GEORGE CRAN: Big questions at Dundee but no answers

Dundee have a breather this week.

It might not be ideal as they aim to get a winning run going.

But it gives us the chance to look beyond the day-to-day, beyond the next crucial game.

In doing so, there are a lot of big questions to be answered.

And few answers coming from the club.

What does the long-term plan look like right now?

Manager Gary Bowyer obviously fronts up to the media before and after every game.

He answers what he can answer and is an easy man to deal with.

Contracts

But any question regarding contracts he can’t answer.

With pretty much the entire squad into the final three months of their contracts, there’s a whole lot of doubt around the place.

Lee Ashcroft revealed last week he’s not heard anything about a new contract at Dundee. Image: SNS.

Only three players have deals beyond the summer and even they have concerns – Zak Rudden has been shipped out on loan, Shaun Byrne seems lucky to get on the bench right now and Tyler French has a broken leg.

From what I can gather, no senior players have been offered terms beyond the summer.

Young players like Lyall Cameron, Max Anderson, Josh Mulligan and Harry Sharp I understand were offered new contracts at the start of the season.

But, with none signed as yet, you wonder how good those offers actually were.

Were they just a slight improvement on current deals to ensure the club gets compensation if they decide to sign elsewhere?

If they were good offers, surely at least one of them would have signed by now.

Senior players

In terms of senior players, I can’t imagine the current situation is anything but a concern and a worry.

Paul McMullan has spoken of his surprise at no contract talks. Image: SNS.

What’s going to happen? Will they keep me? Do they want rid? Why should I put my body on the line for this club if they won’t give me a new deal?

With promotion at stake, that’s not good.

It’s fair to say, players who have been around the block a fair bit are confused by the approach taken.

No doubt Bowyer is too.

He’ll want his own squad by next season but surely doesn’t want to have to sign 20 new players in the summer.

Camperdown

Then there’s the question of the stadium project at Camperdown Park.

The last update was way back at the public consultation in September.

Previously managing director John Nelms had assured local press there would be monthly meetings to update everyone on what’s happening.

This was in the wake of last season and the issue of communication between club and fans was a major problem.

The stadium plan at Camperdown Park. Image: LJRH Architects

That promise was at the end of last season.

There have been no monthly updates since, despite a number of requests from myself and other local media to interview Mr Nelms.

My information on Dens Park was that the purchase was expected to go through in November.

I didn’t write that because it had been a year since we broke news of that intention and nothing had happened in the time since. The chances were nothing may continue to happen.