Headline: Dundee United’s Joshua Rawlins Sees Challenging Start as Opportunity to Gain Momentum
Dundee United defender Joshua Rawlins views their tough start to the season as an opportunity to build momentum. Following a successful run in the League Cup group stage, United kicked off their Premiership campaign with a solid 1-1 draw against Rangers at Tannadice.
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Looking ahead, the team will face last season’s runners-up, Hearts, on Sunday, and they have additional challenges lined up, including a cup tie against Celtic and a city derby with local rivals Dundee.
“Building momentum is definitely going to be a key for us,” Rawlins stated regarding the upcoming fixtures. “We have a difficult start but it is also four games that we are looking forward to.”
“Ever since the [cup] draw, we knew it was going to be a difficult start, but if we can get through these four games with some good results and some good performances, it will build momentum for us,” he added.
What stood out for United in their match against Rangers was the energy and intensity brought by Jim Goodwin’s side. Rawlins mentioned that this is something they plan to replicate in every game.
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“We know we have to bring it up a level when we come against the good sides, but we also need to maintain that consistency throughout the year,” he explained. “We are a young team, and I think maybe one of the youngest in the league, and that comes with youthful exuberance and energy, so hopefully we can keep that going into the next few games.”
Rawlins, who arrived on a two-year deal from Melbourne Victory this summer, sought advice from friends familiar with Scottish football before making the move.
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“I have a couple of friends who have played here in Scotland in the past, one was at Hearts, Nathaniel Atkinson, and I spoke more regularly with Aziz Behic, who is an ex-Dundee United player,” said Rawlins. “He told me it is a club that loves football, and the city loves Dundee United. If you can play for the badge and deliver good performances week in and week out, you are going to enjoy your time here.”
Dundee United defender Joshua Rawlins feels their tough start to the campaign is a chance to build momentum.
After successfully navigating their way through the League Cup group stage, United opened their Premiership season with a solid 1-1 draw against Rangers at Tannadice.
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On Sunday they face last season’s runners-up as they travel to Hearts, a game which is followed by a cup tie with Celtic and a city derby with neighbours Dundee.
“Building momentum is definitely going to be a key for us,” Rawlins said of their upcoming run of fixtures.
“We have a difficult start but it is also four games that we are looking forward to.
“Ever since the [cup] draw, we knew it was going to be a difficult start but if we can get through these four games with some good results and some good performances then it builds momentum for us.”
One thing that stood out for United against Rangers was the energy and intensity Jim Goodwin’s side brought to the encounter.
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That is something 22-year-old Rawlins says they aim to bring to every game.
“We know we have to bring it up a level when we come against the good sides but also to hold that consistency throughout the year,” he added.
“We are a young team, I think maybe one of the youngest in the league, and that comes with youthful exuberance and energy so hopefully we can keep that going in to the next few games.”
Australian Rawlins arrived on a two-year deal from Melbourne Victory earlier this summer.
Prior to making the move he got the thoughts of a couple of faces who are familiar to Scottish football.
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“I have a couple of friends who have played here [in Scotland] in the past, one was at Hearts, Nathaniel Atkinson and I spoke more regularly a bit more before I came with Aziz Behic [ex Dundee United].” Rawlins said.
“He said it is a club that loves football and the city loves Dundee United and if you can play for the badge and put on good performances week in week out then you are going to enjoy your time there.”
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