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We asked for a more rounded performance against Hearts, I believe we got it. After starting slowly, the Blues managed to gain a good foothold in the game. Romelu Lukaku was the main protagonist for our 3-1 victory after the Belgian grabbed all three goals. It looked as though the extra week's training back at Finch Farm really improved the player's fitness. The team looked a lot sharper and had great control of the game.
Tuesday's game will be another good test for the team. A continuation of the performance against Hearts though would probably see us win again on Tuesday evening.
How to watch
Once again, Tuesday's game will be televised as part of the club's coverage of all the pre-season friendlies. The game can be watched on all devices at a charge of £1.99. The game won't be shown on national TV in the UK.
Team news
No major changes are expected in the side we saw against Hearts. All of the players made it through with no injuries, including Bryan Oviedo and Leighton Baines who made their first pre-season appearance of the summer. Saying that, we may see a slightly younger team on Tuesday, with the likes of Brendan Galloway, Tyias Browning, Ryan Ledson and Conor McAleny all rumoured to get some good game time. Steven Pienaar will definitely be absent after he was ruled out of the start of the season with a hamstring injury.
The opposition
Dundee finished 6th last season in the SPL. The Dee's currently hold the record in Scottish football for the most goals scored in consecutive matches by a debutant. That debutant is 'The One' to watch, David Clarkson scored seven goals in seven games in his first season at the club last year. Manager, Paul Hartley has expressed his desire to push his team into the top three teams of the SPL this coming season, asking for more intensity in matches from his side.
The Dundee side have also just signed a new strike partner to play alongside David Clarkson in the shape of Rory Loy. Loy has made appearances for Scotland U21's back in 2009, but after a tough time at former club Falkirk, the striker will be looking to reignite his career at his new club.
What to watch for
Expect another tough early battle. The Dundee fans maybe more expectant than the Hearts fans on Sunday, so a slow start may work against us slightly more in this game. It's therefore imperative that we take control and keep control for the vast majority of the match, whilst also changing players to try different approaches.
I'd certainly like to see some of the younger players we named before get a start in the game and see where they can fit into our forthcoming season.
Martinez may look to play a different formation and now would be the ideal time. During the season we're likely to need the back up plan we desperately missed last year. Playing the same formation in friendlies is okay, but a change to a formation and the players knowledge of how to play that formation throughout the season could prove to be a major tactic.
Final word
The Leeds game coming up at the weekend may prove to be a better game to see exactly were the squad's fitness levels are up to, so I'm hoping we really do see the young players in the game on Tuesday, if not all of them, certainly McAleny, as the young striker could prove to be our only source of quality back up to Lukaku.
It would be nice to come away with a clean sheet in one of our remaining friendlies, this could be our best chance at that. A 3-0 victory would really go along way to the teams confidence heading into that tough game away to Leeds on Saturday.