Source: FOOTYMAD
Focus On The League
While a cup win is welcome, the priority is a regular collection of three points Hamilton first-team coach Stuart Taylor would love to enjoy an extended run-in the Scottish Cup but admits the battle to remain in the top-flight is the number-one priority. Accies welcome cup holders Dundee United in the fifth round this afternoon but, with a precarious league position which sees them sit four points adrift at the bottom of the table, Taylor concedes that survival must come before silverware. He said: "We want to win every game. The cup is also a good little earner for the club if we get through to the next round and hopefully get a big tie and a big gate and get some money in. But, first and foremost for any club, no matter who you are, no matter what league you're in, your league position is the priority over any cups. To have a cup run along the way is fantastic. It's good for the club and it's good for the players and the supporters. We will be going all out to win the game tomorrow but the league is the priority for us." Despite being embroiled in a relegation battle, Taylor does not necessarily see the cup as being a welcome break from league business. He said: "Pressure is something that you thrive on. People will always say it's good to get a break from the league and I suppose it is but not in terms of taking away the pressure. If you can't handle pressure, you shouldn't be in this job. That's what drives you on. Whether it's a cup game or a league game, we look forward to them all and we are looking forward to the opportunity to get another game under our belts and to create chances and score goals." In terms of pressure heading into today’s game, the burden sits squarely on the shoulders of United, as far as Taylor is concerned. He went on: "There is pressure on them because they are the holders. They did fantastically well last season to go on and win the cup and deservedly so. It's up to us to rise to the occasion and beat the holders from last season. All the pressure is definitely on them. It will be a tough game, Dundee United are a very good side with plenty of experience all the way through their team. They definitely have the threats which need to be looked after and taken care of. But, certainly, there are weaknesses there that we have identified and that's what we will be looking to hit as part of our aim to win the game." Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba.net)Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba.net)This is Scottish-Fitba.Net
