Reid warns to expect backlash from Pars

Oct 18 2007

BILLY Reid has warned his Hamilton side to be wary of a Dunfermline backlash... because he reckons the Pars will treat Saturday’s clash like a cup final.

But the New Douglas Park boss warned Stephen Kenny’s men that Hamilton are just as eager to maintain their excellent start to the season.

First Division leaders Hamilton currently hold a 10-point lead over fourth-placed Dunfermline and Reid reckons stretching that lead to 13 points could leave the Fifers with a massive task on their hands.

He said: “I think when you’re sitting at the top of the league every game is going to be massive, but it’s probably bigger for Dunfermline than it is for us.

“If we were to win it would leave Dunfermline with a massive mountain to climb, just as it would have been for St Johnstone a few weeks ago if we had beaten them.

“It’s Dunfermline’s cup final, but it’s also important for us. We’ve got that four-point cushion over Dundee again, and we want to start the second quarter positively.”

Reid also reckons Dunfermline will be out to avenge their 2-1 opening day defeat at Hamilton, and he said: “The first game was touch-and-go. We got a penalty, they had a man sent off, and that was the turning point.

“Dunfermline will be out to make amends for that, and I’m quite sure they’ve got some of their big players back. It’s got the makings of a really good game.”

Reid hopes to have top scorer Richard Offiong and captain Alex Neil restored to his side ahead of the game, and says the possible return of the talismanic midfielder is a major boost.

He said: “Richard and Alex trained on Monday and we’re hopeful they may make the game.

“I would rate Alex’s chances 50-50. He might not have got the necessary training under his belt, but he’s an important player and we’ll give him every chance.

“He’s the captain and sets the standard. It would be a major boost if he makes it, he would make a difference in the middle of the park in terms of his leadership qualities, and that’s maybe what we’ve missed slightly.

“But I’ve got to say that Tony Stevenson has come in and been great, and I’ve got every confidence in him.”

Reid has been thrilled as his side went through the first quarter of the season with just one defeat.

He knows that critics are waiting for their bubble to burst, and hopes that’s still the case at the end of April.

“It’s been a great effort by the players to lose only once in nine games,” he said. “I think we’re top goal-scorers, we’ve got the best defensive record, home and away, so it’s been really positive and that’s all credit to the players.

“I think there are people taking us seriously as title contenders, but others are still waiting for the bubble to burst.

“They’re looking at us having a young squad and probably don’t think we’ve got the strength in depth. That remains to be seen.

“At the start of the season people were saying we’re a one-man band with Richard Offiong scoring all the goals, and I was delighted that he was. But we’ve proved that other people can get goals, and that can only be good.”