LIAM FOX has launched a spirited defence of Dundee United’s players following the dismissal of Jack Ross yesterday.
The Tannadice head coach lost his job following a rotten run of results that saw the Tangerines lose five games in a row with the nadir being reached on Sunday as they conceded nine goals without reply at home to a rampant Celtic.
Ross had insisted after the rout, which he described as humiliating and embarrassing, that he could mastermind a reversal of fortunes.
However, American owner Mark Ogren and sporting director Tony Asghar - who gave the manager a strong vote of confidence just last week - decided to wield the axe and the 48-year-old has been relieved of his duties with immediate effect.
The Tangerines will now begin the search for yet another manager, their fourth since Robbie Neilson left for Hearts in June, 2020.
However, the immediate pressing need is to somehow end the losing streak tonight at Livingston in the Premier Sports Cup.
United assistant boss Fox will take charge of the team on an interim basis and needs to somehow select a team from a group of players still reeling from the double blow of the Celtic game and losing their manager in the space of a couple of days.
That hammering from the Hoops led to a barrage of criticism from fans and even former skipper Lee Wilkie who accused the players of not fighting for the manager or their team-mates.
However, Fox insists that is far from the case and instead, the squad are still struggling to recover from the high of beating AZ Alkmaar at home in the Europa Conference League qualifier before losing the second leg 7-0.
Fox said: “I’ll kill that one dead right now, about the players not trying hard enough.
“I just think we had such a high against Alkmaar at home and such a sore one over there.
“That has probably affected the group quite heavily and we haven’t shown enough resilience and character to bounce back from that.
“Everybody at the club has been looking for answers and if you are asking me, honestly, if I can put my finger on it? I can’t.
“But I can concentrate on preparing the players and trying to ensure we get a reaction against Livingston.
“We need a reaction. We’ve just been beaten 9-0. If that doesn’t hurt you then something is seriously wrong. We need to come out swinging, be on the front-foot and repay these supporters — because I know they feel it.
“All the staff, coaches and players feel it too.”
Fox is also adamant that despite the recent dismal sequence of results, there is a “United” dressing-room and no bad apples.
He insisted: “No. Absolutely not. And I hope that will be shown against Livingston.
“I’ve said to the players, life is about choices. They’ve got a choice now: you can accept things and walk away from challenges, or you can meet them head on. That’s what I expect from the players and staff.”
