WELL VANQUISH BRAVE DUNDEE

Dundee 1-2 Motherwell.

Dundee scored their first goal at home this season in the SPL courtesy of a 6th minute headed goal from Colin Nish but it wasn't enough to stop the Dees slump to defeat, despite a brave and spirited fight against the Steelmen.

EX-DEE CORNER: JULIAN SPERONI

Julian in his days as Dundee number 1.

A firm fans favourite, Julian Speroni must surely go down as one of Dundee's greatest keepers. The Argentinian joined the Dark Blues from Platense in Argentina in June 2001. He was signed by Ivano Bonetti and was fielded into a Dundee side with an international flavour.
Speroni made 92 appearances for the Dens Park club and became very popular amongst the fans for his charisma and sometimes sheer audacity by trying to beat outfield players with his skills. The highlight for the Argentinian at Dundee was the 2003 Scottish Cup Final but unfortunately he was beaten by a Lorenzo Amoruso header which clinched the cup for Rangers. He was at Dundee in 2003 when they went into administration for the first time and survived the cull. Under the stewardship of Jim Duffy, who replaced the sacked Bonetti in 2002/3, he excelled for the Dark Blues and in the summer of 2004, Dundee were enticed by a £500k offer from English side Crystal Palace to take him to Selhurst Park. He remains to this day a Crystal Palace player and he has made over 240 appearances for the Championship club. We all have very fond memories of the days he graced the turf at Dens and maybe just maybe, it would be great to see him back in the colours of Dundee FC once again.


photo (c) www.bbc.co.uk

Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League Match

DUNDEE V MOTHERWELL
Dens Park Stadium, 

Saturday 15th September 2012
3pm kickoff


After a fantastic win away to Hearts a fortnight ago, Dundee are back in league business this weekend as they entertain Motherwell at Dens Park.
Dundee could field new boys Brian Easton and Mark Kerr as the injury crisis at Dens doesn't seem to be easing. Nicky Riley, Stephen O'Donnell, Carl Finnigan, Kevin McBride, Mark Stewart and Jamie McCluskey are all out for the Dark Blues.

Motherwell are boosted by the return of Stevie Hammell and Simon Ramsden from injuries whilst Shaun Hutchinson returns from suspension. Steven Saunders is the only player out for the "Steel Men"


Speaking to the BBC, both managers were looking forward to the return of the SPL this weekend.

Barry Smith:

"It's always nice to get your first league win of the season and now we have to look to try and build on that.

"The boys have been in good form in training all week and that tells you the difference a victory can make.

"It's still early days but we have to take encouragement from how we played at Hearts and try to do the same thing against Motherwell.

"We showed great concentration, effort and application at Tynecastle which we'll need to do again for this game.

"Not many people outwith ourselves expected us to get a win at Hearts and it will probably be the same against Motherwell.

"But we have to believe in ourselves and try to take the game to them as much as possible."

Stuart McCall.

"They [Dundee] are off the back of a terrific result at Tynecastle so they'll be buoyed.

"In between, the international break, they've brought a couple of experienced players in.

"They'll be looking for their first home victory.

"We've trained with a full compliment of players, other than Saunders. They've had a good break, a lot of the boys. They've looked sharp.

"I've got a lot of selection dilemmas."

Source for quotes: 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19528224

KERR IS A DEE

Mark Kerr had a trial with Hibs earlier this summer (above)

Former Falkirk and Dundee United midfielder, Mark Kerr has joined Dundee on a deal until the end of the season. It was anticipated that the 30 year old was going to join St Johnstone but that failed to materialise and so Barry Smith has taken the chance to sign the former United man.

Speaking to official Dundee website, Barry expressed his delighted in capturing his latest recruit.

"Once again we are delighted to have a player with Mark's experience and ability join us. He has proven himself as a quality footballer at the highest level in the past and we are sure he will do so once more at Dundee FC"

Mark's had spells with Falkirk, Dundee United, Aberdeen, Dunfermline and Greek side, Asteras Tripolis.

Forever Dark Blue would like to welcome Mark to the club.


photo (c) www.bbc.co.uk/sport 

EASTON JOINS THE DARK BLUE REVOLUTION!

Brian Easton has signed for the Dees!

Former Burnley and Hamilton Accies left back, Brian Easton has joined the club on a one year deal. The 24 year old joins the Dark Blues after leaving Turfmoor in the Summer and has decided to come back to Scotland to help Dundee's SPL challenge.

Speaking to Dundee FC online, Barry Smith was delighted to secure his services:
"He's a big lad but he's also a very good footballer, he's comfortable on the ball and he'll be an asset to us."

CEO Scot Gardiner also added his delight on securing Brian.

"I'm very happy we have secured the services of a quality player like Brian who is the 7th player we have signed in the last few weeks since being notified of our inclusion into the SPL. Along with Barry and the Board we are confident that once the injury list clears up and the boys have the time to gel as a team we will be able to push on and make our mark in the SPL this season. I also wouldn't rule out further additions but these will be within our budget as a fan owned Club."

We at Dark Blue Forever would like to welcome Brian to the club.

Source:

photo (c) http://www.burnleyfootballclub.com

CONROY BREAKS 'HEARTS' AS DEES CLAIM FIRST WIN BACK IN SPL

Hearts 0-1 Dundee (Conroy 3, pen)


Courage, bravery and determination were three qualities Dundee possessed last Sunday as they battled their way to an away win over Hearts at Tynecastle. It was a third minute penalty from Conroy that sealed all three points for the Dark Blues and an excellent performance from keeper Rab Douglas also helped the Dees claim all the points and head back to Dens happy after claiming their first win of the SPL season.

HEARTS V DUNDEE PREVIEW

Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League Match 

HEARTS V DUNDEE
Tynecastle Stadium

Sunday 2nd September 2012
3pm kick off



Dundee travel to Tynecastle in search of their first goal and first win of the SPL season. After defeats to Ross County and Queens Park in the last week, Dundee look to try and revive their season with a win at Tynecastle against a Hearts side full of confidence after a decent start to the season and a hearty draw at Anfield against Liverpool in the Europa League during the week.

Dundee's injury worries continue with further additions to the injury list including Stephen O'Donnell, Neil McGregor, Lewis Toshney, along with Kevin McBride, Carl Finnigan, Mark Stewart, Kyle Bennedictus and Nicky Riley.

Hearts have new signing Ryan Stevenson in the squad but have lost David Templeton who elected to join Third Division side, Rangers before the transfer window closed on Friday night.


Speaking to the BBC, Barry Smith was determined that his side will turn around their misfortunes sooner rather than later and spoke of how they were disappointed to lose to lower division opposition in the cup during the week.

"We were all very disappointed with what happened the other night, but it's in the past now as far as we're concerned.

"We just have to move on and try to make amends with the Hearts game being out first chance to bounce back.

"It's been a pretty tough start to the season, which we knew would always be the case, but we'll still go to Tynecastle to try and get a result

"The boys are hurting, so in football you always look to the next game to try and take our your frustration.

"Hearts are next up for us and, although, they're a good side with lots of quality players, we'll be focusing on ourselves and what we hope to do.

Quotes: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19384138

MISERABLE WEEK FOR DEES WITH DEFEATS TO COUNTY AND QUEENS PARK

Dundee suffered a dreadful week in which they suffered a league defeat at home to Ross County, courtesy of a Richard Brittain penalty and then midweek an embarrassing 2-1 defeat to Queens Park in the League Cup at Hampden.