George Cran

Hibs display was a baby step for Dee but that’s all

DUNDEE’S performance at Easter Road on Saturday was a baby step in the right direction.

But that’s all.

They went down fighting, which is the least Dee fans should be seeing from their team.

However, they still lost the game – their third defeat on the bounce.

And that’s where the the problem lies for manager James McPake.

What he needs more than a baby step is a grown-up stride to victory on Saturday against Arbroath.

Because it’s only results that matter and Dundee haven’t got nearly enough of them this term.

Despite defeat, the performance against Hibs could only be seen as a positive – purely because the one the week before at Ayr United was so, so bad.

This display was anything but.

On the whole, they defended well – something the Dark Blues have failed to do consistently this term.

Lee Ashcroft was very good, aside from being caught out for the only goal of the game.

He looked far more comfortable next to Liam Fontaine.

The experienced defender seemed to add a calmness to the backline that hadn’t been there before.

In terms of sorting out their biggest problem – conceding goals – there was progress.

For under-fire manager

McPake there was a team willing to fight for him.

That’s a very good sign for the coach – just look what’s happening to Neil Lennon at Celtic and the way his team is going about things.

A sizeable chunk of the Dundee support want a new manager in place, though.

There is no benefit of the doubt now given for McPake from the virtual stands.

The margin for error is far slimmer now than it has ever been during his reign at Dens Park.

I can’t imagine what fans will be saying should the

Dark Blues fail to see off an Arbroath side yet to win in the league this term.

However, things are looking brighter for McPake.

Look at the squad he was able to name on Saturday at Hibs.

It was far stronger than any other he’s been able to pick this term.

Injuries seem to be easing, players missing through Covid-19 are back and the team as a whole is looking more balanced.

The emergence of Max Anderson has been a big part of that in my opinion.

He’s provided the legs and workrate needed alongside Charlie Adam and Shaun

Byrne, who has also been excellent, with no little quality.

I’ve also been impressed in the short time I’ve seen Alex Jakubiak on the field. He looks pacy, good technically and I expect him to be a handful for any Championship defence.

The Dundee manager will be feeling much happier about his team and his chances going forward this term.

The task now is to make the fans happy with their team’s results or these baby steps will be too little, too late.

Dundee boss James McPake knows there is no room for error against Arbroath on Saturday.