This is my face right now -
Absolutely furious about this and agree with all the points you make Ivan
His inability to anticipate instead of reacting is infuriating and highlights his poor management skills. He never accepts responsibility for a defeat or admits he may have made any bad decisions.
As Ivan said we NEEDED that semi and going out is a disaster for the club in many ways. I will drag myself to Fife on Saturday, although I have now totally lost faith in Houston, He is not able to motivate the players and there is nothing that can change that apart from a change of manager.
Just knew that Flood was going to miss.
It's been the same story from the start of last season. Just back then, we had the best striker in Scotland to bail us out numerous times. Now that we don't, Houston's flaws are far more prominent.
Surely no-one can defend him now. Going up in a cup tie at home against 1st Division Falkirk with no attacking wide players at all. Honestly, it just boggles the mind.
If we're not careful we'll end up like Aberdeen a couple of years ago - A squad full of "young" players with 5,6,7 years of experience in the SPL whom nobody else wants and with nothing much to play for.
Listening on the radio last night - it sounded like we missed loads of chances and should've had the game well wrapped up in normal time.
Now I think we are going to struggle further as it sounds like Kenneth played on through a groin strain and he will no doubt be out for Saturday.
Taken in isolation, last night could be seen as a freak result. But we can't - and shouldn't - treat last night's game as an isolated event, becuase it is the same old story - we are just not good enough.
Most people are pointing the finger at Houstie, and there is no doubt that he has been at fault with his negative team selections (1-up-top) and persistantly finding a place in the starting 11 for Scott Robertson (who would struggle to get into a 1st Div side IMO) and blowing a fair bit of his budget on Willo (not worth it) and GMS (doesn't get played, so what was the point?).
But ST and his board are also at fault - poor decision making and extremely poor financial management of the club. This is the problem with having a chairman who has acheived his position purely through being a 'son of'. A chairman who has never had to prove himself 'cause mummy & daddy always made sure that he went to the right school and got a decent job is not what we need at Dundee United. The club should be controlled by the fans with our chairman elected and acting and voting as instructed by the supporters.
Before anyone jumps to ST's defence and points out that the Thomson family have pumped thousands into United, please bear in mind that the reason they had to do this was because they made some horrendous decisions that cost the club, themselves (and us) a lot of money. This does not give them the right to continue making an erse of things.
It does not matter who owns however many shares, the club is the fans, and without the fans Dundee United would not exist - simples.
We have a right to make demands and be listened to, but ST and his board continue to ignore us - anyone remember the 'administration derby'???
This can only end in one way. As loyal United fans we need to keep as much of our powder (£s) dry for the days of rekoning that will surely come sooner rather than later. Don't feel obliged to pump money into the black hole of debt that our board have allowed to develop. We will need every penny we can muster when our current board slope out with their own personal fortunes intact and the club facing extinction.
Actually, I would like to see an independent supporters group put together a fighting fund that can be used to save our club when the day of rekoning happens. It pays to be pro-active. Unlike our neighbours, we cannot rely on DC Thomson and the Dundee business establishment to abandon their ultra-conservative principles to help save United - they would gladly dance on our grave.
At the end of the day it will be down to us - and maybe that is the way is should always be.
Its getting to the stage of fan protests outside the ground...
The worst thing for me is that is not even close to being our stongest team, it is just what Houston thinks is the strongest team. There are at least 4 of last nights team shouldn't be close to a start at the moment.
Also, why is Russel not getting a game up front? Houston continually plays him in midfield and then comes out with this crap about him being below par this season - He isn't - he will score if you play him up front...
I keep asking myself about the players he's signed.
Can anyone name a success?
Lithuanian defender - disaster
Van Der Meulen - disaster
GMS - doesn't get a game
Gunning - average at best, terrible partnership with Kenneth
Flood - been mostly poor (on big money)
Rankin - average at best
Keanu Marsh Brown - disaster
LDV - average at best
That's almost two years he's been manager now and not one signing who you would say "yeah, that was a good signing".
At a time when everyone in the game is looking to play football, he replaces our footballers with mediocre runners. We're not just going backwards, we're going backwards while everyone else is moving forwards.
I hope he realised that the boos at the end of the game last night weren't for the team - they were for him.
Last night wasn't just a bad night. It was a culmination of what he's being doing over the last 18 months.
Houston Out.
Ivan
He hasn't brought one player to the club who could be called a success. Despite this has anyone ever heard him admit that he has ever made a bad choice about anything? That was what really used to get me about Mccall, never his fault. Last night he blamed their equaliser on the referee.
We've had enough Houston and it's time to go.
Houston out.
Pretty much agree with everything said above. A big pay day (maybe 2 depending on a favourable draw) missed out on. Other than the financial implications, it's probably a good thing we never got to the semi-final. I could see Houston using it as another defence when asked what's going wrong at United..... "We've had a few unlucky results but we've made it to the semi-final".
Houston Out.
Hobo = Nostradamus. Predicted this ages ago despite everyone saying he was nuts!
Ivan - I'm hardly a Houstie apologist, but that's a bit harsh on Rankin and Gunning. Rankin has been easily our best midfielder this season (ok, not saying much) and looks a really clever footballer, a bit Gomis-esque with his movement off the ball. Gunning has looked solid at times but when you're alongside the undroppable Kenneth, you're always going to be dragged down. Think he'll come good.
Flood and Mackay-Steven would also probably have been good signings if he, you know, played the defensive midfielder in defensive midfield and the winger out wide, rather than the defensive midfielder out wide and the winger in the stands.
Dalla Valle also looks a decent signing, not great but he'll do.
Your second last line is spot on, this has been brewing for ages. Anyone that constantly played Gomis as a right midfielder just isn't cut out to be a manager.
A signing can only be a good one if they are played in the correct position and perform to a high level consistently. None of the new guys have done this as yet. However the fact that Flood has been playing wide when he is better in the middle and that GMS has not had a proper chance when we have no wingers is Houstons fault. The GMS thing is baffling, why sign him and then not use him?
I will always be there to support the club, but am finding this harder and harder. If we lose on Saturday ST must act, I want this done now but can't see it happening.
Houston out.
Although I've been surprised at Rankin, I still wouldn't go overboard with praise. He's worked hard and had a few good games but no more. Last night was a game he should have took by the scruff of the neck but he didn't.
Gunning has to be taken in the context of the defensive partnership and for me is therefore a poor signing.
LDV for me is decent but is blocking the path of Russell. He also is a strange player for me in that I can't see what type of player he is. He's not blessed with great pace, he's not great in the air and rarely drops off I'm not sure what I make of him yet.
Don't think Rankin's the sort to take the game by the scruff of the neck - that's the problem, none of our midfielders are. Flood, Rankin and Robertson are all far too similar to play with each other effectively, and Douglas... well I'll be kind and just say he's a left-back.
That's what I don't understand, why do we not play with any attacking midfielders? We need at the very least one, and ideally 2. The strikers have no support otherwise, it's just so bloody basic it really annoys me that Houston doesn't realise it. Quite frankly it depresses me that he's in such a high-paid job if he really is that stupid that he can't see you need support from midfield. Why can't I have a high-paid job despite being totally incompetent?
Dalla Valle has looked good, but you're right, he's just holding back Russell at the moment, which is just daft. He should be there as an option, or (shock horror!) there in place of Daly who is clearly still unfit.
Yeez huv a team yer attendances deserve
Sorry TCD, you'll have to translate that last comment.....
I thought garethplanet would have been on here for a RANT.
Yeez huv a team yer attendances deserve
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
And you have the life you deserve
Did you have to get someone else to type that for you?
Yeez huv a team yer attendances deserve
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Come on guys... that is brilliant! these smackheeds brighten up my day. The boy was obviously abusedasaweeboy by Father O'donoghue...
Yeez huv a team yer attendances deserve
___________________________________
TCD, you have a team that fickle fans like you deserve.
It'll be just like the Mowbray era attendances again if you get pumped out the cup from the Hibs tonight.
Faful fru an fru? Aye, right.
Yeez huv a team yer attendances deserve
.......................................................................
so diz yeez
To be fair TCD has a point. ST is taking a bit of stick from certain sections of United fans for not putting more money into the club. Why would he do that when around 4000 turn up for a quarter final.
For all those who want PH sacked were are we going to get the money to pay him off. Even if we did have that money I would rather spend it on Scott Allan.
Rankin has been Utds best player this season.
Gunning is a decent defender and has certainly added a but more quality to the squad.
VDM. He was a donkey but is now with Bayern Munich!!!
Flood was a lazy signing by PH. Judging him on his previous spell at Utd rather than what he did when he left.
LDV is not really a gamble. If he plays 25mins a game Utd dont have to pay a penny for him. It is only if he doesnt play then we have to pay his wages.
If anyone was at the game last night Utd played well and certainly deserved to win easily. It was hardly rout 1 as we played it down the left most of the game firing in some decent crosses. Unfortunately it wasnt the strikers day. On another day we may have scored 5 or 6.
I am not a Houstan fan but I dont see the point in spending money to pay him off then having no idea who to replace him with. I certainly would not be happy with Jeffries, McGhee, Calderwood etc.
United will not get relegated and will do enough to finish mid table. After losing so many players maybe we have to accept that this season and maybe next!
As always a fair and well-put article underlying all the important points, and offering a reasoned and articulate analysis of the current situation, Ivan.
I agree with everything you have said here, and I'm sure I'm not alone.
Also RE the attendances, these have been declining recently and unfortunately I really don't know what we can do about it. We must get a kids go free day on the go, although I'm not sure whether that would make money or simply lose it due to semi-regulars who go with their kids anyway and as such spend less money.
It's going to be a long, hard season.
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posted on 25/10/11
This is my face right now -
posted on 25/10/11
Absolutely furious about this and agree with all the points you make Ivan
His inability to anticipate instead of reacting is infuriating and highlights his poor management skills. He never accepts responsibility for a defeat or admits he may have made any bad decisions.
As Ivan said we NEEDED that semi and going out is a disaster for the club in many ways. I will drag myself to Fife on Saturday, although I have now totally lost faith in Houston, He is not able to motivate the players and there is nothing that can change that apart from a change of manager.
Just knew that Flood was going to miss.
posted on 25/10/11
It's been the same story from the start of last season. Just back then, we had the best striker in Scotland to bail us out numerous times. Now that we don't, Houston's flaws are far more prominent.
Surely no-one can defend him now. Going up in a cup tie at home against 1st Division Falkirk with no attacking wide players at all. Honestly, it just boggles the mind.
posted on 26/10/11
If we're not careful we'll end up like Aberdeen a couple of years ago - A squad full of "young" players with 5,6,7 years of experience in the SPL whom nobody else wants and with nothing much to play for.
posted on 26/10/11
Listening on the radio last night - it sounded like we missed loads of chances and should've had the game well wrapped up in normal time.
Now I think we are going to struggle further as it sounds like Kenneth played on through a groin strain and he will no doubt be out for Saturday.
Taken in isolation, last night could be seen as a freak result. But we can't - and shouldn't - treat last night's game as an isolated event, becuase it is the same old story - we are just not good enough.
Most people are pointing the finger at Houstie, and there is no doubt that he has been at fault with his negative team selections (1-up-top) and persistantly finding a place in the starting 11 for Scott Robertson (who would struggle to get into a 1st Div side IMO) and blowing a fair bit of his budget on Willo (not worth it) and GMS (doesn't get played, so what was the point?).
But ST and his board are also at fault - poor decision making and extremely poor financial management of the club. This is the problem with having a chairman who has acheived his position purely through being a 'son of'. A chairman who has never had to prove himself 'cause mummy & daddy always made sure that he went to the right school and got a decent job is not what we need at Dundee United. The club should be controlled by the fans with our chairman elected and acting and voting as instructed by the supporters.
Before anyone jumps to ST's defence and points out that the Thomson family have pumped thousands into United, please bear in mind that the reason they had to do this was because they made some horrendous decisions that cost the club, themselves (and us) a lot of money. This does not give them the right to continue making an erse of things.
It does not matter who owns however many shares, the club is the fans, and without the fans Dundee United would not exist - simples.
We have a right to make demands and be listened to, but ST and his board continue to ignore us - anyone remember the 'administration derby'???
This can only end in one way. As loyal United fans we need to keep as much of our powder (£s) dry for the days of rekoning that will surely come sooner rather than later. Don't feel obliged to pump money into the black hole of debt that our board have allowed to develop. We will need every penny we can muster when our current board slope out with their own personal fortunes intact and the club facing extinction.
Actually, I would like to see an independent supporters group put together a fighting fund that can be used to save our club when the day of rekoning happens. It pays to be pro-active. Unlike our neighbours, we cannot rely on DC Thomson and the Dundee business establishment to abandon their ultra-conservative principles to help save United - they would gladly dance on our grave.
At the end of the day it will be down to us - and maybe that is the way is should always be.
posted on 26/10/11
Its getting to the stage of fan protests outside the ground...
The worst thing for me is that is not even close to being our stongest team, it is just what Houston thinks is the strongest team. There are at least 4 of last nights team shouldn't be close to a start at the moment.
Also, why is Russel not getting a game up front? Houston continually plays him in midfield and then comes out with this crap about him being below par this season - He isn't - he will score if you play him up front...
posted on 26/10/11
I keep asking myself about the players he's signed.
Can anyone name a success?
Lithuanian defender - disaster
Van Der Meulen - disaster
GMS - doesn't get a game
Gunning - average at best, terrible partnership with Kenneth
Flood - been mostly poor (on big money)
Rankin - average at best
Keanu Marsh Brown - disaster
LDV - average at best
That's almost two years he's been manager now and not one signing who you would say "yeah, that was a good signing".
At a time when everyone in the game is looking to play football, he replaces our footballers with mediocre runners. We're not just going backwards, we're going backwards while everyone else is moving forwards.
I hope he realised that the boos at the end of the game last night weren't for the team - they were for him.
Last night wasn't just a bad night. It was a culmination of what he's being doing over the last 18 months.
Houston Out.
posted on 26/10/11
Ivan
He hasn't brought one player to the club who could be called a success. Despite this has anyone ever heard him admit that he has ever made a bad choice about anything? That was what really used to get me about Mccall, never his fault. Last night he blamed their equaliser on the referee.
We've had enough Houston and it's time to go.
Houston out.
posted on 26/10/11
Pretty much agree with everything said above. A big pay day (maybe 2 depending on a favourable draw) missed out on. Other than the financial implications, it's probably a good thing we never got to the semi-final. I could see Houston using it as another defence when asked what's going wrong at United..... "We've had a few unlucky results but we've made it to the semi-final".
Houston Out.
Hobo = Nostradamus. Predicted this ages ago despite everyone saying he was nuts!
posted on 26/10/11
Ivan - I'm hardly a Houstie apologist, but that's a bit harsh on Rankin and Gunning. Rankin has been easily our best midfielder this season (ok, not saying much) and looks a really clever footballer, a bit Gomis-esque with his movement off the ball. Gunning has looked solid at times but when you're alongside the undroppable Kenneth, you're always going to be dragged down. Think he'll come good.
Flood and Mackay-Steven would also probably have been good signings if he, you know, played the defensive midfielder in defensive midfield and the winger out wide, rather than the defensive midfielder out wide and the winger in the stands.
Dalla Valle also looks a decent signing, not great but he'll do.
Your second last line is spot on, this has been brewing for ages. Anyone that constantly played Gomis as a right midfielder just isn't cut out to be a manager.
posted on 26/10/11
A signing can only be a good one if they are played in the correct position and perform to a high level consistently. None of the new guys have done this as yet. However the fact that Flood has been playing wide when he is better in the middle and that GMS has not had a proper chance when we have no wingers is Houstons fault. The GMS thing is baffling, why sign him and then not use him?
I will always be there to support the club, but am finding this harder and harder. If we lose on Saturday ST must act, I want this done now but can't see it happening.
Houston out.
posted on 26/10/11
Although I've been surprised at Rankin, I still wouldn't go overboard with praise. He's worked hard and had a few good games but no more. Last night was a game he should have took by the scruff of the neck but he didn't.
Gunning has to be taken in the context of the defensive partnership and for me is therefore a poor signing.
LDV for me is decent but is blocking the path of Russell. He also is a strange player for me in that I can't see what type of player he is. He's not blessed with great pace, he's not great in the air and rarely drops off I'm not sure what I make of him yet.
posted on 26/10/11
Don't think Rankin's the sort to take the game by the scruff of the neck - that's the problem, none of our midfielders are. Flood, Rankin and Robertson are all far too similar to play with each other effectively, and Douglas... well I'll be kind and just say he's a left-back.
That's what I don't understand, why do we not play with any attacking midfielders? We need at the very least one, and ideally 2. The strikers have no support otherwise, it's just so bloody basic it really annoys me that Houston doesn't realise it. Quite frankly it depresses me that he's in such a high-paid job if he really is that stupid that he can't see you need support from midfield. Why can't I have a high-paid job despite being totally incompetent?
Dalla Valle has looked good, but you're right, he's just holding back Russell at the moment, which is just daft. He should be there as an option, or (shock horror!) there in place of Daly who is clearly still unfit.
posted on 26/10/11
Yeez huv a team yer attendances deserve
posted on 26/10/11
Sorry TCD, you'll have to translate that last comment.....
posted on 26/10/11
I thought garethplanet would have been on here for a RANT.
posted on 26/10/11
Yeez huv a team yer attendances deserve
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
And you have the life you deserve
Did you have to get someone else to type that for you?
posted on 26/10/11
Yeez huv a team yer attendances deserve
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Come on guys... that is brilliant! these smackheeds brighten up my day. The boy was obviously abusedasaweeboy by Father O'donoghue...
posted on 26/10/11
Yeez huv a team yer attendances deserve
___________________________________
TCD, you have a team that fickle fans like you deserve.
It'll be just like the Mowbray era attendances again if you get pumped out the cup from the Hibs tonight.
Faful fru an fru? Aye, right.
posted on 26/10/11
Yeez huv a team yer attendances deserve
.......................................................................
so diz yeez
posted on 26/10/11
To be fair TCD has a point. ST is taking a bit of stick from certain sections of United fans for not putting more money into the club. Why would he do that when around 4000 turn up for a quarter final.
For all those who want PH sacked were are we going to get the money to pay him off. Even if we did have that money I would rather spend it on Scott Allan.
Rankin has been Utds best player this season.
Gunning is a decent defender and has certainly added a but more quality to the squad.
VDM. He was a donkey but is now with Bayern Munich!!!
Flood was a lazy signing by PH. Judging him on his previous spell at Utd rather than what he did when he left.
LDV is not really a gamble. If he plays 25mins a game Utd dont have to pay a penny for him. It is only if he doesnt play then we have to pay his wages.
If anyone was at the game last night Utd played well and certainly deserved to win easily. It was hardly rout 1 as we played it down the left most of the game firing in some decent crosses. Unfortunately it wasnt the strikers day. On another day we may have scored 5 or 6.
I am not a Houstan fan but I dont see the point in spending money to pay him off then having no idea who to replace him with. I certainly would not be happy with Jeffries, McGhee, Calderwood etc.
United will not get relegated and will do enough to finish mid table. After losing so many players maybe we have to accept that this season and maybe next!
posted on 28/10/11
As always a fair and well-put article underlying all the important points, and offering a reasoned and articulate analysis of the current situation, Ivan.
I agree with everything you have said here, and I'm sure I'm not alone.
Also RE the attendances, these have been declining recently and unfortunately I really don't know what we can do about it. We must get a kids go free day on the go, although I'm not sure whether that would make money or simply lose it due to semi-regulars who go with their kids anyway and as such spend less money.
It's going to be a long, hard season.
Page 1 of 1