Dundee

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Tony Docherty has been speaking to the media prior to his Dundee side's game against St Johnstone this weekend.

Here are the key lines from the press conference:

• Docherty says it was a "big" 1-0 win against Motherwell last weekend after the international break gave Dundee the "opportunity to work on things to make the performances better".

• He is pleased they kept a clean sheet after conceding late goals in their previous games and says it shows "willingness of the players to improve and develop".

• On the league being competitive, he says the opposition is "fierce" and the "standards of play have been really high" so far this season.

• Docherty is expecting a tough game against Tayside rivals Saints and says new boss Simo Valakari is "stamping his authority" on the team.

• Dundee's home support has been "fantastic" and he wants Saints to "play the crowd in the stands as well".

Dundee manager Tony Docherty believes the Dens Park side owe their home fans as they target victory over St Johnstone on Saturday. (Courier - subscription), external

Read Friday's Scottish gossip

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• Dundee have won their last two league meetings with St Johnstone, last winning three in a row against the Perth side in the top flight in April 2002 under Ivano Bonetti.

• St Johnstone are winless in six Scottish Premiership meetings with Dundee (D3 L3), this after winning five in a row against the Dark Blues beforehand.

• After their 1-0 win at Motherwell, Dundee are looking to win back-to-back league games for the first time since March last season – when their second win was over St Johnstone (2-1).

• Having beaten Ross County 3-0 last time out, St Johnstone are looking to earn back-to-back league wins for the first time since November 2022 (run of three). This will be their 72nd league match since they last won consecutively.

• Benjamin Kimpioka has scored four goals in seven league games for St Johnstone this season, surpassing his tally for the club in the whole of last season (three in 17).

Dundee will give experienced pair Scott Fraser and Jordan McGhee every opportunity to prove their fitness for the weekend home test against St Johnstone. (The Courier)

Read the rest of Thursday's gossip.

Ethan Hampton
Fan writer

The winless streak comes to an end and hopefully hit the door on the way out.

Despite a poor run of form coming into the match, Dundee played with a high degree of confidence at Fir Park, reflecting a belief within the squad that their league position does not match their performances.

The star of the show was undoubtedly Billy Koumetio, whose powerful and composed performance at the back set the tone for the win.

The Frenchman was everywhere, displaying smart positioning, crunching challenges and a coolness under pressure that ensured Motherwell rarely threatened.

Whether controlling the ball with his foot, hip, or even shoulder, Koumetio exuded authority and propelled the transition from defence to attack.

As predicted, Clark Robertson was also key in getting us out of our rut. He organised the backline so efficiently, he just walked them through the entire match. That's leadership.

I’m a big fan of the Dundonian trio of Scott Fraser, Finlay Robertson and Lyall Cameron in midfield. They covered every blade of grass and Mo Sylla's absence was barely noticed as a result. I hope to see more of this dynamic going forward.

The scoreline flattered Motherwell, Dundee should have won by more, but all that matters is we have a result to build on. It was a proper professional display - we earned our first clean sheet in the league, first away victory this season and our first win at Fir Park since 2017.

Looking ahead to the fixture against St Johnstone next, we have to be licking our lips at the thought of building some momentum and taking another three points. Under Tony Docherty, we are unbeaten against the Perth side and on each occasion it's been a great game to watch.

Someone recently told me Dundee are the league's entertainers, with goals at either end and an incredible unpredictability.

For the neutral our home defeats to Aberdeen and Kilmarnock were great games to watch and I think this weekend's match will be cut from the same cloth - hopefully with a very different outcome.

BBC Sportscene pundits Neil McCann and Barry Robson reflect on Lyall Cameron's goal in Dundee's 1-0 win against Motherwell.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Lyall Cameron's inclusion in these teams are becoming something of a habit. He has risen to the challenge of making sure Dundee fans aren't forever pining for the loss of Luke McCowan.

Cameron seems to be getting better every week and is very much the creative midfield dynamo that makes the Dark Blues tick. At the centre of everything good about Dundee, and – naturally – scored the decisive goal in the 1-0 victory at Motherwell.

Carl: I think Tony Docherty's comments on the game are exactly right. Technically excellent, players sticking to their allotted tasks and the resilience of the second-half display spoke volumes about the team. The support was great too. A very enjoyable day's work.

Gary: The changes to the line-up were welcomed and a pleasant surprise. Thankfully Docherty gave the team a much-needed shake-up, but they showed up well and got the win and the clean sheet we’d been craving. Hopefully they can keep that going at home next week.

Boab: Absolutely superb result and performance. Wasn’t overly confident when I saw the team sheet, but then what do I know. Well done, Tony Doc.

Brian: Solid performance and deserved win, only concern was going backwards most of second half. Heading the right way.

Jimmy: A win at last, the team played well and did the ugly things to gain the victory. The football doesn’t need to be flashy all the time but the three points are the aim. Well done boys, long may it continue.

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Dundee goalkeeper Trevor Carson put his frustration to one side to play a key role in his team's much-needed win at Motherwell.

The 1-0 victory at Fir Park was the Northern Irishman's first league start of the season.

The 36-year-old was a steady pair of hands, helping secure a first clean sheet of the campaign as Tony Docherty's side earned their first Premiership win since August.

"I thought the lads in front of me were different class," Carson told BBC Scotland.

On having to wait on the sidelines to come back into the team, he added: "It's the life of a goalie, it's not like an outfielder where you might contribute off the bench.

"When you're not playing it's frustrating, I'm not going to lie, but I've supported Jon [McCracken] and supported the team, but I'm delighted to get my chance and thankfully I could keep a clean sheet.

"You put a mask on on the Saturday and go in all smiles to be a cheerleader. But it’s horrible, especially as I'm an experienced player, and I'm used to playing games on a Saturday.

"It takes a big part of your life away. But I've had to be supportive of Jon and likewise Jon couldn't have been any better with me. I'm thankful for that."

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• Dundee have beaten Motherwell for the first time in the Premiership since 27 November 2021, a run of four games without a win.

• Motherwell attempted 371 passes in this game, their highest total in a single match in the Premiership this season.

• Dundee attempted 15 shots in this game, their highest total in a single match in the Premiership this season.

• Liam Gordon attempted 59 passes in this game, the highest total for a Motherwell player in the Premiership this season.

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Dundee manager Tony Docherty: "I'm just really delighted for the players that they got their rewards. We did a hell of a lot of work as a group particularly on keeping clean sheets and we got our rewards for that.

"I thought we won the game in the first half. It's a fantastic goal, but technically I thought our play was excellent.

"In the second half we showed the other side and dug in. To win a match like that I thought we displayed everything as a team.

"In the international break we identified that, it was obvious we hadn't kept a clean sheet. We worked and worked on the training field and analysis room.

"We made sure going into that situation again we would be strong and we stood up. The players have been criticised, and myself, for maybe capitulating [against Kilmarnock].

"But we made sure we would come back strong. There was a lot of good play as well. It was the complete performance away from home against really good side."

Dundee earned a first Scottish Premiership win in six matches as a polished performance defeated in-form Motherwell at Fir Park.

The decisive, and only, goal came in the first half when Lyall Cameron slid the ball into the bottom corner after Simon Murray's header was blocked by Ewan Wilson.

Were you at Fir Park or following the match from home?

Give us your thoughts here., external.

Thomas Duncan
BBC Sport Scotland

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After the late collapse in their last game against Kilmarnock, Dundee really needed this win and clean sheet, their first in the Premiership this term.

They had won only once in their last 15 league games stretching back to last season, and some promising performances have been undone by poor defending.

By the end Motherwell had gone 4-2-4 and threw the kitchen sink at them, as Killie had done two weeks ago.

They rained in crosses and tested the Dundee defence late on but Clark Robertson, Billy Koumetio, Ryan Astley and substitute Antonio Portales stood firm.

Up the other Cameron again showed what a wonderful player and unerring finisher he is. Docherty will hope to build on this.

The late collapse against Kilmarnock has encouraged Tony Docherty to change four, including his goalkeeper as Jon McCracken is replaced by Trevor Carson.

Mohammed Sylla is suspended, while Scott Tiffoney and Antonio Portales drop to the bench.

Ryan Astley, Fin Robertson, and Scott Fraser all start.

• Follow the action

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Motherwell captain Paul McGinn drops out with a thigh problem but Dan Casey returns from suspension. Callum Slattery, Sam Nicholson (both knee), Harry Paton (ankle), Ross Callachan (hamstring) and Jack Vale (calf) are long-term absentees.

Dundee midfielder Mo Sylla is suspended while Jordan McGhee’s swift recovery from a calf injury has given him a chance of featuring. Joe Shaughnessy is making good progress from a long-term knee injury.

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• Motherwell have only lost one of their last 14 Scottish Premiership games against Dundee (W9 D4), going down 0-3 in November 2021.

• Dundee are winless in seven Scottish Premiership away games at Motherwell (D3 L4) since a 3-2 victory in April 2017.

• Motherwell have won four of their last five league games (L1), including both of their last two. The Steelmen last won three league matches in a row in September 2023.

• Dundee have won just one of their last 15 league games (D6 L8), a 3-1 victory over Heart of Midlothian in August. Away from home, the Dee have won just one of their last 11 in the Scottish Premiership (D4 L6), beating St Johnstone 2-1 in March.

• Excluding penalties, Motherwell have scored more goals from set-pieces (6) than any side in the Scottish Premiership this season.

Scott Fraser is desperate to deliver at Dundee because he knows he failed to hit the heights on loan at Hearts last season. (Daily Record), external

Dundee winger Charlie Reilly has suffered another injury set-back on loan at Inverness Caley Thistle. (Courier - subscription), external

Read the rest of Thursday's Scottish gossip.

We asked for your views on what you want to see from Dundee.

Here's what some of you said:

Ben: Everything feels really flat around the team and fanbase at the moment, which is strange because all of last season and the start of this season there was real optimism and a great connection between the fans, players and manager. A gritty, determined win on Saturday would go a long way in getting the fanbase back on side with the current squad.

Andy: A change at the back, a clean sheet or two, that would make me happy.

Innes: Definitely the defence needs tightening up. The players coming back from injury is a major boost. Getting out of this losing streak is a must and a draw at Fir Park is no shame at all. Going forward the team's resilience needs to improve too. Over 20 points given away from winning positions last season. Signs of this again, this needs to stop now.

Gary: More dynamic, telling substitutions and tactical changes when they're needed. Goes without saying, cut out the errors, make better decisions all round and share the workload more evenly.

George: Dundee need to start keeping clean sheets. Good possession, no mistakes, plenty of goals. Make all the chances count.

Carl: The priority is a major improvement in our defensive set up. Seeing out games from a winning position, which is a joke at the moment, is a serious flaw, as are some of our substitutions with attackers replacing defenders when we are enduring pressure from the opposition. Hope the international break can give Tony Docherty time to work on the obvious faults.

Stephen: The loss of Luke McCowan has had a huge impact on us. However, I feel Docherty has signed too many small, young and inexperienced players. Also too many loan signings that have no knowledge of the Scottish game.

Iain: Surely the league set-up has got to be looked to help clubs like Dundee. You have at least seven teams in the Premiership fighting to steer clear of relegation from the off, and that is not good for the game. St Mirren, Killie and Motherwell are simply teams who have become experts at grinding out results. That is not good for the game. We need change.

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?

Give us your thoughts here., external

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)

Read the rest of Tuesday's gossip.