Dundee manager Paul Hartley is not reading too much into Dundee United 's recent slide ahead of Wednesday night 's Scottish Premiership derby at Dens Park . United have lost seven of their last nine matches in all competitions , drawing the other two , while their last league victory was way back on January 24 against Motherwell . However , Hartley is refusing to believe that will make his side 's job any easier as they attempt to register their first win in a derby this season at the fourth attempt . Paul Hartley is not reading too much into Dundee United 's recent slide ahead of Wednesday 's derby game . Hartley said : 'They 've still got good players . 'We 're under no illusion about the talent they have throughout the squad . 'We 've seen it throughout the season - and in games against us , in particular . We know they 've got players who can hurt you anywhere . We need to be focused on what we can do . ' Dundee are without a win in three matches themselves , following up their defeat to Ross County with 1-1 draws against Aberdeen and Inverness . Dundee Utd 's Nadir Ciftci scores his side 's equalising goal from the penalty spot against Ross County . Callum Morris celebrates his goal during the Scottish League Cup match against Aberdeen . That has left them in seventh place in the table on 41 points , five behind fourth-placed United and two adrift of Hamilton in sixth . Hartley said : 'We 're trying to look at getting as many points before the split , try to get into that top six . 'We 're not far off but we know we need to win some games . 'If we get a result in the derby , it takes us a couple of points behind United , yes . But the main thing for us is trying to catch our nearest opponent . ' Dundee Utd 's John Souttar battles for the ball with Liam Boyce during their game at Tannadice . Despite not having won since February , Hartley believes his players can still take confidence into Wednesday 's match after taking points off top-three sides Aberdeen and Inverness . He said : 'We 're on a pretty good run . 'Our results recently have been decent against some good teams in the league . So all credit to the lads for that . We want to keep that going and derby games are always special . If you win , it can give everyone a great lift . Dundee United 's Cifti in action with Aberdeen 's Peter Pawlett during the Scottish Communities League Cup . 'We know what 's at stake and we want to finish the season as strongly as possible . 'Our punters will be really looking forward to it and we would love to give them the three points . ' Dundee defender James McPake will be given until the last minute to prove his fitness ahead of the derby after being sent for a scan on his knee . Hartley said : 'He caught his knee in training on Thursday , did very little on Friday and felt OK throughout the Inverness game . He just landed awkwardly from a corner . '
Dundee face rivals Dundee United in the derby on Wednesday night . United have lost seven of their last nine matches in all competitions . But Hartley is not reading in to their troubles as Dundee themselves stutter . Dundee are without a win in three matches themselves going into the game .