DUFC

MANAGER POST-DERBY

3rd September 2002

Back at his desk, Manager Alex Smith was looking back at another lost opportunity to clinch this season's first SPL win: "It was a frantic and hard-fought match and a neutral spectator would probably think that a draw was a fair result. From our perspective it was a very disappointing result, leaving us still in pursuit of our first league win. We have had opportunities to win but failed to take them. We are sure though that once we get winning, things will be okay and that more good results will follow."

"It was pleasant and encouraging to have emerged from the match without having conceded a goal. We have this season lost avoidable goals, which cost us points, so the importance of not conceding is paramount. We also have to look at getting more passes into the box and attempting shots on target from a distance, and we are addressing this in training."

"We feel also very heartened by the good form of both the Under-18s and Under-21s, the latter having drawn 2-2 at home against Rangers last week and won 2-1 away to St Johnstone last night. Mark Wilson has fully recovered from his knee injury and is shaping up very well indeed, and Stephen O'Donnell, David Winters and David McCracken are all excelling and pushing for a first team place."