Dundee United Look For New ‘Goodie’ As Goodwillie Departs

David Goodwillie finally left Scottish Football yesterday as he completed his prolonged transfer to Blackburn Rovers from Dundee United in a bid said to be worth 2.8 million. The transfer was delayed due to some problems in completing a medical at the Lancashire side, and also for the seven bids that Rangers made for the striker. All seven bids by Rangers were deemed to be lower than what Dundee United chairman Steven Thompson valued Goodwillie, and eventually the young Scotsman completed his move to the English Premiership. While Dundee United have picked up a very handsome amount for a home grown player, they have been left with the tricky situation of finding a replacement for a player who scored 17 goals in the Scottish Premier League last season. With this dilemma on the hands of United manager, Peter Houston, The Full Ten Yards looks at the options that he has.



Johnny Russell: The most likely choice to replace Goodwillie as Jon Daly’s strike partner at United, the 21 year old has experience playing in the SPL having made 29 appearances in the league last season. These appearances mainly came in the form of substitute appearances or replacing Jon Daly in his absence or positional switch, with Daly sometimes deployed as a makeshift centre back. The young striker managed a very healthy return of nine goals for the campaign last season, and looks sure to add to that tally this season with a first team position now in his hands. The striker will be hoping that he can use his experience from loan spells at Forfar and Raith Rovers (where Goodwillie also spent a season on loan), and his games last season, to further his game and make the United fans forget all about Goodwillie.

Ryan Dow: A diehard Dundee United fan, Dow has scored goals at nearly every he has played at. Whether it be at Dundee United’s youth side, their reserve side and their under 19 side or with Forfar during a loan spell in 2011, where his record of 3 goals in 8 games helped Forfar to third placed finish in the second division. Dow was used as a winger on his only first team appearance for the Arabs, assisting their only goal in a 2-1 loss to Rangers. His performance in that game also netted him the man of the match award, and he has shown that he has the ability to perform at the top level. With Johnny Russell likely to get the first team position, Dow may have to settle for a place on the bench, however, he is sure to get more chances to shine this season.

Dale Hilson: Another who can play down either wing or as an out and out striker, 18 year old Hilson has a big future in the game. Having came from the same boys club as both Goodwillie and United legend, Duncan Ferguson, Hilson has the ability to go far. He showed this ability in the 2009-2010 season where he ended up as top goalscorer for United at under 19 level. His performances didn’t go unnoticed and Hilson received the award for Scottish Youth Player of the Year and also Scottish Rising Star in 2010. Moreover, he has also made two full team appearances for United, and featured in over half of Forfar’s games last season while he was on loan with them. Hilson may not be the immediate choice to replace Goodwillie, however, give him a season or two, and Hilson could be the next big money player that United have on their books.

Playing A Lone Striker: While United may not have a wide range of experienced strikers to call upon after the departure of Goodwillie, they do have a plethora of talented midfielders. This may make Peter Houston think about going for a five man midfield, a tactic that has worked well for many Scottish teams over the past years. A midfield of Willo Flood, Scott Robertson, Danny Swanson and John Rankin with Scott Severin as a sitting midfielder would be able to match the talent of any club outside the Old Firm in the SPL.

The main option though is continuing with the 4-4-2 formation that has suited Peter Houston and his team over the past few years. Johnny Russell is very likely to be the replacement for Goodwillie, but can him and Jon Daly score the goals now missing from the United side?

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