Defeat has not halted revival for Dark Blues

Hateley and Co plan to put things right

Dundee’s Tom Hateley insists normal service will be resumed this weekend coming after the desperately disappointing defeat at Kilmarnock on Saturday.

The Dark Blues’ recent revival came to a shuddering halt in Ayrshire with Paul Hartley’s side producing their poorest performance for weeks as they lost 2-0 and slip to 10th place on goal difference.

Hateley candidly confessed that Dundee “didn’t turn up” on the day but he and the rest of the players are determined to put things right when Ross County come calling at Dens this week.

The former Motherwell player said: “It is a tight old league. We have put a few results together and went from bottom to sixth. That’s the way it is. I think in the past, the boys have said they have drawn too many games.

“Obviously, you never want to lose a game but you would much rather try to win a few than draw a lot.”

Hateley added: “We have had a bad result against Kilmarnock and obviously we didn’t turn up.”

Hateley added: “So we will give it a right good go next week.

“You never want to lose a game but we have been on a good run of form and I am fully confident that next week we will be back to the way we have been for the last month.”

Kevin Gomis, who missed the Kilmarnock game because he was back in France to be by his wife’s side as she gave birth, should return to training this week and be in contention for the match against the Staggies.

Meanwhile, Dundee’s James Vincent, who was replaced in just the 25th minute against Kilmarnock by Danny Williams, went off as he was feeling ill.

Killie manager Lee Clark reserved special praise for Jordan Jones and Gary Dicker, saying he thinks he can “add goals” to Jones’ game.

Jones, a 22-year-old midfielder who joined on a free transfer in the summer, has been a regular for Killie this term without scoring.

Clark said: “Jordan Jones is showing his potential now. But I believe I can get more out of him.”

“I believe I can add goals to his game.

“I think if he can do that, we’ll have a hell of a player on our hands. He’s starting to use his assets in the right way.

“Gary Dicker was outstanding today.

His quality on the ball, his job in protecting the back four, getting in front of the big guy Haber from long goalkeeper kicks, he didn’t allow him to win the the first header.

“I just thought he was outstanding for the whole game.”