Paul McGowan admitted to being shocked that Dundee have slumped to the bottom of the Premiership.
A combination of three defeats in seven days and a point for Kilmarnock at Celtic Park on Saturday meant the Dark Blues slid into last place on goal difference.
And the young players in the Dens Park side have had a crash course in the harsh realities of life in the top flight.
“It’s hard to say that we’re bottom of the league,” said McGowan, who captained the side in their 3-1 weekend defeat to Hamilton.
“I can’t believe how it’s happened because of the way we’ve been playing.
“But you’re not going to get anywhere if you’re not scoring and you’re conceding poor goals.
“We’re a young squad and it’s a learning curve but we need to learn quickly.
“Before you know it, you’re staring down the barrel.”
