Craig Levein is disgusted by the way some of his Dundee United players have just given up and “downed tools” in their last 2 SPL matches, after another humiliating 5 goal defeat at Ibrox.
Dundee United lost 5-1 to Falkirk on New Years day and followed that with a 5-0 defeat by Rangers, but Levein thinks he has identified the culprits responsible for the embarrassing score lines.
Derek Stillie, David McCracken, Garry Kenneth, Stuart Duff, Mark Kerr, Collin Samuel and Morgaro Gomis are the only players who played in both of the last Dundee United matches.
Although, its unlikely that new signing Morgaro Gomis who came on as a sub against both Falkirk & Rangers is one of the players criticised by the Dundee United manager in his post-match interview following the 5-1 Ibrox defeat.
After the Falkirk match on New Years day, Levein described the performance as a “blip” after a encouraging win over Aberdeen and a 2-2 draw with Celtic.
“We were better in the 2nd half, until we went 3-1 down. Then we downed tools, which was interesting to see,” said Levein after the Falkirk match.
Following those comments, there was some speculation about the future of several of the 1st team squad at Tannadice, but they may have played their last match in Tangerine after a dreadful performance in the 2nd half against Walter Smith’s new side.
“This game tells me a lot about the players I have,” Levein told the BBC after the Ibrox defeat.
“I look at some of them and I think they don’t care if they lose three or five goals – that’s just unacceptable. There are people who don’t want to do things properly, who won’t fight until the end of a match, who won’t roll their sleeves up, and it’s no good.”
“A lot of previous managers have looked at it and tried to solve the problem, but I’ll just get rid of them, it’s as simple as that.”
“The good thing is that the window is open and I’ll make changes. Those who’ve been continually on the sharp end of these defeats will leave.”
“It’s taken me 12 games now to really be able to pinpoint the players who are not doing a job. They will leave so watch out for changes.”
Defender Garry Kenneth was subbed off for Alan Archibald at half-time in the Rangers match, so he wasn’t part of the side which crumbled in the 2nd half – but being an early sub could mean bad news for the youngster anyway.
Goalie Derek Stillie is a good shot stopper, but is too erratic between the posts, and his 1st half blunder gave Rangers their opener – whether Kris Boyd was in an offside position or not.
David McCracken was handed the captains armband for the match, after Barry Robson was suspended and missed the match – but of the 21 matches he’s played for Dundee United this season, he’s only been on the winning side 6 times, losing 41 goals in those games!
Stuart Duff, who joined the 1st team squad as a right-back, has been played in several positions through the team, but maybe the 24-year-old is one of the players Craig Levein thinks doesn’t have a future at the club – though he has been suffering with the flu for most of this week and may have been feeling the effects in the later stages of the Rangers defeat.
Mark Kerr received a lot of praise for his performance in the centre of United’s midfield, coming up against Ranger’s captain Barry Ferguson – but the 24-year-old has played in every Dundee United match this season, including all 5 matches where United’s collapsed and lost either 4 or 5 goals.
Collin Samuel, who tormented the Rangers defence until he’s was subbed off for Noel Hunt in the 2nd half, has used his pace to great effect in several matches under Levein – but is 5 goals in 26 games good enough for the United manager to keep the Trinidadian?
Then, finally there is Alan Archibald, who came on as a half-time substitute for Kenneth. The 29-year old has only played in 5 games since Levein’s arrival, but wasn’t part of the squad which lost a hat-trick to Alan Gow on New Years day.
Although, he was part of the defence which gifted Kris Boyd and Barry Ferguson their goals at Ibrox and has lost a total of 10 goals in those 5 matches – is he one of the players on his way out of Tannadice?
Whoever Craig Levein decides does & doesn’t have a future with the club, one thing is certain…..performances in 2007 have to change, because losing 2 games in this fashion (10 goals against, 1 goal for) just isn’t acceptable!!!
Derek Stillie, David McCracken, Garry Kenneth, Stuart Duff, Mark Kerr and Collin Samuel?
I dont know who Levein means is responsible, because I couldnt bear to watch after 4-0, but whoever it was that stopped playing – get rid of them, now!!!
sack them all. jon daly was about the only positive thing about todays match