There has been much to complement about our team and management this season, but this isn't one of those times. I thought we were way off it on and off the park today.
I understand the thinking that you win the battle and you then impose your game on the opposition but we set ourselves up for a midfield battle that simply never happened and as a consequence the minute they went ahead we were chasing the game with a setup and formation that did not give us the best chance of remedying the situation.
It was all the more curious a decision when you consider that the formation and line up of recent games was sufficient to win games where we've been on the back foot and the front foot. Why the lack of faith that it could take care of a depleted Hamilton side?
What I would say is that I couldn't fault the team for effort and they kept going until the end. Nor were exactly under the cosh at any point, they have beaten us through getting a break off the ball and a defensive balls up. But in terms of us actually attacking we were so lacking in quality, nous and imagination and when openings did come we blew them, such as Cadds dancing along the touchline only to put his cross straight out and Main standing unmarked waiting for a pass from Cadden that never reached him. That second opportunity was particularly galling given the fuck up that came a couple of minutes that gave Accies their second.
Oddly I find myself not that upset at losing because it was Hamilton and a derby, nor the fact that it kills off any lingering top six hopes, but with St Johnstone and Hamilton gaining ground and some difficult fixtures ahead of the split it leaves that annoying lingering whiff still hanging around that we might get dragged back in.
Over the season this team have accumulated a lot of credit in the bank but that was such a disappointing and lacking display today. Some reflection from the management team and a harsh word or two required I think.