News: Sky’S The Limit  For Dundee With Paul Hartley At Their Helm

[TheDarkBlues]

The sky’s the limit for Dundee under boss Paul Hartley, according to his former Alloa assistant Paddy Connolly.

The biggest problem Connolly thinks the Dark Blues will face, though, is hanging on to their manager.

Paul himself admitted this week tentative talks have taken place with club officials about extending his stay at Dens Park.

Connolly reckons the club’s top brass are wise in doing so because it’s only a matter of time before the big boys come calling for his gaffer at Recreation Park between 2011 and 2014.

“They will have a job hanging on to him if things continue to go well,” said the former Dundee United striker, who was today celebrating a famous victory for Alloa against Rangers last night in the Petrofac Cup (see story left).

“While Paul is at Dundee, they will always be looking up rather than down. He has done a good job there. They’ve made a good start under him.”

While some have been surprised by the job done by Paul, Connolly expected nothing less. He said: “I’m not surprised at all. From the minute he got the Dundee job, I had a feeling he would do well.

“It just seemed to suit him. Behind the scenes, Paul knows exactly what his strengths and weaknesses are. He’ll know it for every player he has in the squad, too.

“The big positive about his management is that he’ll give the players belief.”

Sitting pretty in the top six is, in most people’s books, a positive start. However, knowing Paul as Connolly does, he knows he won’t be content with what he’s seen so far. He says the former Scotland international is the type to constantly strive for more from his players.

“The one thing about Paul is he will never rest on his laurels,” said Connolly.

“He was never going to be happy with just surviving after promotion. Dundee have started the season very well in terms of results but their performances have caught the eye, too.

“With the likes of Rangers, Hearts and Hibs not in the league, they have the 
perfect opportunity to go out and make their mark.

“Paul is the type of manager who wants to play the right way. It seems like, at Dundee, he’s allowing the players to express themselves.”

The man who replaced ex-Hearts, Aberdeen and Celtic midfielder Paul after two successive promotions at Athletic was Barry Smith. Connolly admits the former Dundee boss and captain had a tough job on his hands when he walked in but has adapted well.

“When Barry came into the job, it wasn’t easy,” said Connolly, who is Barry’s No 2 at the eighth-placed Championship outfit.

“The squad was in a difficult place but he’s managed to keep things moving in the right direction. Barry is well versed at this level and you can tell. He’s been great to work with. We may not have the most points on the board but in a very competitive division we would be delighted to finish where we sit now.”

One of the first signings Barry made was centre-half Kyle Benedictus, who was brought in on loan from Dens, and Connolly hopes the Dark Blues youth product can shine in the second tier.

Connolly said: “He has not had a great run in the team yet — suspension and injury have prevented him. Now he gets his chance to shine. He’s proven in his years at Dundee he’s a very good player and has performed in the top division. We hope he can get a run in the side and prove he can do that here.”

Source: Evening Telegraph

[Misty]

Loving the attention DFC are getting at the moment, even if it is from Connoly.

Makes a change from last season when you were faird of opening any report !

[Boba Fett]

GTF Connolly!! nobody wants your thoughts on the matter. Hope Smithy is running you into the ground with the reserves every day and showing you who's boss. DAB..