The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Home form gives Dens boss cause for optimism
DUNDEE: McIntyre believes four-game unbeaten run shows side’s improvement
Wednesday afternoon’s draw with Livingston was more evidence for Dundee manager Jim McIntyre of his team’s Dens Park improvement.
For a long period under Neil McCann the Dark Blues suffered at home but, now that they are four games unbeaten on their own pitch, they are starting to prosper on it.
“We have improved at home and I thought we coped well with Livingston on Boxing Day,” said McIntyre.
“They are a real threat with balls into the box, long throws and the pace they have up front. The performance this time round was a lot better than it was the last time we played them.
“We want to extend the unbeaten run at home to five games because your home form has a big say in how your season pans out.”
McIntyre revealed the situation he inherited at Dens has meant his usual habit as a manager of setting points milestones hasn’t been adopted.
“In the past I would look at points tallies, try to set a target for each quarter of the season and take it from there,” he said.
“There is a pattern there most seasons, so you can have a rough idea of what you need for each outcome.
“But I haven’t done that because we came in mid-season, the team were bottom of the league and there is work to do.
“You know that 35-point and upwards mark is what’s needed but right now you just have to claw in the teams above us.
“So we are focused on the two teams directly in front of us because right now there is a healthy enough gap to Motherwell.”
He added: “We have always known this period would be difficult with who we were playing.”
Meanwhile, Martin Woods has yet to return to training after pulling out of the Livingston game with a virus.
“Martin was just ill, he’s had a viral thing and was just floored by it,” said McIntyre.
“He wanted to come in and give it a try but during the warm-up he could tell he didn’t have much energy.
“It was too big a game to carry anyone so that’s why we had to make the decision.
“He was off today recovering so we’ll see how he is before Saturday.
“Roarie Deacon has trained so he will come into the squad, but Gensy Kusunga probably won’t make it even though he’s done some light training.”