Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Tannadice boss his move in the
THERE has been a smattering rather than a procession of new arrivals at Dundee United but boss Micky Mellon insists they are “on the front foot” with their recruitment drive.
Mellon has raided the English market since taking over the reins at Tannadice, bringing in Manchester City youngster Luke Bolton on loan and snapping up defender Ryan Edwards from Blackpool.
The former Tranmere boss is reportedly chasing Ipswich stars James Norwood and Toto Nsiala and, although he is keeping his cards close to his chest, says United have a few irons in the fire.
“We are in the market, if possible, to make Dundee United’s squad stronger,” he said.
“I am careful to say squad because we have good players here but we are in the market all the time to try to make that better.
“It is a continual on-going job because that is my job.
“We will get linked to all sorts of players because we speak to agents but we have to be respectful to other clubs and players.
“The clubs would be the first place we would go to if we were to try and pursue something.”
He continued: “The recruitment market can change on the toss of a coin.
“It can be one that happens right away or it could be a slow burner where you are continually prodding at it.
“There are a few we are prodding at the moment and trying to shake, and things can change very quickly.
“We are on the front foot and trying to improve the squad with some strong characters as quickly as we can.”
Centre-back Edwards will be in contention to make his United debut at Motherwell on Saturday as the Tangerines look to build on an opening-day draw with St Johnstone.
Whether the 26-year-old runs out at Fir Park is fitness pending. However, Mellon is just delighted to have signed up a man he feels will be a key part of what he’s building.
He added: “I am delighted to get him in. I came into the group and got underneath it before I made any decisions on what type of players I needed to bring in.
“It became very clear to me that we needed that type of central defender to compliment what we have already got.
“Ryan is a leader, fantastic competitor and a good all-round guy.
“He has come up here with bags of ambition and is looking to do really, really well.