Hearts boss craves win at Fir Park to cement third spot

• Jim Jefferies. Picture: SNS

Craig Brown's side were impressive 2-0 winners at Tynecastle earlier in the season but have since lost third spot to Hearts.

That's because the Gorgie club have won their last four SPL games – against Hibs, Celtic, St Johnstone and Hamilton – and now Jefferies is looking for his side to close out November with another victory this weekend.

"If we can come away with a result I think we could really kick on from there belief-wise," Jefferies said.

"I think if we can get a result there it will rubber-stamp the good run we've been on because going to Motherwell is not an easy place.

"We've only been beaten once away – at Parkhead. The rest of the time we have won every game and I see that in Motherwell in that I think they are a dangerous team when they play away from home because of the way they play."

Jefferies, who is hoping for a truce of some sort between the referees and clubs over this weekend's threatened strike, added: "Motherwell have not got the biggest squad but what they have had is a terrific run injury-free which means they have a settled side and they all know what they're doing.

"They (Craig Brown and Archie Knox) know what football is all about and they have them playing to their strengths and they have one or two individuals who are very good players so this will be one tough match."

On the threat of Sunday's live Sky game being hit by the threatened strike, Jefferies said: "I said a few weeks ago, 'let's just put it to bed and get back on the pitch' but it's been continually in the press and Celtic have come out and made some statements.

"You can feel that they have been getting a little bit cheesed off with it and I think they now have to make a stand, so I know where they're coming from."

Speaking on the 'Billy Brown Show' in an interview with his No 2 to mark the manager's birthday earlier in the week, Jefferies added: "I agree with Craig Brown that I think it's a step too far going on strike but the referees are trying to make their point.

"They have not helped their case recently with what's happened. They have maybe brought it a bit on themselves and I think they have left themselves open to being attacked.

"They have been attacked far too much and too heavily and we should all just forget about it now.

"Let's get back to something sensible and I hope we can get it resolved.

"It will not stop the passion of the managers or players, that's been going on for years and it's never come to this stage.

"It's all followed on from this stuff at Tannadice that's got out of hand and it should be put to bed."