Hamilton boss: Accies need to defeat teams like Kilmarnock
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Dundee United were cut adrift early last term but Accies manager Canning does not see that scenario being repeated this season.
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Hide AdCanning believes there is so little between most of the sides in the top flight that the fight to avoid the drop will rumble on until late in the campaign.
And that is why he is desperate to pick up points against Kilmarnock after losing to basement boys Dundee on Saturday.
Canning - whose side were brought crashing back down to earth by Paul Hartley’s men just four days after picking up a surprise win over Aberdeen - said: “There is so little between so many teams in this league that you can have a good result one week and a poor one the next.
“But we need to make sure we win games like this Saturday’s because these are the big ones for us.
“It’s nice to go and beat your Aberdeens and other big teams but we need to make sure we start beating the teams around us in the table.
“Last year United got cut off a bit but I don’t see that happening this year.
“There is so little between everyone that it’s going to be tight all the way through. If you can put a run together it makes such a big difference.”
But Canning fears he will have to take on Killie without frontman Alex D’Acol.
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Hide AdThe Brazilian has netted twice in his last four games but was replaced early in the second half against Dundee after suffering a rib injury.
“Alex is touch and go for Saturday,” confirmed his manager. “He came off against Dundee after taking a bang to the ribs so we will see how he goes.
“We’ll be hoping he pulls through because he’s been great for us recently.
“He has got a couple of goals now but is also linking the game really well and gives us a bit of presence up top. He’s done well and hopefully he makes it.”