Hibernian 1, Dundee 0, Easter Road, Befred Cup Last 16 Tie, 28th November 2020

Manager James McPake made four changes for the visit to Easter Road. Jack Hamilton returned in goal, replacing the injured Adam Legzdins. Jonathan Afolabi came back into the starting line-up, while Liam Fontaine and Alex Jakubiak had their first starts for the Dee. Cammy Kerr, Jordan McGhee and Osman Sow moved onto the bench.

In a even first half Dundee played some nice football from midfield but failed to test the Hibs goalkeeper, Jack Hamilton had to make decent saves from Nisbet and Boyle

But just on half-time Hibs took the lead a good turn and pass from Nisbet released Jamie Murphy and he raced clear to score for the home side.

Early in the second half and Dundee were unfortunate not to equalise when Lee Ashcroft backheaded Liam Fontaine’s long throw to the near post. Alex Jakubiak’s flick came back off the crossbar and the Dee striker tucked the ball into the net only to be judged offside, a close decision.

But after that Hibs controlled the game as Dundee struggled to get forward, and only decent defending kept the home side at bay from adding to the score.

Dundee made two substitutions in the second half, sending on Declan McDaid for Max Anderson, then Osman Sow for Jonathan Afolabi. Neither changes affected the pattern of the game and the Hibs saw out the game fairly comfortably with Marciano still not being called upon to make any saves.

A better performance from the dark blues but they only had three shots on target. Hibs done enough to go through to the 1/4 final stage of the Betfred Cup.

Dundee: Jack Hamilton, Elliott, Fontaine, Ashcroft, Marshall, Anderson (McDaid 61), Byrne, Adam, McGowan, Afolabi (Sow 69), Jakubiak. Unused Subs: Ferrie (gk), Kerr, McGhee, Forster, Robertson, Nicholas Hamilton, Murray.

Referee: Willie Collum

Played Behind Closed Doors

Ayr United 2, Dundee 0, Somerset Park, Scottish Championship, 21-November-20

 Dundee's poor start to the season continued at Somerset Park on Saturday. Manager James McPake made four changes from the team that lost against Hibs last week. Adam Legzdins came in for his debut, while Lee Ashroft, Max Anderson and Osman Sow returned to the starting eleven. Jack Hamilton, Finlay Robertson and Declan McDaid moved onto the bench and Danny Mullen was unavailable.

Dundee started poorly and went 1-0 down after just 3 minutes, slack marking in the defence and Smith netted for the honest men. Worse was to follow on 16 minutes when Moffat made it 2-0 with another poor goal for Dundee to lose.

Although they came back into the game and the Ayr keeper had to make a couple of good saves to deny Elliott twice and McGowan also had a good effort.

Elliott had a great chace from close in back headed straight to the keeper from two yards out. The keeper saved well to deny Adam and then  Byrne from 12 yards out.

Ayr had a goal disallowed for off-side as the game ended. Another poor result and the defence is struggling, also finding scoring goals at the moment. A big few weeks for the dark blues. We go back to Easter Road on Saturday for the Bedfred Cup. We might get a right hiding if we keep this form up !

Dundee: Legzdins, Kerr (McDaid 55), McGhee (c) (Fontaine 70), Ashcroft, Marshall, Anderson, Byrne, Adam, Elliott, Sow (Jakubiak 55), McGowan. Unused Subs: Jack Hamilton (gk), Robertson, Wilkie, Nicholas Hamilton.

Ref: Graham Beaton

Dundee Sign Liam Fontaine.........

 Dundee have signed ex Hibs, Ross County defender Liam Fontaine until the end of the season. Liam started at Fulham and he has played for Bristol City , Kilmarnock and Yeovil Town.

Lianm will wear no 4 and will be in the squad for the vital trip to Ayr this Saturday.

Hibernian 4, Dundee 1, Easter Road, Betfred Group B Game, 15-November-20

Dundee went down 4-1 to Hibernian at Easter Road in the final group game. Hibs took the lead when Mallan scored with a long range effort. Dundee did hit the bar on their odd chance created.

But with 20 minutes to go they levelled when Christie Elliot scored after a good pass from McGowan. But the defence totally fell apart in a six minute spell with Hibs scoring three times.

At least the club will be unseeded in the draw. But losing so many goals must be a worry for Manager James McPake.

Dundee: Jack Hamilton, Elliott, Kerr, McGhee (c) (Wilkie 88), Marshall, Adam, Byrne, Robertson

McDaid, Mullen, McGowan. Unused Subs: Legzdins (gk), Wilkie, Luke Strachan, Nicholas Hamilton, Blacklock

Ref: John Beaton

Dundee Sign Adam Legzdins..............

 Dundee have signed Adam Legzdins the goalkeeper has been on trial lately. Adam has played for Burnley for the last three seasons. He has also played for Birmingham, Leyton Orient, Crewe, and Derby County.

Adam has signed until the end of the season and will wear no 13.

Dundee 3, Cove Rangers 0, Dens Park, Betfred Cup Group Game, 10-November-20

Dundee played Cove Rangers in the second last game of the group, Manager James McPake made two changes Jack Hamilton and Max Anderson returned to the starting eleven replacing Calum Ferrie and Jonathan Afolabi.

Dundee got off to a great start and Paul McGowan scored after six minutes with a great finish after delightful build up play from McDaid. The midfielder fired home into the top corner from 15 yards.

After both teams going close Dundee missed a penalty Danny Mullen was fouled in the box, but Charlie Adam's spot kick came back off the inside of the post. Cove were also down to ten men as Yule stopped a goalscoring opportunity and was shown a red card.

Into the second half and ten minutes in the visitors were down to nine men after Masson was sent off after a foul on Marshall. Moments later McGowan missed a sitter from eight yards shooting over the bar.

Dundee were making hard work of finishing the game and it took to the last tens minutes for them to do so.

Firstly Danny Mullen took a pass from Adam with his back to goal, about six yards out. He showed some great skill to turn quickly and slipped the ball past McKenzie.

Dundee came  forward looking for another goal, and it arrived after a shot was McDaid was saved by McKenzie, with the loose ball heading to Mullen for a tap into the empty net. Ross Graham pushed him over, giving the Dee a second penalty. Charlie Adam made no mistake with this one and  smashed a low shot inside the post.

A comfy win for the dark blues and they lead the group, they face Hibernian on Sunday and a draw will win the group  on goal difference !. I think both teams will go through with the 9 points gained already

Dundee: Jack Hamilton, Elliott, Kerr, McGhee (c) (Wilkie 88), Marshall, Adam, Byrne (Robertson 74), Anderson (Blacklock 88), McDaid, Mullen (Nicholas Hamilton 88), McGowan. Unused Subs: Calum Ferrie, Luke Strachan, Danny Strachan.

Ref: Craig Napier

MoM: Max Anderson

BCD

Graham Dorrans Departs Dens Park.......

Graham Dorrans has left Dens Park after getting a offer too good to refuse. The move will be one to Western Sydney Wanderers FC in Australia. Graham has signed a two year deal. Graham played 27 games and scored two goals for the club.

The club thanked Graham for his efforts for his time at Dens Park. 

I hope that the younger players at Dens  have learned from playing with a great professional and if so that's great for the club. It comes as no surprize that Graham has moved on.

Manager James McPake can now look to strengthen the squad ahead of the next league game.

Alloa Athletic 3, Dundee 3, Indorill Stadium, Scottish Championship, 6th November 2020

Dundee fought back to earn a draw at Alloa last night. Manager James McPake made two changes from the draw against Raith Rovers. Christie Elliott and Paul McGowan started instead of Lee Ashcroft and Graham Dorrans, who were unavailable. 

The home side scored after 30 minutes after sloppy dundee defending failing to mark Thomson at the back post. Dundee struggled in the fog and Alloa looked better organised all over the pitch.

Dundee levelled the game within a minute of the second half with a very nice strike from Declan McDaid scoring from the edge of the box.

Alloa took the lead again soon after again poor play in the box and Trouten  netted  from close range. Soon after Trouten got his second after the Dundee keeper let the ball go under his body.

Dundee pulled one back after a superb Charlie Adam free kick came back off the post and went in via Cammy Kerr's bum. With just four minutes to go it was 3-3 when Charlie Adam scored from the spot after the referee gave a penalty for hand ball. It looked a bit harsh on the Alloa defender.

It ended 3-3 with maybe another 5 minutes might have won the game. I missed watching the game live due to work , but reports and what l have seen Dundee got out of jail. 

Dundee: Ferrie, Elliott, Kerr, McGhee (c), Marshall, McDaid, Byrne (Anderson 78), Adam, McGowan

Afolabi (Sow 40, Robertson 88), Mullen. Unused Subs: Jack Hamilton, Wilkie, Luke Strachan, Nicholas Hamilton.

Ref: Alan Muir

BCD

MoM: Charlie Adam

Blast From The Past...................