Utd Supporters Will See Improvement

When Craig Levein became Dundee United's manager last year, he knew that it would take time to turn things around at Tannadice.

Levein has a major restructuring job to do at the club and has already started clearing out the dead wood, by telling some of United's longest serving players that they are not part of his future plans.

Dundee United's long suffering supporters don't expect instantaneous success under Levein, but were greatly encouraged by the great start he had after arriving in November - beating Rangers 2-1, Kilmarnock 1-0 and then going on to take 15points out of a possible 21 in the SPL.

At least 1,500 noisy Arabs travelled to Inverness at the weekend to back United in their 4th round Scottish Cup tie against Caley Thistle, which unfortunately ended up 1-0 to Charlie Christie's side and knocked United out of the competition.

However, Levein believes that by this time next year, Dundee United will be a greatly improved side and that will give the supporters something to really shout about.

"I felt for the supporters because we had a good crowd up there and they made a lot of noise, but they won't be getting the opportunity to travel to another tie this season," said Levein.

"They all seemed to have made a right good day of it and were fantastic throughout the game. What I would ask them to do is keep the spirits up and stay behind the players and we will give them more to shout about in the years ahead."

"All I can really say to them is that when the cups come around again next year, they will be watching an improved Dundee United team."

"We lost on Saturday because, on the day, our creative players were not at their best and when you go away against a Premier League team, you will not win if that happens."

"What disappoints me is that, although we know Inverness is a very hard place to go to, we also knew winning was not beyond us, so it is a missed opportunity."

"I should add that, on Saturday, I thought our back four played well. They did not give away much in the first half and even less in the second — the reason we lost was not down to them."

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