Tony Docherty details Dundee reaction to penalty ‘adversity’ as he provides fitness update on Joe Shaughnessy.
With a win over already relegated St Johnstone on Sunday, the Dark Blues can secure their safety.
Tony Docherty wants Dundee to use their feelings of injustice from Wednesday night to fuel a victory over St Johnstone.
Three points would ensure Premiership survival for the following season.
That comes after the opportunity to wrap things up in midweek was snatched away by a questionable penalty decision in stoppage time.
Docherty was too angry after the game to do his post-match press duties, so he sent assistant Stuart Taylor in his place, while a couple of players received yellow cards for dissent at the final whistle.
“Processing it has been difficult.”
Tempers have subsided since, and the Dundee manager hopes to channel emotions around the camp into a performance that will get the job done at McDiarmid Park on Sunday.
“It’s history now,” Docherty said when asked about the penalty decision.
“We talked about it, but it’s gone now, and we need to prepare for St Johnstone.”
“If anything, we need to channel it positively.”
“I was very pleased with the players on Wednesday night; they did everything possible to ensure survival until the 95th minute, when things were taken out of our hands.
“Any type of adversity, when faced as a group, galvanises you and makes you stronger.
“That’s what I’ve heard from the players; processing it has proven difficult for them.
“But we’ve had good training sessions and a good meeting, and I believe it’s fostered a genuine mindset.
“I want them to do exactly what we did on Wednesday night.
“Our play deserved at least a second goal; we had several strong performances.
“That level of performance would give us a huge chance of winning.”
Fans
This will bring the total number of away supporters to over 3,000 in Perth.
Docherty went on to say, “The fans will once again support us on Sunday.”
“They were brilliant the other night; it was Dens Park at its finest.
“We are all grateful for the support they’ve given us, the players know there’s going to be a big support and that gives us an extra edge as well.”
Joe Shaughnessy and Seun Adewumi’s Fitness
Lyall Cameron is fine after being substituted on Wednesday, but Seun Adewumi and captain Joe Shaughnessy still have work to do after suffering injuries against Ross County.
Shaughnessy required stitches for a wound over his eye caused by a head clash.
Docherty stated: “Joe is back with the group and will be given every opportunity to be available on Sunday.”
“Seun has been dealing with an Achilles problem, and he’s still feeling it.
“But credit to him, the type of boy he is he’s always wanting to put himself forward.”
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