For a post derby defeat, that's a very balanced post. He does have credit in the bank. We're not in a Kille/livi situation and likely things will be ok if uninspiring by season end. I can't help but feel that the relative inexperience of the squad is causing this inconsistency and that maybe Jim had to gamble a little on players with possible upside balanced with lack of evidence that they have what it takes to be successful in Scotland or a spotty injury history. We'll never really know the financial constraints that he's working under, but even a 50% hit rate with singings would be decent over a period of 2-3 seasons. I still have hope for Nammo, Iovu and Sapsford. Keretzes he has moments where he looks like he's got enough to be an effective SPL player. I do suspect a cup exit at the hands of Ayr though would be the beginning of the end for Jim though.  

nickymkirk wrote:

We'll never really know the financial constraints that he's working under, but even a 50% hit rate with singings would be decent over a period of 2-3 seasons. 

I have to disagree with this i'm afraid. A 50% success rate may be a viable success rate at a bigger club with a huge squad to call on, but at a club like United with a core first team squad of 25 players and a huge turnover of players most Summers, then recruitment is everything and we need a hit rate more like 80/20 in our favour.

Last seasons recruitment under Michael Cairney was i'd say a 50/50 success rate.

Hits -

1) Manny Adegboyega
2) Will Ferry
3) Sam Dalby
4) Vicko Sevelj
5) Luca Stephenson
6) Ryan Strain
7) Kristijan Trapanovski
8) Jack Walton

Misses - 

1) Richard Odada
2) Meshack Ubochioma
3) David Babunski
4) Jort Van Der Sande
5) Ruari Paton
6) Allan Campbell
7) Lewis Fiorini
8) Dave Richards (only played last 2 games cos Walton had announced his departure)

50/50. Some would even argue i'm being kind with a couple of players i'm calling 'hits'.

Let's look at this seasons recruitment (thus far) under the Two Goodwins. Bear in mind this is just my opinion, so far this season (though i doubt it will change).

Hits -

1) Zac Sapsford
2) Iurie Iovu
3) Kristijan Kerezstes
4) Panutche Camara
5) Amar Fatah
6) Dario Naamo
7) Isaac Pappoe (despite him barely playing i seen enough to suggest he was talented)

Misses -

1) Nikolaj Moller
2) Yehvenii Kucherencko
3) Max Watters
4) Julius Eskesen
5) Ivan Dolcek
6) Bert Esselink

A slightly better 'hit rate', but only very slightly and i'd suggest not enough of a significant improvement. 

January Window feels like a massive transfer window in our recent history and if it is anywhere near the same failure as last January, then the heat has to turn on our absent American owner, and his CEO who seems to fly under the radar of any criticism (despite being an Asghar 'Revolution Global Sports' relic).

Because if the fans can see there is no noticeable improvement, then he certainly should. It's his investment after all and he's our 'leader'.

Where does the buck stop, if not with him?

 

redford_must_score wrote:

Looking across various United threads on social media it seems we are here ➡️

* most United fans are unhappy that the manager has to change formations and personnel every game to try and get something from a game

* most United fans are unhappy with the dire quality of football  we usually play

* most United fans are terrified of a manager change because of the fear of doing worse than what we currently have

Is that where you are?

 
Most fans don't post on social media.

Stillliving wrote:

redford_must_score wrote:

Looking across various United threads on social media it seems we are here ➡️

* most United fans are unhappy that the manager has to change formations and personnel every game to try and get something from a game

* most United fans are unhappy with the dire quality of football  we usually play

* most United fans are terrified of a manager change because of the fear of doing worse than what we currently have

Is that where you are?

 
Most fans don't post on social media.

 
True, but unfortunately I can't read the minds of those who don't 😀

Stillliving wrote:

Social media traffic is always busier when we lose , it tends to attract the more reactionary fans.
It's been said before but if we had social media during  wee Jim's  reign in the early 70s he would have been hounded out.
We played some shite in front of small crowds in those days
I remember losing at Dens near the end of the of the first season of the 10 team league and looking like we were doomed. Fans were not happy but the anger fades quicker when the debate finishes until work on Monday or the next match.

For me JGs time at Tannadice is 5/10.

 
The debate around the football quality and tactics is something that's been live and ongoing on social media for a long time. It's definitely not a knee jerk reaction to one defeat here or there.

Your analogy with Jim McLean is interesting though and I hear what you're saying. By that yardstick are you of the opinion that at some point Jim Goodwin will turn us into a side that plays good football and competes for a Trophy?

Edit to add

Our fan base has grown, our attendances have grown, but in my opinion that was based on incremental success. Championship to Premiership, doing well in our first season back, finishing 4th, European football.
That trajectory is no longer there.

Last edited by redford_must_score (13/1/2026 8:04 pm)

Stillliving wrote:

For me JGs time at Tannadice is 5/10.

I think I've been more happy with JG than not even on a week to week basis. Im probably at a 6. But when I'm unhappy like on Saturday or after Falkirk...I'm really unhappy. Saturday was a shameful performance. 

S

nickymkirk wrote:

redford_must_score wrote:

Looking across various United threads on social media it seems we are here ➡️

* most United fans are unhappy that the manager has to change formations and personnel every game to try and get something from a game

* most United fans are unhappy with the dire quality of football we usually play

* most United fans are terrified of a manager change because of the fear of doing worse than what we currently have

Is that where you are?

I'm largely disillusioned with the lack of momentum and the inability to build layers on the good things that occasionally shine through in spells. I want Jim to succeed because like his team, there are things there which offer a modicum of hope. He communicates well, seems to understand the game and can articulate it. The recruitment has been at least interesting. Better than picking up 6th tier English players. Maybe that's snobbery on my part. I feel like there's always the promise to find an absolute gem. So i think I qualify for all 3 of those but the fear is less about not knowing who should come in, but rather if we jettison too soon is he actually closer than we realize to striking gold? And is a season consolidating in the league really catastrophic assuming we manage to stay no worse than 8th in the league?

Last edited by redford_must_score (13/1/2026 10:10 pm)

I agree with Redford’s summary. Mostly unhappy with how we are getting completely outplayed and schooled by every team, even at home. And also the lack of game time for young lads with real potential in favour of senior players who are not doing it.

The reality is with our budget we should finish 6th every season. Obviously it doesn’t work like that, but really last season is an over achievement, this season I think will be slight underachievement (guess we will finish 7 or 8th). So Jim is doing Ok. About how we should expect. Could we get a better manager - absolutely. Would it be more likely we get a worse manager? I think so.