Frear says cup can revitalise ‘Well’s season

A GLANCE at the Premiership table makes for uncomfortable reading for Motherwell supporters with a win, a draw and four defeats leaving them playing catch-up on the nine teams above them.

But the Betfred League Cup quarter-final tie against Hearts at Tynecastle on Wednesday offers the Fir Park outfit an escape of sorts from the drudgery of their unimpressive start in the league.

It was at this stage of the competition last year that they eliminated Aberdeen, but Elliott Frear, an unused Motherwell substitute that day, believes the trip to the capital in two days presents a huge opportunity for them to reactivate their season.

Frear was at the centre of a moment of controversy in the first half of their 1-0 defeat to the Dons at Pittodrie where Andy Considine was considered by referee Nick Walsh not to have fouled the midfielder in the penalty area as he homed-in on goal.

The Dons full-back, Walsh thought, won the ball fairly but Frear was unconvinced as he hit the ground claiming a penalty kick.

‘I thought it was a penalty,” Frear (above) insisted. I felt I got a touch on the ball but the referee did not give it.

“I will have a look at it when I get my clips through. We didn’t get the rub of the green but we have to take the positives and move into a big game on Wednesday.

‘It is a fine margin. Aberdeen are a good side and they’ve finished second for the past few years so you need decisions to go your way.

‘The ref didn’t say too much to me apart from that that he thought Considine got the ball.”