GARY MACKAY STEVEN

arabest

It does sound a bit like you're on here to say I told you so.

However you're very right to do so. He's been a cracking find and is on a very good run of form. Very happy with him.

What you've got to remember though is that part of the reason people weren't happy with Houston is that the likes of Gary weren't getting playing time. It's only been in the last month or so that the manager has started giving him a run in the team and it's no surprise that, with him and Armstrong seeing more game time, we're starting to get results as these are the players that everyone could plainly see SHOULD be playing.

Have I changed my mind on Houston? Not entirely no, although recent results have improved his position in my mind. I'm still concerned about the direction of the club. I would still like to see more attacking football (or certainly playing with more attacking intent). But it does appear that Houston has listened to what the supporters have been telling him so credit to him for that.

The rumours are that Scott Robertson and Paul Dixon are off to England. Robertson will be offset by the Irish lad coming in, but if Dicker does go it will be a massive blow to the club. Again last night it was a Dixon cross to Jon Daly for the first equaliser and he plays such an important role for us it will be a major blow if he goes.

arabest, I genuinely remember you making that point on the old 606 and the subsequent response that you got.

GMS has been a fantastic signing and precisely the type of player that the fans want to see. When Swanson is fit (if that ever happens) I would like to see both start and have us operating with two wingers once again. Richie Ryan will have to prove himself and Armstrong can move into the middle to fill Robertsons position (thank god he is going).

As Ivan says I have not completely altered my opinion on Houston, although I am happier with the side now than I was in October. It seems he has listened to the supporters in going back to 4-4-2, I just don't understand why it took him so long to recognise that 4-5-1 was a disaster. I also like the fact that he has dropped Kenneth and this has all coincided with an upturn in form and results. He still has a distance to go however and I said that this season would be the one on which he would be ultimately judged. This is now his team and we are yet to see if it will reach the levels that it should. We have a good enough squad to make the top 4, how the manager uses the players will dictate whether this happens.

For the record I would be happy with top 6 this season, anything else has to be considered a failure on the part of the manager.

I think GMS has been the difference in United getting better results. He has great pace and trickery thus allowing Dixon to bomb forward in the space that has been created. If he played against Falkirk in the cup instead of Douglas we might still be in that competition.

I think Houston has found out that he will get on fine if he listens to the supporters. He truely merited that pressure in late October as he brought it on himself trying to be to clever.

Signing wise he is doing a far better job. GMS, Neilson & Gunning are far better than Mihadjuks or TVDM. As long as he continually gets players that are from the lower leagues who show hunger and desire. However as long as he keeps refreshing the player pool and drops players quicker when they deserve it, I'm happy.

I don't post on here alot but I am a constant viewer. Without trying to blow my own trumpet I always believed we should sign him after his release from Liverpool. (I think we should take more opportunities like this players who have been released from big English clubs and looking for a team)

I also played against Alex Cooper and GMS...great players who stood out well above the crowd! Alex Cooper would surely be worth a punt. I believe he is a LB or LM so a useful player. Off topic, played against James McCarthy. Ran the show and will definitely be at a top club. Refused a trial at Barca at 15 cause he would miss his mates, same with Snodgrass. (Or so I am led to believe) Houston has to play 4-4-2 though, although I think everyone agrees! x

Like some other posters I can't make up my mind about Houston.
There's clearly a determination about the team not to lose as coming back in the last four games suggest.
But I still can't help thinking that they're getting results despite Houston and not because of him.
But to be fair to him, replacing the four players he lost was never going to be easy.

I cannot believe people are still doubting Houston. A few months ago many on here were calling for his head, but I certainly wasn't. He is working on one of the tightest budgets United have imposed on a manager in many a year. He lost 4 of his best players and afetr a wee blip, the team has come bouncing back. Okay, they will not win the league, lol, but they may just manage to sneak a European spot...may!
I think he has done a fantastic job in very dificult circumstances and the sooner the fans realise that, the better!

what annoys the fans about houstan has been his negative tactics and stubborn refusal to start games more positivly. How many times this season do we have to go behind and then houstan is forced to change his tactics. Just wish he would be more positive from the start and start taking games by the scruff of the neck as i def think we are capable

GMS has been voted Arabtrust player of the month for the second month in a row. well deserved for the lad! Let's hope we can get a couple more goals in the second half to build on our lead.