Deal For Young Kyle, And Shinnie Joins On Loan..

Dundee manager Jocky Scott has rewarded teenage defender Kyle Benedictus with a new contract after his promotion to the top team. The 16-year-old has played in three matches since Scott took over at the end of October. It will stop other clubs from stealing him, and gives everyone at the club a lift. Hopefully his injury is not too bad and is back in a few weeks.

Meanwhile Rangers reserve midfielder Andrew Shinnie (below)is to join Dundee on a loan deal until January. The 19-year-old made two first team appearances for the Ibrox club last year, both as a late substitute. And Shinnie was captain of Rangers' Under-19 side that won the league and cup double last season. A good boost for the midfield, and looks like he could add some goals. Andy will arrive this Monday for training. Colin McMenamin has joined in for some ball work in training , and will step it up next week. We have missed him over the last few games. Things are looking up and the squad are getting back to full strength.

Dundee 2 Queen of the South 0, Dens Park, First Division, 15/November/08

Dundee knew they could win from the outset and did so with goals from Eric Paton, against his former team, and Bryan Deasley. It may have been different if Steven Tosh had opened the scoring after eight minutes when Sean O'Connor found him with a low cross but the evergreen midfielder knocked his shot beyond the post from a matter of yards. Kyle Benedictus, playing his third game at the age of 16, almost scored four minutes later when he connected with Freddy Daquin's corner but the ball rebounded back off the crossbar. Dundee had to replace Benedictus early in the second half after the youngster slumped to the turf with a serious-looking calf problem. Jim Lauchlan, who has been injured since the summer, came on to make his debut. The hosts went ahead on 64 minutes following appeals for a penalty after Pozniak was fouled on the edge of the area. Paton stepped up to curl the free-kick over the wall and into net. Eleven minutes from time Mickael Antoine-Curier laid the ball in perfectly for Deasley, who slammed a shot home from close range to seal the points.

Dundee - Douglas, Paton, Malone, McKeown, Benedictus, Williams, Pozniak, Daquin, Curier, Deasley, O'Brien Subs – Gilhaney, Dodds, Davidson, Roy.
Referee – Dougie McDonald
Attendance - 3,630

A massive result and makes the next game at home against St.Johnstone vital, cause it will be one we need to win to cut the gap to 5 points.
My man of the Match: Chris Pozniak

Dunfermline Ath 0 Dundee 1, First Division, East End Park, 08/Nov/08

Dundee started brightly enough, striker Bryan Deasley working his way into the Pars' penalty box only to be thwarted by a last-gasp challenge from Woods. The ball then broke to David O'Brien who got in his shot only to see it blocked by Greg Shields. Dunfermline, however, were robbed of the lead in the 13th minute.A Kevin Harper corner from the right was delivered into the path of Stephen Glass and the midfielder let fly with a left foot drive from 20 yards out which smacked off the post with former Celtic goalkeeper Rab Douglas beaten.Second later, Harper took another corner from the right, which was met perfectly by the boot of Glass and fairly whistled by the Douglas' left-hand post.Dunfermline were enjoying the majority of the play and there was a further anxious moment for Dundee's defence when Irish striker Andy Kirk's free kick just outside the box came off the Dens rearguard wall and quick-as-a-flash, Woods pounced only to see his net bound shot pushed away by Douglas.In a clever down on the right. Harper found Nicky Phinn and the midfielder sent in an inviting ball for Kirk, but it fell awkwardly and he could only drill his effort wide of the target.It was proving a hard day at the office for Dundee with Mickael Antoine-Curier and the smaller figure of Deasley unable to get the service required to trouble Dunfermline goalkeeper Paul Gallacher although the team were defending resolutely.The second half started with a thumping clash of heads involving Eddie Malone and Harper although, thankfully, it turned out to be nothing serious.Dundee fans appealed for a penalty for handball after ex-Dunfermline player Freddie Daquin's corner came off Dunfermline skipper Scott Wilson, but referee Stevie O'Reilly was having none of it.On the hour mark, Dunfermline front man Graham Bayne knocked the ball down for Kirk but, under close scrutiny from Kyle Benedictus, his scrambled drive went over the top.The Fifers made their first change, Scott Muirhead coming on for Austin McCann, and the move almost paid instant dividends as a left foot drive from Kirk looked destined for the corner of the net until Douglas somehow got his hand to the ball. The home supporters were now sensing the all-important breakthrough although Dundee continued to stand firm against a determined attack.Then, in the 68th minute, Dunfermline were left reeling when Dundee hit them with a sucker-punch goal. Deasley threaded the ball through to Antoine-Curier who found himself in the clear and he made the most of the opportunity, running through before cooly slotting the ball past Gallacher. In fact Antoine-Curier should have made it 2-0 in injury time , when he rounded Gallagher in the pars goal, but was forced too wide and his pass was put wide by Bob Davidson. But a massive 3 points for the Dark Blues..

Dundee: Douglas, Paton, Malone, Williams, Benedictus, McKeown, Daquin, Posniak, Antoine-Curier, Deasley (Davidson 82), O'Brien. Subs Not Used: Lauchlan, Mearns, Gilhaney, Roy.
Booked: Paton.
Att: 3,506
Ref: S O'Reilly

Farningham And Smith back at Dens Park....

Dundee manager Jocky Scott, back at Dens Park, has appointed Ray Farningham as his assistant. Farningham was previously assistant to Jim Duffy at Dens Park. He has been out of football since losing his job as international scout with Gretna when the Borders club went into administration. Jocky Scott's first game in charge of Dundee ended in a 1-1 draw to Airdrie. Meanwhile, former club captain Barry Smith also makes a return to Dens Park after leaving the club in May 2006. Smith, who moved from Celtic to Dundee in 1995, joins Jocky Scott's backroom team as head of Youth Development. He will replace Paul Ritchie who has left the club.

Dundee 1 Airdrie Und 1, Dens Park, First Division, 01/November/08

JOCKY SCOTT was greeted like a returning hero when he walked out at Dens Park for his third spell as manager yesterday but Airdrie prevented the veteran manager from a fairytale start to this latest chapter of his career. A goal from Simon Lynch after 11 minutes gave the Diamonds the lead and they could have scored another four had it not been for striker Paul Di Giacomo's series of misses. But they could not manage to get the ball into the net and a half-time chat from manager Scott pumped Dundee up for the second half, a 45 minutes in which they showed battling qualities sorely lacking in recent weeks. Mickael Antoine-Curier grabbed the equaliser on 66 minutes, showing his new boss that there is something to work with at Dens. Scott pulled a few pre-match selection surprises. Kyle Benedictus, a 16-year-old defender, was drafted in from the youth set-up while ex-Hearts player Eddie Mearns came in for his first start. Bryan Deasley was also given a rare start in attack alongside Antoine-Curier. Benedictus was lucky that his first stint in top-team football was not marred by conceding a penalty kick after just four minutes when, having misjudged a bounce, he appeared to bundle into the back of Lynch inside the box. With even Dundee's players expecting referee Chris Boyle to award a penalty kick, the official awarded a free-kick the other way. Dundee were equally fortunate on nine minutes when a cross which evaded Rab Douglas cracked off the bar but fell perfectly for Di Giacomo. A goal looked a certainty but he somehow nodded over from two yards. Dundee's luck did not hold, though, and they eventually fell behind on 11 minutes to a stunning goal from Lynch. The Dark Blues failed to clear their lines, allowing a cross from the left to reach the striker at the back post and he dispatched a sensational half-volley into the top corner from 10 yards. Scott's side almost equalised on 25 minutes when, following Darren Williams' header into the box, Craig McKeown looked to have beaten Stephen Robertson but the keeper plucked the ball away with one hand. The danger was not averted, though, as it trundled out to Antoine-Curier who, in turn, poked it back in but just as the ball looked set to squirm over the line, Airdrie's defence managed to boot clear. Airdrie should have punished Dundee just before the interval when a neat interchange between Lynch and Di Giacomo gave the latter a sight of goal at the back post. However, he snatched at his effort, with McKeown bearing down on him, sending it flashing past the post. Lynch forced Douglas into a save only 60 seconds later, playing on the shoulder of Benedictus before trying to lob the keeper but he got a hand to it. Dundee should have made more of a dead ball on the edge of the area, after Kevin McDonald fouled Mearns, but Eddie Malone slapped the free-kick off the defensive wall. Mearns set up a great chance for Antoine-Curier on 60 minutes but the striker couldn't edge in ahead of a defender to meet the cross. He atoned for that on 66 minutes, though, as Dundee ground out the equaliser. A header into the penalty area from McKeown was intelligently left by Deasley and it ran through for Antoine-Curier, who lashed a shot beyond Robertson. The striker had another chance at the end but could not beat Robertson to Mearns' through ball and watched the keeper gobble the ball up.
Dundee: Douglas, Posniak, Malone, McKeown, Benedictus, Williams, Daquin (Davidson 78), Mearns, Antoine-Curier, Deasley (Gilhaney 79), O'Brien. Subs Not Used: Roy, Lauchlan, Manzie.
Att: 3,456
Ref: C Boyle
A good start for Jocky Scott, A much better second half performance with Dunfermline, Queen of the South and St.Johnstone in the next 3 games, it will make or break our season.

Welcome Home Jocky...................

Jocky Scott has become Dundee manager for a third time, with chairman Bob Brannan praising the 60-year-old's hunger for the job. "I have seldom met anyone with greater desire to do a particular job than Jocky has to be the manager of Dundee FC," Brannan told BBC Sport. "For him, the club is unfinished business and that is a feeling that is clearly shared by many of our fans." Scott was sacked in 2000 with Dundee fifth in the Scottish Premier League. It was their highest-ever finish in the SPL, but the then owners of the club were not happy with the style of play being adopted and imported the big-spending Ivano Bonetti. "Despite the manner in which his last stint at the club ended, he has never stopped believing in Dundee FC and, in turn, the board believe in Jocky," said Brannan. "That is why he is unquestionably the man for us." I hope that, before I leave here again, Dundee are in the Premier League. Brannan said that Scott's reputation for being an outstanding coach, tactician and organiser, as well as having a "remarkable" network of contacts at the highest levels of football, made him the outstanding candidate, with up to 90% of supporters backing the appointment. Between his two spells at Dens Park, Scott had periods in charge of Aberdeen, Dunfermline Athletic and Arbroath, plus a caretaker spell with Hibernian. And, after leaving Dens in 2000, he managed Notts County and Raith Rovers, was caretaker at Plymouth Argyle, reserve team coach at Sunderland and assistant with Danish outfit Viborg. But Scott feared he might never have another opportunity to be a manager. "I've been trying for a least two years to get back into the game in Scotland," he said. "Everybody seems to think it's a young man's game these days, to the detriment of experience. But I've still got faith in my ability. "It has been a long time coming since the last time at Dundee, but I am looking forward to the challenge. "It left a bitter taste because I thought I had done well the last time and established the club in the Premier League. "Dundee Football Club should be in the Premier League and I hope that, before I leave here again, we are in the Premier League." The First Division club have been searching for a new boss since sacking Alex Rae earlier this month after going 10 games without a win and dropping to ninth in the table. Rae's assistant, David Farrell, took charge of the first-team for Saturday's 2-0 defeat by Morton but has now also left the club. Scott is expected to form his backroom team within a week, with another former Dundee player, Ray Farningham, who had a spell as manager of Forfar Athletic, expected to be one of them. Returning to Dens renews Scott's 40-year association with the club he graced as a midfielder.
I'm happy with Jocky Scott's return to Dens, but it will be a lot of hard work to turn us around. Jocky Scott will do this I have no worries about that!!!! 

Jocky Scott Set To Return?

Dundee are set to appoint Jocky Scott as manager for the third time. The Irn-Bru First Division club have called a press conference for 2.30pm, where it is expected they will unveil the former Dens Park striker.Scott will replace Alex Rae who was sacked after Dundee picked up 12 points from their opening 10 league games.The 60-year-old was on a shortlist of five or six candidates, but Dundee were foiled in their attempts to speak to three employed managers. Queen of the South and Brechin denied them permission to speak to Gordon Chisholm and Michael O'Neill respectively, while Kenny Black pledged his future to Airdrie.

5 Years Ago ..Lost it Now...

The Last Time the Dee's Were Second Bottom...In December!!!!!

We Got Promoted..................

Just to Cheer Us Dee's Up....

Can You Spot Me in The Away End?......

Morton 2 Dundee 0, Cappielow, First Division, 25/October/08

MORTON beat both the elements and a Dundee side who were not just lacking a manager, but lacked fight, determination and adventure and are quickly heading for a winter of discontent.The conditions were always likely to be paramount and twice in the space of a minute Dundee's Freddie Daquin almost scored direct from corner kicks. In 15 minutes the wind-assisted kick curled the ball viciously and Allan Jenkins did well to clear off the line on the near post. The return kick threatened in similar fashion and this time Jenkins headed off the line.When the deadlock was broken in 26 minutes it was through a piece of sublime opportunism. Dundee midfielder Darren Williams was dispossessed by James Grady who ran through, Robert Douglas raced from goal to block his shot at the edge of the area, but Peter Weatherson kept his cool and followed up to brilliantly curl the loose ball into the net from 25 yards.Grady should have doubled 'Ton's lead in 34 minutes when Jim McAlister ripped open the Dundee defence, but the veteran striker shot wide. Five minutes later Douglas made a terrific near-post block from Kevin Finlayson's 12-yard volley, as Morton threatened to overrun hapless Dundee.Morton deservedly got a second in 59 minutes. Finlayson floated a through-ball for Grady and his chip was handled by Craig McKeown. Ryan McGuffie lashed home the spot kick for his sixth goal of the season.

Dundee: Douglas, Paton, Malone, Dodds, McKeown, Williams, Daquin (Gilhaney 70), Posniak, Davidson, Antoine-Curier, O'Brien (Mearns 86). Subs Not Used: Roy, Deasley, Benedictus.
Booked: McKeown.
Att: 1,741
Ref: C Thomson

The gap is nine points now, I'm glad that I missed the game due to work, Enough Said....

New Striker..For Morton Game?

DUNDEE may pitch trialist Fabiano Vignarolia in against Morton tomorrow. The Italian striker is a free agent and has been training with Kilmarnock in the past week but Rugby Park manager Jim Jefferies has been unable to see him in a game, as SPL rules forbid anyone who requires international clearance being used as a trialist, even in reserve games.With Dundee badly hit by injury, Jefferies will let him play for the Dark Blues so he can have him watched in action. Vignarolia, 32, has played for Parma, Lazio and Bologna.Stand-in Dundee manager Davie Farrell said: "The guy is a very good player and comes with an impressive pedigree from his time in Italy. He's not fully fit but he's technically very good so we'll add him to the squad for Cappielow." Farrell will be in the dugout following the sacking of Alex Rae on Monday.

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

DUNDEE have invited applications for the vacant manager's position at Dens Park following the departure of Alex Rae and will have a board meeting tomorrow to discuss likely candidates. Former Dens Park captain Barry Smith is a front-runner and could be handed the job alongside a more experienced figure like Ray Farningham. Smith is back in Scotland following a spell in Icelandic football with FC Valur and is known to want a move into coaching. The 34-year-old, who made over 300 appearances for the club, is viewed by fans as a club legend and, given the massive turnover in playing personnel since he left two years ago – only Bryan Deasley remains – he could walk into the job fresh. Smith was handed the reigns for two games in the wake of Alan Kernaghan's sacking in 2006 and remains a popular figure in the Dens boardroom. Farningham is highly regarded for overseeing a youth development programme which brought through the likes of Lee Wilkie, Gavin Rae, Steven Milne, Derek Soutar, Scott Robertson, Paul Dixon and Kevin McDonald. The ex-Forfar manager would add experience to a Smith ticket and the pair would be a popular choice among supporters. Queen of the South manager Gordon Chisholm is another who is strongly fancied. Airdrie United's Kenny Black and Steven Frail are also likely to be under consideration at Dens Park.

Dundee Sack Alex Rae

Alex Rae has been sacked as manager of Dundee after a disappointing start to their First Division promotion bid. The former Rangers, Sunderland and Wolves midfielder was relieved of his duties after Saturday's 2-1 defeat at home to struggling Ross County. Rae, 39, had lost support in the boardroom but was unhappy at the summer sale of top players like Kevin McDonald, who was sold to Burnley. Dundee are third bottom of Division One but remain just six points off the top. Assistant manager David Farrell will take charge of the first-team for Saturday's match against Morton in Greenock as Dundee aim to resurrect their pursuit of leaders Queen of the South.

Dundee 1 Ross County 2, Dens Park, First Division, 18/October/08

DUNDEE'S dismal form continued with a home reversal to rejuvenated Ross County. While Derek Adams' side were recording their fourth consecutive victory, Dundee have garnered three points once in their last nine matches and have slid down the table. The scoreline did not reflect the visitors' dominance, especially in the first-half. County set about commanding the opening exchanges. The front pairing of Dyron Daal and Steven Craig performed with menace but it was a more unlikely source, defender Andy Dowie, who scored the opening goal. A corner from Richard Brittain should not have caused Dundee much consternation but a failure to attack the ball let it slip through to the back post, where Dowie was lurking to nod the ball home. Then Craig produced a stunning finish to send his side two up. Richie Hart's quick break left Dundee lagging and he crossed for Craig inside the area, who, with his back to goal, managed to spin and squeeze a shot over Douglas from only a few yards. Dundee boss Alex Rae brought on Mickael Antoine-Curier and Freddy Daquin at the break and this move worked. Antoine-Curier found a goal after only 13 minutes of coming on when Davidson back-heeled the ball into his path. He broke through on Bullock and slashed a low shot into the corner. Dundee then began to come more into the game but could not gain enough momentum to find the equaliser.

Dundee: Douglas, Paton, Malone, McHale (Mearns 72), McKeown, Williams (Daquin 46), Dodds, Posniak, Deasley (Antoine-Curier 46), Davidson, Gilhaney. Subs Not Used: O'Brien, Roy.
Booked: Dodds.
Att: 3,228

This has to be the worse team I have seen in 27 years, no fight and I do fear for our future in this Division, and it's only October.

Partick Th 0 Dundee 0, Firhill, First Division, 04/October/08

Dundee only capable of fielding four substitutes on the bench because of an injury crisis, almost snatched a dramatic early lead when Freddy Daquin swung over a corner from the right which was met perfectly by the head of Craig McKeown. However, Jags defender Paul Paton was well placed on the near post to clear.The injury-ravaged Dark Blues, with manager Alex Rae forced to name himself as a trialist substitute, showed a positive approach and almost capitalised on a mistake by David Rowson. Chris Pozniak put Mark Gilhaney away on the left, his cutback picking out Daquin, but the Frenchman blasted over from 16 yards.Ian McCall's Partick side gradually claimed the ascendancy and Simon Donnelly took a pass from Gary Harkins before shooting narrowly wide of Rab Douglas' right-hand post.Dundee almost broke the deadlock on the hour amidst a blaze of controversy after referee Eddie Smith allowed Mikael Antoine-Curier to break free on the right after the Dens man had clearly handled the ball.The striker found Bob Davidson in excellent position on the edge of the area but his shot was cleared off the line by Simon Storey.It was as close as either side got as the match petered out in a drab stalemate.
Dundee: Douglas, Paton, Malone, Dodds, McKeown, Cowan, Daquin, Posniak, Antoine-Curier (Deasley 63), Davidson, Gilhaney. Subs Not Used: Mearns, O'Brien, A Trialist.
Att: 2,556
Ref: E Smith

St.Johnstone 2 Dundee 0, McDiarmid Park, First Division, 27/September/08

Dundee started with one striker upfront, a formation I don't like personally.St Johnstone enjoyed the majority of possession in the first half but were largely toothless, while Dundee did not see as much of the ball but had slightly more menace in the final third. Mickael Antoine-Curier should have put them ahead on 20 minutes when he met Freddy Daquin's free-kick inside the area but his header slipped wide. Then, on 29 minutes, referee Iain Brines made his howler. Dundee's Gary MacKenzie mis-judged a headed clearance and sent the ball spinning past Rab Douglas, his goalkeeper. To the amazement of everyone, Brines chalked the goal off for an alleged push by Martin Hardie. But St Johnstone were a team rejuvenated in the second half and a stunning goal from Sheerin split the sides on 53 minutes. With two defenders around him on the edge of Dundee's box, he spun back and forth looking for an opening before lofting a stunning shot over Douglas from 18 yards. With Dundee floundering, Milne secured the win with four minutes left, thrashing a shot beyond Douglas from 18 yards.
Dundee: Douglas, Cowan, Malone, Dodds, MacKenzie, McKeown, Daquin (McMenamin 63), Paton, Antoine-Curier, Posniak (Davidson 82), Gilhaney, McMenamin (O'Brien 90). Subs Not Used: Mearns, Roy.
Att: 4,307
Ref: I Brines
A poor result for Dundee, playing with just one striker is just too negative for me, as today St.Johnstone were not great shakes. I just hope that Dundee can get a win at Firhill on Saturday, we badly need one now before the gap at the top gets even bigger..

Dundee Sign Rhian Dodds....

Dundee have signed Rhian Dodds on loan from Kilmarnock, he should go straight into the midfield for this Saturday's vital game at Perth. He has played 31 times for Killie, but has not played since last December.

More Injury Woe For Dark Blues

Dundee midfielder Colin Cameron won’t play again this year after it was confirmed he needs surgery to repair damaged knee ligaments. Cameron was carried off during a closed-door game at East Fife on Monday night — just as he battled back to full fitness after straining a medial ligament at the end of the pre-season programme. A visit to a specialist last night confirmed this time surgery would be needed to repair the damage and there was a chance the 35-year-old would undergo his operation today. Exactly how long he’ll be out for will become clear only when he is able to start rehab work in the next few weeks, but there is no chance of him being seen in a Dark Blue shirt before the New Year. Cameron is the second summer signing to go under the knife over the past few days — Jim Lauchlan had an abductor operation in Leeds last Friday. That op. was completed successfully, but it will be up to six weeks before Lauchlan is ready to play. When he does, he may be put out on a short-term loan to get his match fitness up to scratch.

Dundee 0 Livingston 3, Dens Park, First Division, 20/Sept/08

Mickael Antoine-Curier should have put Dundee ahead after a mere nine minutes but wasted Bob Davidson's clever through-ball by smacking a half-hearted effort off the legs off Pierre Martini, Livingston's goalkeeper, when it seemed certain that he would simply curl a shot around him. Livingston, without injured top scorer Leigh Griffiths, proved they still have plenty to offer in an attacking sense and caused Dundee's goalkeeper Rab Douglas a moment of consternation on 21 minutes. Rocco Quinn, on loan from Celtic, switched the play with team-mate Joe Hamill on the edge of the area before collecting the ball again and sending a powerful drive towards goal. Douglas scampered along his line in an attempt to block and was relieved when the shot slipped just past the post. Livingston took the lead on 40 minutes, following some shocking defending. Dundee simply failed to mark up at Fernando Giarrizzo's corner kick, allowing Innes far too much space inside the penalty area to head the ball on target from 12 yards. His effort should have been routine for Douglas but the angled run of Murray Davidson through his eye line clearly distracted him and before he could reach it the ball had nestled in the back of the net. Alex Rae was unhappy with his players' efforts so made two alterations at the interval. Antoine-Curier, who was again ineffective, was sacrificed along with defensive midfielder Chris Pozniak, allowing Colin McMenamin and Colin Cameron an opportunity. Dundee went close on 76 minutes when Livingston failed to defend Paul McHale's corner kick but despite Gary MacKenzie appearing to have the beating of goalkeeper Martini, the defender could not turn the ball home. As Dundee stretched themselves in an attempt to find an equaliser, they were exposed at the back and paid a heavy price with five minutes remaining when Elliot flicked a shot beyond Douglas to make the points safe. The on-loan Hearts striker then compounded Dundee's misery in the final seconds by breaking free of the defence before slotting another low shot beyond Douglas. The Dundee fans reacted badly to events in the final minutes, with the team and manager loudly booed from the park at the end. A poor result and the next 2 games will see where our season is going. My fear is the squad is not deep enough and we have signed players who are not fit yet , and it's nearly October...
Dundee: Douglas, Paton, Malone, McHale, MacKenzie, McKeown, O'Brien, Posniak (Cameron 46), Davidson, Antoine-Curier (McMenamin 46), Gilhaney. Subs Not Used: Williams, Cowan, Roy.
Att: 3,631
Ref: A Muir