United must embrace favourites tag at Livingston - Goodwin

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin admits having "been underdogs in a lot of people's eyes" in their past four games, they will have to be embrace the mentality of being viewed as favourites going into to Tuesday's trip to Livingston.

A 1-1 draw at Aberdeen on Saturday saw eighth-placed United extend their unbeaten run to four games.

That sequence includes draws with Motherwell and Hibernian, as well as a win over Celtic.

Goodwin has previously admitted his side have sometimes struggled in games they are perhaps expected to win, something he hopes is not the case against a Livingston side who currently bottom.

"I think arguably in the previous four games we have had in the past couple of weeks, we might have been underdogs in a lot of people's eyes," Goodwin said.

"With the greatest of respect to Livingston, I think looking at the game on Tuesday night, given our position in the table and theirs, people might view it as we are favourites.

"But I think this league has shown this season how competitive it is and the fact there are no easy games."

"We drew the game (against Livingston) at Tannadice last time out, albeit we caused our own problems with the Livingston goal, but it is going to be a tough fixture, there are no straightforward games in this league."

Despite the encouraging signs of late, United know they have to improve on a record which has seen them win just two of their past 14 games.

"Defensively we have certainly been a lot better in the past half-a-dozen games or so," Goodwin added.

"We have spent a lot of time on the training pitch working on those areas and I think it has certainly shown in the performances.

"A bit more resilience, a bit more consistency in the shape out of possession, denying the opposition space."