Steven Hammell confident he can turn Motherwell's fortunes around in second half of Premiership season

Steven Hammell is confident he can turn Motherwell’s fortunes around following a horrible run of results that has left the team tenth in the Premiership table.

Following last week’s 3-2 defeat to Hibs in North Lanarkshire, the Steelmen are now seven games without a win as they prepare to face bottom of the league Ross County with only three points separating the sides.

Hammell replaced former manager Graeme Alexander before a league game was played following a humiliating defeat to Irish side Sligo Rovers in a Conference League qualifier.

Motherwell won four of their first six games after the change but they are now without a win since the 1-0 victory over Dundee United in October.

The former left-back, who played over 600 games in two spells at the club, is confident in getting them back to winning ways against Malky Mackay’s side at Fir Park on Saturday to kickstart a mini-revival.

He said: “The result last week was a disappointing one, we had prepared well, we were well organised for the game but the way it played out was disappointing.

“I thought within the game we done well enough and I don’t need to explain to anyone the goals we conceded in the game gave us a mountain to climb.

“We are confident that every game we can create and score goals but the goals we are conceding are fundamental errors, that’s not through our style of play that’s just about doing the basics well and building from that.

“When I took the job we understood it was a difficult task to come into, but I am confident in myself and in the staff here to be as good as we can possibly be and give the fans a team that they can be proud of.

“We are confident in the work we do every day and of course we back ourselves to get through this period.”

A win at the weekend could see them move up the table and put a six point gap between them and their opponents, but a defeat would see them go on level points with the bottom club and facing a relegation dogfight.

He said: “The table is still really congested, If we win, we move up a spot. That’s the goal and then we will take next week when it comes.

“That’s where we are at, that’s where our energy is at and that’s where our mind set is. Everything we have got, including the new players and whatever we do in the game, is how we win this game of football. And then next week will take care of itself.

“We are in a position in the league where it is still congested and we need to bridge that gap between ourselves and the teams above us. That’s the goal.

“It’s a big game, it’s a chance to put distance between us and them. They will be looking at it the opposite way but we are focused on what we do and we know what a win would do for us.”

Motherwell CEO Alan Burrows announced this week that he would be stepping down from the role and Hammell says he will be a big loss.

He said: “It’s disappointing because I know how much he puts into this and I know how much the club means to him, he spends every minute of the day thinking how he can do better for the club.

“Motherwell means a lot to him and he’s going to be difficult to replace for sure.