Simon Ferry has revealed how Dundee’s great expectations left them wondering how the dickens they only drew with Kilmarnock.
There was a twist in the tale at Dens on Saturday as a first half that was arguably edged by the opposition made way for a second period dominated by the Dark Blues.
Now Ferry is hoping that the improvement continues into their Premiership clash away to Inverness Caley Thistle.
The 1-1 share of the spoils with Killie may not have been a blistering start to life back in the top flight but it offered enough optimism to send Dundee up the A9 full of confidence.
“All the boys were disappointed both at half-time and full-time,” he said.
“After the first half it was because we could have played better and at the end it was because we should have scored another goal and gotten the win.
“In that second half we played a lot more like we had done in pre-season so that was encouraging. Hopefully, we can keep it up in our next game.
“Over the summer we were on such a high that I think we wanted to play better against Kilmarnock than we did in the first half.
“Still, it’s a point on the board and we are off the mark there a few teams who aren’t off and running yet. Everybody is always up for the start of the season so it was always going to be a hard one for us, given the way we play.
“Kilmarnock were really up for it and pressed us really well. Hopefully, as the season goes on we might get more of a chance to play our game.”
Inverness made a winning start to their campaign, beating the other Premiership newcomers, Hamilton Accies, 2-0 at New Douglas Park.
According to Ferry, they are a side that deserves to be shown respect for the way they have become an established top-flight team.
“I think they will be a good side again this season, having finished in the top six over the last couple of years.
“Since they came up to the top league they have done really well and they seem to make good signings every year. They seem to unearth a gem or two and the wee guy Ryan Christie appears to be one of them.
“John Hughes is a good manager and they got a good result at Hamilton at the weekend.
“They will be on a bit of a high and it will be a tough game for us, especially up there. We need to play our own game, get the ball down and pass it the way we know we can.”
Ferry is enjoying life at dens, especially the amount of matches he has featured in.
He said: “Including pre-season, that’s five games in a row for me now and I didn’t do that last season. It is just about getting as many minutes on the park for me as possible.
“I still feel I have a bit short of full match fitness to get but hopefully a couple more games and that will come back quite quickly.”
Hughes meanwhile hailed Dundee’s return to the top flight as welcome and overdue then vowed to bring them a first Premiership defeat.
The Caley Thistle manager believes the return of the Dens men will enrich the elite division just when it needs it most.
He is also a big admirer of Paul Hartley’s summer rebuilding work but will instruct his own players to set about dismantling the new boys in much the same way they did Hamilton at the weekend.
Hughes said: “Dundee are a team coming up in the league and a team who, in name and size, deserve to be playing their football in the Premiership.
“That Dundee derby is vital. They had a bumper crowd of 7,500 on Saturday and that tells you the size of the club.
“They’ve recruited very well and they’ve recruited players with experience. I can see exactly why Paul Hartley has done that.
“They are good footballers and it was important for them to get a draw in the first game. We’re going to have to be at our best to beat them. In saying that, I concentrate on what I do at my club in terms of my coaching, my training and my team.
“When we’re playing at home on that big pitch, it’s up to us to be on the front foot and take the game to them. We respect Dundee and we know their strengths and weaknesses but, especially at home, it’s about us.
“If we get our rhythm and get going and the players show me the form they have been, Dundee will be in a right good game.”