Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Boss urges Dee to get back on track
DUNDEE fell below their usual standards as they went down 2-0 at Rugby Park on Saturday.
And Dens manager Paul Hartley has urged his players to return to form as they head in to a difficult run of games over the festive period.
He said: “We’ve a tough run before the break in January so we want to get as many points on board before then.
“You look at the table and a blanket could be thrown over five or six teams.
“We have went from sixth place before the game to 10th but there is still only a point between four or five teams.”
The Dee boss also feels there will be a lot of feisty games between now and the end of season due to the way the league table is panning out.
On Saturday there were a few hefty challenges and Paul thinks more games will be like that.
He said: “A few challenges went in. I think you’re going to find that with the majority of the teams in terms of wins are vital.
“All the teams round about each other all want to get points.”
The Dundee team only made one enforced change from the side that beat Inverness Caley the previous week with Julen Etxabeguren replacing Kevin Gomis.
The Frenchman missed the game due to him being present at the birth of his child in France.
The big centre-back has played well in the Dee’s recent run of good form but Paul doesn’t believe his absence had anything to do with the defeat at Rugby Park.
“I don’t think it was down to Kevin Gomis missing that made a difference,” he said.
“I felt we were off the pace in terms of everyone, we didn’t win enough second balls.
“Overall, we weren’t at our best on Saturday, so I don’t really have any complaints.
“The players have been brilliant over the last five or six weeks.
“There isn’t a lot between most of the clubs, so there is going to be times when it doesn’t go so well for you.”
The Dundee manager also took time out to praise the Kilmarnock team who had harried the visitors all day long by not allowing them any time on the ball.
“You have to give credit to Kilmarnock, who pressed us all over the pitch,” said Paul.
The Dark Blues will look to return to their high-tempo game when Ross County head south to Dens this Saturday.