Neil Hoping To Start Strongly

Photo by Jeff Holmes Hamilton player-manager Alex Neil feels getting the first goal is the main thing that has been missing in their recent run - but he is confident they can continue their excellent home record against Dundee. Accies have won once in seven games, a run which started when they went to Dens Park as Scottish Premiership leaders only to lose 2-0. But they remain unbeaten at New Douglas Park since their opening loss against Inverness and Neil is happy with his players' reaction to the challenge of overcoming a downturn of form. "I don't think we are hitting the heights that we were earlier in the season and we are not getting the first goal like we were," the midfielder said. "That makes a huge difference because if you lose the first goal you have to chase the game and good teams at this level can pick you off, like we did at the start of the season. "It's not for the lack of effort, the boys still put as much effort as they were at the start of the season. But I was well aware how good we were playing because that doesn't happen all the time. "At the moment we are finding a wee sticky spell, however at home we have been doing really well and picking up results." Neil knew his players would suffer a blip at some stage but they remain firmly in the top six and can move 10 points ahead of seventh-placed Dundee on Saturday. "The players are still in good spirits," he said. "They realise how difficult it is to pick up wins at this level. Form will go up and down, it's effort and endeavour that will make you as a player."