By Matty Blakeman
October 3 2002

Matt asks the question that most Dundee fans would never think to ask, Did Ivano ruin this Dundee team? A question that Ivano fans would definately turn down but did Ivano actually set out to ruin Dundee?

Did Ivano ruin this team?

Yes, it says ruin. It’s not a typo although “run” would be making the question just as intriguing. As yet another hard earned point was gained at Motherwell last weekend, many were left thinking that a Dundee team controlled by Bonetti wouldn’t have been able to last the 90 minutes and gain the point that Duffy’s team of battlers deserved. And whilst silly headed goal after silly headed goal was conceded last season, the answer to our prayers (Wilkie) was being sent from Notts County to Falkirk, following a stupid spat with the manager too stubborn to notice the class of the player. I’m not saying the Ivano was to blame in this argument, I’m not sure who was actually but it was frustrating to see point go down the drain week after week when a simple discussion would solve our problems. Of course when Wilkie returned, points were won and clean sheets were kept but by then it was too late to gain the top six aim. Also, the attributes shown in the signings of managers past and present are interesting for comparison. Bonetti went for talented, exciting players who were great when winning but showed little heart when losing. Duffy on the other hand has signed guys who play for the shirt, fight for points and know how to hold on to a lead. Following our experiences in recent years, we now know that, on the whole, it is the latter of which that is required to progress in this league with small spots of the former needed for creativity. I apologize to any who find this inappropriate for talking about when it seems to have been ran in to the ground more than a Steven Thompson shot at goal. It just seems now that easier to compare the two styles of management following our succession in being able grind out results. I guess that I should just let sleeping dogs lie. (No pun intended)

In contrast to what I have just said, it has been drawn to my attention that we do always need a creative showman in midfield. Nemsadze has missed two games so far this season and they have been the ones in which we have had to defend deep to gain points. It’s too much to depend on one man for creativity each and every week, which is why I think we need wee Beto Carranza back soon. He almost made comeback a couple of weeks back when he scored but was also taken of injured in an Under 21 match against Aberdeen. Sadly, it’ll still be a few weeks before he’s back which is why it’s important for Georgi to shrug off his knee injury as soon as possible in time for Saturday.

Speaking of Saturday, we face a down heartened Kilmarnock side still recovering from their 5-0 drubbing from Celtic at the weekend. Despite just one defeat in six, we haven’t won in three so a win would be very handy for us and at fortress Dens, 3 points are expected. I’m going for a 2-0 Dee victory with Caballero on the scoresheet.