Dundee

Dundee were expected to struggle on their return to the Championship after relegation and they certainly did. They started slowly and were never in title contention with all the limelight on their city rivals, United. Form was improving, but then the season was called early with them in 3rd place. It was a difficult season for rookie manager James McPake, on and off the pitch. He must have been disappointed to lose Andy Nelson and Kane Hemmings from his forward line this summer. Cristoph Berra’s recall to Hearts after his loan expired also hurts as he improved Dundee’s defence greatly in his short spell. Lee Ashcroft joins from Dunfermline and can be a dominant presence at centre-back. However, he will struggle to organise the defence as well as Berra performed that role. Forward Danny Mullen struggled to make his mark in the Premier League with St Mirren and drops down a league. Alex Jakubiak has had several loan spells and remains largely unproven. Nicholas Hamilton and Jonathan Afolabi arrive on loan deals to supplement their attacking options, but they are not of the same quality as Hemmings and Nelson. The key signing this summer is veteran midfielder Charlie Adam from Reading. His best days are past him but, if he can remain fit and motivated, he should have the quality to dominate most midfields in the Championship. Dundee desperately need a fast start as their fans will not tolerate the ponderous style seen at the beginning of last season. With the COVID-19 restrictions, money is tighter than ever at Dens Park and James McPake will be under intense pressure from the outset.