Craig Levein has money available to bring in new players during the January transfer window, but he admitted that he’s in no hurry to splash the cash.
Chairman Eddie Thompson promised that he would make funds available for several new signings and has been true to his word, even using some of his own personal wealth to ensure Levein has money available.
However, Levein realises that spending a lot of money to bring in a big name star or stars, doesn`t always guarantee that it was money well spent.
Players can be inconsistent, get injured, or might struggle to find any form with a new club – so just because Levein has a few quid to spend, doesn’t mean he`s in any hurry to spend it.
“I’ve got a bit of money to spend in January, but I won’t be spending just for the sake of it,” said Levein.
“I’ll only sign a player if I believe he would be an asset to us. There`s no point spending cash simply because it is there.”
The Dundee United manager is planning to build from the back, so he’ll probably be looking to bring someone to help strengthen the United defence, but its common knowledge that he’s also on the look out for a new striker as well.
In recent weeks, there have been several players linked with a move to Tannadice, including Robbie Winters, Charlie Miller and more recently Steven Pressley – but many of them would probably have high wage demands and Levein would be hesitant in using up all his transfer fund to bring in just one player.
In the past many Dundee United managers have spent big, hoping that their signings would help propel the club up the league or bring some sort of cup success.
However, many stars have failed to live up to their potential – with players like Stevie Crawford, Russell Latapy, Derek McInness and Lee Miller being released, rather than continuing to pay their inflated wages and bonuses, when they clearly weren’t performing.
Paul Sturrock was one manager offered spending money by the Dundee United board, but refused to use it because it would have plunged the club he loves into debt.
Luggy spent over £700,000 to bring in Alex Mathie in October 1998, but he failed to perform on the park and scored just 6 goals in 50 appearances for Dundee United.
Less than a year after signing, Mathie was loaned to Preston between Sep-Dec 1999. In September 2000, Mathie was released by Dundee United, before joining York on a free a few weeks later.
After spending so much money on just one player, it’s not really a surprise that Sturrock was hesitant about risking any more funds on someone who might also prove to be a waste of space.
Hopefully, Craig Levein will be just as hesitant about spending Eddie Thompson’s money – and instead take his time to try and bring in proven, experienced players who will be an asset to the club, not just a drain on the resources.
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Alex Mathie – was he one of the most expensive ineffectual players to play for Dundee United?
The photo is of Chairman Eddie Thompson by the way – just incase anyone thought the stress of managing Dundee United had aged Craig Levein over the last few weeks!!