Goodwin on underdog status, top-six fight & 'remarkable' Motherwell

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media before his side's Premiership trip to play Motherwell on Saturday.

Here are the main points:

• Goodwin admits "we will probably be underdogs in a lot of people's eyes" against a Motherwell side who have had a "remarkable" season, but United "believe we are capable of beating any opposition on any given day".
• Goodwin says his defenders can take confidence from the midweek 0-0 draw with Aberdeen, which was just their fourth clean sheet in the league this season.
• He added that "concentration levels are going to be key" against a very good attacking team and a striker, Tawanda Maswanhise, who is "having the season of his career".
• United are seventh in the table, nine points behind Falkirk in sixth, but Goodwin insists "we certainly won't give up the fight" of getting into the top half, adding "we have just got to keep believing".
• Amid what has been an ultra-competitive top division this term, Goodwin believes "'it has been a tough tough league for everybody" and he doesn't believe "there is a team at the top of the table that looks forward to playing any of the fixtures at this moment in time".
• Immersed in a hectic schedule Goodwin admits "there is a bit of fatigue and a few bumps and bruises within the squad".
• And with three games in a week coming up the United boss stresses "we have a few decisions to make tomorrow with regards to the starting 11".
• Goodwin was again asked about the condition of the much-maligned Tannadice pitch and is disappointed it "has become this talking point".
• He adds no blame is being pointed at anyone and stresses it is not down to a lack of investment in the pitch but due to things outwith United's control - namely the horrendous weather combined with a busy schedule of fixtures.