Hamilton boss identifies home factor that could influence SWPL 1 recruitment

Hamilton women’s head coach Gary Doctor says his summer recruits have to be able to handle home matches in SWPL 1.

The New Douglas Park club are preparing for the new season after the SPFL took control of elite women’s football in Scotland earlier this year.

After promotion from SWPL 2 in 2021, Accies endured a tough campaign in the top flight, finishing bottom but spared from relegation due to league reconstruction.

All of their victories came on the road and if they are to survive a season where a drop-zone is in play, Doctor knows his team will have to adapt to the expansive park at their home stadium.

A rough template of the player they want to attract has been drawn up but there will be limitations to who they can get. That said, improvement is still being sought.

Doctor said: “Next season we are going to have a relegation place and we’re going to have a play-off place. Without getting carried away, we won’t be silly with our expectations.

“We have a fair idea of the type of player we want with the recruitment of our team. We think these type of players can help us improve, particularly in our home form.

“If we matched the home form with away form, we would have sat around seventh or eighth. That’s where we need to improve. We have to get players who can handle playing at home at this level on a bigger pitch.

“That’s part of our thinking but we have limitations on what we can and can’t offer players, that other clubs can. We will have to be patient and perhaps find players with a wee point to prove.

“We need players who want to challenge themselves.”

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