In Neil McCann's first full season in charge in Dundee, to say it was a roller-coaster of emotions would be an understatement as the Dees secured Premiership safety with a ninth-placed finish.
Just three wins in their first 16 Premiership games indicated to their supporters that it was going to be a tough battle to stay up, and so it proved. Dundee's energy in midfield through O'Hara, McGowan, and Kamara reaped many rewards with their energy, but consistency of performances from everyone just wasn't up to par.
Some demoralising losses before the Winter Break to Hearts, Aberdeen, and Celtic meant that Dundee were stuck in the bottom half and battling with the likes of Partick, Hamilton, and Ross County to avoid relegation after their poor first half of the season.
Kusunga was McCann's only signing in the January period, and their inconsistency continued. Several poor results against Hibs, Ross County, Motherwell, and Kilmarnock had Dundee on the ropes. However, McCann's side were still picking up the odd victory and several draws that kept the teetering above the relegation-threatened positions.
There was a big period of the season before the split where relegation looked a real possibility, as they scored just one goal in five and failed to win them. However, Dundee followed that up with an impressive post-split record. Victories over Hamilton, St Johnstone, and Ross County secured safety, but only just as Dundee failed to put in consistent displays throughout the campaign.
In the cups, McCann will want to improve. A quarter-final Befred Cup exit to Celtic was excusable, but their 2-0 home defeat to Motherwell in the Scottish Cup fifth-round certainly wasn't.
In the end, McCann will be relieved his side avoided the drop, but too many inconsistent performers and high-earning bench-warmers remain in the squad. It looks as though it'll be a summer of wheeling and dealing from McCann, who won't want such a close call this time next season.
