Source: Team_Talk
Hughes keen to summon spirit
As Inverness continued their rehabilitation under new manager Terry Butcher with a win over Hibernian, the Bairns dropped down to meet them with a nervy display against Accies.[LNB]Despite having an early goal gifted to them by Hamilton defender Chris Swailes when he knocked the ball past his own keeper Tomas Cerny, the home side never looked comfortable.[LNB]When Simon Mensing equalised before the break, it looked like the Lanarkshire side were the most likely to get the winner, which they did through Paul McGowan with 15 minutes remaining.[LNB]With one win in their last 12 SPL games, Falkirk are one point ahead of Caley.[LNB]Hughes accepts the battle for survival is all too real and called for his players to use their minds to take themselves up the table.[LNB]He said: "There are worse things in life than losing a football match and worse things than us getting relegated to the First Division.[LNB]"I see a lot of tension and apprehension within our play.[LNB]"You need to use the mental tools within yourself to go out and strut your stuff.[LNB]"These players have worked ever so hard over the last six years to stay in the SPL, so why are we scared of it?[LNB]"Let's go and have a go.[LNB]"I think the players are trying too hard; they have to find that karma that allows you to go and play good football.[LNB]"You can't go there with the veins sticking out your neck; you have to go and play.[LNB]"We need to handle the pressure, rise above it and go and play our football."[LNB]The Bairns boss continued: "It was always going to be nip and tuck with Inverness until the end of the season but we wanted to bring teams back to us.[LNB]"We had a chance last week to reel St Mirren in beside us and didn't do it and we had the chance today to pull Hamilton closer to us and failed again so that's really disappointing."[LNB]Hamilton were tipped by many as likely relegation candidates in their first season in the SPL but Billy Reid's side have amassed enough points to be all but safe.[LNB]Reid watched his side go level with sixth-placed Hibernian then claimed his players have always been looking up rather than down at the bottom of the table.[LNB]He said: "The relegation word has never been mentioned at this club.[LNB]"We always look forward, are always looking at the teams above us.[LNB]"I think teams that come up to the SPL think that they will do well to stay in the league but we never approach it in that way.[LNB]"It was a bizarre goal we conceded; there was no panic.[LNB]"These things happen in football and we kept trying to play football.[LNB]"I don't think anyone could deny that we ran out worthy winners."[LNB]Swailes was able to joke about his early mistake but admitted he was the most relieved man on the park when Accies came back to take all three points.[LNB]"I thought I would try to make a game of it by giving them a goal," he quipped.[LNB]"I take full responsibility for it - although Tomas will need to work on his sprints.[LNB]"They tell you never to knock the ball between the posts but I didn't look up, I just played.[LNB]"I was relieved when Simon equalised and I ran the length of the pitch to congratulate Paul when he scored the winner."[LNB][LNB]
