Can United resolve their two big problems?

[BBC] If Dundee United were given an early-season report card it would read - could do better. It has been a mediocre start to the campaign having taken five points from their opening half dozen games. It is far too early for alarms bells, but United might want to avoid casting a glance at the Premiership table as their position worsened - without kicking a ball - following Tuesday night's fixtures. Victories for Aberdeen and Falkirk moved them above United, who drop to 11th, while bottom club Kilmarnock's win at Hibs means they are now just a point behind the Tannadice side. After a weekend off, United return to action at St Mirren on Saturday. Their fans will be hoping the extra time on the training ground can help resolve the two big problems they have had this season - putting the ball in the net and keeping it out of their own. In their six league games United have had 99 shots - only Rangers, Celtic and Hibs have had more. Of those, only 26 have been on target, the eighth best in the division. Their wastefulness in front of goal is further highlighted by the fact they have scored just six goals - only Falkirk and Killie have scored fewer. Jim Goodwin's side also have the second worst defensive record in the league, having shipped 11 goals. It is early days and fortunes can change very quickly, but the need for improvement is obvious.