Fans Groups

[Retired Arab]

Oh go on Gunboat. 😜 Please 🙏

[Retired Arab]

they wont be as no one has a contact for MO it all goes through TA

Really? 😜

[tHeArAb]

FED Update

Afternoon folks


Member’s Update following the Q&A at the AGM on Saturday 31 July 2021


Tony Asghar (TA) confirmed that Mark Ogren was still at United for the long term and the sustainability plan was still being pursued. This involved rearing our own players and identifying players with other clubs who we could improve and ultimately sell on , a conveyor belt approach.
He also confirmed that funds of around £350k a month had been input by the owner to keep the Club going during the pandemic, which showed and proved commitment beyond words.
He accepted that his use word negative in relation to some fans may be better described as concerned.
TA confirmed that the previous model was unsustainable but even at this stage of the Clubs plan the Club was worth a lot more due to the numerous assets they now had on the field and in the pipeline.
TA confirmed that the Head Coach position had to buy into the Clubs vision and plan and that the Club would not change this at the request of a Head Coach. Thus Tam Courts (TC) had been appointed as he was known to the management , was totally on board re the vision and plan, as that was one of the reasons he left Kelty Hearts to join United, and importantly knew the players and staff at all levels. Micky Mellon had left by mutual agreement as he did not share the vision and plan moving forward.


The plan for recruitment did not involve trialists rather individuals were identified and then pursued, even if this involved having to buy the player. Previously plans had been reactive and this was not how the current management operated.
We had recently lost two potential signings one who opted to sign for a team who could provide European football this season and another who was concerned about the existing competition within the team already for their position (goalkeeper). TC confirmed a winger had been identified who was an internationalist and could play on either flank and recently had been used as a substitute which gave United hope that a deal could be done.
Another position identified was for an experienced midfielder who could calm the play when required to allow the team to take stock and go again.
TA stated that it was almost guaranteed that there would be comings and goings before the window shuts but the Club would ideally like Benji and Shankland to stay and sign new deals. On questioning TA confirmed that if Shankland was sold then they had identified a replacement and would move quickly to secure his signing. This succession planning was the way the recruitment team operate in relation to all our player assets. Overseas markets were also being investigated as there were some opportunities there before this avenue closed in September due to Brexit.


TC confirmed he would always deliver a positive response to games when questioned by the media but that did not mean he wasn't aware of shortcomings or that he did not make it very clear to the players as a group and individually where performances had fallen short. He said part of his remit was to challenge the younger players to oust the more established players and thus get their place in the team on merit and not on the basis of they were getting a game to see how they were progressing.
TC also said that one of the next tests was to see how the younger players would react if they made a mistake in a league game where a crowd was present and also how the crowd would react to any mistake which was made especially if it was costly.
He confirmed his coaching team included Adam Asghar and said this was his decision and that he had known Adam a long time before he met TA. TA had cautioned him about the appointment as he knew how this could possibly be received, based on Adam’s relationship with TA (son) and his age. TC said he was more interested in having the right team than having to face a possibly difficult question, Adam’s role was that of a conduit between the first team and the youths.


Declan Glass had today (31 July) signed a new and improved two year contract and hoped to be back playing in the first team within 2 months. He confirmed he had been very well looked after by United when it was raised that the Club hadn't wished him a speedy recovery on social media after he sustained his injury.
TC confirmed that whilst the Club could improve their social media offering as far as players were concerned actions spoke louder than words. TA agreed to take on board the task of improving the social media function of the Club although he stressed that the department concerned had just been changed and it was a small department in staffing numbers.


Dave Bowman stated that the difference between the current regime and the previous one was chalk and cheese citing times when he had to drive the youngsters to Dingwall, play a game and drive back with no food being provided by the Club. He also said that on one occasion they we asked why they needed footballs to train the youth players !


The meeting ended on a positive note with the fans thanking the panel for honest and detailed answers and wished TC and his team well tomorrow and for the season ahead.”

[TerryTheTerror]

Fair play, the tone is pretty supportive. I know it's just a statement of what happened but still.

[the_arab]

the model to bring through young players and sell them on will only be successful if they are playing within a decent team where they can flourish. Right now we are hoping our young players will not only play, but be significantly better than all but 3/4 senior players. Thats not going to happen because our senior players are by enlarge absolutely sh1te and this model will be thrown out the bin in the next transfer window when its already too late.

IMHO we really need 7 or 8 established senior players in the starting 11 who are good enough.

[A. J]

Our young players can't do any worse than the current inexpendables who don't score or create, but at least we would all get behind them.
Not a chance of that happening if Tam says his picks edged the 1st half and had the sheep hemmed in during the 2nd.

We need a separate thread called
'Tam's spins',
Feck the footy the post match interviews are well worth shelling out for, very enterfeckintaining

[ballumbie_arab]

Our young players can't do any worse than the current inexpendables who don't score or create, but at least we would all get behind them.

Agree 100%

[Arabknight]

TC Comment that he will always deliver a positive response to games when questioned by media is a bit strange to say the least. There is nothing wrong with constructive criticism. But to go as far as, shall we say, embellishing the true post match is not on.

[A. J]

TC Comment that he will always deliver a positive response to games when questioned by media is a bit strange to say the least. There is nothing wrong with constructive criticism. But to go as far as, shall we say, embellishing the true post match is not on.

Are there not consequences if Courts are found to be misleading

[TerryTheTerror]

TC Comment that he will always deliver a positive response to games when questioned by media is a bit strange to say the least. There is nothing wrong with constructive criticism. But to go as far as, shall we say, embellishing the true post match is not on.

I'm all for him finding positives from games and focusing his interviews on them. However, he can't just make them up like he did this week. Everyone will see through that, as had been proven.