Hamilton midfielder Scott Martin says his side have to do better than what they provided in Saturday's defeat to Dundee - even if the season is still young.
Head coach John Rankin's first game in charge ended in a 3-0 Premier Sports Cup loss away at their fellow Championship club, with Niall McGinn opening the scoring.
Alex Jakubiak doubled the Dark Blues lead from the spot and Lyall Cameron finished the job mere minutes from time.
Brian Easton was also sent off for Accies, and some fans voiced their displeasure at the final whistle. Martin says it was a poor way to the start the campaign but a chance to bounce back tomorrow against Stranraer awaits.
He said: "It was a tough day at the office. That was not what the boys were wanting. That isn't what we have put the hard work into pre-season for.
"We need to pick ourselves up but the games are coming thick and fast just now, so we are glad. We are still new, some of us, the gaffer has come in and got new ideas.
"So it has been a bit of building but we still have to be better than what we were on Saturday.
"Dundee were really good and have come down to try and make the best start they can. We will try to take some positives but we got beat 3-0. There aren't many positives we can take from that."
Fan frustrations were apparent at full-time and Martin understands it: "People need to realise we are all in the same boat. We are giving our all. We don't want beat 3-0.
"I think at times we need to get that support behind us. Most weeks they are good but they are entitled to their opinion. They need to try and get behind the team as best they can.
"That goes hand-in-hand with us doing our best out on the pitch and bringing results to the club."
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