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Gareth Fullerton

Gary Hamilton hits out at 'recurring theme' holding Glenavon back this season

Glenavon boss Gary Hamilton believes his players have struggled to deal with the expectation of winning games against so-called lower opposition this season.

The Lurgan Blues were found wanting again on Saturday as they suffered a shock defeat to H&W Welders in the sixth round of the Irish Cup.

Hamilton's side also crashed out to Championship opposition in the BetMcLean Cup, losing 2-1 to Loughgall back in October.

Read more: McLaughlin's Reds remind former coach of Breslin's title winners

Reflecting on Saturday's loss to the Welders, Hamilton told Glenavon Media: "The result really hurt me, that's for sure. I am only getting out of the changing room now.

"I just don't understand it at times. It is so frustrating. First half we were in control and had good chances and didn't take them.

"I said to Mackers (Paul McAreavey) is it going to be one of those days, we don't take our chances and start panicking and lose our composure. And that's what happened."

He added: "It is a clear offside that gives the Welders a lead, and that gives them a lift and something to hold on to. And they did it well. We got into really good areas but we didn't threaten them enough.

"The quality we have on the pitch, there is no reason we can't capitalise on those positions."

Hamilton believes Glenavon's struggles against lower opposition could be down to mentality, but insists his side boasts the quality to beat any team in the Premiership.

"It has been a recurring theme. I think we have won three games against teams in the bottom six, and if you count Loughgall and Welders, that's three games out of 13," he said.

"That's not good enough, because we have won more against the top six. So the quality is there.

"I think the expectation of people expecting us to win is starting to play on their minds. We have looked at everything. We have changed formation and personnel, but when people expect us to win we don't seem to be able to do it.

"We have said it to the players in there, so we aren't saying this behind their backs. The stats don't lie. And too many games against those teams this year we have let ourselves down.

"We have to work it out, and if we don't work it our we have to change players. But that isn't that easy, as the January window proved.

"We need more players in, but unfortunately the market out there at the minute is off the scale, whether it be wages or transfer fees.

"No matter how hard we work and try, we can't get people over the line. It's okay saying we need to bring in different personnel, but it's not out there.

"But results against teams in the bottom six and leagues below haven't been good enough."

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