Dundee United owner Mark Ogren has given an interview to the club’s in-house media department.
The DUTV Q&A followed United’s AGM, which was preceded by a fan protest outside the gates of Tannadice.
The Tangerines are rock bottom of the Premiership, with many supporters calling for the sacking of sporting director Tony Asghar and head coach Liam Fox.
Courier Sport picks out five key themes from the in-house chat with Ogren – expected to return to the US after Saturday’s bottom-of-the-league clash with Ross County – and fan reaction to it on Twitter.
1 – The Ogren five-year plan
United’s trajectory since Stephen Thompson sold the club had been trending steadily upwards, peaking with qualification for Europe.
This season’s implosion, and all its sub-plots, has been a calamitous fork in the road.
United’s first-team squad has never looked more unbalanced since they returned to the top flight and relegation is a real possibility.
Ogren, though, was keen to send out a message that his vision is still clear – and attainable.
“The long-term strategy, we’re still on,” he said. “We’re still on that strategy.
“There is going to be ups and downs.”
But @NiallFH wrote: “Sadly, this just comes over as a carefully structured address designed to steer attention away from the main issues and pull the wool over fans eyes.
“If only it was a ‘bump in the road’.”
@Roryhanna45 added: “He’s invested in the club and helped the club get out from a horrible situation but to say we are sticking to the five-year target doesn’t make sense.
“Surely after getting Europe and making all the summer signings the target was Europe again if not a cup final? Very odd.”
2 – Sackings
As mentioned above, Asghar and Fox are both in the firing line as far as many supporters are concerned.
The banners at games and outside the ground – as well as the fact Asghar’s name is all over the current football operation – suggest the former’s position is under greater scrutiny in the stands.
Wednesday night’s DUTV interview alluded to “certain individuals and outside noise”.
Ogren responded: “We all have to come together and figure this out.
“Are we going to make any changes in certain positions within the club? No.
“I have no plans to make any immediate changes at this point.”
@gcon1982 wrote: “If you’re not happy with where we are at as a club then do something about it Mark.
“I genuinely deep down believe that getting in an experienced manager now could save our season.
“Fox has run out of ideas how to get results from this squad.”
@EdmontonArab added: “If you want our fans to believe that you have the club’s best interests at heart Mr Ogren, you will replace Mr Asghar with someone who has the knowledge necessary to run a premier football club.
“Concerns over Mr Asghar go back much further than the current ‘bump in the road’.”
3 – The American’s commitment to staying
Ogren has invested millions in Dundee United but stated back in May that the future was about the club becoming self-sustaining rather than relying on his personal wealth.
He didn’t touch on the depth of his pockets and his willingness or otherwise to put his hands back in there but insisted he is not looking for the exit door.
And that will mean bringing United back to the Premiership even if they do get relegated in May.
He said: “People continually ask – are you committed to the club?
“I’m absolutely committed. Wherever we do end up, we’ll address it, and we’re going to move on.”
@ArashBarzin said: “Do the right thing and sell the club.”
@TWFDUFC1909 was more sympathetic, saying: “A lot of criticism [aimed at Ogren] but I have some sympathy for the chairman.
“He has put his money where his mouth is, and until this season things were going in the right direction.
“Only way to get fans back inside starts with three points on Saturday.”
4 – Fan anger
Ogren’s public position may be a strong ‘don’t panic’ one but he was given the opportunity to point out that shouldn’t be mistaken for putting his fingers in his ears.
Given his latest trip to Scotland has coincided with the weekend defeat to St Johnstone and the reaction inside Tannadice to that loss, a dinner with supporters and an AGM, it would have been impossible for him to not be aware of the depth of the fury at how the season is panning out on and off the pitch.
He said: “Most of our supporters are very supportive of what we’ve got going on.
“By and large it’s been positive interaction. It’s the passion that drew us to this club in the first place.
“People are disappointed and mad at our current situation – I absolutely get that.”
@brizee66 said: “Far from happy with what’s happening but the fans need to stick with these players and support them until the season ends to have any chance of staying up.
“The team will have my support until then.”
But others were unimpressed.
@zombiefree83 said: “The matter of fact way he talks about getting on with it in term of if they get relegated gives me the fear.
“Has absolutely no clue what it’s like as a supporter in that situation.”
@The_Shed_Talk wrote: “Rabbit in the head lights come to mind. Wants us to sing and cheer!
“Cheer what? The team is awful to watch, manager makes decisions that leave us scratching our heads weekly and we’re getting beat every week. F*** off.”
5 – The ‘safe’ interview
It’s one thing taking questions from a Dundee United member of staff but it’s another putting yourself in front of the written and broadcast media.
Like Asghar after the January transfer window closed, Ogren has chosen to keep everything in-house.
Explaining the reasoning behind that decision, he said: “I’ve spoken to the outside press in the past but I wanted to speak directly to our supporters.
“I don’t think it would be appropriate to speak to the outside media and something I said would be taken out of context.”
Hear from Chairman Mark Ogren as he addresses the current situation at the club.
🗣 | #DUFC pic.twitter.com/hCqastwu6F
— Dundee United FC (@dundeeunitedfc) February 22, 2023
@Dufc78 said: “At the end, you know how scripted it is. Turns and looks straight at the camera, ‘we need you’.”
@SamFTD83 added: “Full of desperation and zero substance.
“Head firmly stuck in the sand, DUTV easy option to avoid tough Qs.
“Has small window to fix this but choosing to protect TA [Tony Asghar] over fans.
“He’ll find out he chose the wrong horse soon enough. Change or go…we’ll be here long after he’s gone.”
@AMADUFC wrote: “Was just waiting on a Delia Smith moment at the end there.
“Also, if he can say he’s not putting in any more money, he’s put in enough, then why can’t we?”
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