Latest news with #DarkBlues'
The Courier
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Courier
JIM SPENCE: Does anyone know what Gordon Strachan Dundee 'philosophy' comments mean?
It sounds like big things are expected of Dundee's next manager, but is anyone clear as to what they are? Technical director Gordon Strachan says there'll be a new philosophy at Dens, but what that means is a mystery wrapped in an enigma. Having shipped goals like a sieve last season, does it mean the team will be much less cavalier in attack and much more defensively astute? And if keeping the team in the Premiership, albeit narrowly, wasn't sufficient to save Tony Docherty's job, what targets have been set for his replacement (the Dark Blues' third boss in four years)? If Doc's results fell short of the standard expected, as the club said, just what standards are acceptable? Presumably, the expectations will be clearly outlined to the new manager, and the extent of them may have a bearing on which candidates fancy the job. It's one thing setting ambitious and exacting standards; it's another to provide the resources to allow a manager to meet them.
The Courier
19-05-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
LEE WILKIE: Why Dundee sacking Tony Docherty was no shock
That football is a ruthless business shouldn't shock anybody – including those surprised by Dundee's decision to sack Tony Docherty. The bottom line is simple: this season hasn't been good enough from the Dark Blues' point of view. Yes, Docherty did really well over the last few weeks to rally his players and ultimately lead them away from the play-off spot and to safety from relegation. But in the grand scheme of things, Dundee would have been expecting to have a much better season than that. In fact, they would have been aiming to have a better season than they had last year, when they finished in the top six. The fact that they were just five points shy of a European place would have been at the front of everyone's minds when they were setting new targets for this term. Even without knowing exactly what they were, it feels a pretty safe bet to suggest they got nowhere near them. Were there mitigating factors? Yes. Bad referee calls? Absolutely. Unlucky breaks? No doubt. But after 38 games, the table has Dundee in 10th place, after a fight to cement safety that went all the way to the final day of the season. For a club scarred by a few relegations in recent memory – but also one with big plans for the future that will be aided by a solid period of top flight stability – that's too close for comfort. Now, I think Tony Docherty is a fantastic coach and a top manager. He will have learned a huge amount from his first year as a boss in his own right, when things went well. He'll have then learned even more this time around, when his team's form has been more bitty and challenges have been bigger. But it's a results business – and you only need to suffer a handful of poor ones to find yourself under pressure. Some will say Tony Docherty deserved more time at Dens Park – another summer to recharge and retool for another crack at the top six (and possibly even Europe). But Dundee's owners have shown themselves before to be comfortable with 'shock' managerial changes. Gary Bowyer's removal in May 2023, on the same day he was named Championship Manager of the Year, having led the Dee to the title and promotion, laid down one hell of a marker. Sacking Docherty shows they're still not sentimental. Whoever's next will at least be able to say they knew what they were getting into.
BBC News
11-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Docherty & Astley on Dundee derby
Dundee manager Tony Docherty believes Sunday's derby with United is the perfect fixture to turn around the Dark Blues' fortunes. (Record), externalDefender Ryan Astley says Dundee are determined to prove their doubters wrong against United. (Courier - subscription required), externalDundee United winger Glenn Middleton aims to "put things right" in Sunday's Scottish Premiership meeting with Dundee, who knocked United out of the Scottish Cup earlier this season. (Record), externalLee Wilkie, who featured for both Dundee and United, believes Tangerines supporters would milk every moment of winning the derby, should they secure the three points at the weekend and add to the Dark Blues' woes. (Courier - subscription required), externalRead Tuesday's Scottish gossip
BBC News
11-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Celtic scout Dundee United's Stirton
Celtic have reportedly scouted Dundee United forward Owen Stirton, the 18-year-old forward on loan at Montrose. (National), externalDundee United winger Glenn Middleton aims to "put things right" in Sunday's Scottish Premiership meeting with Dundee, who knocked United out of the Scottish Cup earlier this season. (Record), externalLee Wilkie, who featured for both Dundee and United, believes Tangerines supporters would milk every moment of winning the derby, should they secure the three points at the weekend and add to the Dark Blues' woes. (Courier - subscription required), externalDundee manager Tony Docherty believes the derby is the perfect fixture to turn around the Dark Blues' fortunes. (Record), externalDefender Ryan Astley says Dundee are determined to prove their doubters wrong against United. (Courier - subscription required), externalRead Tuesday's Scottish gossip
BBC News
05-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Can 'harsh words' spark Dundee improvement?
Ryan Astley hopes the "harsh words" exchanged after Dundee's humiliation against Hearts prompts a much-improved performance in tonight's trip to Celtic Dark Blues' four-game unbeaten shuddered to a halt as they were thrashed 6-0 last Saturday, and defender Astley said: "We were in on Sunday, we went over it. There was a few harsh words that were needed."We come in on Monday and it was positive, like move forward. It was a blip and we're looking forward to the next game."Every game, you've got to be on it because anyone can beat anyone, and we need to learn from that and not let that happen again."As a team, we always react well to disappointments. We're ready to go there [Celtic Park] and come away with something."Former Dens defender Cammy Kerr, meanwhile, believes a trip to the champions could be the ideal fixture for Tony Docherty's side after the weekend hammering."There's not too much expected of Dundee in going there, but getting a shock result would be obviously massive for them," Kerr told the BBC's Scottish football podcast."It could be the type of games that gets you back on track. All the limelight is maybe on Celtic, with Jota making his home debut, so everything will be stacked against Dundee, but that's sometimes when you can pick up those results and surprise a few people."
