Queen of the South 3 Dundee 1, Palmerstone, First Division, 30/August/08.

Dundee travelled to Dunfries hoping that Queen of the South were suffering from a UEFA Cup hangover, but that was dispelled over the 90 minutes that followed. Dundee scored first after 14 minutes. Mickael Antoine-Curier layed the ball off to Chris Pozniak, who took one touch before slotting home from seven yards.Queens came back into it in the 26th minute when a Stephen Dobbie shot from close range was well beaten away by Rab Douglas. From the resulting corner the Dundee defence failed to clear and Craig Barr was on hand to fire home from ten yards, levelling the match. The imperial Queens captain Jim Thompson was leading by example as the home team began to dominate. He came close to putting his side in front but his header in the 37th minute was saved by Douglas. A minute before half-time Queens went in front when clever work by Sean O'Connor set up Stephen Dobbie who fired low past Douglas. Dobbie came close to increasing his side's lead early in the second half, but Douglas kept the hosts at bay. Dobbie managed to get his second and his sides third in the 68th minute. A surging run by new boy David Weatherston created a great chance for the Queens hitman who made no mistake from six yards. At the other end, Dundee strikers Colin McMenamin and Curier had opportunities to haul their side back into it, but Queens held firm and were worthy winners.
Dundee: Douglas, Cowan, Malone, MacKenzie, Williams (McKeown 61), McHale, Paton, Pozniak (Gilhaney 71), O'Brien, McMenamin (Davidson 71), Antoine-Curier. Subs Not Used: Roy, Daquin. Att: 2,646 A poor result again for Dundee, who must pick themselves up. Hopefully Colin Cameron and Darren Young can get fit..cause it's the midfield area where we are struggling at the moment. At least Partick, Dunfermline and St.Johnstone all lost. Livingston go top after winning.

Vintage Dundee And Not Against The Arabs....

Dundee 1 Partick Th 2, Dens Park, Cis Cup 2nd Rd, 26/August/08

Dundee could have put themselves in the box seat with only four minutes gone as the ball broke to Freddie Daquin after Jon Tuffey blocked from Mickael Antoine-Curier. But Daquin completely miscued and Chris Pozniak’s attempt to spare the Frenchman’s blushes from the edge of the area flew inches over.However, although Dundee did most of the first-half pressing, it was by no means one-way traffic with the home side needing a piece of quality goalkeeping from Robert Douglas to avoid slipping behind—the former Scotland keeper thwarting Damon Gray after he’d been put through by Scott Chaplain. Tuffey came to Thistle’s rescue early in the second period without knowing much about it, blocking Antoine-Curier’s point blank header from Colin McMenamin’s cross.And as Dundee stepped up the pace Thistle had a further let off as McStay appeared to whip the pins from McMenamin just inside the box only for referee Willie Collum to wave play on.Partick stunned the Dens Park outfit and their fans on 76 minutes when Maxwell’s mishit’s cross sailed over the stranded Douglas and into the far corner of the net. Dundee showed their character with a rapid response, McHale lashing the ball home, just two minutes later, after finding himself with time and space 12 yards out. But with four minutes remaining Malone lunged in on Lennon leaving Collum with no option but point to the spot from where Harkins sent Douglas the wrong way and Rae’s side out of the competition.
Dundee—Douglas, Paton, Malone, McHale, MacKenzie, Williams, Daquin (Gilhaney 62), Pozniak (Cowan 74), McMenamin, Antoine-Curier (Deasley 68), O’Brien. Subs not used—Davidson, Roy.

Dundee 1 Morton 0, Dens Park, First Division, 23/August/08.

Dundee maintained their position at the top of the First Division with a narrow victory over Morton. Defender Eric Paton's 28th-minute header was enough to seal all three points and extend the club's unbeaten start to the season. French forward Mickael Antoine-Curier impressed for the hosts and proved to be a thorn in the visitors' side throughout the game. The defeat leaves Morton struggling in ninth place in the league table. Another 3 points for The Dark Blues, but we did not play that well.
Dundee: Douglas, Paton, Malone, McHale, MacKenzie, Williams, Daquin (Gilhaney 63), Pozniak, McMenamin, Antoine-Curier (Deasley 81), O'Brien. Subs Not Used: Cowan, Davidson, Roy.

Airdrie 0 Dundee 0, Excelsior Stadium, 16/August/08

Airdrie goalkeeper Stephen Robertson earned his side a valuable draw against Dundee with a string of vital saves. Colin McMenamin, twice, and Mickael Antoine-Curier were both denied by Robertson as Dundee piled on early pressure against the hosts. Scott McLaughlin replaced the struggling David Nixon after 24 minutes and solidified the Airdrie backline. But Antoine-Curier came close to opening the scoring again with a low effort that Robertson turned away.
Dundee: Douglas, Paton, Malone, McHale, MacKenzie, Williams, Daquin (Davidson 83), Pozniak, McMenamin, Antoine-Curier, Gilhaney (O'Brien 70). Subs Not Used: Roy, Deasley, McKeown.
In a game which Dundee lacked the killer touch, maybe cause the Airdrie keeper played well, but St.Johnstone got beat 3-0 at home to Dunfermline. Let's hope Partick get beat tomorrow..

Airdrie Next...............

Dundee Manager Alex Rae has been told to expect a tough time against Airdrie United tomorrow. Assistant boss Davie Farrell watched the Diamonds win at East Fife in the Challenge Cup in midweek and his report contained plenty of praise for Kenny Black’s men. Defender David Cowan trained for the first time yesterday after suffering a head knock against Clyde, while Craig McKeown continues to make progress and is a couple of weeks away from a return. It will be another 3 massive points for Dundee..let's hope so as St.Johnstone play Dunfermline this weekend.

Dundee 1 Clyde 0, Dens Park, First Division, 09/August/08.

Dundee leapfrogged St Johnstone to move to the summit of the First Division following this hard-fought victory over Clyde. Mickael Antoine-Curier's excellent first-half strike made the difference, following a spirited performance from John Brown's side. Rab Douglas, Dundee's goalkeeper, produced excellent saves to deny Pat Clark, Alan Trouten and Billy Gibson. Both teams lost players to injury after a quarter-hour, Dundee having to replace David Cowan with Gary MacKenzie while Clyde saw Willie McLaren limp off so had to bring on Roddy MacLennan. MacKenzie missed two great chances to score by heading wide of the target but as the game looked to be heading to half-time goalless Antoine-Curier produced a spark of magic to split the sides. The Frenchman simply spun and blasted a fantastic shot high past David Hutton, Clyde's goalkeeper, after gathering a long ball 25 yards from goal. Clyde flew out of the traps in the second half, with Trouten going close before Gibson looked to have equalised with a header at the back post – only for Douglas to get in front of the ball.

Dundee: Douglas, Paton, Malone, McHale, Cowan (Mackenzie 16), Williams, Daquin, Pozniak, McMenamin (Davidson 73), Antoine-Curier, Gilhaney (O'Brien 78).
Subs Not Used: Roy, Deasley.
Att: 4042
Ref: Steve Conroy

Dundee Sign Darren Williams

Dundee have signed versatile defender Darren Williams on a one-year deal. Williams, 31, impressed when partnering David Cowan in the centre of defence as Dundee kicked off the new season with a 2-1 victory at Ross County last week. And the former Sunderland and Bradford City player starred again as Dundee went top of the First Division with another single goal win, over Clyde. Williams made over 250 appearances for Sunderland from 1996-2004 and was a team mate of Dundee boss Alex Rae. He spent last season at Bradford City where he played 28 times before being released by Stuart McCall in April of this year. He will play in today's game v Clyde at Dens Park, kick-off 3pm.

Dundee Sign Up Pozniak and maybe more?....

Dundee have signed Canada international Chris Pozniak on a one-year deal. The Polish-born 27-year-old impressed as a trialist during last weekend's 2-1 win at Ross County. Pozniak, who has had spells in Sweden and Norway as well as the MLS in the United States, operates in central midfield but can also play in defence. Capped 21 times for his adopted country, Pozniak featured in the 3-1 defeat to Scotland at Easter Road in 2002. Meanwhile Darren Williams, the former Sunderland man, is also wanted by Dundee. They have agreed terms just remain what other options he has. Spanish midfielder Kiko Torres, though, has been told he can leave. He did play in the 4-0 win over junior side Violet on Tuesday night. Craig McKeown played for 45 minutes so that will do him good. While at Toronto, Chris featured in a TV ad which you can see at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mogjOnhMLC0

Ross County 1 Dundee 2, Victoria Park, Division One, 02/August/08.

Dundee set out their title credentials with a hard-earned opening-day victory in Dingwall. In 90 minutes that crackled with energy, County troubled Alex Rae's depleted side but couldn't find a killer touch. The Dens men could – with Antoine-Curier netting from the spot and Eric Paton thundering home a header. But County, as well as being stung by a dubiously-denied penalty, struck the woodwork twice.Dundee were ravaged by injuries on day one, with new captures Colin Cameron, Jim Lauchlan and Darren Young among six absentees. That forced manager Alex Rae to lean on two trialists, 31 year-old ex-Sunderland defender Darren Williams and 27-year-old Canadian international Chris Pozniak.The hosts were screaming for a penalty after 18 minutes when Richie Hart's driven free-kick deflected and David Winters was tugged down by Eddie Malone. The claim was waved away, but the visitors got a crucial decision after 34 minutes.Mickael Antoine-Curier was caught late by Andy Dowie and took the kick himself.Just before half-time, Adam Strachan struck the corner of the Dundee bar and post with a swirling 25-yard attempt.County fell two behind after 50 minutes,Eric Paton rising at the far post to thump a header high past Bullock.County's Scott Boyd saw a snapshot turned for a corner and Steven Craig also brushed the bar. Golabek's cross from the left was stabbed home by Daal on full-time, but it was just too late.

Dundee: Douglas, Paton, Malone, McHale, Cowan, A Trialist, Daquin, B Trialist, McMenamin, Antoine-Curier, Gilhaney (O'Brien 70). Subs Not Used: Roy, Forsyth, Deasley, Mearns.
Booked: McHale, Cowan, Malone.
Att: 3,444
Ref: M Tumilty

A great result for Dundee, and I thought Rab Douglas will be a big signing for us..with his crucial saves will yield more vital points in the games ahead..The whole team done well..next up is Clyde at Home next Saturday.