MX23RW : Wednesday, May 22 10:27:49| >> :600:415481:415481:
May 18, 2019 at 12.30pm UK at ​New Douglas Park
Attendance: 2,553
HamiltonHamilton Academical
2-0
St Johnstone
Gordon (11'), Davies (57')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Gary Woods: 'Hamilton given license to express ourselves'

Brian Rice has encouraged his side to play attacking football.

Hamilton goalkeeper Gary Woods believes they can and will enjoy their survival battle against St Johnstone after being given licence to express themselves by head coach Brian Rice.

Accies have secured half of their 30 Ladbrokes Premiership points under Rice since the former Hibernian midfielder took charge two thirds of the way through the campaign.

A four-match unbeaten run took them to the brink of safety but defeat by St Mirren on Monday, after having Alex Gogic sent off in the first half, has kept Accies in the frame for a play-off.

However, Accies know they will stay up for a sixth consecutive season in the top flight if they better St Mirren's result at Dundee on Saturday, and Woods is sure they will approach their task with relish.

Woods said: "Since the gaffer has come in he has been a breath of fresh air. He wants the lads to go out and enjoy themselves and express themselves and that's what the lads have done. Our results have picked up, we have been more consistent.

"He says every game, 'just go out and enjoy yourselves, it's a game of football, you have the best job in the world so go and enjoy it'.

"That's what the lads are going to do. I think that's why the results have picked up, we have looked better playing more football and less direct and the lads have been enjoying their football."

Accies avoided a play-off on goal difference last season after losing nine of their last 10 games to finish with 33 points.

That tally is their target on Saturday and Woods knows his team-mates will go out to put their fate beyond doubt rather than keep an eye on St Mirren's score.

Woods added: "Every game the manager wants to attack. At St Mirren, we were down to 10 men early so we didn't really see that, but he has given the lads a licence. If you run forward you have to run back quicker, but he has given the lads licence to go and attack.

"I think that's why we have picked up more points than last year in the split. Last year we won one game and lost the rest. We are still coming down to the last game even though we have won one and drawn two, that's just the nature of the league.

"But we are in this position because over the course of the season we have not been good enough. We have one last chance to keep ourselves up and we will all be looking forward to the game."


Click here for more stories about Gary Woods

Click here for more stories about Hamilton Academical

Share this article now:
General view of St Mirren Park from 2009
Read Next:
Kearney hails "top notch" players as relegation battle goes to wire
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
/esi/758/0/index.html - esi:0:site:0:-p-: {0}: - :T758:-: {0}: < ! - - T  758 {0} - - >  : 
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City38322495237298
2Liverpool38307189226797
3Chelsea38219863392472
4Tottenham HotspurSpurs382321367392871
5Arsenal382171073512270
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd381991065541166
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38169134746157
8Everton38159145446854
9Leicester CityLeicester38157165148352
10West Ham UnitedWest Ham38157165255-352
11Watford38148165259-750
12Crystal Palace38147175153-249
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle38129174248-645
14Bournemouth38136195670-1445
15Burnley38117204568-2340
16Southampton38912174565-2039
17Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton3899203560-2536
RCardiff CityCardiff38104243469-3534
RFulham3875263481-4726
RHuddersfield TownHuddersfield3837282276-5416

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account