Source: Team_Talk
Gomis must learn, says Levein
United maintained their pursuit of the Old Firm with a 3-2 victory at Tannadice but were left hanging on for the final half-hour after Gomis was red carded for lashing out at Steven Thomson.[LNB]United were 2-0 ahead at the time and cruising to victory through Damian Casalinuovo's seventh goal of the season and Craig Conway's first.[LNB]But the Buddies set up a grandstand finish when they pulled one back from the free-kick Gomis conceded, Chris Innes' header appearing to deflect in off Darren Dods.[LNB]Jennison Myrie-Williams' first United goal looked to have made the game safe but Saints' substitute Stephen O'Donnell ensured the result was in doubt until the final whistle.[LNB]"I'm not complaining about the sending off because Morgaro said he did retaliate," said Tannadice boss Levein after a game which started as a tame affair but became increasingly bad-tempered.[LNB]"He's a young boy and he needs to learn at some point.[LNB]"He's not somebody who, if you look through his record, gets sent off.[LNB]"He's tenacious and he's a good football player and he got caught today.[LNB]"There's a chance that in future that it'll happen to him again. Somebody will try to noise him up.[LNB]"The big thing is to be able to rise above it; he didn't today and he'll learn from it."[LNB]The incident that led to the sending off was missed by most of those in the stadium, including Levein.[LNB]But he said Gomis claims he had retaliated to an elbow in the face from Thomson.[LNB]The red card was a third in two games and sixth in the league this season for United.[LNB]Levein said: "I'm not going to debate today's one but if you want to go back and talk about the other ones, I'd be quite happy to argue that we were very unfortunate.[LNB]"I don't feel anybody who watches us would say we're a team of dirty players.[LNB]"Our disciplinary record since I've been here has never once approached a warning or anything like that from the SFA.[LNB]"I'm not really worried about it just now."[LNB]Levein admitted the sending-off changed a game in which he continued his adventurous policy of fielding two wingers and two strikers.[LNB]Describing the tactic as an "educated gamble" that would backfire in some games, he insisted the club's current eight-match unbeaten run in the league justified him sticking with it.[LNB]He added: "Just when we're going really, really well, the last thing I want to do is give a wee tug on the reins."[LNB]One of those attacking players is Myrie-Williams and Levein praised the winger for his performance, saying: "We've got somebody here who's actually an entertainer.[LNB]"Why are we not applauding guys like him? He's fantastic to watch."[LNB]Before United scored, Saints were well on top and had more than one opportunity to take the lead.[LNB]Manager Gus MacPherson said: "I think if we look at it closely, we've been comfortable in the first period of the game and really created some good opportunities.[LNB]"But, with Dundee United's real first effort, they score and again just before half-time with the free-kick, it really puts a false complexion on the first half.[LNB]"But that's football, that's what it's all about.[LNB]"It's making sure that when the chances come along, you take them.[LNB]"When you're as comfortable as that, especially away from home at Tannadice, you've just got to make you you keep the back door shut, and we've not done that and have been punished for it."[LNB]Like Levein, MacPherson did not see the Gomis incident but said Thomson claims to have been struck on the back of the head.[LNB][LNB][LNB]
