The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Nelms watching different games to supporters
John Nelms gave a very positive spin on Dundee’s current form and predicament after the sixth league defeat in a row against Hibs. It’s admirable in one respect that he is so committed to supporting his manager.
But he must have been watching different games to the Dundee supporters.
Yes, there have been spells in matches when they have been on top and yes, they probably deserved to pick up points at the start of the season.
But the reality at this moment is that the run of results is disastrous and you can’t see where the next point – let alone the next win – will come from.
Don’t get me wrong, of course Dundee are capable of beating Hamilton in a one-off game.
But even if they get a result on Saturday, that’s just the start.
Livingston were everybody’s tip to go down and it could take Dundee months to claw back the 11-point lead they have on them.
Dundee need three or four good results in quick succession to suggest that Neil McCann has a long-term future.
Where are the goals going to come from to do that and where are the clean sheets going to come from?
The players had plenty to say after the Hibs defeat – Paul McGowan and Ryan Inniss were both pretty blunt with their opinions.
But the Dundee fans have heard and read that sort of thing for too long, without anything really changing.
They’ve talked the talk and now they have to walk the walk – and not just this weekend.
Hamilton aren’t the type of team you would want to be playing in these circumstances.
It’s a tricky surface and if ever a side was built to fight and scrap, it’s Accies.
If I was in charge of Dundee I’d be looking to cut out any over-elaborate football and go straight from back to front.
If ever there was a time to be pragmatic, this is it.
Can I see that happening under Neil, who has stuck to his way of playing through think and thin? I doubt it.
Welcome return
It’s good to see John McGlynn back in football at Raith Rovers.
He’s been over the course and distance before and will enjoy having a few battles with his pal Dick Campbell.
The Arbroath lads have done brilliantly to open up a bit of a gap at the top of the League One table.
Nobody will be getting carried away at Gayfield but the signs are good for us being there or thereabouts over the course of the season.