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Levein stays calm despite record of two wins from 19



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Published Date: 16 September 2008
By Angus Wright
DUNDEE United manager Craig Levein insists he has complete confidence in his under-achieving squad, despite a dismal start to the Clydesdale Bank Premier League season.
United slipped to the foot of the table after Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Hibernian and are now the only top-flight side yet to register a victory after five league matches this season.

In fact, going back to last term, United have managed only tw
o wins from their past 19 SPL fixtures.

But Levein insists his side are playing well enough to have earned more points this season and is sure the victories will come. "I have complete faith in the players to do the job and, right now, what we must do is stick together and keep doing what we believe in," he said.

"Of course, I am disappointed we haven't won yet, but, if I look at the games we've had so far, I'd say we have five points less than we might have and, over the course of a season, that is not a lot. If we keep playing the way we are, I am confident that ground will be made up. We've had a difficult start and Saturday sees the end of a run of five out of our first seven games being away from home and one of the two home games was against Celtic.

"The up side of that is after Saturday we have five of seven at home and, if we keep playing like we are, that is an opportunity to pick up points."

United's next league outing is Saturday's trip to Aberdeen.

Levein added: "People will also say Aberdeen becomes a must-win game for us. As much as I want to win it and it's an important game, I don't see it that way because if we keep playing like we are, over the season we will be as successful as we want to be."

United will travel to Pittodrie for the early kick-off match, to be shown live on Setanta, without the on-loan Roy O'Donovan, while fellow striker Warren Feeney is a doubt after missing the weekend's match at Easter Road with an ankle problem.

Levein said: "Roy has hurt his hamstring and if it isn't torn it is severely strained, and I don't see Warren being back until next week."





The full article contains 400 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 15 September 2008 10:18 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Dundee United FC
 
1

Teary Ennui,

16/09/2008 00:36:45
"i cant understand why dundee utd are doing so poorly

they were my tip" (#1)


You may have just answered your own query. ;0)
2

Jon Bon Jovi,

16/09/2008 02:32:47

i think its great to see united at the bottom of the league, its about time they got relegated again....
3

Richardinho,

16/09/2008 03:58:40
Levein is too obsessed with his own vanity for the good of his club. His side will desperately try to show that they can compete 'with the big boys', but at the cost of not taking the games against other SPL teams seriously enough.
After the 1-1 draw with Celtic all the pundits were saying how 'if Dundee utd play like that every week they should be challenging at the top.'.
I expressed doubts at the time that they would be able to keep up such a level of intensity, and so it has transpired.
4

,

16/09/2008 09:00:12
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
5

Helter Skelter,

16/09/2008 09:42:11
Saw big Craig on sportscene last night and he seems remarkably relaxed about the poor results , content in the belief that the performances are good and in time results will follow.

Me thinks Craig sounded a bit complacent about things and showed no awareness of the likelihood that if DU lose their next two games, the fans will be getting very impatient.
6

We love fitba,

google! 16/09/2008 10:57:03
Lots of misinformed opinion on here this morning!

The fact is, Dundee Utd have not had the rewards that their play has deserved so far this season. They were excellent in spells against Hibs, who in turn needed 2 goals of real quality to win the game.

Clearly, what Levein is trying to do is encourage his squad to keep playing the way they have been, and not become jittery and lose confidence.

Simple, really! Might we request that people who want to comment have at least seen the team in question play?
7

SouthSideHibs,

16/09/2008 11:08:36
Utd are poor, and awful to watch.

Lets be fair they sold their two best players for a few pieces of silver.

Poor old Craig Levein - couldn't happen to a nicer guy...!
8

darkhorse.,

16/09/2008 11:25:29
Memo to Craig Levein.

Spend less time pontificating on the TV, in the press, and hounding the footballing authorities.

Try and convince your board to retain the services of your better players.

Spend more time on the training field with the players you've got.

Strachan took my advise on team selection last season and he squeaked the title. Take my advise and you might just keep your job.
9

G1983,

16/09/2008 12:19:25
#5 The "level of intensity" has nothing to do with United's poor form. It has everything to do with being unable to score. But you'd know that if you ever watched them...

#9 I can only assume you weren't at the game on Saturday. United played the only football in that match and made Hibs look completely ordinary for 90% of the game. Of course, that counts for nothing in the league table, but to say United are poor to watch is just idiocy.

#10 "Try and convince your board to retain the services of your better players." - There was nothing that could be done about Robson leaving. He had a contract clause. As for Hunt - take £500k now or nowt in a year's time? I'd rather see United get back to a state of finacial health than get a few more goals from Hunt, even if it does cost us league places this season.

Also, as you seem to be such an expert, what team is it you manage again?
10

Alan B,

16/09/2008 12:33:30
Think Dundee Utd will come good and start climbing the table. They seem like a decent side. Gomez looks a quality player.
11

Pugey,

16/09/2008 12:37:41
G1983: excellent post!

Gomis was incredible on Saturday.

Sandaza and Daly need a few more games, but look more than capable of sorting out our goal-drought.

Dods and Wilkie were all over the shop for the first 15 mins, but settled as the game progressed.

I was glad to see us move to a more familiar set-up after O'Donovan was withdrawn. We tightened up and played the lion-share of the game on the front-foot.

Scott Robertson needs a few more matches to make the step-up from his Dens daze (sorry, days), but looks like he has more to offer than Mark Kerr.

Patience is the order of the day: good things are just around the corner for United.
12

Pistol Pete,

16/09/2008 13:39:47
Just a pity that no one turns up to watch the Tangerines any more. Used to love the impact that the New Firm made.

 

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