Another double header, this time away from home against Livingston. First of all, well done to Livingston for their dogged determination to succeed in making entry to a game against Accies this season cost only £5. I do hope they will be rewarded big crowd. Accies go into the first game showing their best form of the season, having won their last 3 games and 4 of their last 7. Livvy are not far behind with 3 wins in the last 7, and will have some confidence, having taken 4 points from the 2 fixtures between the teams played at NDP earlier in the season. Accies will be without the suspended Devlin (for the first game), Fisher and Neil continue to have injury worries and Canning was taken off after 77 mins on Tuesday as a precaution. Lets hope that spine of the team is not too badly hit by these doubts and the suspension. Lee Kilday to come in to the squad? It seems to me to be a possibility, as cover if nothing more, but he took a knock at one point in the U20s game vs Aberdeen on Wednedsay (which we lost 4-1, although it was not, apparently, a 4-1 game!) and there is no info at time of writing as to his fitness. For once we have no worries up front, with some strong competition for places, although I can't see any change to the May, McShane and McKinnon combination, despite pressure from Brophy and Ryan. Accies have every reason to be confident going into these games and I would like to think we can collect 4 points out of 6. A 4th place finish to match last year might be on the minds of Neil and McAvoy - I reckon it's a long shot, but not wholly out of the question.
This blog is about Hamilton Academical Football Club - the Accies.
I realise "like to think we can collect 4 points out of 6" is quite guarded optimism, but I can't quite go that far. Livingston, for me, are a well-organised side and one of the steadiest I've seen this season. These two games will be Alex Neil's first big test - not that our last two wins should be belittled, but ailing Dunfermline's second string and league deadweights Airdrie represent the best start he could have had. These games will be different, and if Sir Alex can emerge with 4 points out of 6, then it bodes well for his managerial tenure, however short or long it may be.
ReplyDeleteA few weeks ago I wouldn't have given us much of a chance but I am a bit more confident. 4 points would be good but 3 not a disgrace. I'm just hoping their pitch is up to 2 games in a few days as they seem to have problems.
ReplyDeleteYes, Livvy will or should be a little more difficult than the last two games although the Pars still had some decent players in their team.
ReplyDeleteIt'll be interesting to see how we perform with two up front against one of the better teams in the division. I thought at times v Dunfermline we were a little exposed at the back and it may be that away from home the one up front could be the safer option over a full season. We have nothing to play for now so I'd hope we still go with the two up top and look to entertain the fans.
Let's hope for a good game with a nice wee win for the Accies
Wow! I may have underestimated our lads. It'll be interesting to hear more first hand accounts, but it sounds like we dominated. The May-McShane partnership, denied us for most of the season, continues to flourish, and I guess the returns of Page and Fisher must have helped. I can't recall back-to-back hat-tricks from any Accies player in my time, so kudos to Stevie May, but the whole team seems to be clicking. A great win.
ReplyDeleteThe difference to me is the May/McShane partnership and thanks Billy for that. It showed signs of improvement yesterday with the players looking as though once they got near the Livvie goal they were looking around them and taking note of who was there not just trying to score on their own. A further 3 points on Tuesday would be a real bonus and makes Livingstone catchable before the season is over. Ali Crawford hit a cracker off the post and it promptly pinged straight across the goal mouth and pinged off the other post before coming out. If only... Another series of bookings must mean we start to lose players in the games ahead.
DeleteStevie has nailed his colours to the mast. He is quoted in the Herald today as saying "This has been a great season for me. I feel I am a better player and I would like to go back to St. Johnstone and try to become a first team player." Ball in Saint Johnstone court I think so lets hope a few more goals before the season ends. Whatever happens don't think we will see him in an Accies shirt next season.
ReplyDeleteOne of my first thoughts on hearing of Stevie's hat-trick on Saturday was 'where does he go from here?'. We have not had a 20+ goals per season striker since Offiong, and I'm sure we only held on to him because we were promoted at just the right time. I certainly don't blame May at all for wanting to further his career at a higher level, whether that be at St Johnstone or elsewhere. It will be interesting to see what happens to him in the future, especially after Richard Offiong's trials and tribulations on leaving NDP.
ReplyDeleteOn a different subject, it will be very interesting to see how tomorrow night pans out. I have only seen the highlights of Saturday's game (and no doubt that package was aimed a Livvy supporters) but I can see them being really sore about Saturday's result - they had a few decent chances. My original thought that 4 points out of 6 for these two games would be a fine achievement stands!
Well here we go again. If the weather remains like this then that it will be a factor. I also think Livingston will want to restore a bit of pride and may also be feeling slightly aggrieved so i am expecting a tougher match. Paige out but Devlin in so no problem there. Not sure if Alex will be injured but Fisher fine by me. Thankfully the last of the double headers.
ReplyDeleteDon't know what the weather has been like in the central belt, but it's been pretty wild up here in Ardnamurchan. I see Alex Neil picked up yet another early injury in Saturday which is likely to rule him out tonight. I wonder if this recent string of injuries and the great start he has made to his management career will see him reconsider his recent assertion that he has a couple years left in him as a player? It's quite conceivable that he will be a serious contender for the manager's job when a permanent appointment is made and if he were to be offered the sort of security BR enjoyed (perhaps with review point options) then his injury record over the last 4 years may lead him to rethink things. There is obviously a world of difference between accepting a permanent position and managing as he is (in a environment where he has nothing to lose) temporarily. T'will be interesting.
ReplyDeleteTonight will be a wee bit of a tester. Livingston hurt, suspensions kicking in and the aforementioned weather factor (summer football, anyone?). Looking forward to hearing how it goes.
On the night weather wasn't a factor. Winds had died and it was quite pleasant at kick off. Sometimes going 10 down galvanises a team and Livi to be honest looked comfortably for the best part of 70 minutes. I never felt apart from the odd occasion e.g an overhead kick from Fisher that we threatened. Mid field to me was missing. Not one to remember but may be we have been spoilt a bit in the last few games.
Delete"My original thought that 4 points out of 6 for these two games would be a fine achievement stands!"
ReplyDeleteYou were spot on, David, and my cap is duly doffed. A great 4 points, albeit the first points Alex has dropped and he must feel he could have had a fourth straight win with a wee bit of luck.
We're finishing well, and I'm looking forward to Saturday already.