Thursday, 31 March 2011
END OF TRIALISTS KICKS IN AS FINISH LINE DRAWS CLOSER
Six games to go and the season is nearly over. Dundee's tremendous unbeaten run stands at 23 but this Saturday, that will be sternly tested against the league leaders Raith Rovers at Starks Park, Kirkcaldy. Now we cannot field anymore trialists until the end of the season and that will mean youngsters will be making up a large chunk of the team. Suspensions and injuries are beginning to bite but I am sure the players will give it their all as they have done since the start of the amazing run in September.
Tuesday, 29 March 2011
EX DEES CORNER: JIM DUFFY
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| Jim in his Dundee playing days. |
James Duffy was born in Glasgow on April 27th 1959. He started his career with Celtic from 1979 to 1982 but never made a senior appearance. He left in 1982 and joined Greenock Morton. He made 119 appearances for the Cappielow side and scored three goals. In 1985 he was named Scottish PFA Player of the Year despite Greenock Morton being relegated. In 1985 he secured a move to Dundee where in his three years at Dens, he clocked up 83 appearances and scored two goals. In 1988 he suffered a horrific injury which was thought to end his career as a footballer. At the age of 28, Jim joined Falkirk as their manager but that only lasted until 1990 where he returned to Dens as a defender but only played 8 games before joining Partick Thistle.and he played 72 games at the Firhill club in his two year stint as a Jags player. However, Jim would return to Dens for a third spell in 1992 as a player/assistant to Simon Stainrod. He would replace Simon as player manager in the autumn of 1993. His finest spell as Dundee manager in that spell was to guide them to the Coca Cola League Cup Final in 1995 where they were defeated 2-0 by Aberdeen. He also brought now Dundee boss and legend Barry Smith to the club with Morten Weighorst going the other direction to Celtic. In his spell as player boss to 1996, he made a futher 106 appearances for the Dark Blues before opting to leave the Dens Park club to join Hibernian as their manager in 1996 before being ousted in 1998 after an unsuccessful spell at Easter Road. He would spend the next few years as a coach at Chelsea and Portsmouth before returning to Dens to take over the reins as manager from Ivano Bonetti in 2002. In his spell as manager, he guided Dundee yet again to another final, this time the Scottish Cup Final in 2003 where the Dark Blues narrowly lost to Rangers 1-0 at Hampden, courtesy of an Amoruso header. What followed was a brief sojourn into Europe through the UEFA Cup and Dundee managed to get to the First Round proper where they drew Italian Serie A side, Perugia. Duffy signed Craig Burley and Fabrizio Ravanelli through the influence of controversial laywer Giovanni Di Stefano who was a director at Dundee FC at the time. Unfortunately, Dundee went out of the UEFA Cup after a 2-1 defeat at Dens and a 3-0 defeat in Italy. A few weeks later, Dundee were placed into administration and 25 players and staff were axed. Unfortunately, Duffy could not steer Dundee to safety in season 2004/5 and were relegated to the First Division on the last day of the season, courtesy of a 2-2 draw at Livingston. A slow start to the season in the First Division ultimately saw Jim lose his job as Dundee manager and was replaced by Alan Kernaghan. Since his time at Dens, Jim has been coach at Norwich City, manager of Brechin City and now is currently boss of Third Division side Clyde and also has worked as a tv pundit for various tv channels in between.
photo (c) http://www.dundeeshrine.blogspot.com/
Saturday, 26 March 2011
TIRED DUNDEE CLAIM HARD FOUGHT POINT
Dundee 2-2 Cowdenbeath
A tired and weary looking Dundee managed to snatch a point and continue their fantastic unbeaten against a spirited and brave Cowdenbeath side. More to follow..................
A tired and weary looking Dundee managed to snatch a point and continue their fantastic unbeaten against a spirited and brave Cowdenbeath side. More to follow..................
Thursday, 24 March 2011
THANKS CRAIG ROBERTSON.
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| Barry Smith and Craig Robertson at Dens. |
Lets hope perhaps we could something for next season, but we shall wait and see. Certainly would like to see Craig back at Dens.
photo (c) http://www.thedees.co.uk/
DREAM DEBUT FOR HYDE AS HE HELPS DUNDEE WIN A POINT!
Dundee 1-1 Dunfermline
Jake Hyde, 20 year old striker on trial from Lochee United scored the goal that earned Dundee a well deserved point against title challengers Dunfermline Athletic at Dens on Tuesday night and also extended the clubs' fantastic unbeaten run which now stands at 22.
With the squad down to the bare bones, Barry Smith drafted in the youngster to help with attacking options and her partnered 18 year old Leighton McIntosh up front.
Dundee started the match very brightly and were passing the ball around very crisply and the early signs were evident that Hyde and MacIntosh were looking to forge a dangerous partnership with one another.
Dundee's best chance of the half came just after the half hour mark when a great passing move resulted in Forsyth picking the ball up at the edge of Dunfermline's area and he shot rather tamely at Chris Smith the Pars keeper. A minute later and Alex Burke recieved the ball in midfield and he kept running with the Dundee defence backing off from him and from about 25 yards he let rip with an unstoppable shot which beat Rab Douglas and into the bottom left hand corner of the net. It was totally against run of play.
Nevertheless, Dundee tried in vain to get an equaliser before the break but Dunfermline were squeezing Dundee out and stopping our attacks in full flow. Gary Irvine, fresh from scoring his first goal for the Dees on Saturday against Falkirk, tried his luck from 18 yards just before half time but again his shot was straight at the Pars keeper.
From the re-start Dundee looked as if they were sensing that there was something in the game for them and just after the break, trialist Jake Hyde had a wonderful chance to equalise as he was played through but his shot was superbly touched over the bar by the keeper.
Rhys Weston had to be substituted around midway through the second half as he was feeling the effects from an earlier rash challenge from Liam Buchanan which went unpunished by the referee. On came Craig Robertson who slotted into midfield while Irvine slipped back into defence at right back and Kyle Benedictus moving to centre back.
Dunfermline then were gifted a chance when a slip by Benedictus allowed Buchanan to run in on goal from an acute angle and he passed the ball back to Cardle whose shot was well blocked from McKeown otherwise it looked as if it could have been a goal.
That block proved to be a pivotal moment in the game and how Dunfermline were going to rue that chance. Approaching the 70th minute and Dundee won a free kick wide left of the box. An expert Harkins delivery saw Hyde rise above the defenders and power his header just inside the post and the aid of the keepers hand allowed for the ball to drop into the goal. Dundee had done it again! Clawed back from the brink.
Dens was rocking now and there was only going to be one winner now surely if there was to be a winning goal. Dunfermline boss brought on ex Dee Pat Clarke but he made very little impact in the closing stages of the game. Gary Harkins brought a measure of composure to the midfield in the closing stages of the match and when he won a free kick in a very dangerous position, the Dundee fans were willing him on to score yet an other dramatic winner but alas it wasn't to be as he put the ball harmlessly over the bar and both teams had to settle for a hard fought draw.
Full time scenes at Dens were fantastic as the supporters gave the Dee players another standing ovation and the players showed their gratitiude too. The scarves were being waved and there was generally a true feeling of togetherness and spirit from both the players and the fans. And of course, the unbeaten run was now extended to 22 games. Does this team ever know when they are beaten?
DUNDEE:
Douglas, Benedictus, McKeown, Weston (Robertson 65), Lockwood, Riley, Irvine, Harkins, Forsyth, Hyde, McIntosh
Unused subs: Gibson (gk) Rennie, Bartlett, Tulleth
Goal: Jake Hyde, 70 mins
DUNFERMLINE ATHLETIC:
Smith, Woods, Rutkiewicz, Keddie, McCann, McDougall, (Cardle 61), Dowie, Hardie, (Higgins 88), Burke (Clarke 79) Buchanan, Graham
Unused subs: Paterson (gk), Scott
Goal: Burke 32 mins
Referee: Mike Tumilty.
Attendance: 4,507
R
Jake Hyde, 20 year old striker on trial from Lochee United scored the goal that earned Dundee a well deserved point against title challengers Dunfermline Athletic at Dens on Tuesday night and also extended the clubs' fantastic unbeaten run which now stands at 22.
With the squad down to the bare bones, Barry Smith drafted in the youngster to help with attacking options and her partnered 18 year old Leighton McIntosh up front.
Dundee started the match very brightly and were passing the ball around very crisply and the early signs were evident that Hyde and MacIntosh were looking to forge a dangerous partnership with one another.
Dundee's best chance of the half came just after the half hour mark when a great passing move resulted in Forsyth picking the ball up at the edge of Dunfermline's area and he shot rather tamely at Chris Smith the Pars keeper. A minute later and Alex Burke recieved the ball in midfield and he kept running with the Dundee defence backing off from him and from about 25 yards he let rip with an unstoppable shot which beat Rab Douglas and into the bottom left hand corner of the net. It was totally against run of play.
Nevertheless, Dundee tried in vain to get an equaliser before the break but Dunfermline were squeezing Dundee out and stopping our attacks in full flow. Gary Irvine, fresh from scoring his first goal for the Dees on Saturday against Falkirk, tried his luck from 18 yards just before half time but again his shot was straight at the Pars keeper.
From the re-start Dundee looked as if they were sensing that there was something in the game for them and just after the break, trialist Jake Hyde had a wonderful chance to equalise as he was played through but his shot was superbly touched over the bar by the keeper.
Rhys Weston had to be substituted around midway through the second half as he was feeling the effects from an earlier rash challenge from Liam Buchanan which went unpunished by the referee. On came Craig Robertson who slotted into midfield while Irvine slipped back into defence at right back and Kyle Benedictus moving to centre back.
Dunfermline then were gifted a chance when a slip by Benedictus allowed Buchanan to run in on goal from an acute angle and he passed the ball back to Cardle whose shot was well blocked from McKeown otherwise it looked as if it could have been a goal.
That block proved to be a pivotal moment in the game and how Dunfermline were going to rue that chance. Approaching the 70th minute and Dundee won a free kick wide left of the box. An expert Harkins delivery saw Hyde rise above the defenders and power his header just inside the post and the aid of the keepers hand allowed for the ball to drop into the goal. Dundee had done it again! Clawed back from the brink.
Dens was rocking now and there was only going to be one winner now surely if there was to be a winning goal. Dunfermline boss brought on ex Dee Pat Clarke but he made very little impact in the closing stages of the game. Gary Harkins brought a measure of composure to the midfield in the closing stages of the match and when he won a free kick in a very dangerous position, the Dundee fans were willing him on to score yet an other dramatic winner but alas it wasn't to be as he put the ball harmlessly over the bar and both teams had to settle for a hard fought draw.
Full time scenes at Dens were fantastic as the supporters gave the Dee players another standing ovation and the players showed their gratitiude too. The scarves were being waved and there was generally a true feeling of togetherness and spirit from both the players and the fans. And of course, the unbeaten run was now extended to 22 games. Does this team ever know when they are beaten?
DUNDEE:
Douglas, Benedictus, McKeown, Weston (Robertson 65), Lockwood, Riley, Irvine, Harkins, Forsyth, Hyde, McIntosh
Unused subs: Gibson (gk) Rennie, Bartlett, Tulleth
Goal: Jake Hyde, 70 mins
DUNFERMLINE ATHLETIC:
Smith, Woods, Rutkiewicz, Keddie, McCann, McDougall, (Cardle 61), Dowie, Hardie, (Higgins 88), Burke (Clarke 79) Buchanan, Graham
Unused subs: Paterson (gk), Scott
Goal: Burke 32 mins
Referee: Mike Tumilty.
Attendance: 4,507
R
Monday, 21 March 2011
DUNDEE V DUNFERMLINE PREVIEW
Dundee go into this match with Dunfermline knowing that if they avoid defeat, they will extend their unbeaten run to 22 games. Definetly out of the game is Sean Higgins who is out until the end of the season. There will be late fitness checks on Craig McKeown and Stephen O'Donnell.
Dens Park, 19.45 kick off, Tuesday 22nd March 2011.
Dens Park, 19.45 kick off, Tuesday 22nd March 2011.
FOZZY TO THE RESCUE AS DEES FIGHT BACK
Falkirk 2-2 Dundee
It looked for a long spell on Saturday afternoon that Dundee's magnificent 20 game unbeaten run would come to an end. Two goals down at the Falkirk Stadium with less than half an hour to go was surely enough to see Falkirk claim their first win of the season over the Dark Blues? Fortunately no. Dundee stuck in and immediately after Falkirk scored their second goal through former Dee Tam McManus, Gary Irvine claimed his first goal for the club with an excellent finish from 15 yards. Dundee's superb fightback was complete with 10 minutes to go when Nicky Riley passed a lucious through ball to Craig Forsyth who made no mistake in sending the ball into the back of the net. Falkirk's faltering title aspirations were dented with their capitulation of the three points but Dundee can take a lot of heart from this result and for the fact that their fantastic unbeaten run now stands at 21.
It looked for a long spell on Saturday afternoon that Dundee's magnificent 20 game unbeaten run would come to an end. Two goals down at the Falkirk Stadium with less than half an hour to go was surely enough to see Falkirk claim their first win of the season over the Dark Blues? Fortunately no. Dundee stuck in and immediately after Falkirk scored their second goal through former Dee Tam McManus, Gary Irvine claimed his first goal for the club with an excellent finish from 15 yards. Dundee's superb fightback was complete with 10 minutes to go when Nicky Riley passed a lucious through ball to Craig Forsyth who made no mistake in sending the ball into the back of the net. Falkirk's faltering title aspirations were dented with their capitulation of the three points but Dundee can take a lot of heart from this result and for the fact that their fantastic unbeaten run now stands at 21.
Saturday, 12 March 2011
DUNDEE BREAK RECORD AFTER WIN OVER QOTS
Dundee 2-1 Queen of the South:
Despite a truly horrible day over Tayside, Dundee provided the Dens faithful with joy as they extended their unbeaten run to 20 games which also broke the club record for consecutive games unbeaten with a well deserved win over a lacklustre Queen of the South.
It was a day for the crowd to witness history in the making as goals from Sean Higgins and Craig Forsyth sealed a marvellous win for the Dark Blues and it also capped a fitting farewell to Neil McCann who played in his third and final game as a trialist for Dundee.
Dundee started a little slow in the passing department but quickly found their way and piercing runs by Nicky Riley down the right flank in the first half caused Queens trouble but sadly the final ball into the box was lacking.
Queens, who looked tired and sluggish, were the ones to take the lead after a well worked move saw Weatherston slip in ex-Dee Colin McMenamin to tap in from six yards in the 33rd minute. There was no celebration from Coco out of respect for his former employers and former fans.
Second half and Dundee came out of the traps looking for an equaliser. They won an early corner but unfortunately it came to nothing. Riley who was a constant pest throughout tested the Queens keeper Hutton with a stinging shot which he palmed away.
The equalising goal for Dundee came in the 65th minute after a fantastic passing exchange between McCann and Harkins allowed Higgins to be played in and he bent his shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net beating the keeper. Cue pandimonium in the stands and the scarves were being waved like there was no tommorow.
Dundee now had their tails up and were after that sensing blood and they pushed forward and put the Queens defence under tremendous pressure until finally the goal that Dundee craved for came. With 4 minutes left, Stephen O'Donnell let rip with a rasping shot from just outside the penalty area which thundered off the underside of the bar but Craig Forsyth was there to head home the winner. Cue scenes of unbriddled joy from the Dundee fans as Dens Park rocked with joy and delirum.
Queens had one final chance but that was squandered when a header from Weatherston flew past the post and out for a goal kick when it looked easier to score.
Final whistle followed and scenes of celebration and joy were clear to see as both the fans and the Dundee players celebrated together as the record was broken.......20 games and counting now.
Dundee FC 4-4-1-1
Douglas Irvine
Despite a truly horrible day over Tayside, Dundee provided the Dens faithful with joy as they extended their unbeaten run to 20 games which also broke the club record for consecutive games unbeaten with a well deserved win over a lacklustre Queen of the South.
It was a day for the crowd to witness history in the making as goals from Sean Higgins and Craig Forsyth sealed a marvellous win for the Dark Blues and it also capped a fitting farewell to Neil McCann who played in his third and final game as a trialist for Dundee.
Dundee started a little slow in the passing department but quickly found their way and piercing runs by Nicky Riley down the right flank in the first half caused Queens trouble but sadly the final ball into the box was lacking.
Queens, who looked tired and sluggish, were the ones to take the lead after a well worked move saw Weatherston slip in ex-Dee Colin McMenamin to tap in from six yards in the 33rd minute. There was no celebration from Coco out of respect for his former employers and former fans.
Second half and Dundee came out of the traps looking for an equaliser. They won an early corner but unfortunately it came to nothing. Riley who was a constant pest throughout tested the Queens keeper Hutton with a stinging shot which he palmed away.
The equalising goal for Dundee came in the 65th minute after a fantastic passing exchange between McCann and Harkins allowed Higgins to be played in and he bent his shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net beating the keeper. Cue pandimonium in the stands and the scarves were being waved like there was no tommorow.
Dundee now had their tails up and were after that sensing blood and they pushed forward and put the Queens defence under tremendous pressure until finally the goal that Dundee craved for came. With 4 minutes left, Stephen O'Donnell let rip with a rasping shot from just outside the penalty area which thundered off the underside of the bar but Craig Forsyth was there to head home the winner. Cue scenes of unbriddled joy from the Dundee fans as Dens Park rocked with joy and delirum.
Queens had one final chance but that was squandered when a header from Weatherston flew past the post and out for a goal kick when it looked easier to score.
Final whistle followed and scenes of celebration and joy were clear to see as both the fans and the Dundee players celebrated together as the record was broken.......20 games and counting now.
Dundee FC 4-4-1-1
Riley, Harkins, O’Donnell, Forsyth
McCann
Higgins
Unused subs: Gibson (gk), Benedictus, Stewart, Rennie, Bartlett
Goals: Higgins 64, Forsyth 86
Bookings: none
Queen of the South FC 3-5-2
Hutton
Lilley, Reid, McGuffie
Weatherson, McKenna, Johnson, McLaren (Carmichael 74), Harris
Holmes, McMenamin
Unused subs: McKenzie (gk), McShane, Orsie, Holt
Goal: McMenamin 33
Boookings: Weatherson (dive), McKenna (blocking free kick)
Attendance: 4,242
Thursday, 10 March 2011
DUNDEE COULD MAKE HISTORY IF DEFEAT IS AVOIDED ON SATURDAY!
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| Dundee take on Queen of the South at Dens this Saturday. |
Tuesday, 8 March 2011
DUNDEE ETCH THEMSELVES INTO HISTORY BOOK AS RECORD IS EQUALED
Cowdenbeath 1-3 Dundee
Dundee continued their fine run of form by beating Cowdenbeath at Central Park by 3 goals to 1 and in the process equaled the clubs' record for the most consecutive games unbeaten, which stands at 19.
Goals from Sean Higgins, Matt Lockwood and Craig Forsyth secured the three points for the Dark Blues on a night where blustery conditions weren't conducive to good passing football.....more to follow.
Dundee continued their fine run of form by beating Cowdenbeath at Central Park by 3 goals to 1 and in the process equaled the clubs' record for the most consecutive games unbeaten, which stands at 19.
Goals from Sean Higgins, Matt Lockwood and Craig Forsyth secured the three points for the Dark Blues on a night where blustery conditions weren't conducive to good passing football.....more to follow.
Saturday, 5 March 2011
DRAW SEES DEES UNBEATEN RUN CONTINUE.
Dundee's unbeaten run extended to 18 games after a battling point at Firhill against Partick Thistle. More to follow......
Friday, 4 March 2011
PARTICK GAME PREVIEW
Dundee head to Firhill on the back of a 17 game unbeaten run, of which they look to further extend at the expense of Partick Thistle. Dundee are without Craig Robertson for the game as he is needed by his parent club Lochee United and Neil McCann looks set to play his last game as a trialist.
Thursday, 3 March 2011
BARRY IS "PHENOMENAL" ONCE AGAIN....
Barry Smith has won the Manager of the Month award for February. This is the third time he has won the manager of the month award since taking charge in October. A big well done to Barry, he certainly deserves it.
BARRY SET TO BECOME DUNDEE MANAGER ON PERMANENT DEAL AFTER ADMINISTRATION
Barry at the launch of the Deefiance scarf....
link: http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/output/2011/03/03/story16491228t0.shtm
photo (c) http://www.thedees.co.uk/
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