Tekel Towers » Gunning Re-Signs!!

Tek · 20/11/2015 11:36 am

Official now.

By signing, subject to international clearance, central defender Gavin Gunning today until the end of the season, Dundee United address one of the areas Head Coach Mixu Paatelainen is looking to improve competition in.

Gavin, who previously played 99 times for the Club between 2011 and 2014, returns to Tannadice after a spell down south with Birmingham City and Oldham Athletic.

Gavin played over 30 times in each of the three seasons he was previously at Tannadice and scored ten goals during that time, with the four goals he scored in his last season at the Club his highest total to date.

Head Coach Mixu Paatelainen said: “Gavin is a very powerful player. He is a solid defender who shows great aggression. He is good in the air and also on the ball. He will strengthen us footballing wise but he is also a great addition to our changing room. He is not a quiet boy, that’s for sure and when he is around there is always plenty of laughter.”

“He is well over his injury concerns now. He has been training with us for over a week and has shown up very well. He is fully fit and raring to go, maybe lacking little match fitness but once he gets that he will be an important part of our squad.”

Gavin has been training with the Club for two weeks ahead of his signing. Asked whether this was a method of recruitment he would continue to use, the Gaffer said: “Of course. We will continue to try and strengthen the squad. I am thankful that the Board have backed me and this is about strengthening competition amongst the squad, that is what we must do.”

A delighted Gavin Gunning said: “Im happy to be back at United. I enjoyed my time here previously. I am fit and determined to show I am still a good footballer.

“I like the fact the Head Coach is a straight talker and doesn’t take any nonsense. He is what the Club needs at the moment and I can play my part also. I feel as if I am ready to play straight away but it will be up to the Gaffer whether I am selected or not.”

Gavin should go into the match day squad ahead of Saturday’s home fixture versus St Johnstone.

RogerTheAlien · 20/11/2015 11:40 am

McGowan
Morris
Gunning
Dixon

best back we have.

SlatefordArab · 20/11/2015 11:53 am

Nice one, welcome back howling mad Gunning!

SuperMario · 20/11/2015 12:56 pm

Delighted

TheShed · 20/11/2015 1:28 pm

Hope to Fuck he's improved his sense of positioning and his sense in general. If he has it could prove to be a good signing, if not he'll be the same bombscare he always was.

Funny how players get better in people's minds when they've been away a while.

Foo Kin Twat · 20/11/2015 3:33 pm

No other team in the history of futba signs as many ex players as us. On the law of averages, sooner or later, one will prove to be a success, so I'm betting on Gavin Gunning!!! But I'm in with The Shed here. He could and should be a player, but I remember a player that was injury prone who never accepted any responsibility when he was wrong and who found it funny when we conceded goals. If it's a more mature and fit GG here this time I'll be delighted though!

PatReilly · 20/11/2015 3:57 pm

Gavin Gunning: a goal threat at both ends.

Welcome back.

Beharder · 20/11/2015 4:57 pm

He is not the best centre back we've had but he is an improvement on what we have. More importantly he will be a physical and vocal presence on the park two things the team is sadly lacking.

huntedbyafreak · 20/11/2015 4:59 pm

Good news for Lochee boozers and bookies

Mass Debates · 20/11/2015 6:12 pm

Welcome back Gavin hope u manage to help sort out some of the issues

RRDH · 20/11/2015 6:34 pm

I think this will turn out to be a crucial signing for us. Much as i wasnt fond of his attitude, he is a good footballer.

Massive upgrade on Mark Durnan.

Silver · 20/11/2015 9:48 pm

RRDH wrote:
I think this will turn out to be a crucial signing for us. Much as i wasnt fond of his attitude, he is a good footballer.

Massive upgrade on Mark Durnan.

Agree with this bud. He's one of those players that could've went far if he ticked every box, unfortunately tho, he doesn't. I had mixed feelings about him first time around. Here's hoping he works his balls off for an extended deal.

He is 100% an improvement on Durnan. I've been very disappointed with him. It's fair to say that he hasn't grasped his chance of playing at a higher level. Or, maybe his level was QOS.

Last edited by Silver (20/11/2015 9:48 pm)

Leedsy2 · 20/11/2015 9:53 pm

Every team needs a character and there's no denying Gunning certainly is that. Welcome back, big fella!

huntedbyafreak · 20/11/2015 9:54 pm

On his day Gunning is a good player. Good in air. Dangerous from set pieces. Prone to the odd brain fart but every defender in this league is prone to that.

A defence of

McGowan. Morris. Gunning. Dixon.

That should be enough to shore up defence. Can also play at left back so if Dixon gets injured then at least we shouldn't see Dillon there

SuperMario · 20/11/2015 9:58 pm

I've changed my mind think I'd go with;

Szromnik
McGowan Dillon durnan gunning Dixon
Souttar Fraser rankin
McKay Murray/taggart

I'd play Morris if is fit ahead of durnan

Silver · 20/11/2015 10:00 pm

huntedbyafreak wrote:
On his day Gunning is a good player. Good in air. Dangerous from set pieces. Prone to the odd brain fart but every defender in this league is prone to that.

A defence of

McGowan. Morris. Gunning. Dixon.

That should be enough to shore up defence. Can also play at left back so if Dixon gets injured then at least we shouldn't see Dillon there

Yip, we're shaping up nicely, albeit slowly, but we are. Mixu has recognised the areas of concern and acted on it. I honestly think we'll be OK.

Silver · 20/11/2015 10:09 pm

SuperMario wrote:
I'd play Morris if is fit ahead of durnan

Mate, I'd play a fit Douglas fkn Bader before I'd play Durnan.

huntedbyafreak · 20/11/2015 10:18 pm

Silver wrote:
huntedbyafreak wrote:
On his day Gunning is a good player. Good in air. Dangerous from set pieces. Prone to the odd brain fart but every defender in this league is prone to that.

A defence of

McGowan. Morris. Gunning. Dixon.

That should be enough to shore up defence. Can also play at left back so if Dixon gets injured then at least we shouldn't see Dillon there

Yip, we're shaping up nicely, albeit slowly, but we are. Mixu has recognised the areas of concern and acted on it. I honestly think we'll be OK.

I think we'll be ok too. Target should be not to be bottom by Christmas.

huntedbyafreak · 20/11/2015 10:19 pm

Silver wrote:
SuperMario wrote:
I'd play Morris if is fit ahead of durnan
Mate, I'd play a fit Douglas fkn Bader before I'd play Durnan.

I'd agree with that.

Goalie is still an issue until the Japanese boy starts. I'd have Mariln Gilles in goal ahead of the Pole and Zwick tbh

Trap_6 · 20/11/2015 11:02 pm

SuperMario wrote:
I've changed my mind think I'd go with;

Szromnik
McGowan Dillon durnan gunning Dixon
Souttar Fraser rankin
McKay Murray/taggart

I'd play Morris if is fit ahead of durnan

Swap Souttar for Telfer and that's tomorrow's XI right there...

lifesanocean · 20/11/2015 11:11 pm

I think it will be:

GK: Pole

RB: McGowan
CH: Dillon
CH: Gunning
LB: Dixon

RM: Connolly
CM: Souttar
CM: Rankin
LM: Spittal

CF: Murray
CF: McKay

Dillon and Gunning have played as a partnership so many times it would be daft not to play them together. Mixu said he wouldn't play Fraser wide again after the Aberdeen game. Connolly has been scoring goals for the U20's so might get his chance.

Last edited by lifesanocean (20/11/2015 11:29 pm)

Arabnophobia · 20/11/2015 11:43 pm

Silver wrote:
huntedbyafreak wrote:
On his day Gunning is a good player. Good in air. Dangerous from set pieces. Prone to the odd brain fart but every defender in this league is prone to that.

A defence of

McGowan. Morris. Gunning. Dixon.

That should be enough to shore up defence. Can also play at left back so if Dixon gets injured then at least we shouldn't see Dillon there

Yip, we're shaping up nicely, albeit slowly, but we are. Mixu has recognised the areas of concern and acted on it. I honestly think we'll be OK.

No worried about the things that pissed me off before with the mad bastard.
We will benefit more from his qualities right now way more than his flaws previously. Minor issues comparing the past with the present.

huntedbyafreak · 20/11/2015 11:44 pm

I'll be pished at Hospo and if Connolly starts there might be a good chance I get thrown out

RRDH · 21/11/2015 12:22 am

Arabnophobia wrote:
Silver wrote:
huntedbyafreak wrote:
On his day Gunning is a good player. Good in air. Dangerous from set pieces. Prone to the odd brain fart but every defender in this league is prone to that.

A defence of

McGowan. Morris. Gunning. Dixon.

That should be enough to shore up defence. Can also play at left back so if Dixon gets injured then at least we shouldn't see Dillon there

Yip, we're shaping up nicely, albeit slowly, but we are. Mixu has recognised the areas of concern and acted on it. I honestly think we'll be OK.

No worried about the things that pissed me off before with the mad bastard.
We will benefit more from his qualities right now way more than his flaws previously. Minor issues comparing the past with the present.

You'd think he would treat this opportunity with a sense of respect, will be close to his last in football at a decent level if he doesnt.

TheShed · 16/1/2016 1:29 am

Funny how people change their minds, once a bomb scare always a bomb scare