Dens Park stalemate

PLAYERRATINGS Better performance but Dundee settle for a point

DUNDEE had Scott Bain to thank more than once as they battled to a hard-earned point against Ross County.

The Dark Blues played better than they did down at Killie the previous weekend but never really threatened the County goal.

Marcus Haber had the only real clearcut chance with 15 minutes remaining.

The Canadian took a great touch but, with only the keeper to beat, blasted his shot high and wide.

Dundee had keeper Bain to thank a couple of times for keeping the scores level.

In particular his save from former United player Ryan Dow was outstanding — somehow he was able to parry the ball to safety from point blank range.

The game itself was littered with mistakes and played in such a frantic fashion there wasn’t much continuity.

County are difficult opposition and put Dundee on the back foot for long spells in the game. However, due to bad finishing and some good defending they were unable to break down the home side.

The Dark Blues on the other hand looked a bit nervy and, at times, pedestrian on the ball.

In the games against Motherwell and Inverness at home the Dark Blues had put pressure on the opposition all over the park but, on Saturday, County seemed to get easy possession.

The Dundee midfield never really got to grips with the game and were unable to get close to their Ross County counterparts.

Dundee have defended excellently in most games lately and another clean sheet shows they are doing something right in that department.

The problem the midfield had on Saturday was they weren’t able to get up to support quick enough, meaning the game was slowed down and County were able to get behind the ball.

The Dees looked most dangerous when they got it forward quickly and the wing-backs were able to get a run at the Staggies full-backs and get crosses in.

The times they did this they almost always got positive results with a shot at goal or a corner.

Home games are vital and, after two wins on the trot at home, a win on Saturday would have been welcome.

A point was gained, though. With the league being so tight, anything taken from the game could be crucial come the tail-end of the season.

In what will be the closest league in the bottom six for many a year it is important to try and win games.

Manager Paul Hartley put on an attacking substitution when he took off young Jesse Curran, who was making his first competitive start, and put on Faissal El Bakhtaoui.

Dundee went with three up front for the last half hour and, in doing so, the game became more open.

There will be a lot more games like this one in the coming months and the fans have to be prepared to keep backing their players as they have done through a difficult spell recently.

Dundee’s position in staying in the Premiership is more important than anything else.

It sometimes isn’t pretty but when everything clicks together, like the games against Motherwell and Inverness, then the supporters are treated to an enjoyable afternoon.

Don’t write off Saturday’s point as disappointing, though.

Come April, it might be the very point that puts the Dark Blues where they would like to be — in the top six.