Cowdenbeath 0, Dundee 3, Central Park, Betfred Cup, 26-July-17

Dundee beat Cowdenbeath 3-0 at Central Park tonight. A Sofien Moussa hat-trick in the first half sealed the third victory for the dark blues. Going by reports the team played well, and it sets up Sunday group decider against city rivals Dundee United.

I missed the game due to work, so can only go by reports ect. Happy enough with the three points, and good to see Moussa getting more goals.  

Dundee: Bain, Kerr, Waddell, O’Dea (c), Holt, O’Hara, Kamara (Vincent 69), Deacon, McGowan, Allan (Wolters 62), Moussa (Haber 62). Unused Subs: Parish (gk), Hateley, Hendry, Spence.

Ref: Euan Anderson

Att: 1,321

News From Dens......

Dundee haved signed Jordan Piggott who was at West Brom for 10 years , he played last night for the Under 20's against Lochee United it ended in a 1-1 draw.

Craig Wighton looks to be out for at least 6 months after suffering a knee injury playing for the Under 20's last week.

Buckie Thistle Photos....

Dundee 2, Buckie Thistle 0, Dens Park, Betfred Cup, 22-July-17

Dundee started the game well enough but Moussa had the ball in the net after 10 minutes, but was ruled off for offside. Buckie done well and attacked the Dundee defence at every opportunity. Dundee seemed off the pace first half and the midfield was making too many short passes for my liking.

However they took the lead after 21 minutes when after a corner, Faissal EL BAKHTAOUI  picked up the ball 25 yards from goal, wheeled quickly losing two defenders in the process and fired a lovely shot into Bell’s top corner. It should have lead to more goals but poor finishing and Buckie's goalkeeper making some good saves to deny the Dundee forwards.

Second half and it was all Dundee pushing forward, Bell in the Buckie goal continued to impress pulling off a superb save from EL Bakhtaoui’s hooked shot that seemed destined for the top corner.

After 58 minutes Glen Kamara and Scott Allan came on for Lewis Spence and Randy Wolters. Allan moved into the spot behind Moussa and El Bakhtaoui went out to the left wing. 11 minutes later Danny Wiliams was the final substitute, replacing El Bakhtaoui.

Buckie had one great chance but Ross put his shot wide to the relieve of the Dundee fans. Soon after Holt's effort was saved by Bell.  But then Scott Allan made space to shoot from the edge of the penalty area. Bell pulled off a fine save at full length, but the ball broke to Sofien MOUSSA who shot into the unguarded net.

That sealed the game and points for Dundee in what was not a great performance, for sure they need to be a lot better for the next games  Cowdenbeath (Away) and Dundee Und (Home)

Dundee: Bain, Kerr (c), Hendry, Waddell, Holt, McGowan, Spence (Kamara 58), Deacon, El Bakhtaoui (Williams 69), Wolters (Allan 58), Moussa. Unused Subs: Gourlay (gk), Vincent, O’Hara, Curran.

Ref: C Charleston

Att: 2,774

Raith Rovers 1, Dundee 2, Starks Park, Betfred Cup, 18-July-17

Dundee took on Raith Rovers in the Betfred Cup the Fifers have started the season  well.  Five players made their competitive debuts for the Dee Jack Hendry, Glen Kamara, Roarie Deacon, Scott Allan and Randy Wolters.

The first half was very scrappy with very little to thrill the big Dundee support. Wolters hit the bar close to half time with a good effort. Rovers had a good chance but Vaughan shot wide when really he should have put the home team ahead.

Second half and Dundee did step it up a bit and played some decent football, Deacon shot over after good work from Cammy Kerr. Dundee made changes with McGowan coming on for O'Hara, later Waddell and Moussa replacing O'Dea and Wolters. 

Dundee did get the vital break when after a goalmouth scramble  Sofien Moussa turned to volley the ball home, it looked like the winner, but Rovers came back at the death with Vaughan scored to level the game. It looked it was going to penalties, but seconds to go Jack Hendry headed home from a Scott Allan cross to claim all three points for the dark blues.

Dundee: Bain, Kerr, Hendry, O’Dea (Waddell 80), Holt, Kamara, O’Hara (McGowan 56), Deacon, Allan, Wolters (Moussa 69), El Bakhtaoui. Unused Subs: Ferrie (gk), Williams, Spence, Wighton.

Att: 2,962

Ref: S Finnie

Pre-Season Photos

Dundee Sign Striker

Dundee have signed striker Sofien Moussa on a two year deal. Tunisian born, Sofien has most recently played his football in Bulgaria with FC Lokomotiv GO.

The 29 year old, started his career in his home country playing for both AS Marsa and Étoile du Sahel before moving to Norwegian club Tromsø in 2016. Sofien will wear the number 9 shirt this season.

PreSeason Games

Dundee 1, Bolton Wanderers 2, Dens Park, Friendly, 14-July-17

Dundee lost to  2-1 to English Championship Bolton Wanderers on Friday night at Dens Park, first half the visitors looked much stronger and they scored two well taken goals to lead at half-time. Dundee did make some changes in the second half and they came close a few times. Paul McGowan scored  with 14 minutes to go. They pushed trying to level the game but found the Bolton keeper in fine form. Bolton fielded a total different team in the second half. 

It was a good work out , and I thought that Dundee played some nice football. The squad is a lot stronger in terms of players will need to play to keep the jersey.

Brechin City 0, Dundee 2, Glebe Park, Friendly, 11-July-17

Dundee kept their unbeaten record going with a comfy 2-0 result first half goals from Craig Wighton and Paul McGowan put Dundee in control, next up for the dark blues is a visit from Bolton Wanderers on Friday night. I will be able to go as it's one of my days off. They beat Arbroath 2-1 at Gayfield last night.

Arbroath 1, Dundee 2, Gayfield Park, Friendly, 8th-July-17

Dundee came back from 1-0 down to win 2-1 at sunny Gayfield yesterday, two later goals from El Bakhtaoui and Randy Wolters got the winner with just 7 minutes rom the end. Again most players got a run out , they struggled first half  with Arbroath going ahead from a penalty. Second half was much better with Scott Alan looking a very clever player with his touch and passing skills. A good work out for the team.

St Mirren 1, Dundee 3, 2012 Paisley Stadium, Friendly, 4th-July-17

Dundee beat St Mirren 3-1 in the first game, two goals from Darren O'Dea in the first half, and Marcus Haber headed home early in the second half put the dee 3-0 up. St Mirren pulled a goal back on the hour mark. Dundee held on to secure the win, reports say it was a close game with all the players getting a run out.

Latest From Dens.............

Dundee have signed Jack Hendry has signed for the club on a two year deal. Centre half Jack returns to Scottish football having left Partick Thistle in 2015 to join Wigan Athletic. The 22 year old spent time on loan with Shrewsbury Town and MK Dons last year.

Dundee have signed Dutch winger Randy Wolters on a two year deal, he has played for a number of clubs in his homeland including FC Utrecht, FC Emmen, FC Den Bosch and VVV-Venlo before joining Go Ahead in 2015. He was on loan to ADO Den Haag last season.

Kevin Gomis, Daniel Higgins and Nick Ross have all left the club after their contracts have run out, also leaving is Henrik Ojamaa who was on loan from Dutch side Go Ahead Eagles.

Lewis Spence has signed for the club in a one year deal, he joins from Dunfermline Ath. The 21 year old midfielder was on loan to Brechin City last season. 

Kostadin Gadzhalov  has signed for anther year his 4th at Dens Park.

Darren O'Dea is named the captain for next season and Cammy Kerr will be vice captain.

Dundee will play Arbroath at Gayfield on the 8th 0f July

Cammy Kerr signs a new deal with the club until the summer of 2019

Dundee will play Brechin City on the 11th of July at Glebe Park.

Celtic's Scott Allan signs a season long loan deal with the club, he is joined by winger Roarie Deacon who signs a two year deal with the club last season he played a big part in Sutton United's  FA Cup run last season. I'm very happy with these two signings.

Dundee will play St Mirren (Away) in a Pre-season game on the 4th of July

Dundee's Fixtures In The Betfred Cup

Raith Rovers (Away) Tuesday 18th July

Buckie Thistle (Home) Saturday 22nd July 

Cowdenbeath (Away) Wednesday 26th July

Dundee United (Home) Sunday 30th July

Transfer Updates..................

Players Out                                                                      Players In                         

Yordi Teijsse back to Holland                                         Scott Allan Season Loan From Celtic

David Mitchell signed deal with Falkirk FC                   Roarie Deacon Signs From Sutton United

Josh Skelly( Free) signs for Arbroath                             Lewis Spence Signs From Dunfermline Ath

Matty Allan (Free) signs for Montrose                           Randy Wolters Signs Go Ahead Eagles

Calvin Colquhoun (Free)                                                Jack Hendry 2 Year Deal From Wigan Ath

Matty Smyth (Free)                                            Sofien Moussa 2 Year deal from FC Lokomotiv Go
                                     
Kyle Clark (Free)

Nick Ross (End of Contract)

Kevin Gomis (End of Contract)

Danial Higgins (End of Contract) Kilmarnock

Henrik Ojamaa (End of Loan Deal)

Rory Loy Signs for Falkirk

New Manager

After much speculation Neil McCann has been named as the new Manager of Dundee FC. I'm happy with the appointment and he has a big job ahead with a few players to move on. 

Player of the Year

I went this year with The Fife Dark Blues who's player of the year went to Cammy Kerr who swept the boards winning the overall award The Andrew De Vries  Trophy. It was a great night out with fellow Dundee Supporters.

Last Three Games

The last two games against Inverness CT (lost 2-0) at home and Hamilton Accies (lost 4-0) (Away) were very poor from Dundee the story of the season. The Dundee players need to have more pride and fight, it showed how weak we have been for 80% of this season. I went to both games and it was just the same as the last game at  Inverness last season.  We need a big change in the squad and for all the dead wood to move on.

Dundee 1, Ross County 1, Dens Park, Ladbrokes Premiership, 13-May-17

Dundee got the point that proved vital as the club stayed in the Premiership for another year. Ross County scored early one when Boyce netted from close range. Second half Dundee were much better and levelled when O'Dea blasted home from the spot. Dundee did create chances to win the game and came close to doing so.

Dundee: Bain, Kerr, Gomis (Gadzhalov 67), O’Dea (c), Holt, O’Hara, Hateley (Ross at half time), Vincent, El Bakhtaoui (Wighton 85), McGowan, Haber. Unused Subs: Ferrie (gk), Williams, Ojamaa, Higgins.

Kilmarnock 0, Dundee 1, Rugby Park, Ladbrokes Premiership, 06-May-17

In glorious sunshine Dundee played Kilmarnock at Rugby Park, it was my first visit this season, a big Dundee support have travelled down. Manager Neil McCann made two changes from the game at Motherwell. Cammy Kerr and Faissal El Bakhtaoui came in for Nick Ross and Craig Wighton.

Dundee started well and should have scored when good play from O'Hara set up Haber who's shot was well saved by Woodman in the Killie goal. Soon after Gomis headed home a Holt cross but was ruled offside it looked a very tight decision.

Haber missed another great chance after superb play by El Bakhtaoui, who's  cross to the near post where Haber smashed his header narrowly wide. A big chance for the first goal, then a Hateley free kick made Woodman save again as Dundee pushed for the first goal.

Scott Bain did had a couple of saves but nothing to trouble the keeper long range efforts, as the Dundee defence done their job at closing down the Kilmarnock players.

Dundee started the second half well and a great run by Cammy Kerr a last ditch tackle foiled the full back from racing clear, Dundee had a massive let off when Bain kicked the ball off a Killie player and ball luckily went wide of the goal.

But on 54 minutes Dundee too the lead great play from McGowan and his cross was headed home by Marcus Haber from six yards to the delight of the Dundee fans.

Killie had a wee spell of pressure but the Dundee defence held firm. At the other end O'Hara missed a header from close in and Holt and Bakhtaoui had good efforts blocked.

Then as Dundee sat a bit too deep for my liking Scott Bain pulled off two great saves, the first from a Boyd header he managed some how to push the ball over the ball, then a Boyd low shot from 16 yards again seemed sure to find the net. It was heading just inside the post but Bain stretched out to tip the ball wide.

Craig Wighton came on for El Bakhtaoui for the last 15 minutes, and Nick Ross then replaced McGowan as the Dee switched to a 4-5-1 formation to see the game out.

Great celebrations when the final whistle went and it was a happy journey home with my son Andrew. Another three point towards safety, with three games to go it's looking better. As long as we keep it going until we are safe from the play off spot.

Dundee: Bain,  Kerr, Gomis, O’Dea (c), Holt,  O’Hara, Hateley, Vincent, El Bakhtaoui (Wighton 76)
McGowan (Ross 84),  Haber (Ojamaa 90+1). Unused Subs: Ferrie , Williams, Gadzhalov, Higgins.

Att: 4,040.

Ref: Craig Thomson.

More Motherwell

Motherwell 2, Dundee 3, Fir Park, Ladbrokes Premiership, 29-April-17

In Neil McCann's first game in charge he made  three changes Wighton, Gomis and Ross coming in for Kerr, Higgins and El Bahktaoui. Dundee started with a 4-4-2 system with Paul McGowan upfront with Marcus Haber.

Motherwell started the better team and earned a few corner's but the Dundee defence done well and Scott Bain was active and came for crosses which was good to see. Dundee did have a couple of corners but they came to nothing.

But as half time was approaching Dundee scored again the run of play. Kevin Holt fired in a cross into the Motherwell box and Haber and Samson went up for it at the back post. Luckily for Dundee Samson parried it straight to Mark O'Hara who smashed it into the net from six yards to give the Dark Blues the lead. Motherwell would have felt if they were mugged but the big Dundee supporters enjoyed the vital opening goal.

With news at half-time that Hamilton were getting beat 2-0 it was good to hear.

Dundee went 2-0 up four minutes into the second half with a well worked goal,
Kevin Holt ran into the Motherwell box along the by line and when he cut the ball back to O’Hara who shot was blocked before it fell to Marcus Haber who stabbed it into the net.

Motherwell pulled one back minutes later after Bain had done well to tip a Frear cross from the right over the bar. When the corner came over it fell to Moult at the back post and he fired the ball into the roof of then net from a tight angle.

Dundee were quick to restore their two goal when on 56 minutes Craig Wighton chipped a lovely ball in from the left and Mark O’Hara stooped to head it home but with Samson looking like he might save it, the ball hit Marcus Haber on the knee and deflected into the net.

Motherwell scored again with 10 minutes to go when Cadden scored from close range to make it 3-2, just before it Hateley had knocked one off the line when it looked over but the linesman kept his flag down.

Dundee put on subs to run down the clock to the delight of the big Dundee support. With 4 games to go it's a vital win but we need to keep it going with all roads leading to Kilmarnock next week.

Dundee: Bain, Holt, Vincent, O’Dea, Hateley, O’Hara (Higgins 81’),  Ross (El Bahktaoui 84’), McGowan, Haber, Wighton (Williams 63’), Gomis. Subs:  Mitchell, El Bahktaoui, Ojamaa, Gadzhalov, Smith

Ref: Steven McLean

Att: 4,919

Some Photos From The Hamilton Game....

Neil McCann

Well that was a shock never seen this happening, a brave decision by the board. I seen Neil's interview last night and liked what he said. One thing for sure he knows what the club means to the fans. He was a good player and had a good career winning all the major cups in Scotland also winning 26 caps for Scotland.  Below is the statement from Dundee FC... 

Dundee Football Club is delighted to announce that Neil McCann has been appointed Interim Manager until the end of the 2016/17 season.

Neil enjoyed a successful playing career which both started and ended at Dens Park. He played North and South of the border winning all the major domestic trophies in Scotland.

The new Interim boss holds his UEFA Pro Licence and has coaching experience from his time at Dunfermline, he has also has obtained a great knowledge and experience of the game and the current Dens squad through his work with Sky Sports.

We’ll have more from Neil after this evening’s press conference.

My View

On Paul Hartley I think with the run of results the board had little choice but to make a change. It's a pity because we had some good times. Likely losing Greg Stewart and Kane Hemmings did not help , but the management team had time to plan for it.

Also too many players came in and did very little either not good enough or they were given little chance to shine. Also with games I seen the tactics were not spot on and we were not able to change games when we went behind.

Anyway time to move on and I wish Paul Hartley all the best for the future I think he was a hard working  guy and some club will get a good manager in time.

Paul Hartley

Below is the statement from Dundee FC regarding Paul Hartley:

Dundee Football Club have this afternoon relieved manager Paul Hartley of his duties. 

Paul took charge of the club in February 2014. He took the club to the SPFL Championship title before clinching a top six finish in our first season back in the top flight.

Last season after missing out on the top six on the final day, the club went on to finish 8th in the top division.

The club currently sit 11th in the Premiership table and the Board of Directors feel a change is needed ahead of five vital matches between now and the end of the season.

Managing Director John Nelms is currently addressing the players and staff and the club will release a further update shortly.

John Nelms said, “I want to thank Paul for his time with the club. Unfortunately, the business we are in, sometimes change is necessary to achieve the goals we have set. I think somebody in the near future is going to get a good hard working manager.”

Below is Paul Hartley's statement :