Dundee Utd v Motherwell: Players must stand up and be counted to end slump, says Stuart McCall

MOTHERWELL manager Stuart McCall believes it’s time for his players to stand up and be counted after their recent dip in form.

The Fir Park side dropped out of the top three in the SPL for the first time this season after falling to a 1-0 home defeat against Inverness last Saturday, and McCall’s men have failed to register a win in their last four league matches.

He will welcome influential midfielder Steve Jennings back to his starting line-up for today’s meeting with Dundee United at Tannadice and the former Bradford City manager is hoping for a change in his team’s fortunes.

“When we have runs like this it is our responsibility to get out of it. I think quite a few of the lads in the dressing-room would admit to their form dipping a little in recent weeks and it’s now time to go out there, get a result and play like we know we can,” said McCall.

“I said in the dressing room after the Inverness game, you don’t get anything from moping about. When you’re on a downward spiral it’s all about picking yourself up and getting back on track. You have to stand up and be strong. We have lads in the dressing-room, young and old, who can do that.”

After an impressive start to the season, Motherwell received high levels of praise for their excellent form. McCall insists, however, that they must forget about what has occurred earlier in the season and now focus on the months ahead. “We got the plaudits for our good start but that’s gone and now the hard work starts. It’s now time to try and stop the rot, starting at Tannadice,” insisted McCall. “We are working hard on getting back to our best form.

“Dundee United are a good side, with a lot of good young players – very similar to us in some ways. Both teams are in need of a victory and it will be a close-fought game.”

United manager Peter Houston, though, has dismissed talk of a Motherwell slump – because they have too many good players for it to happen.

Houston’s side head into the match in good form but the manager is wary after losing 3-1 to Motherwell earlier in the season. He said: “Motherwell were fantastic against us at Tannadice earlier in the season so we won’t be underestimating them. Their form has dipped a wee bit but, with the quality they have in their squad, that won’t last because they are a very good side.

“They have goal threats from all over the park and are one of the toughest teams to play outside the Old Firm.

“The last game we played down there was ruined by the wind, which made it impossible to play any sort of football, so I’m expecting a much better game for the fans this time round.”

United will be boosted by the return of Gavin Gunning and Danny Swanson from injury after the pair came through a practice game on Wednesday unscathed. Swanson has been out for three months with a knee injury but made his comeback from the bench against Celtic last weekend and could be considered for a start.

Houston said: “Gavin Gunning played in the bounce game we had the other day so he will be fine for the weekend. So did Danny Swanson, who played really well and will come into contention for the starting team.”