Dundee 2
Hamilton Academical 0
League (First Division)

Manager's Programme Notes

Over the past two weeks we have faced Raith Rovers twice and there is no doubt that the Scottish Cup meeting left everyone at very disappointed.

In the first half, we controlled the game and deserved our interval lead.

For the tie we utilised a certain system to try and win the game, but the injury to Noel Blake upset those plans. We then proceeded to lose control of the midfield which ultimately cost us the match.

It was all the more disappointing when you look at the teams left in the cup and the draw because we feel that we would have had a good chance of going a lot further in the competition. Now everything hinges on promotion and the meeting with Raith Rovers seven days later at Starks Park produced almost an exact opposite of the cup encounter.

This time Raith were pre-match favourites and in a role reversal of the first match, it was they who controlled the first half. However, we had a grip of the second half and their keeper had two good saves and one effort was kicked off the line. In the end I was not unhappy with the result.I had to make one or two changes, and Andy Cargill came in and performed very well.

After the pressure of the two meetings with Raith Rovers, we face a different kind of pressure this afternoon, because we are expected to win against Hamilton.

But they come to Dens comfortably placed in mid-table and can afford to be relaxed in their approach.

Consequently, we must show the same determination as we did in the second half against Raith Rovers last week for the whole ninety minutes.

Our players have got to handle the pressure and believe, without being over-confident, that they can win and prove that they are good enough to win promotion.