Tek wrote:

David_Blunkett wrote:

Yes we let 19 players go and have only signed 7, but I suspect we'll get another 3 or 4 in.

 

That would only mean 

1 Striker
2 wingers
1 Centre Half 

Not enough for us to be competitive on all fronts from now till January.

We need 5 or even 6 more.

We've only signed 7 remember.

For context we signed 13 players last Summer, and it was widely acknowledged we had the smallest squad in the Premiership.
 

Fair enough, but of those we let go, Watt and Meshack were pumped out on loan, Newman never figured, Moult and Docherty spent a lot of time injured, Babunski rarely featured after about September. 

Are we including Paton and Campbell in these numbers? A boy from the crowd could've replaced either.

Of course, in an ideal world we build a squad were almost every pne in our XI has decent back up, but none of us know what the thinking is behind the scenes, we do seem to be overloading defence and midfield though.

I'm getting twitchy over our forward options, once we get these guys in then we'll see where we are.

I think it might be a case some of the younger lads will actually be part of the squad to be used, i'd rather we threw on O'Donnell than a Campbell type.

Top four finish, a Euro tie or two should be a bit of a money earner based on what budget we had last season, there's no reason the squad should be short.
 

Stephenson starts in a back 3 for Liverpool today.
On ITV now

Jims Beard wrote:

Does anyone know if you can pay at the gate tomorrow vs st johnstone?

 
No, it's tickets in advance, all the info and link is on the United website. Hardly any sold so you won't have a problem getting one.

Think Redfords report above is spot on.

A definite tactical change compared to last season, I was sat in the St J end with a few Saintee supporters that I work wi and Goodwin spent the 90 screaming for the players to press as high up as possible, which then forced the punt up to the very high line of centrehalfs.

I reckon this style will suit against most teams in the league and early stages of Europe, no quite so sure the OF and latter stage Europe teams won't have the quality to cut through us.

Kucherenko in goal was a bit questionable I thought, punched it in to danger twice, then completely missed another cross and punched Iovu, I think, in the back instead..

Fatah had a few nice touches but I'm not convinced he's fully fit.

Quite impressed with the 65 mins before the changes though, could've been 4 up at half time comfortably.

First half I thought we were excellent, early days but all the new signings look like they have something about them, Pappoe and camera in the middle of the park were outstanding in stages, Naamo also looks like a brilliant bit of scouting- was everywhere looked totally comfortable on the left, and the three at the back all look comfortable on the ball and are far more mobile than I expected especially big lovu he’s rapid for a big lad

Quietly optimistic for this season

Absolutely need another striker in before next week, he’s not scored yet but sapsfords performance have been encouraging for me, he’s missed a few decent chances in the last 2 games but there’s a goal coming unlike with big VDS

Few observations from Oldham today -

Defence looked very solid and we never looked like conceding. Krisztian Kerezstes in particular was impressive.

Keeper worries me. He is gonna cost us bigtime at some point, coming for every single cross and running into bodies. Gave Oldham their only real chance today coming for a cross he had no need too at the edge of the box and dropping it. Dave Richards looked more solid all round. Also not a fan of this playing it out from the back under Kuchurenko regardless of any situation. Again, it feels like we will get found out playing that way at points. It's perfectly fine to hit it longer sometimes when you need too.

Sapsford works hard and is tidy enough but doesn't seem to get in enough goal scoring positions and Max Watters looked a lot better at this in that regard. Got in two or three goalscoring positions and looked decent despite not scoring.

Disappointed in how quiet Fatah and Trapanovski were. Literally offered nothing.

Ivan Dolcek however looked good. Wanted the ball a lot and always looked to make something happen.

Pappoe and Camara both look very tidy in possesion.

We look like we have signed a number of technically good footballers. Concerned however where the goals are coming from. We look a bit toothless in the final third.

Though always hard to judge in pre-season. It was a typical sleepy friendly today and the weather didn't help make it an entertaining affair.

 

Sapsford was unlucky with having his goal disallowed in the first half and apparently the linesman has apologised for the error in flagging n the build up.

Not sure who the ref was today but he was poor.

I watched the game at home and until it zoomed in you couldn't tell who was who half the time.

It was like they put Windowlene on the camera lens and forgot to wipe it off.

Not the best, I hope those that have no option but to pay for the Euro game get a better picture.
 

Anyone got the team lines, starting XI and subbies and substitutions?
Can't find them anywhere.
I was there but was bamboozled.
My only reflections are the good work down the left with Ferry, Trap & #23 in the 2nd half.
Zac was knocked out by their #6 who looked like he could give Klitschko a doing.
#6's twins were #4 & #9. #8 was surely Billy Bremner's grandson.
Watters impressed in the last 10 minutes, good build on him.

kiwiarab wrote:

https://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/news/2025/july/19/dundee-united-0-0-latics/

There are lineups and subs at the end of this report, not sure of the accuracy.

Thanks Kiwi, it's often the case if you want to check the line ups and read a report go to the opposition.
On this occasion Oldham did a good job.