Dundee won. But head out of the competition.
It’s a strange combination but the nature of group stage football.
The Dark Blues can feel hard done by – before this season only three teams have gone out with nine points since the tournament was rejigged in 2016.
Hamilton and Forfar also share Dundee’s fate this time around.
For some reason this year the margins were tighter than usual.
But Dundee had the opportunity to squeeze through into the final 16 regardless.
So what did we learn from the 1-0 win over Inverness?
Chances
In each of their four Viaplay Cup matches this term, Dundee came away with the feeling they should have scored more goals.
Even in the 1-0 reverse at Airdrie despite not playing well that day. They passed up the opportunity from the spot and it proved critical.
Lots and lots of opportunities were passed up against Bonnyrigg Rose, the same against Dumbarton in midweek.
That's one for @DundeeFC, and now they need a second! 👀
Zach Robinson breaks the deadlock 🔵 pic.twitter.com/E1j8m8fmpZ
— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) July 30, 2023
And the chances were there against Caley Thistle too. Though, they also had Jon McCracken saves and some wayward Inverness finishing to thank for keeping it to nil.
Go back earlier to pre-season and the theme was developing – plenty of decent play but lacking the killer touch.
Amadou Bakayoko
Can their new No 9 change all that?
On his first showing, though relatively brief, the signs are positive.
Despite only arriving to train with his new team-mates at the tail end of last week, the Sierra Leone international slotted in pretty seamlessly.
The 27-year-old looks like he can play the classic targetman role but his touch was good and he can run as well.
He had one fierce effort tipped over well by Mark Ridgers not long after coming on which showed he’s got a strike on him, too.
If this was him rusty and not up to speed, then the early signs suggest Dundee have got themselves a serious No 9.
Add that to Zach Robinson who did find the net – his third in three games this season – and looks ready to take on the Premiership.
And Diego Pineda who brings a busyness to the front line as well as Zak Rudden who also brings work-rate and has looked sharp.
Suddenly Tony Docherty has a number of options to choose from.
Subs
A big positive for the Dark Blues was the impact substitutes made on the second half.
The first 45 was OK but lacked a spark.
The emergence of Bakayoko and Lyall Cameron at the break lifted things, though.
It was maybe a case of the formation not suiting Scott Tiffoney so well, most of his good work over the past year has come from out wide.
Cameron is more naturally suited to the No 10 slot and made a difference.
The spark they needed, however, came from Luke McCowan.
He came on in the unfamiliar right wing-back slot, a straight swap for Josh Mulligan.
It was an attacking switch from Docherty but goals were needed.
And almost immediately one came. Within two minutes McCowan had the ball in the area and worked himself a yard of space.
His blocked effort fell for Robinson to head home.
McCowan also dragged an effort wide late on but the required extra goal wouldn’t come.
Shaun Byrne
With 11 signings now in the building, Dundee’s squad is filling out.
So much so that they had more fit players than there were spaces on the bench.
Left out was experienced midfielder Shaun Byrne, who did some training at Dens Park on his own ahead of the game.
Asked after the match, Docherty said it was to get an extra attacker on the bench with goals needed.
Malachi Boateng, meanwhile, is ahead of him in the pecking order for that sitting midfield role.
Once again there is a question raised over Byrne’s future in dark blue.
