McINTYRE: SHAKE-UPKEY TO SURVIVAL
JIM McINTYRE has continued his Dundee clear-out by telling Lewis Spence, Jean Mendy and Marcus Haber they can go.
The trio join Sofien Moussa, Elton Ngwatala and Karl Madianga who were told earlier this week they’re surplus to requirements.
Former Dunfermline midfielder Spence was only handed an extension to 2020 earlier this year by Neil McCann, who also brought striker Mendy in from Lokeren in the summer on a two-year deal.
Canada frontman Haber spent the first part of the season on loan at Falkirk but has been told there’s no way back at Dens Park.
McIntyre said: “The short-term goal here is to remain in the league and, as I said the other day, you might not get what you’re looking for in January.
“Getting the right type of players for this situation is crucial. If you don’t recruit properly then you’re going to be in bother.
“You don’t get them all right but as a manager you have to get most right.
“If you can get the nucleus right then you can build around that and that’s the key for me.”
McIntyre reckons Tommy Wright’s St Johnstone have the blueprint most top-flight clubs should look to replicate.
The Dens boss will go head to head with the Perth gaffer tomorrow as Dundee bid to jump above St Mirren before the break.
Wright has rebuilt his team again over the summer, bringing in the likes of Tony Watt, Matt Kennedy and Drey Wright.
It has paid off and Saints head to Dens in search of a club record fifth straight away win.
McIntyre said: “Tommy’s recruitment has been very good. They have a good manager who knows what he’s doing.
“St Johnstone are a great example, going back to Derek McInnes’ team with Frazer Wright, Murray Davidson, Dave Mackay, Chris Millar.
“They’ve had continuity and over time Tommy has brought the age of the squad down and changed things. They’re probably a club other similar-sized ones should be looking at.”
Dundee are two points behind St Mirren with Hamilton two further ahead. McIntyre added: “You know that 35-point and upwards mark is what’s needed but right now you just have to claw in the teams above us.
“We want to extend the unbeaten run at home to five games because home form has a big say in how your season pans out.”