Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Another defeat leaves Dee at a crucial juncture
IF they weren’t already ringing, the alarm bells surrounding Dundee’s season will be sounding considerably louder after Friday night’s defeat at Dunfermline.
Leading i nto the game, the situation wasn’t great for James McPake’s Dark Blues but now it appears a decidedly bleak outlook as they seem more likely to start slipping down the table than climbing it.
Five points ahead in fourth and facing a team directly below them in the Pars who were on a five-game losing streak, it looked the perfect opportunity to change the story of their campaign for good.
However, a 2-0 defeat at East End Park thanks to goals from Ryan Dow and Kevin Nisbet, means Dundee are only one point ahead of the Fifers in the final Premiership promotion play-off spot.
In fact, after the weekend’s results, Dundee are as close to Alloa i n the Championship relegation play-off spot as they are to Ayr United five points above them in third.
Inconsistency has marred their first term back in the second-tier and, unless there is a remarkable and quick turnaround, their aim of catching Inverness in second spot seems a long way off.
Even at t hi s s t a g e , wit h 15 regular season games left to play, the six-point lead the Caley Jags have over the Dee seems almost insurmountable.
Particularly, given the way they are playing.
Devoid of any confidence, creativity, urgency or basic defensive organisation, it is undeniable Dee boss James is under pressure – from the fans certainly, at least.
Their campaign is at a crucial juncture with the January transfer window coming to a close and the players on the pitch l ooking increasingly lost and without any direction.
Their season could go i nto complete freefall as a confidence crisis takes grip.
The apathy among the support is clear, and understandable, as the owners continue to remain tight-lipped about the football side of the club.