Motherwell Match ‘Massive Game’ For Dundee

[JoeCovenant]

Poor defending is costing Dundee far too many points — that’s the honest assess-ment of centre-back Julen Etxabeguren.

The Dark Blues travel to Fir Park to take on Motherwell today desperate for a win, having not taken three points from a match since the last time the duo met, at Dens Park, back on October 3.

Not only that, though, Paul Hartley’s men go in search of what will be just their third clean sheet of the season, having conceded in each of their last 10 games, stretching back to September 12.

Julen says it’s been a frustrating season for everyone in the squad.

But he admits it’s been particularly disappointing for the defenders within the Dark Blues’ ranks, who can claim just two clean sheets all season.

He said: “That is not a statistic I can say I am proud of.

“I think every player in the squad would say the same as me.

“If you are to win points, you have to defend properly and start keeping clean sheets.

“We have not done that enough this season.â€

Improvement in every department in the festive period is something the squad is working towards, according the Spaniard.

But, make no mistake about it, Etxabeguren says the manager, his coaches and the players are paying particular attention to the defence.

“Set-plays have been a problem for us,†said the classy, ball-playing central defender.

“We have conceded a lot of goals from crosses coming into the box.

“We are working every day on the training pitch to improve that, as we are in every other department, too.

“We have to show in games what we do in training every day.â€

Julen is under no illusions about what task lies ahead today.

He says Dundee are expecting a tough challenge against Mark McGhee’s men.

The 24-year-old, who has made 13 appearances so far this season since his switch from fourth-tier East Fife, says because of his team’s poor run of results and their slide down the league table, the match this weekend is an important one for the football club.

“This is a massive game for us,†he said.

“We need to make sure we get the three points.

“We are very confident. With the quality we have, we are confident against any team.

“But the facts do not lie — we lost the last match and we must go out and win this one.â€

Many a player has said it before him but consistency has been the big problem for Dundee this season.

Echoing that sentiment, Etxabuguren continued: “We are lacking consistency this season.

“And for that reason we are being punished by teams.

“Sometimes in games it is the small details that decide the result.

“That is something we need to improve on.

“Maybe we are not paying enough attention to the small details in a game.

“We are losing a lot of points because of that.â€

Last weekend’s 2-0 home loss to Aberdeen, which quite conceivably could’ve been more, was a particular low point of the season for the defender.

Reflecting on the game, he said of the result: “It was a really hard game for us as a team.

“We were disappointed we could not replicate the performances we showed against Hearts and at St Johnstone.

“The squad know we can do better than we did against Aberdeen.â€

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[Cobra]

I don't like using the phrase must-win willy nilly but this game feels pretty massive.

Facing Hamilton at home on the back of a long winless run is not appealing especially with Dingwall, Celtic and the dabs to come.

We simply have to perform today.

[BCram]

Agree with this Cobra. Very reassuring to read that the team seems to have got the message too, although the article creates a negative impression when you learn that they have been spending a lot of time on the training ground trying to iron out the cross ball defending. Maybe they need a bit of the Dariuz spirit and just get stuck in rather than worrying about [playing as planned? 

[Gedee]

The way the Premiership is set-up .... just about every Club, in every week, are facing a "must-win" game.

I am no necessarily ripping up the Premiership set-up, because it does as well make for some excitement.

(But that's for another day)  It's only DFC we are concerned aboot here. And YES I would put this into the

"must win" category (Jings are we no' great at putting presure on Oorselves, DFC, Manager and his Team)

 But wouldn't a  good, fighting performance, that gained us 3 points toaday, be the best o' news for us/DFC.

A limp, gutless performance, is impossible to even contemplate. Either way, busy Dark Blue Forum tonight.

Come oot the Day Lads wi' yir sleeves rolled up, ready for action. "C'mon the DEE" .....Let's have a WIN