Dundee manager Tony Docherty aims to keep strong home record going

Dundee manager Tony Docherty has urged their supporters to turn out in force as they look to halt the Aberdeen momentum which picked up off the back of their previous trip to Dens Park.

The Dons have won all 11 matches under Jimmy Thelin after he took charge in the summer but the upturn in form began under caretaker boss Peter Leven.

Leven warned his players they were in relegation trouble after a 1-0 defeat at Dens in March but they went unbeaten in their final nine Premiership matches to finish seventh.

Docherty said: “We had a really strong performance that night to win the game and it will need to be as strong a performance to win this one.”

Dundee also had an impressive run at the start of this season, going unbeaten in their opening nine matches before defeats to Ross County and Rangers on the road.

Docherty is eager to get back to Dens and maintain their unbeaten home record.

The former Aberdeen assistant manager said: “We’ve not been at home for a while, we have a really proud home record, won two and drawn one, but even on the back of last season we built a lot on our home form and the synergy we create between us and our fans.

“We love being at home and the fans are so supportive. I know Aberdeen will bring down a strong travelling support and they will get behind their team. But I know our supporters will get behind the team and I would just urge them to be there again because they are so important to the team.

“They are pivotal to our home form and the energy they create for the players, they thrive on it.

“I think it will be a great spectacle on Saturday and I know the Dundee fans will contribute massively to that.”