Accies all set for basement battle

Jan 15 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

HAMILTON boss Billy Reid this week urged his side to dump relegation rivals Inverness on Saturday and give themselves some breathing space in the SPL.

With 11th-placed Falkirk up against Rangers at Ibrox, a win for Accies could take them five points clear of the Bairns, six ahead of Inverness, and only a point behind Motherwell in ninth before the Steelmen play against Dundee United on Sunday.

Defeat, of course, could also pitch Hamilton down a place into second-bottom assuming Falkirk dont beat Rangers.

Its a big game for Accies survival hopes, but Reid pointed out that theyre facing several clashes of this magnitude between now and May.

He said: This is a big, big, game. If we win, it could give us a bit of breathing space as Falkirk have got a difficult game.

Well miss Alex Neil and Richard Offiong but weve contended with Alex being out in the last few weeks and weve also strengthened the squad, so were fairly healthy going into the game.

Were looking at bringing in players and we have one or two options ahead of Saturday, so well see how that goes.

But hopefully our preparations will go well this week and well be ready come Saturday.

Reid has urged caution for the visit of Craig Brewsters Highlanders and told his players to play the waiting game.

He said: Last season, we felt as though we were better than everybody and that our energy levels meant that we ran over the top of teams.

We tried to do that in the Premier League and in the first few games it worked, but then teams sat in a wee bit and picked us off so weve learned that we have to be patient.

Were looking a lot more solid at the back and we have to be patient. Theres no point in going gung-ho. If you do that, you get picked off at this level.

Reid praised his side for a professional display in their Homecoming Scottish Cup fourth-round win at Ross County on Saturday.

He said: It was a difficult cup tie in terrible weather conditions and two players were making their debuts.

We missed Trent McClenahan and Simon Mensing through injury and illness and already had Alex Neil out but I think we contended with that fairly well.

Were really happy with Jordan McMillan and Paul McGowans debuts and I thought Paul was the best player on the park.

I was delighted that big Chris Swailes got on the end of a good setpiece because Ive had a wee go at the defenders for not scoring enough goals.

One aspect that Reid is concerned about is that stand-in skipper James McArthur became the SEVENTH Hamilton player to be red-carded this season, compared to just two reds for the whole of last season and one of those was given to Stuart Taylor in the dug-out.

Reid said: Ive got to say that some of the sending-offs have been soft but we have to learn quickly from that. Its got to stop. Its hard enough winning games with 11 players on the park but were trying to do that with 10 men too often, and it will catch up with us with suspensions.

Hamilton now look forward to the visit of Dundee United in the Scottish Cup fifth round but Reid said there isnt any extra spice in the tie despite Tannadice boss Craig Levein slamming Accies and Reid following a bruising 1-1 draw in Dundee.

Reid said: Dundee United had a wee go but thats probably because weve done well against them. However, theyre on a great run, theyve got good players and energy in the middle of the park, and I think its got the makings of a fantastic tie.

l Entry for Saturdays match has been reduced to s10 for all supporters and adult season ticket-holders can obtain two free stand tickets for under-14s.

Tickets must be uplifted from the ticket office at New Douglas Park on Friday ONLY between 10am and 6pm.

l Hamiltons SPL match against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park has been moved from Saturday, January 24, to the following day, as Killie have a televised Homecoming Scottish Cup fourth-round replay against Ayr United next Thursday.