Dundee must relight the fire ahead of huge derby fixture

The contrast between Dundee’s performance against Aberdeen last Sunday in the Betfred Cup and the one they produced against Inverness in the league could not have been more pronounced.

The high-energy, pressing game that caused the Dons no end of problems didn’t materialise on Saturday with a resultant lack of chances throughout.

There was plenty of perspiration from the home players on what was a sweltering afternoon at Dens but Dundee rarely tested Caley keeper Mark Ridgers as they huffed and puffed to little effect.

Influential midfielder Jamie Ness, who had been one of the star men against the Dons, was missing through illness but on paper the Dark Blues possessed enough firepower to trouble the Highland side, especially with Danny Johnson and Kane Hemmings paired together up front.

However both were starved of ammunition and endured a frustrating afternoon.

Certainly, if James McPake’s men produce a similar lacklustre performance against United on Friday night, then there is likely to be only one winner.

The manager himself admitted on Saturday that he is still searching for his preferred first team and formation.

Regardless of what he decides to opt for on either score at Tannadice, there has to be an increase in tempo and – in the right manner – aggression, something the manager displayed in spades whenever he played in dark blue.

And as a former defender, McPake does not need me to tell him that Dundee have to do what everyone else has failed to so far this season – snuff out the danger from a certain Lawrence Shankland.