Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
George Cran
Growing pains for Dark Blues but good things come to those who wait
SITTING in sixth place and seven points adrift of leaders Dundee United and Ayr isn’t where Dundee fans want to see their team. However, to me it’s no surprise. I don’t mean by that they aren’t good enough to mount a promotion challenge or anything like that – I’d say pound for pound the only team in the Championship that boasts more talent is rivals United and that’s purely down to Lawrence Shankland.
What isn’t a surprise is it’s taking a bit of time to come together.
To me, the Dark Blues are going through some growing pains with a brand new squad and a brand new manager.
Only four of Saturday’s 18-man squad were first-team players last season – Jack Hamilton, Cammy Kerr, Paul McGowan and Andrew Nelson.
That’s a massive change in personnel.
One that absolutely had to happen after last season.
The decks had to be cleared and a new ethos brought in.
That’s happened and I have to say every one of the players brought in adds something to the squad.
I’d even say this squad is better than the one that started last season in the Premiership.
What it takes to become a team, though, is time.
George Cran Column
With the way the side across the road have started the season, the pressure is building.
No doubt there is a bit of envy from Dark Blues fans looking at the Tangerines and the way they have begun the campaign.
I would say, though, to any concerned Dundee fan is that United are the perfect example of good things coming to those who wait.
Robbie Neilson arrived last October and made wholesale changes to his squad – just like Dundee this summer.
They did get close to promotion through the play-offs but had their own growing pains along the way, it must be said.
They are playing well now because they are six months further down the road with the core of their squad than their Dens Park neighbours.
With the quality of player brought in by Dee boss James, I do expect it to come good for the Dark Blues.
They will need a little patience from the stands for a while – after what they’ve been through over the past few years, that won’t last long. That six months to gel as a team will have to be shortened, I’d expect.
The good news for Dee fans in the short term, though, is you’re playing my team Queen of the South on Friday – with the way we’ve started, I’ll begin to worry about Dundee if they don’t pick up three points.