Williams: Dark Blues need to be ruthless

Dark Blues winger calls for calm at Pittodrie as he targets a second season impact at Dens

Danny Williams has admitted that Dundee’s players need to find a ruthless streak if they are to get their Premiership season up and running.

The Dark Blues squandered a number of chances as they lost first to Ross County and then to Hamilton to sit pointless going into today’s trip to Aberdeen.

Williams doesn’t shy away from naming himself as a guilty party, after showing up well as a substitute against Accies last weekend but still failing to find the back of the net.

With the opportunities likely to be at a premium at Pittodrie this afternoon, Williams knows they will have to take them when they get them.

“We had a few missed chances against Hamilton, including one or two for myself,” said the 29-year-old former Inverness Caley Thistle left winger, who won the penalty that was missed by Scott Allan at the SuperSeal Stadium.

“At least we are creating them but we do need to be a little bit more ruthless in front of goal and I would include myself in that.

“If we are being honest we might get fewer chances in this game than we have in the others.

“I think what we need is a bit of calmness in front of goal as well as ruthlessness. You could say the difference on Saturday was that Accies were ruthless and took their chances while we weren’t and didn’t.

“It would have been a different game had we taken ours and I do think we were a bit unfortunate.

“Also, it was about both ends of the park really because there was some not so good defending that cost us too.”

Therewon’tbemanypeopleoutsidethe dark blue half of the city tipping the Dens men to come back down the road from the Granite City today with three points.

Injuries to Darren O’Dea at the back, winger Randy Wolters and striker Sofien Moussa will not help Dundee’s cause any.

However, Williams is determined to both impress manager Neil McCann and help give the supporters who travel up the A90 something to shout about.

“A result would be great for us and the fans,” he said.

“I think they just need to stick by us and hopefully we can get a result for them up at Aberdeen.

“We don’t want to be where we are – no one does – and we would rather be pushing on.

“We want to be in the top six but each game is hard and you have to grind out performances and points.”

On a personal note, Williams is determined to be more involved this season than he was last time.

He added: “I have not been starting games so when I come on I need to make an impact. I thought I did it at Hamilton but I need to keep doing that.

“Last season wasn’t a good one for me personally if I am being honest.

“This time I feel like I have had a good pre-season and I have given it my all.

“I now want to kick on and show the gaffer what I can do. I feel like last season is behind me and it’s about pushing on.

“The gaffer played out wide himself and he has done a lot of work with me.

“I can also play left-back so it is a case of wherever needed, really.”

Meanwhile, Jack Hendry believes Dundee need to shake off their shackles at Pittodrie.

He said: “I feel we have to take the approach where we just need to go out and play with a freedom, no matter who we are playing.

“Every game in this league is going to be tough, so we just need to go out and believe in our ability and be confident.

“The fans got a glimpse of that during the Dundee United game. We just need to approach it like every game is winnable and then try to perform to our best.

“Obviously there will be some things we will work on to stop Aberdeen as they are a good side, so we will look into them a little. But I feel if we can turn up on the day we will have a real good chance as we have some really good players in this squad.

“Pittodrie is always a good place to play at and I’m sure it will be a good atmosphere. If we can get a result, it will be a good confidence booster for the lads”

Meanwhile, initial plans for a new Dundee stadium have been submitted to the city council. Dundee announced that “screening and scoping inquiries” had been submitted to the planning department for a stadium and associated development next to Camperdown Leisure Park.

by Ian Roache ABERDEEN V DUNDEE