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

Manager's Programme Notes

All too often over during the summer, all you'll have read in the media is of the financial pressure that is on this club. In other words it has all been very negative about how we were doing to lose this player and that player.

If that breeds an air of pessimism then I can assure that it is not shared by the management team at Dens Park after three victories all away from home. In addition I feel that we head into the new term with an even stronger squad than last a year ago. ta And in view of our start to the season, I feel that our optimism is justified. We answered all the questions which were asked of us on the opening day of the season at McDiarmid Park.

Many thought we would come a cropper against St Johnstone, but in addition to a lot of good individual performances, we looked solid as a unit and thoroughly deserved our 2-0 victory.

That was followed up by a totally professional display against East Stirling last Saturday. Some might argue that the opposition might not have been up to much, but there one or two shocks in the Coca-Cola Cup and we did all that could be asked, if not a bit more in winning through to meet Kilmarnock next Wednesday.

And that sets up two intriguing fixtures in the week ahead. Today we face Airdrie who have caused us a few problems in the past. so we will have to be at our best if we are to continue our winning sequence.

Today's fixture is all part of a very hectic start to the new season but in view of how we have started we are very much in looking forward to being put to the test by Airdrie this afternoon and then by Kilmarnock in the Coca-Cola cup next Wednesday.