Steven Pressley on Dundee pre-season: What I’ll do differently next time.

The Dark Blues’ manager admits his side ‘have to win’ at Alloa on Saturday. Steven Pressley admits there are several things he would have done differently during his first few weeks at Dundee.

The Dens Park manager reflected on his start at the club, which culminated in last Saturday’s home defeat to Airdrieonians.

He has already stated that he wants more games for his players before the league season begins on August 3. That began with a closed-doors match against Oldham Athletic on Wednesday, which ended in a 0-0 draw after three 30-minute rounds.

After watching his team’s performance against Airdrie, Dundee manager Pressley admits that pre-season preparations could have been improved.

“Personally, because of what I’ve inherited, of course I would like a bit more time before competitive games,” he told me. “Similarly, in retrospect, you probably would have had a little bit more training before the first game.

“You’d probably play more friendlies before the first game. “So there are a few things I would do differently if I were to come back in. “However, the League Cup group stage is a good competition.

It’s a competition that I believe allows many teams, including Airdrie and Alloa, to profit financially while also making a significant impact.”

Steven Pressley: ‘We need to win’

Pressley anticipates his team making an impact at Alloa on Saturday. The Dark Blues need a win to have a realistic chance of making the knockout rounds, as both the Wasps and Diamonds are already six points ahead.

Alloa won their first two games against Bonnyrigg Rose and Montrose, and they enter the match looking for their first Premiership victory. “Two of our coaches, David Longwell and Barry Nicholson, were at Alloa’s game on Tuesday,” says Pressley.

“I believe the presence of two of our coaches indicates that we anticipate a tough game and hold Alloa in high regard.

“Also, it’s the time of year when we’re still looking for rhythm and form, which makes it even more difficult. “There’s no doubt it’ll be a very difficult game down there. “They’ve won the first two games. As a result, they gained some momentum and confidence. “We have to be prepared for it.

“We must win it. “I am not under any illusions that we will win every week. “That is what we coaches and managers deal with, and nothing will change this weekend.

“We have to go there, we have to perform and we have to get a result.”

Changes to come from Dundee?

Dundee will field a full squad, with the exception of Charlie Reilly, who is still recovering from surgery for a broken collarbone. Will there be many changes from Pressley this weekend?

“I want to give players an opportunity. “I’ve said that, but we also have to win,” he said. “I would envisage some sort of changes within the group.”

New kid on the block

Meanwhile, promising Dundee player Charley Oosenbrugh has signed his first professional contract with the club.

The 16-year-old has been with the club since the age of six and was a member of last season’s Youth Cup finalists.

He said, “It’s fantastic to sign my first professional contract. “It was a dream to play at Hampden; Scott Robertson gave me the opportunity to be a member of the U/18s this season, and I’ve loved it.

“I’ve made it into the U/18s squad, and over the next year I would love to train more with the first team and make my first-team debut.”

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