The Five Men Dundee Need To Play Regularly To Make Them Tick

[JoeCovenant]

Continuity can be as big a factor as any in a winning team.

Punters are big on the argument for change in football — whether it be personnel in a side, a formation or even at managerial level. Fans feel it is the way forward but sometimes a lack of it can have just as big an impact.

Among their many faults this season, the root of Dundee’s problem so far could be down to that very matter — a lack of continuity.

Very rarely has manager Paul Hartley been able to pick the same team week-in, week-out.

Maybe that goes some way to explaining the regular formation changes implemented this season.

Here we take a look at the five key men who Dundee have not been able to select often enough in 2015/16, and what impact that has had on Paul’s side.

Kevin Thomson

Picture by David Young

The skipper was probably worth 10-15 points to Dundee alone last season.

Rarely was he a match-winner at either end of the park but his game management in the middle of the field was second to none.

He’s played just eight of the team’s 14 games this season. And in those eight outings, all of which have been in the Scottish Premiership, Dundee have picked up 12 of their 17 points.

James McPake

With Thomson, Scott Bain and Greg Stewart, he’s a player who Dundee just can’t replace in their starting line-up.

When he’s missing, Dundee lack a commanding presence in the back four.

And although he doesn’t have the armband outright, he leads by example in every match he plays.

Nicky Low

It’s been a mixture of injury and illness that has seen Low’s start to life at Dens Park get off to a hit-and-miss opening.

To be fair to the midfield man, when he’s been on the park he has shone.

The problem has been he’s not been available anywhere near enough.

A stuttering pre-season in which he picked up a foot problem at Raith has curtailed his progress.

And, as a result, despite his impressive form all across the midfield, he’s only started five matches since his arrival from Aberdeen.

Rory Loy

Picture by David Young.

It’s now seven starts and six goals for former Rangers, Carlisle United and Falkirk striker Loy after his penalty in the Highlands at the weekend.

And while the goals-for column has much to do with his attacking endeavours, we can only speculate whether it would be a lot healthier had the 27-year-old been available more often.

The problem with Loy is that medical teams at both Falkirk and Dundee have been unable to get to the bottom of his fitness woes.

And, while he is fit and firing at the moment, the worry is the injury could flair again at any point.

Were that to happen, Dundee would be missing the man who gives their XI a focal point.

Paul McGowan

Picture by David Young

Again McGowan’s lack of availability could lie in the fact his pre-season was stunted somewhat.

Injuries have been an issue this campaign, with a broken foot among other things keeping him out but restrictions from a conviction received last season meant he was unable to complete the summer with the first-team squad. As a result, he made just one appearance in pre-season and started the campaign out of the side, despite being one of the main players last season.

Returned, with the armband, at Caley, and if he’s fit and ready, he gives a tenacity and energy Dundee lack in the middle. Could be a driving force if he’s over fitness worries.

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[Gedee]

"Continuity" ..... from the post above.

Maybe, I should have read the Article above, before adding my response to the previous article, on the clearing injury situation.

If we can get a bit of continuity on the injury front, this could well make a big.diferrence to oor up & doon performances I'm sure

Players having to be changed about because of injuriers, even key players being dropped, could/will, affect the balance of team.

Sometimes even the lesser players may still benefit overall in a team setting, if they are being played as a team each week (imo)

Doesn't mean we should not drop off-form players and replace with potentially a better, more skilled player, more suited to system.

As long as it's no done by a manager in panic-mode !!  On the subject of manager, a chop & change approach, is no aye the answer.

I am neither praising or defending PH at the present time. I do think however he works to a plan, Whether it's the right plan, well.....?

[Blue4evr]

Don't agree with the bit about Loy.

"The problem with Loy is that medical teams at both Falkirk and Dundee have been unable to get to the bottom of his fitness woes."

2013/2014 Loy played 41 games

2015/2015 Loy played 35 games up to him being injured start of March and didn't play another league game.

Don't see any historic injuries with someone who's played 76 league games in the last 2 seasons.

[Attilio]

Don't agree with the bit about Loy.

"The problem with Loy is that medical teams at both Falkirk and Dundee have been unable to get to the bottom of his fitness woes."

2013/2014 Loy played 41 games

2015/2015 Loy played 35 games up to him being injured start of March and didn't play another league game.

Don't see any historic injuries with someone who's played 76 league games in the last 2 seasons.

Yep, apart from that, it's hard not to disagree with the article.  I think we are well covered up front just now if Loy gets injured though.