The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Mcpake calls on fans for show of patience
DUNDEE: Dee boss aware of how lapses from team have led to frustration
Manager James Mcpake understands why Dundee fans have been getting the jitters but hopes nerves will be calmed soon.
Even with the Dark Blues leading 4-1 at home to in-form Dunfermline at Dens Park on Saturday, anxiety in the stands led to some booing of the home players. That appeared to be harsh in the extreme considering the scoreline at that stage but Mcpake is aware of how past lapses by his team have led to uneasiness.
The tension inside the stadium only grew when the 10-man Pars got it back to 4-3 but the hosts held on for what was a commendable result following a run of four matches without a win.
Mcpake, though, can see why supporters are getting spooked and acknowledges that there has also been a fair amount of praise for his players when they have been performing well this season.
The Dundee boss said: “I see both sides. I see all the praise we get as well as the criticism. We do get a lot of backing in terms of the changes we have made over the season, the players coming in and the squad that is getting built and has young kids like Fin Robertson playing.”
Wright said: “Nobody here ever takes anything for granted, but we have looked hard to beat again and that has pleased me a lot.”
Recently acquired defensive solidity has been at the heart of the Saints revival, with back to back cleansheets underlining how significantly things have improved from the days when they were conceding four to the likes of Hibs and Motherwell.
“When we were finishing top six in the league after almost every game you heard from opposition managers how poor a game it had been when they played us,” said Wright.
“That was what I wanted to hear most of the time because when they’re saying that it means we’ve been doing our jobs defensively.
“I used to have a little chuckle to myself because it meant we’d been dogged and well organised.
“So hearing people say the last two games have been poor is great for me. We have kept two clean sheets and that’s exactly what I asked of the players at the back.
“On Saturday the conditions were not ideal, the pitch was poor and the wind was really bad.
“But I think in the key moments we played the better football and had more quality up top – and ultimately that’s what won us the game.
“But getting back to being solid at the back has been the biggest aim for us lately and I’ve been delighted with the clean sheets.”
Wright added: “Callum Booth and Liam Gordon have come into the team and made a big difference.
“Scott Tanser gives us a bit more going forward but Boothy is more of a defensive type, while Liam is a good talker so that has helped.
“Everyone has done their jobs the last two games. It has been good basic defending.
“And when we do that, with the pace we have in the team up front you will always create opportunities.
“They have showed they can do it in the last two games, so we need to keep it going now.”
Jason Holt came off on Saturday after 80 minutes with an ankle injury. The swelling hasn’t yet gone down and he will be assessed as the week goes on.
Callum Hendry and Murray Davidson both sustained knee knocks but Wright reported that they should be fine for St Mirren.
● Wright was happy to see two of his on-loan players help their teams to victory.
He said: “It was a good weekend for our young strikers.
“Olly Hamilton got his first goals (two) for Brechin and wee John (Robertson) scored the winner for Cove. It was a good weekend all round.”