Dundee have to use their travelling support and “thrive off their energy” as they look to kickstart their Championship challenge this weekend at Raith Rovers.
That’s the view of manager Gary Bowyer as he prepares his Dark Blues for the fairly short trip to Kirkcaldy on Saturday.
Dundee often bring a good away following with them in trips to Fife and the Dens Park boss is keen to give the travelling support a happier send-off than last weekend.
The Dark Blues kicked off their league campaign in disappointing fashion after falling 3-0 down to Partick Thistle within an hour at home.
They would grab two goals back but not before boos rang out at half-time.
HT Dundee 0-2 Partick
Absolutely not the start the Dee and Gary Bowyer were after. As expected, Thistle a very decent outfit but Dundee haven't got going at all.
Two poor goals conceded, a deflection and a howler from Sweeney
A lot of work on for 2nd half as the team are booed
— George Cran (@di_cranio) July 30, 2022
‘Rightly made feelings known’
This weekend, Bowyer wants to see his players inspire a positive atmosphere from the away end at Stark’s Park – and thrive off it.
“I thought the supporters last weekend were brilliant,” Bowyer said.
“They rightly made their feelings known at half-time but they stayed with us, that’s for sure.
“The noise they generated last week was really good. The away support always seems to go up a notch in terms of volume so I’m looking forward to seeing that.
“Speaking to the players this week, the thing that came out regularly in chats with them was that they felt disappointed for supporters because of the good turn-out on Saturday.
“It’s always positive to have a good following and we have to thrive off their energy.
“Hopefully, this weekend we can send them home happy.”
‘Be better’
Raith Rovers also head into the weekend contest on the back of an opening-day defeat.
Ian Murray’s side took on recently-promoted Cove Rangers but were beaten 2-0 in Aberdeen.
Bowyer and his backroom team have been pouring over the video of that game this week as they target three points at Stark’s Park.
“They have good players, can play a couple of different systems so we know it will be a tough challenge,” the Dundee boss added.
“One thing we can’t do is expect to just turn up. We’ve been saying that since minute one, whether there was a bit of that last week I don’t know.
“Raith are a good footballing team, the way they play, and they have good individuals who can hurt you if you give them time and space.
“They will be wanting a response from their defeat last week as well.
“We’ve highlighted areas where we need to stop them but also areas we think we can exploit.
“And be better than we were last week.”
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