| Jim wants an improvement in performance and, with the Dark Blues two points adrift at the foot of the SPL, knows better results are a must. Despite the pressure that comes with the league position, he is adamant he can still look forward to games on a Saturday.
“In terms of the way we’ve been playing, over 90 minutes we have to do better and we need to start picking up points, but I believe in football it is important you are still enthusiastic and enjoying your work.
“When I have a game against Aberdeen to look forward to, I can definitely do that because, in terms of atmosphere, these games are usually better even than when we player Rangers or Celtic at Dens.
“Aberdeen bring a big support and they’ll make a lot of noise. On the park, it’s always a tough game and, with the way they’ve been playing this season, it will not be any different tomorrow.”
While Dundee have struggled, under Jimmy Calderwood the Dons have soared to third in the league. That, and statistics which show this is a fixture that normally favours the away team, would suggest the three points will be heading to the Granite City. The home manager, though, has warned his men will fight all the way.
“Sometimes, for whatever reason, you get a fixture where results go a certain way, whatever the era and whoever the managers are. This is one of them.
“It’s been the case that we have a good record at Pittodrie and Aberdeen have a good record down here — that’s maybe part of the reason why the atmosphere is so good, because you usually have big away supports.
“We still think we can take something and that’s what we will be looking to do. Although we basically lost the game in the first five minutes at Rangers last week, the players showed character in not folding after that and even created a few chances.
“In fact, at 2-0 down we were playing well, had two chances inside the six-yard box and one around the penalty spot, so we could still have been in the game.
“Our problem was our concentration and that’s been the story of our season. Too often we’ve played well for part of games and then lost bad goals. That’s something we must improve on.”
Still out tomorrow are the injured Iain Anderson, Tom Hutchinson and Kelvin Jack, though the Trinidad goalkeeper might get a closed-door game next week.
Mark Fotheringham could play after recovering from the virus that forced him to miss out at Ibrox.
Ryan Esson will play in goal for the Dons as David Preece is suspended. |
