With seven matches remaining in the Premiership, many Dundee fans already expect relegation.
That’s an incredibly sad state of affairs for such a big club.
There are still 21 points on offer with five matches against sides in the bottom half.
Four points adrift is a bad position but, with nearest rivals St Johnstone still to play, not impossible to overcome.
However, the way this season has unfolded, optimism has been beaten out of the fans.
Dundee’s is a support that has suffered disappointment after disappointment after disappointment.
Disappointment in some of the performances on the pitch but more so for disappointment in the governance of this great club.
Self-fulfilling prophecy of doom
All the things wrong with the club right now come to a head because things are bad on the pitch.
The lack of meaningful communication from the top, the dreadfully coordinated change in manager and the appalling state of Dens Park all come into clear focus when the team is struggling.
Some fans get angry but there’s plenty apathy around, too. That in itself brings a self-fulfilling prophecy of doom.
It is completely understandable for long-suffering supporters to decide they’ve had enough of the suffering.
But the players need support now more than ever.
Belief
They still believe safety can be achieved – they can’t afford to think any other way.
They also know they’ve beaten Aberdeen this season, they’ve beaten St Mirren, thumped Motherwell, seen off St Johnstone and picked up points against Livingston, Dundee United and Hibs – nearly all the teams they could face between now and the end of the season.
So there is still hope.
A big chunk of the support, though, can’t bring themselves to believe in that.
Because getting the hopes up and seeing them shattered – again – is too painful.
But the players need support from the stands.
Something to get behind
That’s what was so encouraging to me about Sunday against Rangers.
Yes, the game ended in defeat, but the performance and attitude of the players gave the fans something to shout about.
Something to get behind.
And, for a spell, maybe not long enough, all the gripes and problems around the club get forgotten for a wee while.
At last, there are things to be happy about on the pitch.
The players looked well up for the game, the likes of Christie Elliott really grabbed their chance to impress.
The key, as my learned colleague Lee Wilkie said yesterday, is to bring that attitude and performance into the games that really matter against teams close to them in the table.
And, obviously, get some points to show for your hard work.
If the fans can enjoy their football again, the anger towards the top fades, the mucky stadium isn’t so bad after all and the big problems off the pitch can be sorted out with a little less rancour and more acceptance.
The players have a lot of pressure on their shoulders – they could do with a little help.
