Derek McInnes asks St Johnstone fans to help them beat Hamilton Accies

Nov 27 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

DEREK McINNES is calling for Perth fans to act as his 12th man tomorrow when Hamilton Accies visit McDiarmid Park.

Saints have a series of home games over the next few weeks which could influence the rest of the campaign, with a top six spot within range.

The promoted Perth outfit are coming off the back of a fine away win against Hearts and go into the game as favourites.

But McInnes cautioned: “As a player and as a manager I have always found Accies to be tough team to play against. This type of game is going to be crucial to the outcome of our season and it’s important the fans help create the right environment for the players.

“In one of my first games for Saints I remember they scored in the ninth minute and proved difficult to break down. Home and away they tend to play the same way.

“I have to stress our supporters have a real part to play this weekend. My concern is that there might be a general feeling we will roll over some teams in Perth. That’s not the way I see it. We have to work hard for every point.”

McInnes recalled that the first win of the season, on Accies’ home turf, was only sealed by a late wonder strike from defender Danny Grainger.

“There isn’t much between the teams in this league and we have to get our performance levels right because we will open the door to sides if we are off the pace.”

The McDiarmid manager, who returned earlier in the week from a coaching badge trip to Italy, again faces a late selection call.

Grainger and striker Kenny Deuchar have missed sessions with a thigh and groin problem respectively. Graham Gartland is again doubtful with his shoulder injury giving twinges of pain but Steven Anderson has recovered from a back injury.

Steven Milne should resume training next week after an extended lay-off with an ankle problem and Martin Hardie undergoes initial stabilisation surgery on his knee today, with the cruciate tackled by the surgeon within the month.

Attacker Filipe Morais will be assessed today after a back injury at the start of the week.

Morais revealed he was forced out of the Hearts game after setting-up the equaliser by cramping-up.

He said: “I thought I might have pulled a calf muscle but it seems I didn’t drink enough fluids the night before and the leg was cramping up.

“Then I hurt my back on Monday during training. We were on the Astroturf because of the weather. A disc came out of place and hit a nerve. But I hope to be okay for the game.

“Taking painkillers I can get through a training session and I’m sure I can manage a game, even if I have to get an injection.”

Morais also revealed he had predicted centre Jonaton Johansson would grab the winner from the bench.

He explained: “I went in and had a shower, came back out and was standing beside JJ. I told him he was going to go on and score the winner.

“He didn’t think he would even get a chance to get on the pitch but for some reason I knew he would.

“Then Jose Goncalves got his red card and the manager took a gamble by putting JJ on up front. He just had a couple of touches before nipping in and grabbing our winner. So I guess you can say I’m psychic!”

Morais, a former Hibs player, took pelters from Hearts fans as he made for the tunnel.

He said: “They were calling me all sorts of names but it was quite funny. I enjoy a bit of banter and I got the last laugh anyway with my team winning. It was only afterwards I thought Sammy’s goal was very like Jason Scotland’s against Hibs at Tynecastle in the cup.

“But Sammy’s was better - because Jason is scandalous with his head and it must have been a fluke. It must have hit his shoulder! Sammy really stayed up well in the air and it was a great goal.”

Looking ahead to the Accies clash, the Portuguese U21 cap said: “It would be really good to double up after beating them down there.

“But it could be an ever harder game than the Hearts one because they really battle hard and you have to grind it out against them.

“Last time the manager changed it to a rigid formation so we could battle against them.

We nicked two goals. We’ll see what he does this time but whatever way we line up we know it will be a difficult game.”

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Saints Lotto

THIS week’s Saints Lotto numbers are: 4, 8, 18, 27.

There was one winner who scooped £2000 and 31 runners-up each receiving £16.12.

Next week’s jackpot is £2000.