Motherwell host Kilmarnock in the Ladbrokes Premiership tomorrow afternoon as club football returns.
In what is the third consecutive home game, the Steelmen will look to make it nine points from nine when Lee McCulloch’s Killie side arrive in Lanarkshire.
The Fir Parkers currently sit five points ahead of the Ayrshire outfit and have won seven out of nine games so far this term.
However, Kilmarnock will be hungry to secure their first league win of the 2017/18 campaign after enduring a difficult start to the season.
And ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson believes his side are in for a tough afternoon against a side who he thinks will come good soon.
“I think Kilmarnock have been unlucky in a lot of games. I’ve watched a lot of the games they’ve played in and they’re a good team with some very good technical players.
“I think Lee’s put together a good squad so I think it’s only a matter of time before they’re up and running and we just have to make sure it’s not against us.”
He added: “I’ve said it before but we were a bit of an easy trip for teams last year: nice pitch, nice people, nice food.
“We’ve tried to change it on the pitch especially and make it hard by building a bit of a reputation where we are hard to play against, we’re a physical side and then we’ve got players who can play as well.”
[pullquote]I think Lee’s put together a good squad so I think it’s only a matter of time before they’re up and running and we just have to make sure it’s not against us.[/pullquote]
And one player who can play is the returning Stevie Hammell, who has recovered from an injury to put in an impressive performance for the under-20s on Tuesday night before putting in a week of hard, positive training.
However, Robinson will be without winger Elliott Frear, who got back to full fitness from his knock which kept him out for the St Johnstone, Ross County and Hearts games before suffering a concussion in training.
The Englishman will be rested until he is fully recovered and passed fit to play.
And for the in-form Ryan Bowman, his aim is similar to his manager’s – to change the pattern of last season.
He said: “We’re all high on confidence, there’s good team spirit around – so if we had a game on Saturday it would have been good for us.
“I scored my first goal at Fir Park, it only took me a year, but as a striker you’re brought in to score goals and last year was a bit of a disappointment for me.”
He added: “I don’t like looking back on last season though, I’m just focussed on this season and hopefully the goals will continue.
[pullquote]I don’t like looking back on last season though, I’m just focussed on this season and hopefully the goals will continue.[/pullquote]
“As a striker you’re brought in to score goals and I managed two last season which is very poor considering what I’d been doing in previous years – I know it’s a different level but like I said, I was brought in to score goals.”
Tomorrow’s opposition Kilmarnock arrive at Fir Park on the back of a 2-2 draw with Hamilton Accies and will be hungry to pick up their first three points of the campaign.
An in-depth look at Lee McCulloch’s side can be found in this weekend’s match day programme – available for just £3.
Motherwell V Kilmarnock | |
Saturday 9th September 2017 | |
3.00pm | |
Fir Park, Motherwell | |
Available on the gate or purchase in advance from Ticket Office. |
Admission prices are as follows:
ADULTS | £23/£19 |
CONCESSIONS | £16/£15 |
JUNIOR | £12/£9 |
FAMILY | £29/£24 |
- Cheaper price is for John Hunter Stand
- Juniors are 15 and under
- Family ticket is one adult and one junior
- Concessions are listed as over 60, 16-18 and over and full time students
- Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Darren on 07722 912666 or email darren@mfcdsa.com.
If you can’t make it to tomorrow, don’t miss the action by tuning in to mixlr.com/motherwellfc for live commentary or follow the match on Twitter @MotherwellFC
You can see the match highlights on MFC TV’s YouTube channel, as well as full reaction and a match report right here on the official website.