Jim Goodwin has suffered lows during his career, including parting company with Aberdeen after a 6-0 defeat at Easter Road by Hibs in the Scottish Premiership in January 2023, so he understands what his Hearts counterpart, Steven Naismith, is going through.
Now, while Dundee United ride high in the William Hill Premiership, the Jambos languish in second bottom spot after their 1-0 reverse to the Tayside team at Tynecastle.
Goodwin said: “People told me it was a good time to play Hearts. I don’t believe that. I see it the other way as Hearts have quality and they will win a game at some point, sooner rather than later.”
The manager, who has also guided Alloa Athletic and St Mirren, added: “You could sense the anxiety among the supporters. I can’t remember Hearts having too many chances, we had more than Hearts did, but it is a great win which keeps the unbeaten run going.”
His men go into the international break on a high and Goodwin puts the early season success down to discipline and hard work over the summer.
The Tannadice manager said: “The players deserve all the credit. They have to execute.”
Now he hopes his men return fully fit from international duty and reflecting on the win at Tynecastle, he added, that Gorgie is always a difficult place to come.
The 42-year-old Irishman sympathised with Hearts’ head coach, Steven Naismith, after a disappointing run and he said: “I have been there myself, it is a lonely place, I do believe he has recruited during the summer and for some reason or another, it is not clicking.”
European football, said Godwin, does place a big demand on a squad and can impact on domestic form but the United boss believes Naismith and his coaching team can turn the current situation around and praised the Jambos boss for what he achieve last season, third place in the league and two cup semi-finals.
Teams, he said, sometimes need need an ‘ugly win’ to kick-start their season after three league defeats and a draw leaving the Jambos with one point.
United are flying in third after back-to-back wins after two draws for eight valuable points, four behind second-placed Aberdeen and pace-setting Celtic who both have perfect records.
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