| Not for the first time in his Tannadice career, the big defender is preparing for a game knowing failure to win could cost the manager his job. Although he may be used to that unfortunate situation, it is not something he likes.
The position has arisen because, while at their best, the Tangerines have pulled off results like the win over high-flying Hibs two weeks ago, but the other end of the scale has seen defeats against bottom two Livi and tomorrow’s opponents Dunfermline already this season.
McCracken accepts the players have to start producing their best more regularly, but believes the quest for that would be boosted by the knowledge that under-fire gaffer Gordon Chisholm was remaining in charge for the foreseeable future.
“We know we need consistency as players, but maybe you could say that about us as a club. There is no question talk about the manager’s position unsettles the dressing-room. Maybe if, once an appointment is made, the gaffer was left to get on with it for a reasonable time, things would get better,” he said.
“That’s not really happened here and, as players, we just have to accept that’s football and get on with the job.”
That philosophical approach does not stop him feeling a sense of injustice on behalf of a boss he feels has been getting a raw deal.
“I do think the criticism of “Chis” has been a bit harsh. As a manager, all he can do is prepare the players properly and there is no question he does that.
“When we all go out on the park we know exactly what our job is, the shape of the team and the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition, because these are the things he spends a lot of time working on in training.
“There is only so much he can do and there comes a point where we have to hold our hands up and say the results are down to us. After all, there have been quite a few games this season when we’ve taken the lead and not won, and that has been our fault, not his.”
Even allowing for that, McCracken feels that, given the SPL is only now reaching its mid-point, some of the criticism of United has been unfair to all concerned.
“We should have more points than we do and, with the players we have, people are right to expect more, but it is not as if we are down at the bottom and there is still time for us to make the top six. It seems crazy we are playing the team who are bottom and fighting for survival, but all the pressure seems to be on us to get a result tomorrow.”
United hope to have Peter Canero and Grant Brebner fit, though both remain doubts, while Dunfermline will give the injured Yannick Zambernardi, Andy Tod and Simon Donnelly every chance to prove their fitness. “They’re getting better and we’ll have another look at them today,” said Pars boss Jim Leishman.
“But this is a big game for us and we won’t take any chances with them. We’ve taken chances with players coming back from injury before, but won’t be taking any more such chances.”
He harked back to last season at Tannadice when a 1-0 win secured the Pars’ Premierleague status and is looking for the same kind of performance, though that did not stop him sympathising with the predicament his opposite number finds himself in.
“All managers live with pressure and Gordon will handle it no problem. Football management is a difficult business and I wish him the best of luck.” |
