Twelve  months ago, Dundee United looked doomed. Bottom of the SPL, beaten 3-1 at Pittodrie by Aberdeen, and manager Craig Brewster dropped a clanger by saying if things didn't improve we'd get relegated.
He was, of course, perfectly correct - but in the event it didn't come to that.

A blind man could see we were yet again flirting with the drop with a defence that could not defend, a midfield that couldn’t pass, and a striker who couldn’t buy a goal. A squad of good players on paper, but only two performing week in, week out, namely Noel Hunt and Barry Robson.

If Brewster thought his comment had angered the fans, he was about to witness a quite nasty and public spat between United legend and former supremo Jim McLean and chairman Eddie Thompson. McLean had written some home truths via his newspaper column, most of which you’d find it hard to argue with. But with Thompson hitting the roof, and Jim standing by his comments, United fans had no option but to back Thompson, as he was the current chairman. He stated quite blatantly that the club needed to stay in the SPL or it would go into administration. A no-brainer - club comes first, sorry Jim.

'It just goes to show what a difference a year can make, and how a positive and decisive attitude can work in a manager's favour'


The trip to high-flying Falkirk’s new Westfield stadium was a must-win encounter. The public war of words did not help matters that week as the atmosphere was tense. News came over that there were six unforced changes to the side that flopped at Pittodrie, one being that young Euan McLean was drafted in between the sticks at the expense of Derek Stillie.

A massive gamble, and a big mistake. Falkirk ran out 5-1 winners and the United fans to a man still sang Brewster’s name, still sang “United, we love you!”

In all my years as an Arab, I was gutted, still optimistic somehow we’d be OK because we were too good to go down. God only knows how poor Brewster felt. We wanted him to do so well for us. It was my lowest point, I could not speak.

That evening, Craig Levein was spotted in a Dundee hotel lounge, with Thompson also in said establishment. Dunfermline fans had been confident Levein would be paraded on Monday afternoon at a press conference, so much so that one Pars fan had said via the BBC web forum that he’d walk through Fife NAKED if Levein DIDN’T sign at East End Park. True to his word, the self-same supporter apparently raised quite a sum for a local charity!

News came through late on Sunday that Brewster and Malky Thomson had parted company with United.
Levein was then charged with the task of rejuvenating the proud traditions at Tannadice, with his first game in charge against Rangers.

It was a game we would have lost under Brewster, but it became apparent that the defence were holding the line well and the team's passing was greatly improved going forward. To crown it all, two defenders went up the park and scored two goals to give a 2-1 victory. What a piece of folklore - all in the space of a week!

Christian Kalvenes, one of Brewster’s signings, was playing too deep and out of position. A word from the dugout saw him close in on his marker, and since then he has hardly put a foot wrong. It's something that  Brewster would never have noticed, or done anything about. You’re a defender, defend!

As Levein's record shows, up to last weekend's victory at Tynecastle, he’d been in charge for 40 games, winning 18, drawing eight, and losing 14. A decent record, and testament to our final league position of ninth last season. Something I never thought I’d see after the Falkirk debacle.

Optimism is rightly high amongst Arabs just now, and our Craig has done his level best to keep the feet firmly on the ground.

It just goes to show what a difference a year can make, and how a positive and decisive attitude can work in a manager's favour. Some players were moved on, new players have arrived and two in particular, Morgaro Gomis and Prince Bauben, have been excellent finds.

I’m glad we weren't relegated, and happy to see Brewster doing well back at Inverness Caley Thistle. But we’re building a new era at Tannadice, and knowing what I felt 12 months ago I’ll  just be happy for a steady improvement, and SPL safety.

At present, United sit fourth in the SPL, and have a good chance of easing past Hamilton at home in the League Cup, and possibly a final appearance. Here's hoping.

Are you happy with the job Craig Levein is doing at Tannadice? Post a comment below.