Dundee boss Barry Smith believes Sunday’s City of Discovery derby could not be coming at a better time following the defeat to St Mirren at the weekend.
Despite seeing his side lose their first home league game of the season, the Dark Blues boss insists the fact that the short trip to Tannadice is next on the horizon could prove to be the perfect tonic for his players.
”After being beaten at home, the boys should still be coming in looking forward to the game on Sunday,” Smith said. ”It’s a big game because it’s a derby and there’s no motivation needed.
”I shouldn’t have to lift them after being beaten because they should be looking forward to the derby game. If there’s any time where I don’t have to pick them up it’s now and Sunday’s game will take care of itself. Scottish football is crying out for derbies like this.”
A wonder goal from Kenny McLean and a strike from Sam Parkin meant Dundee tasted defeat for the first time since their return to the SPL on Saturday, but Smith is confident there is better to come from his players.
”I thought we created a number of chances and it’s about being positive and looking at the chances we did create,” he said. ”I don’t think there was a lot between the two teams and I’m pleased we are creating chances I’d be more concerned if we weren’t.
”The one thing is that we’re not taking them, but I’m sure we will start. There was nothing in the game and their boy had a great strike but we had a great strike and it hit the post. It’s all about fine margins.
”But it was only the second game into the season and we’ve got an injury list that very few teams could cope with. For me, there’s a lot to look forward to.”
Smith was also happy with the way the supporters stuck behind the team throughout the game, even after going 2-0 down.
”It was the second game of the season and I think the fans understand everyone has been thrown in at the deep end just now,” he added. ”To me it will take a bit of time, but the fans would have noticed on Saturday the workrate and the effort the boys put in, which again was brilliant.”
Smith admitted taking a bit of a gamble by playing skipper Stephen O’Donnell, who has been suffering with a groin problem of late, but revealed the captain gave him little choice in the matter.
He explained: ”It was a bit of a risk because he’s not fully fit, but Stephen is prepared to put his body on the line for us, given the injury situation we’ve got. That’s testament to himself and his professionalism. It was a late decision but he was desperate to play.
”He is a wee bit sore again, but it’s something we will have to manage over the next couple of weeks and hopefully, he can begin to train normally. He came off through tiredness, because he’s not been training properly for a couple of weeks.”
Away tickets for this weekend’s derby with Dundee United are still available from the ticket office at Dens Park.