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Steelmen skipper Keith Lasley says the ‘Well squad are desperate to bounce back from their McDiarmid Park disappointment on Sunday.

The Fir Parkers crashed to a 2-0 defeat in Perth, arguably their worst showing of the season so far.

The veteran midfielder admitted the players were quick to acknowledge they had fallen below their usual stands and are keen to put it right in Wednesday’s League Cup Quarter Final against Derek McInnes’ Aberdeen.

Speaking to MFC TV, he said: “The match gives us a good opportunity to put right some of the wrongs from Sunday.

“It was not an acceptable performance from our point of view and we’ve got to hold our hands up and admit it just wasn’t good enough.

[pullquote]One bad performance certainly doesn’t make us a bad team overnight and it’s now a case of refocusing on what we’ve been doing well[/pullquote]

“There was a realisation in the dressing room that it will take a much better performance on Wednesday to try and bounce back from that defeat. We’ve had a good run of performances and results and we feel it was a bit out of character.

“We certainly have no divine right to turn up at games and get the three points. We knew it would be a tough game and we never got to the levels that has seen us lose just once in the last eight games.

“One bad performance certainly doesn’t make us a bad team overnight and it’s now a case of refocusing on what we’ve been doing well.

“We have three big home games in a row now so hopefully we can get back to winning ways in what is a massive game against Aberdeen tomorrow.”

-WATCH HIS INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

Stuart McCall has labeled tomorrow’s match a mini ‘Cup Final’ as ‘Well prepare to take on Aberdeen in the League Cup.

The Dons are many people’s favourites to progress after their win at Easter Road at the weekend – a victory that propelled them into second place in the table.

The Steelmen lost 2-0 at McDiarmid Park on Sunday but the Fir Park boss is pleased to have such a big game to try and bounce back.

Speaking to MFC TV, McCall said: “It’s a fixture that everyone has been looking forward to for some time now.

[pullquote]This is essentially a ‘Cup Final’ for us; it is winner takes all. Like Aberdeen, we are desperate to get through given how open the tournament is now.[/pullquote]

“Aberdeen are playing well at the moment and are proving right most people’s pre-season predictions on how they would fare.

“On the flip side, we can take encouragement from the recent run of home wins – four from four against Partick Thistle, Kilmarnock, Ross County and Hearts.

“They will obviously point to their victory earlier in the season but I think there’s a different set of circumstances and I am not too sure how much that result will play a part.

“This is essentially a ‘Cup Final’ for us; it is winner takes all. Like Aberdeen, we are desperate to get through given how open the tournament is now.

“They will no doubt be backed by a large travelling support behind the goal – it’s the job of our lads in the home stands to match that with vocal and colorful backing.

“Most out with will probably have Aberdeen as favourites not only tomorrow’s match, but also to finish second in the table. We will see. It should make for an interesting battle.”

-WATCH HIS INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

Referee for Wednesday’s League Cup Quarter Final clash with Aberdeen is John Beaton.

John will be handling his second Motherwell match of the campaign so far.

Ironically, his other was when Aberdeen last travelled to Fir Park back in August; Derek McInnes side taking all three points in a 3-1 win.

The game wasn’t without controversy with Beaton, a late replacement for Kevin Clancy, awarding the Dons two spot kicks, although it was certainly a win the visitors deserved for their second half showing.

The 31-year old also took charge of two Motherwell matches last term too. The first was a 1-1 draw with Dundee at Fir Park; Michael Higdon rescuing a point after Nicky Reilly had given the Dark Blues a surprise lead midway through the first half.

His other match that campaign was against Dundee United at Tannadice, the Steelmen running rampant in the City of Discovery, confirming second spot with a superb 3-1 win.

Not only did Michael Higdon open the scoring with a peach from distance, the big striker surpassed Willie Pettigrew’s post-war record for most top-league goals in a single season when he netted the third midway through the second half.

It has been a busy season already for Beaton both domestically and in European competition.

This will be his second League Cup tie of the campaign having already handled St Johnstone’s 3-0 win at Hamilton Accies.

He has officiated three Dons games this campaign and McInnes’ men have won all three (versus Kilmarnock, Motherwell and Partick Thistle).

Abroad, he was the man in the middle for Poland U19s 1-0 home defeat by Armenia as well as Norway U21s’ 2-1 success over Macedonia.

In European action, he looked after BATE Borisov against Celtic’s eventual Champions League opponents Shakhter Karagandy, as well as the UEFA Youth Champions League match between Arsenal and Napoli, the Gunners running out 4-1 winners.

John will be ably assisted by Graham Chambers and Brian Templeton with Euan Anderson on Fourth Official duties.

We still have match sponsorship opportunities available for Wednesday’s League Cup Quarter Final clash with Aberdeen.

It’s set to be one of the biggest Cup matches at Fir Park in some time with the competition wide open.

Our premier package, with the high profile and level of service you would expect as the primary corporate sponsor on the day.

You and your guests will be welcomed and shown to your private dining area, the Joe Wark Lounge, for a drinks reception with a fantastic five-course meal to follow.

At kick-off time, use the private staircase to emerge at your prime centre-stand seats, where you will enjoy the match with the advantage of complimentary team lines and match programmes for all.

Half-time is time to refuel, with teas, coffees, pies and pastries in the Joe Wark Lounge, whilst acknowledgement of your sponsorship will be announced via the scoreboard, public-address system and a prominent advertisement in the match programme.

After the match, retire to your private lounge for the last time where you can debate the man-of-the-match for real over complimentary drinks. Once you’ve chosen him, he will be invited to the lounge to receive his award, a photograph of which will appear in a future matchday programme.

Your guests will leave with a lasting memento of their day in the form of a corporate gift courtesy of the club.

Package highlights:

• Available for a party of 20
• Private dining in the Joe Wark Lounge
• Complimentary Bar pre and post match
• Prime seating in the centre of the Phil O’Donnell Stand
• Complimentary programmes and team-sheets
• Half-time refreshments
• Man-of-the-match presentation
• Corporate gifts for each of your guests
• Your company logo on the front of the matchday programme
• A prominent advert inside the matchday programme
• Scoreboard and public-address system annoucements
• Priority parking

If you would like more information or to book our Match Sponsor package, contact our commercial team now on 01698 333333 or email commercial@motherwellfc.co.uk.

Extended highlights from McDiarmid park as Motherwell sink to a disappointing 2-0 defeat at the hands of St Johnstone.

-WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

Pictures from the 2-0 defeat to St Johnstone in the Scottish Professional Football League Premiership at McDiarmid Park.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix and Craig Foy Photography.

[svgallery name=”stjohnstone271013″]

Stuart McCall was left disappointed after his side turned in a below-par performance at McDiarmid Park this afternoon.

In afternoon with virtually no positives, ‘Well slipped to a 2-0 defeat courtesy of second-half goals from Stevie May and Nigel Hasselbaink.

McCall will now have to lift his troops ahead of Wednesday’s SPFL League Cup Quarter Final tie against second-place Aberdeen.

“It was a poor performance and one I didn’t see coming,” the Fir Park boss admitted after the match.

[pullquote]You can talk about systems and formations but at the end of the day, we lost too many battles and if you don’t run, tackle and do everything you need to win, you won’t win.[/pullquote]

“For us to go away from home and win, we have to be at our best and we were certainly not at our best today.

“We came with a shape and a system I thought we might prosper with but, after five minutes, they changed and matched us up.

“There wasn’t much in it in the first half but we didn’t create a great deal. In the second half they got the goal and then the second one has killed us off. As much as Gunnar apologises for it, it’s down tot the weather conditions and he’s slipped, which can happen to anyone.

“Regardless of that second goal, we didn’t deserve anything out the game today.

“You can talk about systems and formations but at the end of the day, we lost too many battles and if you don’t run, tackle and do everything you need to win, you won’t win.”

-WATCH HIS INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

[tab:Match report]

 Alan Burrows at McDiarmid Park

Motherwell turned in arguably their poorest performance of the season so far to go down 2-0 to St Johnstone.

The Steelmen were off the pace for the majority of the match at a wet and windy McDiarmid Park and the home side fully merited the three points.

In truth, with a bit more composure in front of goal, Tommy Wright’s men could have made the win even more convincing than it was.

In the end, goals from Stevie May and Nigel Hasselbaink was enough to secure the win as ‘Well failed in the efforts to go second in the SPFL Premiership table.

Stuart McCall made two changes to the side that beat Hearts eight days ago. Henri Anier and Zaine Francis-Angol dropped to the substitutes bench and were replaced by Paul Lawson and Bob McHugh.

The team lined up in a 4-4-2 formation with a diamond in midfield. Former Ross County duo Lawson and Vigurs sat at the top and bottom of the diamond.

The Fir Parkers made the better start and looked the team most likely in the first ten minutes, but it was the hosts who would create the first chance when Hasselbaink pulled it back for Paddy Cregg only for curled effort to fizz wide of the post.

David Wortherspoon headed a Brian Easton cross wide of the post before John Sutton passed up the best opportunity of the first half.

Simon Ramsden’s curling ball into the box was begging to be headed home, but the former Hearts man’s stooping header dropped a foot or so wide of Mannus’ left-hand post.

Saints replied through the busy May, but his shot flashed wide of the post with Neilsen at full stretch.

The driving ran and swirling wind was making it difficult for either side to produce anything like fluid football.

It looked as if a set piece might be the key to breaking the deadlock and Stephen McManus might have done better with a header from Keith Lasley’s free kick; unfortunately, the former Scotland defender could only head over.

Saints had enjoyed the best of the first-half and although ‘Well had created the more clear-cut opening, McCall wouldn’t have been too dissatisfied at going in level at the break.

That was to change just four minutes after the restart when Stevie May opened the scoring. Gunnar Nielsen made a super stop to deny the acrobatic Gary McDonald but the ball fell fortuitously for May who tucked the rebound home from four yards out.

Saints could have doubled their advantage shortly after when Hasselbaink’s deflected effort slid inches wide. From the resulting corner, Miller’s header was only just over the crossbar.

Motherwell’s reply came via a long-range Bob McHugh effort that flew over the bar and a Shaun Hutchinson header that was saved by Mannus at the second attempt.

Nielsen again had to look smart to deny Millar with a fearsome strike from the edge of the box, but the Faroese International will not remember Saints’ second, and decisive goal, with much fondness.

When retrieving a Ramsden back-pass, the former Man City stopper slipped on the sodden McDiarmid Park surface, knocking it into the path of the prowling Hasselbaink. The former Accies man remained composed and curled the ball into the unguarded net. 2-0 Saints!

The big keeper made some amends shortly after, denying Hasselbaink with a well-timed intervention before Ramsden had to divert a goal-bound looked shot from Wotherspoon over the bar after a wayward ball across the box had played the big keeper into trouble.

There was a claim for a Motherwell penalty when a Lawson’s effort struck Brian Easton’s hand on the way out for a corner, but there was nothing doing from referee Calum Murray.

Substitute Craig Moore brought out a decent save from Mannus before Sutton spurned a chance to reduce the arrears with virtually the last kick of the game but sent a shot wide of the post to complete a miserable afternoon for the Fir Parkers.

Attention will quickly switch to Wednesday’s big League Cup Quarter Final tie with Aberdeen with ‘Well looking to rebound as quickly as possible.

[tab:As it happened]

 Ally Reilly at McDiarmid Park

FT: St Johnstone 2 – 0 Motherwell

91mins: Decen chance for a consolation goal but Sutton pokes wide from Moore’s flick on header

89mins: Hammell booked for hauling down Davidson

84mins: St Johnstone sub, Wotherspoon off for Edwards

80mins: Lawson finds his way into the book for a crunching tackle.

78mins: Let off there as Hutchinson leaves Nielsen in a footrace with May. He clears then Ramsden has to head off the line.

76mins: Claims for handball after Lawson shot goalwards. Looked soft

74mins: St Johnstone looking to kill the game off and should have through May then Hasselbaink. Good stop from Nielsen

70mins: St Johnstone sub, Cregg off for Davidson

66mins: Motherwell sub, Vigurs off for Moore

65mins: Motherwell sub: Francis-Angol on for Carswell

64mins: GOAL! Hasselbaink capitalises on a slip from Nielsen to make it 2-0

60mins: Miller booked for wrestling Sutton to the ground. From the resulting free-kick, Motherwell win a corner

59mins: Another good save from Nielsen who palms Millar’s shot over for a corner

55mins: McHugh wins a corner…..Hutchinson’s header is saved by Mannus

53mins: McHugh creates some space but his shot from 20 yards is over the bar

51mins: Miller heads just over from a corner. Should have made it 2!

49min: GOAL! St Johnstone open the scoring through May after a stunning stop from Nielsen, #1-0

47mins: Another corner to St Johnstone, flashes just past the front post

46mins: Second half underway

HT: St Johnstone 0 – 0 Motherwell

43mins: Dangerous free-kick from wide for St Johnstone….May’s shot is deflected wide for a corner

41mins: And yet another corner to St Johnstone….Carswell finally scoops clear from the feet of Easton

39mins: Another corner to St Johnstone. McManus heads wide for another corner. McDonald clips his shot just wide

36mins: McManus has a free header from Lasley’s free-kick. He heads high and wide though.

32mins: Millar gets too much time out wide and gets a cross in to the front post. Nielsen gathers.

30mins: Half an hour gone and safe to say it’s not a classic.

24mins: Good effort from May on the break from Saints. His effort from 20 yards whizzes just past

22mins: McManus gets his foot on Millar’s cross to clear for a corner

20mins: Great ball in from Ramsden to Sutton who heads inches wide! Good chance.

12mins: Wotherspoon heads past the post from Easton’s cross.

10mins: First corner of the game goes St Johnstone’s way…..clawed out for another corner by Nielsen.

9mins: A good chance for Cregg! Hasselbaink but the ball back and 18 yards out, he curls just past the left post.

2mins: Speculative effort from Hammell there. Was never going to trouble Mannus with that one from 25 yards

1mins: Stop in play as Carswell takes one right in the face. Ouch.

1min: Lasley and Carswell kick-off. #COYW

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“I’m naturally disappointed. It was an uncharacteristic performance from us.

“We were off it today and we got beat. I didn’t see it coming.

“The conditions don’t make it great for great football but, when the conditions are like that, you have to look to win it in different ways.

“But St Johnstone deserved their victory.”

St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright:

“It was excellent from start to finish.

“We emphasised to the players that if they kept on doing what they were doing, the goals would come. I’m really pleased after last week.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

[poll id=”164″]

Stephen McManus says both he and his teammates are happy to stay out the spotlight despite being joint second in the table.

The 26-times capped Scotland defender is one of several experienced heads in the Fir Park squad.

Media attention has focused on other clubs around the league but that is something the 31-year old says suits the Steelmen, as the first quarter of games reaches its conclusion this weekend.

[pullquote]It’s still early days but from our point of view, we are happy for other clubs to get spoke about and for us to almost go under the radar.[/pullquote]

He said: “It’s still early days but from our point of view, we are happy for other clubs to get spoke about and for us to almost go under the radar.

“It certainly doesn’t bother us. We’ve got an experienced group, many of whom have been over the course before.

“Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice when people are saying positive things but we will remain grounded as there will most likely be a time when we are getting pelters when we don’t perform as well as we perhaps should be.

“It’s a bit of cliché but we’ll just take it week by week, trying to pick up as many wins as we can including Sunday at St Johnstone, which will be a very tough game.”

-WATCH HIS INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

‘Well boss Stuart McCall has challenged his players to maintain their recent consistency levels against free-scoring St Johnstone.

The Steelmen have been in decent form in the last six weeks, with the only blot on the copybook a 2-0 defeat at Celtic Park three weeks ago.

Saints have been slightly more up and down in that time, losing four goals at Dundee Utd and St Mirren but scoring four against Inverness and three against in-form Hamilton in the League Cup.

It makes things difficult to predict ahead of Sunday’s BBC Alba live match, but McCall is expecting it to be extremely difficult against Tommy Wright’s men.

[pullquote]From our point of view, I have been pleased with our recent consistency levels and I have challenged the players to keep that going.[/pullquote]

“It is going to be a tough one for our lads,” McCall told the broadcast press at Motherwell’s pre-match news conference.

“You only need look at their last home outing, thrashing Inverness is no mean feat, banging for past them and it could have been more.

“Although they lost last week at St Mirren, they scored three goals and will be in confident mood. Obviously, to lose both centre backs will be tough but they’ve got experienced lads to play back there.

“From our point of view, I have been pleased with our recent consistency levels and I have challenged the players to keep that going.

“For the first time in a while, we’ve had a full squad to choose from with the exception of Lee Hollis, who is still struggling with an ankle injury.

“I won’t decide on the team until at least tomorrow as we have options in various areas of the park.”

-WATCH HIS INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–