That sickening feeling when your team gets relegated is hard to explain. It costs you nothing, you are not physically hurt and you are still alive. However, you still feel sick and will do so until the fist game of the season when you start the fight back. Dundee United fans are suffering now and some of the raw emotions on the faces of fans as the game drew to an end on BT Sport showed just what it meant to them. The straw of possible escape snatched away with two goals from neighbours and rivals Dundee was too much for some to bear. Fans who have followed their favourites as they took on the best in Europe now have the Championship games to negotiate.
Manager Mixu Paatelainen branded his team "too soft" after their fate was sealed at Dens Park and going by what I saw of the second half, who am I to argue. Paatelainen went on: "When you analyse our matches and the goals we concede, the set-piece goals, taking responsibility, making sure my man doesn't do anything, making sure nothing happens in your area, just simply we are not disciplined enough, we are not ruthless enough, we are not hard enough. Too soft. Today is a great example. two set-piece goals - that has been the story all the way."
There have been a number of games that United have lost this season from winning positions and Paatelainen bemoaned his team's failure to add to their lead again tonight. He said: "I thought we totally had them. But that's been the story of our time here. We have dominated matches, we have been comfortable, we have taken leads, we have had loads and loads of chances to score. But if you are not good enough to put the ball in the net, you are not good enough. We scored a great goal, showed real composure and that's more like it, that's exactly what you need to do in those situations, instead of rushing and panicking."
There will be changes for next season and only time will tell in Paatelainen will still be around to influence the changes required in the playing squad. He shows his heart is ready for the fight as he hits every ball on the touchline. If he could give some of his players a transfusion of his enthusiasm United's time in the Championship may only last a season. However, looking at the possible make up of the Championship before the play-offs start on Wednesday, I would not bet a penny on United bouncing back at the first attempt.