Utd season 'a bit meh' - but can it be stepping stone?

[BBC]

There hasn't been much to shout about this week but in a strange way that probably sums Dundee United up just now.

A 4-2 defeat at Ibrox followed by a 3-2 win over Livingston tells you everything you need to know about another rollercoaster season.

There is a good team in there but also a team that cannot quite get out of its own way.

The numbers back it up: Attack wise, we're sixth best with 45 goals scored. It's a team that going forward has pace and real quality, especially on the counter.

But defensively, it's a back three and a goalkeeper that has to defend far too much. Only two teams have conceded more than the 54 United have and only Livingston have kept fewer than our five clean sheets.

It's no wonder United find themselves stuck in no man's land.

Seventh place and likely safe and clear of trouble but miles away from where they wanted to be after finishing fourth last season. It is a strange place to be but a bit meh... not bad enough to panic and definitely not good enough to get excited.

Paul touched on it last week with Amar Fatah and Luca Stephenson. Two players who brought real quality into the team. Losing them now only underlines where United are, but with these guys out can two others step up with five games to play?

Looking ahead to the summer and next season, there seems to be some positives. Charlie Dewar's time on loan at Alloa has led to him being named in the PFA Scotland League One team of the year - can he build on that and make a claim for being part of the first-team squad like Big Sam Cleall-Harding and Owen Stirton have this season?

Current contract options look like being taken up and three new faces are already signed up for the 26-27 campaign.

But the priority is clear. Find a way to keep the door shut while still carrying a threat at the other end.

Get that right and this season looks like a stepping stone. Get it wrong again and it will feel like a missed opportunity and nothing learned.