Off-field matters dominate the agenda for this week’s Talking Football. Ian Roache, Eric Nicolson and Neil Robertson turn their attention to Dundee United’s new chairman and Dundee’s annual accounts.
So Dundee United have a new chairman. This one’s for you, Ian, because you interviewed the man yesterday….what did you make of Mike Martin?
IR: I thought he was assured and articulate for someone who has never been in the media spotlight before. His answers were waffle-free and he didn’t dodge a question. As befitting someone who has had a successful career in banking, he was surefooted on financial issues and, I thought, conciliatory and understanding towards the long-suffering United fans. I was impressed by him but, like the supporters, I will wait to see what he does rather than what he says.
What were the key points to come up out of the Martin interview?
IR: His theme was that he will be his own man despite being a friend and boardroom ally of the now previous chairman Stephen Thompson. I thought the key thing was just how open both he and Thompson are to foreign investment and even ownership, the consequence of which would mean a short spell in the big chair for Martin. He explained his GA Arena purchase well, I felt, and there should be some reassurance for the sceptics on that score.
EN: United have a chairman who – given his employment pedigree – should be sharp as a tack when it comes to pounds and pence. The fact that he has ruled out administration should United be languishing in the Championship for another season is arguably the most important commitment he has given.
NR: Reading Ian’s interview, the new chairman came across well and couldn’t really have done more to reassure a support that, as he put it, has been through hell in recent years. There is little Martin can do at the moment to address the on-field problems but at least he showed he will begin dealing with the off-field ones as quickly as possible.
Has he got a realistic chance of uniting the fanbase?
IR: He is open to engagement with the various groups but that is definitely one area where he will be judged on deeds rather than words. He indicated he would like to see the supporters’ representation streamlined and I would agree with him. I have always thought the fans would benefit from having a “go-to” man or woman to be their public voice.
EN: The fact that he isn’t Stephen Thompson gives him a fighting chance. But, is any fanbase of a football ever really united? I would suggest not. We can’t ask the impossible of Martin.
NR: Getting everyone singing from the same hymn sheet will be easier said than done but while it is not quite a clean slate with Martin in charge hopefully the various supporters’ groups will give him the benefit of the doubt.
When you boil it all down, Stephen Thompson is still the majority shareholder so is the appointment of a new chairman significant change or inconsequential?
IR: I would say it is significant because I don’t see Martin as being a carbon copy of his predecessor. They have worked together and will continue to do so until the Thompson shareholding is sold, which could be sooner than many think. However, maybe Martin should be given a chance. He certainly insists he is his own man.
EN: The idea of Thompson asking Martin to jump and the reply coming back ‘how high?’ is a nonsense. Clearly there will be areas of common ground between the two men – chiefly the fact that they are working on getting the club sold. But Thompson couldn’t risk the prospect of his new chairman jumping ship by giving him no responsibility of his own.
NR: I feel a new chairman is significant in many ways but the sooner Thompson sells his shares the better.
It’s been a while since United last played a game of football. This fixture backlog isn’t ideal, is it?
IR: No. It is extremely worrying and we are probably just one more postponement away from crisis time.
EN: United have to get into the play-offs first but if they arrive at them knackered they have virtually no chance of going all the way. They need to secure their spot then hopefully have a couple of weeks to rest players before the play-offs begin.
NR: Ask any player and they will say they would rather play than train but the big problem for Csaba Laszlo will arise if United are hit with any more injuries.
Dundee released their financial figures for the last year. Losing £354,000 can never be dressed up as a good thing, can it?
IR: It is a concern, although certainly not as bad as it has been portrayed elsewhere in the media. Talk of being “on the brink” is obviously nonsense. Fans will have noted, though, the big cash injection from the owners and that the accounts included the transfer fees for Greg Stewart and Kane Hemmings.
EN: If a club makes a profit it is usually because of transfer money brought in or cup runs. Dundee are no different. Their losses aren’t catastrophic. You could argue if they had got a fairer value for Stewart and Hemmings (be careful of sell-on clauses) they would have made that profit.
NR: Six-figure losses are never good but as long as the Keyes family are willing to continue pumping money into the club, then they are not a matter of too much concern.
Is there a realistic path for Dundee to follow that will see them start to turn a profit in future years?
IR: There is no magic wand to turn loss into profit unless you are Celtic playing Champions League football. The 1,000 extra fans on the gate plea seems overly-optimistic. The first question I asked the new United chairman was why on earth, as someone who knows the financial world, he was involved in Scottish football and you do wonder sometimes where business people see the gain in such a tough environment.
EN: Trimming the playing squad in terms of numbers is a good start. Paul Hartley’s wishes were indulged too much. Getting one player a year, either recruited or developed in the academy, who can be improved and sold on shouldn’t be beyond the likes of Dundee.
NR: Dens is an obvious drain on the club’s resources and a move to the new stadium is a priority.
A lot has been spoken about Dundee’s pre-split fixture list. St Johnstone on Saturday is the only game they’ve got that isn’t against one of the league’s big boys. A must win?
IR: I think the Dark Blues have had a few must-wins this season! I’m not sure about this particular game, though, because they seem as likely to get a result elsewhere as against the Perth men. Mind you, Saints are maybe due a win against them.
EN: We’re not quite in must-win territory yet. Hearts at Dens is another game that Dundee have a realistic chance of three points in.
NR: Dundee will be determined to secure their Premiership safety as soon as possible and they have a good recent record against Saints so while not must-win it is certainly one they will have targeted for a maximum three points.
Not quite as important for Saints?
IR: I don’t know about that because a quick glance at the league table shows me they are only two points better off than the Dens men.
EN: Saints’ fixtures are certainly kinder. A win at Dens would of course be significant but the home clash with Hamilton is the stand-out three points game for them.
NR: Not sure the St Johnstone fans would agree with that!
Any games catching your eye in the lower leagues this weekend?
IR: Without a doubt it is Ayr v Raith and I’m backing Barry Smith and his players to bring something back from Somerset Park.
EN: Yeah, that’s the obvious one. Their Fife neighbours Dunfermline need to start getting results, mind you. I know they’re away at St Mirren but the Pars are in danger of giving themselves too much to do to make the play-offs.
NR: Nothing will be decided at Somerset Park in terms of the League 1 title but Raith could land a huge psychological blow if they can beat Ian McCall’s men.