Darren O'Dea confident Dundee will pull clear of danger
Darren O'Dea is not concerned by Dundee's position at the foot of the Premiership - because he believes they are better than other teams in the league.
Darren O'Dea is not concerned by Dundee's position at the foot of the Premiership - because he believes they are better than other teams in the league.
Paul Hartley's side slipped to the bottom of the table last weekend after hitting the frame of the goal four times in a 2-0 defeat by Hearts at Tynecastle, which followed a 1-0 home defeat by Celtic.
A run of four consecutive losses might have alarm bells ringing in some squads but defender O'Dea is convinced they will pull clear if they continue their current approach.
The former Celtic player, who returns from a foot injury to face St Johnstone on Sunday, said: “We know if we're doing the right things we won't be bottom.
“It's certainly my belief that the ability we have in our squad, the manager we have got, the coaching staff, is better than other teams.
“So if you keep performing to your highest levels, we will get results. There are no seeds of doubt.
“The problem is if I was looking in the dressing room and we don't have the quality: that's when you worry. It's a pretty nice situation to be in when you say 'all you have to do is perform to your highest level and you'll win games'. That's where we feel we are at.”
The 29-year-old accepts that Dundee need to start backing their assertions up after failing to record a win since the opening day against Ross County.
But he refuses to panic ahead of the Tayside derby at McDiarmid Park.
“The position matters, of course it does, it's the be all and end all,” he said.
“But at the minute there is no-one worrying or panicking.
“There is certainly an understanding that we need to get results now. The performances in the last two games have been good, against two very good teams. Against Hearts we possibly could have got more out of the game.
“But as long as you do the right things, which we do all the time in training, then the results will come.
“Of course you look at the table and you don't want to be at the bottom. But it's a tight league, one or two wins and you will be right up again. So now it's time to match performances and results together.
“I don't think psychologically we need the win, we are in a good frame of mind. That comes from two decent performances against two very good sides.”