The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Dynamic duo have been sorely missed
Paul Hartley has admitted Dundee are missing Greg Stewart and Kane Hemmings and have been unable to replace the dynamic duo, writes Ian Roache.
Striker Hemmings left the Dark Blues in late July for Oxford United, then playmaker Stewart departed for Birmingham City around a fortnight later.
That pulled the rug from under the manager’s feet just as the new campaign was starting.
Hartley said at the time of the double departure that there was nothing he could have done to stop the pair going.
He also predicted that he would find it nearly impossible to replace like with like.
That is how it has turned out so far but Hartley is confident that, given more time, new players like Faissal El Bakhtaoui will flourish.
Asked how much Dundee were missing Stewart and Hemmings, the manager said: “They were a big part of our team, players who could score goals and create chances for others.
“It wasn’t planned to let them go and the two of them were in my plans for the season.
“Even when we were playing in the Betfred Cup they were still part of my plans.
“We then lost them both and that meant we were losing 40 goals plus all the assists.
“The thing about those two was that you knew they could nick you a goal when you needed one.
“If you were struggling you knew they would do something at the other end of the pitch. “We haven’t really replaced them. “They were a big part of our team but we have just had to get on with it.
“It is especially difficult to replace players at the top end of the pitch.
“We always knew it would be difficult. I mean, where do you find them?
“There is not a lot out there and every team wants good strikers, and they cost a lot of money.
“So we have lost a couple of good players but it is up to the other guys to chip in and help.
“We have not quite found that combination up front yet.
“We have tried a couple of things but have not found the right balance in terms of who can play where.”
Hartley is confident, however, that things will improve when the squad really beds in, with El Bakhtaoui one to watch in particular.
The Dens boss added: “A lot of players have come in and a lot of players have gone out.
“Other sides have had settled teams but – maybe this is the way I work as a manager – we have always tried to make the squad stronger every year by making changes.
“For example, El Bakhtaoui has come in and I would say he is looking better and better.
“He scored 30 goals in League One but he is not, realistically, going to get 30 goals in the Premier.
“So the challenge for him is to keep improving and he has shown he can handle it at this level.
“He won’t get as many goals as he did last season but if he can chip in with maybe 10 or 12 then that will be a good return.
“Also, I would say he is not a No 9. I see him more as a No 10 in a floating role.
“He and one or two others will take time to settle into the team.”