I got my wish for Hearts and Dunfermline to drop points today. It just shows how Dundee had missed a great chance to close the gap on Hearts. Hearts lost 3-2 at home to Raith Rovers, with Dunfermline drew at home with Ayr United.
A tough two games now for the dark blues with Ayr United at Dens on Tuesday, and next Saturday a visit to Raith Rovers who have two games in hand over Dundee.
Dundee began positively and did all the early attacking. The opening goal after eight minutes was well deserved. Osman Sow tried to flick Jordan Marshall’s cross past Thomas O’Brien. The central defender stuck his arm out, made contact with the ball, and Charlie Adam smashed the penalty past Derek Gaston.
Dundee had most of the first half, and Danny Mullen should have made it 2-0 but hit the bar when really he should have scored. Osman Sow was unlucky with a shot near half-time but Gaston saved well to deny the big Dundee striker.
Second half and for some reason Dundee struggled to get going , they had lost McGhee early on due to injury , then Mullen when off. Early doors second half and Fontaine had to go off injured this seemed to stop Dundee playing flowing football.
Arbroath came into it and levelled when Little headed home from eight yard, a superb headed goal. Poor for Dundee as it was a free header in the box. Arbroath were the better side until injury time when good play from Adam set up Sow but he was too weak and the Arbroath defence cleared a certain goal.
Two points dropped for the dark blues and here's hoping Hearts and Dunfermline drop points tomorrow. A fair result and Arbroath deserved a point they kept their shape well and went for it in the second half.
Dundee: Hamilton, Elliott, Fontaine (Forster 55), Ashcroft, Marshall, McGhee (Kerr 15), Byrne, Adam
Mullen (Afolabi 38), Sow, McGowan. Unused Subs: Legzdins , Robertson, Anderson, Cameron.
Referee: Greg Aitken
The club will report this to the SPFL and SFA as they asked for a delayed kick-off, but this was refused.
Charlie Adam has won player of the month in the Scottish Championship. The Dundee captain fully deserves this award.
Dundee will play St Johnstone at home in the Third Round of the Scottish Cup, the date for the tie is still to be confirmed as it's been delayed to a later date likely in February.
Over the last few weeks Dundee have been busy with key players Jordan McGhee, Christie Elliott , Jordan Marshall, and young goalkeeper Harrison Sharp has all signed contract extensions.
Dundee have signed Paul McMullan on a Pre-Contract the winger has signed a two year deal and may join the dark blues this month if Dundee United decide to let him go early. The winger started at Celtic and has played for Stenhousemuir, St Mirren, Morton and Dunfermline Athletic.
Dundee 3, Bonnyrigg Rose 2, Dens Park, Scottish Cup 2nd Rd, 9th of January 2021
Dundee: Jack Hamilton, Ashcroft, Forster, Fontaine, Marshall, Robertson (Afolabi 56), Byrne (Anderson 70), Adam (c), Mullen (Moore 119), Sow, McGowan. Unused Subs: Ferrie , Nicholas Hamilton, Danny Strachan, Murray.
Ref: Gavin Duncan
Dundee’s only change from the team that drew in Inverness was Osman Sow starting instead of Alex Jakubiak.
Dundee started well well and Danny Mullen had two good efforts at goal as they pegged the Pars on the back foot. Charlie Adam also had a shot saved from 20 yards.
Dundee opened the scoring when a great flowing move was finished by Charlie Adam who fired a shot from 35 yards which gave the Dunfermline Ath keeper no chance.
Into the second half and Dundee made it two nil when Osman Sow headed home from 8 yards within the five minutes. The cross came from Charlie Adam.
Dundee made it three nil on 70 minutes when Liam Fontaine took Charlie Adam’s corner on the volley to score from 12 yards. Adam, who was injured, was then replaced by Max Anderson after an excellent performance.
That should have finished the game but the pars got a lifeline when Watson headed home, with nine minutes to go and McManus was fouled in the box, he scored from the the spot to make it 3-2.
Sadly for Dundee McManus then scored in injury time when he fired home a superb free kick to give Dunfermline Athletic a vital point.
For Dundee it will feel like a defeat and maybe too many changes for the team, with Charlie Adam going off injured likely changed the game.
Dundee: Hamilton, Elliott, Fontaine, Ashcroft, Marshall, McGhee, Byrne, Adam (c) (Anderson 72)
McGowan, Sow (Afolabi 65), Mullen (Forster 86). Unused Subs: Ferrie , Kerr, McDaid, Robertson.
Referee: Grant Irvine
Played Behind Closed Doors
Dundee drew 2-2 with Inverness CT this afternoon with a late goal to level 5 minutes from time. Manager James McPake made one change as Jordan McGhee replacing Max Anderson.
Dundee started well and Alex Jakubiak’s volley from the edge of the area flew narrowly wide. Caley Thistle came close a couple of time but Hamilton saved well from MacGregor's shot.
Dundee took the lad on 37 minutes when a Charlie Miller corner was headed against the bar by McGhee and Liam Fontaine was able to poke the ball home from 4 yards.
Second half and Dundee had Jack Hamilton to thank as he saved well to deny the home side. Danny Mullen had a great chance but he put his effort over the ball.
But finally the home side levelled when the ball was played into the box it came off a Dundee defender's head fell kindly to Deas who scored at the back post. ICT took the lead three minutes later Caley Thistle were in front. Sutherland headed down for Keatings to turn and shoot past Hamilton from close range.
Dundee battled back and levelled with 8 minutes to go when a Declan McDaid’s cross from the right was switched first time by Sow into the path of Jordan McGhee to finish off a beautifully worked goal from six yards range.
A point in the end seemed fair on the the report from the game. At least Dunfermline Athletic got beat so the results helped leaders Hearts go further ahead. For Dundee they need to win next week or they will struggle to move up the table in the coming weeks.
Dundee: Hamilton, Elliott, Fontaine, Ashcroft, Marshall, McGhee, Byrne, Adam, McGowan (McDaid 66), Jakubiak (Anderson 71), Mullen (Sow 63) Unused Subs: Ferrie, Kerr, Forster, Robertson.
Referee: Craig Napier
Played Behind Closed Doors
It now builds up to the big two games in the next two weeks, a visit to Inverness CT next Saturday, then Dunfermline Athletic at Dens the following week.
Dundee: Hamilton, Elliott, Fontaine, Ashcroft, Marshall, Byrne, Adam, McGowan, Anderson (Sow 74), Jakubiak (McDaid 63), Mullen Unused Subs: Ferrie , Kerr, McGhee, Forster, Robertson.
Referee: Chris Graham
Played Behind Closed Doors
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
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
Lianm will wear no 4 and will be in the squad for the vital trip to Ayr this Saturday.
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
Adam has signed until the end of the season and will wear no 13.
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
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.
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
Raith kicked the game off and they look like they will hit on the break at speed, it was good to see Dundee looking positive and the midfield looked well balanced.
Dundee had a few chances and Jordan Marshall shot into the side netting when he might have done beteer from a great pass from Danny Mullen. Rovers put plenty of dangerous balls into the box but thet failed to trouble dee keeper Calum Ferrie.
Dundee opened the scoring with a great goal from Charlie Adam took the ball from Declan McDaid, made space for himself and arrowed a perfect low shot into the corner of the net from 22 yards.
Dundee could have added before half time and finished the half well on top.
Second half and it was all Dundee and were unlucky when a Marshall cross/shot was smashed onto the bar by Rovers defender Hendry.
Dundee made two changes with Mullen and Adam being replaced by Elliott and McGowan and it was the last 20 minutes that Rovers got back into the game.
With only three minutes to go they levelled a simple cross fell kindly for Musonda to bundle home from six yards.
The game ended and it was like a defeat, two points dropped, they need to kill off teams when leading 1-0. With Adam and Mullen going off both had knocks it did effect the team.
Fair play to Raith Rovers who went forward and they will feel they deserved the draw.
Dundee: Ferrie, Kerr, Ashcroft, McGhee (c), Marshall, McDaid (Anderson 84), Byrne, Adam (McGowan 75), Dorrans, Mullen (Elliot 69), Afolabi. Unused Subs: Hamilton , Robertson, Luke Strachan, Blacklock
Ref: Alan Newlands
My MoM: Charlie Adam
Played Behind Closed Doors
Dundee started well and took the lead after just 4 minutes when a Declan McDaid’s cross from the right was headed clear as far as Jordan Marshall, just outside the penalty box. He took a touch, drove the ball back into the danger area. Jonathan Afolabi scored with a perfectly struck volley from 10 yards.
Dundee continued to play attack football and forced a lot of corners which were not turned into goals, the midfield looked good going forward. Calum Ferrie made a decent save to deny Cameron Blue.
Dundee started the second half well and Charlie Adam just about to shoot for goal, but was crowded out and the chance was gone.
Morton came back into the game and twice went close with headers from close range, both teams made changes. Dundee kept attacking but just failed to deliver the final touch in front of goal. Morton was down to ten men when Muirhead was send off after getting booked he clapped the Referee who then send him off.
The last 10 minutes and Dundee were happy to soak up any pressure from Morton and Calum Ferrie made a fine save in injury time to seal the points for the home side.
Dundee: Ferrie, Kerr, Ashcroft, McGhee (c), Marshall, McDaid, Byrne, Adam (Elliott 69), Dorrans
Mullen (McGowan 75), Afolabi. Unused Subs: Hamilton, Robertson, Anderson, Blacklock, Danny Strachan.
Ref: Gavin Ross
Played Behind Closed Doors
MOM: Cammy Kerr
Dundee played at Tynecastle in the first league game of the season. Manager James McPake goes with just one striker with Osman Sow upfront with likely Paul McGowan giving a helping hand in a midfield five for the Dark Blues.
Hearts get off to the perfect start scoring after only four minutes when Smith nets. Dundee tried to come back, but the midfield seems to be over loaded. Charlie Adam does well and Gordon has to make a smart save.
Hearts go two up when after slack play from the Dundee defence and Ginnelly scores. Dundee come back and Charlie Adam makes a surging run into the box and lashes the ball home for a great goal.
Hearts went up 3-1 from the spot when Marshall handled in the box, Boyce scored with ease.
Dundee kept going but it was 4-1 in injury time when Kingsley scored from a free kick which gave Hamilton no chance.
Dundee made changes second half with Danny Mullen and Jonathan Afolabi coming on and they made a difference to the shape of the Dundee side when Dundee had several efforts on goal. They did pull one back when after good play from Afolabi the ball breaks to Danny Mullen to net with a neat chip over Craig Gordon.
Two late goals from Hearts sealed the three points for the home side. Next week Dundee face Morton at Dens in a must win game as it's a short season and bouncing back after a defeat is so important.
Dundee: Hamilton, McGhee, Forster (Afolabi at half time), Ashcroft, Kerr, Adam, Robertson (Anderson 77), Marshall, Dorrans, Sow (Mullen 51) , McGowan. Unused Sub: Ferrie (gk), McDaid, Elliott.
Ref: David Munro
A bad start for the dark blues and for me started the game with the wrong line up and formation. We need to start with two strikers. We must let other teams worry about a attacking Dundee side!
