Dundee boss Gordon Chisholm insists that the bookmakers who have installed the Dark Blues as division one favourites are being “premature.”
Last season the Dens Park side were many pundits’ tip for the top after a summer spending spree which included the high-profile captures of Leigh Griffiths and Gary Harkins.
However, the favourites tag seemed to act like a millstone around the necks of the Dundee players, as they eventually surrendered a seemingly unassailable lead to lose out on promotion to Inverness.
This summer Chisholm has just 13 outfield players at his disposal and faces a race against time to add to his squad before the season begins in earnest with the defence of the Challenge Cup against Alloa on July 24.
Chisholm insists his side will mount a big promotion push, but as things stand he believes other sides are more deserving of the bookmakers’ attention.
He said, “I think it is a wee bit premature to be making us favourites as I think there will be a lot of stiff competition.
“Right now, we are sitting with a squad of just 13 players and three goalkeepers.”
He added, “Ross County are sure to mount a challenge and Jim McIntyre is sitting at Dunfermline with a squad which he’s worked with for several years, while Falkirk are adding players having just come down.
“We obviously want to get up but know it’s going to be difficult.”
He said, “There’s always pressure when you’re at a big club like Dundee which should be in the SPL.
“If we get some players in, I do not think we will be far away.”
Meanwhile, Chisholm plans to run the rule over his current crop of trialists again in the closed-doors friendly with English outfit MK Dons.