Jim Goodwin sees Sam Dalby prophecy come true as Dundee United hitman scoops Premiership gong

Jim Goodwin is delighted Sam Dalby has netted November’s Premiership Player of the Month award.

It backed his prediction that he would be a major success in Scotland and that was part of his pitch when he fought to get him up on-loan from Wrexham. Dalby has five goals in seven games and his strike rate of three in four games last month has seen him named as the top-flight’s top player.

Goodwin said: “We’re all really pleased for Sam and great recognition for the performances that he's put in in the last month. You need your strikers to be scoring goals, that's why we brought Sam to the club. We had communication with Wrexham months and months ago, even going into the summer window, about trying to bring him up the road. I think he's got all the attributes to be really successful in Scotland and I tried to explain that to him in the meetings that I had with him and his representatives.

“I think he's suited to Scottish football. I think he's a player that's still got so much scope for development and for improvement as well. He's scored some great goals for us, he's led the line brilliantly, a real handful for opposition defenders. I am delighted that he's got that award to top off what's been a really good month for him and the team.”

Dalby is the first Dundee United player to win a monthly Premiership award since Ian Harkes back in September 2021. United boss Goodwin has already spoken of his desire to try and sign Dalby on a permanent basis this summer, when his contract expires. As it stands, the loan is working well for United, Dalby and Wrexham.

Goodwin added: “Phil Parkinson at Wrexham really admires Sam and the conversations that we've had with him, he thinks a lot of him.

"I think that's why he was so keen