Pearson understands Motherwell fans' anxiety
Stephen Pearson has warned worried Motherwell supporters there is no instant fix to the problems at Fir Park ahead of the clash with Dundee.
The Well midfielder is part of a squad desperate to avoid a repeat of the nerve-shredding relegation play-off duel they faced last term.
But so far, things are not looking good for a Steelmen side sitting 11th in the Ladbrokes Premiership table with just four wins all season.
Boss Mark McGhee replaced the sacked Ian Baraclough in the middle of October but has celebrated just one victory in his first two months in charge.
Pearson, though, believes things are starting to improve - but he admits it will be a long haul if Well are to secure their safety.
He said: "The confidence is building. There has been a lot of changes in terms of training and other different things the manager is trying to implement.
"It will take time for the manager to get his ideas across but the players are listening to what he is saying and working hard to try and do these things.
"The fans want us to win games instantly, they don't want to wait, especially after last season and the way it went.
"They don't want to find ourselves in that position again and the fans are probably anxious.
"The players also know where we are in the table but we try not to think about it too much. We just look ahead to the game coming up at the weekend and take it one match at a time.
"You can understand why the fans are anxious after last season but it's up to us to make sure we don't end up in that position again."
Motherwell will have striker Wes Fletcher back in their squad after a two-game absence with a groin pull, but Joe Chalmers (muscle tear) remains on the sidelines.
Dundee manager Paul Hartley has warned his side to beware of lowly Motherwell.
Hartley said: "We know we're in for a real tough game. We're under no illusions about what we face.
"I haven't seen that much of them but I know Mark will have them well-organised.
"There are no easy games in this division and that is true of this one.
"But we'll go there looking for victory as always and hopefully get the three points."
Dundee's last win came back in early October against Motherwell so they will hope for a repeat scoreline as they attempt to return to winning ways.
Hartley added: "It will just take one win to get our season going.
"I don't think we've been playing too badly with the exception of last weekend's defeat by Aberdeen.
"That was disappointing because of the way we played in the first-half. We weren't ourselves.
"But this is another and an opportunity to put things right.
"We've got to try and take that and I believe in the players.
"Fir Park is never an easy venue but we've had a decent record against Motherwell of late.
"We want to keep that going and get ourselves back in the winning groove."
Meanwhile, Dundee captain Kevin Thomson is back fit again after a recent hamstring injury. The Taysiders have no other injury worries.
Source: PAR
