| Last night saw the Tangerines’ seven-game unbeaten run come to an abrupt halt as they went down 2-0 on their own patch to Hamilton, who had started the game bottom of the SPL.
It was the fourth home reversal of the campaign and, of 12 outings in front of their own fans, United have managed just five wins.
Away, they’ve matched that number and six draws mean they’ve won three more points than at Tannadice, as well as scoring a staggering seven extra goals — a record bettered only by the Old Firm.
That’s left the manager bemused, but determined to improve on a recent run that’s seen points dropped to Kilmarnock, Aberdeen, St Johnstone and now Accies.
“I’d like to be able to explain the reason for this, but, right now, I can’t and all we can do is keep working on it to get it right,” he said.
One thing Peter knows isn’t at fault is the effort the players are putting in. That’s partly why he refused to blast them for last night.
“Everyone is very disappointed. Sometimes you can carry two or three bad performances, but last night no-one was up to their normal standard and it cost us the game,” he added.
“However, these are the same players who have been doing brilliantly for me since the turn of the year and I won’t forget that.
“They know they let themselves down, but they are a good bunch. Saturday at St Mirren will be a test of character and what I am hoping for is a reaction that will produce a positive result — knowing this group, I think I will get it.”
While, though, he thinks mentally the squad will be 100% ready, physically that will not be the case.
Striker Jon Daly is struggling after aggravating the thigh problem he’s been carrying in recent weeks, while Darren Dods, Garry Kenneth and David Goodwillie are all lest than fully fit.
“I’m not going to make excuses, because injuries are part of football, but, as well as having a lot of first-team players out, there are boys playing through the pain barrier for us right now.
“We are down to the bones and we even had David Robertson on the bench, although he’s been feeling his hamstring.
“It says everything about the players’ character that they are willing to play carrying injuries, but, in Jon Daly’s case at least, I think he might struggle to make Saturday.”
Influential defender Andy Webster is also unlikely to return. His calf strain is still troubling him and the feeling is he has not done enough work to be considered. |
