DUFC News

So that's the first full working week of the year almost over and feck me it's felt long.

There's no rest for the wicked though and the Tangerine Terrors of Tannadice have been working hard on the transfer front with comings and goings. There's also been a new murmuring about a merger....

Let's start with on the park news. Following Craig Currans Saturday evening move across the road to Dundee, and the introduction of Nesbitt to our attacking options as a (better) replacement, United still had a couple of problem positions to fill. Our inability to score from midfield has been an issue, while we've lacked a bit of dig and tenacity in the middle of the park.

Neilson has looked to two former players to fill those gaps.

Confirmed last night was the return of Cammy Smith. The number 10 was in double figures for St Mirren last season and his release has upset many of the Buddies faithful. He was of course at United on loan from Aberdeen before Ray McKinnon mysteriously stopped playing him and then let him go. Cammy is fondly remembered for a terrific hat-trick against Partick in a league cup game during his first spell.

The second signing, not yet confirmed, is that of silver-kisser Morgaro Gomis. This one is a little bit more of a risk as we don't know how fit he is or if he can find form again, but if he's the player he was in his first spell then he'll be a terrific signing. He's also a fan favourite.

We also have apparently made a move for Liam Smith to add to our collection of Smith's, but this was rejected. Smith is a right back for Ayr. Right back is another of our problem areas so hopefully we find someone for that position.

Now off the park.

Firstly let's deal with the factual things. We've appointed Malachy Brannigan as Managing Director and Tony Ashgar as the first Sporting Director. Brannigan previously held a similar role with Derby and Forest while Ashgar brokered the deal to give the Americans control of the club. These seem, on the surface, good appointments but it also leaves doubts on the position of David Southern, our general manager. I suspect he'll be moved on due to restructuring.

This has been overshadowed last night and this morning by the prospect of a merger once more. The Tele and the national papers have picked up on it for two reasons - one, the yanks at Dens are looking to take full control of the club (taking shares away from the fans) with a view to possibly selling the club, and two, we're both owned by Americans so of course they probably know each other and are conspiring to merge the clubs. Because that's what yanks do. Maybe.

Pinch of salt stuff with the merger and we've heard it a million times before. The reality is that the fans would be dead against it and I find it difficult to imagine this happening, so it seems like clickbait more than anything else. As ever, we'll see what happens.

Big game tomorrow against the Pars who have replaced Allan Johnston with Stevie Crawford. I note that a certain J.McNamara jnr is now involved with Dunfermline, which sadly condemns them to relegation and financial obscurity, while meaning that they'll probably sign a clutch of players that Sackie looks after, lining his own pockets. I used to like the Pars as well.

Mon the Terrors