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 :

Dundee 0, Hamilton Accies 2, Dens Park, Ladbrokes Premiership, 15-April-17

Dundee's poor home record continued at home against bottom six rivals Hamilton where the visitors ran out 2-0 winners in a pretty poor game. Dundee made two changes. Faissal El Bakhtaoui and Craig Wighton started, with Henrik Ojamaa and Mark O’Hara moving onto the bench.

They started okay and were unlucky in a couple of attacks with Haber and Bakhtaoui going close, as most teams this season Hamilton looked dangerous on the break and took the lead after 31 minutes with a penalty when a clumsy challenge from Hateley gave the Referee a easy decision,  D’Acol  scored with ease to give Accies the vital first goal. Dundee did play okay in the first half but lack the cutting edge in the final third. 

Second half was pretty poor and the loss of Cammy Kerr due to a shocking tackle on the young player which in my view should have been a red card. It did not help the team as they struggled to keep and pass the ball.  

Hamilton sealed the points when a cross into the Dundee six yard box was totally not defended well  enough and Devlin headed home with ease. Poor goal to lose and it has happened so often this season.

Dundee have 5 games to save our League Status and at the moment it does not look good.

Dundee: Bain,  Higgins, O’Dea, Holt,  Hateley, Vincent (O’Hara 66), McGowan, Kerr (Ojamaa 69)
El Bakhtaoui, Haber, Wighton. Unused Subs: Mitchell, Ross, Gadzhalov, Gomis, Smith.

Att: 6,489.

Ref: John Beaton.

Marc Klok leaves Dens....

Dundee Football Club can confirm that Marc Klok has left the club by mutual consent. Marc signed in January and made two appearances for the club against Inverness Caley Thistle and Kilmarnock.

The club would like to thank Marc for his efforts and wish him all the best for the future.

My view is he was either not good enough  or was not fit enough to play more games than he done. Another strange signing for the club.

Hearts 1, Dundee 0, Tynecastle Stadium, Ladbrokes Premiership, 08-April-17

Dundee fell to their seventh defeat in a row as Hearts ran out winners by 1 goal to nil in what was a scrappy game. Dundee made two changes Daniel Higgins made his first team debut, with Tom Hateley coming in for the suspended Danny Williams who had been sent off at Dingwall in the final minute. Kevin Gomis dropped to the bench.

Hearts took the lead after 13 minutes when sloppy play from Dundee allowed Cowie to find  Goncalves who skipped past McGowan and slot the ball home despite the best efforts of O'Dea on the line to keep it out.

Dundee came close when a Hateley freekick was touched onto the post by the Hearts keeper, and down the other end Scott Bain had a couple of decent stops to keep Hearts from extending their lead.

Much the same vein in  the second half and Dundee had a great chance when slack play from the Hearts defence let Craig Wighton through on goal but the young striker scuffed his shot wide and the chance was going.

Hearts likely deserved the win in what was a scrappy game with few chances for both sides.

Dundee now have six Cup Finals where they need  to get points if they are going to stay in the league. Starting with Hamilton at Dens next Saturday.

Dundee: Bain,  Higgins, O’Dea, Holt,  Hateley, O’Hara, Vincent, McGowan, Kerr,  Ojamaa (Wighton 58), Haber. Unused Subs: Mitchell, Ross, Dryden, Ian Smith, Kevin Gomis.

Att: 16,304

Ref: C Allan

Ross County 2, Dundee 1, Gobal Energy Stadium, Ladbrokes Premiership, 04-April-17

Dundee lost 2-1 to Ross County on Tuesday after coming back from the set back of being a goal down after 6 minutes when Tim Chow put the home side ahead. Manager Paul Hartley made three  changes to the side that lost to Aberdeen. In Marcus Haber, Danny Williams and Henrik Ojamaa.  Tom Hateley and Nick Ross dropped onto the bench and Faissal El Bakhtaoui was injured.

Going by reports County were slightly the better side , but Dundee drew level just on half-time when Ojamaa was pushed in the box and Darren O'Dea scored from the spot.

Second half and both team struggled to play any decent football, but it was County who grabbed the points when they got a last minute penalty it looked a bit soft but sadly for the dark blues Boyce scored from the kick.

Dundee: Bain, Gomis, O’Dea, Holt,  Kerr, O’Hara, Vincent, McGowan, Williams,  Ojamaa (Wighton 61), Haber. Unused Subs: Mitchell, Hateley, Ross, Klok, Higgins.

Att: 2,819

Ref: J Beaton

Dundee 0, Aberdeen 7, Dens Park, Ladbrokes Premiership, 31-March-17

Dundee were hammered by Aberdeen on Friday night going down by a score line of 7 goals to nil. Manager Paul Hartley went with one forward upfront, Marcus Haber was injured and Henrik Ojamaa was left on the bench after returning from international duty with Estonia. Nick Ross and Faissal El Bakhtaoui started in their place.

Dundee did start alright but as soon as The Dons scored their first goal on 16 minutes the whole team struggled to get to grips with a fast flowing Aberdeen side who went on to score three more goals before halftime, many Dundee fans were gone at half-time.

Just five minutes into the second half and it was 5-0 another poor goal to lose and at least Dundee had a shot at goals with efforts from El Bakhtaoui and Ojamaa who had come on at half-time. Sadly for the Dark Blues the dons went on to score twice more before the final whistle.

I stayed to the end and was totally shell shocked to have seen this big defeat, the team have been poor for a lot of games this season , so I can only hope that they find the fighting spirit needed to stay in the league. It will come down to what Dundee do and it will be a massive game at Dingwall this coming midweek.

I will miss the game due to work but will be able to see eight out of the last nine games. I will back my team during this and the players must step up to the challenge ahead.

Dundee: Bain, Kerr, O’Dea (c), Gomis, Holt,  Hateley (Ojamaa at half time), McGowan,  O’Hara, Vincent, Ross (Wighton at half time),  El Bakhtaoui. Unused Subs: Mitchell, Williams, Klok, Higgins.

Att: 7,314

Ref: A Muir

More Photos

Andrew watching the game.

Alexander is too young to go to Dens Park yet but he likes wearing the colours

Dundee 1, Celtic 2, Dens Park, Ladbrokes Premiership, 19-March-17

Dundee entertained league leaders at Dens Park on Sunday where the Glasgow side ran out winners by a score line of 2-1. The Dark Blues made two changes to the team that lost in Perth; Kevin Gomis and Tom Hateley came in for Kosta Gadzhalov and Craig Wighton, who were on the bench.

Celtic started well and pushed Dundee back and only good defending kept them from scoring, Dundee did little attacking wise but Haber was just offside in a flowing move.

As the first half came to a close Celtic won three corners in quick succession. From the second Paul McGowan stopped  Boyata’s header on the goal-line. But when the third corner was cleared, Stuart Armstrong found James Forrest, wide on the right. Forrest recovered from Cammy Kerr’s challenge to cross for  SIMUNOVIC, whose slightly mishit half volley from 12 yards deflected off Kevin Gomis and Scott Bain just couldn’t keep the ball out.

It was tough on Dundee as the players all worked hard to try and get to half-time still level.

Early in the second half Kevin Holt had a free kick saved by Gordon in the Celtic goal. But then Celtic went 2-0 up with a well worked goal, Forrest got to the byline and his cross was headed home by Armstrong to likely seal the three points.

Celtic was a bit slack n midfield and moments later Tierney gifted possession to Paul McGowan who raced forward and set up Marcus Haber, who had only Gordon to beat. From 16 yards the Canadian international sent his shot narrowly wide. It was a really good chance which we need to take.

After 74 minutes Faissal El Bakhtaoui replaced Henrik Ojamaa, and within a minute he scored a goal of stunning quality. Mark O’Hara took a quick free kick on the half way line. He played it short to EL BAKHTAOUI, who spun away from Boyata and raced for goal. Before the Celtic defence had the chance to close him down he hit an unstoppable shot over Gordon and into the top corner from 25 yards.

Dundee battled away to try and get a draw but Celtic played the ball into the corners to run down the clock.

The whole team battled well today and gave their best, best again for me was Cammy Kerr.

Dundee: Bain, Kerr, O’Dea, Gomis, Holt,  O’Hara, McGowan, Vincent (Wighton 59), Hateley (Ross 68), Ojamaa (El Bakhtaoui 74).  Haber. Unused Subs: Mitchell, Williams, Klok, Gadzhalov.

Att: 8,968

Ref: W Collum

More Photos

St Johnstone 2, Dundee 0, McDiarmid Park, Ladbrokes Premiership, 11-March-17

Dundee made the short trip to Perth for this very important games to see if Dundee could mount a challenge for a top six place. But sadly for the Dark Blue fans who turned up in good numbers as the team lost 2-0 to a well organised St Johnstone side.

Team wise only one forced change Gadzhalov for the injured  Etxabeguren , the Saints started well and Dundee struggled to get going with plenty pressure on the defence. The midfield looked slow and gave the ball away too much.

The after 11 minutes a long ball found Cummins wide in the penalty area, and he headed back into a gaping space in the centre of the penalty area for  PATON to run in and head past Bain. Seven minutes later another long ball was headed on by MacLean for ALSTON to run on and score with a fierce, low shot from 18 yards.

Dundee had plenty of the ball but no cutting edge and were lucky just to be 2-0 down at half-time.

Dundee did attack at the start of the second half but the only chance they had was a good effort for Vincent which forced Saints keeper to parry the ball away to safety. Saints did have a few chances to totally kill the game but messed them up.

El Bakhatoui came on for Ojamaa 10 minutes after the interval, and  Williams replaced Wighton for the last 20 minutes. El Bakhtaoui connected cleanly with a Williams’ free kick but his goalbound volley spun off a defender and wide. That was with around 10 minutes to go, Perth Saints held on comfortably to claim all three points.

Best for Dundee today was Cammy Kerr and James Vincent. For me as a fan it was a good day out round the pubs before the game  with my Brother Dougie and we met up with David King and his two sons Stuart and Callum.

Dundee: Bain,  Kerr, Gadzhalov, O’Dea , Holt,  O’Hara, McGowan, Vincent, Wighton (Williams 72),  Ojamaa (El Bakhtaoui 55), Haber. Unused Subs: Ferrie , Hateley, Ross, Klok, Gomis.

Att: 4,195

Ref: Andrew Dallas.

Dundee 0, Partick Thistle 1, Dens Park, Ladbrokes Premiership, 01-March-17

Dundee missed a big chance to move further away from the bottom sides in the league, when a poor performance led to home defeat to Partick Thistle.

Dundee were able to name the same side as from the last two games and they started brightly moving the ball about well. Thistle always looked dangerous on the break and they took the lead when Darren O'Dea was challenged by  Doolan's from behind landed him on the turf. The Thistle striker then took possession and hit a fierce low cross to the near post where the ball cannoned off Julen Etxabeguren and into the net. It did settle Thistle and they never gave Dundee time to settle on the ball.

Second half and Dundee did play better but did not force the Thistle keeper into many saves apart late on when he saved well from a James Vincent shot.  Julen Etxabeguren had to go off after suffering a bad injury and had to leave on a stretcher and Kosta Gadzhalov came on to replace the Spanish defender.

Dundee sent on Faissal El Bakhtaoui and Danny Williams to replace Henrik Ojamaa and Craig Wighton, who had struggled to get into the game. El Bakhtaoui had a shot which was just wide of the post as time ran out.

Dundee did struggled tonight against a strong Partick Thistle side who deserved the win on the night, The Jags have beaten Dundee on all three games this season and have played well at the two games I have seen. No game this week so next game is a week on Saturday when we play St Johnstone away.

Dundee: Bain,  Kerr, Etxabeguren (Gadzhalov 68), O’Dea, Holt,  O’Hara, McGowan, Vincent, Wighton (Williams 68),  Ojamaa (El Bakhtaoui 64), Haber. Unused Subs: Gourlay , Hateley, Ross, Gomis.

Att: 5,328

Ref: John Beaton