Dundee 1
Dumbarton 1
League (First Division)

Manager's Programme Notes

Since our last home match we have had a very testing spell with three difficult league games, and of course, the Coca-Cola Cup Final.

Our league challenge on paper may seem to have faltered slightly by only picking up one point from Morton, but their recent results show that this wasn't as bad a result as it may first have seemed. In any event, wel had most of the play, but couldn't put the ball in the net which was partly down to a very good performance by the Morton keeper.

We couldn't have wished for better preparation, nor a better result for the Coca- Cola Cup Final, than our win in the derby match at Tannadice. I think it is fair to say that for the first hour we played as well as any Dundee side in my time as manager here, but took our foot off the pedal for twenty minutes and almost let United back into the match. However, it was an important victory and enables us to travel to Hampden full of confidence.

There can be no doubt that the biggest plus factor to emerge from the Coca-Cola Cup Final against Aberdeen was the number of Dundee fans who followed us and suus so well. The highlight for all of us who played in the game was the reception we received as we stepped out on to the pitch.

And that may well have been told on how we played because, there were more than twice the number of supporters we have been used to playing in front of in other big matches like derbies and against the Old Firm. It had a bit of a shock effect and as a result we failed to perform.

I know however, that many Dundee fans still enjoyed the occasion and it is obviously encouraging to the club to know that such a level of support exists.

The danger when we returned to the west on Saturday was turning out in front of 2,000 odd after the full house of Hampden, but I am pleased to say we started well and showed the grit and determination necessary to emerge with three points, even if we did tire a little at the end of a hectic week.

Tonight we take on Dumbarton in a match whic his outstanding because of our Cup Final appearance. They'll come to Dens obviously very disappointed with their heavy defeat at Tannadice last Saturday But in many ways that will make out task more difficult this evening because they will be determined to make things difficult against us.

For our part, we will have to concentrate on the job in hand by playing as well as we have done for most of the season and showing 100% determination to win.

There is, of course, the added bonus that three points will enable us to go to the top of the league for the first time this evening.