Jim Goodwin Welcomes Dundee United’s Shared Goal-Scoring Load as Sibbald Emerges from the Shadows

Tangerines Boss Urges Midfield Creativity Amid ‘Polar Opposite’ Challenge from Motherwell

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has celebrated the diversification of his team’s goal-scoring as a key evolution from last season’s reliance on Sam Dalby, with eight players now contributing in the 2025/26 Scottish Premiership. The Englishman, on loan from Wrexham in 2024/25, netted 15 goals—over a third of United’s 45-league tally—before securing a four-year deal with Bolton Wanderers in June 2025. This summer, Goodwin prioritized depth over a direct replacement, and the strategy is paying dividends: Ivan Dolček leads with five goals, followed by Zac Sapsford (three), Craig Sibbald and Luca Stephenson (two each), and single strikes from Amar Fatah, Krisztian Keresztes, Bert Esselink, Kristijan Trapanovski, and Max Watters.

“It’s important that the goals are shared out around the team,” Goodwin told The Courier. “Last season we relied heavily on big Sam Dalby—whereas now we’ve got lots of players chipping in from all over the pitch. Only Hearts have scored more goals than us in the league. So, that shows we carry a real attacking threat from all over the park, and different situations.” United’s 22 goals from 10 matches (second in the division) reflect this balance, with midfielders like Sibbald adding potency through Goodwin’s encouragement: “We’re always encouraging the midfielders to get shots off. We’ve got talented players in there… They’ll never be criticised by me or by their teammates for that.”

The ‘Solution’ to Life Without Dalby: Collective Threat and Midfield Firepower

Dalby’s departure left a void—his 15 goals (joint-top scorer in 2024/25) were pivotal in United’s promotion push—but Goodwin addressed it through recruitment and tactical tweaks rather than a marquee signing. The influx of 12 summer arrivals, including versatile forwards like Sapsford and Dolček, has created a fluid attack. Dolček’s five goals (including a brace in a 3-2 win over St Mirren on October 25) highlight the shift, while wingers Trapanovski and Fatah provide dynamism.

Central to this is Sibbald’s resurgence. The 30-year-old Scot, a stalwart since joining in 2022, began his career at Falkirk as an attacking No. 10 or winger but evolved into a defensive anchor under Goodwin. His recent form—two “crackers” in October fixtures, including a curling 25-yard strike against Rangers on October 18 and a low drive sealing a 3-1 comeback against St Mirren—recalls his offensive roots. “I would never pigeonhole him into just being a defensive midfielder,” Goodwin said. “I do like him in there… because of his game awareness. He reads the game really well and breaks up play… But on the flip side, we know the ability he’s got higher up. We’ve been encouraging him to get forward a bit more. He makes intelligent runs and doesn’t take a whole lot of coaching. Some players just understand where to be on the pitch.”

Sibbald’s concessions (two goals in three games) have eased the burden on forwards, with Goodwin adding, “In recent games, Craig Sibbald has scored a couple of contenders for goal of the season—so I am really pleased for him.” This “off the leash” approach—pairing Sibbald’s intelligence with the creativity of Eskesen and Stephenson—has transformed United’s midfield from a shield to a scoring outlet, solving the Dalby dilemma through distribution rather than dependence.

Goodwin’s ‘Admiration’ for Motherwell: A ‘Polar Opposite’ Test

As United prepare for Wednesday’s Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Motherwell at Hampden Park (October 29, 2025), Goodwin expressed “admiration” for the Steelmen’s style under Danish manager Jens Berthel Askou. Motherwell, seventh in the Premiership with 14 points, lead the league in possession (58.2%) and have drawn praise for their build-from-the-back interplay and attacking verve, contrasting United’s physical, high-pressing approach.

“I really admire the way the new manager (Askou) has them playing,” Goodwin noted. “When you look at the data and the statistics from all the teams in the league, they’re up there with the top teams in terms of possession. It’s a completely different opposition to St Mirren. They are polar opposites in terms of how they play the game—so, a quick change of mindset for us.” After a bruising 3-1 win over St Mirren on October 25—where United overcame a 1-0 deficit with concessions from Sapsford (free-kick), Fatah (penalty), and Sibbald—Goodwin anticipates a tactical chess match: “On Wednesday night, it’s all about the shape of the team, trying to be compact and denying Motherwell space. We know what to expect. But at the same time, we believe we’re capable of playing some excellent football ourselves. Hopefully that will make for a very entertaining game.”

Motherwell, who knocked out United 2-1 in last season’s quarter-final, advanced with a 2-1 win over Ross County, featuring Lennon Miller’s stoppage-time penalty. United, with a 2-1 group-stage win over Motherwell in August 2025, seek revenge and a final berth against either Aberdeen or Hibernian.

Injury Update: Strain Sidelined, Focus on Recovery

Goodwin confirmed Australian right-back Ryan Strain will miss the semi-final due to muscular discomfort, erring on caution after his recent return from injury. “Ryan Strain will again be absent as the Terrors err on the side of caution with slight muscular discomfort. The Australia international will be back for the November 9 trip to Hearts.” This precautionary approach underscores United’s depth issues, with Trapanovski, Ross Graham, and Isaac Pappoe still recovering, but it allows rest ahead of a congested November featuring Hearts, Celtic, and Aberdeen.

With 20 points from 10 Premiership games (fourth place), United’s goal distribution (22 scored, joint-second) positions them as title dark horses in a league where Hearts lead Celtic by three points and Rangers languish eighth. Goodwin’s blueprint—youthful energy tempered by shared scoring—has replaced Dalby’s dominance with collective threat, as evidenced by their 3-1 St Mirren win. Against Motherwell’s possession-based elegance, United’s “admired” resilience could secure silverware and momentum.

In other news, Kristijan Trapanovski’s Transformation: A New Perspective Fuels Dundee United Comeback