Craig Levein has warned that ANY team outside Celtic and Rangers is capable of being caught in a spiral towards the drop-zone as Dundee United toil at the foot of the Premiership.
And the former Tannadice boss reckons that is underlined by the struggles of Aberdeen and Hibs last season.
While the Dons and Hibees finished six and 10 points above 11th place, respectively, last term, they were too close to the bottom of the league for comfort at times.
United’s own relegation of 2015/16 also looms large, while Levein was the man in charge at the start of Hearts’ 2019/20 campaign which ultimately saw them succumb to the drop under Daniel Stendel.
As such — while he doesn’t think the Terrors are at crisis point yet — the ex-Scotland manager has emphasised the need for a swift response to a dire few weeks.
“Any club can fall into that trap of struggling and spiralling, aside from the top two,” Levein told Courier Sport.
“Aberdeen flirted with the relegation area last season — who could have imaged that?
“Hibs really struggled, too.
“Now, this season, Dundee United are in a position they would not have envisioned and need to get back on track as quickly as possible.
“And that’s not just a task for the new manager; it’s about the players, support staff, owner and directors coming together with the same goal.”
Isolated Fletcher
On the subject of ‘goals’, United have scored just four from open play this season.
Steven Fletcher has illustrated his class on occasion but has largely cut an isolated figure in the final third; something that has not gone unnoticed by the experienced boss-turned-pundit.
“I’ve watched a lot of Dundee United and, while they have tightened up, they need more pace in the front-line,” he continued.
“Steven Fletcher is doing a good job, but they need someone capable of running in behind. Steven is excellent in the air and is a really clever and wise footballer.
“If they can get someone with pace beside him, then they could have a really potent attack.
“With Fletcher up there on his own, you can’t stretch the game. Steven is not slow but it’s not his main strength.
“Whether that is someone like (Sadat) Anaku? We’ll see.”
Raiding Rangers
United’s bid to hit the goal trail will be doubly difficult on Saturday, with Liam Fox charged with masterminding a shock result against Rangers at Ibrox.
Folk been asking about the famous Levein interview on McCurry, here it is.
— Lint (@Zeshankenzo) August 23, 2022
“Going to Ibrox really difficult. Of course it is,” said Levein. “The recipe for getting success at Ibrox is for your team to play as well as they possibly can and, even then, hope that the opposition underperforms. That is the reality.
“Of those two things, United are only in charge of one — and that is what Liam (Fox) will be focused on.”
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