United's impressive away form continued with a fine 2-1 victory in Dingwall to give the Terrors seven points out of a possible twelve on our return to the Scottish Premiership.
And I'm absolutely delighted.
A few things really stood out for me from this match, and they all centre on the manager. Firstly he's very willing to change his system and it seems that we are happy to play three at the back at home but change to four in our away games. It'll be interesting to see, with six out of six from our away performances, if Mellon will be continuing that policy.
The second point is his willingness to select youth rather than shoe-horn more experienced players in to the team when we have injuries. And we really do have injuries at the moment, with Shankland continuing to miss out, McMullan having not kicked a ball, Liam Smith out and Robson out after his head knock. He played Chalmers in a wide position, he gave Freeman his full debut and he even played Sporle at left back! There's no doubt under the previous manager we'd have seen Reynolds at left back and various other changes to give us experience. But instead he played four players overall from our academy and that's the kind of selections that I want to see.
The third point is again about what he says and how he says it. Managers can give platitudes and like to play to the fans, especially new managers who curry favour. The difference with Mellon is how genuine he is with what he says.
"We are Dundee United. I want everyone to acknowledge that. I see us a club who should be coming here, to these places, and representing the club properly. And coming up here and expecting to perform well. Because that's the size of the football club and that's how highly I hold it."
That's the kind of words you want to hear as a fan. A man who understands the club, who understands the expectation and doesn't shy away from it. Compare and contrast that to a few years ago, when the likes of Paul Quinn was moaning in the papers about the fans expectations in the Championship, and saying that the past achievements of the club were holding the current players back.
Micky Mellon in his short time at the club has given us pride in our club and you can't underestimate that. He's inspiring the fans and he must be inspiring the players, and they're rewarding him with solid, hard-working performances that are turning out results.
I'm not going to get carried away - it's early days and we've got tough fixtures coming up, particularly next weekend away to Celtic - but things are looking promising. If he can just get Harkes to get shots on target from the edge of the box and help Bolton find the net then we'll be looking very good.
Mon the Terrors
RCFC 1 DUFC 2
posted on 17/8/20
comment by Ghod#18 (U9390)
posted 10 minutes ago
December 92 was the last time United won at Parkhead. Could a manager with the drive and determination as Mellon break the hoodoo? Quite possibly. #
game on Saturdays at Tannadice bud
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Was just thinking the same
posted on 17/8/20
comment by Irishred (U2539)
posted 35 minutes ago
As the OF falter and even get games postponed it's the mighty Arabs who look most likely to gate-crash the title party
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OF inability to best the like of Livi away will also impact Arabs, especially on a plastic pitch.
But, I would take Utd rather a Celtic ten in a row.
posted on 17/8/20
comment by Gingernuts (U2992)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Ghod#18 (U9390)
posted 10 minutes ago
December 92 was the last time United won at Parkhead. Could a manager with the drive and determination as Mellon break the hoodoo? Quite possibly. #
game on Saturdays at Tannadice bud
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Was just thinking the same
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It would be good to see Tangerine Dream machine back competing.
posted on 17/8/20
I think it is quite clear now that the title race is between United and Hibs. Rangers and Celtic look like mid table teams at best. It will be an interesting scrap between them for top 6 though and it is in Sky's interest that they both make the top 6 so there are 4 OF games a season. I am sure there will be some "interesting" refereeing decisions towards the end of the season if it looks like one of them is not going to make the top 6. Unprecedented times for Scottish football.
posted on 17/8/20
comment by Benjamin Kallman (U1734)
posted 17 minutes ago
I think it is quite clear now that the title race is between United and Hibs. Rangers and Celtic look like mid table teams at best. It will be an interesting scrap between them for top 6 though and it is in Sky's interest that they both make the top 6 so there are 4 OF games a season. I am sure there will be some "interesting" refereeing decisions towards the end of the season if it looks like one of them is not going to make the top 6. Unprecedented times for Scottish football.
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I fancy hearts to do it, benny......And do you miss Crossroads?
If Rangers are top now, does that kinda mean we have won it?
posted on 17/8/20
Real pity this weekends game has no fans.
We could have had a good few beers beforehand
posted on 17/8/20
comment by NNH (U10730)
posted 11 minutes ago
Real pity this weekends game has no fans.
We could have had a good few beers beforehand
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You could still go to Dundee and watch in a pub. Although I don't think Ivan is allowed in Dundee at the moment.
posted on 17/8/20
comment by Benjamin Kallman (U1734)
posted 47 minutes ago
comment by NNH (U10730)
posted 11 minutes ago
Real pity this weekends game has no fans.
We could have had a good few beers beforehand
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You could still go to Dundee and watch in a pub. Although I don't think Ivan is allowed in Dundee at the moment.
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Sadly I'm not allowed to travel
posted on 17/8/20
comment by IvanGolacIsMagic (U5291)
posted 50 minutes ago
comment by Benjamin Kallman (U1734)
posted 47 minutes ago
comment by NNH (U10730)
posted 11 minutes ago
Real pity this weekends game has no fans.
We could have had a good few beers beforehand
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You could still go to Dundee and watch in a pub. Although I don't think Ivan is allowed in Dundee at the moment.
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Sadly I'm not allowed to travel
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You never travel far from our hearts and minds anyway Ivan
posted on 17/8/20
7 points from 4 games.
In our last Premiership season, it took 13 games to get to 7 points. Things are going slightly better this time.
Although ominously our two wins in that season were also against Motherwell and Ross County...