Latest news with #Shaughnessy
The Courier
a day ago
- Sport
- The Courier
Dundee's biggest transfer needs in summer rebuild
Dundee have a major summer rebuild in front of them. Off the field that has already begun with the new-look structure seeing Steven Pressley take over as head coach. Backroom changes will take place behind the scenes. The rebuild on the field, though, will be front and centre for the club's fans to assess. So what can we expect from Dundee's summer transfer business? Dundee have a small squad as it is with just 12 players signed up for the new season. Talks are under way with Joe Shaughnessy and two other out-of-contract stars. But with any new managerial team arriving there is likely to be movements in both directions. The squad has a lot of central defenders in it right now – five of the 12 signed players play there and Shaughnessy could join them. Pressley was a former centre-back himself and will know exactly what he wants from that part of the pitch. After last season's atrocious defensive record, the club will certainly want improvements in that position. If new players are to come in, current players will need to leave permanently or on loan. The other part of the squad where Dundee are strong is in the goalkeeping department with Trevor Carson, Jon McCracken and Harry Sharp on the books. McCracken will want to be playing next season, however. After the taste of a Scotland call-up last term and national team boss Steve Clarke admitting a lack of goalkeeping options, the door is open for McCracken at international level. It won't stay open if he's on the bench again. If Pressley goes with Carson as his No 1, McCracken may look elsewhere. Dundee had one of the youngest squads in the Premiership last season. Of the seven defenders currently signed, six are 23 or under. Youth is a virtue but experience is crucial in a defence. Last season the absence of that was clear with Shaughnessy out long term and Clark Robertson struggling at times. One of the most experienced and dependable players has also left in Jordan McGhee. Adding more know-how at the back is required. Drey Wright is a player expected to arrive ahead of pre-season and will help to bring some of that to the squad. He's also versatile like McGhee and can play full-back, wing-back and in midfield. Dundee also need to add some muscle. As much as the defence was at fault last term, defensively the midfield was an issue. In some games overpowered, in others there was just too much open space to cover. The latter can be solved through tactics and training, the former needs additions. St Mirren should be an example to follow with Stephen Robinson keeping them in the top six season after season. Their entire team is big but the midfield in particular is strong and athletic. Ex-Dee Mark O'Hara and Killian Phillips are perfect for the Premiership. Dundee haven't had anything like that for years with Mo Sylla the only one bringing a physical edge to the middle of the park over the past two seasons. Josh Mulligan brought running power but he is expected to depart this summer. At one point last term they fielded a midfield three of Lyall Cameron, Fin Robertson and Cesar Garza. All have their qualities but are not physically imposing. Adding some physicality to the middle of the park will be required. Last season's squad was one built to play in a back-three formation, hence the number of centre-back options. When the 3-4-1-2 that Tony Docherty wanted to play failed to yield results, the switch to 4-3-3 eventually saw the team safe. However, the imbalance in the squad was clear with too many defenders and not enough wing options. Being able to switch between systems smoothly is a must going forward. Dundee have a star striker in their squad. But he needs help. Murray is the only frontman currently on the books, he was the only No 9 fit and available for chunks of last season, too. He still has plenty of gas left in the tank but he's also a year older. Dundee need to find a foil for Murray. Whether that is a striker who drops deep or a forward who can play multiple attacking positions. Again, a physical presence would make sense. Curtis Main left in January and was never replaced. The Dee have been linked with interest in Ross County star Ronan Hale which shows the level of player they want to attract. The numbers are clear, though. Cameron, Main, Seun Adewumi and Seb Palmer-Houlden scored 34 goals between them last season. None will be at the club next term – goals are the most important asset to find in this summer's transfer frenzy. Jon McCracken, Trevor Carson, Harry Sharp Ethan Ingram, Clark Robertson, Ryan Astley, Imari Samuels, Billy Koumetio, Luke Graham, Aaron Donnelly. Fin Robertson, Cesar Garza (loan until January), Victor Lopez (loan until January). Simon Murray Joe Shaughnessy, Antonio Portales Josh Mulligan, Scott Fraser, Mo Sylla Scott Tiffoney, Charlie Reilly
The Courier
4 days ago
- Business
- The Courier
EXCLUSIVE: Dundee offer new contract to skipper Joe Shaughnessy
Dundee have offered club captain Joe Shaughnessy a new contract at Dens Park. The 32-year-old's current deal runs out this month. The Irishman played a key role in the Dark Blues securing Premiership survival last season after returning from long-term injury. Shaughnessy missed the majority of the campaign, only returning to league action at the end of February. However, with Dundee's defensive woes putting their top-flight status at risk the return of a leader at the back in the shape of Shaughnessy was a big boost. Now with the management team of head coach Steven Pressley and David Longwell in place work is underway to rebuild the playing squad at Dens Park. A big part of that is ensuring the club captain sticks around and the Dark Blues are hopeful an agreement over an extension to his original two-year deal will be reached in the coming days. Dundee are also in talks with two other out-of-contract stars.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Shaughnessy feeling no extra pressure as relegation battle intensifies
captain Joe Shaughnessy insists there's no extra pressure on the crucial trip to Kilmarnock this weekend as Dundee battle to remain in the top flight. Tony Docherty's side sit just two points clear of Ross County, who occupy the Premiership play-off spot with three games remaining. Despite that, and suffering a controversial defeat to Motherwell last time out, Shaughnessy insists the squad know what's required in the run-in. "We know it's in our hands," Shaughnessy said. "We know we've got to put in the performances now to keep ourselves in the division. "We've got the chance to really go and show that we deserve to be in this league next year. "I don't feel like there's any more pressure now than there has been over the last few months. "We've known we've been in a relegation battle for the last couple of months, really. So it's not like there's any extra pressure. It's just another game that you go and deal with. "You go and deal with this weekend and then you move on to Wednesday and there's no point thinking 'What if I do this wrong? What if I make this mistake, all these bad things are going to happen.' "It's just a game football that you've got to go and deal with and make sure you're on top come the end." Opponents Kilmarnock have found form at a good time, with consecutive wins leaving them with the chance to secure their Premiership place against Dundee. Victory for Dundee would leave them just a point behind Derek McInnes' side. "At this stage of the season, the result is all that matters," added Irish defender Shaughnessy. "Everyone would love to win pretty, but you've just got to win any way you can. You've got to get the results. We're ready to do that. "They [Kilmarnock] put you under pressure and you've got to stand up to that. "If you can't stand up to that, there's no point going to play Kilmarnock away if you're just going to lie down. You've got to fight that."
The Courier
05-05-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
Joe Shaughnessy: Dundee FC need to prove we can stay up
Dundee have no 'divine right' to escape relegation admits skipper Joe Shaughnessy. Motherwell's late winner at Dens Park on Saturday leaves the Dark Blues just two points ahead of Ross County in the relegation play-off place. Their safety from bottom spot is not yet assured either, though it would require St Johnstone winning all three matches and the Dee losing all three of theirs. Three games now to prove Dundee are good enough to remain at Premiership level. 'We just need to knuckle down. We need to work really hard for each other,' skipper Shaughnessy said. 'Like the performance at Tynecastle last week, like the performance against St Mirren a couple of weeks ago. 'We've got to really work hard for each other because there's not much time left to train and do anything new. 'You've been training all season and now you've got three games to go and prove that you deserve to play in this league next year.' Dundee have developed a bad habit of letting leads in games slip from their fingers. That happened again against the Steelmen where Antonio Portales's fine opening goal was overturned by a Tom Sparrow equaliser and stoppage time winner from Tawanda Maswanhise. The final goal coming after Motherwell had been reduced to 10 men. 'We shouldn't have lost the game to 10 men,' Shaughnessy admitted. 'We kind of felt like we pushed on to get the winner which maybe left us a little bit open at the time. 'Looking back it's like, you know, do you hold on for it? Just take the point? 'But when they're down to 10 men and you're at home you really feel like you need to go and get the winner. 'We didn't really create anything of note even when they're down to 10 men. 'It's frustrating I guess when you go from last week defending well and then you lose a game like that. 'That's the frustrating thing, but it's probably been the story of the season. 'We've not seen games out enough. 'That pretty much sums up the season.' It is a big reason why Dundee are still in relegation trouble with three matches of the season remaining. And despite their quality going forward and the amount of goals scored, Shaughnessy admits they are not too good to go down. 'To be honest, the league table is usually exactly as it should be after 38 games,' he added. 'You could keep saying that all year, we shouldn't be here, we shouldn't be here, but we are. 'No one has a divine right to be staying in the league or not to be down in the bottom six. 'We're the squad, we're the players and we're there now. 'So it's not really any use us saying we shouldn't be here. 'I don't think we can say we're too good to be in this position because we're not. 'We are there and it's up to us to pull up our socks and get ourselves out of it. 'Everyone's got to decide. You've just got to put your bodies on the line now. 'It's a week to go, three games. 'There's only so much talking about it you can do. 'It's up to us to stand up and do the job.'
BBC News
01-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Injuries have 'frustrated' Portsmouth's Shaughnessy
Portsmouth defender Conor Shaughnessy has said that injuries this season have "frustrated" him and medical staff. The 28-year-old has suffered two calf injuries and most recently a hamstring setback that have restricted him to just eight appearances this campaign. Last season he was a regular name in the starting line-up, featuring 49 times in Pompey's League One title-winning campaign. "It's been a difficult season and an injury that has frustrated me and all the staff," Shaughnessy told BBC Radio Solent."There's lots of factors that come into it with these injuries happening. It's been a tough season personally because of it, but it's been a great feeling to be back and be a part of the team staying up."We knew how difficult it was going to be coming into the Championship and it took a while to adjust. As a whole I think we have come on a lot since the start of the season." The Blues achieved Championship survival with two games remaining when they beat Watford at Fratton Park. Shaughnessy was on the bench for that game but a player who started in defence and has impressed since his loan signing is Rob Atkinson. The 26-year-old joined from Bristol City until the end of the season and Shaughnessy has enjoyed the few times he has played with the loanee. "He's been fantastic," he said. "I played a few of my games alongside him and I really enjoyed that. He's a very solid and experienced Championship defender."You can see that in every game that he plays - he raises the standard of our performance and I think the loan has worked well for both parties. He's been excellent for himself and the club."I think it would be great if we got him back next year. Everyone feels the same way about him but it will come down to him and Bristol City. I've definitely encouraged him to stay here though - we love him."Portsmouth end their season on Saturday with a home fixture against Hull City (12:30 BST) - who are under threat of relegation on the final day.
