19-07-2025
What did Pressley say after Alloa defeat?
Steven Pressley's Dundee are facing an early exit from the Premier Sports Cup as defeat at Alloa leaves them pointless in Group C.
The result is a second successive loss against lower-league opposition after a home defeat to Airdrieonians last weekend.
Speaking to BBC Scotland's Chick Young post-match, here's what head coach Pressley had to say:
Clearly not the result you wanted, what about the performance?
"I think I've said we need another five or six in, but the reality is, even with that group of players, we have to perform better than we did today. So I take ownership of that. I take full responsibility around that. We have to go away and work again."
Can you put your finger on it? Is it quality of players? What is the issue?
"The issue is a combination of a number of things. We do need more players in, but as I've said, I don't think we did well enough today with the group of players we had on the pitch. I think choices in possession weren't good. I thought we played too long on too many occasions.
"And also, we have to take greater ownership and responsibility and make things happen. We need players that are going to change games. But listen, that's my responsibility. That's my job to get the confidence in the players, the belief in the players, and that's what I fully intend to do."
Did nervousness come into it?
"Maybe a little bit of nervousness. Maybe that was evident in the second half. But I didn't think we created many good opportunities in the game. Our best opportunities came from set plays, something we have been working hard on.
"I've seen improvements in our defensive principles, but we're still nowhere near where we need to be. And as I've said, I take responsibility for that because I think with the group of players we have out there, we can do much better."
Do you see reason to believe?
"Of course I do. It's very difficult for a number of players. I still look at them from a physical perspective, and they're not at the level we need them at.
"Some of them tired significantly in the second half and we looked a team, at times, lacking in that intensity in the second half. We have to find solutions to that."
