This is a game we should be looking to win. If we can't beat one of the teams below us, at home, then we really are in trouble. This isn't disrespectful, as I'd imagine Hamilton fans are saying similar things about beating us. With just two points celebrating the bottom three sides, this is the first of what will probably be a number of crunch games as the season draws to a close.
We haven't won in the SPL since mid January, Hamilton have only won once in their last 10 games. Worryingly, we seem to struggle against Accies, especially at home. They are even more defensive than ourselves, which I didn't really think was possible, and as a result we have to go and attack rather than hope to hit them on the counter. However, Hamilton have won both of their games at St. Mirren Park and we haven't really turned up in either of them. That simply will not do - we have to be up for this and be fully committed from the off. The fans have to play their part too and hopefully they can provide the vocal backing necessary. If those two aspects come together, we can win.
Sadly, our preparations have not been helped with what can only be described as a defensive crisis. We already knew Jack Ross was out, but Chris Innes, John Potter, David Barron and Lee Mair are all carrying knocks and are all rated doubtful. I'm not even going to guess what sort of formation we're going to play in those circumstances, although a return to a back four would make sense considering Hamilton usually go with just one up front. Hopefully at least two of the four will be back, otherwise we really will be in trouble.
On the plus side, last week's game against Kilmarnock suggests Andy Dorman is beginning to get back to his best, at just the right time. Also good was Billy Mehmet breaking a league drought that stretched all the way back to mid-October. Mehmet and Michael Higdon have been doing well up front, despite not scoring in recent weeks, and it'll be interesting to see if they are given another chance tomorrow. Forgotten man Steven Robb has also been in scintillating form now that he's fit - and it's perhaps no coincidence he has improved since Graham Carey arrived to provide competition in that department. It's likely Robb will keep his place for tomorrow, while Tom Brighton and Chris Smith will join Ross in the stand.
Over the last few years, Billy Reid has created a Hamilton team that is pretty boring and negative but also capable of playing attractive football on occasion. He's also brought through a number of youngsters which have been sold on to generate some cash for the club although one of them, Brian Easton, is now back on loan - a trick Saints perfected 10 years ago! Injuries have forced Reid to turn the next crop in recent weeks and the likes of Jordan Kirkpatrick and Grant Evans are beginning to look good.
It isn't all about youth at New Douglas Park though, as some of their experienced players are pretty handy too. Tomas Cerny is an excellent keeper, even if Hamilton did pay a bit too much for him last summer, while Mark McLaughlin is a rock in defence and Simon Mensing is capable of scoring from midfield, with Alex Neil providing the creativity. Mickael Antoine-Curier had been banging in the goals in the first half the season but is having a few injury problems at the moment, leaving Flavio and Marco Paixao to do the scoring.
Hamilton also have a former Saint, and I'm not talking about Stuart Taylor. In January they brought David van Zanten back to the SPL after a short spell at Morton following his release by Hibs. Vanzy was a popular player during his time at Saints before deciding to make the switch to Easter Road and many Saints fans were hoping we'd sign him when he was training with the squad earlier in the season. He likes to get forward, so it'll be interesting to see how he fits into Reid's approach to the game.