BennyBoy wrote:

Two years ago today, this was put out on the official United website:

https://www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk/news/4399/Chairmans-Statement-To-Fans.html

I think it's interesting to look back at it in relation to what was said and where we are now.

"Many radical changes will be made to try to ensure our quick return to the top league."

So what were those "radical" changes? 

"Increased fan representation as well as boardroom changes to re-vitalise and re-energise the Club."

So what actually happened was the formation of the SLG which was really done to try and derail the Fed who were asking tough questions.

Boardroom changes: John Bennett retired in May 2016, Justine Mitchell stood down in April 2016 and David McGrory left in December 2017.

As for the other Board members at the time, Stephen Thompson stepped down as Chair in March 2018 (3 months early, he had intended to step down at the end of the 2017/18 season), Cath Thompson remains Honorary President and Colin Stewart remains an Associate Director albeit in a different role (he was ArabTRUST AD but is now in a community role).

Mike Martin was, of course, Vice. He's now Chair.

Jimmy Fyffe and David Dorward have come in as full directors and there's Laura Conway and Stuart Campbell for ArabTRUST in associate director positions. 

"There will also be much better, more regular, more open and transparent communication with you, the fans, who are the lifeblood of Dundee United."

Personally, I find this one laughable. Communications have been woeful for years now, it's no coincidence that the drop in comms standards happened when Derek Robertson resigned. United are pathetic in this department and clearly don't know what to do. The current comms policy is pretty much this: Say nothing.

"I am currently seeking fresh investment in the Club (sic) which may in time lead to me standing aside, and I aim to strengthen our current financial position to launch a bid for an immediate return to the top flight."

Investment is a funny word in football. It basically means that somebody rich has just given their money over (and will probably never get it back). All we've done in the last two years is gotten ourselves into more debt by getting rich fans to loan us cash secured on Tannadice and Gussie Park - that's not investment. 

"The board has worked over a period of time to review and restructure the Club."

At the 2016 AGM a "root and branch" review was promised. 

"Root and branch" was mentioned again in April 2016: https://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/fp/numbers-mixus-time-dundee-united/

Then a "root and branch" review was mentioned in October 2016: https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/archives/football/155942/stephen-thompson-puts-dundee-united-up-for-sale/

And, of course, Mike Martin said that there's to be a "root and branch" review when he took over: https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/teams/dundee-united/mike-martin-give-me-time-to-turn-tide-at-dundee-united-1-4700922

The term "root and branch review" is clearly just a nonsense phrase to buy time, similar to having a 100 day review.

In summery:

- No radical changes have been made.
- Fan representation has not improved in any meaningful way.
- The changes in the boardroom have not re-vitalised nor re-energised anything.
- Already poor communications have actually gotten worse.
- No investment has happened (just more debt).
- Reviews are mentioned to buy time.



 

What, so you are saying the utd board and communications team are just a bunch of havering idiots that are taking the piss out of the fans?? Nah, surely not.
 

PatReilly wrote:

Solid, and reasonable reminders to us all that we are being played along by the board. 

I still wonder if the investment rumours of late were a simple boardroom concoction too. 

Finally, I foolishly expected someone from Tannadice to rubbish the 'Csaba staying on' stories today.

That has been my thoughts on this, but I'm holding out a little bit of hope.

Btw handing a double glazing Salesman a 'Head of Football Operations' gig was pretty radical tbf.

Tek wrote:

Btw handing a double glazing Salesman a 'Head of Football Operations' gig was pretty radical tbf.

 
I can see MM and ST discussing the appointment and going for some Outside of the box thinking - “if he’s an expert in normal windows, imagine what he could do with transfer windows!!!!”

For me that statement tells us that Shabba is a goner, thankfully.

WeeDude_83 wrote:

Csaba is not going. MM believes in stability. And he does have a point to some effect. We’ve been quick to pull the trigger (not unwarranted may I add) but it’s same every season. Start over, fresh start etc etc. Maybe having a sense o stability around the place is what we need. A manager who knows the club now.

Got to remember that Csaba inherited that monstrosity of a squad. I doubt even Sir Alex in his prime could have took them up. There’s traits in footballers that they either have or don’t have. You can’t teach someone to not be an utter shitebag. Doesn’t need a huge budget. Just needs the right type of players. Ability counts for a bit but you need heart and you need desire. Unfortunately he squad was littered with players that had little of them.

He's been working identifying players, using luggy and his own contacts.

I’m gonna give him a chance. Just bought 3 x tickets this morning.

 
I’m all for stability, but he was responsible for 11 signings in January. It was obvious at the time to anyone with eyes these were all shocking signings.
He compounded this with the most embarrassing result in living memory - a result I feel should have merited instant dismissal for any manager of our club regardless of tenure.
He then continues with bizarre formations and turgid tactics.
Our squad is nowhere near as bad as made out - a boy like lebron would have had us promoted in March - Let alone Ferguson.
I’m all for optimism but i’ll Be picking and choosing my games this season

Actions speak louder than words.....................

I'm hoping MM had that statement ready for a few weeks, as he must have been near certain Csaba couldn't get us out the league.