Domestic football returns this weekend and the Steelmen get back to action with the first Lanarkshire derby of the 2017/18 campaign.
Stephen Robinson’s side will be keen to get back in to the swing of things following the international break, with a chance to pick up their 11th victory in 15 games.
After the narrow loss to Aberdeen, the Fir Parkers bounced back to head in to the break on the back of a 3-0 victory over Partick Thistle.
And the derby is set to be an intriguing fixture, given that Hamilton will be hungry to put to bed a run of five games without a win.
Martin Canning’s side pose a tough, physical threat for the ‘Well, and the artificial surface will be a fairly new challenge for some of the Steelmen’s new recruits.
One of those who is new and ready for Saturday’s clash is Peter Hartley, who has impressed since his summer arrival.
Speaking to the broadcast press, Hartley discussed the fixture ahead, and his experience of derby clashes throughout his career so far.
“I’ve never [played on an artificial surface], I don’t think there’s any in England – maybe some in the Conference but I’ve never played at that level,” he admitted. “I’ve got no problems though, body-wise or anything, so I can easily get through games on it.”
He added: “I don’t think we change the way we play, I think we make them make mistakes on the surface if anything.
[pullquote]You can tell we’ve got an identity as a team but obviously we’re not getting carried away because we’ve not reached our full potential and there’s still a lot more to come from us as a team.[/pullquote]
“You can tell we’ve got an identity as a team but obviously we’re not getting carried away because we’ve not reached our full potential and there’s still a lot more to come from us as a team.”
“I don’t read the papers much but I was hearing people say that Partick weren’t at the races, Kilmarnock weren’t at the races and Aberdeen weren’t quite either but it’s not them not being at the races it’s us making them look average with what we do.”
‘Well boss Stephen Robinson has a near full-strength squad to pick from, with George Newell out through injury and Deimantas Petravičius nearing his full return to fitness.
And the Northern Irishman insists that his side won’t change for any opposition as the Steelmen prepare for the first Lanarkshire Derby of the season.
The ‘Well boss looked ahead to this weekend’s clash at the SuperSeal Stadium and admitted Hamilton will be tough opponents.
However, following a strong run of games, the Fir Park manager believes his side will match Accies hard work on Saturday.
[pullquote]We’re obviously well aware of the other teams threats but the pitch does make a difference to it and [Hamilton] are used to playing on it.[/pullquote]
He said: “We don’t change the way we play and we won’t change the way we play for anybody and we’ve been quite successful with that.
“We’re obviously well aware of the other teams threats but the pitch does make a difference to it and [Hamilton] are used to playing on it.”
He added: “We’ve been training on astroturf all week though so it’s not an excuse. They’ve been very good at what they do Hamilton but we’ll match them.”
Martin Canning could be without a number of key men as Ali Crawford, Gary Woods, Michael Devlin, Grant Gillespie, Georgios Sarris and David Templeton could all be doubts. Darian MacKinnon makes his return from suspension for the Accies.
PLEASE NOTE: Tickets must be purchased from the Fir Park ticket office, open 9am – 4pm today (Friday, October 13th) and tomorrow (Saturday, October 14th) from 9am – 1pm. Tickets are not available on the gate.
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Hamilton Accies V Motherwell |
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Saturday 14th October 2017 |
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3.00pm |
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SuperSeal Stadium, Hamilton |
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Unavailable on gate. On sale now from the Fir Park ticket office. |
Admission prices are as follows:
ADULTS |
£22 |
CONCESSIONS |
£12 |
- Concessions are listed as over 65 and under-18s
- Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Brian Davidson on 07725 917161
For those who wish to sit in the ‘Well Bois section please make this known at the time of purchase as a designated area has been allocated.
If you can’t make it tomorrow, don’t miss the action by tuning in to mixlr.com/motherwellfc for live commentary or follow the match on Twitter @MotherwellFC
You can see the match highlights on MFC TV’s YouTube channel, as well as full reaction and a match report right here on the official website.