Vincent: I’ve fought back into favour and now I’ll lead Dundee out of early slump
JAMES VINCENT has pledged to help lead Dundee out the doldrums – by being a leader of men against Hibs tomorrow.
The experienced English midfielder is relishing this weekend’s televised visit of Neil Lennon’s side to Dens Park as Neil McCann’s men bid to end a three-game losing streak.
It’s been a tough start to the new Premiership season for the Dark Blues who came agonisingly close to securing a draw away to Aberdeen last weekend.
Vincent said: “I try to organise the team around me.
“We have a young side and I have Glen Kamara playing alongside me as well. I try to help him and bring him into the structure of the team.
“It is similar to what I did at the back end of last season – working hard, trying to be solid and getting forward when I can like I did when I had that chance at Aberdeen.
“I’d like to think I am bringing a bit of leadership and experience to the team. I have played a lot of games in the league and some of the lads who have come in haven’t so I try to help where I can.”
Vincent was handed a first-team berth last week and now he’s back in favour the former Inverness man aims to make sure he can’t be shifted from the engine room. He said: “I have just had to work hard on the training field and in the Under-20s games.
“I missed a bit of pre-season and unfortunately was out of the team.
“The lads did well in the Betfred Cup, the team was winning and performing well. So the gaffer thought it was the right thing to do to keep the same side.
“But the league is different and he maybe felt he needed to shore
things up a bit and bring a bit more experience in. It was a different tempo and type of game against Aberdeen but I know what to expect from the league and knew what I was getting into.
“The more games you play the stronger you get. I am happy the gaffer gave me my chance and hopefully I can keep my place in the team now.”
Vincent is convinced Dundee’s season will take off with one victory and can think of no better time than the visit of Hibs.
He said: “One win would change everything. It’s how this league is.
“We’ve been unfortunate not to pick up anything yet and would’ve liked more points on the board. But everyone is happy and buying into what the gaffer is trying to do. I’m sure results will come.
“These are the sort of matches you want to play in – a big crowd and on TV. Hibs are an open side so hopefully I can get forward to maybe exploit those holes.
“On the flip side we know they have a lot of quality as well. We know we will have to defend well and work hard as a unit.
“They are a good team but we have been working really hard on the defensive side of things.
“The team is playing well and it just needs something to click and we will start getting the results we need.”