What Dundee are getting in James Vincent and Danny Williams
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.
Vincent is an attacking midfielder who is pretty much the opposite of current Dundee playmaker Gary Harkins. While Harkins is a creative yet mercurial talent, often derided for his lack of work rate as much as he is lauded for his playmaking abilities, Vincent is someone who runs himself into the ground in every game.
He’s is perfect for a manager who wants to use a high pressing system, and he was particularly effective in this role under the guidance of Terry Butcher. The old boss liked his Inverness CT side to get the ball forward quickly and press the opposition around their own area. When John Hughes took over and introduced a more patient approach based around technique, Vincent’s performances dropped off. However, he’s remained a good squad player and netted the winning goal in last season’s Scottish Cup final, meaning he’ll remain a legend in Caley Thistle folklore forever.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdHe’ll provide Paul Hartley with the option to rotate his No.10s, depending on the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition. Hartley may also look to turn him into a player who operates further back in Dundee’s centre midfield as he’s done previously with Paul McGowan and Nick Ross.
One of Vincent’s drawbacks is his tendency to get injured quite frequently, making the three-year deal dished out to him a little surprising. However, he’ll likely come cheap and will be a good character to have around the squad for the duration of his deal.
Williams is a left-sided player who can operate just as adequately at left back or left midfield. He arrived at Inverness CT as a winger, but was pushed back at the start of this season to cover for the loss of Graeme Shinnie. He does tend to impact games a little more when operating from deep, since his technical and crossing attributes don’t quite match up to the better attackers in the top flight. When he plays from deep, he provides a valuable out-ball and always makes himself available with a terrific engine and work rate.
Defensively he’s not brilliant, but he’s fared better in the position than many anticipated. This is because he often displays a good understanding of the game and it enables him to remain disciplined in the role, knowing when and when not to bomb forward and support.
It’ll be interesting to see how Hartley envisions using Williams, and that will likely depend on what other signings are made during the summer. At the moment, he’d be the club’s only natural winger, while he represents an upgrade on current left back Kevin Holt.
In other news, Dundee have extended the contracts of Paul McGowan and Darren O’Dea. The former signs a new two-year deal, while O’Dea will remain at Dens Park for the next three seasons.
His scrapes with the law aside, McGowan has proven to be a reliable performer at Dundee, and another player who shows tremendous work rate in the middle of the park. While, at the back, O’Dea has steadied a shaky defensive unit that was on the verge of falling apart after James McPake’s injury.
None of today’s signings are going to get many pulses racing among the Dens Park support. But, all in all, it’s been a good day for the club. They’ve tied up four players who the manager can trust completely and will give the side good continuity over the next three seasons.
THE SCOTSMAN ON SOCIAL MEDIA