Dundee

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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.