Derby win for Dundee can ignite campaign, says Steven Pressley, as boss makes promise to fans.

On Sunday, the Dark Blues will host the Tangerines.

Steven Pressley wants Dundee to play with controlled aggressiveness in this weekend’s crucial Dens derby, hoping for a victory that will “ignite” the club’s season.

When the Dee and Dundee United meet on Sunday, both teams will be looking for their first Premiership wins of the season.

Pressley has previously competed in derbies such as the City of Discovery, the Edinburgh derby, and the Old Firm.

And understands exactly what is required on important days such as Sunday.

“I think that the difficulty with these games is just controlling the nerves, not allowing the nerves to spill over and affect your performance,” he told me.

“Controlling that nervous energy will be an important component for our group of players. “You need aggression as well, but I believe you’re constantly walking a line in derbies.

You want the violence, but it’s about regulating the emotion that comes with it. “That’s going to be a critical factor at the weekend. “Derbies may create a positive atmosphere around your club, igniting your season. “There is no dispute about that.

“So every derby, whether Edinburgh, Dundee or Old Firm, has the same influence on your fans. And they have an impact on your club and its players.

“So, at this point in the season, it’s a very crucial game because I believe it will provide you with a foundation to continue forward.

“I think the group is in a terrific situation right now. I believe they are feeling good about themselves. “But this would accelerate that to another level.”

Honesty

Dundee have won the last two derbies, but a league victory over United has been a long time coming. They defeated their arch rivals in the Scottish Cup for the first time since 1956 in January.

However, since the memorable Doon Derby, the Dark Blues have not won the league at Dens. “I was given the stat that, although Dundee have won the last two derbies we’ve not won at Dens in the league since 2016,” disclosed Pressley. “So, it’s another statistic that we’ll strive to correct.

“I’ll say it. I make no promises regarding our performance other than to say that I believe this set of players will perform honestly. “That is what I see every day on the training grounds. That is what I have seen in the games thus far.

Their act reflects genuine honesty. “I believe that when you deliver it, your audience would really relate to it. That, in my opinion, is really crucial.

“Dundee is a club that we recognise. It’s a club with a distinct working-class feel. “We have to represent that football club by an honesty in their performance.”

Simon ‘loves the derby’

And Press key is overjoyed to have a Dundonian as captain in Simon Murray, who understands how important this game is to supporters.

“I can’t tell you how thrilled he is.” “We’ve talked a lot about it, and Murray is very excited,” he said. “He loves the Derby. “He’ll be in the locker room again, telling the guys how important it is.

There is no doubt about that. “I don’t think I’ll have to remind the players. I believe Simon will remind them of how important this game is.”

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