BOSS Paul Hartley is looking within for answers as he faces the challenge of getting Dundee out of the doldrums.

The Dens Park side are bottom of the Ladbrokes Premiership after 10 matches and without a win since the opening day of the season against Ross County.

Second-bottom Partick Thistle are the visitors on Wednesday night and the Jags are one point ahead having played a game less, but are also without a win since their campaign opener against Inverness.

The former Alloa boss, who insists he has the support of the players and owners, has not sought any outside advice as he battles the slide.

He said: “It is probably the worst run I have ever been on in terms of it is testing, but it is a challenge for me to come out the other side.

“I have just looked within, on how can I improve and how can I get the results and the confidence back.

“I think you have to look at yourself and really challenge yourself, but I am ready for the challenge.

“I won’t change in terms of how I prepare and how I manage the players because if you start doing that, it shows a little sign of weakness and players are not used to that.

“I think you are always concerned when you are at the bottom and not winning games of football.

“We are not stupid. We have to find a way of winning football matches soon and try to get a little bit of confidence back.

“We are in a position we don’t want to be in after 10 games.

“It is a big game tomorrow night, we understand that.

“I don’t think it would matter who it is against, it would still be a big game just because of the run we are on. I can handle the pressure. I will try to keep the players as calm as we can and hopefully the fans will be patient tomorrow night.

“They pay their money so they have the right to be disappointed but hopefully they will back us and hopefully we will see a little change.”

Hartley is looking for Canada international striker Marcus Haber, who comes into the squad after signing until the end of the season, to make a difference.

He said: “He will add height and strength and he is someone who stays in the box. The majority of his goals have come from inside the box so hopefully that gives us a different dimension.

“He has played two games for Canada recently so his fitness looks OK.”


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