Smith credits players for sparking title bid at Dundee

DUNDEE manager Barry Smith insists he never doubted his players – even when they went to the bottom of the First Division Smith has been named Manager of the Month for November after leading the Dark Blues to a stunning revival with wins over Raith Rovers, Stirling Albion, Morton, Falkirk and Hamilton.

That has propelled them up the league table and they currently sit in third place ready to launch a title challenge to leaders Ross County.

Smith steered Dundee to safety from relegation last term after they were hit by a 25-point deduction for going into administration and he senses his team have recaptured the same steely attitude this term.

He said: “I always had confidence in the players, even when we were not picking up results.

“The players are the ones who are on the park and they are the ones who had to deal with the disappointing start we had.

“So all the credit has to go to them because they have had to come back from it and they have done that so far.

“I always had confidence in them and kept telling them that. I think the big difference now has been they have the belief in themselves back again.

“That comes from winning games. They picked up a couple of wins, it kicked off again and are scoring goals now.

“They are going out thinking they’re going to win every game at the moment.

“It’s obviously an honour to win any award but it really has been down to the players.”

Dundee’s players showed a fantastic team spirit last season in overcoming the points deduction to survive in the First Division. But while there is no doubt the task of saving the club galvanised everyone at Dens Park, Smith detects the same will-to-win this time around.

He added: “Last season people said we went on that great run because they we had a cause to fight for. This time round things are a bit more normal but I still see the same determination to win games. They work hard for each other and are desperate to do well for the club. As a manger when you have a group of players like that then it’s half the battle.

“Even when we were not picking up the results we wanted there was not once I could have criticised the effort.

“We lost good quality players last season, three of whom went on to play at a higher level, but we have brought good players in and I’m happy with the squad.”

Dundee face Queen of the South tomorrow and Smith knows they cannot afford to depart from their hard-working ethos. He said: “Queen of the South had a great result against Ayr so they won’t make it easy for us. Hard work has got us up to where we are in the league and that’s what we’ll need to continue.”