What are you looking for from Dundee on their return?published at 17:25 15 October 2024
17:25 15 October 2024
Ah, Tony Docherty's Dundee are nearly back in action. The end of this international window is in sight.
With domestic football making its welcome return this weekend, we want to know what you’re looking for from the Dark Blues when they kick back into gear against Motherwell on Saturday.
What needs to be improved between now and the next mini-international break next month from a Docherty and Dundee perspective?
Docherty boosted by Murray Park win - gossippublished at 08:51 15 October 2024
08:51 15 October 2024
Dundee boss Tony Docherty says the 1-0 win against Rangers in a bounce game at Murray Park is just the boost his side needed after the defeat before the international break. (The Courier)
Braybrooke wants to emulate Maddison - gossippublished at 07:57 14 October 2024
07:57 14 October 2024
Dundee midfielder Sammy Braybrooke, 20, hopes to emulate England international James Maddison, who once worked with Dens Park boss Tony Docherty at Aberdeen. (Courier - subscription), external
Leaky Dundee lacking 'nous' in defencepublished at 11:25 12 October 2024
11:25 12 October 2024
BBC Scotland chief sportswriter Tom English has been answering your questions.
Grant asked: Why oh why can we not defend? I appreciate we have injuries but is our defence too young and inexperienced?
Tom answered: The number of goals conceded and the individual mistakes involved in a fair few of them must be deeply frustrating, Grant. There's been a few shockers.
I've looked back on those Dundee performances against the Old Firm in April last year - the 2-1 defeat to Celtic and the 0-0 with Rangers. Against Celtic, the back four was McGhee, Portales, Lamie and Dodgson. Against Rangers it was McGhee, Shaughnessy, Lamie and Dodgson.
There's been quite a lot of change there. McGhee has missed a few games through injury, Shaughnessy hasn't played all season, Lamie and Dodgson have both left. And Luke McCowan's presence is also sorely missed.
Tony Doc is going through a tricky time and has two 21-year-olds and a 22-year-old at the back/wing-back. He could do with more nous but it's in the treatment room right now.
Dundee still in 'mourning stage' after McCowan exitpublished at 13:33 11 October 2024
13:33 11 October 2024
BBC Scotland chief sportswriter Tom English has been answering your questions.
George: How do Dundee get over the loss of Luke McCowan? They are missing his steadying influence in the midfield.
Tom answered: I don't have the answer, George, But Tony Doc might have a solution in his contacts book come January.
Losing McCowan is like Celtic losing Callum McGregor. How do you replace such a talented and influential player when you don't have much, or any, money to spend?
It's incredibly difficult. I think Dundee are still in some kind of mourning stage. They've played five games since McCowan left and haven't won any of them. They've tweaked formation and personnel in the middle of the park, but they've conceded 12 goals in those five games.
McCowan gave you stability and attacking threat. Tony Doc will be thinking about this night and day. I don't see a decent replacement at the club right now.
He'll need to find a loan player in January because Dundee's direction of travel isn't great at the moment. Understandable, given the loss of the player who tied everything together for them.
'Dundee refuse to engage with Di Stefano approach' - gossippublished at 08:33 11 October 2024
08:33 11 October 2024
Controversial businessman and former Dundee board member Giovanni di Stefano claims to have opened talks with current owner Tim Keyes over a shock return to the Scottish Premiership club. (Scottish Sun), external
Dundee are refusing to engage with former director Giovanni di Stefano after the 69-year-old claimed to be in talks with owner Tim Keyes about a return, with the convicted fraudster saying he was "potentially the comeback king of Dundee Football Club" in a video shared on X. (The Courier), external
'Docherty has plenty to occupy his mind during enforced break'published at 14:54 9 October 2024
14:54 9 October 2024
Tyrone Smith BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Has the international break come at the wrong time for Dundee?
Probably not, because manager Tony Docherty has plenty to ponder over the enforced hiatus.
His team are heading into it off the back of a run of six games without a win – and while we always hear that teams are desperate to get straight back into action, perhaps it is a time for taking stock.
Dundee have been haemorrhaging goals – they have shipped 14 in those half dozen matches. That, allied to a propensity to drop points this season after being in a winning position, is a worrying combination.
Last weekend's visit of Kilmarnock summed it all up as the Dark Blues conceded three in the final 10 minutes to lose a game they were firmly in control of.
After that encounter Docherty said Dundee are "showing a level of performance that should be picking up points but the reality is we are not".
Trying to find a way of solving that conundrum will be at the forefront of his thoughts during the domestic sabbatical.
'Losing leads a worrying trend in the Docherty era'published at 13:21 8 October 2024
13:21 8 October 2024
Ethan Hampton Fan writer
If you have a form problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, then maybe you can play the Dee-team!
Kilmarnock were winless in the league prior to their visit to Dens Park. We must be the best team in the world to play against when other sides are on dreadful runs of form.
Supporting Dundee often has me witnessing the spectacle of a team snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. This is another one of those times.
A worrying trend in Tony Docherty's era has been our inability to hold a lead. We lost the most points from winning positions last season - 28 in total. Twelve of those came from early leads at Ibrox and three games against Kilmarnock, where we twice ended up scoring last-minute equalisers.
Unfortunately, the main talking point of last Saturday's match comes with referee Grant Irvine in the spotlight.
The Dens Park faithful, along with pundits, were shocked when Mo Sylla was sent off for a challenge on Matty Kennedy that arguably shouldn't even have been called a foul.
Irvine also officiated our defeat to Ross County, which led to referees' chief Willie Collum personally calling Docherty to apologise for the failure to award Dundee a "stonewall" penalty. I don't want to portray him as a moustache-twirling villain, but these poor calls of judgment are costing us points.
With 11 men, we could have won the game. I can't excuse the fact we conceded three goals in the final seven minutes, but I was expecting us to eventually suffer from tired legs. Even then, Dundee should have managed the game's conclusion much better.
Aside from his goal, I felt this was Ziyad Larkeche's best game for the club so far. He and fellow Frenchman Billy Koumetio were immense for 85 minutes, but unfortunately, something had to give.
Oluwaseun Adewumi's goal for us was a moment of magic. He was falling down as he took the strike, with a defender goal side the entire time, and still executed a finish of the highest calibre. It deserved to count for something.
Overall, I'm left seething about the result. Red flags are present, but the performance did offer some encouragement. I've seen how teams play when they're truly in trouble, and we're not there yet.
The international break comes at a good time for the team to regroup and reset. This league is so tight that it only takes one or two positive results to shoot back up the table.
Dundee midfielder Cameron named in TOTWpublished at 13:12 7 October 2024
13:12 7 October 2024
Jonathan Sutherland Sportscene presenter
Dundee may have thrown away a two-goal lead in their defeat by Kilmarnock, but Lyall Cameron did enough to make my Team of the Week.
The midfielder's mistake at the end cost his side but it shouldn’t overshadow his overall importance to 10-man Dundee up until that point.
It was a tough moment for a player on an otherwise upward trajectory. The similarities potential-wise with Luke McCowan are obvious.
Highlights: Dundee 2-3 Kilmarnockpublished at 18:02 6 October 2024
18:02 6 October 2024
Media caption,
Watch highlights as Kilmarnock win 3-2 against Dundee in the Scottish Premiership.
'We are showing a level of performance that should be picking up points' - Dochertypublished at 16:52 6 October 2024
16:52 6 October 2024
Image source, SNS
Tony Docherty reckons his side should have won the ‘maximum points’ available in their previous three home games, having only won one top-flight point at in that time at Dens Park.
After their late capitulation to Kilmarnock, where they shipped three goals in the final 10 minutes, Docherty reckons their effort are not being rewarded.
He said: “We are absolutely devastated.
“I genuinely feel in the last three home games we should have taken maximum points.
“We are showing a level of performance that should be picking up points but the reality is we are not.
“I need to take responsibility, the players need to take responsibility.
“We need to show more maturity to see games out.
“We concede in the 86th minute and it’s a mistake. They score 88th minute because we allow a cross in and don’t defend the back post.
“Then the winning goal there is a huge mistake in that as well. I’m hugely frustrated.”
'Docherty must fix Dundee's defence'published at 15:03 6 October 2024
15:03 6 October 2024
We asked for your views on Dundee's 3-2 defeat against Kilmarnock.
Here's what some of you said:
Darren: Need to drop Jon McCracken. He has been at fault a few times this season. Trevor Carson needs to be brought in to steady the defence. We have a young defence so between Carson and Finlay Robertson that should hopefully help.
Gavin: Another week of conceding two or more goals and throwing away a good lead. Can't blame a red card for conceding three goals in the last five minutes. That's poor game management. I think this might be a long season for Dundee fans unless we sort this out very quickly!
Brian: Manager is correct on the referee who was absolutely abysmal again, he is costing our club points and really is not good enough. As for the game, we were comfortable until yet again the goalkeeper makes his usual error or two, shocking he is in the Scotland squad, as for Lyall Cameron he appears to be out of sorts this season.
Steven: Substitutions were baffling to me. For a start, we're 2-0 up, guaranteed every other manager in the league puts Josh Mulligan on for an attacker and tells him to sit. Who takes off a defender at 2-2 with backs to the wall in that situation? Sad to say but Tony Docherty's coat is on a shaky hook right now.
Flynn: We really need to fix this defence, every game this season in the league we have conceded two or more goals. It is still early on in the season but we really need to start picking up some points. If we don't, we could be in for a relegation battle this season if we continue struggling in defence.
Ricky: This is happening too often, we look as though we are going to get a positive result and bang, we shoot ourselves in the foot all the time. Docherty needs to do something with this defence, it's the same old story gifting goals to the opposition, it's going to cost our position in the league at this rate!
Craig: Dundee failed to manage the game. Keeper made a mistake on the first goal and momentum shook our young team. Ultimately the referee made an unforgivable wrong decision sending off our key player Mo Sylla when he was obviously fouled by the Killie player - regardless of whether he hurt himself in the process. Shocking refereeing. Worst I've seen.
Gary: Yet again defensive errors and managerial inaction cost us. Dundee were doing fine, albeit clinging on before Killie's first, defending on their 18-yard line. Derek McInnes made his substitutions and grabbed the momentum to change the game, meanwhile Docherty once again misses what's obvious so the opposition dictate rather than doing anything to counter it.
Dundee 2-3 Kilmarnock: Key statspublished at 12:33 6 October 2024
12:33 6 October 2024
Image source, SNS
Tony Docherty's side have lost five points from winning positions in the league this season, only Dundee United (six) and St Mirren (seven) have lost more.
Kilmarnock have won after trailing at half-time away from home in the Premiership for the first time since 20 October 2018 against St Mirren (38 games without a win after trailing at half-time).
Killie have won after conceding the opening goal in the league for the first time since 16 March 2024 against St Mirren (eight games without a win).
Derek McInnes' side have won six points from losing positions in the top flight this season, more than any other team.
Kilmarnock have defeated Dundee for the first time in the Premiership since 15 December 2018, a run of five games without a win.
Dundee 2-3 Kilmarnock: Have your saypublished at 18:48 5 October 2024
18:48 5 October 2024
Matty Kennedy's 94th-minute strike completed Kilmarnock's incredible turnaround at Dens Park after they trailed 10-man Dundee by two goals with 10 minutes to go.
The late goal also gave Kilmarnock their first win of the season after a run of seven games without a victory.
What did you make of that, Dundee fans? Should Mo Sylla have been sent off?
Should you have taken all three points of that game? What went wrong?
Dundee 2-3 Kilmarnock: What the manager saidpublished at 18:47 5 October 2024
18:47 5 October 2024
Image source, SNS
Dundee boss Tony Docherty told BBC Scotland: "It's the second time we've had this referee [Grant Irvine] making a mistake that changes the course of the game.
"We were so comfortable, justified in our 1-0 lead, and if anything Kilmarnock only gave us issues from free-kicks we gave away.
"Mo Sylla makes a challenge, he doesn't even know Matty Kennedy is behind him, he raises his arms - as you do to win a ball. The referee's line of vision is impaired, I don't think he sees it, but reacts to the player on the floor. It's never a sending off, it's never a booking.
"I think they should [look at the rule that doesn't allow VAR to intervene on second yellow cards]. It has such a significant impact on the game. We were comfortable at 11 v 11. We shouldn't lose the game.
"The referee was so quick. He's made the wrong decision there. I need to be careful what I say, but it impacts the game and I'm really disappointed.
"It was the perfect counter-attacking performance. We scored in the 81st minute and I'm thinking, just see the game out. We need to be strong. Really disappointed with that and it's something we'll look at internally."
Dundee 2-3 Kilmarnock: Analysispublished at 17:28 5 October 2024
17:28 5 October 2024
Andrew Petrie BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNS
Dundee lost more points from winning positions last season than any other side in the Premiership. 25, if you were wondering. Had they held on to them, they would have been finished fourth by a distance.
That frailty has come back to bite them again.
Yes, they were perhaps harshly done by when Sylla was sent off, but for most of the second half they weathered that storm and had a few chances to score earlier than they did.
Lyall Cameron had a terrific day, until the 94th minute when his terrible clearance allowed Kilmarnock one last chance. Those tired mistakes are continuing to cost them this season.
Dundee 2-3 Kilmarnock: Who impressed?published at 17:22 5 October 2024
17:22 5 October 2024
Image source, SNS
Lyall Cameron. Yes, the midfielder made a mistake right at the end of the game, but he was the bright spark throughout for Dundee and set up the first goal brilliantly.
There was doubts about how Dundee would respond to the loss of Luke McCowan but it has allowed 21-year-old Cameron to step up and be the main man in midfield.
LINE-UPS from Dens Parkpublished at 13:55 5 October 2024
Who have the Dark Blues brought in & let go this summer?published at 02:15 5 October 2024
02:15 5 October 2024
In: Billy Koumetio, defender (Liverpool); Simon Murray, forward (Ross County, undisclosed); Clark Robertson, defender (Ashdod); Ethan Ingram, defender (West Bromwich Albion); Scott Fraser, midfielder (Charlton Athletic); Jon McCracken, goalkeeper (Norwich City, loan to permanent).
Read the Scottish Premiership ins & outs in full here.
Dundee v Kilmarnock: Team newspublished at 19:07 4 October 2024
19:07 4 October 2024
Image source, SNS
Dundee midfielder Mo Sylla has trained this week and could be in the squad despite collapsing after suffering an anaphylactic shock at half-time in last weekend’s defeat by Aberdeen.
Experienced defenders Jordan McGhee (calf) and Joe Shaughnessy (knee) remain sidelined while Charlie Reilly has joined Inverness on loan.
Kilmarnock's Joe Wright serves the second of a three-match suspension and fellow centre-back Stuart Findlay and midfielder Liam Polworth are struggling with calf knocks. Kyle Magennis is still working his way back from a long-term absence.