Tony Watt defiantly insists there is no way Dundee United will be relegated this season.
The Tangerines have endured a torrid start to the campaign, resulting in former boss Jack Ross being sacked after just seven games. Assistant Liam Fox took over as caretaker before being appointed permanent head coach, however, his first home match in charge on Saturday ended in yet more misery as United were beaten 2-1 by Tayside rivals St Johnstone.
Saints took the lead through Stevie May before doubling their advantage with a second by Melker Hallberg prior to substitute Watt scored late on. It was the first time the former Celtic striker had hit the back of the net since February but the goal was scant consolation for Watt and his team-mates with the defeat leaving United rooted to the bottom of the Premiership and still without a league win to their name this season.
However, the front man is adamant that it is only a matter of time before the Tangerines begin to climb the table - but only if the team get their fingers out. The 28-year-old said: “We won’t get relegated - there’s no way we will let that happen. We have far too much quality to be in a relegation fight.
“But we are on a bad run and we need to arrest it. It was a poor result today so we need to get our fingers out and start climbing the table. Although it was a bad result and we are on a bad run, we didn’t crumble when we went 2-0 down. We scored one and had a few other half-chances.
“There has been a bit of instability with the manager changing and we haven’t had much of a rub of the green. But we can’t keep using the luck excuse because we are not picking up points.”
Watt added: “We have good players, so we have to start winning games. We have to find a formula that helps us really kick on now. There have been good signs but we really have to start picking up points.”
Watt started United’s last game - a narrow defeat to Rangers at Ibrox - but was relegated to the bench for the Saints match with Fox opting for Steven Fletcher and Ugandan striker Sadat Anaku up front. Watt admitted his omission was tough to take but he has now done what Fox demanded of him and hit the back of the net.
He said: “I was disappointed not to start the game. That was the manager’s choice.
“To come and score a goal is what I need to do if I’m going to be in the team. I was upset about not playing in the manager’s first game. You want to be in his first 11.
“But it wasn’t to be and I know what I need to do to get back in there. I felt I performed quite well at Ibrox and I was out of the team in the next game.
“Obviously scoring goals is what the manager wants and that’s what I need to do. It’s not as much about performance — it’s about hitting the back of the net. That’s been relayed to me.
“He just said to me that the other two boys were more of a goal threat. So I need to score more goals. That’s fine. I need to take that opinion on and be more of a goal threat.”
Saints took the lead with the first real chance of the game in the 15th minute. Andy Considine played a ball from inside his own half in behind the United defence with May running clear, advancing on goal before calmly firing high past home keeper Carljohann Eriksson.
The Tangerines finally carved out a chance of their own in the 24th minute when Jamie McGrath swung a corner in from the right with Steven Fletcher sending a powerful header towards goal but May was on hand to clear off his own line.
Instead, it was Callum Davidson’s men who extended their advantage in the 39th minute. May burst down the right before hitting a low cutback which Hallberg swept home past the helpless Eriksson.
In the second half, the Perth men came agonisingly close to making it three when danger man May struck a dipping shot from just outside the United box which hit the crossbar. Saints keeper Remi Matthews made a vital stop in the 80th minute, keeping out a Watt effort at his near post.
However, United finally scored three minutes later. Matthews initially saved an Aziz Behich shot but Watt was on hand to fire home the rebound. The striker netted from a central position, 12 yards out - and that’s a place he intends to stay.
Watt said: “It’s disappointing sitting on a Friday night knowing you’re not playing the next day. But managers get paid to pick teams and I get paid to play.
“I’ve been going wide and that hasn’t helped the team. So I just need to stand between the sticks and score goals. I get that.”
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