I think the timings of these injuries when Briels and others were already out. It compounded things BUT doesnt explain a lot of the nonsense in signings and formations. Lyng is our 2018 Nicholls ffs. We wont go up i dont think. Fraser when back will take weeks to have a good game. He had about 6 good games in 2017?? He is a talent but isnt the influence many make him out to be apart from said games.
Think the formations have been interrupted by these injuries bud, although there's been a few heid scratchers outwith that.
The signings in January look to be bit rushed imo, Lyng looks pi5h & the 2 French guys look like they've been signed for the future, fk the future we need players ready now.I still think there's a player in Slater and i quite liked what i seen of Gillespie up in Aberdeen.
It seems that over the last few seasons when we sign players that we are eternally bedding them in or getting them match fit as they come to us never match ready. This along with the player turnover also affects continuity.
This is key, we need to build a squad to win the championship over time, and that's not every 6 months or so as we are doing at the moment. We desperately need some continuity which is going to take time.
I totally agree with this sentiment. We should be planning now for next season in the Championship (plan for the worst, hope for the best).
Would we be any worse off if we made attempts to bed in Ballantyne, Allardyce, Smith etc - give them 8-10 games to show if they’ve got the capability to be first team regulars next year. (If it’s good enough for Liverpool with Karius, then it’s good enough for us). I know you like Flood but he is on the descent, I can’t see him being here next season.
Murdoch is poor amongst a number of others and shouldn’t be here next year.
Most of the latest batch of signings don’t look good enough tbh.
After a good looking start Csaba is making the same baffling decisions as the previous incumbents. We are playing slow, phanny about at the back football which is **** to watch.
Injuries play a big part but we have a lot of players who are injury prone so it’s not a huge surprise.
Think GB called it regarding Scobbie - would be a good signing if he could stay fit. He pointed out Scobbie had barely managed 20 games in each of the previous 2 seasons...would suggest he’s on course for a similar return this season.
Maybe we need to be more hard nosed in who we sign, taking into account all the factors.
Every signing in football is an educated guess.
Sadly for us we haven't remembered the importance of the "educated" part.
Would be really interested to find out just how many different players have been used in the last few years.
Fyvie was wanted as a squad player for Hibs but thought he could do better, prompting Hibs to withdraw their interest. look at their central midfield, McGinn, McGeouch, Allan, Bartley, Swanson - Fyvie isn't near that team.
I've yet to see anything other than paper talk RE Scott Fraser to Hearts, usually involving Hearts distancing themselves from the signing - I wouldn't be surprised to se him move to a Premiership team at the end of his contract as he's a cheap gamble with decent experience, however I'd be stunned to see him starting and influencing games at that level.
Fans on here have short memories RE Fraser, the bulk of his time in the first team has involved people saying he's ****e/bad attitude/powderpuff/too busy playing with his hair etc - he's bang average. He had a decent patch of form prior to injury but tbh I reckon that's because he's found his level.
I've more critical than most about Fraser but this season he's been great, especially since Csaba took over. It could be to do with the level or it could be he's just getting better. He's played at this level before and looked crap.
Csaba has had almost 4 months to assess his squad , find out the best formations and sort of the weak areas of the squad.
This is his job, it's what he gets paid to do - yes, we have injuries, but he should be able to address these issues and still play a strong, solid team of players who won't accept anything less than a win.
I have posted on here that United gifted St Mirren the league in January - BUT, if Csaba was able to select the right team of players with a winning mentality, who had no fear and the confidence of going on a winning run we would still have a chance.
For this to happen United would need to win all their games in hand and beat St Mirren at Tannadice - is this possible ? I think with the right attitude and gritty determination it could happen - but only if we had players in the team who hate losing and won't accept anything less than a win.
This is why team selection, tactics, motivation and confidence is so important.
If we can't catch them, at least stand up and give it your best shot.
There is no place for any passengers in the team - lets hope Csaba can motivate the players to at least go down fighting.