WELL WON’T SCRAP THEIR RUGGED WAYS
ELLIOTT FREAR is adamant Motherwell don’t care about their bad boys tag and won’t change for anyone.
The Fir Park men came under fire following the Betfred Cup semi-final win against Rangers with the Ibrox club whining about rough-house tactics.
The boo boys were out in force as the Steelmen kicked on with a win at Dundee in midweek and Well are out to make it the perfect week against Hibs.
They have shrugged off the sniping, with boss Stephen Robinson coming out fighting in defence of his club. And Frear is delighted the team are gaining a reputation.
The winger said: “Keith Lasley (Well No.2) said to us in pre-season the club had kind of lost its identity in recent years.
“We wanted to make this a really hard place to come. We’ve done that so far. A siege mentality? Yeah, it’s a bit like that.
“It was like that in Dundee in midweek. Every time we went in for a tackle the crowd were shouting for sendings-off.
“It was good in a way. It means people are taking notice of us. We won’t change. That’s just the way we play. It’s not over-aggressive. The gaffer said it the other day, look at our yellow cards, Ryan Bowman has three yellows in two years.
“We won’t stand back and allow ourselves to get beat like we maybe did at times last year.”
Frear returned from injury in the Dundee win and admits the scramble is on for cup final places.
He said: “I had a horrendous month. I did my groin then came back and got concussion.
“The boys have been excellent so I can’t demand to play. I knew my chance would come. It’s just about taking it. All the lads will have half an eye on the cup final so we have three games to prove we are worthy of places on November 26.”
Well gaffer Robbo is hoping he’ll be in the dugout at Hampden after being sent to the stands along with ex-Gers boss Pedro Caixinha last week.
The Northern Irishman’s SFA hearing has been brought forward to Thursday and he could be banned for the Final.
But Robinson said: “I’ve seen the footage they have on me and there isn’t a lot in it. Mine isn’t the same as Pedro’s as there was a previous incident.
“I was in a different capacity then with different responsibilities.
“I’ve been a manager now for 60 or 70 games and I don’t have one single incident. I’m sure that will be taken into account.”
Robinson will be on best behaviour today against Hibs boss and compatriot Neil Lennon who has predicted a cracker.
He said: “I agree it’ll be a humdinger. They’ve only not scored in two games this season and we’ve only not scored in one so it has 0-0 written all over it!”