Well much has been written about the opening four fixtures and how the season really only really starts this Saturday at Livingston – and although I go along with some of what’s been said I can’t agree with writing off the first four games altogether.
Fair enough – here we are at the bottom of the league again with “nil points” as they say in the Eurovision (and I interject the suggestion here that the new Fast Food Rockers single is MADE for the Eurovision – it’s called ‘Say Cheese’ and it comes out on October 6th) but there is much to be taken from those games.
The performance against Rangers two weeks ago was one of the best against an infirm team that I’ve seen since erm Alex Smith managed to beat them 2-0 at Ibrox. Damn – my whole argument up in flames and I’ve only just started too! Anyway, ignoring the reference to a former manager (though who could forget his “split the Old Firm” quote) and turning back to matters on the park it was a delight to see some genuine effort being put in for once. If the match had ended in a draw I don’t think many Rangers fans would have had any complaints – but alas it wasn’t to be.
So turning to Saturday itself we’re off to Livingston in search of our first league points of the season.
I’ve certainly enjoyed our trips to Almondvale over the past two years (cue LocheeArab posting a pic of the Dee mug episode) and not just for the excellent pre-match banter in the pub – or even the thought of yet again having to try and find the damn stadium!
I think the atmosphere in the ground itself has always been pretty good – perhaps it’s the effect of the notorious Livi drummer (say what you like I wish we’d thought of that first!) or perhaps it’s just that the United crowd that travels to West Lothian is particularly enthusiastic.
And no matter what out wee team friends from across the road may like to think (and I think they’re secretly not looking forward to the derby one little bit) I think I can see signs that McCall’s team is starting to knit together at last. The addition of Andy McLaren to the squad is in my view potentially a crucial signing, for if there was one weakness against Rangers it was that the area in front of Danny Griffin was left over-exposed time and time again.
If Andy can show some of the form he is capable of then with Robson on the left flank we may well see a return to some attacking play reminiscent of days gone by (cue memories of Eamonn Bannon and Ralphie Milne tearing down the wing…) and actually create some decent chances for our front men.
From what I see in the press it seems unlikely that Scott Paterson will be fit for this fixture so I don’t expect Innes to lose his starting place.
In fact I’m not convinced there will be many changes from the team or squad that was put out against Rangers – and that sadly means no room for the player I am sponsoring this season, Craig Easton. I’m starting to wonder whether Eastie features in McCall’s longer term plans in fact – it would be a great shame to see the player who’s turned out more than any other for us depart Tannadice but I fear the writing may be on the wall here.
Predictions? Well my “Beat the Manager” form last year wasn’t exactly heather-igniting so woe betides anyone who actually takes me seriously at this point. However it’s always nice to end with a prediction so I’ll suggest we won’t be pointless at 4.45pm this Saturday!