Tekel Towers » Thoughts on Neilson's appointment then?

Tek · 08/10/2018 10:18 pm

Happy? Underwhelmed? Ecstatic? Deflated?

What say you all?

Me personally although he wasn't my first (or second choice) my gut-feeling is he'll do 'ok' for us and at some point get us out of this league. Think it's more likely that it might be next season though as I don't rate the squad he has inherited at all really.

Think an 18 months odd contract is fair enough at this juncture btw. Would have preferred it to be just till the season's end initially, actually. But I understand he probably wouldn't have agreed to that with other suitors in the mix.

I'll be ready to back the man now, starting this Saturday in Maryhill. I really do hope today is the start of us somehow beginning to claw our way out of the shit at long last.

PatReilly · 08/10/2018 10:40 pm

The board would have been in even deeper shit if they hadn't settled this today, and at the back of my mind I feel they were prepared to wait and hope that Laurie Ellis got a result at Firhill to put things off further.

Neilson has been on hold for weeks waiting for the appointment, and I wouldn't have blamed him if he'd gone elsewhere. We should have moved for him in May, and allowed him to build his own squad, which I don't think is as good as some others appear to believe.

However, I'm pleased he's there now, just hope we check it's him we've got and not lookalike Pressley

Out of those realistically available, I don't think we could have got better, but I wonder if the club is so riddled with bad practices, and maybe poor fortune, that Robbie Neilson will find it difficult to make changes fast enough.

SuperMario · 08/10/2018 10:52 pm

Very happy, tek who were your first and second choices???

He’s a organiser, if u don’t concede goals u don’t lose games, this is what we need our defence has been a fucking shambles for years, also I think going forward getting fyvie Stanton and Clark up to speed we’ll be more than fine going forward

arabchanter · 08/10/2018 11:14 pm

Very happy with it to be honest, like it's been said before, he's supposed to be meticulous in his preparation, and said to have good man to man management skills, which I think I can believe as he had Billy King as a regular the season they won the championship, now I know this wont be a popular opinion, but I think there is a lot more to Billy King than we have witnessed, I think Slabber used to put the shits up him if he lost the ball, so all he'd do was turn and pass it back, rather than head for the byline and take a gamble, I think he needs a cuddle rather than a bollicking.
So just hoping we've got it right this time, welcome aboard Robbie and I hope you can turn this season around!

Tek · 08/10/2018 11:15 pm

SuperMario wrote:
Very happy, tek who were your first and second choices???

Tommy Wright was my 1st choice.

Barry Robson was my 2nd choice.

But, again, I think Neilson will do ok for us.

Mass Debates · 08/10/2018 11:16 pm

I’m happy, Wright was my first choice but Robbie was a close second so let’s get this shit show on the road, connect the resuscitation paddles and jumpstart the heart of this club again

Tek · 08/10/2018 11:20 pm

arabchanter wrote:
Very happy with it to be honest, like it's been said before, he's supposed to be meticulous in his preparation, and said to have good man to man management skills, which I think I can believe as he had Billy King as a regular the season they won the championship, now I know this wont be a popular opinion, but I think there is a lot more to Billy King than we have witnessed, I think Slabber used to put the shits up him if he lost the ball, so all he'd do was turn and pass it back, rather than head for the byline and take a gamble, I think he needs a cuddle rather than a bollicking.
So just hoping we've got it right this time, welcome aboard Robbie and I hope you can turn this season around!

He was doing the same on Saturday, AC i.e. turning back rather than take his man on.

Though I kinda agree with you btw. I think King has got something about him and more than what we have seen from him so far. He has lost his way since that Championship winning season under Neilson at Hearts. let's hope the same man can bring the hidden qualities we think he might have out of him.

Agree he probably needs an arm round the shoulder. A bollocking doesn't work for every player. And not sure it's even fair in King's case because it's not like he's hiding or has a shit attitude or anything.

08/10/2018 11:25 pm

King and neilson dont get on. Well lets see mr big balls!! Tbf king played in a defensive role with csaba oh and neilson for a while before being loaned to ict. King needs to grow a pair. Or fuck off.

SuperMario · 08/10/2018 11:45 pm

Tek wrote:
SuperMario wrote:
Very happy, tek who were your first and second choices???
Tommy Wright was my 1st choice.

Barry Robson was my 2nd choice.

But, again, I think Neilson will do ok for us.

I wanted robson too but maybe one job too early for him, cause let’s be honest this is a massive appointment!

Happy wee neilson and we can all pray tonight he gets us back up

Rick Dagless · 09/10/2018 12:56 am

Probably the best appointment the club could make. Liked Robbie when he was with us as a player and seemed to do all the right things at Hearts before he left. Bit of a failure down south but he's not been the first to do that.

Also the Arabtrust statement about the appointment is utter cringe.

For those that havent seen it:

ArabTRUST welcomes the appointment of Robbie Neilson as Head Coach at Dundee United.

Our Associate Director Stuart Campbell has been kept fully updated with the developments of the search for a new manager. Whilst ArabTRUST were not involved in the recruitment process, ArabTrust did highlight to the board, the need to bring in the right person capable of achieving promotion this season.

Now with a new squad, management team in place and so much still to play for this season, we would hope this brings more unity in and around Dundee United as a whole going forward to help Dundee United earn their place in top flight football.

Susan Batten
Arab TRUST Chair

Tek · 09/10/2018 2:00 am

LocheeFleet wrote:
King and neilson dont get on. Well lets see mr big balls!! Tbf king played in a defensive role with csaba oh and neilson for a while before being loaned to ict. King needs to grow a pair. Or fuck off.

Based on what exactly?

bowers · 09/10/2018 4:39 am

happy enough.
and hope to fuck he is the right choice and can get us out this league as winners this season. It will be interesting to see how he sets team up this weekend

09/10/2018 7:50 am

PatReilly wrote:
The board would have been in even deeper shit if they hadn't settled this today, and at the back of my mind I feel they were prepared to wait and hope that Laurie Ellis got a result at Firhill to put things off further.

Neilson has been on hold for weeks waiting for the appointment, and I wouldn't have blamed him if he'd gone elsewhere. We should have moved for him in May, and allowed him to build his own squad, which I don't think is as good as some others appear to believe.

However, I'm pleased he's there now, just hope we check it's him we've got and not lookalike Pressley

Out of those realistically available, I don't think we could have got better, but I wonder if the club is so riddled with bad practices, and maybe poor fortune, that Robbie Neilson will find it difficult to make changes fast enough.

Pressley lookalike? Geez peace!
The squad? Let's see how they perform under him.
I'm over the proverbial moon with this appointment so no spoiling my enthusiasm please!

Last edited by smedDUm (09/10/2018 7:51 am)

09/10/2018 7:54 am

SuperMario wrote:
Tek wrote:
SuperMario wrote:
Very happy, tek who were your first and second choices???
Tommy Wright was my 1st choice.

Barry Robson was my 2nd choice.

But, again, I think Neilson will do ok for us.

I wanted robson too but maybe one job too early for him, cause let’s be honest this is a massive appointment!

Happy wee neilson and we can all pray tonight he gets us back up

Barry F'n Robson?!! His interview with Si Ferry was not for the managerial vacancy at Tannadice.

lifesanocean · 09/10/2018 8:09 am

No, but he did articulate the problems at the club and what it needed to move forwards in about 30 seconds. Something Csaba couldn't do despite a years worth of rambling 30 minute interviews twice a week.

On Neilson, I am happy. He's got good experience now, he's Scottish and didn't overcomplicate things at Hearts. Hopefully he gets his own assistant in at the very least. Good thing is he worked with Alexander at Hearts so there's a relationship there. Ellis, if he's staying on seems to work with anyone.

Rumour on Mad that Luggy is going to be DoF.

Last edited by lifesanocean (09/10/2018 10:32 am)

09/10/2018 8:17 am

lifesanocean wrote:
No but he did articulate the problems at theclub and what it needed to move forwards in about 30 seconds. Something Csaba couldn't do despite a years worth of rambling 30 minute interviews twice a week.

On Neilson, I am happy. He's got good experience now, he's Scottish and didn't overcomplicate things at Hearts. Hopefully he gets his own assistant in at the very least. Good thing is he worked with Alexander at Hearts so there's a relationship there. Ellis, if he's staying on seems to work with anyone.

Rumour on Mad that Luggy is going to be DoF.

I very much doubt that lifesan.
Hasn't he just got to focus on his health?

kdyteejay · 09/10/2018 8:52 am

Tek wrote:
SuperMario wrote:
Very happy, tek who were your first and second choices???
Tommy Wright was my 1st choice.

Barry Robson was my 2nd choice.

But, again, I think Neilson will do ok for us.

Probably not the right time for Robson but think he'll be our manager one day.

Tek · 09/10/2018 10:27 am

smedDUm wrote:
SuperMario wrote:
Tek wrote:

Tommy Wright was my 1st choice.

Barry Robson was my 2nd choice.

But, again, I think Neilson will do ok for us.

I wanted robson too but maybe one job too early for him, cause let’s be honest this is a massive appointment!

Happy wee neilson and we can all pray tonight he gets us back up
Barry F'n Robson?!! His interview with Si Ferry was not for the managerial vacancy at Tannadice.

I didn't say it was, did i?

I do know one thing though, had we appointed Robson you'de be on here saying you were 'over the moon', 'high as a kite' and praising Mike Martin for a 'brave appointment in line with the fans thinking'.

Or something.

Downfield Arab · 09/10/2018 11:50 am

Surely now we have a manager who can organise, is tactically astute, can motivate and take us away from being a laughing stock in Scottish football. Pity this wasn't done in May. Big mistake by MM to allow Dumbo to carry on. Hopefully now rectified.

Finn Seemann · 09/10/2018 12:10 pm

Whilst we should have gotten rid of Lazlo after Falkirk debacle and at worst at the end of last season, we are here now. I like the fact that MM wants to give a manager time - just he picked the wrong one to back.
Neilson seems a good fit, experience of getting out of this league against better opposition, knows the club at least a little, knows the fans expectation, is generally respected and has failed once (which is a good thing).
It's football though and its a results business - knowing what we know it might be a hard task. We just need to see improvements on the pitch and generally not getting cuffed by more than 2/3 goals off anyone.

Lancashire-Arab · 09/10/2018 2:57 pm

Finn Seemann wrote:
Whilst we should have gotten rid of Lazlo after Falkirk debacle and at worst at the end of last season, we are here now. I like the fact that MM wants to give a manager time - just he picked the wrong one to back.
Neilson seems a good fit, experience of getting out of this league against better opposition, knows the club at least a little, knows the fans expectation, is generally respected and has failed once (which is a good thing).
It's football though and its a results business - knowing what we know it might be a hard task. We just need to see improvements on the pitch and generally not getting cuffed by more than 2/3 goals off anyone.

I agree and one aspect i like of him at Hearts was putting younger players in the team if he felt they were good enough. I know that was partly due to circumstances but a lot of our 'senior pros' could do with being dropped so hope he has the determination to deliver for us.

annanarab · 09/10/2018 3:17 pm

It would be a nice change if Neilson was able to improve players. I’m not sure any of our have improved with the last 4 managers. All players (well maybe Lyng and Nichols excepted) have strengths and weaknesses. It will be nice to see if Neilsoncan play to their strengths and get them working hard on their weaknesses. I occasionally bang on about the style of play and make no apologies for doing so but getting the most out of what we’ve got is probably just as important IMO. It will be nice getting back to the time when we got hundreds of thousands or millions in transfer fees rather then seeing our dross moving down the ladder when they leave us. Good luck to Neilson, he’s got a massive challenge to turn us around

SuperMario · 09/10/2018 3:31 pm

Interviews are better already on arabzone-positive!

PatReilly · 09/10/2018 4:03 pm

Been wondering if Osman Sow, Aidan Nesbitt or Peter Pawlett, all not getting much game time after Robbie signed them for MK Dons, are likely future targets?

Or another signing, Conor McGrandles, who has suffered a double leg break in his young career: maybe the sort of player our medical team will give an A+ fitness pass to. Or even Robbie Muirhead, luckily under contract at the Pars right now................................ but our new manager has signed him twice!

I do think the board will realise that Robbie Neilson will require a fair bit of leeway with the budget in the January window.

JerryDungle · 09/10/2018 4:59 pm

PatReilly wrote:
Been wondering if Osman Sow, Aidan Nesbitt or Peter Pawlett, all not getting much game time after Robbie signed them for MK Dons, are likely future targets?

Or another signing, Conor McGrandles, who has suffered a double leg break in his young career: maybe the sort of player our medical team will give an A+ fitness pass to. Or even Robbie Muirhead, luckily under contract at the Pars right now................................ but our new manager has signed him twice!

I do think the board will realise that Robbie Neilson will require a fair bit of leeway with the budget in the January window.

Sow and Pawlett would be massive upgrades on what we have. If we can stay within touching distance of the top then get players like them in come January, we’d win the league.