It is dog eat dog to keep out of the relegation quagmire even this early in the season

Hamilton have now gone six games without a win and Falkirk want that run to continue on Saturday when they pay a visit. Manager John Hughes senses a growing degree of confidence in his own squad which could prolong their hosts problems. Last year's First Division champions now prop up the other 11 clubs after a promising start and appear to already be involved in the relegation fight. That does not mean that Saturday's game will be a foregone conclusion. Hughes has lots of respect for Billy Reid and feels their respective clubs have much in common in terms of their dedication to developing youngsters and stadium potential. However, Hughes wants his side to win and build on a three-game unbeaten run to keep Hamilton at the bottom of the league.

Hughes said: "We're in good spirits, confident and in the semi-finals of the League Cup. The players are playing the game in a great manner and are training absolutely fantastically. Hopefully it's onwards and upwards. Now we go to Hamilton which is always a difficult venue and we're going to have to be at our best to get three points. There are many similarities between the two of us, even when you look at the stadiums. They are always a hard-working team and I don't think they've got anything to lose. But we've got great desire to go and try to go one better than what we did last year (finishing seventh) and we're getting there. I can see it coming together."

Falkirk may be ahead of last year's points tally at this stage but are stuck in 10th-place. Hughes believes a corner has been turned and, with his injury list clearing, that his squad with a mix of youth and experience have the confidence to climb up the table. He went on: "Going into the second quarter of the season we're two points better off than we were last year so that's an improvement. But in saying that I think we should have more points than we've got in the bag. Most of the games we've played in we've been more than capable of taking something out of the match, it's just not always happened. I'm really content with what I've got in my dressing room. They are starting to keep clean sheets and the training is really top, top notch. I can see the youngsters maturing, the injury list clearing up and the competition for places."

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