This habit that Accies have developed of rendering our attacks impotent has thwarted not just Baraclough. Stuart McCall, for all the good work he did at Fir Park, never saw his side score a competitive goal in Hamilton. And that’s without mentioning the humiliating defeat at the hands of Albion Rovers at the same ground.
There’s no doubt that the surface seems to give an advantage to the home side. They always look more comfortable and confident on the pitch than the Motherwell players who seem tentative and unsure. They make the best of the favourable conditions and there’s always the likelihood that they will score first.
On this occasion it was slack defending that cost us. After the match Ripley could barely conceal his frustration and anger at the manner of the defeat. He stood up well to some well struck shots yet his clean sheet disappeared when Imrie overcame the hapless Chalmers at the back post.
It might have been a different story had Robinson converted one of his early chances. The manager repeated his favourite mantras by saying that we had to be more ruthless in both boxes. Chances had to be taken and defence had to be resolute.
Baraclough’s Saturday night would be spent watching a replay of the game in preparation for Sunday’s training session and analysis of the match. At least he would avoid the barrage of criticism that poured on to the internet from disillusioned ‘Well fans.
After 8 league games we are a point behind last season’s total and we know how that ended. The midweek league cup game may give us some relief but it will take more than a win against Partick Thistle next Saturday to convince anyone that we’re on the right track.