Michael Doyle says Hamilton Accies will bust a gut to start winning games again, because they don’t want to be in a relegation scrap.
The 31-year-old says the New Douglas Park side are due to go on a run, based on how much they’re putting into games.
Hamilton sit bottom of the Championship, and while Doyle says they can’t work any harder, they still have to find the extra yard and climb the table.
The defender said: “Our main objective at the start of the season was to try and fight for promotion, not to be fighting relegation.
“Where we are just now is below our standards. We need to be better.
“We need to work harder. We’re working as hard as we can, but we will work harder.
“Knowing the boys, the way they play, and this league, things will change for us.
“If we just keep working away we’re due to go on one of those runs.”
Doyle was pleased with Hamilton’s 4-0 Scottish Cup third round win over Lowland League side East Kilbride, but says that form needs to find its way into their league campaign.
“The cup is always a great wee distraction,” he said, “especially when you’re in our position at the moment and fighting at the bottom of the league.
“You’re trying to win games, and if you can win, you can try and win two or three.
“We’re not saying we’re going on a run of seven or eight wins or something like that, but if you can win one, it gives you a good boost about the place.
“Andy Ryan got a hat-trick in the cup game, and if we can get boys scoring goals and we can keep clean sheets at the back it definitely boosts confidence around the changing room.
“We need points. A cup run is good, but it’s a distraction from the league.”
Doyle added: “This is a long season, we don’t give anything up yet.
“I don’t want to be fighting relegation, I want to be fighting for promotion, and I’m looking at our team.
“I think we can start putting results to our performances and we deserve more, so if we keep working away we will get there.
“It’s better to start that now, than later.
“If we can learn to take our chances, and shut up shop at the back, then we’ll definitely be there, come the end of the season.”
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