Elliott Parish insists actions will speak louder than words as he and the rest of the Dundee players strive to end what has been a miserable start to the season.
The big goalie was recalled to the starting XI last week against Rangers at Ibrox but was unable to prevent Neil McCann’s side slumping to their sixth defeat in a row.
The Englishman believes Dundee can finally end the long wait for their first Premiership points against Hibs at Dens this afternoon – but he admits talk is cheap and it is now time for the players to stand up and be counted.
The 28-year-old said: “I think individual errors have really cost us.
“If you look back to the first two games, we maybe could have come out of that with four points then all of a sudden we would have been top six and really looking forward.
“Instead, we have been at the bottom and pressure builds when you are not getting results. It gets tougher and tougher.
“We just have to stand up. Talk is so cheap in these situations but it is about people being on that pitch against Hibs and seeing six or seven big performances from individuals and collectively, a real big team performance.
“It does get more and more difficult the longer it goes on.
“It is down to the individual to step up.
“We have to really fight as players. We are the only ones who can turn it around.
“The manager can only do so much, the fans can only do so much to get behind us so at the end of the day it is all down to the XI and the subs.
“We are the ones who have to get us out of that hole.”
Parish admitted the home fans also have an important part to play in helping achieve that aim but he fully understands it is difficult for them to remain patient the longer this run goes on.
He added: “We have lost six in a row now so it is so difficult for them to come and see their team lose every week.
“I understand it is so tough for them – it can be their hobby or it is their life for some of them to come and watch Dundee play.
“So full respect to those guys for continuing to turn up.
“If they want to voice their opinions, we have to deal with that.
“It is their life. We absolutely want their backing but we understand it is difficult as well.
“They will be sick and tired of everyone saying the same thing week after week.
“I can understand that but from where I am, as people on that pitch, we need some big performances and I am hoping to put in one of my biggest in a Dundee strip.”
Parish insists the mood within the Dens dressing-room is still buoyant despite the current predicament.
He said: “The manager, Garts (assistant boss Graham Gartland) and Rab (keeper coach Geddes) have been exceptional at keeping the boys up and going.
“But you also have the likes of Kenny Miller, Darren O’Dea, Josh Meekings, a number of other ones – real voices with a lot of experience in the game. We have some big characters in that dressing-room.
“So we have had a couple of meetings this week and we cannot wait for three o’clock, especially me, for that game to kick off.”
The result at Ibrox may not have been the one he wanted but Parish admitted he was just delighted to be back in the team after losing the No.1 jersey to summer signing Jack Hamilton.
He added: “I have had to be patient but not as much as last year.
“But with the run we’ve had, changes are inevitable and fortunately I am back in.
“I back myself to be the No.1 here and I absolutely wanted to start the season.
“So maybe there was a bit of a surprise but the manager was brand new and so up front with me.
“He told me his feelings and said he wanted to go with Jack at the start of the season.
“The manager has been exceptional with me since I came to Dundee and I have no complaints there.
So I am delighted to be back in the team.
“Hopefully I can really grasp the shirt again and help the team get some positive results.”
