Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
A fresh team at Dens Park – how have they fared?
THERE’S a fresh look about Dundee these days after manager Jim McIntyre made sweeping changes to his squad over January.
Eleven new players came in – enough to make up a whole new team – as the Dark Blues look for a way out of the relegation mire they’ve found themselves in.
Ten of the 11 have already made their debuts and tonight the Tele will have a look at what they’ve shown and what might be to come.
It’s not all been plain sailing for the Swiss goalie after his mis-cued clearance led to Hamilton’s equaliser at the weekend but he’s been an assured presence overall between the sticks.
On loan from QPR, the 24-year-old is still learning his trade but he’s made some vital stops already and commands his area well. Kicking could do with improving, however.
Another loanee, 23-year-old Horsfield is eager for game time after not featuring much for Scunthorpe this season.
The former Man City kid, who has trained under Pep Guardiola, Manuel Pellegrini and Patrick Vieira, has shown a steady start at right-back both with the ball and defensively.
The Australian international has slotted in no problem at all and immediately strengthened the Dundee backline.
Two strong performances already at centre-back, once he gets more settled there’s more to come.
The former Ross County skipper hasn’t had much luck in his time at Dens, breaking his foot in his first bounce game after signing.
Injuries have been a feature of his career but all reports of his time in the Highlands and down south suggest, when he’s fit, he’s a strong leader at the back.
Not much was known about the big Swede before he signed for the Dark Blues just over a fortnight ago.
We still don’t know too much but he’s shown in his two starts so far that he’s a ball-winner in the middle of the park who keeps possession ticking over.
Parent club Sunderland rate this kid highly and Jim McIntyre admitted he was surprised to be able to get the midfielder in on loan.