Aziz Behich revealed Jim Goodwin has taken Dundee United back to basics in his bid to retain their cinch Premiership status.

The Irishman began his tenure as Tannadice boss with a 3-1 home defeat to his former club Aberdeen on Saturday evening, despite an encouraging performance.

With 11 fixtures remaining, United remain bottom of the table, four points behind Kilmarnock and Ross County, having played a game fewer.

Ahead of the trip to Livingston on Wednesday night, the 32-year-old Australia international told DUTV about Goodwin’s early instructions.

He said: “The gaffer has come in and emphasised on going back to the basics.

“This season we have conceded too many goals against opponents who we shouldn’t have conceded goals to and just little errors.

“When he came in, it was about making sure we went back to the basics – clean sheets, staying compact and making it hard for opponents to get near our goal.

“I think we did that the majority of the Aberdeen game, especially in the first half, and the more we have time to work on what the gaffer wants to do the stronger this group will get.

“If we keep the same energy and performance and build on that, I think we are going to pick up a lot of points in these coming weeks.”

Dundee United won 2-1 at the Tony Macaroni Arena last August but go into the game on the back of seven straight defeats in all competitions.

Livi are also on a poor run of form with four straight defeats, and Behich expects another tussle for points.

He said: “We have played there and we got a good result. It is going to be a battle, it is a tough game, they are a good side, a strong side, and they are at home.

“We’ve got to match that fight from the first minute like we did against Aberdeen and when we have time on the ball we will play our football.

“We will study them and study where we think we can hurt them and we will get the instructions off the coaching staff and do our best to implement that.

“But every game is going to be a tough game from now on. Livi is not an easy place to go but I think we have enough experience in the team to get the job done.”