Dundee United

Tyrone Smith, BBC Sport Scotland

After a season of discontent for Dundee United, it is going to be a summer of change down Tannadice way as they come to terms with the fact their immediate future lies in the second tier.

Having recently been installed as the man to lead United forward in the long term, Jim Goodwin knows this underachieving squad needs major surgery in order to help the club achieve what is now its prime objective – to get back to the Premiership at the first attempt.

If you want a car analogy, Goodwin has had three months to look under the bonnet. Instead of simply giving the engine a clean, he knows he will largely have to dismantle it before putting it back together in better working order.

After a disastrous campaign, the club have announced that four players – Ryan Edwards, Ian Harkes, Peter Pawlett and Liam Smith – will be leaving this summer at the end of their contracts.

Another two, Jamie McGrath and Loick Ayina, are returning to their parent clubs after their loan spells.

In all likelihood, there will be a number of other players heading through the Tannadice exit door over the coming weeks.

Goodwin has pinpointed the defensive frailties which have marred United’s season, and has spoken of his desire to bring in players who "have the right characteristics, right mindset and can handle the level of expectation at such a big club".

Given all that, the hinges on the entry door will need to be well oiled as the United manager remoulds his squad for the rigours of the new campaign.

In fact, whoever takes to the pitch in Tangerine next term will indeed need to be of strong character, not just in handling the pressure that comes with playing for what undoubtedly remains one of the Scottish game’s biggest clubs, but also in shouldering the added expectation of being red-hot favourites to deliver the Championship title.

United fans, did anyone stand out as a shining light this season, as your side were relegated from the Scottish Premiership?

Have your say here.

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Paul McNicoll, The Dode Fox Podcast, external

Fir Park, Parkhead, Ibrox, Pittodrie, the Tony Macaroni, etc... adios.

Gayfield, Cappielow, Starks Park, Somerset Park, etc… see ya soon.

Relegation was confirmed on Sunday, although in truth, our fate was sealed months ago. When the book is written on Dundee United’s 2022/23 season, it will undoubtedly catalogue a litany of sporting mishaps both on, and off, the park. As fans, we have witnessed defence howlers, goalkeeping errors and sitters missed, all season. Off the park however, has also been well below par.

A squad was assembled at the start of this season that most fans thought was an improvement on the year before. Relative big name signings were made. Steven Fletcher, Aziz Behich, Dylan Levitt and Jamie McGrath were all brought to Tannadice. No one could complain.

That was until the games started. It was clearly apparent that we had assembled a massively unbalanced squad. Still, the second game of the season provided United fans with one of the best nights that Tannadice has seen in many a year. AZ Alkmaar were seen off the premises. In hindsight, we should have just called the season there, as everything was downhill after that.

The side would ship 23 goals in four games afterwards and that was all she wrote for the cardigan wearing Jack Ross’ tenure at the club. Enter Liam Fox.

To say that Fox wasn’t the popular choice among fans would be an understatement. That, however, made no difference to the decision makers at the club as they announced that Mr Fox was the “outstanding candidate” for the post and would be rewarded with a two year contract. Marvellous.

The team then struggled along until January when it was clear to everyone, and their granny, that we needed reinforcements in several areas. So what happened? Well we loaned out Tony Watt to a ‘rival’ and brought no one in to replace him. Let’s not also forget, we punted Nicky Clark to St Johnstone early in the season and never replaced him either. That all meant that we were now solely reliant upon 36-year-old Steven Fletcher as our only striker. What could possibly go wrong?

The answer to that would be everything. Liam Fox could only muster seven victories from his 25 games in charge and he too was gone. Enter Jim Goodwin.

Again, not a popular appointment, but he came in and somehow looked like he may just get a tune out of the same players that had offered up very little in the way of tunes all season. Going into the split we would string together three wins on the bounce. A minor miracle appeared to be close to becoming a reality. We were within touching distance of St Johnstone and incredibly, were sitting in 10th place.

Without going over every one of the last five games, let’s just fast forward to right now. The team failed to get themselves up for any of the fixtures, losing all five, and find themselves relegated to the Championship. It is a fate that feels self-inflicted on a number of levels and is fully deserved.

The fans are angry about this. This shouldn’t have happened, but it has. We now must look to the future with Jim Goodwin as our gaffer and simply trust that people that have made horrendous decisions this past year are either not making them moving forwards, or make better ones. Certain players will be gone, and good riddance to them. They have let themselves, the club, and the fans down this season, far too often.

As for me and many like me, wherever it may be, I’ll be back supporting the team in the first game of the season. I can’t honestly say that I am looking forward to it right now but give it time. The anger will subside, and the pain will ease.

Who knows, we may even win some games next season...

Dundee United striker Tony Watt, who finished the season on loan to St Mirren, says he knows who he will be playing for next season amid uncertainty over the 29-year-old's future at Tannadice. (The Courier), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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Sportscene has not been a fun watch this season for Dundee United fans, has it?

That's it for this season, though. Although there was one final criticism heralded at the United defence on Sunday by the pundits on the sofa.

"They have been architects of their own downfall far too often this season," Michael Stewart said after analysing their defeat to Motherwell.

"Dundee United were resigned to it.

"The season couldn't finish soon enough, and they have to build for next season, they have to come up first time."

Alongside him, former Scotland winger Neil McCann says permanent United boss Jim Goodwin has "an unbelievable building job to do".

"He's been brave enough to take the job on, and I'm really pleased for him," he said on the highlights programme.

"If Mark Ogren stays, he will need to give Jim some finances to support the good young kids United have. They need some experience and a good set of players to get the bounce back up to the Premiership."

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Jim Goodwin insists strengthening Dundee United’s defence is imperative if they are to bounce back from the bitter disappointment of relegation to the Scottish Championship.

United’s defensive frailties were evident again as Motherwell battled back from behind to claim a 3-2 win at Fir Park and condemn the Terrors to the drop.

“I think the game pretty much summed up the season to be honest,” said Goodwin.

“It culminates what has been a disastrous season defensively from start to finish and that’s something that I now need to look at going forward to make sure we bring the right types of defenders in.

“Defenders who enjoy the art of defending, enjoy putting their bodies on the line, take pride in keeping clean sheets and that’s where my first port of call will be in terms of the recruitment side of things.

“Dundee United in the Premiership is an attractive proposition for any player, Dundee United in the Championship, maybe not so much for some of the high-calibre players that you would like to bring to the club.

“We’ve got decisions to make, but what I need to make sure is the type of players that are coming in during the summer have the right characteristics, right mindset and can handle the level of expectation at such a big club.”

We asked for your thoughts after Dundee United's relegation to the Championship was confirmed with a 3-2 defeat at Motherwell.

Here's what you had to say:

Dave: Jim Goodwin has a major rebuild to do. Most if not all of the current players are just not good enough, even for the Championship. It takes money though to bring in new players and if that isn't there for Jim, he is on a loser and so are United!

Ally: A shambles of a season from start to finish. I’m pleased Goodwin has got the job, and wonder if we can actually keep a hold of a manager for longer than a season. Only a very small handful of players are outside of blame, Fletcher for example. Most of them have been shocking and I cannot wait for them to leave. We need to get a decent keeper.

Stephen: Well onwards and downwards for United. It would have required a minor miracle before even taking into account the players that were required to make it happen. Hopefully we now see the club move in the right direction and make the changes required to bounce back at the first time of asking but we have to earn it. Goodwin should be capable though.

Rab: The majority of the blame lies with Ashgar and the so called experts he employed to run United. Not one of them has or had the experience of running a football club. The January transfer window when everyone could see what we needed and they did nothing sealed our fate. Goodwin is not at fault in my opinion, the players and lack of players are.

Ian: I'm glad this season is finished. Bad defending, bad decisions, bad luck, bad goalkeeping, bad attacking play, bad players, and bad managers. Deserved to be relegated.

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin remains hopeful he can retain the services of 36-year-old former Scotland striker Steven Fletcher despite confirmation of the club's relegation from the Scottish Premiership. (The Scotsman), external

Manager Jim Goodwin insisted he is ready to rip up the contracts of any Dundee United player who does not have the stomach for next season's Championship fight. (The Courier), external

Jim Goodwin has revealed that Dundee United owner Mark Ogren has already confirmed the manager will have his transfer backing for next season despite Premiership relegation. (Football Scotland), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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Dundee United owner Mark Ogren says he remains "fully committed" to the relegated club and admitted "mistakes have been made" in their calamitous season.

United's three-year stay in the top flight ended on Sunday following the 3-2 defeat at Motherwell which sees them finish three points behind second-bottom Ross County.

In a statement, Ogren said: "This season started with such hope and excitement, but quite clearly, results and performances have not been good enough. Mistakes have been made, hard lessons have been learned, and we all take ownership of our accountability. We have let our supporters down.

"While today is a desperately sad occasion for us all, we can now accelerate the work to ensure Dundee United returns to the top league as soon as possible.

"The first act was to secure Jim Goodwin as manager, and we can now begin the process of recruiting and rebuilding a squad to take on the challenges ahead.

"I want to reassure supporters, partners, and our staff that I remain fully committed to the club’s continued growth and ensuring its sustainability at the highest level.

"Our fans have been sensational in their continued backing, which is never taken for granted. Your ongoing passion and energy will drive us forward and give us momentum.

"We will work tirelessly to bring you success, excitement and a return to Premiership football as soon as possible."

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Dundee United fans, we want your views after your relegation to the Championship was confirmed with defeat at Motherwell.

Have your say here.

Jim Goodwin: "I thought we played well in the first half, in terms of possession and getting into good areas. We were dominating the ball and then one attack from Motherwell and we're 1-0 down. That's been the story of the season, gifting the opposition the first goal.

"We can't defend the number of goals we've conceded. It's obscene and that's something we need to sort out. That's the first priority for me.

"We need to get the right types in the building, ones that can handle the expectation. Characters, leaders; those kind of signings are crucial. I want players who really want to be here, that's the bottom line. Finances don't really come into it. I need players who are 100% committed."

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George O'Neill, BBC Sport Scotland

Jim Goodwin's side arrived in Lanarkshire knowing that their hopes of survival were slim-to-none, and their defensive efforts on the day left them with no chance of overhauling Ross County in 11th.

They conceded three, and on another day, it could have been five or six - Motherwell got in behind with alarming ease against a unit whose confidence is understandably shot to pieces.

The period before and after half-time was impressive, showing fight and determination to get back into the contest, but they weren't able to maintain that level, and had no answer to Motherwell's attacking prowess.

Motherwell: Kelly, O'Donnell, McGinn, Mugabi, Blaney, Furlong, Goss, Miller, Spittal, Mandron, Van Veen.

Substitutes: Oxborough, Slattery, Aitchison, McKinstry, Cornelius, Johnston, Tierney, Ferrie, Obika.

Dundee Utd: Newman, Freeman, Ayina, Graham, Behich, Levitt, Sibbald, McGrath, Middleton, Pawlett, Fletcher.

Substitutes: Birighitti, McMann, Mulgrew, Niskanen, Harkes, Fotheringham, Cudjoe, Thomson, MacLeod.

We asked for your reaction to Jim Goodwin becoming permanent Dundee United boss on a two-year deal.

Here's what you said:

Jamie: I've not been the most impressed with him, but we are desperate for stability at the club. Tam Courts was our manager at the end of last season, yet is now only our fourth most recent gaffer. Big rebuild needed and we needed a manager in early. Will have to be judged only on what happens from Monday onwards, this disaster of a season was not Goodwin's doing.

T: Deserves a shot with players who actually want to be there. Looks like the board recognise the players and not the manager are the issue. Recruitment has to start now if we've a shot.

Neil: The appointment of a football manager is critical, obviously, but when Goodwin joined us it was clear that his football guile was there and he was working with a weak and threadbare squad. Now we're basically down, he's saying what most Arabs were seeing, weak squad. He's made it clear that he needs control of recruitment. Good Luck JG.

Keith: Jim will build a squad in his own image (thank heavens) and please get us a new keeper.

Brian: It's been a hell of a season to watch. Let's not dwell, the new season will be here soon and I believe Goodwin will do it if anybody can. We need a Goodman type in the team as we are soft. Look forward to plenty of victories in the Championship with young blood.

George: Surprised and delighted he has agreed to stay on as manager. Hopefully he will get the backing required to get us back into the Premiership.

Anon: Absolutely beautifully stupid decision. We will languish in the lower leagues until the owners sell up.

Raymond: Goodwin knew before he took his first game there was issues and now what he knows needs to be done. I hope he has control of recruitment - give him a decent budget and let's see what he can do.

Gary: I'm glad they have kept Jim on, he deserves a chance and hopefully he could put his own mark on the squad and get rid of the deadwood. Certainly need another centre-half and a centre forward at least , need to start strong next season and pay back the fans for sticking by them for the debacle this season.

Anon: A good appointment as long as he gets the funds to change the team the way he wants as he knows big changes are required to a very poor squad.

Anon: The appointment is a sticking plaster. Goodwin is a good guy and speaks well but United need to do their talking on the pitch. Too many players shied way from taking responsibility. e.g. Levitt was great last season, how can a player just drop off the page?

Gavin: This is good news. Best person for the Job. He will lead United back. I have faith in him.

He couldn't keep Dundee United in the Premiership - barring a miracle on Sunday - but Jim Goodwin has been given the chance to bring them back up next season.

With the Irishman signing a two-year deal to become manager on a permanent basis, is it a good move by the club or another misstep?

Let us know your thoughts here.

Image source, BBC Sport

• Dundee United must win this match and hope Ross County lose to Kilmarnock, along with a goal difference swing of at least eight goals, to avoid automatic relegation. It would be their second relegation from the Scottish Premiership since it began in 2013, last going down in 2015-16.

• Motherwell have lost their final league match in both of the last two seasons, last doing so three years running from 2010-11 to 2012-13 – a run which included a 2-0 home defeat to Dundee United.

• Dundee United have won their final match in three of their last four Scottish Premiership seasons (D1) since a 3-1 defeat to Celtic in 2013-14.

• Dundee United, 2-1 winners in their last league trip to Motherwell in April, last won successive top-flight away games against the Steelmen in November 2013 (run of four).

• Motherwell have won just one of their last five league games against Dundee United (D1 L3), a 1-0 away win in October this season.