Manager Post Dundee

22/03/11 JM:- "I am really pleased with their performance against a team that was 21 games unbeaten.

MATCH PICTURES
Jim McIntyre was annoyed with the decision that led to Dundee being awarded the free kick that they scored from:-

"It was never a free kick against Calum Woods that they scored from. Not in a month of Sundays. I was really disappointed with that decision, the boy was all over the top of Calum Woods and he fell on his backside. But Dundee played well, they passed the ball really well and we took a while to get going. Then we scored an absolute peach with just our first or second passing movement. We switched play and we got Burke on the ball. Dundee backed off and what a hell of a strike - it was a great start for us.

"We knew we would face a reaction after half time, credit to Dundee they did that but we had a few near things ourselves.

"We could have scored with the cut back from Buchanan but we have not taken the chance. He was trying to pick Hardie out and was a wee bit heavy with it but Buchanan was exceptional tonight - he ran his guts out and caused them problems all night. He was really unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet because he deserved it for his workrate."

The Manager accepted that his choices were limited for the game that saw Andy Dowie played in midfield and finishing the match alongside his fellow central defender Chris Higgins in centre midfield:-

"There are boys playing Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday who have not played for a while. Dowie, Burke and even Hardie who is coming back from injury. He was out for a year and he has played eight or nine games now in quick succession. It's very difficult to maintain your standards when it is like that. We were short with losing Ryan Thomson this morning with an achilles strain. Mason was suspended so there were two of your options gone right away. That is why we tinkered with the shape to get a bit more protection in there for their legs rather than going with a straight four.

"I am really pleased with their performance against a team that was 21 games unbeaten. You can see the confidence that they are playing with on a nice playing surface.

"It is certainly not a bad point coming to Dundee and drawing. Yes we are looking for three points every game but you have got to be respectful to Dundee; it was a good side that we were playing against. Two sides who were trying to play the game the right way and it was end to end in the last 25 minutes."

Jim McIntyre maintains that we are never going to get things all your own way:-

"We have spoken about the twists and turns until the end of the season and that's the way it is going to be. Teams are fighting for their lives, fighting for promotion, fighting to stave off relegation. All the teams have something to play for so it is important that we approach every game as though it is a cup final and give our all.

"The fans recognised that tonight. They gave us fantastic backing and I have got to say a big thank you to them because it is important; we need them and we need that same support at home."