Motherwell take safety first approach with Premiership top six in sight
Three wins since Graham Alexander took over at Fir Park and addressed a hideous spell with no wins in 13, the Lanarkshire side head into the local derby with Hamilton on the back of an improved run of form that has hoisted them to within sight of the top six.
Reclaiming three points awarded, then withdrawn, against Kilmarnock in Wednesday night’s 1-0 win at Rugby Park – and overcoming the fabled ‘new manager bounce’ of recently appointed Tommy Wright – places the Steelmen among the form sides in the Scottish Premiership, but defender Stephen O’Donnell is taking things step-by-step.
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Hide Ad“I think we need to make sure we get away from the bottom first,” the Scotland international said. “Apart from anything else, it would be disrespectful of us to talk about chasing down St Mirren, who have signed some good players and been on a great run themselves.
“We need to take care of ourselves. I’m not sure what the points tally is we would need to ensure that we’re safe but we want to reach it as soon as possible and, once we get there, we can think about the top six.”
It’s not an unusual outlook. Manager Graham Alexander isn’t looking up nor down in the table, but at their own points tally too. And after nine points from a possible 15 others are beginning to look at his side’s climb as they exert the new manager’s influence since his arrival on January 7.
O’Donnell is one of many to buy into the manager’s philosophy having signed a contract extension until the end of the season when he’ll hope to be involved at the Euros.
“He’s been great since coming in. He’s changed a few things and that’s worked so we’re all happy,” he explained. “I’ve developed a good relationship with the manager during the short time he’s been at the club, we’ve spoken about a longer stay and talks are ongoing.
“I’m looking forward to the next four months. I think this team has under-achieved this season but we can push on.
“Everything’s in place to give us a successful end to the campaign. That may or may not mean top six but we want to pick up plenty of points and give ourselves a platform for next season.
“When you start to build momentum then things go in your favour. This 1-0 win could have gone the other way at a different time but we’re delighted with it and now we’re hoping to kick on against Hamilton on Saturday.”
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Hide AdAccies boss Brian Rice was in the stand ahead of the derby and saw an improved Kilmarnock dominate without taking their chances. Of the two which fell to Motherwell, Allan Campbell seized one and secured three important points.
“The important thing was that we built on some impressive recent form and, although our performance could have been better, the results are all that matter at this stage,” O’Donnell added. “Getting the clean sheet was great – it was our first since before Christmas so that was an added bonus.
"Now we want the result and the performance against Hamilton.”