TERRORS ON FLAIR WAY TO HEAVEN
Levein: My old club look like scoring every game with Tam at helm
A CHEAP option. No experience. The worst appointment possible.
Just some of the accusations thrown at Dundee United chiefs following the surprise appointment of Tam Courts as boss back in June.
The level of concern over the promotion of the then academy ‘head of tactical analysis’ to the Tannadice top job even prompted the supporters’ federation to write to the club hierarchy demanding answers BEFORE he’d been appointed.
Whether or not that letter got a response from owner Mark Ogren is unknown.
But according to former Tannadice boss Craig Levein – who briefly had a young Courts on the books when he was manager at Cowdenbeath two decades ago – the 40-year-old has answered every criticism himself with results and performances.
Saturday’s 3-0 destruction of high-flying Hibs in Leith was just the latest in a series of statement results that have propelled Courts’ side into third place, just three points off leaders Rangers.
A matchday two victory over Rangers quickly wiped out the predictable flak that arrived after a torrid opening day defeat at Aberdeen.
Subsequently a draw at Celtic Park, a Tayside derby victory and wins over Ross County and now Hibs have led to Ogren hailing the job Courts has done in such a short period of time as “phenomenal”.
And Levein told Record Sport: “Tam is doing a great job at United.
“When you get a young manager that nobody knows anything about, then there will always be questions asked.
“But you have to say he has answered them really well.
“You have to do your talking with the displays your players put on and there’s been some really impressive performances and results.
“Listen, nothing is guaranteed in football. Sometimes you can go and get a manager that you’re certain will bring success and it doesn’t work.
“There’s a lot of things that need to fall into place.
“The manager’s plan and what he’s doing with the team is up there as the most important.
“But the signings have to be right, you have to keep everyone that’s important to you fit and you have to instil in the players a belief they can go and challenge anybody. Tam has done an extremely good job in those regards so far. “I’ve seen them a couple of times this season and a couple of players have really come to the fore for him. “Jeando Fuchs in midfield for me has become a real driving force in the engine room and has kicked on and become a really important player for them. “Charlie Mulgrew’s been a great addition. “He is so laidback. He is a quality player whose played at a good level down in England. “When you have guys like Nicky Clark up front then you always have a chance to score – although the loss of Marc McNulty through injury is a blow as he is a proven goalscorer. “But Tam has them really well organised and they look like they can score in every game.” Levein left Tannadice to take over the national team in December 2009 with United sitting fourth in the table. They ended up third at the end of that season – the last time they’ve finished ‘best of the rest’. And while it’s way too early to be making wild predictions, Levein reckons the big
Glasgow clubs are there to be got at, as United have already proved.
He said: “There’s something weird going on with the Old Firm this season.
“After all the clean sheets Rangers had last year and the impressive performances they seem to have struggled to get back to those levels.
“I’m not sure if it’s maybe to do with the pressure of the crowds being back in.
“They just seem to be more vulnerable than perhaps they have been – but you still have to take advantage of that.
“Celtic are still finding their way under Ange Postecoglou.
“Listen, the targets are always moving targets.
“You start with something in your mind of where it would be acceptable to finish and try to beat that.
“I’m a big fan of Dundee United. I just want to see them progress and do well.
“Their supporters are brilliant and I really enjoyed working there.
“They are quick to get behind you and support the team so long as they see that the team is rolling their sleeves up and having a go.
“The last couple of games I’ve seen them they are certainly doing that and showing a competitive edge on the pitch.
“That always comes down to the manager and how he treats the players and his training and preparation.
“So Tam deserves a lot
of credit.”