UtdFan

I’ve been convinced since the Carlisle and Arbroath games that we’re gonna win the league by a considerable margin. Absolutely no arrogance or blinkers on, I just feel that we have a significantly stronger squad than others in the league (which we should with our budget). Even though we’ve not been great in certain games, we’re grinding out results every single week.

My post stands for any club that finds themselves in this position. Clearly no Board just decides after one bad result to sack the Manager. Therefore, if they feel that it’s potentially going to happen if bad results continue, a level of succession planning should be taking place in preparation. You’re now in a situation where you’re In going into a game a full week later against the biggest club in the league with no manager. Why not just keep Dodds in post to see if things improve while you’re weighing up your options?

Why sack Dodds without having someone else ready to come in immediately? Bizarre.

Doesn’t seem to be too much being said about Saturdays game - any thoughts? Utd should win on paper which means that absolutely anything can happen

UtdFan in peace I’d be very surprised if the very first question that is asked by a Board after a Manager has been sacked isn’t “Who is currently available that we can get for free?” Absolutely no chance that any/many clubs outside of the Old Firm are in a financial position to pay off their current manager and then pay compensation to another club to take their Manager. Sorry to be realistic!

Any team news for Saturday?

Might be ‘slightly’ biased but I can’t see anyone competing with United over the course of the season. Raith looking good so far to be fair but surely it’s United’s to lose based on squad size/quality, budget etc?

From what I’ve read, Caley were unfortunate against Raith. On paper, Utd are much stronger but the ‘new manager bounce’ (if appointed in time) throws another dimension into the mix for this one.

Fletcher is not a prolific goal poacher type so shouldn’t be judged on his goals record, that’s not his game. He was missing a poacher in and around him. Would have been a certain starter in any SPL team last year outside the Old Firm. Quality player.

Clear red card unfortunately. No point appealing that, regardless of how much contact he actually made.

Hard to tell from that angle / distance how bad the incident was unfortunately.

Fletcher was great and he would have been unreal in this league. It was the playing up front with zero support or runners in behind that was the issue there.

Strong team plus 7 academy graduates in the squad. Can’t ask for more than that!

Looking forward to the game today. I see Sibbald is back in training but wouldn’t be rushing him to play and risk a longer term injury. We’re in the unusual place this season of being favourites going into every single game - any Morton fans thinking an upset might be on the cards?

Got to give the academy graduates as much time as possible on the pitch this season to prove themselves and get used to the pace / standard. There’s a very high chance of promotion and it will be difficult next season if we’re involved in bottom six scraps. As soon as we’re a couple of goals up in any game this season, get them on.

Any injuries / suspensions for either team this week? United have had Docherty missing recently but recruited Tillson last week from Ross County. Not sure when Docherty is due back.

Seems very strange that both teams weren’t ask to consent to the move / raise any objections before going ahead with the change. Genuine question - you guys must have midweek fixtures throughout the season. Is there any sort of noticeable difference in the performance and / or results you get compared to a Saturday fixture?

Morton team from today:

Morton appear to be taking a LOT of shots every week but at the same time, their goals conceded column is the worst in the league. Sounds like an attack minded team who don’t mind taking risks defensively? Could be a goal fest next week! (0-0 guaranteed now…)

UtdFan in peace No comment re those programme notes… Thoughts for todays game? Interesting to see how strong a line-up each Manager puts out for this very important competition. All the best

The team for today will be interesting. Will Goodwin go for… - Full strength to keep the momentum going. - Mixture of first team and fringe / youth to give them a good run out. - Youth team, just… because. I hope he goes full strength, try to get the game won as early as possible and then get the subs on.

Talking about the crowd, I think that if that had ended 1-0, United would have been (wrongly) booed off the pitch after that second half. However, the second goal changes it and all is ok.

A mixture of Airdrie being really good in the second half without creating too much and United being very very average! I think Airdrie will have a good season if that’s them without 3 or 4 of their best players! Comfortable in possession, attack minded, good young team.

Wow, Airdrie on top now and just had one cleared off the line. United haven’t turned up second half.

1-0 Utd half-time. Utd on top and had a some good chances but Airdrie have had 2 or 3 really good efforts too. United shooting down the hill second half, I’d go for 2 or 3 nil full-time. Decent support from Airdrie, making plenty of noise. Good game ️