Raith adventure is big chance to lift the gloom, vows Hamilton
the trophies but you are relying on so many things going your way,” said Beverland.
“You need suspensions and injuries going in your favour so you are strong enough to keep going. Squad depth is important and knowing Stephen (Baxter) he’ll want to win all the competitions.
“He’s been putting out strong teams in the different competitions but certain clubs will put out very strong sides because it’s a realistic chance of winning silverware.
“A clean sweep hasn’t been done for a long time, which shows how difficult it is, but it comes down to mentality and attitude as well.
“If your attitude isn’t right you will get dumped out of competitions.” Rallying call: Gary Hamilton wants his Glenavon troops to step up a gear GLENAVON boss Gary Hamilton is welcoming the distraction of today’s trip to Raith Rovers in the Tunnocks Caramel Wafer Cup with both arms.
The Lurgan Blues have endured a wretched run in the Danske Banke Premiership, shipping seven goals at Linfield, followed by another six away to Larne last weekend, all without reply.
However, Hamilton hopes today’s fourth round Scottish Challenge Cup tie at Raith is just the tonic they need.
“It’s a good distraction,” Hamilton said.
“It means the players are not going into another league game after the last two results we’ve had, and maybe the pressure that comes with that.
“We’ve got the luxury of getting away and playing in the Scottish cup competition and it worked for us the last time.
“We went to Formartine the last time and got a result (3-0 win), after that we went to Crusaders and put in a good performance and got the good result against Ballymena.”
Hamilton admits it has been far from easy as he and his coaching staff have looked to pick up the pieces of the last two league games.
“It’s not easy,” Hamilton admitted. “To concede seven goals obviously affects your confidence, but we went to Larne having changed personnel and still went in 3-0 down.
“So maybe sometimes it’s a confidence thing and we have to have a look at that side of it.
“As I said to the boys they don’t need to go out and play with fear. There are lots of people worse off than us, people with sick children, people in hospital and people dying.
“At the end of the day, it’s a game of football so the boys shouldn’t have any stress or any worries — they just need to go out and give their all.
“Sometimes when you’re watching the last couple of weeks you see people (on the pitch) getting frustrated, but that can’t be the case, you just have to get on with it and for0get about your mistake.”