Dundee

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

To coin a well-used football phrase... "it is a results business".

At a time when all sorts of statistics and measurements are used to analyse a team and its progress – or lack of it – the most important stats are found in the wins, draws and losses columns of the league table.

And Dundee head coach Steven Pressley wasn't pulling any punches after watching his side's latest defeat in a 1-0 loss at Motherwell.

"I'll only be given enough time if I get appropriate results," he said.

"I've been in football for 35 years I'm not delusional. We have to win games and if we don't eventually the hammer falls on the manager."

While there is no shame in losing to the high-flying Steelmen, the big picture is gloomy for the Dark Blues.

Pressley's side are on the grimmest of runs – nine defeats in their last 12 games, a run which has seen them muster just seven points from the 36 on offer during that sequence.

They are 10th in the table – above Kilmarnock and Livingston who are enduring similarly miserable campaigns.

With the bottom three in real danger of being completely cut adrift from the teams above them – make no mistake, these are worrying times for Dundee.

Three of their next four games are at home (to Falkirk, Kilmarnock and Hearts) with a trip to play city neighbours Dundee United in among that little lot.

Given everything highlighted above, this feels like being a critical quartet of games for Pressley and his team.

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Dundee could be without both captain Simon Murray and Finlay Robertson for Saturday's visit of Falkirk in the Scottish Premiership.

Murray didn't start in the 1-0 defeat to Motherwell at the weekend but was substituted on in the second half while Robertson, who was given the armband, had to be replaced at the break.

Now, Steven Pressley could be without both players for Saturday's must-win game against Falkirk.

"The unfortunate thing for Simon is he has got a little bit of an injury from Saturday's performance," the Dundee manager said.

"When he came on he clashed with the goalkeeper and sustained an injury to his knee.

"Now we hope that he will recover by the weekend but there is still doubt about that. He hasn't trained this week.

"But I know Simon and I spoke to him on Monday at length. And he is a very resilient character. You only have to look at his career to know that.

"He will have a real determination and drive to get himself back in the team and amongst the goals again."

"When you consider Fin injured himself in the first half, in our last six games we have had five enforced changes within the first half, which is not perfect. He is also a major doubt for the weekend

"But coming back into the equation is Ryan Astley, who got the all clear to train earlier. Ethan Hamilton will return to training. His partner gave birth and he missed a few days because of some private issues."

Daldeep Kaur
BBC Sport Scotland

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Dundee manager Steven Pressley has been speaking to the media as his side prepare for the visit of Falkirk on Saturday.

Here are the key lines from his press conference:

• Pressley wants his side to be "braver" following their 1-0 loss to Motherwell.

• He adds that they did "some really good things" despite the defeat but is urging his side to be more "consistent."

• Insists Simon Murray is "a very resilient character" and adds that even though the striker picked up an injury against Livingston he's hopeful he will return but says he's "still a real doubt."

• The manager adds that Murray's "determination and drive" will see him back in the squad soon.

• Finlay Robertson is also "a major doubt" after being substituted at half-time against Motherwell but Ryan Astley and Ethan Hamilton are back in training.

• Pressley says Falkirk's visit to Dens Park is a "pivotal game" and he hopes that his side can pick up points to "start moving in the right direction and start alleviating the pressure of relegation."

• He adds: "We need to show the correct mindset, the correct resilience, the courage, and if we can do that, then there's no reason we can't win the game. Stability and continuity are key to success."

• Pressley is impressed with the job that John McGlynn has done with the Bairns and says "they've grown and really understand what they are."

• Pressley says he understands the "importance" of the festive fixtures and doesn't "pretend" that he knows Dundee need to pick up points.

• The Dundee boss is confident they can start getting results and says he doesn't "sense any negativity within the group."

Sportscene pundit Neil McCann analyses the goal that condemned struggling Dundee to defeat at Motherwell and the challenge Steven Pressley faces in the January transfer window.

Watch highlights as Motherwell win 1-0 against Dundee in the Scottish Premiership.

We asked for your views on Dundee's 1-0 defeat against Motherwell.

Here's what some of you said:

Martin: Steven Pressley needs to go now. Another ultra-negative, zero-ambition performance. Motherwell deserved to win. It was like watching a training session with defenders vs attacker.

Albert: Another frustrating afternoon for us Dundee fans. The problem is ultimately down to the ownership rather than the manager.

Scott: Please, enough is enough – Pressley has to go. I'm sure he's a decent man but unfortunately he is woefully inadequate as a manager; both tactically and motivationally. His record pre-Dens showed that.

I've seen many poor Dundee teams over the years but this is taking the cake. He cannot be allowed to oversee another transfer window in January. Get someone else in with some fresh ideas and perhaps, who knows, someone who, on the touchline, actually looks like he wants to motivate the team. Or indeed cares!

George: The funny thing is that you need to score goals to win games. Five shots in 90 minutes is useless. Motherwell had 16 shots.

Bye, bye, Pressley. Can we have a manager who knows how to get a team playing, taking shots, and is organised? All this talk about lots of effort is wonderful, but it does not get us any points.

Motherwell moved up to third in the Scottish Premiership after Callum Slattery's late goal edged them to victory against a struggling Dundee.

Read the full match report here.

Have your say on the game via this link.

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Dundee head coach Steven Pressley: "I think over the course of the 90 minutes Motherwell deserved to win the game but from our own team's performance we started really aggressively.

"We had a lot of the ball which was encouraging but we didn't manage to get control in last 20 minutes. In terms of the group it was an incredible effort. They worked so hard in terms of their recovery and pressure, they were terrific in that regard we just need to be more confident on the ball. The winning of games and getting results gives you confidence.

"It's about working hard on the training ground and continuing to work towards good habits, giving players the belief to take the ball. Winning games of football is the best habit and the best way to get confidence into the team. We've now got a couple of home games coming up, Falkirk and Kilmarnock, two very important games and these are the sort of games that if you can win you can get that confidence.

"I think we need a number of windows before we manage to mould and shape this squad. We've also got players that probably need to go out and play some games so I think there will be a number of ins but also a number of outs.

"I'll only be given enough time if I get appropriate results, I've been in football for 35 years I'm not delusional. We have to win games and if we don't eventually the hammer falls on the manager. But if we want to get the squad to the level that we believe is suitable for Dundee then we need a number of windows."

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Motherwell defender Stephen Welsh has recovered from a facial knock. Andy Halliday is working towards fitness while Aston Oxborough is close to returning to training after a broken bone in his hand.

Well remain without long-term absentees Filip Stuparevic (knee), Sam Nicholson (knee), Zach Robinson (Achilles), Jordan McGhee and Eseosa Sule (both thigh).

Dundee defender Ryan Astley (concussion) joins Clark Robertson (thigh) and Joe Westley (ankle) on the sidelines.

Cam Congreve, Tony Yogane and Yan Dhanda have all been hindered by injuries this week but manager Steven Pressley is hopeful they will be available.

Caleb Akpo-Young
BBC Sport Scotland

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Drey Wright says Dundee must not "fear" in-form Motherwell as they target a first away win of the season.

Steven Pressley's side sit 10th in the table, four points above Livingston at the bottom, and are winless in their past three while taking just three points from a possible 27 on the road.

Hosts Motherwell are flying high in fourth and unbeaten in their past nine league games under Jens Berthel Askou.

These sides last met in September, drawing 1-1 at Dens Park, and despite the fine form Askou's side are enjoying, Wright is confident Dundee can cause Motherwell issues.

The 30-year-old winger, who joined from St Johnstone in the summer, said: "It's one we'll be looking to win because that's what we need at this moment in time.

"I think we are playing well enough to win games. Motherwell will pose challenges as they've shown over the course of the season.

"I'm sure it will be another challenging game because I've seen a bit of them and they're a team really well coached.

"Every other game is just another opportunity, we know what we'll be going there to do, we've worked on that in training over the past couple of days.

"We strongly believe we can cause them problems, as we know they will do to us.

"It's a game to look forward to because they're a real footballing side. You see the possession stats they have, we faced that once before this season, the first half was some of the best football I've played against up here and that was obviously them in their early stages, so they'll be more cohesive as the season goes on.

"But it's not one to fear at all and hopefully we go there and enjoy ourselves and come out with a positive result."

Cesar Garza has joined Mexican side Pumas on a year-long loan from Monterrey after the 20-year-old midfielder's spell at Dundee was cut short. (The Courier), external

Steven Pressley says Brendan Rodgers told him a few things about his frustrations and concerns at Celtic and the Dundee head coach was therefore not surprised the Northern Irishman left the Scottish champions' manager post just days later. (Scottish Sun), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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• Motherwell have only lost one of their past nine Scottish Premiership home games against Dundee (W5 D3), a 1-0 defeat in October 2024.

• Both sides have scored in eight of the past nine league meetings between Motherwell and Dundee, the exception being that 1-0 Dark Blues win in October last year.

• Motherwell have kept a clean sheet in five successive league games; the last side to keep a clean sheet in 6+ Premiership matches in a row was Celtic in December 2024 (six), while the last non-Old Firm club to do so was St Johnstone in November 2018.

• Dundee have earned fewer away points (three) this season than any other top-flight side, winning none of their nine league games on the road (D3 L6).

• The two players who have been directly involved in the highest proportion of their side's goals in the Premiership this season are Dundee's Cameron Congreve with 47% (7/15) and Motherwell's Tawanda Maswanhise with 36% (9/25). Congreve has one goal and six assists in the league, while Maswanhise has eight goals and one assist.

Dundee have a January budget to bring in several signings even before players leave the Scottish Premiership club. (The Courier), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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Simon Murray is "searching for confidence" as he chases a first league goal in three months when Dundee travel to Motherwell on Saturday.

The Dundee captain has only netted once in the league - in the 3-2 victory over Livingston in September - this season, with his two other goals coming in a League Cup group-stage win over Montrose.

But with just one win in eight games, the Dens Park could do with the striker finding the form that yielded 22 goals last term. And head coach Steven Pressley is confident the 33-year-old will do so.

"Sometimes with strikers it's a little bit like buses, you score the first and then so many come along," Pressley said.

"I think Simon will be a little bit like that. He's searching for confidence, that's natural, he's a goalscorer and most goalscorers' confidence is bred by goals.

"He just needs to keep working hard, something he is really doing at this moment in time and I'm pretty certain it'll turn for him."

Dundee travel to high-flying Motherwell hoping to end the Fir Park club's nine-game unbeaten Premiership run.

"Motherwell have been excellent this season," Pressley added.

"They're a really progressive team, good in possession, dominated the ball a lot in most games so it's a real challenge for us but one we have to embrace and one we have to look forward to."

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Dundee head coach Steven Pressley has been speaking to the media as his side prepare for Saturday's trip to Motherwell.

Here are the key lines from his press conference:

• Pressley was "really disappointed" to only draw after being 2-0 up at Livingston and says the "very difficult conditions" played a part in the result.

• The Dundee boss felt his players "got nervous" after Livingston pulled a goal back but believes "going through troubled games and difficult performances" is "part of the growth as a team".

• The 52-year-old has been reminding his players "we want to win but we didn't lose the game".

• Motherwell "have been excellent this season" so "it's a real challenge" for Pressley's side but one they "have to embrace".

• The 2-2 draw with Livi marks a "step forward" because it was the first time Dundee have scored two on the road this season.

• Pressley adds: "There's still a lot of work ahead, we still have to bring in real competition in certain areas but I do think there's some improvement in the players."

• Pressley wants Dundee to "be aggressive and confident" at Fir Park on Saturday but admits "our away form suggests that's unlikely".

• He says January is a "notoriously difficult time" to do business and feels they'll "have to be creative" in the market.

• The Dundee boss has some players in his squad he feels "need to go out and try to find their way and play more games".

• Simon Murray is "searching for confidence" but is working hard and Pressley is "pretty certain it will turn" for the striker, who has scored just one league goal this season.

• Pressley is urging fans to "keep the faith and keep following us" and feels it won't be long before his side "turn a corner".

• Team news: Clark Robertson and Joe Westley are out. Ryan Astley can't play after his concussion while Cameron Congreve, Tony Yogane and Yan Dhanda are all nursing injuries but Pressley is hopeful they'll be fine for the weekend.

Dundee manager Steven Pressley believes Motherwell as well as Hearts are the Scottish Premiership's shining lights this term. (Record), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

Ethan Hampton
Fan writer

After 18 minutes on Saturday we were 2-0 up. We had Livingston exactly where we wanted them.

Instead of looking to pile on the misery and kill the game off, Dundee sat off and allowed the hosts to grow back into the game.

We lacked maturity defensively. Both goals we conceded were easily avoidable, similar to our defeat to Aberdeen. This habit is costing us points, and frustrations are magnified given we were on the cusp of a very good result.

This had shades of Falkirk away all over again - another gaping opportunity missed - and I'm dreading it comes back to bite us given how tight the league is.

That's now three games this season we've capitulated from winning positions, throwing away seven points in total. If those points were in our tally just now, we'd be seventh, just four points off the top six.

The silver lining is Yan Dhanda and Cameron Congreve got on the scoresheet, demonstrating we are capable of scoring from other areas of the park.

As I said last week, unlocking that dimension to our game is huge. But with that step forward, we've taken two back by failing to commit to basic defending.

Motherwell next. We simply need to improve our defensive standards - or this match is over before it begins.

I back Billy Koumetio to be a better player on the back of his mistakes. This is his time to make amends and step up, back at the scene where he had his best display for Dundee, last season at Fir Park.

With Ryan Astley and Clark Robertson out, this is his chance to solidify his place in the team.

Defender Ryan Astley's head knock is likely to keep him out of Dundee's trip to Motherwell on Saturday. (Courier - subscription required), external

Read Monday's Scottish gossip

We asked for your thoughts after Dundee gave up a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at Livingston.

Here's a taste of what you had to say:

Ross: Another week, another moan about ineptness. Ross County had the neck to sack Tony Docherty, it's about time Dundee did the same with Steven Pressley.

Iain G: We seem to stop playing and retreat when we suffer a setback, or even when we go into the lead. That must be tactical and plays to our weakness, which is goalkeeping and defending. It'd be far better to play to our strength, which used to be when attacking. We still look threatening when Tony Yogane or Cameron Congreve push up the wings but they rarely get the chance and when they do there's nobody in the centre!

Ewan: The wind played a massive part in both halves but that's no excuse for Dundee's defending or the error from Jon McCracken for the second. Pressley's game management and substitutions also rather questionable. Big opportunity to put some daylight between us and the bottom two missed.

Brian: Reasonable start to game then invited Livingston on to us. Manager says McCracken apologised to team, he must do that every week. Yes he had a few good saves however the errors are always there. The manager hasn't got a clue tactically.

Iain S: Rinse and repeat, every week. Pressley makes such bizarre decisions. At 2-0 up he removed our only three goal threats (Congreve, Yan Dhanda, Simon Murray), and we go on to concede two late goals. We had 35% possession again, this time against a poor side at the foot of the table. Taxi for Pressley, I'll pay the fare.

Lammy: On reflection, at least we didn't get beaten. Questions have to be asked as to why the wheels came off after we went 2-0up. The next few weeks will make or break our season, we will either be comfortably mid table or fighting for survival. Do we have the fight and desire to survive this season? That is the VERY big question.

Watch all the highlights as Livingston came from behind to draw 2-2 with Dundee in the Scottish Premiership.

Available to UK users only

Bottom-side Livingston roared back from two goals down to save a precious Scottish Premiership point against struggling Dundee in a momentum-swinging match.

Have your say on Dundee's display.

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Dundee manager Steven Pressley: "It was the proverbial game of two halves. We came out of the blocks very aggressively.

"We won a lot of second balls and used it well. Our two wide players caused them a lot of problems. We find ourselves 2-0 up and in a good position and playing with a great deal of confidence.

"At half-time we spoke about the importance of getting pressure to the ball because of the really difficult conditions. The wind was behind them in the second half and we went 4-4-2 at the start of the second half. We didn't manage to get the pressure we hoped and lost two really disappointing goals.

"When you come to a place like this in these conditions, you can't give away goals like we did. When we lost the first goal we were nervous, it's natural because of our league position, and we didn't manage to get to grips with the second half.

"Credit to Livingston, they put us under pressure but we have to be better for the goals.

"[Goalkeeper] Jon [McCracken] after the game said sorry in the dressing room.

"But he's made a lot of good saves as well and he's been excellent this season.

"He's growing as a goalkeeper and in the growth of a goalkeeper you always have setbacks and it's a minor setback for Jon."

Dundee's Ethan Hamilton vows to put right the mistakes made against Aberdeen when the Dark Blues face Livingston on Saturday. (Courier - subscription required), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip