THE ONLY WAY IS UP???
A new season is almost upon us once more and for the first time in many a season, we Arabs are not expecting the earth. This may be a good thing, it may not but experience tells us expecting the opposite is not a good thing.
A dismal end to the last season and the departure of, what were on paper, three of our big named stars( two to go) has led to many Arabs predicting a long fight against relegation this coming season. Into the club have came Craig Conway, Noel Hunt and Stephen Robb but these signings have done little to ease the concerns of even the most optimistic Arab out there. A defence that struggled to cope with even the weakest of teams last season has not yet been fortified. In goal we have a goalkeeper who has much to do to win over the tangerine faithful. In midfield, we may have to rely on youth and up front, we also appear very lightweight.
So, are there any bright spots on the horizon? Well yes. This club has stumbled from piller to post and attempted to buy success in recent seasons and has quite simply, failed. No manager has achieved a respectable league position two seasons running for nigh on ten years and for a club this size that simply is not good enough. Where are these bright spots, I hear you ask.
When Craig Brewster took over as Manager, he made massive decision which may or may not ultimately decrease the time he is Dundee United manager but will, without a shadow of doubt, mean that this club has a more secure future ahead of it for the foreseeable future. The changes he has made are not obvious to the supporters because most have, so far, been made outwith the view of the spectator. Fans have scoffed as they hear of bars being removed from windows. They guffaw when they hear of great changes in the training methods and when they hear of ten young lads signings for the under 19s for the first time since the days of yore they simply cry ‘where's the new signings for the first team?'
The culture of pessimism that hung around Tannadice is now gone. Young players are being taught to believe and achieve their goals. No longer are young lads scared to try stuff for fear of ridicule.
The changes around Tannadice are being made for the reasons of bringing positivity into everything the players do nowadays. Lets be honest, how many young lads have broken into the United team over the years and then hit a form slump? We could all probably name ten straight away. The new manager believes that in creating the right environment and making them proud of the club and keen to come to work everyday, this will in turn make the players achieve.
United fans have again answered the question and bought the season tickets. We now need to give our support to the team, a young team, and forget everything that has happened over the last few years and look forward to the future. Hopefully a better future under the guidance of Craig Brewster.