Dundee head coach Steven Pressley has acknowledged that his in-form side will need to continue evolving and adapting, as Premiership rivals find ways to nullify their play. The Dark Blues currently sit fourth in the top flight after a weekend draw against Rangers, and they will look to build on that result when they travel to face St Mirren.
Rivals adapting to Dundee's approach
Pressley admitted that his team has already had to adjust its approach, as other Premiership sides have tried to counter them. He noted that after the initial games against Celtic and Aberdeen, Dundee received plaudits, but then opponents took notice and changed the way they played against the team.
“Then we had a little indifferent period and then we tried to adapt to what other teams are doing. Then we have managed to find rhythm again and the same is going to happen,” Pressley said. He added that a similar pattern occurred last year, when Dundee found a rhythm, gained respect, and consequently faced new problems from opponents.
Consistency and adaptability as cornerstones
Pressley and his coaching staff have established consistent principles in their play that provide a core foundation. He explained that consistency in behaviour allows growth, but the team must also be adaptable, understanding that opponents will find areas to exploit.
“We can never ever be comfortable and think that we've achieved anything because that is a recipe for real problems,” he said. “We have to be aware and ready and adapt and then try and improve every single day. That's why I keep saying that no long-term goals, just continuously trying to improve and adapt on a daily basis.”
Injuries and room for improvement
Dundee's rise is notable given that several key players are out with long-term injuries, including captain Simon Murray, Fin Robertson and Jack Moorhouse. Despite this, Pressley believes there is more to come from his squad.
“I think we're still growing,” he said. “We're not playing how we set out to play pre-season. We've made quite a few changes and adapted to certain things already that have caused us some concerns.” He praised the first-half performance against Rangers, where the team found a balance between building up play and being direct and aggressive, but insisted there is room for improvement.
Fringe players and squad attitude
Pressley gave several fringe players a run-out in a closed-door game against Rangers on Tuesday. Dundee have made few substitutions in recent matches, and Pressley explained that he is pleased with the attitude of his squad.
“I'm really happy the way they're going about things and their attitude towards the game. It's been incredible,” he said. He highlighted the team's strong mental performance in the second half against Rangers, when they had to endure difficult periods and respond positively.
