Dark Blues just can’t cope with key men missing
Dundee manager James Mcpake was understandably downhearted after his side’s seven-game unbeaten league run had come to an end, and he bemoaned the bad luck which had been apparent before the game with key players becoming unavailable.
“We had a lot of possession,” said Mcpake, “but we knew it was always going to be tough.
“We had a frustrating morning. Lee Ashcroft arrived to meet the bus, but he was ill, and Liam Fontaine failed a fitness test.
“It was difficult without two experienced centre-backs.
“That’s taking nothing away from the two kids who played. I have to give them credit. They played OK against a very good team, as was proved at Tynecastle last week.
“We shuffled it about a bit in the second half, got better and created a few chances.
“On another day, Osman’s shot which hit the post might have gone in and, if Jason had thrown his right foot at his shot, then you never know.
“I’m disappointed we didn’t capitalise after getting the early goal.
“They scored a goal from a set-play, which is a real concern, and that’s something we’ll need to look at, but I can’t fault the effort or the workrate of the players.”
Mcpake emphasised the players were also feeling the same level of disappointment at the defeat.
“The players are hurting in there,” he said. “They’ve been on a lengthy unbeaten run and they wanted to keep that run going to see how far they could go, but is about how we pick it up now.
“We’ve got a big couple of weeks coming up now and we need to react in a positive manner.”
Mcpake is hopeful his new signings will help restore that club’s form.
He continued: “Jason Cummings has a had one day’s training after a five-hour drive from Shrewsbury on Thursday, and Malachy Fagan-walcott has also had just one day with the boys.
“Paul Mcmullan’s been training for a couple of days, so its tough at the moment. When we get these players firing, we’ll be a different team.”