A fine Alex Jakubiak strike earned Dundee a draw in a hard-fought friendly with Blackburn Rovers.
Jon Dahl Tomasson’s English Championship side travelled to Dens Park to continue their pre-season preparations.
And they dominated much of the opening period against an inexperienced Dark Blues starting XI.
Rovers were much the side in control for the first half but couldn’t find a way past a strong Harry Sharp until a corner kick eventually went in off one of Dundee’s trialists.
Though the Dark Blues had struggled to provide much attacking threat, they were quickly level as Alex Jakubiak smashed in a good strike from 25 yards.
There were chances for both in the second period with both Ryan Hedges, formerly of Aberdeen, and Paul McMullan rattling the crossbars at either end.
No winner was forthcoming but what do we take from Dundee’s performance?
Set-up
Gary Bowyer went for a 4-2-3-1 line-up in his first competitive match in charge on Saturday.
This time he changed again, going 4-4-1-1 with Max Anderson pushed up to support striker Alex Jakubiak.
Tyler French got his first run-out in a Dundee shirt, partnering Sam Fisher at centre-back.
He was one of four changes at the break
It was, though, a very inexperienced midfield with three trialists joining right-winger Josh Mulligan.
Trialists
The trio of trialists starting the clash were Kyle Barker, Tyler Frost and Callum Rowe.
Central midfielder Barker and wide player Frost we’d seen last week at Montrose.
Rowe, though, was new.
Rowe came through the ranks at Aston Villa before being released in 2021. He then spent a year at Exeter City but with loans to the National League South before being released by the newly-promoted Grecians as they headed for League One.
As mentioned, he played this match in midfield but was often used as a left-back in Villa’s academy.
His first half was very much a mixed bag – a lovely drag-back in midfield beat two men in one go but then he headed into his own net to give Blackburn the lead on 34 minutes.
He also gave the ball away inside his own area in the second half and was lucky the visitors didn’t make more of it before his match ended with an injury on 65 minutes.
Barker again was neat and tidy in the middle of the park, keeping possession well.
Frost, meanwhile, started on the left wing, making some positive runs but without much coming off.
French
Tyler French played much of his football last season for Wrexham at right-back or right wing-back.
He does, though, see himself as a centre-back and that’s where he played.
Manager Bowyer said he’d be one of the fastest players in the squad and he showed that in a sprint back to shut off a Blackburn break-away.
Against strong opposition, it is a good first impression from French.
He won his challenges, didn’t take risks in possession and generally looked assured.
Standouts?
Yet another big positive for Jakubiak as he found the net for the second game running.
After years of injury hell, the frontman finally looks fit and sharp in a Dundee shirt.
And with the quality of his strike to make it 1-1, has a bit of confidence about him as well.
Also impressing – again – was young centre-back Sam Fisher.
The 20-year-old showed up well on Saturday against Hamilton and defended really well once more tonight.
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