bdu98196

SFA bias towards west coast big 2, no shock but contractually the games need played at Hampden. The OF talk about being 'big' clubs, so if thats the case and they wish to be successful then the consequence is progress in competitions and as a result they need to have squads to accommodate. While the situation of playing Thurs then Sat isn't ideal for a club if those are the dates then that should be the case and if any club deems that unfair to comply with the fixture they can withdraw from the comp. Too often Scottish football panders to the tail wagging the dog. Everywhere today the media is talking about this farce. There's constant criticism of Scottish football and bodies talking it down and the product quality etc. On paper this is almost the best combination of semi final teams available - possibly the 4 biggest supported clubs, 3 of last seasons top 4 and I would expect similar again by the time of the game yet instead of promoting these matches as big hitters and a real plus for Scottish game, its being mocked and slated due to incompetence and idiotic scheduling. No wonder we cant get sponsors & good TV deals - every opportunity to promote is a cluster ****.

Don't see that as the case, reading the serious questions on here (and there are quite a few) towards the board, we are looking for someone who takes the concerns of fans seriously and would present a case or concerns in a mature manner without being afraid to challenge the responses (or lack of). Its too easy to look at the jokes and see it as a waste of time, but if that's what comes across its little surprise if the board treat comments and ultimately the fans the same way.

Lets hope its an impartial appointment with more affinity to the fans than the board members, while it may not be a member of senior management there is nothing stopping it being a position to bring in 'one of the boys' from elsewhere. While its a positive step trying to move this along in the bid for greater communication and fan consultation, there is also a danger that this is seen as a box ticking exercise in that fans are consulted but actions and decisions are still taken regardless. The issues many have cited on here regarding topics that the SLO should deal with such as kick-off times, stewarding, the club and its direction can all be dismissed or over-ruled on financial reasons which the board can cite as their remit. There needs to be a clear description of the role made by the club including how communications are handled, levels of influence and manner for documenting discussions and avenues to challenge outcomes. Right now this is just talk to try tick a box towards as alluded to more SFA cash - if the club is serious then the basics will be put in place before engaging including a strategy for selecting or electing the 'right' person to represent both club AND fans.

I'd suggest over the last few seasons the club has been very charitable in payments made to some squad members which should be considered donations given the lack of any return shown..............

What is being done to improve footfall? (this stems from a requirement to improve the matchday experience but also to promote the club and matches. There seems to be a disconnect with the local community which could be addressed with more visibility and presence within the city centre. Why do we not have ticket kiosks in town on the matchday mornings - High St, Falcon square etc?

Neither do we!!!!

What action has been taken by the club regarding the stewarding of matches. We were sent a detailed description of acceptable behaviour yet this season has seen significant abuse of Polly which although retrospectively dealt with by the club was not addressed during match day. The club pays for a service yet those providing it are failing to perform adequately? How do the club consider the handling of situations that have arise in the media over their tenure - Shearer, Warren, Raven - the departure of long standing & popular individuals being undermined by press leaks and spin to essentially be forced out. Whether that was the 'real' case or otherwise its the message that went public - Do the board deem this acceptable? Season ticket pricing - what lessons are being learned from previous seasons. What is being done to determine whether the costs are representing fan value for money and how is this being conducted? We saw the fiasco last season and refunds having to be given - are ST holder being taken for granted? What is the longer term strategy. If there is a failure to get promoted this season are further squad and budget cuts expected next year - if so are we adequately investing in the youth set up to provide the grass roots basis for building towards success. If so what is being done or planned to improve community engagement and develop youngsters?

It would be naive to think that current and past members of the club whether it be staff or players would be members on a site like this and lurk in the background at least. Being a small club without much media coverage I'm sure there are players who look in to see fan opinions - afterall not just our players but many have open social media accounts - twitter/instagram etc and look for followers - its an ego boost thing too. I'm not suggesting all players of all clubs use all forums but there will be some.

Suggesting that work is going on behind the scenes is maybe the case, however the handling of situations in and around the club in the media has been a shambles over the last few years - Foran, OFW, Warren, Shearer, ST renewals, Tulloch & car parks etc. We all know the history of these cases and IMO none have been handled particularly well at all. Nobody expects details of all ongoings at the club but what is needed is more honest statements coming out and not spin just when they want money. If that cant be done then retract the statement on 'better' communication and go back to how the previous board was (also free up money by removing those brought in to improve this as its not working) - I'd rather nothing was said from the club than some of whats been put or leaked out. Also not sure why some are turning on CJT as its not their position to follow up and announce information direct from the club when we have those employed to do so.

Cammy Bell saved 3 in a match when he was at DUtd http://www.espn.com/soccer/blog/the-toe-poke/65/post/2948000/dundee-united-goalkeeper-cammy-bell-saves-hat-trick-of-penalties

why are most communications only around the time of season ticket renewals........ Coincidence I think not.......

Agree with that if a youngster isn't in the picture game time is vital especially at adult level. However how often over the last few years do we see this - good youngster on the verge of the team sent out, then released on return and we bring in a guy with no better record from another club or down south. Being a GK it's harder as it's only 1 place to fight for but let's hope he gets a chance.

That's the point, it was all spin from the club - there isn't, wasn't and never will be the 2 or 3 players brought in with that money. There will have been a settlement for Warren to go how much of the remaining annual salary is unknown, couple that with some of the extended deals of youngsters and needs to cut costs there will be nothing left to invest. If fans think the captain is away and free up his 'Premiership' wages we might get 2 decent guys in for that money - names we know who have experience - then it helps sell season tickets. Much like last year and the various statememts made and broken then too.

We've brought in young guys from other clubs who seem to be no better than the youth players yet will be getting paid 'X', when it might have been better to invest 3X for 1 experienced player and plan to use youth back up all along. This season is critical to the direction of the club being a 2nd year in the Championship - investing in a strong spine should have been the plan all along.

No surprise that after the release of Warren to supposedly allow funds for recruitment we haven't brought in anyone. Reality is that its unlikely anyone will leave as none have performed well enough to get offered more lucrative contracts elsewhere to even contemplate walking away for free - and we certainly cant pay any more guys off. The level of squad we have is what we will need to get used to, lets hope the youth get a chance because they will probably not have a better chance to make the first team.

Harte, Baines, Carlos were all defenders who took penalties and were reliable- No reason we couldn't have one. The fact is this is yet another issue caused by our weak recruitment of players who lack experience and confidence and a team with no real strong characters or leadership. Having gone from the last few years where we had Tansey, Draper, Shinnie, Foran, even guys like Storey and Fisher we seem to have a dearth of players with that mentality. Robbo needs to take responsibility for the teams mentality and do work with these guys. They need belief and confidence installed even if it means sports psychologists coming in. They are young lads but seem very fragile.

Why do so many fans always look back. Stats from previous seasons are irrelevant. 2 points dropped from a home game we should have won. Interesting that Ayr sit top as a team with a goalscorer who is on firm- said it before that's the difference in this league.

No idea what he's like, but always find it odd that we sign so many young players with this one at 17 being a bit younger than most yet really seem to limit opportunities for our own youngsters around a similar age - over the years we've seen young lads come in and sit on the bench a few times without ever really getting any game time. Lets hope this one is different and not just because of his nationality and expectation he will be silky skilled. (he still has to overcome a wet windy Tue night in Dec against Alloa yet at TCS)

Warren comes across well as a passionate guy with a plan for moving forwards into coaching and a desire to help develop youth - he admits to not being a great academic but you clearly studies his former managers techniques to learn from. He was very professional in his details of leaving by simply stating he was not wanted or had outstayed his welcome - I'm sure the reality is he could have said much more but remained composed - but he does seem like a guy who will continue in the game in the future. Perhaps that's a loss for us given our limited return on young players and the leadership and respect he commanded from all.

Articles on BBC about foreign training and scouting camps and then.another about the 100s of British players without clubs but we don't do much of these camps. It looks like there is a pool of players out there desperate but how many are willing to lower their wages and ambitions to keep that dream alive. Let's hope we have a scouting network that market and find a bit of quality in the budget - If there is any left!!!

That's exactly the point if this really is the case then as fans we need to highlight this to the upper levels at the club and expect action. We can't be sent behavioural guidelines for match days then have those who are paid to perform these duties ignore them. If the abuse was as blatant as described and heard throughout the stadium then the directors assuming they were at the game must have heard it to therefore they need to address the steward issues directly or are no better than the other hypocrites running clubs and Scottish football when it comes to abuse and acceptability.

Great they heard it but if they took no action those at the game need to make the club aware. I've no idea what we spend in stewards costs but not so long ago there was a letter from the board to the fans stating acceptable conduct if those on match day who are paid to monitor and enforce these rules then what's the point in them being there or the club paying for that service.

Often if critical of a player or performance on this forum there are useless happy to tar those with the same brush as the fans shouting match abuse. I wasn't at the game but if what's written is correct then it's utterly unacceptable however nobody has stated any action taken other than internet posts. Did anyone or a group approach the culprits or stewards to address this at the time? The stewards have a duty to tackle this behaviour and should be ejecting fans based on our club policy given by the board if they are not then it needs highlighted at the top level in the club as the service being paid for is not in keeping with club policy.

Well simply put, football is an entertainment business and the landscape has changed from the 'working man' heading there on a Sat and a few pints in the boozer when games were cheap and affordable and TV money didn't exist. We live in modern, dynamic times where people expect more and have more lifestyle choice for spending disposable cash - adapt and survive or compete otherwise continue with a struggle for survival among falling fan bases. And yes the onus should be on the clubs - for too long football has had it easy taking the cash with minimal effort. Club loosing games and loosing fans due to lack of money to sustain players at a higher level to compete. Lack of money due to not having a footfall to sustain it. Lack of footfall due to lack of entertainment and not being perceived as value for money experience. Start to address the reasons for low footfall and the income will increase and therefore the end product on the park.

You miss the point of the statement. What is comparable is fans with an interest in the game and potential customers for the club to make money from. The climate may not be the same but we have areas around the stadium we can use - get a large covered area or marquee at the front (doesn't even need heated) just a suitable space that's dry with some seating for fans - have some big screens up to watch games (instead of a single 30in TV down in the foyer of the Main stand), pre-match build up, some music etc - something to build up an atmosphere. Have snack bars/drinks in them and encourage fans to come early and hang around for the build up rather than at bars in town. Nobody is suggesting Prawn Cocktail - pies and tea/bovril still have a place but really is he pricing reflective for the quality of goods on offer good value? The quality can be improved by offering external catering the opportunity to rent a stall outside the ground - plenty of small companies doing great quality foods for comparable prices - just visit game fairs/food events to see that. Helps the provide better local community ties & links to business. With games on at 3pm, having catering and facilities that can get folks out there at 12 or 1 - taps into a lunch market not just game time snacks - but people need to want to be there and entertained in that time. You dismiss all this yet there are clubs in England with areas doing this so why cant we?