a 3 point gap on St Mirren below them. Now 7 games without a win, and their second game in a row without hitting the back of the net. Dundee United managed a clean sheet, and also managed a draw against, without my C+A specs on, one of the in form teams in the league right now, if fans of the tangerine terrors needed some positivity...

As for the good guys? 9 unbeaten, but no movement in the table for us. Sill 3rd, but now outright by 1 point, as Rangers play Monday evening. 5th consecutive clean sheet for us, and (an unreal stat as Well fans) still only 2 losses all season in the league so far. Infuriatingly, another match where we could rue not creating enough come end of the season, and 9 draws out of 17 matches is some stat. At the start of the season, we couldn't stop scoring, but we couldn't keep them out. At least now, if we don't score, we don't concede.

Callum Ward speaks after signing a new contract extension, ahead of his 5th consecutive clean sheet and 10th overall this season

And do the stats reflect the performance?

Same story as always really. We dominate possession and most forward thinking stats, however the one stat we'd love to dominate is the one that matters most; the score line. There are many positives as ever though. We keep trucking on. We keep dominating. We have most of the ball, we are accurate with our passing play, we move forward well. The defence are solid, even when relying on boys who aren't starting XI are called in. Positive vibes only as we push on towards facing the other half of Dundee at Fir Park next.

JBA before kick off. Click the link to hear his thoughts post match

Now, player ratings is a tough one this week for us at the Dispatch. There was nothing amazing, nothing horrible, nothing to really comment in our eyes. Welsh and RCC get low ratings purely because they had 0 time to properly get involved in the game. Other than that....