Steelmen boss: We’re battling for survival
Motherwell manager Graham Alexander has warned the Fir Park side that they need to realise they are in a battle to stay in the top flight.
On the back of last week’s 4- 1 derby defeat to Hamilton Accies, Motherwell offered little against St Johnstone as they succumbed to a 3- 0 defeat that in truth could have been even heavier.
Alexander was without 13 first- team players because of injury, illness and suspension but even accounting for the absences it was a dreadful performance from the Lanarkshire side.
The result leaves them in ninth spot, four points ahead of Kilmarnock with a game in hand but Alexander offered a sobering appraisal of Motherwell’s predicament.
“Everyone has to have a reality check about this season as a whole and where we are,” he said. “All talk of top six should be put to one side.
“We are in a fight to make sure we are a Premiership club and we have to show that type of fight, that it means as much to us as anybody else.
“There’s lots of things when you get beat 3- 0 at home on the back of a 4- 1 defeat that you have got to be concerned about.
“This has not been a seven-day crisis, it’s been for a long time at the club, the issues (we are seeing).
“But we have to deal with that and it’s going to be a fight between now and the end of the season.”
Motherwell play an in-form St Mirren side in Paisley on Wednesday with Alexander not certain of having too many players back and available for what is a crucial game.
“Obviously Stephen O’donnell, we will bring him back as he was suspended today,” said Alexander. “Allan Campbell and Mark O’hara are ill so I hope they get over their illness.
“Declan Gallagher might be training next week but I’m not sure. We need those guys back, today’s result shows that, but if we haven’t got them back then we certainly need to improve on what we showed today.
“I think any team in the Premiership would miss those players and they are major for us.
“But I don’t want it to be an easy excuse for anyone.”