Very happy about Gilhaney and the MAC and happy about Cowan, Paton and McKeown. Young has a tough ask to fill Robertson's shoes but if he stays fit he'll do ok IMO. Douglas when he signs should be one of the leagues better keepers too.

I'm dlighted to have signed Steven Bell. He's shown last season he's more than capable of playing at this level and possibly in the SPL.

I'm going to reserve judgement on Grahame Holmes and Austin McCann as i've not got a clue what they're like.

On the downside, I wish we'd kept Stevie Crawford.

ok well im delighted at Craig signing as he is SPL quality, Chris Millar i think could be a hidden gem for us as long as he gets a game, Morris is a good signing but im still a little unsure on him, i mean i know he has the ability but i dunno. I think McLean will be a decent signing and hopefully challenge Main for the GK spot. Samuel and Swankie im not too impressed by as i think they may turn out to be rare performers and flatter to decive. But i think McCaffery is a 50/50 signing he will either turn out to be a big hit and be a great player or a total dud.

McManus is a great signing imo and will hopefully do a job for us. not too sure about colin stewart. masterton could be an important player for us IF he is fit. would still like to see a striker and a keeper come in and chris innes if the rumours are true

why? i don't think dundee fans see the same player i do when i watch him everyone seems so exited but i think he is a waste of space

You're right. His attitude isn't the greatest either.

What's a signing ?

Even at his peak he wouldn't have been able to save you from your impending doom.

It's like when James McPake moves from Livvy to St Mirren for around 60k !

Around 60k my arse. You will need more than that to have a bid accepted, my friend.

The bid has been accepted already , St Mirren are holding back the announcement as they intend to parade 2 new players at the same time !

I know it's extremely tedious but what sort of source do you have on this? I can't believe this would have happened and at the same time, completely blown over all of the Livi fans' heads.

It's already being discussed on the official and unofficial St Mirren sites !

Any newspapers or news sites?

That's your opinion, the majority of Dundee fans believe that David Cowan is a solid defender at centre back and right back. I think he's a good player and he does his job, he's a hell of a lot better than David Worrell anyway I am generally please with our six signing but we need at another five. A goalkeeper (Rab), a centre defender, a midfielder (or two) and a striker.

No , but it was the same story when news about Richard Brittain broke at our end 2 years back . I remember the Livvy guys were in denial then , I only wish they had been right !

Happy with them all apart from Darren Young.

He actually made an account on Livi Lions and told us he wanted to stay. Some trurth he tells

Delighted with Craig and Morris they both are SPL quality players Samuel could also be playing in the SPL and hopefully McLean will offer Main competition and hopefully be good enough to make the number one shirt his own and i can see Swankie scoring once or twice against dundee and win us the league when we play there near the end of the season

Going back to the topic subject. Pleased we got Maxwell and Paton but we desperately need new signings upfront. Thanksully Liam Buchanan looks to be on the mend but we need two new strikers at least, as Ian McCall himself said at the West End Festival when I had a chat with him. Was disappointed that the board did not back McCall by signing Trouten though our main priority I realise is up front and not midfield. McCall said at least one of the forwards must be a big powerful 6 footer to aide Liam Buchanan. I have a feeling we will be waiting till next month before we have more signings.

Very decent post.
With Bell i am extreemely happy i think he can be a great player
I am also delighted with Darren Young singing for Dundee
Will reserve judgement on Holmes and McCann.

Happy with Bell, very impressed with his midfield play with Stirling last year. Hopefully, full time fitness will help him and he can develop further.

Unsure about Holmes as I've yet to see him but I'm also pleased with McCann- good experience and I feel he will be a solid acquisition for the First Division.

Starting in defence, Morrison looked very capable at Aberdeen although unsure how he played with Dunfermline. Danny Griffin will be like a new signing, hopefully he will add strength. Not sure if Brent Sancho will sign a longer term deal, I would like him to though as he definetly is a solid defender. Mark McCulloch re-signing was excellent news.

Ritchie Hart is a talented midfielder, he will definetly add a few goals from midfield and will probably be the most dangerous set piece taker in the league. I would expect a direct goal from a freekick from Hart, he strikes the ball immaculately well. Brittain seems to have had a solid reputation with Livingston despite dissapointment at St Mirren.

Pleased we have signed David Winters up again for next season, one of the most creative players in this league I would imagine. Craig will add goals to our team and Daal is a bit of an unknown quantity, it will be interesting to see how he get's on.

I liked Scott, he wasn't helped with the really bad injury he got playing for Scotland Under 21s which kept him out for pretty much the whole of his first season.

He isn't the quickest, but I think is a competent defensive player for this level. Can be guilty of too many aimless balls up the line, but has a cracking set piece delivery on him.

I think he'll do well for you and I hope so as he's a really nice guy.

Yes. Cover for Masterton is Kettlewell, however I dont think Brown could really step into McKeown's stage at the back, would be delighted to be proved wrong. Trouten too seems to be a excellent capture and into the right hand side. Waddell and McLaren I'm not sure about. Would have prefered a more dominant left back, but let's wait and see what Waddell is all about. McCusker we never really saw so here's hoping.

A think we need a left back and a striker.

Wankie snapped in two by Eddie........it's in the stars

Kettlewell - delighted
Trouten - delighted
Brown - cautiously optimistic
McLaren - hopeful he'll be good but I'm prepared for the worst
Waddel - pessimistic, hope he can prove me wrong

If we stay with a back 3 (which I doubt we will) I'd imagine Billy Gibson would be first in line to replace McKeown.

Liam Craig - Over the moon, superb signing based on his performances last season.

Chris Millar - Not seen much of him, but the Morton fans seemed to vote him as their player of the year, so fingers crossed he will be just as good for us.

Gavin Swankie - Can see him becoming a target for the East Stand boo boys, im sure he will have his moments, but i cant honestly see him being a first choice pick.

Collin Samuel - Quite excited about him to be honest, sure he might not be a rough'n'ready Scottish forward but i think his pace and skill will be a real asset next season.

Euan McLean - Will trust Del an the Doc's judgment on this one, but really dont see him challenging Main next season

Jody Morris - If he is in the mood he will run riot in this divison.

Wouldn't stray much from Aitchy's assessment, although not sure Jody is really a new signing? Can probably class Liam Craig as one though and I think everyone was surprised and happy to see him commit for three years. He did well when he arrived but admitted himself that he disappointed in some of the bigger games but he started to cope a bit better with those by the end of the campaign. It's not like we're short of big game players anyway and hopefully Craig is the type that helps us grind out the points against sides down the bottom of the league.

Been impressed with Chris Millar on my limited viewing but really encouraged by the feedback from 90% of Morton fans. Hopeful he'll do well as he certainly seemed to show he can play at this level with Morton and his attitude seems spot on.

Whilst I've no doubt some Dundee fans are just being incredibly bitter over Swankie's departure, the feedback hasn't been great generally. Ray of light in the comments from guys like David and Rumple but relying on McInnes managing him correctly. He may have hinted that he didn't react well to Rae but we've seen with Kernaghan he can react even more poorly.

I'm excited about Samuel as well, although no doubt in part because of the impact Jason Scotland had. Happy we're not relying on him though and hoping that the competition for places will bring the best out of him. McInnes seems to rate him very highly.

Both Kevin Cuthbert and Saints needed a clean break and I think the right option was to bring in a young guy to challenge and learn from Alan Main. Another player known to the management team, we'll just need to see what happens. If it doesn't work out then it shouldn't be a problem this season with Main still in place but it will heap the pressure on to find the right man next summer.

I guess Stuart McCaffrey is another new signing and I don't agree with the earlier poster about there being a doubt over him. He's an established defender at this level and I've little doubt he'll be steady and consistent. Maybe not going to be the best defender in the league but a low-risk capture IMO.

Curier-absolutely delighted we got the big man signed up,strong and direct and scores for fun,great move by dundee imo.
McKeown-Have not saw much of him but what I did see he looked as if he could be a decent partner for gary mckenzie.
Paton-Always looked steady when I have saw him,will be interesting to see who starts at rb with cowan who imo did well when he came in.
Gilhaney-Another potential cracking signing,with swankie leaving we needed a replacement and I doubt we could have got any better,alwaysa threat when he played against us.
Young-Again have not seen much of him lately,pars fans seem divided so will have to wait and see.Could provide cover for midfield though and we were lacking that last season.
Douglas-Very happy to see big rab come home,dominant keeper and great shot stopper.

Very pleased about the signing of Stewart Kean. With such an established front two, who have a great understanding, I assumed it would be difficult to get a striker of any note as backup. Hopefully this and the fact he has taken a step down a league show that he has as fight about him to establish himself with us, which can only be good for Dobbies game as well. He has proven himself at this level with St Mirren and Ayr, and although I don't expect him to score as many as Dobbs, I can see his work-rate, and the goals he will contribute making him a fans favourite.

It would be unfair to comment on McLaughlan as the only game I have seen him play was at the Annan Tournament last pre-season. I am just happy that we have added youth to the centre of our defence, and I'm sure the experience he will gain playing alongside AA and big JT, as well as Chis and Kenny Brannigan in training will help his development no end. He is certainly built like a centre half.

Whatever your smoking I want some, because from this it seems County have VERY low standards

I'd take Brent back at Dens.

You've got to be kidding me

He did a job for us in the SPL this is lower standard. He wouldn't be first choice but i'd have him in squad.

I still think he wouldn't be first choice over our other options

It was sad to see Danny talking about the early part of his career in the local media last week. I don't think Dundee fans realise just how good a player he was. He was just 18 when he played against then reigning European champions Germany for Northern Ireland. He was asked to man-mark guys like Del Piero and Nedved before he'd reached his 20th birthday. He said it's only other folk that dwell on him turning down that move to Derby (even Russell Anderson mentioned it in an interview recently) and he has no regrets but you have to wonder.

I hate reading the stick he gets from Dundee fans on here, although I understand where they are coming from after his time at Dens.

Well, there's not much for me to say on this subject is there?

It became apparent last season that John Robertson doesn't have the legs for the right back or right wing back position any more, while Simon Storey, who often covered for Robbo in those positions, looks to be at his best when playing in the middle of a back three, so the signing of Paul Paton was a welcome one. I can't get too carried away given the fact he played in the second division last season, but hopefully he can follow in the foot steps of Buchanan and Chaplain and not Gordon Lennon.

Ian Maxwell is another crucial addition to the squad. With Archie out until October we were short of an experienced left sided defender. If he can stay off the treatment table then I reckon he's more than capable of serving ahis purpose, but I'd expect to see him move to the bench when Arch returns. It's good that we have cover for Twaddle, too.

Still a few signings short of a title-challenging team, especially in attack, but I'm glad we have the majority of last season's squad signed up and we're not scrabbling around for, in effect, an entire new first team, which is what we've become accustomed to over the last few years.

No, I believe Griffin will recover to full fitness. Should he stay injury free, he'll be an important player for us. Not sure if Sancho is going to sign for next season but again, I think is is a solid enough defender.

We'll see how it goes though on round one of the season

Elated with the signings of both Kettlewell & Trouten. Positive about Mark Brown. I can understand the signing of Waddle and appreciate the versatility he'll offer, decent cover option for the left hand side. McCusker looks to be hungry and could lend a physical presence to the forward line. McLaren; undoubted potential, it's a case of unlocking it.

All in all very pleased. We're still 5-6 quality players short of having a squad seriously geared for a title challenge though. If that's truly what Brown intends to go for?

I am a bit more cautious about our signings. I am happy we have got rid of some dead wood but some ofthe players we signed are unproven at this level. Best case scenario is they take to the 1st Div easily and we have a comfortable season. Worst case scenario is they struggle and the likes of McLaren and Waddell fail to recapture the old magic and we struggle badly.

I'm reasonably happy with our signings though a bit unsure where our ambitions lie for this season. My gut feeling is we're planning to consolidate this season, then see what improvements are required next season to coincide with Cappielow being SPL compliant in time for the following season.

Signings so far:

Colin Stewart - okay as long as he's cover for a new first choice keeper (TBH I felt the 2 we let go were better).
Allan McManus - good signing, should help coach and improve our current defenders.
Stevie Masterton - Davie Irons seems to be talking about playing to his strengths, so should respond well as Masterton's strengths can be very effective (reading of the game, distribution, dead balls).
Eric Paartalu - excellent signing IMO, strong on the ground and in the air, very difficult to dispossess, simple and effective.

We could however be transformed into quite a formidable team with two or three further signings:

Chris Innes (if true) - would be our best signing of the last few years IMO, great presence and a natural leader, could make a massive difference to our ambitions. The opposition player I most admired over the last few years.
Good first choice keeper - someone like Craig Nelson would do fine.
Proven striker or attacking midfielder - Paul McGowan would be my choice but seems very unlikely.

We shouldn't overlook the manager's task in re-signing out of contract players, in our case:

Stu Greacen - no nonsense centre back, more than adequate at first division level
Ryan Harding - very composed centre half on his day, will benefit from competion.
Alex Walker - strong and reliable in defence or midfield, under rated player.
Kevin Finlayson - gives 100%, great engine and very pacy, works well as right wing back, limited skillwise as full back or winger.

Most Ton fans were hoping for two full-backs, though we know Davie Irons favoured 3-5-2 in Gretna's rise through the divisions, and it looks as though he will go that way again. I think his favoured line-up will be something like:

---------------------------------------------New Keeper-----------------------------------------

--------------------Innes/Greacen--------McManus------------Harding------------------------

Finlayson-------------------Paartalu-----------------Masterton----------------------McAlister

---------------------------------------------Jenkins/New-----------------------------------------

-------------------------------Wake--------------------------------Russell/New-----------------

In Brittain and Hart we have added strength and creativity to the hard working midfield last season, both will be good additions and will compliment Lawson, Scott and McCulloch very well. Danny Griffin if he stays injury free will be a great signing and hopefully if Morrison stays injury free we will be solid defensively. The forwards we have taken in are gambles, just like our defenders. You have to pay top money to get established players into the setup, and that isn't going to happen anymore. Steven Craig had a lot of potential at one point and looked like he could be a very good player, but he has since lost his way. Perhaps he has already shown all of his ability. Dyron Daal has divided opinion with the Dundee fans and St Johnstone fans criticising and praising him.

David Winters couldn't break into our team last season and I doubt he will this year. For all the potential he once had, that is fast disappearing. He really needs to show that he can contribute to the team as a whole.

We have a solid base for a team that needs strengthened to ensure we stay up. Derek Adams has first hand experience of what it is like moving to this area for the first time and I think that advice and experience will be vital in helping new players settle in.

Our summer signings certainly have the potential to be very good signings. Only in hind sight will we know if the potential is reached. But I am reasonably happy so far.

I am looking forward to seeing our two new international players.

Brent Sancho ex Trinidad captain and with World Cup experience will certainly be a bonus. Daal product of the Ajax youth set up and 4 caps for Holland (antilles).

Kenny Black is obviously waiting until Euro 2008 is over before he swoops and signs up some new players. Or maye he's waiting on players who can't find a club phoning him and asking for a job.

We have to get at least one new striker in, as well as a goalkeeper.
Another wide option should Finlayson/McAllister get injured would be prudent also.

Edit: So far - half decent: Paartalu is a good addition but didn't have the "yay!" gloss of an out and out new signing extravaganza.

being better than David Worrell is not at all difficult but i still think he will be missed as he was always good for a laugh. I would much rather play Paton at right back over cowan.

Whats happened with Brian Gilmour? Has he signed with clyde?

No word on him yet. Remains a free agent.

We'll see how they cope when Curier and MacMenamin tear them a new one