Dundee

Ethan Hampton
Fan writer

When defeat comes, players can wash it off and go again.

For fans, it's different. We can't just move on until something new lifts us. The international break has dragged, with the derby defeat still stinging.

We've had to endure the gloating from giddy tangerine friends, family and co-workers - no reset button, no fresh result to soften the blow.

That's why, when Dundee next step on to the park, the players owe the supporters a response. I look at the upcoming fixtures and know we need to see more, especially in chance creation.

Back-to-back games at Dens Park provide a platform to find some rhythm, to see if Yan Dhanda and Cameron Congreve can start knitting things together and spark some attacking intent.

Our next guests are Motherwell, who do not have a league win yet but look lively under new boss Jens Berthel Askou. They've recruited strongly and already play with an attractive style. For me, they're dark horses this season.

Steven Pressley has said it will take time for Dundee to play to his standards. Patience is always easier to earn when performances show promise. A sharper attacking edge - alongside the defensive resilience we've already seen - will go a long way.

Timing is everything in football. Beating Motherwell wouldn't just steady the ship, it would be a statement. Proof that the derby defeat was a bump in the road, not a defining moment.

We asked for your views on Dundee's business in the summer transfer window.

Here are some of your comments:

Martin: It really is not good enough. I don't blame Steven Pressley but John Nelms. It's ridiculous that we have a bigger budget than some clubs in the league who get better players yet we persist with this project player route that clearly is not working. Where are the players with experience of this league to guide these young players?

George: This was a disaster, where are the players that were promised? Ryan Jack transfer falls through, you have a plan for another player in place, waiting just in case it happens. It sounds like there is no planning in place for failures. Fail to plan is the road to disaster.

Ian: The fact we had no plan B to Jack and Colby Donovan is a joke. We have a striker who has no supply from the wings. This transfer window has been disappointing.

Gary: A partial success maybe. The signings Pressley has made since coming in appear decent but it's the way they're playing that's the issue. They don't go forward with any purpose and a lot of the passing is backwards. If they need time together, great, but there's got to be an end product. Midfield creativity is sorely lacking, even with Yan Dhanda in as he was a passenger for the derby.

Gordon: We needed some quality brought in, both in midfield and full-back positions. To say I'm disappointed would be an understatement, especially after a spineless derby defeat. Next three games will show where we're at.

Mark: The issue isn't the players that have been brought in. The issue is Pressley and his negative tactics. Two goals scored in four league games. One was an error from a Hibs player and the second a set-piece. Hardly any shots on target in those four games. At least last season we conceded far too many, but scored a huge amount, at least the fans were getting their money's worth.

Ethan Hampton
Fan writer

I'm eating my words from last week after one of the worst derby showings I've seen from a Dundee side.

All the things that were praiseworthy in recent weeks - defensive shape, cohesion, set-piece threat - completely vanished on Sunday.

There's a way to lose a derby, and this wasn't it.

Dundee didn't lay a finger on United. These are the matches where you have to fight for every first and second ball, set the tone early, and play with urgency.

Instead, we watched a side that slumped to defeat with a whimper - allergic to pressing and unwilling to take risks.

For the neutral, this was no classic either. Normally derbies are frantic, end-to-end affairs. But aside from the two goals, there was almost no real chance creation.

Neither team looked impressive, but United at least did the basics right, and that was enough to carry them through.

Now we're left to stew during the international break. Hopefully the players feel the sting as much as the fans, because it has to spark a reaction - both against Motherwell next time out and when the derby comes around again.

Derbies are about pride. On Sunday, Dundee forgot what that meant. That can't happen again.

There was no transfer activity at Dundee on deadline day as a move for Scotland midfielder Ryan Jack fell through.

That leaves Steven Pressley's signings tally at 11, while Lyall Cameron and Josh Mulligan were the most notable departures in an exit list that also reached double figures.

So with the window now closed, are you pleased with the club's transfer business? Does it leave the squad in good shape for the season ahead - or is Pressley light in certain positions?

Share your thoughts here.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Could Ryan Jack be heading back to Scotland?

Dundee are keen to bring the former Aberdeen and Rangers midfielder to Dens Park.

Jack is currently at Turkish second-tier side Esenler Erokspor, who say the Scotland international will stay with them.

However, a deal is not necessarily dead. This is one that could run beyond tonight's transfer deadline.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Don't be surprised if we see a bit of deadline day activity at Dens Park.

A midfielder appears to be high on the Dundee wanted list.

Former Aberdeen and Rangers player Ryan Jack, who is currently at Turkish second-tier side Esenler Erokspor, would fit the bill.

While there have been conversations over a possible move for the 33-year-old, the Dark Blues will also have other potential options in that area.

Fans will certainly want to see some activity after witnessing the ease at which Dundee were swatted aside by city neighbours United in Sunday's derby.

We asked for your thoughts after Dundee were beaten 2-0 by neighbours United in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Martin: Not good enough. A team filled with project players and League Two players is a recipe for relegation. A manager who has one tactic and doesn't know how to change a game. United weren't that great but they didn't need to be - one shot the entire game sums up how poor we were.

Johnny: Really poor. Zero aggression. Why we refused to have players in the box to attack crosses is beyond me? Set up so negatively. Just dire. A good coach? Maybe. Eye for a player? Perhaps. Knows how to set up a team? Absolutely not. Steven Pressley is so out his depth in this role.

Kenny: Weakest home derby performance I can recall. Slow, turgid and deserved to lose. No points and a total of two attempts on target in our two homes games sums up how far we have regressed. Another masterstroke.

Ian: We need to give Pressley more time. He inherited a poor situation. His new signings also require some leeway to align with one another. The trajectory is still tracking upwards. Have faith.

Gordon: I believe we are being over coached which has taken the creativity out of the team. To break teams down you need skill and speed and the rigid system we are playing negates that. This set up may get you draws like against Rangers and Killie but will never most out of your creative players which will bring goals and wins.

Watch highlights from Dundee United's derby victory over Dundee in the Scottish Premiership.

UK users only.

Dundee continue talks with Ryan Jack but have still to seal a deal for the 33-year-old midfielder who remains contracted to Turkish second-tier club Esenier Erokspor. (Daily Record), external

A dominant Dundee United secured their first Scottish Premiership win of the season as they edged a blunt and disjointed Dundee side, who remain winless in the top flight after the Tayside derby.

Read the match report here.

Give us your thoughts on the game.

Image source, SNS

Dundee head coach Steven Pressley: "From an offensive perspective, we certainly have to do better. We lacked, in the first half, a little bit of thrust.

"We got a little bit more thrust in the second half, but our final pass, our final decision wasn't right.

"And over the course of the 90 minutes, we didn't deserve anything from the game. I'm aware of that.

"We're at the early stages just now, we've improved a lot in our defensive actions, but now we have to improve in our offensive actions and we'll continue to work on that.

"We'll continue to strive to be better in that area, but we know that, we know, and it's finding the balance.

"You can improve in offensive aspects and then not in the defensive.

"We've improved defensively, now we need to improve offensively and that will only come with time, perseverance and a lot of work on the training ground."

On a potential move for Ryan Jack he adds: "There's nothing really to report on that just now, it's a name that's been brought to our attention, but at this moment, nothing to say on that."

The Scottish transfer window closes at 23:00 BST on Monday 1 September so there's still time for business to be done.

What do Dundee need to do before the window slams shut?

Have your say here

Image source, SNS

Simon Murray cannot wait for the "chaos" of Dundee derby, admitting he will reflect on the fixture with pride when he hangs up his boots.

Murray has played for both sides of the divide but grew up a Dundee fan, and has scored three goals in the fixture last season.

"I'll look back on my career one day, probably, and think, playing in the Dundee derby for both teams – and I have done it – it's a great achievement," Murray said.

"To be captain of the club and to be leading the boys out on Sunday is something that I'm really proud of

"I love these games, both sets of fans are bringing everything to the game and it's 90 minutes normally of a sort of chaos, but I like that, I love it."

The striker was part of that chaos when the sides met at Tannadice last season, with Dundee securing a 4-2 win and Murray running the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of the Untied fans when he scored a penalty.

"When you're going into the game, the atmosphere is building, from the morning to the kick-off, and obviously the warm up and everything else.

"When you're in that dressing room, you just need to focus on what we work on, on the training pitch when it's calm and find that on the match day.

"Obviously there's going to be moments in the game where it's a bit frantic in the atmosphere, but when you sort of get over that and bring a real calmness then, hopefully that's what we can do and do what we've been working on."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

For some, the real derby of the weekend is at Dens Park. It needs no introduction.

If Sunday's edition is anything like the last Dundee derby - when the Dark Blues won at Tannadice in March for the first time since 2004 - we are in for a treat.

Then guided by Tony Docherty, Dundee stunned their neighbours with an astounding first-half performance that had them three goals to the good.

How new head coach Steven Pressley would love for that to be replicated at Dens this weekend.

Despite an atrocious start, former United defender Pressley appears to have steadied the ship with back-to-back draws at Ibrox and Rugby Park.

A first home win for Pressley, particularly one against their neighbours, would provide "an enormous lift" and be something of a statement, given many predicted he would be given his jotters by now.

But, perhaps more importantly of all, it would provide bragging rights down Tannadice Street, with the Dark Blues eyeing three successive wins against Jim Goodwin's new-look side.

Some might say this is the real baptism of fire for many of Goodwin's summer recruits.

How many have walked up the road for a game before?

Tangerine fans will be hoping striker Zac Sapsford is one of those making the jaunt up the hill.

The Australian sustained an ankle injury as United exited the Conference League against Rapid Vienna and, despite being set for up to four weeks out, Goodwin said the club are "giving him every chance" to make the derby.

Given the raft of changes in both ranks, the early-season encounter and the search for both sides' first win of the league season, a belter is surely on its way.

Read more: Weekend's Scottish Premiership picks

Image source, SNS

Dundee add new signing Ethan Hamilton to their squad after the midfielder's arrival from Lincoln earlier this week.

Paul Digby remains out with a calf injury and Charlie Reilly is back training after a broken collarbone but is not ready.

United's 14th summer signing, Nikolaj Moller who joined from St Gallen, goes into Jim Goodwin's squad.

They remain without Ryan Strain, Isaac Pappoe (both knee), Kristijan Trapanovski, Ross Graham, Max Watters (all hamstring) and Zac Sapsford (ankle).

Image source, SNS

Steven Pressley is both "excited" and "apprehensive" before his first derby as Dundee head coach.

His side have drawn two and lost one of their opening three Premiership games of the season, but could kickstart their season against their city rivals on Sunday.

Pressley has experience in the fixture, having played for United in the late 1990s, and knows how uplifting a victory would be.

"It's obviously a great game, a great spectacle, and it's proved to be that in recent times," he said. "Excited by it, apprehensive, as you can imagine.

"At any stage of the season, [winning the derby] is a great result, we know how important it is to the city of Dundee and to our supporters.

"We've got some stability in the last couple of games with two positive results. We want to continue to build on that and winning a derby gives your supporters and your club an enormous lift. So we're well aware of the importance of the game."

Despite a rocky start to the campaign, Pressley can sense positivity building after successive draws against Rangers and Kilmarnock.

"I really enjoyed the work this week, I've really enjoyed working with the players," he said. "There's a quiet confidence around us. There's a growing confidence.

"I say it time and time again, I'm very fortunate to work with this group of players. They're a group that all want to improve, all want to better themselves and it's a real credit to them."

It has been nine years since Dundee last won against United at Dens Park, a run that Pressley would like to bring to a halt this weekend.

"Dundee have performed well in recent derby games," he said. "They've won the last two, but a really interesting stat is that in the league, we've not won Dens Park since 2016, which is quite incredible.

"It's a statistic we'd like to put right, but it's going to take a big performance in order to do that."

Image source, SNS

Head coach Steven Pressley has suggested Dundee are interested in signing former Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack.

Reports have linked the Dens Park club with a move for the Scotland international, who is currently at Turkish second-tier side Esenler Erokspor.

The 33-year-old has played 28 times since making the switch to Turkey last September after spending seven years at Rangers.

When asked about the reported interest in the ex-Aberdeen midfielder, Pressley said: "He is a player we've certainly spoken about within the club. I can't say much more on that."

On the potential of further summer signings, the Dundee boss added: "It's very dependent on a number of things.

"I want to find that sweet spot where we have enough players but not too many. We're not far away from that."

Dundee this week signed Edinburgh-born midfielder Ethan Hamilton from Lincoln City and Pressley said: "He is a player that we've pursued for some time.

"He's a player that's been down south from Scotland all his career, but he's really excited about returning north of the border and we were really excited to have him on board.

"He's a great size. He's 6ft 2in, he's athletic, he's got a little bit of an edge and he's a really great professional."

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Dundee head coach Steven Pressley has been speaking to the media before Sunday's derby with Dundee United.

Here are the key lines:

• On reported interest in former Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack, Pressley says he is "a player we've certainly spoken about within the club".

• The Dundee boss says his squad are "excited" and "apprehensive" about Sunday's derby at Dens Park, which will be his first in charge.

• Pressley anticipates a "great game" and "great spectacle", adding: "There's a real sense within group that they are excited about it".

• The head coach knows "how important it is to the city of Dundee and our supporters" and is aiming to "continue to build" on back-to-back draws at Rangers and Kilmarnock.

• Winning the derby would "give everyone an enormous lift," he adds.

• Pressley says there is "growing confidence" within his squad and promises "a really honest performance" from his players this weekend.

• On the potential of further summer signings: "Very dependent on a number of things. I want to find that sweet spot where we have enough players but not too many. We're not far away from that."

• Team news: Paul Digby is still missing and Charlie Reilly is "not quite there yet".

Image source, SNS

• After their 4-2 victory in March, Dundee could win back-to-back derbies against United in the top flight for the first time since November 2004 under Jim Duffy.

• There have been 17 goals in the past four Scottish Premiership meetings between Dundee (nine goals) and United (eight goals), an average of 4.3 per game.

• Dundee have only won one of their past 12 home league games (D4 L7), a 2-0 victory over St Mirren in April.

• Dundee United have won just one of their past seven league matches (D1 L5), beating Aberdeen 2-1 on the final day of last term.

• Dundee have both had the fewest shots (15) and faced the most shots (47) of any side in the Scottish Premiership this season so far.

Dundee have held talks with Scotland international Ryan Jack over a return to the Scottish Premiership. (Courier), external

Read the rest of Thursday's Scottish gossip.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Dundee's biggest flaw last season was a weakness at the back.

Their effectiveness in the attacking third was neutralised by a fragility in defence, a porousness which ultimately cost Tony Docherty his job as manager.

Solving that brittleness will be key to Dundee avoiding a dogfight at the wrong end of the table this time round.

You would think Docherty's successor, Steven Pressley, has the credentials to do just that, having served various clubs and his country with distinction in defence.

And there are signs he may be finding a way to tighten things up. Dundee were unfortunate to concede a late equaliser in their 1-1 draw at Rangers, which was followed by a goalless stalemate at Kilmarnock.

The backline will need to stand firm on Sunday as Pressley's men host neighbours United in the season's first Dundee derby.

There will still be sections of the Dens Park faithful who remain sceptical following Pressley's surprise appointment.

But a victory over their big rivals would go a long way towards to getting remaining doubters onside.