Hamilton Academical v Saints Preview

In fairness, Hamilton's apparently isn't as bad as Dunfermline's. There don't seem to have been as many complaints about it (probably because Hamilton aren't in the SPL and up against "big" clubs like Kilmarnock and Livingston) and apparently it cost more, so it shouldn't be quite as bad. Nevertheless, Saints chairman Stewart Gilmour said after our last visit there that the new stadium wouldn't have any such pitch. Considering the news earlier this week, I reckon most Saints fans would take a new ground with a red ash pitch considering the alternatives!

Saints have injury problems ahead of this game. Stewart Kean and Mixu Paatelainen are injured, leaving us with a likely pairing of Allan Russell and Brian McGinty up front. Oh goody. We haven't scored since Kean got injured against Ross County. In fairness, Russell has scored twice against his old club already this season so maybe we can get another from him tomorrow, but as for McGinty? No goals from open play since May tell's it's own story. personally I'd like to see someone like David McKenna or Scott Gemmill given their chance, but what do I know?

In other injury news, David van Zanten is still a doubt, so new signing Alan Reid could make his first proper Saints start, having played against Clyde as a trialist during the week. Hugh Murray is back from suspension so will probably return to the lineup, whilst Ryan McCay could replace Laurie Ellis at left wing back.

Hamilton are in deep relegation trouble at the moment, currently sitting just four points above the relegation zone. However, they did manage an impressive 2-0 win away to St. Johnstone last week. With the highly rated Marc Corcoran playing, Hamilton will pose a million times more threat to the Saints goal than boring, boring Clyde, whilst former Saints trialist Lee Hardy might get a run out.

With our strike force I don't see us scoring, and I don't see us getting three 0-0 draws in a row. 1-0 to Hamilton.