Dundee 0
Airdrieonians (1878-2002) 1
League (First Division)

Manager's Programme Notes

The last two games have seen us strengthen our position at the top of the league after two very contrasting games.

Expectations against Stranraer were perhaps higher than a 2-0 win, but in my book, it was a thoroughly professional performance with the only disappointment being that we didn't secure the four or five goal victory which our play warranted against a club the opposite end of the table The circumstances of our re arranged visit to McDiarmid Park on Wednesday were very different. St Johnstone were desperate to win to close the gap between us, but here I felt we controlled the game in the opening half hour. Unfortunately, having gone ahead we got caught in two minds as to whether we should defend that lead or go for more goals. As a consequence, Saints got back in the game and went ahead. However, the players take great credit for not giving up, refusing to accept defeat and that ultimately earned us a very important point.

It also further demonstrates how hard a team we are to beat and kept our unbeaten run going. Teams we meet know they will have to work hard to beat us, but there are still one or two ares in which we must tighten up. Airdrie will come to Dens Park with the confidence gained from remaining unbeaten against us in the three meetings this season and they are in fact the last side to beat us.

We are now in the position where every team wants to beat us and obviously all the other promotion candidates, not to mention Airdrie themselves, will be hoping to lower our colours and that is something we will just have to live with so long as we head the table.

For our part we must concentrate on doing our own thing and doing the things we are good at well enough to stay clear from the rest of the field.