Dundee went to Easter Road with a new approach.

The usual five-at-the-back set-up was scrapped in favour of a flat four, with the clear intention of playing more direct football.

My biggest gripe this season has been our lack of chance creation. At Easter Road, for the first time in what feels like forever, we carved out a handful of genuine opportunities.

Hibs goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger produced two sensational saves that prevented us pulling level. On another day, we maybe take something from that match.

While our overall form remains dreadful, that aspect of the performance was encouraging. If we can refine and build on this style, results will come.

A run of games with Yan Dhanda in the ’10’ role supporting Simon Murray is worth the dice roll. I’ve been advocating for this and expect it to be a matter of when not if they click.

I also appreciate Steven Pressley’s transparency this season. He never gets too high or too low after results and he’s consistent in stressing his standards won’t be fully met until more time has passed.

Coupled with the point that context matters – Dundee are still building while Hibs are now well established after their own early struggles under David Gray – these are far more meaningful observations than the usual cliches about having “an honest bunch” who are “hurting in there”.

However, it’s crucial Dundee put wins on the board immediately, because we’re in real danger of being cut adrift if we don’t soon turn our fortunes around.

That said, we sit just a point below Saturday’s opponents St Mirren and Kilmarnock, and we actually have better form than both across the past five league games.

Prior to the defeat against Rangers, we were in decent form at Dens. If we beat Saints we rise at least one place in the table and suddenly the picture doesn’t look as grim.

Football is a fickle game but Dundee need points quickly to avoid tumbling into a crisis.