Source: Team_Talk
Levein backs United to bounce back
So far, 2009 has not been a particularly good year for the Tannadice side, who missed out on a place in the Co-operative Insurance Cup final following an epic penalty shootout defeat to Celtic, before losing at Rangers last week in the SPL.[LNB]Levein would have been forgiven for heading into today's Scottish Cup clash at New Douglas Park with a sense of trepidation, especially as his players have failed to overcome Accies so far this season.[LNB]His worst fears were confirmed when Chris Swailes netted a swift double after the break to book Hamilton a place in the quarter-finals and leave the Arabs boss having to pick his side up again ahead of next week's league encounter with a rejuvenated Inverness.[LNB]"We have had three really hard matches recently," admitted Levein.[LNB]"We had the semi-final, we were at Ibrox - which is always difficult - only a few days after the semi-final and today's game was a hard match.[LNB]"I looked at today's match and thought there was a chance we could lose today. But we will be fine for next week."[LNB]Hamilton triumphed over United on the opening day of the season, before claiming a point in their last meeting at Tannadice.[LNB]But Levein rejected suggestions the Lanarkshire outfit were something of a bogey team for his side.[LNB]He said: "We played them last season and we won and no-one was saying they were a bogey team.[LNB]"This season, in the first game of the season, we didn't play well at all. In the last couple of matches, I felt we were just a bit unlucky.[LNB]"The game is never over at half-time but, certainly, with a second goal we would have felt reasonably comfortable today."[LNB]There was a suggestion Brian Easton handled before winning the corner which he then delivered to Swailes for Saturday's winner.[LNB]Levein said: "I didn't think there was a handball, I know there was a handball. But, after that, we had opportunities to clear the ball.[LNB]"All credit to Hamilton, they are through to the next round. And, as every manager says when they have gone out a cup competition, we can concentrate on the league now."[LNB]Hamilton manager Billy Reid was full of praise for the battling qualities his players demonstrated after falling behind to Danny Grainger's opener.[LNB]He said: "To go a goal behind against a team like Dundee United and come back and win the game is sensational for us.[LNB]"I thought at half-time we were a bit unfortunate to be a goal behind; I thought we started the game pretty well.[LNB]"I said to the players at half-time that we were well in the game and our time would come.[LNB]"It was fantastic play from James McCarthy and a great finish from Chris Swailes. After that, I thought we were in the ascendancy. All credit to the players, we deserved our win."[LNB]Hamilton have now won all six of their matches in 2009 and, when asked how long they can keep it going, Reid said: "I don't know but it's a good run for us.[LNB]"We have deserved it and we are looking solid. We have conceded today to a free-kick and we are disappointed about that.[LNB]"We are not going to get carried away. We are in the next round of the cup and we look forward to a derby game next week at Motherwell."[LNB][LNB]
