We have failed to score against the Accies in all three games this season. We don't score many, but when you consider we've managed at least one goal against all the other teams in the SPL - including Rangers - it's a pretty poor record. If you include the last two games against them from last season, it's no goals - or wins - in five games against Billy Reid's men. It's an abysmal record and something we need to put right.
When we played Hamilton in the last game of last season, there was still a chance we could be relegated on goal difference. We are in that situation once again, but while last time a four goal swing was needed, this season it requires the best part of a 20 goal switch involving ourselves, Falkirk and Kilmarnock over the next two games. it could happen, but it's so unlikely even Gus MacPherson is saying we're safe. As a result, there is no need to get too worked up or anxious about tomorrow's game. With the pressure off, we might see a different Saints side than usual - one that goes out and attacks the opposition rather than sits back. While we may have seen that in the last few games, it hasn't been the case for most of the season, so it'll be interesting to see what happens tomorrow. The fans have been fantastic in the last few games but the fact this game is meaningless may change that, although reduced prices of a fiver a head should help boost the attendance.
With nothing to play for - although we could still catch Aberdeen in ninth, which would be incredibly funny - we could see a few changes for tomorrow's game. It would be nice to think youngsters like Ally Love, Conor Ramsay and Sean Burns will get a run out at some point, but they'll probably be lucky to make the bench. The same goes for Rory Loy, who is quickly earning a reputation as one of the most pointless signings in football history (and it's not his fault). Instead, we're more likely to see people like Garry Brady and Alan Johnston be handed rare starts. I'm not sure if I see the point of that as both are out of contract in the summer and I wouldn't offer them new deals, but there might not be any chance. I'd imagine the players who were involved on Saturday will be absolutely knackered after pouring their hearts into that second half performance, and a second game so quickly could be too soon for a lot of them - especially as a fair number went into the game carrying knocks.
One change we can be pretty sure of is that Lee Mair will return in defence as Chris Innes is suspended following his fun and games on Saturday. After seeing the replay he fully deserved his red card, but you have to wonder why Brian McLean wasn't sent off as well. Chris can join the injured Jack Ross and Tom Brighton in the stand tomorrow night, but supposedly everyone else is available. I'd like to see a return to a front two, preferably with Billy Mehmet paired with Craig Dargo or Loy (although the chances of the latter happening are extremely slim). I wouldn't be too surprised to see the same team as Saturday aside from Mair taking over from Innes - remember, a 10-0 defeat could put us back into trouble!
Most Saints fans don't like the attitude and tactics deployed by Hamilton, such as time-wasting, chasing the referee around and other moments of general thuggery. However, it has worked for them in the past two seasons and they have achieved higher finishes than we have ever managed in the SPL. That's a testament to Billy Reid, who has worked wonders at Hamilton while boring the pants off the rest of us with his negative style of play. Getting Hamilton up was no mean feat and keeping them up two seasons running without even being involved in the relegation battle is remarkable. While all the attention is on which player will leave next, you really have to wonder if Reid will still be there come the start of the new season or if someone will offer him a job down south. He's just won the manager of te month award, something that will hopefully work in our favour.
One player almost certain to cross the border in the summer is James McArthur. When we played out a goalless draw with Accies in March, he was the star of the show despite not having his shooting boots with him that day. He could easily play at a higher level and it wouldn't be a surprise if he was a regular in the Premiership this time next season. Just shows what you can do if you give youth a chance - something Reid seems more than willing to do at New Douglas Park. Tomas Cerny is another player destined for bigger things, although can a move to Ibrox really be classed as that these days?
While their youngsters are good, Hamilton can also rely on some experienced players I wouldn't mind seeing at St. Mirren Park. Mark McLaughlin and Martin Canning are good, strong, no nonsense defenders. That's partly why I feel starting Dargo or Loy tomorrow night could prove dividends - McLaughlin and Canning are good in the air but a bit suspect when someone has a bit of pace. Simon Mensing seems to play anywhere for Accies these days, and usually scores, while Alex Neil is a creative midfielder that can unlock defences at will. Up front, we need to watch out for Mickael-Antoine Curier and the Portuguese twins Flavio and Marco Paixao, who look a bit like Jedward. There's also Joel Thomas, who left the club in the summer but returned on loan in January along with Brian Easton.
Points tomorrow aren't vital, but wouldn't it be nice to get a win and officially seal our SPL place while putting the pressure on Aberdeen in the process?