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4 talking points from Dundee’s Raith Rovers success as Zach Robinson shines and Shaun Byrne returns

Zach Robinson became a fans' favourite during initial loan spell at Dundee.  Image: David Young/Shutterstock
Zach Robinson became a fans' favourite during initial loan spell at Dundee. Image: David Young/Shutterstock

Six games unbeaten, back-to-back league wins and a striker in red-hot form – Dundee are coming to the boil in this Championship title race.

Ayr United may lead the way but the Dark Blues have picked up seven points from the last three games against a trio of top-half challengers.

The comeback against Queen’s Park and then an even better one at Partick Thistle were good.

But the points picked up on the road look even better after they were backed up with an impressive victory over Raith Rovers on Saturday.

So what made Gary Bowyer’s side tick? Courier Sport picks out some key talking points.

Zach Robinson

On-loan frontman Robinson made it three goals in two games and looked a class apart against Raith.

Robinson scores from the spot (Image: David Young/Shutterstock).

He could easily have had two goals in the first half before opening the scoring from the spot on 49 minutes.

Midway through the first period the 20-year-old hit both posts with the same shot, bullying the Rovers defence and creating a chance he frankly had no right to make for himself.

Robinson also brought a good save from Jamie MacDonald after a superb bit of No 9 play as he took in a long ball and rolled his marker before letting fly from range.

Then the second-half saw two more goals to add to the collection as he moves onto eight for the season.

This was a display full of power, determination, skill and finishing.

Keep this up and Dundee might not be able to keep him beyond January with parent club AFC Wimbledon struggling in the bottom half of League Two down south.

Shaun Byrne

The biggest cheer of the first half saw Byrne appear from the bench to make his first appearance since the last clash with Raith on August 6.

After being told he could leave the club later that month and seemingly unwanted since, it was a big moment for the midfielder.

Shaun Byrne made his first appearance since August 6 (Image: David Young/Shutterstock).

Other players may have sulked but Byrne came on with a point to prove.

His usual composure on the ball was on show but so was a bit of fire – shoving Rovers midfielder Scott Brown to the ground demonstrated that after an exchange of tackles.

Spare a thought for Joe Grayson, however. The former Blackburn man hasn’t done a whole lot wrong in recent games, indeed he’s been pretty good of late.

He’s had a lot thrown at him in his short time at the club, little of it down to his own actions.

Dundee midfielder Shaun Byrne replaced Joe Grayson early on after injury (Image: SNS).

Grayson has accepted he’d been below par at times but it can’t have been easy hearing that reaction to being substituted, even if it was more for the man coming on than the man going off.

Grayson’s injury, though, may well open up a further opportunity for Byrne – if he is to prove his value to manager Gary Bowyer beyond January, he has to take this chance.

Goalkeepers

Dundee have very few problems in the goalkeeper department right now.

They have three to choose from and none have done much wrong this season at all, yet all three have played.

Harry Sharp started the season and impressed, then illness struck and in came Adam Legzdins, who looked his usual assured self in goal.

Ian Lawlor is yet to taste defeat this season (Image: David Young/Shutterstock).

He got injured and suddenly Ian Lawlor gets his go. Quite rightly he’s still got the gloves after playing his part in four unbeaten games.

Two clean sheets picked up in that time and a chance to show a skill the other two don’t have with his kicking.

He didn’t have a whole lot to do against Raith Rovers but dealt with everything that came his way.

Second-half surge

For the second week running, Dundee came good after the break.

The first half was far better than the one at Firhill last week, even if they started pretty sluggishly.

It very much looked like a team trying to get used to a new system in the early stages while Raith Rovers knocked the ball about impressively.

But the Dark Blues grew into the game and once they started getting Robinson involved, chances came their way.

Dundee fans in the South Enclosure enjoy the victory (Image: David Young/Shutterstock).

A bit of luck was needed with the penalty call, Rovers captain Brown can feel hard done by but the way the rules are right now for handball it was always a penalty.

Once that went in, Dundee grew in stature and there was only one winner from there.

A bit of defending was needed late on but the Dark Blues stood strong and earned their clean sheet.

They could even have added more goals had Josh Mulligan not got in Robinson’s way or had Derick Osei remembered offside is a thing.

All in all, though, a very good day’s work for Dundee.

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