Football Season Guide

Dundee were one of the surprise packages of last season as they not only survived in their first season back in the Premiership but positively shone. By finishing sixth in the league, they only narrowly missed out on Europe. Tony Docherty’s side have set themselves a high bar to follow. While repeating those heroics will be difficult, they appear to have signed well. In particular, the addition of Simon Murray is eye-catching in attack. He was prolific with a Ross County side that flirted with relegation, and should he replicate that type of level, Dundee should have the firepower to ensure at least a mid-table finish. There are other areas in which they have sought to upgrade, with Cammy Kerr moved on at right-back and Ethan Ingram arriving from WBA, while in goal Jon McCracken has joined up from Norwich. He will compete with Trevor Carson, a reliable performer. A potential problem position on the left of the defence will be filled by Ziyad Larkeche, on goal from QPR, but it will be hard for the Frenchman to replicate the success that Owen Beck had on loan from Liverpool last term. Dundee, meanwhile, are looking a little light in midfield as things stand. Not only are they short of numbers, they are also short of an experienced head in the middle of the park, with their group of midfielders going into the season aged 22 or younger with only a handful of exceptions. There are not such issues at the back, where there is ample cover, particularly in the middle. Any injury issues in the full-back areas, though, could see players forced out of position, which will cause worries.