retired_eneko5613

15th January 2012

Dear Diary,

We're bang in the middle of another ten day International Football break, so I thought I'd take the opportunity to catch up here. It's been a hectic month again, but you wouldn't really expect anything less would you?

Playing in the Olimpico Stadium was always going to be a different experience, but I hadn't really anticipated just how different. Walking out to the dugout in front of very nearly 80000 fans was a totally surreal experience. We had to get over it, though, and get down to the task at hand. Conceding a penalty 7 minutes in probably wasn't the way to go about winning this particular game. Andy Walker silenced the crowd less than ten minutes later though, and set up an interesting scenario. One more goal and the tie would be ours! We didn't have long to contemplate this, though, as veteran Italian international and Roma captain Francesco Totti made it 2-1 soon after. Their experience and quality saw the rest of the game out, and Dundee's first European adventure as far as I was concerned was over.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">8/12 Roma 2 Dundee 1 (Carbone (7pen), Walker 16, Totti (25)) UEFA Cup 3rd Rnd 2nd Leg</pre>
We got back to Dens Park to a warm reception from our fans, most of whom had been able to watch our Italian performance thanks to Sky's new UEFA Cup interactive coverage. Also waiting for us was Colin Drew, back from Kilmarnock, but realistically only here to wash his clothes and spend the weekend Christmas shopping, before heading off to Alloa for his second loan spell of the season. We give him a lift part of the way, as we're back to league action at Easter Road, where we're back to form in the nick of time. Peter Hegarty's 5th goal of the season is essential to give us a win and defend our 5th place from the Hibbies.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">11/12 Hibs 1 Dundee 2 (Watson 16, Grant (47), Hegarty 62 - 5th of the season) 5th</pre>
One of our scouts notifies us that Middlesbrough have accepted a loan offer for Steven Thomson. Quick as a flash I'm back in there with my own bid. Having enjoyed his time here last season, he joins up without hesitation, and we have him on a 6th month loan. Chris Kerr gets a rest, as Thomson goes straight into the side as Caley Thistle come to town.

Martin Lauchlan hasn't exactly been rattling the goals in since his arrival, but his third of the season is an important one, as once more we turn over my old side in the traditional tight encounter. Three days later we ensure a relaxing Christmas by easing past Ayr with McLean getting back on the scoresheet in style.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">17/12 Dundee 1 ICT 0 (Lauchlan 61) 5th20/12 Ayr 1 Dundee 3 (McLean 9, Bradford (15), McLean 52, Wilson 56) 5th</pre>
We don't recover from the Christmas merriment particularly well, and credit to Arbroath for doing a professional job on us at Gayfield Park. Once more we've proved that getting above 5th is going to be a struggle this season.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">26/12 Arbroath 2 Dundee 0 (Warzycha (25), Hall (55)) 5th</pre>
Because of the Boxing Day game, you don't really get to relax as a football manager until the 27th, but my relaxation is disturbed by a rumour that some English sides are sniffing around Steven Thomson. It turns out to be true, as both Charlton and Blackburn have thrown in bids. I wasn't willing to pay the £1m that the player was valued at last time I enquired, but having the player in Dundee already gave me a slight advantage. One quick phone call to him, and it's clear that the bids aren't anywhere near a million, and that 'Boro are seriously considering them. Another call to the chairman and we have a £250k bid on the table. By New Year's Eve Steven Thomson is a full time Dundee player, agreeing to a 5 year, £525 per week deal.

It's one in and one out again at Dens Park, though. East Stirling obviously watched the comings and goings of Colin Drew quite well, which must have kept at least one of their scouts on his toes, and they are now willing to cough up £50k for the player. It's only fair to let him go after sending him all over the country!

We celebrated a belated New Year with a good, but nervy 1-0 win over Hearts. Typically, the goal came very early on, and the still slightly hungover Scotsmen on both sides gradually faded out of the game.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">3/1 Dundee 1 Hearts 0 (Stevenson 2) 5th</pre>
Stuart Miller had his loan spell at Dumbarton extended for a second month, but we couldn't extend our 2012 winning run to two games. Aberdeen did a job on us, and once again we failed to move above 5th when the opportunity presented itself.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">11/1 Aberdeen 2 Dundee 0 (Skerla (39), Gordon Stewart (66)) 5th</pre>
Still, there are worse positions we could be in, and we're still in both domestic cup competitions.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">SPL.After 24 games1. Celtic 47 +182. ICT 47 +173. Rangers 47 +144. Hearts 43 +165. Dundee 40 +56. Hibs 39 +6Gap of 8 points to rest.</pre>

retired_eneko5613

4th March 2012

Dear Diary,

Cup progress and League stability to report this time. All in all it was a good period for Dundee, but we still lack that vital bit of consistency to progress any higher up the table at the moment.

It wasn't lack of consistency, or even quality, that cost us a point (or more) at Celtic Park though. Shocking refereeing led to a late penalty just after lanky Peter Crouch had brought the league leaders level. We were doing well in the game until McCann was sent off just after the hour mark!
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">21/1 Celtic 2 Dundee 1 (Kelly 52, Crouch (79), Boateg (82pen)) 5th</pre>
What followed thought was pretty stunning. In two home games against bottom club Dunfermline, we scored nine goals, dumping them out of the Scottish Cup and compounding their relegation worries. The goals were well shared around, and certainly did a lot to boost my confidence. Hopefully the whole side will take something away from it! Chris Greenacre proved a pain in the butt, though.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">28/1 Dundee 4 Dunfermline 2 (Walker 16, Gallacher 26, Stevenson 27, Walker 39, Greenacre (43), Dunn (77)) Scottish Cup 4rd Round1/2 Dundee 5 Dunfermline 2 (Gallacher 11, McLean 29, Greenacre (35), Wilson 63pen, Greenacre (69pen), Lauchlan 84, Young 90) 5th</pre>
Martin Lauchlan scored in back to back games to notch his 5th of the season, with Kenny Kelly also reaching that mark as we dispensed with Livingston in slightly less convincing fashion.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">4/2 Dundee 2 Livingston 1 (Lauchlan 8 - 5th of the season, McCracken (25), Kelly 65 - 5th of the season) 4th</pre>
Again that stepped us up to 4th. Could we hold on to it this time? It was in the balance, especially with Ibrox the next destination.

Stuart Miller came home to roost for what I expect to be the last time this season. A better spell away this time, with three in three for the side at the bottom of Third Division.

So. Rangers. A chance to really push forward and possibly get inside the top three. Could we do it? Could we bóllocks. That annoying (and Scottish) striker Kiegan Parker got under my skin again, and single handedly walked his side to victory.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">11/2 Rangers 2 Dundee 0 (Parker (21), (74pen)) 5th</pre>
Still, in some people's eyes we had a more important game coming up anyway. A League Cup Semi Final against Arbroath, with the chance to get to another final. In the end we probably shouldn't have worried, as it was a breeze. Three second half goals did the damage and booked our passage to Hampden.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">15/2 Arbroath 1 Dundee 4 (Hegarty 13, Hall (22), Stevenson 51, Gallacher 53, 84) League Cup Semi Final</pre>
If that was a breeze, Stranraer was a stiff wind. I gave some of the regulars a rest, and let the others fight for a place in the team. The result was near perfection. First goals for Joe Webster and rookie striker Colin Sinclair were probably the highlights, whilst if I had to pick a lowlight it woulld be the way we eased off in the second half. A win is a win in the cup though.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">18/2 Dundee 5 Stranraer 1 (Webster 11 - 1st for club, Walker 21 - 10th of season, Waddell 43 - 5th of season, 45, Andrews (55), Sinclair 74 - 1st of career) Scottish Cup 4th round.</pre>
An excellent win over Aberdeen, and a solid draw against an in form Motherwell side meant that after 30 games we were in, can you guess? 5th place!
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">25/2 Dundee 3 Aberdeen 0 (Stevenson 20, Lauchlan 30, McLean 49) 5th3/3 Motherwell 0 Dundee 0 5th</pre>
Seven points above that all important 7th place, though, with only three games left to the split. Looking like another season with the big boys!
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">SPL. After 30 games:1. ICT 59 +242. Rangers 57 +153. Celtic 55 +244. Hearts 53 +185. Dundee 50 +96. Hibs 47 +67. M'Well 43 +9Gap of 10 points to rest</pre>

retired_eneko5613

10th April 2012

Dear Diary,

We had to wait quite a while to confirm our placve in the Champions group, as this month was dominated by the cups. Motherwell at home in the 5th round of the Scottish cup was a decent draw, given the alternatives, and we had the dream start when Steve McLean scored his tenth of the season in the third minute. From there we probably should have cruised, but Chris Watson decided to make it difficult, getting into an altercation with Gavin McCann for which he was punished with a red card. We held on well, until Martin Wood got the equaliser. The second half, although not exactly a backs to the wall job, certainly required a little more emphasis on defence.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">10/3 Dundee 1 Motherwell 1 (McLean 3 - 10th of season, Wood (42)) Watson sent off in 11th minute. Scottish Cup 5th Round</pre>
With the replay scheduled for four days later, there wasn't really much time to prepare. Proceedings were interupted, though, when completely out of the blue, Neil Alexander received a call up to the Scotland squad. It was made perfectly clear that he would only be there for back up, but for a player just celebrating his 34th birthday, and a career spanning 13 seasons, it's a cause for celebration.

The goals came in the other order at Fir Park, as Motherwell opoend the scoring this time around, and it was left to Kenny Kelly to equalise just after the break. The rest of the second half went by nervously, as did extra time, and so it came down to a penalty shootout. Lauchlan, Agathe and Walker all scored, but our Scotland squad member rose to the occasion with an excellent save from the Motherwell goal scorer Steven McGarry. The next four penalties, Waddell and Wilson for Dundee, were scored meaning Andrew Stevenson only needed to score to see us through. Step up Stephen Bywater to make an important save. So it was down to key striker Martin Wood vs Alexander to take us to sudden death. The 29 year old lost his cool, and blasted it over the bar to see us through to another semi-final!
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">14/3 Motherwell 1 Dundee 1 (McGarry (22), Kelly 46) Dundee win 4-3 on pens. Scottish Cup 5th Round replay</pre>
Follow that! Well, as it would turn out we would have to! Off to Hampden park again for the League Cup final. A quiet first half, a Waddell goal just before the hour mark, and an equaliser for Celtic with twenty minutes to go. Backs to the wall defending, a nervy extra time period and there we were again. Consecutive penalty shootouts. To be honest, getting that far with the tiredness in the players' legs was quite an achievement. Celtic won the tóss this time, and Lucas Neill gave them the advantage with the first kick. Steve McLean made no mistake, hitting the back of the net as he has with regularity whenever he has played for me. But up stepped Neil Alexander again, this time against his old club, to save the kick from young Spaniard Gorka Valbuena. We were on our way now! Wilson scored, again, and everything was looking rosey in the garden. But with no Lauchlan and no Walker on the field, it was down to Kelly to take the fourth. His nerve went, and he blasted over the bar. All of a sudden, it was down to Hegarty to keep us in the shootout. And it was now that Swedish keeper Seb Lindgren decided to pull off the best save of the lot. Hegarty's head dropped - the youngster had been playing well all season and couldn't be faulted for his spot kick. Two cup finals, two defeats.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">18/3 Dundee 1 Celtic 1 (Waddell 58, Johansson (71)) Celtic win 4-3 on pens. League Cup Final</pre>
Disappointment for fans and players alike. I was lucky that they're so well behind me that there was no adverse reaction, meaning the players could concentrate on their game. Gordon Williamson returned from loan having scored 6 in 14 for Clydebank, and goes straight into a leg-weary side to face Hibs. His effect was immediate - regular football having refound his scoring touch. The two goals for us in the first half hour couldn't be matched by Hibs, and we guaranteed our top six position.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">21/3 Dundee 2 Hibs 1 (Williamson 6, Lauchlan 30, Heed (35)) 5th</pre>
After a ten day break to get our breath back, we suffered our worse result against my old side since I came to Dens Park. No excuses, we just weren't in the game on this particular occasion.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">31/3 ICT 2 Dundee 0 (Forssell (53), Malcolm (71)) 5th</pre>
Recent cup experiences pointed towards a tight encounter with Aberdeen in the Semi Final. Strangely, the game was once again played at the poor quality, 15773 capacity Gayfield Park rather than a more suitable location. This was to be no scrappy struggle, though. We pushed through to the final with no worries at all.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">7/4 Aberdeen 0 Dundee 4 (McLean 21, Gallacher 37, Williamson 64, McLean 90) Scottish Cup Semi Final</pre>
About the only down side with playing the semi final is the fact that you have to play your 33rd league game on the following Monday, more often than not. So Ayr came to Dens Park knowing they would face a slightly weaker side. They went back west wondering what on earth had happened. Notable were Ewing Crawford's first two goals of the season, as he tried to prove that he had been neglected so far this season.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">9/4 Dundee 4 Ayr 0 (McLean 11, Crawford 23 - 1st of the season, 30, Waddell 89) 5th</pre>
Realisticly, we're probably too far behind the top four to do any damage. How things would have been different with some or all of those nine points from that disasterous November run!
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">SPL. After 33 Games1. ICT 65 +242. Celtic 62 +303. Hearts 62 +244. Rangers 61 +175. Dundee 56 +126. Hibs 53 +9</pre>

retired_eneko5613

29th May 2012

Dear Diary,

We didn't have to wait long to find out our task in the Championship group. We would start with a home meetup with Hearts, followed by Rangers away. If we didn't get results in those two, we could forget third and it would more likely than not be a game against Hibs at Dens Park for 5th place. Only if we took maximum points in these matches would the final games at Inverness and Celtic be relevant for anything other than pride. Whilst I was contemplating the possibilities and probabilities, Neil Alexander was contemplating another Scotland callup.

Well, it started well enough, as Peter Hegarty put us into the lead against the Jambos in just the second minute. We couldn't get a second, though, despite our midfield domination. Hearts weren't offering any pressure, not even getting a shot on goal in the first half, so you can guess what happened, can't you? That's right, they scored in the second half with their only shot of the game. Not only that, but it was Kenny Miller who scored. Not too much damage done, though, as all three games ended as draws.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">14/4 Dundee 1 Hearts 1 (Hegarty 2, Kenny Miller (77)) 5th</pre>
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">SPL. After 34 Games1. ICT 66 +242. Celtic 63 +303. Hearts 63 +244. Rangers 62 +175. Dundee 57 +126. Hibs 54 +9</pre>
Off to Ibrox, where a Richie Preston goal won the Glaswegians the first half, and a rocking-horse-**** rare volley from Gaughan appeared to have won us the second half and a point. That is until a sickening decision from the referee awarded the home side a penalty with only two minutes to go. Kiegan Parker converted, and our season was over.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">21/4 Rangers 2 Dundee 1 (Preston (15), Gaughan 59, Parker (88pen)) 5th</pre>
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">SPL. After 35 Games1. ICT 67 +242. Rangers 65 +183. Celtic 64 +304. Hearts 64 +245. Dundee 57 +116. Hibs 55 +9</pre>
The only thing left to play for, then, was 5th place. Chance for us to say a thankyou to the supporters? Hibs were in town, and what's more they were down to ten men after just eight minutes. Ideal. McLean and Stevenson peppered Connolly's goal, but couldn't find the breakthrough. On the other hand, Seol and Baha, Hibs' single name strikeforce, couldn't get a sniff of the ball. Until the hour mark, when they won a freekick. Seol beat Alexander to the ball and Hibs had gone ahead. Credit to thenm, as they held out for the last half hour to grab themselves the most outrageous victory ever. Oh, and 5th place as well.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">28/4 Dundee 0 Hibs 1 (Seol (59)) 6th</pre>
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">SPL. After 36 Games1. Celtic 67 +322. Hearts 67 +253. ICT 67 +234. Rangers 65 +165. Hibs 58 +106. Dundee 57 +10</pre>
We got our 5th place back, though, continuing our habit of turning over Caley Thistle on their own patch. Another tight game as well!
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">5/5 ICT 0 Dundee 1 (Lauchlan 61) 5th</pre>
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">SPL. After 37 Games1. Celtic 70 +352. Rangers 68 +193. ICT 67 +224. Hearts 67 +225. Dundee 60 +116. Hibs 58 +7</pre>
So, the Championship went down to the last day of the season, and we would have a fair say in it. Our final game was at Celtic Park, and the Hoops were in prime position. It's quite painful to watch a side lift the trophy after beating you, but we had to do it after losing another even, scrappy game. Celtic's Darren Purse scored the winner from a corner, and neither side really looked like adding to the scoreline. The only saving grace was Hibs' loss, meaning we kept 5th place and a guaranteed UEFA Cup spot.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">12/5 Celtic 1 Dundee 0 (Purse (31)) 5th</pre>
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">SPL. Final Standings1. Celtic 73 +362. Rangers 71 +203. Hearts 70 +234. ICT 67 +215. Dundee 60 +106. Hibs 58 +6</pre>
There was still the Cup final to come...

retired_sroch3032

Excellent story .....i hope more is to come :thup:

retired_eneko5613

Thank's D_S :thup:
---
30th May 2012

Dear Diary,

We packed our bags for Hampden - again - as Andrew Rae unpacked on his return from East Fife. At least we were getting familiar with the dressing rooms at the national stadium! Before the game I was presented with a most unexpected Runner Up award for Manager of the Year, and Steve Thomson picked up his young player of the month trophy for May. Then it was on to the action: A tale of not one, not two, but three penalties in which the star, for all the wrong reasons, is referee Graham Lay.

An early injury to Chris Watson forced a change in our game plan, with Henderson having to move into the midfield position. He would be the first to admit that it isn't his strongest position. The reorganisation from that scenario contributed to us conceding the first goal - the only one not scored from the penalty spot! It came from Peter Marshall, a player I took to Caley Thistle, and who is at last performing to the level I thought him capable of. Shame he had to do it in this game! From there, the game ambled on towards half time, until with five minutes left, Gallacher went down under Robert Malcolm's challenge. The ref gave a penalty, much to the (probably justified) dismay of the Caley players. Steve McLean made no mistake to level the scores.

Not all was rosey in the referee's eyes, though. He thought he'd made a mistake, and it was clear he wanted to make up for it. Two minutes later, at the other end, Forssell tried to round Alexander and the two came together. Just the excuse Mr Lay needed. He pointed at the spot and also showed our keeper the red card. Second substitution, then, and Jamie Campbell's first job is to pick the ball out of the net from Robert Malcolm's spot kick.

We had half time to calm things down, including "heated" protestations both from myself and Sam Allardyce directed at the officals' changing rooms. A slow start to the half, as Caley looked to defend and we tried to break them down. By the hour mark I had to make an attacking change, so on went Kelly, only for Henderson to limp off five minutes later. Down to nine men, then, and there was no way we were going to get anything especially playing against twelve! This viewpoint was emphasised when Mr Lay awarded another penalty for pushing in the area. Malcolm did the job again, and it was all over. Further humiliation was to follow, though, as we were forced to play stoppage time with just eight men, with Martyn Corrigan limping out of play. No further goals, though, as even the opposition must have felt sorry for us.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">26/5 Dundee 1 ICT 3 (Marshall (15), McLean 40pen, Malcolm (42pen), (78pen)) Scottish Cup Final</pre>

A third cup final defeat in as many attempts. Dundee fans would have to wait at least another year to see their players lift a major trophy. Opinion was that they continued to be satisfied with the resurgence of their side, though. For me, however, it was a major disappointment, not least because of who had beaten us. To add insult to that injury, Neil Alexander's ban is later rescinded.

The season came to a close with the awards dinner. Martin Gallacher deservedly picked up player of the year, whilst the representative of the board gave an extensive speech, during which he confirmed our UEFA Cup qualification for the next season, applauded the fans for setting a new record average attendance of 12839, announced a redevelopment programme for the club's training facility. He also made a passing comment which may just be set to make my job more difficulty. The club expects our recent European qualification to be maintained in the coming season.

retired_eneko5613

27th July 2012

Dear Diary,

So to another season. It's safe to say that this summer has been quieter than last, which is a shame really. With over £10m in the bank I was thinking of bringing in one or two quality players both to lift the fans' spirits and to help the squad push that little bit further onwards. In the end, even though we weren't short of agents coming forward and touting their players' services, I just couldn't find anyone who I thought had the right blend of skill, fight and commitment to the cause that I wanted. If you can't find it ready made, you have to make it yourself. So it was to Rangers I turned for the only two signings of the summer.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">In: John Rae M L 19 (Rangers - £275k) 5 years, £750 p/w Tommy Davidson 20 (Rangers - £250k) 5 years, £550 p/w</pre>
Both players have promise. Davidson, in particular, may break into the first team quite early. Now we have to train them in the Dundee way.

As is the case every summer, there are leavers as well as arrivers. Those whom have either decided to move on, or are simply out of contract. Four are going, but I can't really see circumstances where any of them will be missed.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Out: Daniel Alexander (Moroka Swallows (RSA)- £230k rising to £325k) Graeme Campbell (Stenhousemuir - £100k) Kevin Gaughan (Free) Scott Webster (Stevenage - £80k)</pre>
Alexander and Campbell, of course, were my signings. Both have turned a profit, however! Gaughan, at 34, left a perfectly good rolling contract by his own choice. I don't expect he'll find another club to be honest.

Pre season was a quiet affair, in accordance with the rest of the summer. McLean and Stevenson were the first to find their shooting form, as we beat Dumbarton and Dunfermline and drew with Clyde. Davidson confirmed my hopes in that he is indeed a solid centre half already.

And so, once more, to the squad:
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">The Dundee "Lions" Squad 2012/2013Goalkeepers:1. Neil Alexander (34) 3rd season, 86 appearances. (Called up but never capped)13. Jamie Campbell (31) 3rd season, 21 appearancesDefenders:2. Mark Wilson (30) Capped at Under 21 level. 6th season, 194 appearances, 10 goals3. Jim McKenzie (24) 3rd season, 26 appearances4. Stephen McCann (27) 5th season, 133 appearacnes, 8 goals5. Steven Craig (24) 3rd season, 46 appearances15. Chris Kerr (33) 2nd season, 22 appearances20. Tommy Davidson (20) 1st season22. Steven Thomson (21) Capped at Under 21 level. 3rd season, 25 appearances, 2 goals23. Stuart Henderson (21) Capped at Under 21 level. 3rd season, 36 appearances27. Martyn Corrigan (34) 2nd season, 40 appearancesxx. Ian Hutchison (20) 4th seasonxx. Kevin Johnston (16) 2nd seasonMidfielders:6. Chris Watson (30) 3rd season, 69 appearances, 2 goals7. Ewing Crawford (28) 3rd season, 37 appearances, 4 goals8. John Dempster (29) 7th season, 68 appearances, 12 goals11. Martin Lauchlan (31) Capped at B Team level. 2nd season, 48 appearances, 8 goals12. Peter Hegarty (24) Capped at Under 21 level. 7th season, 191 appearances, 24 goals14. Richard Waddell (31) 2nd season, 36 appearances, 8 goals16. Joe Webster (25) Capped at Under 21 level. 2nd season, 25 appearances, 1 goal17. John Rae (19) 1st season19. Alex Rae (21) 4th season, 4 appearances25. Martin Gallacher (26) Capped at Under 21 level. 2nd season, 40 appearances, 9 goalsxx. Sean McAuley (31) 2nd seasonForwards:9. Andy Walker (26) 10th season, 196 appearances, 47 goals10. Gordon Williamson (26) 5th season, 73 appearances, 29 goals18. Andrew Stevenson (26) 3rd season, 94 apperances, 35 goals21. Daniel Ogunmade (27) Capped at Under 21 level. 3rd season, 21 appearances24. Steven McLean (29) 2nd season, 33 appearances, 14 goals26. Colin Sinclair (22) Capped at Under 21 level. 2nd season, 4 appearances, 1 goalxx. Stuart Miller (25) 7th season, 27 appearances, 3 goals</pre>

retired_eneko5613

8th September 2012

Dear Diary,

And we're off to a flyer...

Six games gone, thirteen out of a possible eighteen points on the board. A bit of wheeler-dealing along the way, and things look rosier than ever. It couldn't have started in a better way than a defeat of Caley Thistle at home, with the Dempster clinching the points in the very last minute.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">28/7 Dundee 2 ICT 1 (McLean 64, Rudden (73), Dempster 90) 3rd</pre>
Our good relationship with Fulham continued, as they agreed to let £2m rated 24 year old winger Alex Holmes join on a four month loan. He went straight into the side for our second game at Motherwell, and scored his first goal for the club just before half time as we repeated the 2-1 scoreline.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">4/8 Motherwell 1 Dundee 2 (Wood (14), Holmes 43, Hegarty 46) 1st</pre>
Out on loan to Forfar for the season went Andrew Rae, a decision I was in two minds about as the 21 year old had impressed in pre-season and wasn't far away from breaking into the first team. Hopefully he realises this and will try extra hard to impress at Forfar. I can always call him back, after all.

We dropped our first points of the season at home to Aberdeen when Roy Lynch scored the only goal of the second half to clinch a draw for the side from the Granite City. Holmes was on the score sheet again, showing fantastic form, and Martin Gallacher proved just why Rae hasn't got near the first team yet.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">11/8 Dundee 2 Aberdeen 2 (Burns (26), Holmes 37, Gallacher 45, Lynch (54)) 1st</pre>
Two triallists came to the club in mid August, both midfielders, from diametrically opposite ends of the age scale. Stuart Campbell is 34 and Thomas Nicol 21. A couple of friendlies were hurriedly arranged for blank midweek periods during the month, the first being against Queens Park at Dens Park, which rather boringly ended 0-0.

Our grip on the lead of the division lapsed briefly at Celtic Park, when a James Panayi penalty midway through the second half cost us the game. Steven Craig had committed the foul, but couldn't really blamed for the antics of the diver Andrade.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">18/8 Celtic 1 Dundee 0 (Panayi (58pen)) 3rd</pre>
Third place became 4th by Saturday night, and 5th by Wednesday evening. But there was heartening news, with Thomson and Henderson receiving callups to the Under 21 squad. Also called up, but to less exciting places, were Stuart Miller (departing for Southend for £190k) and Gordon Williamson (off to Clydebank on the maximum allowed fourth month loan). Our second triallists friendly was at least a little more eventful, with East Fife running out 1-0 losers to a goal by Tom Nicol.

Colin Sinclair got his pass out of Dundee, a four month loan spell south of the border at Berwick, as the team returned to winning ways at Arbroath, and we rose back up the table to 3rd.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">25/8 Arbroath 0 Dundee 1 (McLean 28) 3rd</pre>
Both triallists had done enough to earn contracts, Campbell a short term deal to the end of the season at £1100p/w, and Nicol a 4 year deal on £375p/w. Meanwhile, we had a couple of weeks without games. Chance, then, to watch Steve Thomson play a (very) small part in the Under 21's 5-0 hammering of Denmark. The following day, the entire of the Scottish nation bar one gasped in shock as their number one keeper Scott Irvine was stretchered off in the Big Boys match between the two sides. The one person was, of course, Neil Alexander, whose callup papers were faxed to the club half an hour later.

Thomson managed a whole twenty minutes as the babbies scored one goal less to romp past Slovakia, whilst Alexander went a step closer to an international cap with a seat on the bench. The syrup of figs in Hibs' John Cononolly's water bottle didn't seem to have any effect, though, except to cause the Scots to lose 1-0, doing nothing for their pretty minimal qualification chances.

Then it was off to already struggling, and apparently condemned to relegation and financial ruin (if you believe the tabloids) Falkirk, where it took us until the 87th minute, and three substitutions, to make a breakthrough.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">8/9 Falkirk 0 Dundee 1 (Lauchlan 87) 1st</pre>
Took us back top though, so I can't complain really.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">SPL. After 6 Games1. Dundee 13 +32. Celtic 12 +33. M'well 11 +44. Hibs 10 +25. Rangers 10 +26. ICT 8 +37. Hearts 8 +28. Ayr 8 -2</pre>

retired_eneko5613

22nd October 2012

Dear Diary,

One in, one out since I last wrote. A bit of a defensive crisis meant some money needed to be spent. We're still firing on all cylinders as well!

Bosnian outfit Brotnjo Citluk were our first round UEFA Cup opponents, in a game which we did enough without doing really well. It could have been tighter - McLean's early goal appeared to be all we were going to get, but he added a second in the last minute to put daylight between us.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">13/9 Dundee 2 Brotnjo Citluk (Bosnia-Herzegovina) 0 (McLean 11,90) UEFA Cup 1st Round 1st Leg</pre>
Another late, late goal by McLean ensured we took all three points against Hibs, maintaining our stance at the top of the table, just three days later.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">16/9 Dundee 2 Hibs 1 (Gallacher 2, Zonneveld (43), McLean - 5th of season 89) 1st</pre>
Back to back League Cup and league home ties against Livingston were both successful by single goal margins, with Chris Kerr scoring his first goal in six years to clinch us a place in the next round. McLean was on target again early in the league encounter, but a second half equaliser meant that Lauchlan was once again called upon to make the decisive play.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">19/9 Dundee 1 Livingston 0 (Kerr - 1st for club 17) League Cup 3rd Round22/9 Dundee 2 Livingston 1 (McLean 15pen, Danielsson (69), Lauchlan 73) 1st</pre>
Neil Alexander, Steven Thomson and Stuart Henderson received call-up papers from their respective national levels once again, whilst Ian Hutchison was receiving papers of a different variety, mainly his P45 as he moved to Partick Thistle for £40k.

The trek to the small town of Citluk, in the mostly reconstructed Bosnia Herzegovina, was long and tiring. The last thing the lads wanted to do when we got there was play a game of footy. The SFA had decreed, however, that it was safest for us to ship in, play, and ship out, and who were we to argue? Our weariness showed, with out two goal advantage only lasting fourty minutes or so. Fortunately, Andrew Stevenson was sharp enough when he came off the bench to put the winner away inside the last ten minutes
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">27/9 Brotnjo Citluk 2 Dundee 1 (Bajramovic (13), Prusina (42), Stevenson 83) Agg: 2-3. UEFA Cup 1st Round 2nd Leg</pre>
There may only have been 8000 in the stadium, but they made their feelings known as we were hustled away afterwards. The Bosnian streets did not appear to be a friendly place to be at night, and I was glad we decided to come straight home.

A new arrival was waiting for us at Dens Park. Norwich City had agreed to a £95k deal, enabling 25 year old Kevin Gardiner to return to the country of his birth. The loss of Gaughan had left numbers a bit tight, and with the usual fixture pile up, an extra defender could make all the difference, even though he couldn't play in Europe. Gardiner agreed a 5 year deal on £950p/w.

Gardiner didn't make the trip to Ayr, but the famous Dundee partnership of Walker and Stevenson did return, and to some effect. Goals from each in the first half were enough to break the resolve of the Somerset Park side, and keep us at the top of the table as we headed for the international break.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">30/9 Ayr 0 Dundee 2 (Walker 32, Stevenson 45) 1st</pre>
No action for the Under 21s, but Alexander sat on the bench for the two full side matches. He could only look on as France won 2-1 on Saturday, and the identical victory over Cyprus wasn't much to celebrate, even though it pulled Scotland off the bottom of the qualifying group.

There wasn't much to shout about at Dens Park, as league battle resumed. Both sets of fans had to endure a game of dire finishing, with sixteen shots off target between the two sides, and only three on targets. A point was enough to keep Dundee top of the table, though.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">13/10 Dundee 0 Hearts 0 1st</pre>
Big transfer news was that Stilian Petrov completed his tour of Scottish football by re-signing for Celtic for £2.2m. The 33 year old started his career with the Glasgow club, where he won four league titles, before moving to Motherwell for £3.4m in December 2006. He Moved on to Rangers for £7.75m two years later, then to Hibs for £5.75m in the 2011 close season.

Our opponents in the 2nd round of the UEFA cup were Greek giants Panathanaikos. Once again, though, we proved a match for a bigger team, without really dominating. Perhaps most surprising for me was the sight of David McEwan, ex Caley Thistle, lining up in the visitor's goal. He had a lot to do with the fact that we would take just a single goal lead to Athens in November.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">18/10 Dundee 1 Panathanaikos 0 (Watson 44) UEFA Cup 2nd Round 1st Leg</pre>
And back in the league, we gave ourselves a 4 point breathing space at the top, thanks again to a last minute winner at Pittodrie.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">21/10 Aberdeen 1 Dundee 2 (Walker 31, Knox (36), Wilson 89) 1st</pre>
It's a pretty sight, isn't it!
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">SPL. After 12 Games (except where shown)1. Dundee 26 +8 (from 11 games)2. Rangers 22 +8 (from 11 games)3. Hibs 21 +54. Celtic 20 +4 (from 11 games)5. Hearts 19 +7 (from 11 games)6. M'well 18 +27. ICT 17 +7</pre>

retired_eneko5613

2nd December 2012

Dear Diary,

I F**KING HATE NOVEMBER!

Last year, the 11th month of the year cost us our chance at the tope three. This year, well, it's too early to say what the damage might be, but it wasn't nice.

October was there to be finished off first though. Top against sixth was never going to be a problem, and two second half goals killed off the visitors.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">27/10 Dundee 3 Motherwell 1 (Holmes 27, Hinds (33), Crawford 48, McLean 57) 1st</pre>
Stuart Henderson and Steven Thomson were called up once again to train with the Under 21 squad. Both would be on the bench as we continued on our own international adventures, with a trip to Athens to defend our single goal lead.

We shouldn't have worried about only having a slender advantage from the first leg. The Greeks were surprisingly unmotivated, and with goals in each half we made it look all too simple.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">1/11 Panathanaikos 0 Dundee 2 (McLean 39, Crawford 78) Agg: 3-1. UEFA Cup 2nd Round 2nd Leg</pre>
And that's where November really kicked in. Only one point in three games, and that should have been three really. McLean made it to ten for the season, and Andy Walker celebrated his 50th Dundee goal, but there was nothing else to celebrate as our lead gradually evaporated.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">4/11 Hibs 2 Dundee 1 (Waddell 15, Heed (68), Walker (83)) 1st</pre>
10/11 Dundee 1 Celtic 2 (Walker 33 - 50th goal for Dundee, Crouch (54), Boateg (56)) 1st
17/11 ICT 4 Dundee 4 (Gallacher 5, McLean 21, Parker (25), Marshall (29), (50), McLean 80 - 10th of season, Gallacher 82, Rankin (88)) 2nd[/code]
Maybe the UEFA Cup would give us a respite? The Czech Republic was a new country for us, and the provincial town of Olomouc was miles from anywhere I had ever headr of before. Still, we got a good away win in what was probably one of the easiest draws of the round. Should make the return leg fairly straightforward at least. And at least November will be over by then!
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">22/11 SK Sigma Olomouc (CZE) 0 Dundee 2 (Stevenson 66, Gallacher 76 - 5th of season) UEFA Cup 3rd Round</pre>
Back to the league then, and possibly our worst performance of the season so far. A home defeat to bottom of the league side Falkirk was utterly, utterly pathetic to say the least.And it dropped us to 4th
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">25/11 Dundee 0 Falkirk 1 (Bayne (20)) 4th</pre>
The reserves, or at least a team including some of the players who hadn't appeared recently, just about did us proud in the Quarter Final of the league cup, although St. Mirren had to put themselves out of their own misery with an own goal in first half stoppage time. How on earth can we play so badly and still be in all the cup competitions?
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">28/11 Dundee 1 St. Mirren 0 (McDermott 45og) League Cup QF</pre>
So there we were, celebrating the end of the demon month of November, when Alex Holmes came to remind us that, actually, his loan spell is up and he's off back to Fulham. So, no win in 4 in the league, and without one of our best players. How would we fair at Livingston?

A win. Just. Although we did everything possible to make it difficult.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">1/12 Livingston 2 Dundee 3 (Walker 7, McLean 15,32, Cosgrove (81), Christie (88)) 4th</pre>
A lot better than it could have been...
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">SPL. After 18 Games (except where shown)1. Celtic 36 +12 (from 17 games)2. Rangers 34 +10 (from 17 games)3. Hibs 33 +94. Dundee 33 +8 (from 17 games)5. M'well 28 +36. ICT 26 +87. Hearts 25 +6 (from 17 games)</pre>