Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Wilkie: Dee should not be scared of Utd
FRIDAY night’s derby is a dangerous game for Dundee right now – not one I would choose at this moment if I were in the Dark Blues hotseat.
There are a few similarities to the last derby with both teams heading into the contest in good form.
The last one at Dens Park saw the two teams go into the contest on the back of three straight wins each.
However, that didn’t show for James McPake’s men as they were distinctly second best and barely laid a glove on Dundee United.
This time around the old rivals have wins at their backs again – two for the Dark Blues while the Tangerines have just kept on winning since the last meeting.
Ever since that 2-0 defeat on November 8, there’s been a real fragility about Dundee.
They shrugged that off at Firhill at the weekend, however, with a good win at Partick Thistle.
After that and the 4-3 win over Dunfermline, a big game like the derby is the last game I would want if I was in James’ shoes.
You’d want a couple more regular games first to build up some momentum and confidence.
Of course, they don’t have that and head into one the biggest matches of the season.
And it’s one I’d like to see them really go for.
Kane Hemmings had been crying out for some support alongside him earlier in the season and he’s got that with Danny Johnson in the team lately.
That’s a strikeforce any team in this division would be delighted with and they’ve shown they are a much more dangerous team.
Backing them up are players like Graham Dorrans and Paul McGowan, so there is real quality in the Dark Blues squad.
That’s why I’d like to see them have a go at United because, with players like that, they shouldn’t be scared of anyone in this league.
However, sometimes I don’t think they go into games quite believing that. They are often a bit too cautious for my liking.
It would be good to see them really throw everything at United on Friday night.
This is where James earns his money, though, because it’s far easier saying that than doing it.
The Tangerines are flying right now and are showing they will take some stopping.
The spotlight is really on the Dark Blues after the last couple of derby results.
However, Dundee have to believe they have the players capable of ending United’s winning run or it could be another long, long night for them.