Courier sports writers Ian Roache and Neil Robertson, with the help of the songs of Ol’ Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra, pick over the situation at Tannadice, Dundee’s cup chances and St Johnstone’s hopes of ending their slump.
Q And now the end is near Surely that 3-0 loss to Motherwell was the final curtain for Dundee United’s survival chances?
IR: Everyone at United has to keep saying that it’s not over for the sake of their own professional pride if nothing else. A dark cloud hangs over Tannadice, though, and that was before Wednesday’s stinging statement from chairman Stephen Thompson!
NR: Even Bear Grylls would struggle to help United survive now. While it remains mathematically possible for them to avoid the drop, there will still be positive noises emanating from Tannadice but, for me, the Tangerines need to start preparing for life in the Championship sooner rather than later.
Q There may be trouble ahead Boos greeted the full-time whistle on Tuesday night so do you think the supporters have finally had enough?
IR: Yes, it looks that way. You can’t blame them either after a hell of a year since that dreaded January transfer window of 2015.
NR: This has indeed been an annus horribilis for the supporters to endure. It has been one hammer blow after another in a relatively short space of time and it is no surprise that the fans are finally starting to turn.
Q I’m gonna love you like nobody’s loved you, come rain or come shine … Is this not the time when the supporters should be sticking by the team regardless?
IR: This season has tested the patience of even the most loyal of fans and they are entitled to feel unhappy and even angry given the rapid decline in their club’s fortunes.
NR: Fans can only take so much and it was understandable that having seen their favourites slump 3-0 at home to a side they had slim hopes of catching, the fans booed the team. The Motherwell result may have been the final straw for many of the Tannadice faithful and it will be interesting to see the turn-out from the home support for Saturday’s game against Hearts.
Q No, no they can’t take that away from me That was some statement from Thompson and some fans want him to step aside but is there a realistic chance of that happening?
IR: Of course Thompson should take his share of the blame for what has happened but he won’t be hounded out. If a serious offer for his shares came up I believe he would consider it but I have yet to hear of any viable alternative to the Thompsons as regards ownership of United.
NR: At the moment, it is difficult to see United as an attractive proposition to a potential buyer. Who is going to come in to offer big money for a club that is destined for the Championship with no guarantee next season of automatic promotion from a division that could include say Kilmarnock or Hibs, Falkirk, Raith Rovers and a resurgent Dunfermline?
Q It’s quarter to three, there’s no one in the place except you and me There is even talk of protests at games but do you think that would achieve anything?
IR: It worked for the Liverpool fans as regards their ticket prices but it is difficult to see how placards and shouting would solve anything. Thompson has had more than his fair share of abuse as it is.
NR: Fans pay their money and are entitled to vent their ire but, like Ian, I do not see what organised dissent can achieve, apart from poisoning the atmosphere at the club further. The last thing this fragile United team need is to see and hear their fans protesting.
Q Saturday night is the loneliest night in the week … Do you feel any sympathy for United manager Mixu Paatelainen?
IR: The defeat on Tuesday seemed to have taken its toll on Paatelainen and I felt sorry for him then. I felt even more sorry for him after his chairman’s statement!
NR: It is understandable to feel sympathy for someone who find himself in the position Paatelainen does, especially after the chairman’s broadside, but the simple fact is the buck stops with the manager in terms of playing matters. The club have backed him and he has been allowed to bring in his own players but the simple fact remains that results have not been good enough under his tenure.
Q Heaven, I’m in heaven, and my heart beats so that I can hardly speak … Contrary to what is happening over the road, life seems good for Dundee fans after that win over St Johnstone. Agree?
IR: Dundee are now, after some hedging of bets, finally looking upwards with confidence instead of down to the danger zone. The win over Saints was a cracker and having Kane Hemmings in their side has put smiles on faces.
NR: At the risk of sounding like a bottle half-empty sort, if Dundee can beat second-bottom Kilmarnock at the weekend to increase the points gap between the sides to nine points, then the only way is up for the club this season. All in all, it is an important week for Paul Hartley’s side with the league game in Ayrshire being followed by the Scottish Cup replay with Dumbarton and another crunch Premiership match at home with Inverness next weekend.
Q But he’s got high hopes, he’s got high hopes … It will be Rangers at Ibrox in the last eight of the Scottish Cup if Dundee beat Dumbarton. That’s some incentive to see off the Sons, isn’t it?
IR: If they beat Dumbarton, I get the feeling Paul Hartley will be looking forward to that Ibrox clash more than Rangers boss Mark Warburton will be.
NR: Having frustrated Dundee at the Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium, Dumbarton will be looking to do the same at Dens in the hope of causing a big cup upset. However, I just cannot see that happening against a Dark Blues side full of potent attacking threats playing at home and with the carrot of a mouth-watering clash at Ibrox to look forward to.
Q Luck be a lady tonight Can you see St Johnstone finally ending their winless run when they face Motherwell this weekend?
IR: Let’s hope so! The Perth men slipped out of the top six on Monday thanks to Inverness Caley Thistle’s win over Aberdeen and that’s a worry.
NR: That last victory over Ross County on December 5 seems an awful long time away now and the concern is that Motherwell will come to McDiarmid on Saturday with confidence high after their morale-boosting midweek win over United.
Q It’s such an ancient pitch, but one I’d never switch Are you a fan of synthetic surfaces or is the grass always greener?
IR: I’m an old fuddy-duddy so let’s stick with grass. Playing over the summer would help reduce the need for plastic pitches even taking Scotland’s unpredictable weather into consideration.
NR: As far as I am concerned, plastic is far from fantastic and given the choice I would always prefer natural turf. I can understand why clubs are installing artificial surfaces from a financial perspective but listening to anecdotal evidence from players and managers, they are far from pitch perfect.