Motherwell ‘not motivated by derby revenge’

Josh Law says Motherwell will approach the derby 'like any other game'. Picture: SNS

Motherwell have lost nine goals without reply in two Scottish Premiership games against their neighbours this season while also suffering a League Cup defeat on penalties at New Douglas Park.

The defeats have been the low points of a season that has not been short on disappointment but Motherwell have shown real signs of improvement in recent weeks and can move four points ahead of bottom club St Mirren when they host Accies tonight.

Law, who has been playing at right-back in recent weeks, said: “We have had a couple of beatings off them to be honest and obviously the cup loss earlier in the year.

“We will approach it like any other game, we are not out for revenge or anything but we desperately need the win so we will be looking to get our first win against them.

“The two games haven’t gone how we wanted them to but we have a few fresh players who didn’t experience that and we are all just keen to get on with it.

“It’s a must-win game, all the games are at this stage of the season in the position we are.”

Motherwell manager Ian Baraclough had won his first two games in charge before being brought crashing back to earth with a 5-0 New Year’s Day derby thrashing.

And he knows they have to reverse the Lanarkshire side’s fortunes.

“We have got to for the sake of our supporters and the sake of ourselves, we want three points,” Baraclough said. “It’s a home game and we want to make sure the supporters enjoy their weekend.

“It’s three crucial points against our local rivals and a team that we have not done fantastically well against this season.

“There’s the carrot for us that we reverse those defeats and take ourselves into next week on the up.”

Baraclough has urged his men to give the fans some early encouragement in the game.

“I think over the past few weeks we have given them something to back us with,” he said. “I always talk about the beating of the drum. We get them to beat that drum and be supportive. But it’s up to us to get them going and give them something to be vocal about.

“I think our energy and intensity in games, and the way we have passed the ball at times and created chances, is all coming together and improving. If we carry on in the same vein then the points will follow.”