Within minutes of the referee’s final whistle after the St Johnstone game our manager was talking of the need to avoid any hint of complacency in the attitude to the Lanarkshire derby. Motherwell’s one hundred percent run in December will surely be noticed by those who choose the next Manager of the Month award.
The form of the teams has reversed since the last meeting in mid-September. The writing was on the wall for Ian Baraclough (the 1-0 defeat was his last league game) and the Accies had made a good start to the season. Now we are a couple of points ahead with a game in hand and on a winning run while they have suffered four consecutive losses with one win in the last eleven.
We have started the same eleven throughout December and few would predict any change for Saturday’s game. Moult played for an hour on Wednesday but it was pleasing to see others grabbing goals. Pearson’s burst into the penalty box for our second strike was impressive and there was delight in the stands when we realised that Ben Hall had a first senior goal to his credit.
Hamilton will still be reeling at the manner of their defeat at the hands of Inverness and we have to ensure that they get no hold in the game. Hammell, McManus, Lasley and Law all featured in last year’s Ne’erday debacle at New Douglas Park and a reminder of that should ensure we make amends with a 3-0 home win.
Greg Aitken will be in charge of the match.
Remember the last time Hamilton visited?