...and Mixu understands Utd protest

DUNDEE UNITED boss Mixu Paatelainen last night expressed sympathy with protesting fans pushed to breaking point by the club’s imminent slide into the Championship. Around 150 supporters gathered outside the main door of Tannadice following yesterday’s ruinous home loss to Hamilton, a result which the Finn admitted leaves United ‘very, very close’ to relegation. Directing their fury mainly at the chairman, the crowd chanted ‘Stephen Thompson, you’re killing our club’, ‘Thompson must go’ and

‘You’re not fit to run our club’. Paatelainen said he had ‘no comment’ on the specific protest against the board but, on the need for fans to vent their fury, he said: ‘I understand it, absolutely. We deserve all that, we were so poor today. ‘It has been a long season, the fans have been long suffering. It has been long suffering for the players as well. ‘I can’t understand why or how so many simply do not respond in the manner we need. ‘Our supporters are not happy. I understand that. It (relegation) is very, very close today. Of course, mathematically it is still possible (to avoid finishing bottom). But we are not stupid.’ United face the nightmare prospect of being relegated at the home of fierce rivals Dundee next Monday should Kilmarnock beat Hamilton at New Douglas Park on Saturday — and Paatelainen admitted avoiding that fate would be the least supporters deserve. ‘It means everything,’ he said. ‘It won’t be easy but it is a derby match and anything can happen. ‘Today in the first half I did not see any fight, I did not see any determination to make things happen. We did not get close to opponents — we were chasing shadows. ‘I felt we had a good opportunity today to put Kilmarnock under pressure. But we did not do that. ‘The way the match started, I could not believe my eyes — because it was clear winning the match meant so much more to the Hamilton players. ‘It was totally opposite to how we prepared and how we spoke. We were nowhere near the aggressive level required.’ Paatelainen, who took over from Jackie McNamara in October, added: ‘We realised early doors the majority of the playing squad are not yet ready for the Premiership. It’s a fact. ‘Of course, I don’t spare myself at all. I have made mistakes, definitely. I am in the same boat as the players. ‘I want to build a new team much, much stronger than that. I am determined to work hard and make things better.’