The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Dee standards must not slip says Bowyer
Gary Bowyer says Dundee had a dress rehearsal last week for their Scottish Cup clash tomorrow with League One Airdrieonians.
Expectations were high against the Championship’s bottom side Hamilton last time out. The Dark Blues were big favourites at home to a team struggling at the foot of the division.
However, the game itself did not play out like that, with Accies coming away from Dens Park feeling unfortunate not to pick up a result.
Dundee, though, got the three points thanks to Paul Mcmullan’s close-range winner to extend their winning run to three games. And Bowyer has warned his side they cannot let standards slip if they want to make it four wins in a row in another game where expectations are high.
“We had a dress rehearsal in a sense last week,” the Dundee boss said.
“We were perceived to have beaten Hamilton before we played them. The expectation was we would beat them because they were bottom but the game was tough.
“The message for the players was the same this week.
“We want to be in the next round as do Airdrieonians. They will have no fear and it’s a free hit for them.
“I’ve watched them and like the way they play.
“I know the goalkeeper Dean Lyness, he played for me at Blackpool when we won promotion. We expect a tough game.”
With that in mind, Bowyer says he’ll be going with a strong starting XI.
Injuries are biting with top scorer Zach Robinson ruled out.
But the carrot of a cup run and a plum tie in the next round should be enough to motivate the players insists the Dens boss. If not, the stick of avoiding a cup upset will do.
“In my experience in the FA Cup, I was fortunate as Blackburn boss to get to the quarter-finals and took Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool team to a replay,” Bowyer recalled.
“I valued it then.
“And in League One and League Two it was always a good source of income for us to have a good run and you always want to make a bit of history and to get through.
“But, at the same time, I’ve been a victim of being knocked out by a lowerleague club. You don’t like that.
“We already had a good cup run this year and, from a financial point of view, going to Rangers was massive for us.
“I always feel when you play against higher-division opposition, it gives you a real insight into the players and who steps up to it.
“We want to try to get through and to get a big draw.
“And we want to keep the momentum going so we’ll be strong.”
Meanwhile Dundee’s top scorer Robinson got himself off the pitch before doing lasting damage to a hamstring injury says Bowyer.
However, the Dens gaffer has confirmed the on-loan AFC Wimbledon man won’t be available to face Airdrieonians after limping out of last week’s win over Hamilton.
Robinson has fired in eight goals in 19 games, including three in the last three, and has also provided a real focal point for the side. The hope is he will back available for the return to league action next weekend.
“We don’t know exactly how long Zach Robinson is going to be but he will miss Saturday,” Bowyer said.
“We’ll just have to see next week how his hamstring settles down.
“Hopefully, he’ll be back for the Inverness game.
“Apparently he had one on the other leg last season, similar situation, but he carried on with it and made it worse.
“This time he got himself off and used that experience.
“It’ll be a case of going steady on that but he won’t be available for the weekend.”
Robinson is one of a string of injury worries for Dundee as they prepare to face the League One side.
There has, though, been positive news for the likes of Paul Mcgowan, Jordan Marshall and Joe Grayson.
Josh Mulligan has shrugged off a knock that kept him out for Scotland U21 duty while Ben Williamson is also good to go.
“He’s fine, he got a kick on his ankle but he’s trained this week,” Bowyer said.
“With his form, he’s going the right way so it’s important for him and for us we keep his momentum going. We’re happy with him.
“Tyler French is still struggling a bit with his groin. We’ll make a call on him Friday.”
Mcgowan and Marshall, meanwhile, have both been on the sidelines for a few weeks now.
Marshall hurt his knee in the 2-2 draw at Queen’s Park a month ago while Mcgowan injured his own knee in the lead-up to that contest at Ochilview.
Both, though, are nearing a return.
“Paul Mcgowan has been back on the grass this week but we’re not going to rush him,” Bowyer added.
“We’ll see how he goes and will make sure there’s no reaction.
“Jordan Marshall has also been out on the grass, doing straight line running so that’s a positive.”