Let's get the negatives out of the way first shall we? United have once again dropped points in the title race (assuming we're in the race) and we need to start winning our home games, particularly against those teams who are around us at the top. And it was very much two points dropped on Saturday.
So that's the negatives done. Now on to the positives - and there are a lot more positives than negatives to take away from Saturday's game.
It was just so much better on every front. We looked like a team, and an organised one at that! We had a shape, a game plan! We tried actually passing the ball! And we did it well for most of the game!
And here's the big thing - I actually enjoyed the game. That's the first time I've been able to say that for quite some time.
Look, the result wasn't what we wanted but we were much more competitive and we looked like a team who are capable of winning these kind of games and I felt we deserved to win it. You can already see the improvement and with more work being done on the training field, and with Neilson learning about his players, I can see the improvement continuing.
Going into individual performances, I thought two really stood out for me. The first, and best, was Pavel Safranko up front. What an absolute dreamboat he is and I'm developing quite a significant mancrush on him. He is a far better player than this level and his performance on Saturday was fantastic and exactly what you want from a striker. He gave the Caley centre halves a nightmare of a game (so much so that former United 'favourite' Coll Donaldson received his first of two yellow cards for a wild hack at him) and he capped it with a fine goal. He never stops moving, constantly trying to find space and making runs and his defensive workrate sets the tone.
The second performance that really impressed me was Bouhenna at the back. The big Algerian had a terrific game at the back and he does look a real find. I think he has the potential to have a good performance with Frans, who wasn't bad himself.
To be honest there were a lot of good performances. The keeper seems an upgrade on the other one and it looks like it was a good change to swap them over. Fyvie is a classy player and Stanton is a good player, although I'm not sure he had his best performance. But the wingers have a lot to offer and I thought Aird looked much more like a player than he has previously, and he got another assist. King is always a bit up and down but hopefully he can keep a high level of performance.
McMullan was an interesting one for me. He was playing in behind Safranko and got into so many good positions only for his final ball to let him down. I'd persevere with him because if he keeps getting in those positions then he'll hurt teams.
One final point, and it's a big one. The reaction from the fans from the very start was excellent and it's a massive turnaround from the lacklustre support of the last couple of years. We were behind the team from the kick off and were vocally supportive. I thought we went a little flat after the equaliser - and it shows to me that both the team and the support needs to find a little more confidence after any set backs, but that will come with good results.
Much more positive though, despite not getting the three points.
Mon the Terrors
DUFC 1 ICTFC 1
posted on 22/10/18
comment by Call Sign: Until Valhalla (U3627)
posted 57 seconds ago
Cheers for that report
I stopped reading after paragraph 2. I got the gist of it - you went to a game and supported your team blah blah
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The rest of the paragraphs were much better to be honest.
posted on 22/10/18
It's new manager syndrome. It always happens. A coach goes in and immediately galvanises the team and they get results straight away. I've never seen a manager go in and continue with the poor results, or make it even worse. Just doesn't seem to happen.
posted on 22/10/18
comment by Dominic Shimmin (U1734)
posted 12 seconds ago
It's new manager syndrome. It always happens. A coach goes in and immediately galvanises the team and they get results straight away. I've never seen a manager go in and continue with the poor results, or make it even worse. Just doesn't seem to happen.
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I remember when we were criticised quite significantly by Dundee fans after our 4-3 loss in the play-off. Obviously if Dundee win 5-0 in the next game this will mean that we can't criticise Dundee for their hammering on Saturday, so I'll keep my powder dry until after that game.
posted on 22/10/18
comment by IvanGolacIsMagic #CsabaOut (U5291)
posted 16 minutes ago
comment by Call Sign: Until Valhalla (U3627)
posted 57 seconds ago
Cheers for that report
I stopped reading after paragraph 2. I got the gist of it - you went to a game and supported your team blah blah
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The rest of the paragraphs were much better to be honest.
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I thought the 14th one was the pick of the bunch.
posted on 22/10/18
Play offs for you mate....but every chance in that lottery
posted on 22/10/18
comment by 7returns (U12006)
posted 2 minutes ago
Play offs for you mate....but every chance in that lottery
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I think so mate. I can't see anything other than Ross County winning the league, and if it's tight in January then Uncle Roy will throw some money at it. We've given ourselves too much to do to give them a close run I think.
You never know though.
posted on 22/10/18
comment by IvanGolacIsMagic #CsabaOut (U5291)
posted 18 minutes ago
comment by Dominic Shimmin (U1734)
posted 12 seconds ago
It's new manager syndrome. It always happens. A coach goes in and immediately galvanises the team and they get results straight away. I've never seen a manager go in and continue with the poor results, or make it even worse. Just doesn't seem to happen.
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I remember when we were criticised quite significantly by Dundee fans after our 4-3 loss in the play-off. Obviously if Dundee win 5-0 in the next game this will mean that we can't criticise Dundee for their hammering on Saturday, so I'll keep my powder dry until after that game.
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The goals were hilarious. Just the same thing over and over. They didn't have to do much other than that as any set piece was a guaranteed goal.
We will surely finish above St Mirren but we will be playing you in the play off final, guaranteed.
posted on 22/10/18
I should have also sent out a congratulations to the United women's team who sealed the SWFL1 North title by beating Cove Rangers 6-2 on the final day of the season. Well done ladies. I think that puts them up to the second tier of their league structure.
posted on 22/10/18
I thought it was a fairly encouraging performance. The first half was a bit lukewarm but we were on top for most of the game.
Very unlucky not to get all 3 points. The fitness levels are building, with the team starting to play like a unit that has a plan. I'm not sure that we can't kick on on overtake the rest. We have a large squad, with a few good option for a change of pace and direction
We'll have a better idea over the next few weeks when injuries and suspensions come into play.
Hopeful and more excited about the coming games as I have been for a while. Mon the Arabs 👍
posted on 22/10/18
You know things are looking better when some of the old boys pop up.
Hopefully the optimism lasts at least a few weeks. Didn't with Laszlow...