Don’t let the team down
Robbo urges Steelmen to safeguard jobs of backroom staff by avoiding drop zone
STEPHEN ROBINSON has used Raith boss John Hughes’s heartfelt postmatch rant to inspire his Motherwell players in their battle to beat the drop.
Yogi accused his players of lacking character, being mentally weak and not caring about the club in an eight-and-a-half minute blast after the 5-0 loss to St Mirren that dropped Rovers into the Championship relegation play-off spot.
And the Well gaffer reckons Hughes was spot on with his assessment and can see parallels with the situation at Fir Park.
Robinson said: “I’ve tried to inspire people this week. I listened to John’s post-match interview and thought he was 100 per cent correct.
“There are a lot more people affected at this club than just the football staff. We’ve used that.
“A lot of players have used this football club and it has been very good in terms of catapulting their careers and making a lot of money. This club has given people a platform and will continue to do so.
“We’ve played on that this week and the boys are well aware of the importance of what they do because we are the ones who can affect it. We have to make sure we do it in a positive way.
“We’ve got people in the kitchens, people who clean their boots, people who make sure everything is ready to go. As a player – and I was one – you don’t see that.
“We’ve asked them to show a wee bit of humility and respect around the place and that we do it for them.
“We realise the implications of being in the play-off place and the effect that has on the support staff. It’s about putting bread on the table.
“As John pointed out in his interview we are the ones who can affect the situation. The message most definitely got through.
“There are people who have been here for years and who have a real passion for the club.
“It’s their life. If that doesn’t pull on your heartstrings and motivate you, you probably shouldn’t be at the club.”
Robbo also revealed he has heard nothing back from the SFA refereeing supervisor John Fleming regarding last week’s “ghost goal” that wasn’t given in the 3-2 home defeat to Dundee.
Robinson’s men entertain in-form Ross County at Fir Park today with the Staggies unbeaten in four games.
The Well boss said: “We moved on very quickly – we can’t affect the ref ’s decisions. The only thing we can look at is mistakes made by us and we can work on that. We can’t dwell on it as it plays on your mind – we move on. I’ve had no contact or answers or any reasons why for any of them but why would they speak with us?
“Ross County are on a par with Celtic on form but we can’t focus on them. If we take points off them we’re right back in it.”
Well skipper Keith Lasley, whose deal expires in the summer, admits he is not thinking about the future. He said: “These last four games are vitally important. Players, staff and everyone who runs through the club would be in jeopardy if the worst-case scenario happens.
“My deal is up in the summer but where I’m going to be this time next year pales into insignificance when you look at the bigger picture.
“It’s about getting us out the play-off spot and being in the league next year.”
Meanwhile, ex-Well boss Ian Baraclough is the new manager of Northern Ireland Under-21s.
He will take charge for a 2019 Euro Championship qualifying campaign where they will face Spain, Slovakia, Iceland, Albania and Estonia. MOTHERWELL boss Stephen Robinson could be set hand a firstteam recall to former Scotland star James McFadden today.
The Fir Park assistant coach featured for Well’s Under-20s on Thursday in a 2-1 defeat at Ibrox.
The 34-year-old last played for the first team in October but Robinson said: “We’re low on numbers. We know James is not going to start but he has quality.
“If we use him on the bench he would come on for 10 or 15 minutes to try and get us a bit of ownership of the game.”