Hamilton Accies boss John Rankin admits frustration over lost leads in the Championship – but says at least they’re trying to win.
Rankin says his side must try to score more when they take the lead, rather than try to defend it.
He says that’s a mentality that needs to change, but reckons players returning from injury can play a key role in that.
Hamilton have drawn four times in the league so far this season and on every occasion had taken the lead.
While he’s frustrated, however, Rankin says they are going in the right direction.
Ahead of Saturday’s visit by Queen’s Park, Rankin said: “It is frustrating, nut we’re not asking the players to get back and defend the lead.
“It’s worth noting that we’re playing to win, not to avoid defeat.
“We find ourselves in really good positions and not being able to take full advantage of that is frustrating at times.
“But we have to take confidence that we are taking the lead at difficult venues.
“I think when we get into those positions we do tire and do begin to drop deeper, but getting players like Miko Virtanen, Marley Redfern, Andy Ryan, Lucas de Bolle and Regan Thomson back will help with that.
“Lewis Spence is out for a long time, we know that, but getting these players back it will certainly help us when we get into these winning positions, and having that little bit of experience to see us through the last little bit.
“Rather than sitting on a 1-0 lead we have to go and make it more convincing, and get the second one.”
Rankin says it’s also good to get players back to strengthen the squad.
He said: “There are seven players out, and when we get them back it makes a massive difference.
“We know we’re light in that regard, and we need those players to come back and put pressure on the boys who are playing, and get that competition for places.
“But it will also see us through the final stages of games, because the experience helps you.
“I’m talking about Jamie Hamilton as well, because he’s 20 but with the games he’s played, he’s experienced enough to know how to deal with those situations later on in games.
“It becomes an opportunity for us to really go and help the squad out.”
Seasoned campaigner Owen Coyle brings his Championship play-off winning Queen’s Park side to Hamilton on league duty for the first time since 1981.
Rankin says it should be a cracking game, but pressure is heavy on both sides.
He said: “In the Championship every game is winnable. It doesn’t matter where teams have come from, what their history is or what they’re doing, and you have to approach it like that.
“Queen’s Park came off the back of a really good winning run, but lost their last game against Dundee, so they will be looking to put it right.
“Every game is a winnable game and that’s something that we need to get our mentality right for, to approach them and make sure we are prepared to go out and win them.”
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