As the run-in to the Premiership split reaches the final straight, Dundee are the team currently in the bottom six with the hardest sequence of games.
Every team around them has at least one fixture against opposition from the lower half of the table, while the Dark Blues face Aberdeen, Hearts, Celtic and Rangers. That, plus an abysmal run of results on their own patch, is why the relegation alarm bells have been ringing.
But former Dens goalie Derek Soutar believes even a couple of points from that tough schedule can see Neil McCann’s team take a massive step towards safety.
The man who had two spells with the club is heading to Pittodrie tomorrow as a fan and hopes to see his team come away with something positive.
Even if that’s only via a decent performance he’ll be satisfied to an extent, though he admits a point or three would be even better.
“For me, Dundee have reached a point where they have to take something from every performance, even if it’s just knowing they put up a fight,” said “Soapy”.
“As tough as the next four games are going to be, if they can take some points it’ll be huge.
“A couple of draws could give them the breathing space that can make all the difference going into the games after the split.
“I know from my experience how intense those last five games are. Just going into them a few points ahead, knowing a draw isn’t a disaster, can be an advantage.
“It means it doesn’t matter who they’re playing in the next four games, they just have to concentrate on picking up some points.
“If they don’t they could be in trouble. Although there’s a gap to Ross County at the bottom, that can change if they win a couple of games.”
And while he’s an admirer of the passing football Dundee have been trying to play this season, he knows what must come first between now and the end of the campaign.
“At times like this it’s about getting back to basics and attitude. I like the way Dundee try to play but, for the next few weeks, it has to be about results — if that means they need to be more direct, so be it,” he added.
“And what they need on the park right now are leaders. That’s why I think the boy Steven Caulker will be a very big player because with his strength and quality he can show others the way.
“On the flip side, the likes of Cammy Kerr will be important because you are talking about a boy who has a real feeling for the club.
“Cammy would tackle a double decker bus if he had to and that’s the attitude that’s needed.”
Dundee head for Pittodrie knowing it’s not been a happy hunting ground but, as he looks forward to the game, Soutar believes it can be a good day.
“They do have to bounce back from last week’s performance against St Johnstone but Aberdeen are not in a good moment either and had a tough midweek game at Kilmarnock. If Dundee can keep things tight, with the pace of Murray, Deacon and Leitch-Smith they can hurt the Dons and take something.”
Away from supporting the Dark Blues, Soutar is enjoying a growing reputation as a producer of young goalkeepers via his coaching school.
“It’s been on the go for seven years and I’m proud of the numbers now trying to make it in the senior game,” he went on.
As well as his usual classes, Soapy is running a special Easter school at Charlotte Street in Dundee between April 2 and 6. More details of that are available on the Derek Soutar Goalkeeping Academy Facebook page.
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