Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell says competition is fierce just to get into the matchday squad, let alone his team (Image: SNS Group)

Motherwell boss says competition for places is exactly as fierce as he wants it to be

Stuart Kettlewell wants players to be 'climbing the walls' to get out on the pitch on a Saturday

by · Daily Record

Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell wants his players to be climbing the walls to play on a Saturday, or working hard to get into the team if they’re on the sidelines.

Kettlewell believes competition for places is so fierce that people are fighting to be in the matchday squad, let alone on the pitch – a scenario that is exactly what he has been building towards.

That has led to Motherwell being on a run of six wins in their last seven games, fourth place in the Premiership and in a Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Rangers next month, as they welcome eighth-placed Dundee to Fir Park this afternoon.

Kettlewell is taking absolutely nothing for granted in that game, and won’t let his players relax for even a second as they strive for the next target or challenge ahead.

“We didn’t break up [for international games], thinking it’s holiday time and we’ve actually achieved something, because that’s never going to work for us,” said Kettlewell.

“There was plenty of work last week, and there’s been plenty of work done in the build-up.

“It has always been about trying to find a level of consistency.

“We find ourselves with a group of players that are performing well, that are high in confidence.

“I don’t see one bad 45 minutes, one bad moment in a game, derailing that in any way. We’re trying to build something that has longevity, and I always have been.”

Kettlewell added: “I always believe in pushing boundaries. I believe in trying to challenge ourselves, and never slipping into a comfort zone.

Motherwell are on a real run of form that has taken them to fourth in the Premiership and into a Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Rangers (Image: SNS Group)

“My job is to have players climbing the walls to get out there on a Saturday.

“If you’re in the team, you’re desperate to put on a display. If you’re not, you’re desperate to come out and make the impact that many of our substitutes have been able to.

“We are getting to the stage where competition is really fierce, not just for getting into that starting XI, but for the matchday squad, and that really drives the standards as well.

“The one thing we don’t accept here is petulance, feeling sorry for yourself. If you don’t find yourself in the matchday squad, there’s only one answer to it, and that’s to get yourself back out there, try and impress and show that you’re better than the person who is ahead of you just now.

“That’s the thing that drives the standard at a club.

“It’s about us trying to create that environment, that it’s a place that you’ve got a real enthusiasm to come in and work, and continue to improve.”

Kettlewell knows what he expects from his Motherwell side at Fir Park this afternoon, and it’s work-rate, commitment and, hopefully, a continuation of their recent form.

Dundee are a side he feels have merited more points than the six they have amassed so far from seven games, and reckons they will be dangerous opponents.

Motherwell's 2-1 win over Hibs was their sixth victory in seven games, having lost narrowly at high-flying Aberdeen (Image: SNS Group)

“We have another really tough opponent,” said Kettlewell. “They’re a team that come right after you, come at you, and try to beat you. I don’t think they sit there and wait to see what’s going to happen in a game.

“They’ve lost one or two key contributors from last season but [manager] Tony Docherty has done really well in his recruitment.

“They’re a team that I feel have probably not got as many points as they possibly could have, with some of their performances to this point, so it’s going to be a real tough game for us.

“But I feel like I say that every week, because this league is ridiculously competitive.

“We’re going to have to show everything that we have done in recent weeks to give ourselves a chance to get something out of the game.”

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