Why Dundee FC ‘stabilisers’ are key to lifting youthful side facing experience problem.

The Dark Blues lost a number of key players over the summer. This season, Dundee is facing a significant challenge in terms of Premiership experience.

The summer exodus has resulted in a squad with 807 less Premiership appearances overall and 1,608 fewer games in Scottish football when compared to last season’s squad. Joe Shaughnessy, captain, and Trevor Carson, vice captain, are both gone.

Jordan McGhee has left the club, as has Scott Fraser, while younger but still experienced players Lyall Cameron, Josh Mulligan, and Scott Tiffoney have all left.

They still have Simon Murray and Clark Robertson, while seasoned campaigners Paul Digby and Drey Wright have joined. Yan Dhanda has made over 100 Premiership appearances.

‘Stabilisers’

Dundee head coach Steven Pressley regards these players as “stabilisers” in his squad and will rely on their experience as the Dark Blues look to recover from their weekend defeat at Aberdeen.

Pressley stated, “If I had taken my job in Coventry, for example, and then lost it, we would have been too young.” “We were very reliant on young players.

We started too young, too early, and it was a learning experience for me. “You need to find that balance. “I enjoy the energy and enthusiasm of youthful players, but I also value the contributions of Clark Robertson, Simon Murray, Digby, and Dhanda.

“They’re critical, and I believe the challenge is always to strike the right balance. “We’re one of the Premiership’s youngest sides right now, but it’s about striking that balance.

“Young players can come in, and a young team can perform well for a period of time, but generally you need those stabilisers.

“You need those players that are going to help them through the difficult times, and that’s why I think it’s really important that we have a core of really good professionals.”

Digby return

A big issue, though, has been ensuring these older heads are on the pitch.

Skipper Murray has missed three league games, Digby has been out for over a month with a calf complaint and Dhanda has sat out three matches due to suspension.

Wright has come in and out of the team while Robertson has been ever-present in the league so far.

Pressley, though, says the return of Digby is key for the Dee after he made a substitute appearance late on at Aberdeen. He’s also expected to feature in Wednesday’s testimonial at Montrose.

“Just having his influence in the dressing room is a big thing for us,” Pressley said.

“On the training ground, the encouragement and the drive that he’s got, and supporting some of our younger players, it’s priceless.

“That sort of influence is missed.

“That was one of the reasons we brought him here.

“I think you need them. I think every manager needs these stabilisers and these drivers of standards.

“I’ve got to say I’m fortunate in the respect that the senior players that we have.

“It’s not always the case you can talk about senior players.

“Our senior players are really good professionals, and I really mean that.

“So I’ve been lucky in that respect to inherit ones like them.”

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