Like a death in the family. That’s how Willo Flood sums up his feelings when Dundee United missed out on promotion to the Premiership.
He describes them in his thick Dublin accent, but make no mistake about it — Willo’s now an Arab through and through.
That’s why he turned down bigger offers from England to sign up again at Tannadice for the next campaign — one he’s determined will end with the Tangerines back in the top flight.
While he’s tasted good times over a 15-year career with the likes of Manchester City, Cardiff, Celtic and Aberdeen, he admits nothing will compare to getting United, as he puts it, back where they belong.
Because he never again wants to experience the agony of hearing the final whistle in the play-off final defeat at Hamilton in May.
“At the time it really did feel like a death in the family. Strange as that sounds, it was, and it took weeks to get over it,” said the 32-year-old.
“You know you’re so close but in the end you’re so far. One goal was all that was in it and, looking back, we didn’t get the penalty we should have in the first leg and I think if we did and go to Hamilton with a one-goal lead for the second leg, we go on and win the tie.
“It was a massive decision. We were on top then get the double whammy of not getting the pen and having our striker (Simon Murray) who’s been on form sent off wrongly.”
Raw as all that still feels, for Flood the important thing is to look ahead and be determined to finish top of the Championship this time.
“Getting back to training and having games to look forward to is a big help. You don’t want to be walking about with a big ball of negativity.
“We need to get into the season positive and let’s hope we can start well and get this place bouncing.”
He believes there’s every chance of that and has been impressed by the new signings made. He sees a squad coming together that has the right mix of knowledge and quality.
“Everyone knows the league, that’s a big thing. The boys we’ve brought in for the final third of the pitch, they excite me. You know if you give them the ball they’ll make things happen.
“Scott Fraser was also a big loss for the last couple of months of last season when he got injured.
“He makes things happen in the areas that matter.
“Tony Andreu was a good player goal scoring-wise but he wasn’t a creator of chances. The boys we’ve brought in for this season are.
“Overall, I think it might be a stronger XI this season, as good as Tony was. He’s one you have to play in the No 10 role because when you play 4-4-2 he loses shape and is a bit ill-disciplined.
“That said, the quality he has means you need to get him in the team but this year the manager has brought in different types to suit his system.”
And in Fraser, Flood believes there’s a player who can fill Andreu’s shoes in that “10” position , though not always.
“No 10 is Scotty’s best position but what I like about him is he can play in a few different roles and do well in different formations. That means he can move about and still cause problems.
“In Paul McMullan and Billy King we have new boys who give us pace. We lacked that last season and there is definitely more width in the team now.”
Signings like those two have convinced Flood he was right to sign on again.
“I had a few calls, one or two decent offers from down south that were more money. For me it was gut-wrenching not going up and I feel like a bit of a failure if I’m honest. Getting Dundee United football club back to the Premiership will be the best moment of my career.”
This article originally appeared on the Evening Telegraph website. For more information, read about our new combined website.