Greg Stewart candidly admits Dundee’s results since the Premiership split have not been good enough.
Which is why he is even more determined than usual to finish the season on a high tomorrow by beating near neighbours United at Tannadice.
The Dark Blues have gone six games without a victory with their last win coming against the Tangerines at Dens last month.
And Stewart believes he and the rest of Paul Hartley’s side need to display the same hunger and desire shown in that 3-1 triumph.
He said: “The last few games since we got into the top six haven’t been good enough from us.
“But if we can win this last derby and game of the season it could make up for it.
“We wanted it so much that night (in April) as we had taken a couple of sore ones off them this season.
“The boys played well and fully deserved the win so hopefully we can take that hunger into this game and win it for the fans.
“It is a huge match for them and it is the last day of the season so we will be looking to go out on a high.”
While the latest meeting with United was an occasion to remember for the Dundee players, the last derby at Tannadice on New Year’s Day was certainly one to forget with the Tangerines triumphing 6-2.
Stewart admits the thrashing was a harsh lesson but one that the Dark Blues players took on board as they then embarked on a six-game unbeaten run.
He said: “It was obviously a sore one to take. You always want to start the New Year on a high but taking a doing like that wasn’t good for the confidence.
“After the game, the boys were really down but following that match we went on a good unbeaten run.
“So while it was a sore one on the day, we managed to pick ourselves up.
“We kind of learned from the defeat. It was a kick up the backside and it is always good when you learn from that.
“But we just want to erase it from our memories.”
While the derby is the last game of this campaign, Stewart is already looking forward to next season and to being reunited with his former Cowdenbeath strike partner Kane Hemmings.
The pair were prolific for the Blue Brazil two seasons ago before Stewart joined Dundee and Hemmings headed for Barnsley.
Hemmings has now signed a pre-contract with the Dark Blues and Stewart is hoping they can take up from where they left off for Cowdenbeath.
He said: “It will be good to be back playing with him.
“We did well at Cowdenbeath together. He maybe struggled a wee bit down the road so it is a new challenge for him.
“It is obviously good to play with someone you know.
“I know his style of play so hopefully we can play well again together.
“He has always scored goals wherever he has been. He scored a few down there to start with but maybe the new manager there didn’t give him much of a chance.
“It is just one of those things that happen in football.
“He wanted to come back up the road and enjoy his football once again and hopefully he will score goals for us.
“Kane called me and asked what it was like at Dundee and he was keen to come here.
“He spoke to the gaffer a couple of times and he managed to get him signed up.
“He has signed Rory Loy as well and he is a striker so he could go with those two up there.
“I have played mostly on the left wing this season which is a new position for me but I seem to have adapted to it well.
“I play my best stuff out there so I am happy to stay on the left.
“But we managed to score 40 goals between us that season.
“We were battling relegation so it was great to score as many goals which helped keep Cowdenbeath in the league.”