Odoffin can be our enforcer like Gogic
Hamilton boss Brian Rice reckons Hakeem Odoffin could be a ready-made replacement for Alex Gogic after a switch in formation.
Odoffin has been a key part of the backline so far this season for Accies, but was switched to a defensive midfield role in the 2-1 defeat to Dundee United last weekend.
Rice admits the struggling side have been missing Gogic since his summer departure for Hibs, but the gaffer believes the new role and formation can be a real boost for the club’s survival hopes. He said: “If nothing changes then nothing changes. We tried something different and worked at it and I’m hoping it gives us a good foundation for the rest of the season.
“It’s no secret that we wanted to keep Alex Gogic last year. He was a big part of the way we played and trying to find someone to do that role has been really difficult.
“I had a look about the squad to see who we had that could maybe fill that role. We put Hakeem in there on Saturday. It’s new to him but I just feel as though we needed that bit of strength in there and someone that is a real winner.
“Hakeem can maybe fill that role until we find a natural replacement.
“It’s the first time he has played there at any level he told me. We don’t throw him in willy-nilly, we speak to him about it and he was quite comfortable with going into it.
“It’s going to take us working at it every day for quite a few months until we get what we are trying to achieve.
“Systems mean nothing, it’s what they gave in the actual game. I asked them to go some places they hadn’t been this season and they went further than that.
“I couldn’t have asked any more from that. We are Hamilton. We need to see that attitude every single game.
“I asked us to be harder to beat against Dundee United and we limited them to very few chances.”
Despite coming under pressure from fans with the club at the bottom of the table, Rice believes he has a strong “bond” with the board.
He added: “I speak to the board all the time, I tell them what my plans are, what I’m looking for and they know the situation.
“They know what it has been like with the Covid situation and injuries.
“I’ve got a great respect and bond with the owners and the board but at the end of the day we need to start getting points on the board.”