In this week’s Talking Football, Courier sports writers Eric Nicolson, Neil Robertson and Ian Roache discuss Dundee United’s chances of play-off final glory against Hamilton and Neil McCann’s Dens Park dilemma.
Q Two more games to negotiate and Dundee United are back in the Premiership. Be honest, did you expect them to get this far?
EN: I wasn’t too confident after the first half at Falkirk, that’s for sure. If you take the season as a whole, and the expectations that were reasonable before it, getting to the play-off final is par for the course. They’re now into territory that would be exceeding those reasonable expectations if they win.
NR: Considering United had already lost 3-0 and 3-1 at Falkirk this season, I feared that the promotion push could come to a shuddering halt, a feeling that increased when James Craigen scored that early goal. So Ray McKinnon’s men deserve enormous credit for showing true grit to make it through to the final.
IR: Like the other lads, I thought winning down at Falkirk was a big ask so well done to them for that. In hindsight, though, there was something in the air down at Cappielow in the final league match. Although, they only drew against Morton and ended the day third instead of second, United had played very well and they looked fit and ready for whatever lay ahead.
Q What have they got right in their two ties so far?
EN: They were a bit fortunate to be level after the first leg and a bit fortunate that Falkirk made a bit of a mess of the second half of the return leg. But the common thread of the four games has been the quality of the goals from United and their never-say-die spirit. It’s a pretty powerful combination. United are going for it, which is the mindset you need in the play-offs. NR: Confidence and momentum are key in football and United have generated both of these factors in the play-offs games to date. That could be crucial ahead of the games against Accies.
IR: I disagree with Eric that Falkirk made a mess of the second half on Friday. Instead, I would argue that United, lifted by brilliant backing from their fans, grabbed the initiative from the Bairns and played very well after the break.
Q For most of the season you would have said Tony Andreu was United’s talisman, is it now Simon Murray?
EN: Absolutely. Murray divides opinion but there’s a rawness to his play that defenders don’t like. And if ever there was a player who sums up the ‘if you don’t shoot, you can’t score’ mantra, it’s him. I do think Andreu has suffered from being dropped further back, though. United will need him at his best against his old club.
NR: Murray’s goals have, of course, been vitally important but Hamilton will know that they have to keep their former player Andreu quiet.
IR: I said in my match report from the Falkirk game that Murray’s display was the finest from a United player for a very long time and stand by that. You would back him to score again on Thursday. Mind you, I also think both Andreu and Thomas Mikklesen are overdue goals so that could work out very well for United.
Q Put into context the step up in level of opposition from Falkirk to Hamilton Accies?
EN: It’s a bigger one than Morton to Falkirk. You wouldn’t say they have a star man but neither do they have a glaring weak link.
NR: It’s significant. Hamilton may seem to be perennial strugglers in the Premiership but they have a decent squad who have the knack of picking up vital results when they need to.
IR: Ray McKinnon argues that the gap just isn’t there in a one-off affair like this final and I tend to agree with him. For example, were it a Scottish Cup tie then I’m not sure Accies would fancy going to Tannadice to face a side that is unbeaten in 10 matches. They would, though, probably fancy themselves in a replay back home so the Tangerines need to take a lead west with them on Sunday.
Q Two scenarios – how do United win this and where could it go wrong?
EN: Hamilton will edge it if it turns into a cagey, tactical match, I suspect. It’s a risk for United to really go for it but I think it’s their best chance of success as well. Stick with the mindset that has got them this far.
NR: Put simply, the side that can handle the pressure better will almost certainly be playing in the Premiership next season.
IR: I still have worries over the defence but to counter those concerns United do carry a lot of attacking threat in Murray, Andreu, Mikkelsen and Blair Spittal. They must take the game to Accies from the first whistle at Tannadice and forget about those slow starts.
Q The only consolation for Dundee fans at the weekend will have been the confidence boost they gave Accies. Darren O’Dea seemed to think the heavy defeat, or rather the manner of it, summed up their season. Agree?
EN: The fact that O’Dea and Paul McGowan have been banging that drum on and off all season tells its own story. They are spot on. There’s a mentality issue that needs to be sorted out. And they also need some bigger and stronger players.
NR: Having watched Dundee’s meek performance against Inverness last midweek, the result from Hamilton was no great surprise. However, some of the players really need to take a long, hard look in the mirror after once again letting down the several hundred fans who paid good money to travel to watch what turned out to be a dismal defeat at Accies.
IR: Even the most upbeat of fans can’t argue that this has been anything other than a poor season for Dundee. They were a whisker away from relegation in the end. It was dismal stuff and a shame for the hundreds of supporters who paid good money to go through to New Douglas Park. By the way, Mr Questionmaster, not all Dundee fans will be happy to have boosted Hamilton for their play-off final against United. Some would like to see their city rivals back up and a return of the derbies.
Q Neil McCann . . . if you were in his cardigan would you stay at Dundee or go?
EN: Stay. Forget the last couple of games, if McCann wants to become a manager he’ll never get the chance to start as high up as this. The American owners backed Paul Hartley and they would back him. He’s looked the part and it would be a real shame if the comfort of a Sky Sports studio was a stronger pull.
NR: Unlike Eric, I feel you cannot just dismiss the last two games. McCann was always going to enjoy a new manager bounce especially considering his hero status with the club’s support. The players duly raised their game but as soon as their safety was assured, they reverted to type. Almost all the squad who have been culpable in this season to forget are still contracted for at least another year. So it is a huge decision for McCann – Sky Sports studio safety or try to turnaround a team all too familiar with failure?
IR: This could go either way but I wouldn’t be shocked to see him pick the studio chair ahead of the dugout bench.
Q He has been a bit vague about the timescale of all this but how important is it that this gets sorted out quickly?
EN: It’s absolutely crucial for all the obvious reasons – pre-season plans, signings and departures etc etc. This can’t be allowed to drag on beyond the weekend.
NR: McCann will be back working for Sky at this weekend’s Scottish Cup Final. A decision one way or the other has to be made as soon as possible after the final whistle at Hampden has sounded.
IR: As well as the squad rebuilding required, the Dark Blues didn’t exactly make a great start to the season last summer and they probably could have done with more pre-season games. The new manager should be looking to take the team away and line-up some challenging matches before the real action gets under way.
Q As usual, St Johnstone have got a settled squad going into the summer. Which areas do they need to strengthen, though?
EN: A playmaker to fill Danny Swanson’s boots (no easy task) and a forward who can play through the middle or out wide. Michael O’Halloran on loan would be perfect.
NR: The Swanson replacement will be key but other than that, the squad is impressive. Next season could also be the one where players already at the club such as Craig Thomson really come into their own.
IR: I agree with Neil. You copying my work?
Q The Angus success story was quite something this season. You would have got pretty good odds on a Brechin and Forfar play-off double?
EN: I don’t think there has ever been an an end to a season like this for Angus. Picking a highlight is a bit like choosing your favourite child but Brechin’s play-off story is the stuff of club folklore.
NR: I am absolutely delighted for all the teams in Angus not just Brechin and Forfar. It is great to see such well-run clubs doing so well.
IR: City boss Darren Dods is one of the game’s gentlemen and deserves all the success he gets, while the character shown by Gary Bollan and his players to put their title disappointment behind them was tremendous. They are both a credit to their clubs. I would also like to give a mention to championees Arbroath, even though they have already been on their holidays, and the brilliant job Stewart Petrie has done to revitalise Montrose.
Q Admit it, you were fearing the worst when Cowdenbeath went to penalty-kicks to keep them in the SPFL, weren’t you?
EN: Because they’d miss six in a row? Yeah, just a bit. The Cowdenbeath boys get the ‘bottle of the season’ award and Gary Locke the ‘reputation restored’ award.
NR: To be honest, I have been worried about Cowdenbeath all season. There will be huge relief at Central Park that they secured safety but their fall from grace has been spectacular over the last few seasons and restoring their fortunes is a huge job.
IR: I was so pleased for everyone at Cowden because they are a fine, historic and traditional club with fans who love them. Let this be a warning to them, though.
Q We’ve got the Scottish Cup final at the weekend. Do you give Aberdeen any chance?
EN: I think Celtic have a big psychological hold on Aberdeen and, with both sides in top form, you have to back the Hoops.
NR: Yes they have a chance but this Celtic team have been relentless and I cannot see them let a treble triumph slip through their grasp.
IR: Err, no. Next question?
