Scott Brown was on top form at Tannadice, making two vital saves at the end of match. This afternoon he spoke to www.afc.co.uk to preview tomorrow night’s big game against Partick Thistle at Firhill.
“I was pleased to have played my part and to have helped the team to an important three points. For the first save I remember it was just a long ball into the box and they got the break of the ball. Luckily I have managed to get a good block on it and managed to get the ball away. For a defender, the United player (Donaldson) did well to create space for the shot before swinging his foot at it so I was just pleased to get in a good block. The second save I completely forgot about till afterwards when someone mentioned two saves. You are that focussed at the time because it was at such an important period in the game that you don’t always remember what happens.
“The most important thing was the win though. Especially after what happened against St Johnstone.
“It was weird because when we conceded the penalty I did not actually realise how late in the game it was. They did not really have any spells of possession or put us under any pressure after we went 1-0 up. It was bitterly disappointing but in football you have to get over these things and we did so by getting the job done at Dundee United.
“The clean sheet was important. We have conceded a few goals recently so it was important to get the clean sheet. To get that it is not just about me. Everyone in the team has to play their part.
“There are ten games to go. By the time the international break comes it will be seven games to go. Then two more games before the league split and then we will see where we are. But the fact it is almost down to single figures (number of games left), we know how big each game is between now and the end of the season.
“We have learned from the experiences of last season. Although when we lost at Tannadice it meant we then had nothing to play for in the final three games, up until that point we were still there or there about. It is easy for people to say we tailed off but we were there until the last three or four games so we have been in a similar situation before.
“Partick are another good footballing team. The manager there has done a very good job. From what I have heard they were very unlucky not to take something from the game against Hearts at the weekend.
“I know they have had problems with the pitch which is a shame as it seemed a good surface the times I have played there before. I don’t know what the surface will be like but most of the pitches are difficult at this time of year and I am sure it will not be any worse than the others. It will not be an issue. As a goalkeeper you have to change your game slightly. It is with things like back passes when you can’t strike through the ball properly because you are worried about bobbles. It is not like at the start of the season when you know the ball will roll through perfectly and you can really strike through it. At this time of year you just have to make sure you get the ball to safety and don’t take any chances. You always need to concentrate as the simplest little things can bobble up in front of you and lead to a problem.”
“I know they have had problems with the pitch which is a shame as it seemed a good surface the times I have played there before. I don’t know what the surface will be like but most of the pitches are difficult at this time of year and I am sure it will not be any worse than the others. It will not be an issue. As a goalkeeper you have to change your game slightly. It is with things like back passes when you can’t strike through the ball properly because you are worried about bobbles. It is not like at the start of the season when you know the ball will roll through perfectly and you can really strike through it. At this time of year you just have to make sure you get the ball to safety and don’t take any chances. You always need to concentrate as the simplest little things can bobble up in front of you and lead to a problem.”
