Momentum lost with international break says Dundee gaffer

[News Bot]

Dundee manager Paul Hartley would rather be playing this weekend after a good defensive performance last Saturday.

There are no top-flight games due to the international break but Paul feels a run of fixtures would have been good to kick-start their season.

He said: “I’d have preferred to be playing this weekend and build momentum after a good showing on Saturday.

“We worked really hard in the lead up to the game against Celtic, so with no game it will give us time to work on the shape again, as we are going to stick with the back three.”

Saturday also marked the return of Kevin Gomis to the Dundee starting XI after suspension and he put in a Man-of-the-Match performance.

After two games out, a match this Saturday would also have been welcome to maintain the Frenchman’s good form.

The centre-half, who comes with good pedigree having played for Nice in the French top division, played against Celtic as part of a back three and looked as solid and reliable as he had done in a back four.

Paul was also impressed with the 27-year-old, saying: “He was excellent on Saturday, you could see the calmness he brings to the team.

“Kevin is a good player and he comes with a good background, having played in France with Nice.”

Whether it is a back three or four, there seems to be a good relationship between Gomis and the experienced Darren O’Dea — something the manager will be looking to capitalise on.

Meanwhile, the development squad, which contained first-team players David Mitchell, James Vincent, Julen Etxabeguren and Rory Loy, went down 1-0 to Dunfermline Athletic last night.

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