Away form must improve, warns Reid

Aug 23 2007

BILLY Reid this week warned his table-topping Hamilton side to improve their away form as they face three games on the road inside a week.

First up, Accies travel to First Division newcomers Morton on Saturday, then Berwick on Tuesday in the CIS Cup second round, before taking on Partick Thistle at Firhill next weekend.

Hamilton have taken full points from their opening three games — tough encounters against Dunfermline, Clyde and Queen of the South — but Reid warned against complacency.

He said: “We’ve got three games in a week and we need to make sure we’re ready for that.

“We’re delighted to be top of the First Division but I’ve got to make sure there’s no complacency setting in and we don’t switch off.

“We’ve played two of the first three league games at home — we know our form at New Douglas Park is good — but our away form has to pick up.

“We didn’t pick up enough points away from home last season, so that’s what we’re looking to address.

Reid sounded a note of optimism and belief in his players’ ability to raise their game away from home.

“I’ve got a wee bit of trust in my players now,” he explained. “Last season we were a wee bit inexperienced and liable to give goals away — but I don’t think that’s the case any more.”

Reid hopes Hamilton can continue their fine run of form against Morton at Cappielow on Saturday.

He said: “They may have surprised a few folk but I’ve always thought Morton’s style of play would be more suited to the First Division than the Second Division.

“We know we’re in for a tough game at Cappielow.”

Reid sees Tuesday’s cup clash at Shielfield Park as a passage to possible trophy success.

He explained: “I’m not going to say that we want to win the CIS Cup but we certainly want to be in the latter stages, and if we can beat Berwick then we’re into the last 16 — and anything can happen after that.”

Reid was delighted with Saturday’s 1-0 win over Queen of the South — courtesy of Richard Offiong’s 17th-minute strike — but felt his side could have won more comfortably.

He said: “I thought we controlled the game. Without being disrespectful to Queens I thought there was only going to be one winner, and that was us.

“All in all it was a good day’s work. We’ve got nine points out of nine, and I’m a happy manager.”

Tuesday’s cup clash kicks off at 7.45pm.