Dundee boss Paul Hartley fired a cutting verbal volley last week towards the BBC’s Sportscene and pundit Pat Nevin in particular.
The manager let fly with both barrels at his targets after criticism had been directed at his team on the show following the game against Aberdeen.
Dark Blues defender Darren O’Dea then weighed in on social media backing his manager.
However, the big Irishman also insists that Nevin was entitled to his opinion and the Dundee squad and management are also entitled to their opinion on that opinion!
O’Dea, who was recalled to the Dundee starting line-up for Saturday’s game with Motherwell said: “I think it is great to have debates and everyone has different points of view.
“Obviously the manager has his own and everyone knows he had his say on it.
“Personally, I don’t think it was the criticism against the team that annoyed us. It was the comments as the things he was pointing out were non-existent.
“Pat Nevin has plenty of experience. He had a great career and he has been on TV for goodness knows how long.
“I am sure he is used to people firing back at him. I think it is great when people have healthy debates.
“We have no problem with people criticising us. We are probably our biggest critics along with the manager.
He added: “They are entitled to their opinion and we are entitled to have our opinion on their opinion!
“It is not a big deal but it annoys you from the point of view that you would like to think they would understand it a little bit more but maybe he sees the game differently from the way I do.
“It was not a cheap shot. He was doing his job. He is employed to analyse games and he is doing the best he can.
“It is his opinion but my opinion was he is wrong.
“But it is good that people talk about Scottish football and are arguing, if you like, but I have no issue with them having their say.
“If the manager was criticising me, it would spur me on. Look, we are not sitting in the dressing-room saying everything is brilliant.
“We know we need to improve but we also know we have a lot of quality as well.
“We certainly need to do better defensively because we know going forward there are goals in the team.”
After getting all that off his chest, O’Dea was asked if he would be tuning into Sportscene this week. He smiled and replied: “Yes, I like the show so I will be watching it!”
Dundee’s two goals on Saturday against Motherwell came courtesy of a smart turn and finish from Paul McGowan and a late, hotly-disputed Kane Hemmings penalty-kick.
The Dark Blues twice had to come from behind after Chris Cadden opened the scoring for Motherwell and then Stephen Pearson netted after McGowan’s equaliser.
However, O’Dea insisted Dundee fully deserved to take a point.
He said: “We had the majority of possession and a lot of pressure in the second half.
“The first half was disappointing as they played the conditions well. They played into the corners and pinned us in a bit.
“It was difficult to get out especially in that weather so credit to them, they did well.
“Second half, I thought we were worthy of a point.”
O’Dea candidly admitted that he was surprised when his side were awarded a penalty.
He added: “I am going to sound like Arsene Wenger but I didn’t see it.
“I didn’t even claim for it as I didn’t know what was going on.
“When I saw the ref point to the spot, I was happy to say the least.
“They certainly didn’t seem too happy and sometimes you can tell by the reaction of a player . . . I don’t think there were many of us screaming for it either.
“As I said, I didn’t see it normally I am claiming for everything.
“Listen, it happens in football and I am sure we will get one against us to even it out.
“Overall, it is disappointing for them but I thought all the pressure we had in the second half we were worthy of a point at least.”