What a difference a week makes. Last Saturday, Dundee barely created a chance worthy of the name as they slumped to a dismal defeat against Cowdenbeath.
Fast forward seven days and the Dark Blues easily brushed aside rock-bottom Morton and probably should have won by a lot more than a two-goal margin.
The catalyst for all that was good about the Dundee display was striker Christian Nade, who netted his first goal for the club and deservedly won the man-of-the-match award for his overall performance.
The big Frenchman has had more than his fair share of doubters concerned about the length of time he has been out of the game and his general levels of fitness.
On Saturday’s evidence, there should be no question marks over the 29-year-old’s footballing ability, while it is obvious that he has worked hard on the training pitch under the new managerial regime of Paul Hartley.
Dundee goalkeeper Kyle Letheren admitted he is a big admirer of Nade and even went so far as to favourably compare him to his Welsh compatriot, former Arsenal, West Ham and Celtic striker John Hartson.
Letheren said: “Big Christian was tremendous. From start to finish, he was immense. He’s not been fully fit recently, nor played a lot of football, which makes it all the more impressive.
“I can’t remember his last game but I’m sure the fitter he gets the more goals he will score for the team.
“He’s certainly a presence like John Hartson was. He can keep the ball very close to him when there are a lot of defenders round him.
“Christian is a one-off. When you look around, I don’t think there is anyone else like him in this division. With his strength and size, he’s different and he’s got quick feet to go with those attributes.
“If you can get the ball into him, then you can work around him.
“In training in small-sided games, he just pins his man and you can play the ball up to him. Sometimes when you’ve got a big man like that you can play it up to him too early.
“But Christian prefers it into his feet as he’s got the ability to hold it. He’s not someone who likes it lumped to him. If we can get it in to his feet, then wee Martin (Boyle) and Peaso (Peter MacDonald) can feed off him.
“Peaso thrives playing off a big target man. I don’t think he’s at his best playing up on his own.”
Saturday’s game was Nade’s first start for the club and it was obvious he was keen to make an immediate impact.
The former Hearts striker went close to opening the scoring in the ninth minute when he dispossessed Morton’s Darren Cole before rounding keeper Derek Gaston.
Nade clipped a shot towards goal from a tight angle but he was denied by Stuart Findlay who raced back to clear off his own line.
However, the striker was celebrating just four minutes later when he connected with a Boyle cross to bullet a header home and give Dundee the lead.
Nade looked to repeat his goalscoring feat seconds later but his glancing header from a Jim McAlister cross flashed agonisingly wide.
The Dark Blues again came close to extending their lead shortly after half-time when Boyle raced through on goal before hitting a crisp shot but Gaston pulled off a fantastic one-handed save to deny him.
Just short of the hour mark, Nade twisted and turned a defender but having manufactured space for himself, he narrowly dragged his shot wide.
Morton rarely threatened but Letheren had to look lively in the 68th minute to save a long-range effort by Barrie McKay.
With the clock ticking down, Morton skipper Marc Fitzpatrick came close with a header but Dundee finally put the game to bed in the 86th minute. Boyle was sent through on goal again with Gaston parrying his shot but MacDonald was on hand to gleefully hit the ball into the back of the net for his first goal in seven games.
There was a late scare for the Dark Blues when Morton substitute Archie Campbell looked certain to score but Kyle Benedictus pulled off a desperate last-ditch tackle to deny him and ensure that Dundee kept a clean sheet.
That was something which naturally delighted keeper Letheren.
He said: “That’s the kind of game that we are going to have to win in order to get the title. It was tough and I thought we dropped off the pace after a bright start.
“They sort of came back on top of us but I thought we were brilliant the way we came back out in the second half. That was probably one of the best games we’ve played this season.
“It was good to get back to winning ways and, of course, getting a clean sheet again. That’s about 13 or 14 this season.
“I’ve set myself a target. I’ve got four or five more to go so hopefully I can achieve my aim.”
Letheren’s boss also lavished praise on Nade, who like everyone else at the club, is attempting to prove to the manager that he is deserving of a new contract with Dundee.
Hartley said: “We created a lot of chances and it was a good three points for us.
“I thought we started the first 25 minutes with a lot of intensity and tempo. We had plenty of width in the game and Nade caused them problems.
“He has not played a lot of football but I thought he was a threat. He got a good goal and could have had a couple more but in terms of his overall play, I thought he was excellent and a real presence for us.
“Like everybody else, he is playing for his future at the club. It is always the case when a new manager comes in, they all want to impress.
“I thought the players’ attitude was fantastic. We got the win and another clean sheet. That is three in the four games since I came in and that’s an important foundation.
“Overall, I am very pleased.”