Canning points to fine margins of winning and losing

Hamilton boss Martin Canning insists performance often bears no relation to results in the cut and thrust of the Premiership.

The Lanarkshire side has lost its last two matches after a six-game unbeaten run and sits in ninth place, one point ahead of Ross County, who visit New Douglas Park today.

Canning believes that it is fine margins which determine the destination of the points.

He said: “You don’t need to be playing well to win, you don’t need to be playing poorly to lose.

“It seems to be the teams are so evenly matched, it is one or two wee breaks and one or two things here or there that wins or loses you the game.

“The St Johnstone game (lost 1-0) and Hearts (drew 1-1) was a classic example. We deserved to win both games comfortably by one or two goals at least and we picked up one point in six. We didn’t play well against Hibs and managed to get a point and Hibs were probably thinking the same thing, ‘how did we not win?’

“We went to Celtic Park in midweek, performed well again and lost 3-1 so you don’t need to be playing poorly to lose.

“We need to keep our focus, know that we are performing well but ultimately want to pick up three points.

“But this league is so tight and it is going to be similar to last season.”

To that end, Canning reads “very little” into County travelling to Lanarkshire without a win in five matches and having surrendered a two goal lead against Kilmarnock in midweek to draw 2-2.

He said: “St Johnstone have been through a similar run, Hearts are the same, it can happen so easily.

“That doesn’t mean that you are not playing well or not deserving to win games.

“They were obviously 2-0 up against Kilmarnock during the week and lost two late goals to end up with a point.

“Had they won that game you would say they are coming on the back of a win and it completely changes the complexion of things.

“So I don’t think you can look too deeply into that. I think it is just a case making sure we are best prepared as we can and try to get three points.”

“One or two things here or there that wins or loses game”