I’ve always thought that like Celtic and Hibs, Dundee United are expected to play with a bit of panache and style.
It may be cliched, but some clubs like Hearts and Rangers have traditionally been associated with a defensive, almost dour, approach, while there’s an expectation that others embrace a more freewheeling philosophy.
As far back as Jerry Kerr’s day, and certainly in Jim McLean’s golden years, United have always shown a certain adventurousness in their play.
I’d argue that even in Peter Houston’s reign, Tannadice fans enjoyed more cut and thrust than in recent times.
So, it will be interesting to see if the playing style at Tannadice changes this season.
United won plaudits for their defensive capabilities last time out but many fans were restless at their cautious approach to attack.
Jim Goodwin is replacing the core of his team, but will he stick to the same formula?
It’s been suggested United will adopt a more adventurous philosophy and I think that would please supporters.
Whether their recruitment has found the type of players who can deliver a more thrusting and progressive style will be gleaned in the weeks ahead, but I think there’s a level of expectation among many fans that United teams should play with more style and panache than in recent seasons.
I hope the first thing new Dundee boss Steven Pressley dispenses with is the modern obsession of playing the ball out from the back.
A former top player told me recently that a big-name manager in England, who doesn’t like the play it out from the back mentality, told him there’s an expectation in coaching and even journalistic circles that this philosophy is embraced.
I think it’s madness.
Very few players, often even at the top level, are skilled enough ball merchants to be effective with this form of football Russian roulette.
It’s always just a misplaced pass from disaster.
Last season Dundee were often thrilling on the front foot but calamitous on the back one.
As a defender of some quality, Steven Pressley will have a keen eye on how to firm up a defence which often managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, and I hope one of his first moves is to ensure that defenders defend and leave the neat passing and play building to those further upfield.
Dundee’s piece de resistance last season was their exciting forward play with a front line which could cause every defence in the league concern.
The new pairing of Simon Murray and Emile Acquah looks on paper a very intriguing one.
A big powerful front man who says he likes to get in behind defences joining forces with Dundee’s new skipper and force of nature, offers the prospect of a direct approach which promises goals and penalty box threat.
It sounds potentially like an ideal pairing of might and mobility, but it’ll be an exercise in futility unless The Dee can fix the damaging defensive issues, which even their impressive goals for column couldn’t mitigate.
The building block for solid defence should start with abandoning the concept of building from the back.
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