Liam Fox looked a broken man in Dingwall on Saturday night.
Stunned and incredulous following Dundee United’s horrendous showing against Ross County; a thoroughly decent, tireless person unable to explain his side’s 4-0 capitulation.
“We didn’t run about enough,” was a study in understated damnation. “Unacceptable,” was a little more blunt.
Fox is valued on the training pitch. Most managers and players he has worked with are effusive in praise. The former Livingston and Hearts coach will find his way back onto another staff in the fullness of time.
It is hard to argue that his departure was not merited — albeit the 937-strong travelling support in the Highlands were more vociferous in their calls for sporting director Tony Asghar to walk.
Four points adrift at the bottom of the Premiership; six defeats on the bounce; eight games without a victory in the league. Something had to give.
However, anyone who thinks Fox’s exit is a magic bullet, or that he is solely responsible for this unfolding horror-show of a campaign at Tannadice, is miles off the mark.
The recruitment
Both Asghar and owner Mark Ogren have pointed out that few complained about the standard of player United were signing last summer.
The likes of Steven Fletcher, Aziz Behich, Dylan Levitt and Jamie McGrath boast quality and pedigree, and were indicative of — as preposterous as it may seem, looking at the table — that Tangerines seeking to reach the next level under Jack Ross.
However, it would be disingenuous to suggest that no-one was questioning the balance.
Ever since Jeando Fuchs departed in January 2022, there have been calls for a destructive midfield presence to be signed. That need was exacerbated when Calum Butcher left the club.
Craig Sibbald, perhaps the only United player who can hold his head high after the Dingwall debacle, is attempting to fill that void but it is not his natural game. At 33 years of age, Arnaud Djoum doesn’t have the legs for it.
It is a gaping hole in recruitment.
It also took until January for United to sign a mobile centre-back despite that being another fairly obvious necessity.
Attempts to replace Benji Siegrist have been disastrous, with Mark Birighitti and Carljohan Eriksson both failing to impress. The fact the Tangerines have sent an SOS to Bill Hamid, a goalkeeper who has not played a match since May 2022, speaks volumes.
And the Terrors came out of January weaker than they entered it.
Tony Watt, scorer of the winning goal when United last won a Premiership match, was farmed out to St Mirren and — regardless of financial considerations or a challenging market — the failure to replace him was a gamble.
As Fox looked to his bench for attacking reinforcements, he saw talented 17-year-old Rory MacLeod and untested Ugandan Sadat Anaku. Neither player has ever scored a goal in senior Scottish football.
Was he truly afforded the tools to succeed?
And the most important piece of recruitment carried out by a football club? The manager. Ogren, Asghar and the executive team have now overseen two unsuccessful appointments in a row; a tangible failing.
Overall, United are seeking their SIXTH permanent boss since 2018, albeit three — Robbie Neilson, Micky Mellon, Tam Courts — left to pursue other opportunities.
The players
While the make-up of the squad is imperfect and unbalanced, United have talented footballers who are badly underperforming.
There are a combined 175 caps in that dressing room.
It is inconceivable that Saturday’s meek capitulation is even a fraction of what this group is capable of.
Liam Fox says the 4-0 hammering by Ross County which left Dundee United four points adrift at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership was "unacceptable".
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) February 25, 2023
So what did — and has consistently — gone wrong?
A lack of dig and personality? An unwillingness or inability to handle the precariousness of the situation? Insufficient togetherness in the trenches? Confidence through the floor?
All are suggestions that will make any professional bristle but, as United sleepwalk towards relegation, candour is merited.
United have fallen behind in games 19 times this season. They have gone on to lose 18 of those. It hardly speaks to defiant spirit and a never-say-die attitude.
Everyone knew what was at stake on Saturday; an ugly relegation six-pointer. Win the battle, then win the match.
United just rolled over. County struck the post twice, had a goal ruled out and forced Jack Newman into a couple of good saves. On another day, the Tangerines ship seven or eight.
▶️ Another goalkeeping error opened the scoring as Dundee United lost 4-0 to Ross County in the #cinchPrem!
Thoughts on the game, Dundee United and Ross County fans? ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/e4lkn7HvMA
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) February 25, 2023
Those who assembled the squad will be pilloried and the manager has paid the ultimate price — but the players cannot, and must not, be exculpated.
The ‘lack of trust’
Ogren, Asghar, Fox and captain Ryan Edwards met Dundee United Supporters’ Group (DUSG) representatives last Thursday evening, with the minutes published on the club’s official website.
While the words are an approximation of what was said, rather than a transcript, it is an illuminating document.
At one point Asghar notes: “This is all based on trust, and you guys have lost trust in what we are telling you and what we are trying to do, and honestly, I have no ill will at all about that, you are quite right to be like that as you pay good money.”
The current regime have done plenty right since their 2018 takeover. Promotion from the doldrums of the Championship; European football; investment in the playing squad; a rebuilt youth academy; the purchase and renovation of Gussie Park.
But there is now an air of dissatisfaction across a portion of the fanbase that is unlikely to be assuaged by the appointment of a new boss.
So what next?
Ogren has made it clear that he can no longer throw his personal wealth at United.
A couple of his comments at the recent United AGM were abridged and, without context, used as a stick with which to beat the Tangerines’ owner.
A perceived ambivalence towards relegation was more accurately an attempt to reassure supporters that returning to the Championship would not spell financial catastrophe.
Similarly, reports that he “would not be putting any more money in” is rather a case of the Minnesota-based businessman making it clear that United MUST become self-sustainable.
But, while not as alarming as some suggested, it is fair to surmise there is no magic money tree for Fox’s successor.
The visit of Aberdeen next Saturday already looms large.
Aside from internal options, any manager under contract elsewhere would seem unattainable. The likes of Neil Lennon, Courts, Mark Fotheringham and Jim McInally have all drawn speculative mentions.
Whoever takes the reins has a big job on their hands.
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