Latest news with #TheDodeFoxPodcast
BBC News
29-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Why Utd must quickly get Celtic skelping out of their system'
Saturday was a good day to be a Dundee United fan. That's right, you read that correctly. You might want to re-read it just to be sure, because I can hardly believe I'm typing our beloved team were put to the sword by Celtic, for the umpteenth time, but here's the real victory... it's the last time we have to endure that for at least four glorious mercies, people. Small mercies. Okay, all joking aside, there's searching for positives and then there's talking complete mince. I think we all know which side of that line I'm currently tap dancing may have been absolutely skelped on the day, but the team need to get that one out of their system, and fast. Preferably faster than the away fans cleared the stands at are just four games left before the lads can swap football boots for flip-flops and start their summer holidays. But there's a lot at stake between now and paper, at least, none of the teams we've still to face are as terrifying as the newly-crowned champions. Which, in theory, should make things easier. In theory. In practice? Well, we are Dundee United, so buckle stop, Easter Road, where United face Hibs in what promises to be a cracker. Hibs are three points ahead of us right now and have a far superior goal difference.I don't want to say it's a must-win game, but it is definitely a must-not-lose, must-not-embarrass-ourselves, must-not-go-missing-during-the-90 minutes type of carrot is dangling. Win, and you give ourselves a massive boost in the race for third place. Draw, and we're still in the race, but hoping for Aberdeen slipping up. Lose, and third place is to you, boys. No pressure. (Okay, a wee bit of pressure).Paul McNicoll can be found at The Dode Fox Podcast, external
BBC News
22-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Job isn't done yet' - how might United's run-in pan out?
With the final fixtures set to get under way, us United fans know the next five games will define what's been a solid return to top-flight fourth in the Premiership, there's pride in what's been achieved so far but we're under no illusions that the job isn't done starts with a massive midday fixture as we host Celtic. The champions-elect are flying – 26 wins, a ridiculous goal difference and, let's face it, a dominant record over us in recent stranger things have happened. If we can keep it tight early doors, who knows? At worst, it's about limiting damage and bouncing back Road follows – never an easy place to go, especially with Hibs in good form. But we've got a decent record there and if we can frustrate them, there's a chance to nick something. A point in the capital would be a solid it's back to Tannadice for what feels like a must-win against St Mirren. We've got the edge on them this season and their away form has been out of sorts. If we play like we can, that one's there for the up – Ibrox, a midweek trip to face a Rangers team whose home form has stuttered although they usually do the business against us. But pressure can do funny things and if we're on it defensively, we might just make life awkward for finish at home to Aberdeen in what could be a straight shootout for fourth place. These games are always tight and with both teams likely to have something to play for and the Tannadice crowd behind United, we'll fancy edging we can take points from Hibs, St Mirren and Aberdeen, fourth is achievable. It won't be easy, but this team's got a bit about next few weeks will test our character – but that's exactly when Dundee United tend to show their Costello can be found at The Dode Fox Podcast, external
BBC News
08-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'The sweet taste of top six - but let's not settle for sixth'
Well, who would have thought it?In August, when we glanced around nervously at coming back to the top division, the talk was survival, whether could we handle it and were we going to beat the dreaded drop?And now, in April, a top-six finish was guaranteed before a ball was even kicked on Saturday, with two pre-split games to not so much about exceeding expectations; it's a vindication of the work put in by the club, the players, and the die-hard fans who stuck by the team through thick and switch from Championship title winners to a top-half finish in our inaugural season back is a massive achievement that should be signifies progress, ambition, and a statement that United aren't here to just make up the let's not just settle for that sixth place. There are still important games to be played, points to be won, and European qualification to be does not come here; this is the time to push the team on even harder. Every tackle, every pass, every shot atmosphere for these last few games might well be the difference finish in the top six is great, but to finish the season needing to dust off the passport would be McNicoll can be found at The Dode Fox Podcast, external
BBC News
25-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
15 years on since 'one of United's greatest feats'
On Friday night, I raised a glass at a gala dinner to celebrate 15 years since a brilliant day at Hampden - Dundee United's second Scottish Cup triumph. It remains one of the club's greatest the management of Peter Houston, United lifted the trophy with a commanding 3-0 victory over Ross County at Hampden on 15 May had enjoyed a strong season, finishing third in the top flight, and their cup run showcased their quality and seeing off Partick Thistle and St Johnstone, United faced Rangers at Ibrox in the quarter-finals. Two penalties for the home side saw them 3-1 up just after half-time, and it looked bleak. But Morgaro Gomis pulled one back with a deflected volley, and with ten minutes to go, Mihael Kovacevic's header made it 3-3, forcing a replay at 15 years to the day, the return leg was settled in bizarre fashion - David Robertson's backside deflecting the ball home to send United back to the national Raith Rovers' early pressure in the semi-final, United took the lead against the run of play through David Goodwillie. Skipper Andy Webster doubled the advantage in the second half, sealing victory and securing a first cup final appearance since the final, after a goalless first half, United took control. Goodwillie broke the deadlock with a dink over County keeper Michael McGovern from 30 yards. Craig Conway then sealed victory with two superb goals - his only strikes in the competition that season - first with a precise low drive and then a clinical counter-attack was a day of dominance, redemption, and celebration - one that remains a cherished memory for United supporters. But, as was said many times on Friday night, it was very much a squad effort, with players who weren't stripped on the day playing a vital role throughout the win secured United's second-ever Scottish Cup, following their 1994 success. The team that day, featuring the likes of Swanson, Conway, Daly, Dillon, Kenneth, Webster, Gomis and Buaben etched their names into club can find Ronny Costello on The Dode Fox Podcast, external
BBC News
18-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Tangerine bubble dangerously close to bursting'
Let's start this week with a football fact: Derbies are a football fan's emotional rollercoaster. They're the best games to win and the absolute worst to lose. And on Sunday, United lost theirs in the most painful way simply, the team just didn't show up. They were outworked, outfought, outplayed and basically out-everything-ed. If there had been a competition for losing in style, United would have swept the makes it even more baffling is the performance was completely out of character. A one-off, an anomaly… at least that's what I told myself in order to get a sleep on Sunday here's the hard truth: United have now lost eight of their past 11 games. On paper, that's the kind of record that makes you wonder if they've been taking tactical advice from a Magic 8 Ball. Yet, strangely, it hasn't really felt that bad. Not exactly vintage form, but not a full-blown crisis said, facts don't lie and the facts are dreadful. You don't need to be Nostradamus to know that's relegation general consensus among Tangerines is United have had a very good season up to now. But since the turn of the year, the tangerine bubble seems dangerously close to bursting, and not in a fun, party-popper good news? There are still eight games left to turn things around. A top-six finish, which once seemed nailed on, now looks about as secure as a chocolate teapot. If United slip out of that position and into the bottom half, it would be a massive that might sound harsh for a newly-promoted side, but after the position we put ourselves in, it would feel like being promised a beach holiday and ending up in a damp caravan in hey, that's all hypothetical for now. If we can return from Dingwall in a couple of weeks with a much-needed three points, the mood music will switch from Coldplay to Pharrell Williams. Over to you, lads. Time to make us McNicoll can be found at The Dode Fox Podcast, external
