Steven Pressley has urged Dundee fans not to write off their summer signings.

The Dark Blues have struggled in the opening stages of the season, culminating in last weekend’s 4-0 thumping at Aberdeen.

Summer recruitment has been in the crosshairs of unhappy supporters after losing the majority of last season’s squad in June.

Replacements like strikers Emile Acquah and Ash Hay are yet to make much of an impact while defender Plamen Galabov has not played in the Premiership yet.

But Pressley insists the club are looking long-term over all their arrivals.

‘We write them off’

“There are several really talented clubs in the league this season. “There are some really good players in the league,” the Dundee manager stated.

“This is a really challenging league. “And sometimes when we sign a player, everyone expects them to play and to be prepared. “During my last year at Brentford, the three best-performing players all took approximately a year to a year and a half to find their form.

“But here, we write guys off because they don’t make an immediate effect. “That is not the case, even for Ash Hay. “Ash has played more games than I expected from him right now.

“We wanted to sign him permanently because we didn’t anticipate him playing all the time, but he’s already played a lot of games.

“With some of these athletes, it will require a little time and effort. “But they are getting there.

I am seeing improvements. “That is ultimately our goal, to improve both the team and the individual. “We have a real belief in what we’ve got, but we also know that we need to develop them.”

Improving Acquah

Emile Acquah scored in the League Cup group stage, although he has only had two shots on goal in 155 minutes of game for Dundee.

The Dark Blues have struggled to create opportunities across the board. Pressley admires Acquah, but believes he needs to increase his physicality on the pitch before Dundee supporters can appreciate his true potential.

He said: “It’s been tough for him, but it’s reasonable given that he came here to play. “Like a few other players, he may not have been featured as much as he would like.

“We have worked very hard with him on his physical abilities because we believe he can develop in that area. “But he’s worked incredibly hard, and he’s looking better and better. “He has made an influence on games because we believe he is finally catching up.

We actually do. “It’s an area that we felt he had to improve.” Despite his size, Pressley believes Acquah is not a typical targetman striker. “Aerally, he’s good, but that’s not his only distinguishing feature,” the Dundee manager said.

“Actually, one of his greatest assets is his ability to roll and turn people. “And he has really good feet.” He’s not the typical huge striker.

“I think he’s technically very good.”

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