Source: Team_Talk
Well will have Ruddy could go - John
Jim Gannon's side will move into at least third place in the Scottish Premier League if they beat Hibernian at Fir Park on Saturday following an unbeaten start to the domestic season.
Gannon has rebuilt the side over the summer with youth at the core - the average age of the team that beat Inverness in Tuesday's Co-operative Insurance Cup third round was just 21.
But Ruddy, himself just 22, is confident they can continue to go from strength to strength.
"As long as everyone stays on top of their game for as long as we can, we are well in the hunt for a top-four or top-three finish," the on-loan Everton player said.
"I don't want to put too much pressure on ourselves but I think everyone in the changing room has faith in their own ability, in each other's ability and in the manager as well.
"We can go wherever we want to go, it's just up to us as a group of players to stick together and work hard together on the pitch.
"We're getting to a level where we are probably getting through 90 minutes without struggling.
"A couple of games earlier in the season you could see us fading after 70-75 minutes but now we're getting the match fitness.
"Long may we continue to keep building on what we're doing because if we rest on our laurels we will come up short."
Ruddy knows Gannon better than any other Well player after spending two loan spells under his guidance at Stockport.
"He wants to build on every performance," Ruddy said. "If he doesn't get the best out of us, then he takes it to heart and blames himself.
"But he does everything he needs to do in terms of preparation because he makes sure we know exactly what is going on, and then it's up to us to go out on the pitch and do it.
"As you've seen, if he's not happy in games he has no hesitation in making changes. Everyone knows what they are going to get.
"It's a harsh school but you have got to be harsh sometimes to get success."
Ruddy is due to return to Everton at the end of January, although Motherwell have an option to buy him.
The imposing keeper signed for the Premier League club in a £250,000 deal from Cambridge in 2005 but has only made one substitute appearance.
Motherwell are the sixth club he has played for on loan spells but Ruddy is still keen to get a chance at Goodison Park.
"I've always said my ambition is to play at the highest level possible," he said. "For me, that's the Premiership.
"I want to go back to Everton and say 'I've had a very good six months at Motherwell, am I going to get a chance?'
"And if they say no then I will look at my options. It's something for Everton to consider.
"I'm not sure exactly what Motherwell's option is, I think there is an option to buy.
"But it has to be right for everyone, right for Motherwell, Everton, myself and my family. Until January we can't really make an evaluation."
