Hamilton Accies gaffer tells losing side to do same again

Nov 26 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

BILLY Reid has told his Hamilton side to give him the ‘same again’ when they visit St Johnstone on Saturday – despite spinning to defeat at Falkirk last weekend.

The New Douglas Park gaffer says that not only is the line-up likely to be similar – although midfielder Guillaume Beuzelin comes back into the squad following suspension – he also wants the same hunger and attack-minded play that was displayed on the pitch at Westfield.

Reid believes his side are starting to prove that they belong in the SPL and Saturday’s defeat certainly didn’t come from a poor performance, although Accies lacked the necessary bite up front.

Surveying the trip to McDiarmid Park in Perth, Reid  said: “If we continue to play the same as we have been then we will pick up points.

“I want us to show the same endeavour and commitment, make the same number of chances, and if we do that then we’ll be fine.

“On Saturday I thought we played well and probably made as many chances in a Premier League game than we’ve done since I’ve been the manager, but sometimes it doesn’t happen for you and I think that was certainly the case.

“I haven’t had to look at it in hindsight, I was aware at the time of how well we had played and we were stunned to lose the game.

“Over the last few weeks we’ve started to believe that we can play in the SPL.

“At McDiarmid Park we want to start well, get in people’s faces, and always be in the game.

“I think the teams are evenly matched and it’s got the makings of a decent game.”

Looking back on the 2-0 defeat at the Falkirk Stadium, Reid added: “Sometimes you’ve got to take your medicine but I wouldn’t set my team up any differently. I couldn’t ask any more of them and sometimes that’s just the way it goes.

“I thought we won all the battles in the middle of the park, we were the team on the ascendency, but sometimes you don’t get what you deserve.

“We just couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net and I believe that if we had scored we would have gone on and won the game.”

Reid believes that Hamilton have improved rapidly since making a poor start to their campaign, and says progress is the key.

He said: “The important thing for me is to make sure that this club is going in the right direction, and there have been massive improvements since the start of the season.

“There are going to be more hits along the way – people need to realise that we’re Hamilton Accies in the Premier League – but as long as I keep getting endeavour, commitment and the same passion that I’m getting out there then we will pick up points.”