Stephen Robinson spoke on Friday about a bug going around the Motherwell squad, the form of the team across 2019 and the task of facing Hearts.
Here’s what he said to the broadcast media.
On illness in the camp
“There’s a bug going about and people with high temperatures. There’s two different things. We’ve sent a few home. There’s four or five boys have been sent home in various stages this week, and we’re just going to have to assess them on Saturday morning.
“We’re aware it’s highly infectious for 48 hours. So the doctor’s advice is for people just to stay away from the ground at the moment. So we’ve got four or five we’re looking at and monitoring and then we’ll make decisions on Saturday morning.
“It’s a massive concern cause you don’t know who’s going to come down with it next. We’re in an enclosed environment in the dressing room. People are getting changed together and having dinner together.
“It seems to be quite contagious. Over the last two weeks, we’ve had four or five different people with it. Some have managed to play. Some have got high temperatures.
“We won’t name the team. We’ll just have a look when everybody turns up and see how they are feeling on Saturday.
“But we won’t be decimated. Let’s put it like that. They’ll be maybe one or two affected by it, but we will certainly still have a strong side.”
On recent form and across 2019
“If we were to finish fourth, we’d take it right now. But of course we want to go on longer winning runs. We’ve done that at periods this season and also last season, where we won six out of seven.
“Obviously if you can do that, you build momentum. Our runs have been broken by Rangers and Celtic. So, you know, we have to accept that sometimes. That’s the level we’re playing against.
“But tomorrow we get an opportunity to make it three in a row. But against a team that will be fighting for their lives. And we have to make sure, we match that.
“We’ve had a good year in terms of form. When you look at our overall form, it’s not just been in small periods. It’s been solid for a year.
“I think we’ve played a very exciting brand of football. We’ve scored a lot of goals. I think we’re a good team to watch.
“The good thing is I think we can improve. I’m never happy. I think if we were sitting top of the league, I would probably find something to moan about. But I genuinely believe.
“We have scored seven goals and not conceded in the last two games. And I still think there’s players that can still play better and there’s more to come. I suppose that’s the pleasing thing for me.”
On facing Hearts
“I think each game we have to take as it comes. They’ve got players that can hurt you. Contrary to their form, they’ve got players that if they play at the top of their game, with the levels they’ve played at, they can hurt you.
“So we take absolutely nothing for granted. We must turn up. You can’t turn up and just expect to beat people because of the league positions. There’s nothing in this league at all.
“We won’t take anything for granted. We will make sure we’re at the top of our game.”
On James Scott’s development
“As I said right at the start of the Betfred games, I think James can be absolutely anything he wants.
“He’s such a talented boy. He’s got the luxury of being able to go both sides. Two very good feet, right and left. And he’s got a trick in him.
“If we can get the physical side of his game a little bit better here. If he can use that body strength as he gets a little bit older and more mature. Understands how to use his body and have an end product, which he had the other night. If he adds that to his game, he can go right to the very top.”