Dundee backline performance merited huge fan applause

[News Bot]

There is a lot than can go wrong when you are playing three at the back but, with hard work on the training pitch, this system can definitely work.

During their weekend loss to Celtic, it certainly looked like the Dundee defence had practised long enough to understand the formation and the three centre-back’s deployed seemed as if they recognised each other’s responsibilities.

LEADING ROLE

At the centre of the back line you need someone who has experience and is a good reader of the game.

In Darren O’Dea, Dundee definitely have a player who has these attributes and, when you add in the fact he is an excellent communicator and organiser, then it’s clear to see he is ideal for that position.

That was the case on Saturday when he pushed and pulled players into shape in a strong defensive display by the Dens Park men.

SUPPORTING ACTS

Either side of the organiser you need strong aggressive centre-backs who will go tight and defend the area.

Kevin Gomis comes into this category and, with Kevin Holt being a full-back, he is also used to closely marking players and defending one-on-one situations.

These two can afford to go tight in the knowledge they will always have someone covering in behind them.

The biggest fear for a central defender is being dragged into wider areas and becoming isolated.

Fortunately, both Kevins looked comfortable in the wider areas and never really got caught out against the lively front line of Celtic

Gomis and Holt are also over 6ft tall and should be strong enough to cope with anything thrown at them in the air. Communication is the key to a successful back three.

All the defenders must know when to pass the striker on to the next centre back so that no holes appear that can be exploited.

Dundee have other defenders who can come in like Julen Etxabeguren and Kostadin Gadzhalov, both of whom should be more than capable of playing in this formation.

WAITING IN THE WINGS

Whether you look at it as a back three or, when the wing-backs drop deep, a back five, everyone must know their responsibilities.

Cammy Kerr and Danny Williams both did respectable jobs against the wide players of Celtic.

It isn’t natural for Williams to do so much defending but he did what was asked of him, although he did get beaten by one-twos a couple of times.

Against Celtic, the wing-backs didn’t show a lot of attacking intent but this was largely down to how good the opposition were and Dundee not retaining possession as well as they would have liked.

The wing-back role is affectionately known as the graveyard shift due to the amount of running involved.

What Kerr and Williams proved against the Premiership leaders is that they have energy and enthusiasm in abundance.

Against lesser opposition, these two could provide the ammunition for the strikers in the opposing box.

Kerr started his career as a right-sided midfielder, so knows how to attack. He is skilful and clever enough to beat a man.

Williams came to the club as an attacking left-sided midfielder and has added the defensive side to his game admirably.

Both will have more opportunity to attack in the games coming up and I’m sure, with the solid back line, Dundee will see a threat coming from both.

That being the case, strikers like Faissal El Bakhtaoui and Yordi Teijsse can expect more to feed off than was on offer against Brendan Rodgers’ side. The onus will then be on them to deliver.

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[Attilio]

All good stuff and something that a few have been saying on here for while.   In fact it reads like something Harry could have written.

If recent history tells us anything though, there's a fair to middling chance that we could start with something different against the Jambos.