The statistics of the season so far might not show it but wide man Calvin Miller believes Dundee are a team heading for Hibs today ready to start winning matches.
The 20-year-old has seen victory only once in nine appearances since he joined on loan from Celtic at the end of August.
His solitary success came against Hamilton in September and, despite a run of five defeats and just one draw since, he feels under new boss Jim McIntyre the Dark Blues have been improving.
And if a draw against St Mirren followed by the international break has made for a frustrating time, he insists Dundee are heading for Easter Road confident of success.
“We did really well against St Mirren. I thought and we had a lot of chances as well,” he said.
“We were creating a lot more and we were getting a lot more people in the box so it was disappointing not to win it but the positives were there.
“It was a start for us but, obviously, we were a bit annoyed not to win it and having to wait for the next game is frustrating but we’re looking forward to Hibs.
“Going into this one we just need to cut out these small mistakes that are costing us. Just simple things like maybe tucking back round or talking to someone, a wee bit of communication.
“We’ve highlighted those small mistakes and we’re trying to get rid of them and I feel like we’re becoming more structured.”
The 20-year-old does admit, had Dundee been heading for Hibs just a few weeks ago, it would have been with a sense of trepidation. Now it’s a different story.
“There was a period where we weren’t getting the wins and the confidence was low. The team cohesion wasn’t what it should be.
“Now the new manager has come in, got us structured and the intensity is there in training. A lot more people are showing what they’ve got and I feel like it’s a better vibe within the team.
“As long as we keep trying to pick up points I’m sure once we get a wee bit of luck or whatever, we’ll kick on.”
Today is likely to see him again used in a more attacking role, in front of Nathan Ralph on the left flank. While the defensive side of his game is something he is determined to see improved, that’s a set-up he’s more accustomed to.
“That was the plan when I came here. I do really like playing winger.
“I don’t mind playing left wing-back but at left-back I’ve still got a lot to work on defensively.
“It’s just not something that’s been natural to me growing up because I’ve always been an attacking player.
“Defending has been difficult but I feel like I’m gradually getting there. The defensive side is something I am working on. I’m doing that and I’m giving 100%.
“Having Nathan behind me gives me confidence, knowing that if anything breaks down he is there. That gives me a free attacking role to open the legs up, be positive and attack.
“I can get crosses in the box because the manager wants bodies in there and I can provide the balls for them.”
And he insists Dundee’s plan today will be to get on the front foot, even if they have to be aware of the dangers of facing the Hibees on their own turf.
“You can go there and they can really hurt you, the big crowd can help them as well but we need to just concentrate on our game and take the positives from St Mirren.
“We have to forget about everything else and work on what we want to do. I feel we can definitely back ourselves now and we have a bit of confidence, so I don’t see why we shouldn’t try and take the game to them and try and get something out of the game at least.”
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