neil robertson

There may be lies, damned lies and statistics but the facts and figures highlighting Dundee’s current position certainly reveal some bitter truths.

Twelve league games played, only two wins to their name with 23 goals conceded so far and no clean sheets – it makes grim reading for anyone of a Dark Blue persuasion.

Dundee conceded another three last weekend against a Hamilton side that had not won in their previous eight matches.

Accies, though, left Dens with a precious victory in the bag to cap what had been a miserable week for Neil McCann’s men.

They had thrown away a one-goal lead against Partick Thistle at Firhill the previous Saturday with Alan Archibald’s side securing their first league win of the season and then could not recover from the early loss of what proved to be the decisive only goal at home to Motherwell on the Wednesday night.

The miserable triple whammy for the Dundee support was made complete with Hamilton not having to work particularly hard for their victory.

The Dundee defending at all three goals was woeful and it is a failing that is costing them dear.

McCann’s right-hand man Graham Gartland was a defender in his playing days and he must be tearing his hair out at some of the soft goals that are being conceded.

Up front, McCann is also struggling to find a combination that can hit the back of the net on a regular basis with just two goals in the last three games with one coming from the penalty spot.

Things certainly do not get any easier for the Dark Blues who have a trip to face Hibs at Easter Road tomorrow with the Edinburgh side in buoyant mood after three wins on the bounce – over Hearts, Motherwell and Kilmarnock – with the victories being accompanied by clean sheets.

McCann has a large squad at his disposal but seems no closer to having a regular firstchoice XI. There were only five survivors in the starting line-up against Hamilton from the last time Dundee played Hibs at the end of August.

The sides drew that day and the Dark Blues would undoubtedly accept a similar result to stop the run of four defeats in a row that now sees them propping up the Premiership table on goal difference behind Kilmarnock.

One of the biggest threats they will face at Easter Road will come in the shape of Dundee old boy Martin Boyle.

He didn’t play in that first game but scored the only goal at Fir Park on Saturday and another against Kilmarnock. The Dark Blues defenders will have their work cut out trying to counter his blistering pace.

I always thought former Dens boss Paul Hartley should have persevered with the 24-year-old, but Dundee’s loss has certainly been Hibs’ gain.

Following Saturday, McCann’s men will have a bit of breathing space thanks to the international break, but after that there is a daunting set of fixtures – Killie at Dens followed by another home game with Rangers, a trip to the Highlands to face Ross County before Aberdeen come calling and a further road trip to play Hearts.

All of which means this weekend’s game at Hibs takes on even greater significance – McCann’s men really could do with a moraleboosting result.