27/10/2007

Hamilton v Morton - Preview

Morton face their toughest test of the season so far with an away trip to New Douglas Park (pictured) to face league leaders Hamilton Accies.

Not only do Morton need to contend with a team with players such as James McCarthy, Alex Neil, the league's top goalscorer Richard Offiong and young player of the month James McArthur but we also have to contend with all these players coming into the game with huge confidence after beating Dunfermline 5-0 at East End Park; a win that put them 4 points clear at the top of the league.

To make matters worse we also have to play them on their synthetic surface which, it is argued, is an unfair advantage for the home team as they are used to playing on the surface. A final gripe could be that the surface is much tougher on the joints. Altrincham train on a similar pitch - the same one England used to prepare for the Russia game in Moscow - and Altrincham's Gareth Whalley doesn't like it. He told the BBC "I'm not a big fan of the pitch at all. If you've got any niggles, the pitch will certainly pick them out." - this could be bad news when you consider a lot of players in our squad are just returning form injury.

It's not all doom and gloom though. Morton come into the fixture on the back of two impressive wins while at the same time looking a much improved outfit. I'd pick out three key elements here. The first is Kieran McAnespie at left back. I don't necessarily think he's a good defender but he is actually left footed which provides the team with balance and allows him to go up the line or clear up the line, naturally. On a similar note Scott McLaughlin's return to the centre of midfield has added balance and security in the middle of the park. Finally Peter Weatherson's move up front has provided much need goals. There are reasons to be optimistic for Saturday, I can't see us getting a hammering like Dunfermline but I can't see us getting anything either. I hope I'm wrong.

Team news: Morton are still without Lee Robinson and David MacGregor. I'd expect us to start with the same team as the Clyde and Partick Thistle matches.

Hamilton right-back Tom Parratt is out for 4 months with a Jones fracture in his left foot while striker Paul McLeod is doubtful. Player / Assistant manager Stuart Tayor is likely to return.

My Predicition: Hamilton 2 - 1 Morton



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