Queen of the South 0 Dundee 1, Palmerstone, First Division, 27/Dec/08.

Dundee looked the more sure-footed against out-of-sorts Queens. It came as little surprise when the visitors seized the initiative after half an hour through Colin McMenamin as the striker pounced from a couple of yards out to force home David O'Brien's low strike from the angle of the box. Dundee were visibly buoyed and at times were allowed to stroke the ball about at their leisure as the home support turned on the Queens players. Stephen Dobbie tried to haul the hosts back into it with a couple of long-range shots which just missed the target. But it was Dundee who should have extended their lead just before the interval, only for O'Brien to shoot straight at Queens keeper Bryn Halliwell from 14 yards.Queens emerged a livelier outfit after the break. Dobbie went close again when he was just pipped to a through ball by Dundee keeper Rab Douglas, but the visitors remained a live threat on the break and Andrew Shinnie should have doubled their lead just after the hour when he ran clear on goal and rolled his shot past the post.Queens rallied towards the end, but an equaliser wouldn't have provided a fair reflection.
Dundee: Douglas, Malone, Cowan, McKeown, Lauchlan, Paton, Shinnie, Posniak, Daquin (McHale 76), O'Brien, McMenamin (Gilhaney 89).Subs Not Used: Roy, Williams, Deasley.
Booked: Cowan, McKeown.
Att: 2,616
Ref: E Smith
A big win for Dundee, but this weekend's game against Dunfermline is really important. We must win this, and I don't care how we do it!

Dundee 0 Partick Thistle 0, Dens Park,First Division, 20/December/08

Dundee created two fantastic early chances but, in keeping with their luck in front of goal this season, neither were capitalised on. The first certainly should have been, as Bryan Deasley met David O'Brien's cutback 16 yards out, but he fired straight at goalkeeper Jon Tuffey. No blame could be apportioned for the second, though, as Mikael Antoine-Curierslammed a shot on target from 20 yards. Partick soon emerged as a force, though, and could have taken the lead on 12 minutes when Liam Buchanan rose inside the penalty area, but he directed his header wide.Buchanan was afforded another free header on 50 minutes when Simon Donnelly picked him out with a free kick. His header looked destined for the net until Jim Lauchlan got in to nod over his own bar.Partick defender Kevin McKinlay almost scored an own goal only seconds later when he looked set to bundle the ball in but managed to change his feet just in time, instead knocking the ball just wide. Douglas pulled off a sensational double save on 63 minutes to keep Partick out. A poor performance overall, and now we must start winning games. If it was not for Rab Douglas we would have dropped all 3 points.
Dundee: Douglas, Williams (Daquin 71), Malone (Forsyth 86), McHale, McKeown, Lauchlan, Shinnie, Posniak, Antoine-Curier, Deasley (McMenamin 71), O'Brien. Subs Not Used: Roy, Gilhaney.
Att: 3,569
Ref: C Thomson
MoM: Rab Douglas.

Clyde 1 Dundee 0, Broadwood Stadium, First Division, 13/Dec/08

Clyde recorded a narrow win over Dundee in a match which both sides finished with 10 men. Following a scoreless first half, Clyde substitute Scott Gemmill set up Willie McLaren to score the winning goal in the 66th minute. Gemmill was sent off two minutes later after receiving two yellow cards in quick succession. Darren Young was red carded for the visitors four minutes from the end for a professional foul on Alan Trouten.
Dundee: Douglas, Paton (Cowan 78), MacKenzie, McKeown, Malone, Shinnie, Posniak, McHale, O'Brien (Young 83), Davidson (McMenamin 72), Deasley.Subs Not Used: Lauchlan, Roy.
Booked: Shinnie.
Att: 1,176
Ref: C Murray
A bad result for the club, with St.Johnstone getting a last minute winner, the gap is now 12 points. We can't affort to lose many more game now, and must go on a run of wins to get back in the pack.

Lastest News From Dens Park..................

Dundee will play Celtic at parkhead in the 3rd round of the Scottish Cup, the game will be played on the 10th of January 2009.

Saturdays game against Livingston has been called off, due to a frozen pitch. Livi have not used their undersoil heating. The will will be played on Wednesday night.

Kyle Benedictus is the IRN BRU Phenomenal Young Player of the Month for November. The youngster who made his debut and a further two appearances during the month before picking up a calf injury which has sidelined him for a month paid tribute to team-mate Jim Lauchlan for his help in settling into the first team squad "He’s been brilliant with me in training and is talking me through every day" said Kyle "We train together and he’s taken me step-by-step, telling me where to stand and how to defend in certain positions. He’s been a constant source of encouragement and I think working closely with him in training can only make me a better player." 

Jocky Scott has joined youngster Kyle Benedictus picking up an award for the month of November. Jocky has been awarded the IRN BRU Phenomenal Manager of the Month only a few days after Kyle was chosen as the Young Player of the Month. He only took over the club for his third spell in charge two days before the month started and was thrown into the deep end with a game against Airdrie United on the 1st. Since then he has guided Dundee to four games unbeaten. Meanwhile the game against Livi has been called off again, after a pitch inspection at 2pm. No new date has been arranged.

Dundee 1 St.Johnstone 1, Dens Park, First Division, 29/Nov/08

TWO managers at contrasting ends of the career spectrum pitted their wits against each other in a pulsating Tayside derby and emerged with honours even. Derek McInnes marked 12 months in charge at Perth with a draw to stretch St Johnstone's unbeaten sequence to 10 matches and extend their advantage to four points at the top of the table. But old hand Jocky Scott, clearly relishing his return to Dens Park, ensured his youthful rival's nerves were frayed as the Dark Blues attempted a courageous second half salvage job, having slipped behind to a 28th minute goal dispatched by Stevie Milne, a striker who was once lauded by home fans. Fearful of trailing 11 points off the pace being set by St Johnstone and inspired by Scott's half-time input, Dundee dominated the second period and roused their support in a stadium hosting its biggest crowd of the season.They were good value for a 74th minute equaliser dispatched neatly by Mickael Antoine-Curier, who broke off tiring defender Kevin James to plant a low shot past keeper Alan Main.McInnes raised eyebrows among travelling supporters when he restored fragile club captain James to the backline after a three-month absence, with former Chelsea midfielder Jody Morris making his first start of a campaign undermined by a hamstring ailment.Scott opted to leave Andrew Shinnie, a loan recruit from Rangers, on the bench while Gary McKenzie returned to central defence.While the diminutive Morris, whose CV includes Champions League credits, snapped into tackles, clearly intent on making up for time whiled away on a treatment tables, he tired as the game wore on.Robert Douglas plucked a rising 20-yard Kevin Moon volley from the top corner in the 12th minute and the Dark Blues relied on the pace of Brian Deasley to stretch Saints on the counter attack, with James fortunate to escape a caution when his elongated limbs sent the striker crashing to the turf.Seconds before the Perth side took a 28th minute lead, Main, fast approaching his 41st birthday, proved sprightly to handle a testing Antione-Curier header low at the post.His hoisted upfield clearance was cheekily dummied by intended target Derek Holmes, allowing Liam Craig to steal in behind the Dundee rearguard. He played in Stevie Milne and the one-time Dens favourite buried a close range shot into the corner of the net.Dundee almost snatched an equaliser seconds before the interval but Main was a match for Chris Pozniak's low snapshot. But in contrast to the first 45 minutes, Dundee swarmed forward and the Perth side lost much of their guile when Morris departed in the 69th minute.Dundee had two penalty claims dismissed by referee Brian Winter as pressure built on the visitors' defence. But they finally got the ball in the visitors' net on 74 minutes when Antoine-Curier turned home David O'Brien's cross. Saints, however, were denied a late winner by keeper Douglas as Milne slammed a shot towards the target. Antoine-Curier should have scored in stoppage time, but lacked the composure to convert Paul McHale's subtle pass.

Dundee: Douglas, Paton, Malone, Williams (McHale 61), MacKenzie, McKeown, Daquin (Shinnie 55), Posniak, Antoine-Curier, Deasley, O'Brien. Subs Not Used: Lauchlan, Davidson, Roy.
Att: 6,537
Ref: B Winter (Scotland).

Dave McKinnon Leaves Dens Park.............

Dundee chief executive Dave MacKinnon has confirmed his resignation and will leave Dens Park at the end of November. MacKinnon has been in the role for two and a half years. Last month, Jocky Scott returned as manager at Dundee for the third time and MacKinnon is confident that the First Division club is in good hands. With the appointment of Jocky Scott, the board now have someone with the experience, contacts and knowledge to take on the running of all football related matters.

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.