Motherwell assistant manager Kenny Black is certain the Steelmen will bounce back from Wednesday night’s Scottish League Cup exit to Hamilton Accies.
Stuart McCall’s side lost 6-5 on penalties after a 0-0 draw at New Douglas Park and the sides meet again in the Premiership at Fir Park on Saturday.
Motherwell are looking to build on a win at Ross County and a draw at Celtic Park in their last two SPFL games while Accies are third in the table after a great start to the season.
Black said: “We have been a bit inconsistent but we have not had all the players available that we would have liked. Injuries have knocked us back a bit but in the last couple of league games we have been more like ourselves.
“Having Simon Ramsden and Stevie Hammell available is a huge boost for us as they are big figures at the club and between them they also have a lot of experience. Iain Vigurs is back as well and he showed what he was all about with a great goal against Ross County.”
Last season’s runners up started with an opening-day win over St Mirren and success in Dingwall and a strong performance in Glasgow are signs that things are turning positively again.
Black said: “Disappointing results can hurt confidence but you could see our season taking a turn for the better against St Johnstone just before the international break. We deserved a draw that day but lost 1-0 with a goal just before the end. Things were falling into place during that game.
“That was without Craig Reid and Fraser Kerr as well and Henrik Ojamaa is not quite back at his best but he will get there. We all know how good he can be.
“That performance was built on with the win at Ross County and draw at Celtic Park. At Hamilton, we had chances but unfortunately never took them and lost out on penalties. Again, there was progress with a clean sheet which was our first since the opening day.”
Motherwell lost Lee Hollis, Shaun Hutchinson, James McFadden and Henri Anier during the summer and that had an impact on their start at home and abroad. The Fir Park men have been regulars in Europe in recent years but lost to Icelandic side Stjarnan this time round.
Black said: “Losing our European tie was really disappointing especially as we have been consistent in the league and Europe for a few seasons and that was not like us. However, it is early in the season and Aberdeen, who were also in Europe, have been inconsistent as well.
“The promoted sides Dundee and Hamilton have started life in the higher league really well and, as a result, the league table is different from what people may have been expecting.
“Hopefully we have turned the corner and the result at Celtic will be a great help in doing that. The effort and application was terrific - the players had to stand strong in the closing five minutes when Celtic really went for a winner.”
The former Airdrie boss is in his fourth year of working alongside Stuart McCall and added: “I am still really enjoying being here even though results have been up and down this year.
“We have lost players for a few seasons now but have always managed to do well as the players that remain or who are brought in feel that they have a point to prove. You find out about yourself and those around you at this time and it really is a period to get your sleeves rolled up and work harder.
“I have never had a problem doing that. Progress may be slower but it will be achieved through application and it is important to bring the fans with us. Our crowds are a bit down at the moment but we need to put in an extra effort to keep them on board and start taking us up the league table.
“There are good players at Motherwell and we will get moving up the way. Hamilton have good players as well and their midfielders Tony Andreu and Ali Crawford have been excellent this season. Dougie Imrie and Danny Redmond have been fantastic as well so we have to be up for the game. It is all about how we apply ourselves.”
Craig Stewart
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