Stuart Kettlewell: I've had no conversations about my Motherwell future

Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell says he’s had no conversations about his future at the club after Tuesday’s defeat to Ross County left the team without a league win since September.

The 3-0 defeat in Dingwall stretched the winless run to 12 games and intensified the pressure on the Fir Park boss.

Kettlewell says he knows the pressure is there but says he hasn’t had any talks about his position.

“There’s certainly not been any conversations surrounding my future at the club, but I’m not silly, I understand that if you don’t start winning games at any club you’ll find yourself under pressure,” he said.

“The only way you ever get control of these situations is by winning because in this country we are so knee-jerk. We don’t strip layers back and look at factors like budget, size of squad, injuries.

“All we consider are the results and I accept that. The only way you find yourself safe in a job is by winning games.”

The run of poor results has seen a section of the support vent their anger at the manager, with some calling for him to be removed form his post. Kettlewell says he can handle the flak and says that by avoiding traditional and social media he can insulate himself from distractions and focus on trying to turn results around.

“It has no effect on me whatsoever, I have to say,” the Motherwell boss said. “Social media, news reports, all these different things, and this is where I’m really consistent, I’ve never read any of it.

“I’ve never been on social media in my life. I don’t tend to listen to or take influence from what other people say. I’m very strong-willed and strong-minded.

“I’m not someone who believes in trying to influence my own life or somebody else’s life by social media.

“I get the merits of it and I get that people will be completely disgruntled with myself and the players at this minute in time, but I can assure everyone that there is nobody who puts more pressure on myself than I do.

“Somebody shouting at me and calling me all sorts and giving me abuse isn’t going to motivate me any more than I already am. That doesn’t have an impact on me, but I need to urge that to the players as well.

“I’m not saying you try and shield yourself from everything and sweep it under the carpet, it (the criticism) is there, but I think you need that strong mind to come out the other side of it.

“It’s about not sinking into your shell and feeling sorry for yourself. We’re all in football because we wanted to be a part of it. Sometimes that doesn’t look or sound good and people want to come after you and there are personal attacks.

“We know what this world looks like with social media and people sitting in stands, but you have to be big enough to stand up to that.”