Tekel Towers » Dundee United Vs Dundee

Tek · 20/4/2026 10:18 pm

Starting XI and formation for Sunday's Derby?

Macho Man · 21/4/2026 8:25 am

-------------Richards-----------------
Naamo Iovu Graham SCH Ferry
-----Agyei Camara Sevelj--------
------Sapsford Russell--------------

RogerTheAlien · 21/4/2026 2:53 pm

Macho Man wrote:
-------------Richards-----------------
Naamo Iovu Graham SCH Ferry
-----Agyei Camara Sevelj--------
------Sapsford Russell--------------

Don’t mind it but he would definitely play strain, sadly.

Macho Man · 21/4/2026 3:20 pm

RogerTheAlien wrote:
Macho Man wrote:
-------------Richards-----------------
Naamo Iovu Graham SCH Ferry
-----Agyei Camara Sevelj--------
------Sapsford Russell--------------

Don’t mind it but he would definitely play strain, sadly.

Strain is too slow and will be ripped to shreds.

He'll probably be away in the summer so is it not a good idea to get Naamo some first team football under his belt?

SuperMario · 21/4/2026 3:57 pm

Richards
SCH Graham KK
Strain ageyi sevelj ferry
Sapsford Watters farrugia

Reckon that will be the team 🤦🏼‍♂️

Arabdownsouth · 21/4/2026 4:12 pm

SuperMario wrote:
Richards
SCH Graham KK
Strain ageyi sevelj ferry
Sapsford Watters farrugia

Reckon that will be the team 🤦🏼‍♂️

I reckon Iovu will play rather than Sam. There's a rumour that Ferry is struggling incidentally

redford_must_score · 21/4/2026 6:55 pm

Depleted or not I think this is a very important game for Goodwin.
He needs to keep the grumbles at bay and there's no better way to do that than winning a derby.
None of this crap about I don't need to motivate the players for these games. You do! That's part of your job. Get these players right up for it.

433 is the best set up for this but I'll be very surprised if we see it.

Tek · 21/4/2026 8:27 pm

redford_must_score wrote:
None of this crap about I don't need to motivate the players for these games. You do! That's part of your job. Get these players right up for it.

100% This.

Goodwin is yet to win a Derby at Tannadice and we haven't won one since 2021 (Ian Harkes winner). Five years without a home Derby win must be our biggest gap in many many years.

Strongest team available must play. Leave the youngsters or fringe men for later games.

I'd go -

..................Richards..........
..Iovu...Graham..Keresztes
Strain..Sevelj...Agyei..Sibbald..Ferry
..........Russell..Sapsford

Subs -

Adams, SCH, Watters, Naamo, Stirton
Camara, Dolcek, Eskesen, Esselink

Arabdownsouth · 21/4/2026 11:20 pm

Tek wrote:
redford_must_score wrote:
None of this crap about I don't need to motivate the players for these games. You do! That's part of your job. Get these players right up for it.
100% This.

Goodwin is yet to win a Derby at Tannadice and we haven't won one since 2021 (Ian Harkes winner). Five years without a home Derby win must be our biggest gap in many many years.

Strongest team available must play. Leave the youngsters or fringe men for later games.

I'd go -

..................Richards..........
..Iovu...Graham..Keresztes
Strain..Sevelj...Agyei..Sibbald..Ferry
..........Russell..Sapsford

Subs -

Adams, SCH, Watters, Naamo, Stirton
Camara, Dolcek, Eskesen, Esselink

Are Sibbald, Ferry and Russell even fit though? You've also omitted Farrugia who I think should and will start.

Last edited by Arabdownsouth (21/4/2026 11:21 pm)

LS Arab · 21/4/2026 11:51 pm

I think Camara coukd do damage in midfield with Manny and Sevelj

5-3-2 and really go for it

By far the biggest game left of our season

Tek · 22/4/2026 12:38 am

Arabdownsouth wrote:
Tek wrote:
redford_must_score wrote:
None of this crap about I don't need to motivate the players for these games. You do! That's part of your job. Get these players right up for it.
100% This.

Goodwin is yet to win a Derby at Tannadice and we haven't won one since 2021 (Ian Harkes winner). Five years without a home Derby win must be our biggest gap in many many years.

Strongest team available must play. Leave the youngsters or fringe men for later games.

I'd go -

..................Richards..........
..Iovu...Graham..Keresztes
Strain..Sevelj...Agyei..Sibbald..Ferry
..........Russell..Sapsford

Subs -

Adams, SCH, Watters, Naamo, Stirton
Camara, Dolcek, Eskesen, Esselink

Are Sibbald, Ferry and Russell even fit though? You've also omitted Farrugia who I think should and will start.

Forgot about Farrugia. I'd have him on the bench instead of Esselink or Eskesen in that case.

On the other players availability, who knows, but if they are fit i would play them all.

Arabdownsouth · 22/4/2026 2:28 pm

I think Farrugia has done ok of late and deserves to keep his place, and not sure Russell will be ready to start even if fit. Just my take on things of course. I really hope Ferry is fit though or we are going to be seriously disadvantaged

RogerTheAlien · 22/4/2026 2:46 pm

Macho Man wrote:
RogerTheAlien wrote:
Macho Man wrote:
-------------Richards-----------------
Naamo Iovu Graham SCH Ferry
-----Agyei Camara Sevelj--------
------Sapsford Russell--------------

Don’t mind it but he would definitely play strain, sadly.
Strain is too slow and will be ripped to shreds.

He'll probably be away in the summer so is it not a good idea to get Naamo some first team football under his belt?

Definitely mate, I’m with you. We know Jim has a thing for Ryan Strain. Same guy who’s yet to put in better than a 6/10 performance for us.

Snacks94 · 24/4/2026 9:32 pm

Looks like all home tickets are sold out, good effort from United fans for what is a fairly meaningless derby….albeit still a derby

Arabdownsouth · 24/4/2026 10:25 pm

Snacks94 wrote:
Looks like all home tickets are sold out, good effort from United fans for what is a fairly meaningless derby….albeit still a derby

Not all that meaningless really, its a chance to put them bang in trouble whilst putting ourselves clear of the pack

United23 · 24/4/2026 11:32 pm

Richards GK
Ferry/Strain WBs
Iovu/Graham CBs
Camara/Agyei/Sevelj CMs
Russel/Sapsford/Dolcek FWDs

I guess i would suggest a 433. A few there i'm unsure about but i think that squad would make the most sense in my opinion, im happy with the midfield but the defense is still shaky with Strain and Iovu. I debated switching Iovu for Keresztes or SCH but i think all three of them have mistakes in them and Iovu is probably the best choice in the 2 CB formation.

I want to see Russel start and i also want to see Dolcek start as I think there is still a player there and given a start he might surprise, don't think we will see it though as we have sat through 20 odd Watters games where he doesn't see the ball for the 70-80 minutes he is on the pitch and Jim still chooses him in his 11. Also i think Dolcek will be happy to wait out the rest of the season now so he can take his leave, i don't know where it went wrong with him tbh.

I was thinking of including Eskesen because i genuinely like his game and his ability from what we seen the last few times he came on, but Goodwin doesn't seem to want to play him in his actual position so instead doesn't use him.

Anyway, hopefully we can have the same performance as last time and just not throw it away within 2 minutes, should have been 3 or 4 towards the end and finished 2 - 2. Need some more competence and leadership from Graham on Sunday.

Last edited by United23 (24/4/2026 11:33 pm)

Tek · 24/4/2026 11:49 pm

United23 wrote:
Richards GK
Ferry/Strain WBs
Iovu/Graham CBs
Camara/Agyei/Sevelj CMs
Russel/Sapsford/Dolcek FWDs
.

I actually like the look of that team and formation.

I also wonder if with the pressure now off throwing someone like Julius Eskesen on might work if we need creativity and/or a late winner. Definite ability there.

Tek · 25/4/2026 2:38 am

Russell and Sibbald have trained all week and both are in the squad for Sunday.

Nothing about Will Ferry being unavailable, which is great news.

Interestingly in the pre-match presser Johnny Russell has basically intimated that he would want to stay at United next season. His love for United really comes through in this. Saying he used to wake up early in the morning in the USA to watch United play.

I guess the next 5 games will make up Goodwin's mind on that.

RogerTheAlien · 25/4/2026 11:27 am

While it doesn’t matter who scores a winner, i’d love to see Johnny get it.

redford_must_score · 26/4/2026 4:32 pm

Great result and a very important one for the feel good factor - fans and manager.

When we were just the one goal ahead at the hour mark after almost total dominance I was thinking here we go again. But the players dug in and did the business, all credit to them.

Beautiful Sunday 🧡

Last edited by redford_must_score (26/4/2026 4:47 pm)

Jims Beard · 26/4/2026 4:58 pm

redford_must_score wrote:
Great result and a very important one for the feel good factor - fans and manager.

This^^ For me it feels like we've ended the season on somewhat of a high. We've gave dundee a skelping infront of a packed sunny tannadice and put the pressure on them for the remaining games. Play the kids next week and whatever happens happens.

FTD

RogerTheAlien · 26/4/2026 6:18 pm

Great win today. We absolutely controlled that whole game. The only danger they had was launching high balls to the back post. Not the greatest fan of Ryan Strain but buzzing for him today. Also it was some moshpit when he scored. Will Ferry motm with the 2 goals but Agyei was also superb again.

The last 2 games they’ve been celebrating in front of us but it was nice to batter them today.

Stillliving · 26/4/2026 7:10 pm

Always nice to come out on top in the derby.
I believe since Dundee last beat us by 3 goals (2000)
That’s the 7th (seventh) time we’ve beat them by 3 or more goals.

Tek · 26/4/2026 7:39 pm

Great result today and very nice to give them a bit of a doing for the first time in what feels like quite a while. Not to take away from our performance but was struck by just how poor Dundee were today. They could be in real trouble if they lose next weekend.

Only slight disappointment today is not scoring more.

Hope the players can keep this up and end the season with more positive football, goals and wins.

My player ratings -

Richards 6 - Didn't have much to do. Unfortunately he showed (for me) why he should be released at the end of the season with that weak bit of goalkeeping at the end when he spilled the shot right in front of him and was lucky not to be punished. It wasn't and wouldn't really have mattered today at that point in the match, but nonetheless it was a reminder that he has mistakes in him too often.

Ferry 10 - Outstanding. Not just for his two goals (one fortuitous, one outstanding), but also his terrific cross for Strain's goal. He has been exceptional this past month.

Iovu 8 - Excellent today. Brilliant, vital goal line clearance to prevent a certain Dundee equaliser.

Graham 8 - A bit of redemption for our Captain today after last months disaster. Thought he was very solid.

Keresztes 7 - Fairly quiet performance, but never put a foot wrong.

Strain 7 - Happy for him to finally get a United goal. Great header tbf.

Sevelj 6 - Wasn't quite at the races, but gave 100% as per.

Agyei 9 - What a signing he's been. Really bossed the midfield. A talented player who i hope we have tied down for next season.

Sapsford 6 - Still not quite happening with him (for me). Fairly lucky to play the 90.

Watters 5 - Usual anonymous display. For the love of God play Johnny Russell in the next 4 games.

Farrugia 7 - Unlucky with his shot that McCracken tipped on to the post.

Subs -

Russell 6 - No idea why Goodwin gave him so little game time. Hopefully starts next week at Killie.

Dolcek 5 - Too quiet a cameo. I'm still hearing he's signing permanently. Very surprised tbh.

Camara 5 - Never done much.

Naamo - Like the other subs, never contributed much with the time left.

redford_must_score · 26/4/2026 7:51 pm

Tek wrote:
Great result today and very nice to give them a bit of a doing for the first time in what feels like quite a while. Not to take away from our performance but was struck by just how poor Dundee were today. They could be in real trouble if they lose next weekend.

Only slight disappointment today is not scoring more.

Hope the players can keep this up and end the season with more positive football, goals and wins.

My player ratings -

Richards 6 - Didn't have much to do. Unfortunately he showed (for me) why he should be released at the end of the season with that weak bit of goalkeeping at the end when he spilled the shot right in front of him and was lucky not to be punished. It wasn't and wouldn't really have mattered today at that point in the match, but nonetheless it was a reminder that he has mistakes in him too often.

Ferry 10 - Outstanding. Not just for his two goals (one fortuitous, one outstanding), but also his terrific cross for Strain's goal. He has been exceptional this past month.

Iovu 8 - Excellent today. Brilliant, vital goal line clearance to prevent a certain Dundee equaliser.

Graham 8 - A bit of redemption for our Captain today after last months disaster. Thought he was very solid.

Keresztes 7 - Fairly quiet performance, but never put a foot wrong.

Strain 7 - Happy for him to finally get a United goal. Great header tbf.

Sevelj 6 - Wasn't quite at the races, but gave 100% as per.

Agyei 9 - What a signing he's been. Really bossed the midfield. A talented player who i hope we have tied down for next season.

Sapsford 6 - Still not quite happening with him (for me). Fairly lucky to play the 90.

Watters 5 - Usual anonymous display. For the love of God play Johnny Russell in the next 4 games.

Farrugia 7 - Unlucky with his shot that McCracken tipped on to the post.

Subs -

Russell 6 - No idea why Goodwin gave him so little game time. Hopefully starts next week at Killie.

Dolcek 5 - Too quiet a cameo. I'm still hearing he's signing permanently. Very surprised tbh.

Camara 5 - Never done much.

Naamo - Like the other subs, never contributed much with the time left.

When Richards spilled that shot straight out in front of him it was Naamo that was first to the ball in front of a Dundee player, so he did prevent a certain goal and contribute to our clean sheet.

Disagree with Strain getting a higher rating than Svelj, who despite being less than 100% was still effective. Other than his well taken goal I thought Strain was very poor, especially in the first half where he continually gave possession away.

Harsh judgement on Dolcek who played a couple of clever passes. He's a player that needs minutes to find his place in the side, not just being thrown on as a random sub when our shape has been changed. Would like to see him and Naamo getting the remaining games if only because they are players who can pass a ball to a Tangerine shirt.