Motherwell face Partick Thistle this weekend in the Ladbrokes Premiership in their third game in seven days.
And manager Stephen Robinson will be keen to go the whole week unbeaten as his side travel to Firhill Stadium.
It will be no easy task for the Fir Parkers though – as they come up against a Thistle side in fine form and on the hunt to secure their spot in the top six.
And ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson is well aware of that, saying this morning that he is fully expecting a tough game tomorrow afternoon.
Following his sides goalless draw on Wednesday night, the Fir Park gaffer is calling for that crucial bit of quality in the final third this weekend.
Speaking to the press this morning, the Northern Irishman previewed his side’s trip to the West End of Glasgow.
He also admitted his players need to look forward to what is a very important league clash and the chance to extend their unbeaten run to three matches.
[pullquote]We expect a really tough game, they’re unbeaten in their last seven and the last game they lost was away to Aberdeen, so that tells you what kind of run they’re on at the moment.[/pullquote]
Robinson said: “We can’t affect the decisions or the result from Wednesday night, but what we can affect is Saturday’s performance.
“We need the same intensity, the same desire – and we need to just add a little quality in the final third.”
He added: “We expect a really tough game, they’re unbeaten in their last seven and the last game they lost was away to Aberdeen, so that tells you what kind of run they’re on at the moment.”
The Motherwell manager will be without Stephen McManus, who remains out through injury – while Richard Tait and top scorer Louis Moult will face late fitness tests.
Having burst in to Stephen Robinson’s side in recent weeks, Ryan Bowman is undoubtedly one to watch tomorrow afternoon.
The summer signing scored his first goal in Claret and Amber against Aberdeen in February and has since put in some standout performances – including a man of the match showing against Accies on Wednesday night.
With the Steelmen heading in to Saturday’s match unbeaten in their last two games, the ‘Well number 11 reflected on a frustrating clash against Hamilton as he spoke to the press this morning.
The ‘Well striker admitted that on another day him and the team would have better luck, having seen a clear goal denied by the officials midweek.
Bowman, who arrived in the summer transfer window, looked ahead to tomorrow’s Premiership clash with the Jags.
[pullquote]On Wednesday I should score, Ben Heneghan’s goal is in – other days we get those goals and the referee gives those goals but it is frustrating.[/pullquote]
He said: “I’m really enjoying myself at the minute because since the new manager has come in, he’s given me a chance – I’m playing games and I’m enjoying it.
“In the Rangers game we had three or four really good chances and the keeper has pulled off some really good saves – a couple from me, Moulty and Scotty’s had a few too.”
He added: “On Wednesday I should score, Ben Heneghan’s goal is in – other days we get those goals and the referee gives those goals but it is frustrating.”
Partick Thistle will be full of confidence ahead of tomorrow’s fixture against the Steelmen.
The Glaswegian outfit have hit form at the right time – stringing together a seven match unbeaten run and all but securing their spot in the top half.
With four points separating Thistle from seventh placed Kilmarnock, Alan Archibald’s men will be fired up as the Steelmen arrive at Firhill tomorrow afternoon.
They also come in to the penultimate match before the split on the back of a hard-fought 1-1 draw with newly crowned Champions Celtic.
Ade Azeez drew level after Scott Sinclair fired the hosts in front from the spot, as Archibald’s side not only kept their distance ahead of Killie, but narrowed the gap on fifth placed Hearts to just three points.
In fan-favourite Kris Doolan, Thistle have found a source of goals to fire them to an impressive campaign this term.
Bagging his 100th and 101st goals for the club in their 2-1 victory over Ross County last week, the Scotsman hit a milestone for the Jags that wrote his name in the history books.
With 11 goals to his name this season, Doolan has continued to prove vital for Partick, and will be a main threat for the hosts tomorrow afternoon.
Despite their impressive campaign, Thistle have a fairly poor record against the Steelmen this term, with a 1-1 draw and a 2-0 loss the two previous results for Thistle this season.
The last time the two sides met at Firhill though, it could have been a victory for the Fir Parkers instead of a 1-1 draw – when Scott McDonald’s perfectly valid goal was ruled out for offside.
It makes for an interesting clash in Glasgow tomorrow afternoon, and one that is equally important for both sides.
Alastair Reilly at Firhill
