Matt Lockwood admits the Dundee players are still hurting after two derby defeats already this season and are determined to ease the pain this Sunday.
The Dark Blues meet city rivals Dundee United at Dens, with Peter Houston’s side having previously secured bragging rights in a pre-season friendly at the same venue and in the first SPL meeting in August at Tannadice, both by 3-0 margins.
Now, Lockwood insists Dundee are on a revenge mission as they look to continue their recent revival.
Lockwood said: ”It’s been hard to take so far and we can’t pretend otherwise.
”Losing 3-0 and the manner in which we did in August was nowhere near good enough.
”It was the same when we lost 3-0 to them before the season started. Even though it was a friendly, we still knew it wasn’t acceptable.
”So it’s up to us to go out there on Sunday and try to make amends at the third time of asking.
”We shouldn’t need any extra motivation because the memories are still fresh from those two occasions.
”It’s the worst feeling in the world, coming off the park having lost to our biggest rivals and having not really turned up on the day.
”That’s been the case with us but Sunday is a perfect opportunity to right a few wrongs.
”It can’t come quickly enough for the lads. There’s a buzz about the place already and hopefully we will be the ones experiencing that special winning feeling this time round.”
Lockwood insists that United will face a more streetwise Dundee outfit than the one which was easily beaten in the two encounters so far between the sides this season.
The Dark Blues have won three and drawn one of their last five games, including taking the scalps of Hearts and Hibs and are now battle-hardened to SPL life.
Lockwood said: ”We obviously took a bit of time to get going and back in August we were still trying to find our feet when United really punished us.
”It was a harsh lesson that day because we didn’t help ourselves by giving them so much space and allowing them their goals so easily.
”A lot of people thought that we would definitely go straight back down, which was up to them. But we’re a lot more confident about ourselves now and have cut out the silly mistakes which had been costing us dear.
”If we can carry on in that mode and take our recent form into this game, then there’s no reason why we can’t get a positive result.”
Lockwood admitted they are also determined to triumph to reward their loyal home support.
He added: ”The fans have been brilliant this season as it’s obviously been tough since we came back up to the SPL.
”They’ve stuck by us after a sticky start and nobody deserves a result more than them, to be fair.
”They have a part to play too by really raising the roof and acting as our extra man on the day.
”We’re all in this together and I’m sure they’ll get right behind the boys from the word go on Sunday, which can make such a huge difference.”
Despite their recent revival, Dundee are still rooted to the bottom of the SPL table.
However, 36-year-old Lockwood has never been relegated in his long career and that is a record he is determined to continue.
He said: ”Relegation is something we’re not even thinking about.
”Yes, it will be a scrap but we’re only thinking positively as that’s the way to be in our situation.
”Personally, I’ve never been relegated before in almost 20 years of professional football and I don’t want to start now.
”We believe we have enough quality in our dressing room, as well as fight to keep us in the SPL.
”It’s been a steep learning curve since we came back up but the lads are so upbeat and determined not to go back down
”A win on Sunday would give everyone a massive lift and that’s all we’re focusing on right now.”