Skipper insists it’s not same old story

Dark Blues captain believes squad is ‘different animal’ to last year

Captain Darren O’Dea insists Dundee are a “different animal” to what they were last season despite their poor start to the Premiership.

The Dark Blues are sitting bottom of the table after their opening-day defeat to Ross County at Dens was followed by a 3-0 loss to Hamilton Accies on Saturday.

With a daunting set of league fixtures against Aberdeen (a), Hibs (h), Rangers (a) and St Johnstone (h) to come before the Betfred Cup quarter-final against Celtic, there is a danger that the Dens men could find themselves in deep trouble very quickly.

However, O’Dea insists that Neil McCann’s side are better than the team that just avoided the playoff spot last May and are closer to getting it right than they were for long spells under previous boss Paul Hartley.

The Irishman, who hobbled off with a knee injury early in the second half on Saturday and will get a scan today, said: “We do need to pick up points now but I think we are a different animal to last year – that’s for sure. “The character in the team is different. “The two matches we have lost have been on a knife-edge and we could have gotten something out of both games.”

The Dark Blues took off O’Dea on 54 minutes, Waddell replacing him, with the first-half injury finally getting the better of the Irishman.

Dundee came close to getting one back when sub Danny Williams’ header went just wide.

The hosts had a go on 68 minutes when a Crawford corner to the edge of the box was volleyed by Scott McMann only to hit a wall of players.

Williams was looking lively and had a great chance to score when sent clear, but fired straight at Woods.

The Dark Blues then missed their best chance of all, a penalty on 78 minutes.

Skondras fouled Williams inside the box, and referee Bobby Madden pointed to the spot.

Up stepped Allan to blast his shot over the bar and keep the scoreline at 2-0.

Haber then had an opportunity but Woods pulled out a great save from close range to deny the Dens striker.

With five minutes left, it was 3-0 to Accies as they themselves made sure from the spot, with Imrie blasting home after Kevin Holt had fouled Templeton.