
'Next two games could define our season'
Dundee's slide continues. A fourth consecutive league defeat - this time at Ross County - leaves the Dark Blues second bottom of the Premiership.The next two games could define Dundee's season. A trip to Motherwell on Wednesday will determine whether we remain within reach of the mid-table teams or if a daylight gap emerges.Remarkably, Dundee were 10 points ahead of St Johnstone in January. By Saturday, we could replace them in bottom spot.With Motherwell and St Johnstone being the teams directly above and below Dundee it adds heavier emphasis to the matches for a team that will be feeling the pressure.This could very well be the biggest week of Tony Docherty's managerial career to date. Failure to pick up points could throw the manager and club into a very alarming situation.On the other hand, a turnaround now would be perfect timing given the Scottish Cup quarter-final and Dundee derby at Tannadice on the horizon.Football is a funny game - just now feels very doom and gloom but we could quickly be on cloud nine. It is up to to the players to prove they have the character to match their ambitions and rise up from their current wreckage of form.Amid this chaos, I find myself reminiscing about how strong the team looked at the start of the season. I stated that if Dundee sold Luke McCowan for anything less than a club record fee, it would be a disaster. I argued that, to compete for Europe and make cup runs, keeping him was essential and his influence outweighed any short-term financial gain.Was losing a captain in a team short of leaders, a matchwinner in a side lacking a talisman, and the heartbeat of the squad, worth just £1m?Dundee have a history of underselling their best assets. And in every scenario I can think of it never ends with us competing where we want to be.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Record
20 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Emmanuel Gyamfi can handle Aberdeen rough stuff as Venlo insider briefs Jimmy Thelin on powerful speedster
The left-sided player has joined the Dons on a permanent deal from Schalke's famed youth academy Aberdeen newboy Emmanuel Gyamfi won't have to worry about looking out for himself in the Scottish Premiership. That's according to the versatile full back's former manager at VVV-Venlo John Lammers, who reckons the youngster's physical attributes are tailor-made for his new endeavour. Gyamfi, 20, is one of four signings made by Jimmy Thelin so far this summer after arriving from former Bundesliga powerhouses FC Schalke, who are now languishing in Germany's second tier. And while the left-sided player was unable to make a first team appearance for the club after rising through the Gelsenkirchen side's youth ranks, he arrives in the Granite City off the back of a breakthrough loan spell at Venlo in the Netherlands second division. Gyamfi made 31 appearances in total last season, mainly operating as a left-back. Boss Lammers knows that the German starlet has a long way to go to become a complete player but reckons his loan stint in Holland will stand him in good stead when the teams up with the Scottish Cup winners. He told Record Sport: "I saw him play several times and I saw a lot of potential in him. He has a lot of things that he is good at but also a lot of things that he can improve. "For me he was a potential player. He has a lot of speed, a lot of power and a good left foot. Tactically he was not so good but he learned a lot along the way and I think if he learns how to play simpler he will be a better player. "In the beginning he did a lot of things wrong because he's a young player. We talked with him and showed him a lot of videos of his potential. He was still learning at the end of the season so I think he has a lot more potential. 'With the power he has and his crossing technique, there are a lot of strengths in him. "He has that power and speed so I don't think he has to be afraid of that in Scotland. That will be no problem for him." Like any young player, Gyamfi is susceptible to making an error now and again as he tries to find his way in the game. But Lammers reckons that the former Schalke kid - who he sees as more of a left back - has the minerals required to push himself to the limit. "He is a left back. When I talked with him he said 'you know I can be a right winger and left winger'. But at left back or as a wing back in a back five, he can be really good. 'He has the power to go forward and also to get back in the duels. But for me he doesn't have the finesse or fine technique needed to be a winger. "If you give him the time, he will do well. He wants to be better every day so I think he can surprise (next season) if you give him the confidence. He is a someone who needs confidence like a lot of players. "He was an example on the training ground. He worked really hard and was a good guy to work with. He is fun to have around but he knows when to work hard, so you never have to turn him on. He always wanted to train. "You can tell him what he is doing wrong, and he will work on it and grow. He can surprise you." Veteran gaffer Lammers started his coaching career back in 2004 and also believes Gyamfi has the potential to be a big hit with Aberdeen fans, who are gearing up for a group stage campaign in the Europa League or Conference League next season. He stated: "He had a good relationship with the fans in Holland. Supporters like players like him who give everything. Even if he makes a mistake he stands up to it and sprints back. I always tell my young players, you will make mistakes but what matters is what you do afterwards. "Do you give up or do you sprint back? And he (Emmanuel) will sprint because he wants to get the ball back. He will make mistakes but I am sure the people are going to love him."


The Courier
an hour ago
- The Courier
Daniels Balodis gives St Johnstone stay hint as Victor Griffith shines for Panama
Daniels Balodis has given a hint that he intends to stay at St Johnstone for their Championship promotion bid. After being part of the Perth club's relegation from the top-flight, the central defender has enjoyed a successful international break with his country. Balodis started both Latvia's game – a 0-0 friendly draw with Azerbaijan and then a 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw against Albania on Tuesday night. The 27-year-old impressed in both. Asked what the future holds for him, Balodis answered: 'It's early June now. 'I'll return to Scotland at the end of the month, but right now I just want to rest and enjoy a short break. 'It's been a long and challenging season.' Balodis isn't the only Saints player to enjoy a successful time in national colours. Adama Sidibeh scored a double for Gambia, while Victor Griffith played the full 90 minutes in Panama's World Cup qualifier against Nicaragua, winning 3-0. He will now take part in the Concacaf Gold Cup finals. Of the three foreign players who signed for Saints in January, Balodis adapted quickest and best to Scottish football, with Griffith and Jonathan Svedberg hampered by injuries as they sought to hit the ground running. There are high hopes that all three will benefit from having a better grasp of the game here in their second season. The start of the Premier Sports Cup is still a month away but, as of now, Courier Sport understands that none of those three players have given any indication they are seeking to leave Saints.


STV News
2 hours ago
- STV News
Livingston confirm signing of Stevie May on permanent deal
Livingston have signed Stevie May on a permanent deal as David Martindale continues to build his squad for their Premiership return. The 32-year-old spent last season on loan at Almondvale from St Johnstone. He helped the West Lothian club finish second and secure a top-flight return through the play-offs. May made 45 appearances across all competitions for Livingston and scored ten goals in the campaign just passed. The club confirmed on Wednesday that he has returned on a permanent basis after his contract at recently relegated St Johnstone expired. He joins in Graham Carey in making the switch from Perth to Livi. In a statement posted on social media, the club said: 'Stevie May joins the Lions permanently after a loan spell last year in the Championship. 'The forward is the third player to sign up as he makes the move from St Johnstone. 'Welcome back, Mayzo.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country