We’re in a dogfight to stay in top flight
MOTHERWELL ....................................... 0 ST JOHNSTONE ..................................... 3 Paul Thomson at Fir Park
Angry Motherwell boss Graham Alexander says another home defeat must act as a reality check for his players and warned they are in a dogfight for Premiership survival.
The Fir Park boss has told his injuryravaged side to forget any ideas of reaching the top six after a 3-0 defeat to St Johnstone, which comes a week after a 4-1 humbling at home to Hamilton in the Lanarkshire derby.
A Guy Melamed double and a Jason Kerr strike sent the points back to Perth.
Motherwell were without talisman Allan Campbell and defender Bevis Mugabi for the clash, as well as suspended Stephen O’Donnell, who had been deputising as captain in Declan Gallagher’s injury absence.
But Alexander refused to use injuries as an excuse for another woeful display and insists the squad must focus on the fight to remain a top flight club.
He blasted: “I’m angry at the performance of the team.
“There were things I didn’t like to see, just with the basics really.
“It looked like St Johnstone had the heads up on us in all the situations, all the duels, the intensity, game management and that was a tough one for us to take.
“The last two results have just been completely unacceptable in any shape or form against teams we need to pick up points against.
“It’s going to be a fight until the end of the season, which I was trying to allude to even after the Kilmarnock game.
“People started talking about the teams above us, but we had to keep putting points on our tally.
“I think the last two results have brought that into real clarity that we have to make sure we win enough points to stay as a Premiership club.
“I think everyone needs to have a reality check about this season as a whole and where we are.
“I think all talk of top six should be put to one side. We are in a fight to win points 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 everyone else.
“There are a lot of things that, when you get beat 3-0 at home off the back of a 4-1 defeat, you have to be concerned about.
“This thing hasn’t been a sevenday crisis, it’s been a long time at the club, the issues.”