United Boss angry at missed chances in 1-0 loss at Partick
Chance to close gap at bottom missed by United
Dundee United boss Mixu Paatelainen bemoaned his side's first-half wastefulness after they missed a series of chances in a 1-0 defeat by Partick at Firhill.
Ryan Dow alone missed four good opportunities inside the opening quarter as United failed to cut their five-point deficit at the foot of the Ladbrokes Premiership.
They were made to pay as Kris Doolan struck a 70th-minute winner to lift Thistle to seventh place.
Paatelainen said: “We should have won two or three matches with the chances we had. Of course it crosses your mind that those missed opportunities will cost us but you hope we create more, and why not? Because the first half our passing, composure on the ball was there. The second half we were too hasty in possession, eyes closed, smashing the ball. We stopped playing, simple as that. I don't know why because we were in total command at half-time.”
“Yes, Partick Thistle players probably got a roasting at half-time and were fired up for the second half. Even more important then to keep composure and pass round them and let them run like headless chickens like they did in the first half. But if you don't score, you don't deserve anything. What is the point creating those chances and playing well if you don't score?''
The Finn added: “All is not lost, we still have a chance. But that was a great opportunity and I have said all along Kilmarnock will win. They have quality in their side. If you don't capitalise on an opportunity like tonight, especially after that first-half performance, it is so disappointing. I don't know whether to laugh or cry.''
Thistle kept themselves in the chase for the top six, with six teams chasing the last three places ahead of the final weekend before the split.
Manager Alan Archibald, whose side face Ross County on Saturday, said: “It's a massive win and a total turnaround because first half we were nowhere near it. Credit to Dundee United, they started the better team and looked like they had something to play for while we didn't. Credit to the lads for showing character second half. You probably couldn't repeat (what I said at half-time). I thought the days of going crazy were gone but it was more frustration because we knew how United would play. They are direct, use the energy of their strikers and turn the ball at every opportunity. And they are good at it, but we should have dealt with it a lot better. They won every single ball and the lads were disappointed with their first-half performance.''