JIM SPENCE: Why both Dundee and United need a playing style reboot.

The Tangerines must improve their visual appeal, and the Dark Blues must correct a fault. I’ve always believed that, like Celtic and Hibs, Dundee United is supposed to play with flair and style.

It may sound clichéd, but some teams, like as Hearts and Rangers, have long been linked with a defensive, almost dour, style, whereas others are expected to adopt a more carefree philosophy. United have always played with a sense of adventure, dating back to Jerry Kerr’s era and particularly during Jim McLean’s golden years.

I would say that even during Peter Houston’s rule, Tannadice fans experienced more cut and thrust than in recent years.

So it’ll be interesting to watch if Tannadice’s playing style changes this season. United gained praise for their defensive abilities last time out, but many fans were dissatisfied with their conservative approach to attack.

Jim Goodwin is replacing the core of his squad, but will he maintain the same formula? It has been claimed that United will adopt a more adventurous mindset, which I believe would please supporters.

Whether their recruiting has resulted in players capable of delivering a more thrusting and progressive style will be determined in the coming weeks, but I believe many fans anticipate United sides to play with more style and panache than in previous seasons.

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I hope the first thing new Dundee manager Steven Pressley does is abandon the contemporary fixation with playing out of the back.

A former top player recently informed me that a well-known English manager, who dislikes the play-it-from-the-back mindset, warned him that this thinking is expected in coaching and even journalistic circles. Very few players, often at the highest levels, are skilled enough ball merchants to be effective in this type of football Russian roulette.

It is always just a misplaced pass from calamity.

As a quality defender, Steven Pressley will be looking for ways to strengthen a defence that has frequently snatched win from the jaws of defeat, and I hope one of his first steps is to ensure that defenders defend while leaving the tidy passing and play building to others further upfield.

Last season, Dundee’s mainstay was their explosive attacking play, with a front line that could worry any league defence.

On paper, Simon Murray’s new collaboration with Emile Acquah appears to be very exciting. A huge, muscular forward player who claims he likes to go in behind defences, teaming up with Dundee’s new captain and force of nature, gives the prospect of a direct approach that guarantees goals and a penalty box threat.

It appears to be an excellent combination of strength and mobility, but it will be a futile exercise unless The Dee can address the debilitating defensive deficiencies that even their spectacular column goals could not prevent.

The foundation for strong defence should begin with renouncing the concept of constructing from the back.

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