Craig Levein was once again left frustrated by yet another inconsistent Dundee United performance at Rugby Park at the weekend.
For the majority of the 1st half, Dundee United dominated proceedings, but were unable to find a breakthrough and the score remained 0-0 at the half time interval.
However, Kilmarnock took control during the second half and Dundee United barely had a look-in, as a solitary Peter Leven strike gave Jim Jeffries side a 1-0 win.
Killie would have won far more convincingly, but for the heroics of goalkeeper Derek Stillie who saved a 47th minute penalty from Steven Naismith and also pulled off some further great saves to deny Allan Johnstone.
“I think we were the better side in the 1st half, but Killie were certainly the better side in the 2nd half,” said Levein after the 1-0 defeat.
“I thought we played well in the first half and could perhaps have had a couple of goals. We had some good chances, but we didn`t managed to convert those.”
“Our defending in the second half wasn’t at all good and that is what cost us the game in the long run. I’ve tried all sorts of permutations in defence but some players are playing well one week and hopelessly the next, and that’s frustrating for me.”
“In the first half we passed the ball about quite well but after the interval we lost possession on too many occasions. If we can cut out these elementary mistakes then I think we have a chance of being a really good side.”
The weather at Rugby Park didn`t help, with a strong swirling wind and a muddy pitch preventing both sides from playing their usual game.
Levein continued, “It was far easier for us during the fist 35 minutes because of the flight of the wind, but it changed completely after the break.”
“In the 2nd half I thought we were really poor.”
“At times, we did look resilient and then for spells we didn’t and that cost us.”
“Overall, I feel that while we are good going forward, we are still too easy to beat.”
“Things do not always go your way in a game and it is the sign of a good team that, when they are not, they dig in and still get a result. That is what we have to work towards.”
Its not like this is a new thing, Dundee United have been inconsistant for about the last 20 years!