McCall backs strikers to hit form

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall has backed his strikers to start firing his team to victory after a week of frustration. McCall felt his team deserved much more from narrow defeats against Rangers and Kilmarnock, which sandwiched his disappointment at failing to land a new striker before the transfer deadline. Ahead of Saturday's Scottish Cup clash against Stranraer, McCall said: "I believe (Jamie) Murphy, (John) Sutton and (Esteban) Casagolda, given a fair crack of it, can produce goals. It would be more disappointing if we weren't creating chances. Obviously it would be nice to take them." He added: "It's the hardest part of football, which is why the strikers get all the money and us midfielders get nothing." Casagolda started only his second Motherwell match in the 1-0 defeat by Killie but Sutton looks set to return at Stair Park. "I just thought big Sutty needed a rest," McCall said. "He has played a lot of football and played a lone striking role at Hampden and did well. I just thought we needed to freshen up as we might do at Stranraer." Stranraer are second in the Irn-Bru Third Division and McCall saw enough top-flight sides struggle in the fourth round to know not to take them lightly. "We are under no illusions, if we don't approach it right this will be a very tricky game," he said. "The pitch, the conditions could be a leveller. I know if my players are at the game and up for it and perform like they have in the last two games, there is a good chance we can come away with the victory. Obviously we have to take the chances but there will be no sloppiness."

Source: PA