Pressley's Dundee defy predictions to sit fourth in Scottish Premiership
Dundee sit fourth after a full round of Scottish Premiership fixtures, with Steven Pressley's tactical flexibility and resilient squad overcoming sales and injuries.
Steven Pressley was widely tipped as the season's first managerial casualty after a rocky start at Dundee, with his interviews and even his matchday attire drawing mockery. Sixteen months after his unveiling, in which he candidly told the media he was not a manager with a history of winning titles, his Dundee side sit fourth in the Scottish Premiership after the first full round of fixtures, three points behind Hearts.
Dens Park has become a stronghold. Rangers were held to a 2-2 draw, while Motherwell, Aberdeen and Kilmarnock have all been beaten in league business, the latter in a dramatic final 10 minutes on Wednesday. Only Hibernian have taken three points from Dundee's ground. Away from home, Pressley's men impressed in a 1-0 defeat at Celtic Park on the opening day and won 2-0 at city rivals Tannadice.
The foundation has been tactical flexibility and a workmanlike approach mirroring their studious manager, with players clear on their roles and asked to run relentlessly. The 3-1 win over Kilmarnock illustrated the point: after Joe Hugill's penalty levelled and momentum shifted, Dundee regrouped. Pressley told BBC Scotland he was most pleased with the resilience and determination after the equaliser, saying it would have been easy to feel sorry for themselves.
Pressley has also weathered significant disruption. Tony Yogane left for Aberdeen, Luke Graham and Billy Koumetio departed from the heart of defence, and Cam Congreve returned to parent club Swansea City. Veteran striker Simon Murray was seriously injured at the start of the campaign, while Joe Westley, Bobby Wales, Finlay Robertson and Jack Moorhouse have also been sidelined. Recruits from the English market have helped, including Bournemouth loanees Matia Akinmombi and Owen Bevan, and Bradley Fink, on loan from Wycombe Wanderers, who has four goals in six matches.
Pressley admitted he did not foresee such a lofty position just over a year into the job. Westley has returned to fitness and the new signings are adapting to the pace of the Scottish top flight. Supporters have embraced a manager attaining cult-hero status, and Pressley himself summed up the turnaround by borrowing his own remark about a 'jobby' team.
Dundee next travel to St Johnstone, then host Hearts with a chance to draw level with the Edinburgh side, before visiting an out-of-form Hibernian at Easter Road.
Image: SNS / BBC Sport
