Dougie Imrie expects Motherwell to come out firing at Hamilton
Hamilton midfielder Dougie Imrie fully expects Motherwell to be on a revenge mission when the two sides meet on Saturday.
The Lanarkshire rivals shared 15 goals in four league games last season - with Accies scoring 11 of those in their three victories.
Imrie knows Well will be looking for a change in fortunes when they pitch up at New Douglas Park.
But he insists the derby clash is one Hamilton will be relishing just as much.
He said: "All games are hard and they don't come much harder than a local derby. It's another good one to look forward to.
"Both sets of fans will be up for it and I'm sure both teams will be up for it as well.
"These are the games you look out for on the calendar, to find out when you'll be playing your local rivals.
"It will be another tough game and, after last season's results, they will be looking to avenge that as well."
Accies are looking to bounce back from two consecutive defeats - a midweek 1-0 loss to Aberdeen followed a demoralising 4-1 reverse at St Johnstone last weekend.
Imrie added: "I think we are a stronger team than we were last season and we will get stronger as the season goes on.
"But the last two games have been defeats and we have to put that right on Saturday.
"The game against St Johnstone was just a blip. We just weren't at the races to be honest.
"We were back to our old selves again at Aberdeen. Don't get me wrong, we were disappointed to lose the game but we were pleased with the performance.
"I thought it was a much better performance than last Saturday's game against St Johnstone.
"Every one to a man worked their socks off and that was more like us.
"It was disappointing to give away the penalty but Aberdeen are flying at the moment and they took their chance when they got it."
Darian MacKinnon was forced out against the Dons with a knock and Carlton Morris missed the clash at Pittodrie, but both are expected to be fit.
Meanwhile, Stephen Robinson believes he can help Motherwell prosper this season by sharing the secrets of Northern Ireland's success.
He has had a campaign of mixed fortunes so far in his dual roles as assistant boss at Fir Park and first-team coach with his country.
While Northern Ireland are riding high at the top of their Euro 2016 qualifying group, Well have yet to really hit their stride in the Ladbrokes Premiership this term.
And Robinson feels Motherwell could benefit from picking up a few tips and hints from his own national team.
He said: "We have a real structure to how we play with Michael O'Neill and we are very good defensively.
"We don't give a lot of goals away and we are very organised. We've got pace up front and we hit people on the break at times.
"Definitely, I think a lot of things can be learned from that.
"We are sitting top of the group so there are definitely a lot of good things we can take into what's happening here.
"There is a feel-good factor with Northern Ireland at the moment and, when you have that around you, things seem to happen for you.
"People work harder, they want to be involved, and that's what we are trying to create here at Motherwell, too."
Next up for Motherwell is Saturday's visit to local rivals Hamilton.
Robinson admits New Douglas Park has not been a happy hunting ground for him so far and he is looking for a big improvement.
He said: "In my time here so far, the most disappointing game was probably the one away to Hamilton last year.
"We took a lot of fans with us and we didn't perform as well as we know we can do in the second half.
"We know how important it is to the fans and to the players.
"We've had them watched and we know what kind of team they are. They are a big, physical, strong team - and we aim to match them."
New goalkeeper Craig Samson is expected to be added to the Motherwell squad after signing until the end of the season earlier in the week.
Striker Wes Fletcher is still sidelined with an ankle injury but is progressing well and could return to action in the next week or so.
Midfielder Stephen Pearson also remains out with a knee injury and should make a comeback after the international break, if not before.
Source: PAR
