Dundee

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Dundee manager Steven Pressley was pleased to see a second-half turnaround from his side after a "concerning" opening 45 minutes.

A Simon Murray penalty - the captain's first of the season - set Steven Pressley's side on their way early on, but the new Dens Park boss felt his side were lacklustre for periods of the first half.

Dundee ended a disappointing group campaign with a 5-0 hammering of third-tier visitors Montrose, to finish third in their league cup group.

"I was obviously pleased with the result, and I thought in the second half in particular we were much better," said Pressley.

"Much better as a unit, as a team, more synchronised in our pressing and our decision making, but I was a little bit concerned in the first half.

"We actually started the game really well, really aggressively and I was excited with our opening 10 or 15 minutes, but I just felt that we became a little bit disjointed at times.

"There were some good things in the second half and of course, three set-play goals again, which is a big part of what we're working on.

"So, the second half, [I was] much more satisfied, first half a little bit concerned on certain aspects."

We asked for your views following Steven Pressley's first win in three Premier Sports Cup group games as Dundee edged past Bonnyrigg Rose.

Here's what some of you said:

Kevin: Yet another lacklustre performance and for 75 minutes you would have struggled to work out who were the Premiership team. Only really got over the line when Bonnyrigg ran out of steam.

Albert: I'm backing Steven to the hilt. He talks common sense and doesn't sugarcoat anything.

Jimmy: Okay, it was a win but realistically it didn't happen until the final five minutes. We should really be able to win that type of game far easier than the final few minutes. The jury is still out on the manager.

Harry: Dundee are at their lowest for years. Being held by a non-league team to the last 10 minutes is an embarrassment. Shocking excuses already, blaming players' fitness, when that's something that should be a given. I don't see any points from the first quarter of league games. Pressley will be sacked by end of November.

Iain: It's hard to be positive about a late, late win against a non-league side. We should be winning games like this with ease. I know this is pre-season, but these aren't friendlies. Pressley has a lot of work to do to convince anyone that he was the right choice of manager.

Gary: It felt weird. Almost like there was no joy in the win - that's where we are at just now. Baffling first-half team selection and the token subs on the hour to try to salvage something. Little creativity, no domination, just stuttering along. If we start the league like this we'll be humbled every week.

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Herald football writer Stephen McGowan thinks that Steven Pressley will need time to "put his stamp on the place" at Dens Park.

The new Dundee manager has lost his first two cup games, which means his side have an uphill battle if they want to progress in the comeptition.

While McGowan thinks it will take time for it to come together for the Scot, he believes the fans won't give him the luxury.

"I know it sounds counter-intuitive to say it, I don't really blame Steven Pressley for this situation," said McGowan on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"I tend to blame the people who decided that Tony Docherty had to go and he had to come in in the first place.

"I spoke to Docherty and the more I read, the more I looked at it, the more I thought he'd been really harshly dealt with.

"Dundee finished 10th with a relatively young team. Docherty played more young players, under 21, than any other manager in the league, and he was dismissed.

"I thought that was really harsh, that was hard and I think it looks more harsh given the start that Pressley has made.

"Now Pressley, I suppose a bit like Russell Martin, will need bit of time to put his stamp on the place. He says he needs more new signings in.

"But the fans are already pretty unhappy with the way things are going, and the one thing he's not going to get is lots of time because many of them wouldn't have chosen him in the first place. That puts him in really difficult predicament."

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Joe Shaughnessy insists his former Dundee team-mates are "very positive" about working under Steven Pressley, despite the head coach's difficult start at Dens Park.

Saturday's League Cup group defeat at Alloa was a second straight loss to lower-league opposition.

Many fans were against the appointment of Pressley, who is now facing added pressure from the support after a challenging start to his reign.

But centre-back Shaughnessy, who left Dens this summer to sign for Newcastle Jets in Australia, says the Dundee boss is making a good impression on the squad.

"I've spoken to a few of the players and they are very positive about it all," the 33-year-old told BBC Sportsound.

"They're enjoying working with him. He's trying to get his idea across. When I talk to Simon Murray and some of the other lads, they enjoy the training and they are being worked hard.

"The fans jumped on him saying he's not going to win titles or whatever, but the players are enjoying what he's come in and started doing.

"They are onside and trying to build towards something. Hopefully it happens sooner rather than later."

Shaughnessy added that any talk of sacking Pressley based on the League Cup group results is "very harsh".

We asked for your views after Steven Pressley's Dundee suffered a second straight defeat to lower-league opposition in the Premier Sports Cup.

Here's what some of you said:

Stuart: What any absolute shambles. How many managers have been sacked before the league season has actually started?

Kenny: Complete and utter disgrace. Absolutely amateur, pure shambles.

John: Sack Pressley now. If we don't we are relegated before a ball's kicked in the league.

Ian: It's clear Dundee still have quite a bit of squad bolstering to do. Mr Pressley should be given at least until Christmas to set out his table.

Kevin: Absolute disgrace. No tactics, no running on or off the ball and playing like a bunch of guys who had never met before. Can't always blame the manager, it's about time the people at the top come out and be held accountable for this utter shambles.

Mark: Despite there being two disappointing results so far in the League Cup, it's important we as Dundee fans take a balanced view on the situation. It's very early doors yet and I can see the manager's philosophy, build from the back and work through the phases. He's built a really good group of players and I've been impressed with the signing policy. Give it time and I bet you it's "I told you so" from me.

Richard: The appointment was bizarre, he'd had a poor record and been out of the game for years. Head-scratching to say the least. Doesn't inspire the fans at all.

Paul: Dundee were terrible. No meaningful attempts on goal. Alloa played the better football and deserved to win. With performances like this Dundee will struggle to stay up.

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Steven Pressley's Dundee are facing an early exit from the Premier Sports Cup as defeat at Alloa leaves them pointless in Group C.

The result is a second successive loss against lower-league opposition after a home defeat to Airdrieonians last weekend.

Speaking to BBC Scotland's Chick Young post-match, here's what head coach Pressley had to say:

Clearly not the result you wanted, what about the performance?

"I think I've said we need another five or six in, but the reality is, even with that group of players, we have to perform better than we did today. So I take ownership of that. I take full responsibility around that. We have to go away and work again."

Can you put your finger on it? Is it quality of players? What is the issue?

"The issue is a combination of a number of things. We do need more players in, but as I've said, I don't think we did well enough today with the group of players we had on the pitch. I think choices in possession weren't good. I thought we played too long on too many occasions.

"And also, we have to take greater ownership and responsibility and make things happen. We need players that are going to change games. But listen, that's my responsibility. That's my job to get the confidence in the players, the belief in the players, and that's what I fully intend to do."

Did nervousness come into it?

"Maybe a little bit of nervousness. Maybe that was evident in the second half. But I didn't think we created many good opportunities in the game. Our best opportunities came from set plays, something we have been working hard on.

"I've seen improvements in our defensive principles, but we're still nowhere near where we need to be. And as I've said, I take responsibility for that because I think with the group of players we have out there, we can do much better."

Do you see reason to believe?

"Of course I do. It's very difficult for a number of players. I still look at them from a physical perspective, and they're not at the level we need them at.

"Some of them tired significantly in the second half and we looked a team, at times, lacking in that intensity in the second half. We have to find solutions to that."

Dundee have lost out on Scottish FA funding for a proposed new training centre. (Scottish Sun), external

Dundee's interest in AP Brera Strumica midfielder Martin Gjorgievski, 20, has cooled. (The Courier, external - subscription required) & (RG.org), external

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Aberdeen have exercised their right to postpone their Premiership match against Dundee United, which fell in between the two legs of their Europa League play-off.

Jimmy Thelin's side were due to travel to Tannadice on Saturday, 23 August but have successfully requested it be postponed after the SPFL board agreed the rule change in April.

Previously, postponements had to be agreed by both clubs, but now a team playing in Europe can unilaterally delay a game.

The Dons will learn their European opponents on 4 August, while the new date of their match against United will be decided once the European league phase draws are confirmed.

Meanwhile, the first two Dundee derbies of the league season are to be televised. Premier Sports will show the first at Dens Park on Sunday, 31 August (kick-off 14:00 BST) then the New Year derby at Tannadice will be on Sky Sports on Saturday, 3 January (15:00 GMT).

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dundee defender Luke Graham says his experiences playing first-team matches have helped him progress far more than academy football would have done.

The 21-year-old has had successful loan spells at Lochee United, Albion Rovers, Montrose and Falkirk – where he was part of the Bairns' Championship winning squad last season.

He says he has come back from each one of those stints as a "new player".

"Just playing games week-in, week-out, it is going to make you a better player and I feel like it did that for me and it was just a really great experience," said Graham.

"For me personally, I feel like going out and playing men's football is the best thing for you.

"I have done that three or four times now and I feel every time I have come back a new player."

Graham hopes those experiences can help him to establish himself at Dens Park under Steven Pressley.

"As a centre-back you are not going to go in to a Premiership game after playing under-19s football. It is just not the same thing - you are going to get bashed about.

"So I feel like you learn a lot from just going out and playing men's football."

Dundee are to reapply for permission to build a new training ground at Riverside Drive after an initial go-ahead from the council was reversed. (The Courier, external - subscription required)

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dundee head coach Steven Pressley has been speaking to the media before his side's League Cup trip to third-tier Alloa Athletic this weekend.

Here are the key lines:

• As they aim to bounce back from their season-opening defeat to Airdrieonians last week, Pressley said: "Do I think we are anywhere near resembling what I want us to be? Absolutely not, not even close, but I do believe in the process and I do believe in what we are trying to do".

• He added: "Setbacks often are the catalyst to move things forward, to really highlight and remind people where we are".

• After making a losing start to his time in charge of Dundee, he said: "I was under no illusions this was going to be a difficult job, a challenging job - but I enjoy that challenge and also I enjoy working with this group of players".

• Pressley described that first game as "a great learning", adding: "The stress testing and the things it brought to my attention were brilliant".

• He has spoken of the potential they have signed in midfielder Callum Jones, 24, saying the former Hull City player has the attributes and mindset to really develop.

• With League One Alloa having won both of their opening League Cup group games, Pressley admits the pressure is all on Dundee, adding: "There never is any margin error".

• Team news: Charlie Reilly remains Dundee's only injury absentee.

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New signing Callum Jones aims to bring goals and "a little bit of bite" to the Dundee midfield.

The 24-year-old has agreed a two-year contract at Dens Park after leaving Hull City.

"I think the project is good, the new manager has a style of play that I like and I think he thinks I'll suit it and I think I'll definitely suit it," Jones told club media.

"I would say that I'm a box-to-box midfielder with good technical ability. I definitely want to bring goals and assists and to try and help the team win as many games as possible.

"But I also think I've got that nasty side, a little bit of bite, and I don't mind rolling my sleeves up and putting myself about."

During his six years at Hull, Jones had four loan spells, with two stints at Morecambe between time at Grimsby Town and Forest Green Rovers.

Dundee are closing in on a midfield addition after Saturday's Premier Sports Cup defeat by Airdrieonians exposed how "very bare" they are in certain areas of their squad. (The Courier), external

Former Scotland midfielder Charlie Adam, who finished his playing career at Dens Park in 2022, reveals that he applied for the Dundee head coach post after Tony Docherty's sacking but was not interviewed. (The Scotsman), external

A plan by Dundee for a new training facility at Riverside is in limbo after a legal challenge by a group of residents against its approval proved successful. (The Courier), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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We asked you for your views following Dundee's defeat to Airdrieonians in Steven Pressley's first game in charge.

Here's what some of you said:

Daniel: Just another chronic appointment from John Nelms and Gordon Strachan. No fight, no skill and no ideas from Steven Pressley.

Mark: Had a feeling this was going to happen since the 'nothing to prove' comment!

Robert: Incredibly disappointing performance and unacceptable result.it's early days in Pressley's tenure so I hope that we improve greatly over the coming games.

Jack: If this is what we as Dundee fans are in for this season, then hello Championship football.

No cohesion, no urgency and a manager - oops - sorry fist team coach who stood on the sideline doing absolutely nothing but hold his wee black book.

Pressley stated he had nothing to prove! Well, Steven you have everything to prove! Stop being an upstart and get a team together or you will be gone by January.

Come back, Doc. At least we had a real manager then.

Alan: Elvis wasn't joking when he said "if you are looking for trophies and titles, I'm not your man". I'd be surprised if he lasts three months.

Iain: Dire, absolutely dire. Slow, no movement, no urgency - worst I've seen at Dens in years.

Phil: League opener against Hibs being only a few weeks away gives me the fear, we are miles off it.

I don't think we can count on last season's fringe players stepping up and filling the boots of Cameron, Mulligan, Shaughnessy etc. We need see some experienced pros signed in key areas, especially some attacking creativity in midfield.

George: What else did you expect after losing so much creativity in the midfield? We need creative players who can hold the defence and attack together. It will take time but we need new players in quickly the turn around after last season is too slow. Need to get creative players in now.

Peter: Embarrassing.

Brian: Absolutely abysmal. After last season changes, this is the first season in my 54 years of following the Dee that I have no enthusiasm for the team. The hierarchy are killing our great club.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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While he would like to continue his incredible scoring form this season, captain Simon Murray says he will settle for fewer goals as long as Dundee win more games.

The 33-year-old striker was able to score 21 times last term in a struggling side, who finished 10th in Scottish Premiership.

In the two campaigns prior to that, while at Ross County and Queen's Park, he amassed an impressive 44 goals.

Speaking ahead of Dundee's season opener against Airdrieonians in the League Cup, Murray said: "I would like to keep up the form I have been in for the past couple of years, so if I could get to the same level and try to go one more it would be great.

"But there is a bigger responsibility for me, I need to make sure I am doing the best work for the team like I always do, and if it means scoring less but winning more games then that is more important."

He will have a key role to play in a new-look side under head coach Steven Pressley, who handed Murray the captaincy soon after his appointment.

"New faces bring freshness," Murray added. "Obviously we lost some key players last season, but that is football. We all know what it is like and you need to adapt.

"You have got players now who are coming in and want to be here and give their all for the team, that is just as important.

"Then also the new ideas the manager wants to implement this season and how he wants us to play, so it has been quite a full on couple of weeks, but the boys are buzzing and really taking on board what he has been saying and it is exciting."

Manager Steven Presley wants Dundee to ease the burden on forward and captain Simon Murray, 33. (Courier - subscription required), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip