Dundee’s recent record against Hibs doesn’t make pretty reading.
Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Easter Road made it just one win in the last 17 meetings between the sides.
This season they’ve picked up one point from a possible nine.
And the stats from the latest reverse don’t make good reading either – the Hibees very much on top.
There was more to this strange game than simple numbers, however.
Courier Sport was there to analyse all the action.
Work in progress
This match demonstrated that this Dundee side are very much still a work in progress.
A newly-promoted side with a newly-built squad and a manager in his first season as a No 1.
They do, though, still remain sixth and deservedly so. This was far from their best performance but shouldn’t mask what has been an excellent return to the Premiership.
Hibs were better on the day and deserved the win.
But despite not laying a glove on their opponent for 70 minutes this Dundee side still almost got something out of the game.
Only for some poor defending to undo them just when things had finally got interesting at the top end of the pitch.
Trevor Carson
This was a strange game all round but even more so for the Dundee keeper.
But for a moment of madness in the first half, he’d have earned himself the Man of the Match award.
He’ll be kicking himself for the penalty.
An easy catch fumbled and then a desperate attempt to right his wrong, it was the clearest penalty of the season.
Up until that point the game was very even but once in front Hibs dominated.
To his credit, though, Carson then pulled off save after save after save.
He kept his team in the game and gave them the chance to get that equaliser. However short it lasted.
Changes
Manager Tony Docherty kept faith with the same XI that had seen off Ross County.
That same XI didn’t have the same success, however.
The early stages were fairly even but, once they got their noses in front, Hibs took control.
At half-time 4-3-3 was ditched for 3-5-2 with ineffectual wingers Scott Tiffoney and Dara Costelloe replaced.
Hibs continued to dominate but couldn’t find a way past Carson and Dundee slowly began to work their way into the game.
That was thanks to some fresh impetus from the bench. Michael Mellon was a pest, Josh Mulligan added some power to the middle of the park and Curtis Main put himself about.
It did take 70 minutes for Dundee to get a shot on goal, Mellon firing wide. But suddenly they showed threat and grabbed their equaliser through Luke McCowan.
Main then fired wide and out of nowhere it looked like an unlikely turnaround could be on the cards.
It didn’t last long enough, though. Jordan McGhee was caught in two minds and ultimately in no man’s land as the impressive Myziane Maolida raced through, made Joe Shaughnessy look silly, and fired in the winner.
In form and with little pressure of getting sucked into a relegation battle, the initial set-up was a bold one from Dundee boss Docherty.
That boldness didn’t pay off as Hibs cut the gap to the Dark Blues to two points.
Tickets
Optimism growing among Dark Blues, plenty wanted to follow their team to the capital.
All away tickets on offer from Hibernian were snapped up. According to the Hibees website anyway.
Dees were complaining ahead of the game on social media with some unable to get briefs through the Easter Road ticketing system.
On Friday night, 1,292 had been snapped up and no more were made available initially. That changed due to demand from Dees before away ticket sales were stopped once more.
Come Saturday afternoon, however, wide spaces of the away end were empty and there were even plenty seats untaken among the sections apparently sold out.
Why do Scottish football clubs make it so hard for customers to give them money?
Difficult to understand.
McCowan
Luke McCowan is now on six goals for the season, an impressive return.
A fine strike it was, too. Dundee’s only shot on target, finished with aplomb.
Now level with the top scorers in the team, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the midfield buzzbomb move clear of his team-mates.
The main man for the Dee, McCowan continues to shine even when things don’t go right for the team.
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