Dundee

Ethan Hampton
Fan writer

The news of the premature passing of one of Dundee's most mercurial players of the last 50 years, Fabian Caballero, has left everyone associated with the club utterly devastated.

"He was sent down from heaven to wear number seven", the Dens Park faithful would sing. Now heaven needs him back, and he will be sorely missed.

Meanwhile, on the pitch, Dundee's familiar struggles continued to surface.

The defending in the first half was schoolboy level, and our deliveries from set-pieces were so poor, they could make a glass eye bleed.

In the second half, we had much more possession but created very few meaningful chances.

Another recurring theme this season was the positive impact of the substitutes but their introductions came too late to allow them to truly influence the game.

Scott Fraser produced the best cross of the afternoon in the 92nd minute - if he’d had more opportunities it might have led to a potential equaliser.

One positive from the match was Simon Murray recording his first goal at Dens Park, something that’s been weighing on his mind for some time. With that burden lifted, we can hope to see him play with renewed confidence on home turf.

Mo Sylla’s sudden departure at half-time to be rushed to Ninewells hospital has everyone wishing him a full recovery. He will be a huge miss for the team - he's been our most consistent player and the thought of a midfield without him is cause for concern.

We're not at panic stations just yet, and with several winnable games on the horizon, it's crucial that we break this losing streak before we find ourselves on a slippery slope.

We've only won one league game in our last 14, and we've been defeated in our last three consecutive matches.

Momentum is everything in football, and a positive result against Kilmarnock could put our recent struggles to bed. We have a very capable team, and I trust them to start putting points on the board sooner rather than later.

Killie, who are winless in the league this season, will not be an easy opponent especially given the fact that they are managed by Tony Docherty's former mentor Derek McInnes.

The student must become the master to keep the Dee from disaster.

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Dundee midfielder Charlie Reilly has joined Scottish League 1 side Inverness Caledonian Thistle on loan until January 2025.

The 22-year-old signed for Dundee in 2023 from Albion Rovers, and spent part of last season on loan at Arbroath.

He has played just once for Tony Docherty's side this season, a substitute appearance in the League Cup win over Bonnyrigg Rose, and now heads to the Highlands in search of regular minutes.

Adam Legzdins has likely played his last game for Dundee, with the 37-year-old goalkeeper having recently moved into the operational side of the club to build experience while studying for a Master’s degree in Sports Directorship. (The Courier), external

Four of Dundee's Scottish Premiership fixtures in November have been updated.

Their home match against Kilmarnock, originally scheduled for Saturday, 11 January 2025 has been brought forward to Sunday, 3 November at 15:00 GMT, at the request of both clubs.

Under the same circumstances, the Dark Blues' away trip to Pittodrie on Saturday, 9 November has been pushed back to a 17:30 kick-off.

The home game against Hibernian on Saturday, 23 November has been moved to a 17:45 kick-off due to television selection.

Finally, the visit of Rangers, originally due to occur on Saturday, 2 November, has been moved to Thursday, 9 January 2025 due to Phillipe Clement side's participation in the Premier Sports Cup.

The game has been selected for television coverage and will kick off at 20:00.

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Dundee manager Tony Docherty praised defender Clark Robertson's performance in the 2-1 Premiership defeat to Aberdeen on Saturday, and says he was "pleased" with his side's defensive structure despite the result.

Robertson, 31, signed for the club on a free transfer over the summer but only made his debut against the Dons following a hamstring injury in pre-season.

"I thought Clark was outstanding, he was really good," Docherty said. "I was looking to bring him into that defensive unit.

"We did a hell of a lot of work to make sure we did everything we could defensively and I thought we really limited them – two shots on target they had.

"We limited a good team to two opportunities from our mistakes.

"I was pleased with the defensive unit – I was pleased with loads about today, our midfield rotation, our switches of play and getting into good areas.

"And as I reiterated to the players, if I keep getting that level of performance consistently, we will be OK."

Before kick-off, there was a minute’s applause in tribute to former Dundee striker Fabian Caballero, who died suddenly at the age of 46.

"Really saddened," Docherty said. "The Dundee family are mourning the loss of a brilliant servant to the football club. Huge condolences and sympathy goes out to his family.

"He was here last year for Cammy Kerr's testimonial and was a larger-than-life character.

"You can see why he made his mark at Dundee and there is huge respect for him. As the Dundee FC family, we mourn his loss."

Watch highlights from Aberdeen's win over Dundee in the Scottish Premiership.

Available to UK viewers only.

We asked for your views on Dundee's 2-1 loss against Aberdeen.

Here's what some of you said:

Gail: Just couldn't put the ball in the net. Our corners and crosses were woeful. Playing Simon Murray as a lone striker is not the way ahead at home. Our keeper remains rooted to his line at all times and does not command his area, his ball-to-hand kicking is atrocious.

Roberto: It was both a really good game and a tough loss. If Dundee can minimise the defensive errors and maximise the goal chances then they'll be a very good team. Hope Mo Sylla is well and that there is nothing serious there.

Danny: Overall it was a very good performance, particularly in the second-half, but silly individual defensive errors are costing us points. Clark Robertson looked impressive and should make a big difference. Our midfield and attacking players just need to find a cutting edge and we will be fine.

Carl: Some things are more important than football; all the best for a speedy recovery Mo Sylla. As for the game, we should have had at least a draw. First time I saw Billy Koumetio I thought he looked a bit raw, but today, dear oh dear. Back to the basics big man.

Rocky: Tony Docherty, don't waste time analysing that game, it’s been the same story for at least six months. Our so-called defence is a shambles and we still can't defend the basics. Poor summer defensive signings, I’m getting extremely worried for the season, one win in fourteen Premiership games. Again Tony takes zero ownership for another defeat, never his fault or tactics.

Gary: Not to cast blame, but defenders need to concentrate on defending first off, poor decision making is giving us too much to do in games when we're not firing at the other end. Think Scott Fraser will add something, but Docherty continually says we’re not clinical enough. He should impress on his players how much individual errors have cost us yet again.

Dave: Authors of our own downfall yet again. Two defensive errors lead to Aberdeen's only two shots on target - and two goals. We need to tighten up. Another afternoon of inconsistent officiating didn't help, but we need to stop gifting goals and penalties to our opponents.

Steven: We can't play Sammy Braybrooke, Lyall Cameron and Scott Tiffoney in the same team - they're too easily brushed aside in the Premiership. St Mirren and now Aberdeen have shown that. DFC is not the place for Koumetio to learn his trade, we're better than that, give Ryan Astley a go. Great effort from the boys, surely we'll get the breaks soon.

Gary: Having been to the game, Dundee can't afford to give teams two goals. The defending is shocking at the moment, people go on about how good Aberdeen are but Dundee gifted them the two goals. Aberdeen didn't impress me, they spent more time sitting on their backsides wasting time than playing football.

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• Simon Murray has scored two goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), no Dundee player has more.

• Aberdeen have won their last six games in the Premiership. Their last longer winning streak was from 25th February 2023 to 23rd April 2023, a run of seven games.

• Dundee have failed to win in their last four games in the Premiership. Their last longer winless streak was from 6th April 2024 to 4th August 2024, a run of nine games.

• Aberdeen have scored in their last 11 games in the Premiership. Their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of 12 games from 17th January 2016 to 8th April 2016.

Scott Fraser says he decided to join Dundee because he and his wife were unhappy living in London and the 29-year-old midfielder revealed that he had offers from a number of clubs after leaving Charlton Athletic a year before the end of his contract. (The Courier), external

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

Five without a win for Dundee.

Do you agree with manager Tony Docherty that the Dark Blues deserved more from this afternoon's narrow Premiership defeat to Aberdeen.

Whether you were at Dens Park or following from home, let us know your thoughts on the game here, external.

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Dundee manager Tony Docherty tells BBC Scotland: "It’s not very often both managers say the better team lost. Fair play to Jimmy, he said after the game that we deserved more. Which is quite a good summation of the game.

"If I get that consistent level of performance from our players we will win more than we lose.

"Our level of performance was excellent today, especially in the second half. We gifted them two goals. They had two shots on target, we had six. Sometimes you don’t get your rewards in a game. I’m gutted we didn’t win a game we deserved to win.

"We’ll analyse the performance and see what we done wrong. We are culpable for the goals we lose and that’s the real frustration for a manager. I like to think these things level themselves out over the season."

Cam Wanstall
BBC Sport Scotland

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Dundee were hampered by early defensive errors.

Former Liverpool centre-back Koumetio was not the only one to struggle with the pace of Finnish winger Keskinen, but his two mistakes cost the hosts dearly.

The Dundee defence continually looked out of shape before the break, as Aberdeen found plenty of joy in behind the hosts’ backline.

Ethan Ingram and Clark Robertson impressed despite their side’s defensive frailties, while energetic pair Lyall Cameron and Scott Tiffoney did well in attack.

But there was not enough creativity from the remainder of the side to craft enough chances to threaten Dimitar Mitov.

Despite the defeat, Dundee can be pleased with their intensity in the second 45, which might have paid off on another day.

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Scott Tiffoney persevered despite his side's struggles to create clear-cut chances.

The attacker brought energy to Dundee's attacking line and continually pushed forward with the ball at his feet as the hosts chased an equaliser.

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Prior to kick-off at Dens Park, there will be a minute of applause in memory of former Dundee striker Fabian Caballero, who has died at the age of just 46.

The Paraguayan will be fondly remembered by fans of the Dark Blues after five seasons at the club in the early 2000s.

"I was really shocked to hear that news this morning," Dundee manager Tony Docherty told BBC Scotland. "A complete surprise to everyone.

"He was here last year at Cammy Kerr's testimonial. Such a popular figure, quite rightly as he was a fantastic footballer for Dundee. And a brilliant servant.

"The Dundee family is mourning his loss and pay all respects to his family. Hopefully we can put on a performance befitting of that player.

"He was part of a fantastic team and he left a mark which is clear in the reaction. I was at Dundee United at the time - and I don't think we won a derby in that time. Caballero was a thorn in the flesh.

"From everything I hear about him too, clearly a wonderful character."

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Tony Docherty makes three changes following last weekend's League Cup quarter-final defeat to Rangers.

Goalkeeper Jon McCracken, full-back Ethan Ingram and centre-back Clark Robertson each return to the starting XI.

Trevor Carson and Oluwaseun Adewumi both drop to the bench, while defender Jordan McGhee misses out entirely with a calf injury.

Follow our live coverage here.

Dundee: McCracken, Ingram, Portales, C Robertson, Koumetio, Larkeche, Braybrooke, Sylla, Cameron, Murray, Tiffoney.

Substitutes: Carson, Astley, Mulligan, Main, Adewumi, F Robertson, Palmer-Houlden, Fraser, Vetro.

Aberdeen: Mitov, Devlin, Rubezic, Molloy, MacKenzie, Heltne Nilsen, Shinnie, McGrath, Clarkson, Keskinen, Nisbet.

Substitutes: Doohan, Duk, Besuijen, Palaversa, Sokler, Morris, Milne, MacDonald, Ambrose.

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Dundee defender Jordan McGhee drops out with a calf injury but Scott Fraser, Charlie Reilly and Clark Robertson are back in contention. Joe Shaughnessy (knee) is a long-term absentee.

Aberdeen could have Duk in their match-day squad for the first time this season while Dante Polvara remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.

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Aberdeen midfielder Leighton Clarkson is "excited" to face former Liverpool teammate Billy Koumetio when the Dons visit Dundee on Saturday.

The 22-year-old made his first start in nearly two months on Saturday as Jimmy Thelin's side advanced to the semi-finals of the Scottish League Cup with a 4-0 win at home to Spartans.

He is hoping to keep his place in the team this weekend and test himself against a familiar face in Koumetio, whom he spent five years with in Liverpool's academy.

"He's a lad that I know really well, I've played with him since I was about 16," said Clarkson.

"He's a good centre-half and I know all the qualities he can bring.

"When I heard he was coming up here, I spoke to him and I told him he's going to play football and learn the Scottish game.

"It's a good move for a lot of the English talent to come here. I'm excited to see him tomorrow."

Koumetio joined Dundee in the summer on a permanent two-year deal from Liverpool and took advice from a couple of his academy teammates before making the switch.

"This weekend, a player who I know [Clarkson] is playing for Aberdeen," said Koumetio.

"I have seen how he is performing in the league and how his game is going up and up and up.

"Before I came, I also spoke with Owen Beck, who did a good year, we all know that.

"I was on the phone with Owen before I came and everything he said I just saw it, I experienced it, so Owen was the one I took counsel from."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dundee defender Billy Koumetio says he was "shocked" by how well manager Tony Docherty knew him before he put pen to paper at Dens Park.

Koumetio, 21, joined the Dark Blues on a two-year deal, after arriving from Liverpool.

The Frenchman says that while there were a number of reasons why it was the right move for him, the "honest" conversations with Docherty and his coaching staff were right at the top of the list.

He said: "When I was speaking with him during the summer, even with the assistant, the thing that I saw [was] how well they knew me - that shocked me a bit to be honest and they were very honest with me in terms of what I do well and what I can improve on.

"That honesty and how well they knew me and how they even had the same vision I had in terms of what I wanted to do this season...really convinced me to come.

"It is true that sometimes, depending on the clubs and depending on the leagues, sometimes managers are different, sometimes they can just say, ‘oh just come’ and 'just do this, there is no project'.

"This is really a project here this season and he has really got a vision on what he wants to do and with the team so that really convinced me, the chats that I had with the manager, that was the big difference, 100%."

And Koumetio is hoping to make the same impact in Scotland as two of his form Anfield colleagues - Aberdeen's Leighton Clarkson and Owen Beck, who excelled while on loan at Dens Park.

He said: "Even seeing a few players in this league that I know personally and how well they have done, I know for example, this weekend is a player who I know who is playing for Aberdeen, and seeing how he is performing in the league and how his game is going up and up and up.

"Before I came, I spoke with Owen Beck, who did a good year, we all know that, he played well and even how the club helped him, everyone here spoke to me about Owen Beck, how he was.

"I was on the phone with Owen before I came and everything he said I just saw it, I experienced it, so Owen was the one I took counsel from."

• Dundee avoided defeat in all three of their league meetings with Aberdeen last season (W1 D2), picking up five points – as many as they had in their previous 17 such games against the Dons beforehand (W1 D2 L14).

• Aberdeen have lost two of their last three league visits to Dundee (D1), this after winning six such trips in a row beforehand.

• Dundee haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their last 10 Scottish Premiership matches (23 goals conceded in this run), the longest ongoing streak of any side in the division.

• Aberdeen have won all five of their league games this season and could become the first non-Old Firm club to win their opening six matches of a Scottish Premiership campaign since Aberdeen themselves in 2015-16 (first eight).

• Aberdeen’s Pape Habib Gueye is the top scorer in the Scottish Premiership this season with five goals – the most by a player in their first four starts in the competition since Marc McNulty in February-March 2019 (also five).

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dundee manager Tony Docherty insists "there is no dent in confidence" despite their four-game winless run.

The Dens Park side, who are seventh in the Premiership, are aiming to get back to winning ways at home to Aberdeen on Saturday.

Docherty's men have conceded nine goals in that last quartet of games.

The Dundee boss believes "our form is still really good just now and I think we are getting stronger and stronger as a squad".

However, Docherty concedes that he needs to improve his defence and says they have been working to try and tighten things up.

"Before last week’s game I think we were the top scorers in Scotland," he said. "So it is always trying to make sure you have got the balance between scoring enough and not conceding.

"And probably that is where we fell down last week (a 3-0 League Cup defeat at Rangers), we are still creating the chances but never executed them, which is very unlike us.

"But the way I see the team playing, training, the energy in the team, the individual ability in that top area of the pitch, we will always create chances, so I am really confident in that.

"And I think something Clark Robertson will help us with is that defensive edge in making sure that behind the ball we are balanced and we don’t give up counter-attack goals.

"That is probably something you could say we could improve on, it is something we have been working very hard in training to make sure do."

Dundee welcome a Dons team that have amassed 11 wins in the 11 games they have played in all competitions so far this season.

In fact, Docherty's side were the last team to beat Aberdeen in the league - winning 1-0 at Dens back in March.

"They have had a very good start, similar to us through their League Cup campaign, and have gained momentum," Docherty said.

"They were probably a wee bit more fortunate with the draws they have had rather than ours.

"We know there is a team coming here that are high in confidence, but it is our job to try and stop that momentum."