Dundee manager Gary Bowyer is demanding an improved defensive performance from his Championship leaders this weekend at Inverness.
The division’s two in-form outfits face off at the Caledonian Stadium with promotion on the mind in both dugouts.
Bowyer’s boys are after top spot in their quest to return to the Premiership at the first time of asking.
But they will have to improve on last week’s 3-3 draw with Greenock Morton if they are to end Caley’s six-match winning streak.
Prior to that game the Dark Blues had only conceded two goals in six games with Jordan McGhee in midfield.
His season-ending injury picked up at Raith Rovers, however, saw on-loan Barry Maguire take his spot against Ton last time out.
And Bowyer thinks McGhee’s absence was felt by the team as a whole.
“It might be easy to point to but did we miss Jordan McGhee?” Bowyer said.
“It shows people the importance of having someone like Jordan McGhee in your team. I thought Barry Maguire came in and did ever so well in his place.
“But it’s a whole team thing and we have to defend better.
“That said: lad scores an overhead kick, other lad scores a worldy free-kick, it’s one of those days…”
On Inverness, he added: “The last time we played them at home we were really good. We had lots of chances and their goal came from a deflection.
“We need to go and impose ourselves on the opposition and look to improve from last weekend.
“But carry that spirit and fight we showed to come back from 3-1 down.”
Kwame Thomas
Who starts up front, though?
Of late, Bowyer has preferred a strike pairing of Zach Robinson and Alex Jakubiak.
Goals have come for both. But now Kwame Thomas is pushing for a starting berth after coming off the bench to net twice against Morton last weekend.
That included a 94th-minute leveller and brought his tally to three goals in four games.
So has Thomas given Bowyer a decision to make?
“Yes, he has. That’s what you want from your squad,” the Dundee boss added.
“You want people giving you problems and it’s always good to be able to call on someone from the bench like we did with Kwame.”
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