Richie

Incredibly, we're currently 4 points off 3rd.

Its quite possibly unprecedented.

Oh well. Here we go

Tremendous so far. Very poor from the linesman flagging so early for the first. I thought that was aginst protocol? Nerves are shot already. Motherwell/St Johnstone double on the coupon as well. Odds were too generous not to.

Fuckin Yaaaaassssss

Yaaasss The Viking

Yeah especially if you get an iconic win, you want to be wearing a traditional strip. If we were to win a cup again, I'd want the historic pictures having us in a amber top with a claret band.

I think given what happened at Rugby Park it could be a tough atmosphere, although if we score early/stop them the crowd could turn. For all the talk of Ferguson's apparent lack of tactical nous, he seemed to have got the place fired up. They may just have too much for us, especially if we see a drop-off in second half,. They ate slso far better technically than Dundee and gaps when pressing could be exploited. We'll see how we get on.

Last night was the most I've enjoyed a game in a while. Anticipation before it and butterflies at points, as opposed to nigh-on apathy. Players seem to enjoy it more. Must be much more fun with a bit of creative freedom and actually being pro-active, rather than being asked to cede possession and sit in. Casey's goal straight from the training geound and had a near identical one not long after. Our play encouraged the fans, which in turn encouraged the players. With such high intensity its inevitable we'll drop off at some points, but I think then its important to be more clinial and make it count when we're on top. If you add first half yeaterday and second half at Tannadice, its decent progress in a week.

Dundee's next 4 games are Utd, Rangers, Hibs and St Johnstone.

Heard today that O'Donnell was also questioning Kettlewell on his tactics.

Was the opposite of Sat, where this time far better first half than second. Understandable though as we definitely ran out of steam and taking rhe Slattery, Miller and Halliday off vastly weakened our Midfield. Still very early days obviously, but you can clearly see what Wimmer is trying to do. What a difference when you're pro-active and looking to win the ball. Though Halliday had one of his better games, Miller was very good, as was Slattery. Andrew did well also, albeit a few stray passes. Would be very interested to see us after a full pre-season.

Phew!

Davor needs shot for not just launching that

Yaaaaasss Casey again

Our subs have killed our midfield

Yasss Casey

Trust the process and the Manager. As Wunderwell says, it looks like hes setting up to keep the ball. Andrews looked decent at precicesly that the first game when he came on and Miller, Slattery and Halliday are comfortable retaining the ball.

I'm relatively optimistic. We weren't that far off on Sat and if we can service Maswanhise properly and get crosses into Armstrong we may do OK.

I think things look a bit brighter as Wimmer seems intent on at least forcing the issue and trying to score. We looked more effective v United in that respect. Tommorrow is a big 3 points though. The league is a bit of a shitshow and anyone from Hibs down could get drawn into things. Dundee seem on a spiral. Hearts for all their plaudits recently are still in the thick of it. Killie are unconvincing. St Mirren, again have had plaudits, but could easily find themselves dropping a few spots. Ross Co on a decent run, but again, unconvincing. We've seen the win streak, lose streak nature of our team in recent seasons... Now would be a good time to go an a winning, or at least not losing streak.

With regards to SOD I've not been shouting about him, but its noticable this season that his decision making has been poor - A confidence thing, I don't know? There have been a catalogue of errors leading to goals. Yesterday he's wrong side of Dalby, he needs to sort that and get closer/disrupt the header (without fouling/jersey pulling etc). He seems more effective when hes either backs to the wall, or if he's being used in a more attacking sense as a WB/RB, although I think the issue he may face now is he's at an age where his legs are going. He's a seasoned Pro and under Clarke's direction played well, so hopefully Wimmer can get him to click.

There's a thread over on P&B discussing similar and unfortunately its endemic in the Scottish game, where -in general- they give the impression of doing the minimum required to get by. Managers that come in to try and raise standards/culture get riduculed. The 'best dressing room bantz ever' seems to take priority over knuckling down and aspiring to continual improvement - Theres obviously a healthy balance that can be struck. As we saw in McGhees first tenure, you are at an immediate advantage in this league if you get fitter and sharper. We like comparing ourselves to the EPL, but its entirely noticeable that down there they are absolute athletes and units. Generalising and simplifying, but it does seem a thing in Scottish football.

SK now doing the interview rounds with Sky Sports. Starting to make a bit of a coño of himself now letting this drag on.

To be fair to Kenny McIntyre, on Sat he said he misjudged the situation at Fir Park and essentially was initially taking things at face value (5th, Cup semi etc) and was unaware of the issues around style of play, 1 shot on goal etc.

One final thing. He notes his family (apparent Rangers fans) were in hospitality at the Aberdeen game. I was hospitality as well and there were cheers going up when Rangers scored (Game was on the TV). I was a bit bemused at the time, but makes more sense now, although could be circumstantial.