Motherwell target capital joy after mini-slump

Oct 17 2012 By Andrew Weston
Motherwell FC

Motherwell assistant Kenny Black is confident his players can halt their mini-slump against Hearts this weekend.

The Steelmen head east on Sunday following the international break eager to return to winning ways after recent league and cup woes.

Having blown a two-goal lead at Aberdeen last month, Motherwell slumped to consecutive defeats against Rangers, in the League Cup, and Celtic before their scheduled clash with Dundee United was abandoned due to a power-cut.

Now Black has targeted wins against Scotland’s two capital sides to get their solid start to the season back on track.

He said: “We have got Hearts and Hibs in a short space of time and if we can come away with six points it would be a real boost
off the back of a little bad run.

“There was the final six minutes up at Aberdeen, the whole 90 minutes against Rangers then about an hour against Celtic where we were really disappointing.

“We are now looking to redress the balance somewhat.

“Hopefully it is just a minor blip and we are looking forward to the Hearts game first and foremost.”

Hearts have experienced an indifferent start to the season under new boss John McGlynn and currently sit ninth in the SPL. However Black expects a tough test in Sunday’s lunchtime kick-off.

He continued: “We have had some decent results against Hearts since Stuart (McCall) and I came in, both home and away but Tynecastle is a very difficult place to go in normal circumstances and the crowd generates a great atmosphere inside the stadium.

“I saw them against Celtic last Sunday and although they lost 1-0, Hearts created a couple of really good opportunities. They have gone there and caused a few problems which is no easy thing to do, particularly at Parkhead.

“But taking Celtic out the equation all the other teams in the SPL are capable of beating each other which makes things really
exciting.”