Source: Team_Talk
Hammell expects 'tasty' game
Motherwell full-back Stevie Hammell admits motivation comes easy against Aberdeen because of the managerial connections between the clubs. Motherwell are unbeaten in six games against Aberdeen since Mark McGhee and then Craig Brown left Fir Park to take charge at Pittodrie.Brown and assistant Archie Knox have tasted defeat in both their matches against Motherwell since leaving in December last year and they received a hostile welcome when they returned in April, not least from chairman John Boyle, who was fined for his part in a touchline confrontation.Boyle, who is set to relinquish his shares in the club, is unlikely to be at Fir Park on Saturday but Brown can expect another unsympathetic reception as he looks for a much-needed boost following Aberdeen's cup defeat by East Fife.Hammell said: "I'm sure the atmosphere will be tastier than usual."You can definitely feel it from the stands and it helps you if they channel it in the right way and get right behind the team."It's one of the fixtures you look for when you see the games, home to Aberdeen."I'm not going to lie, it is disappointing to see your manager leave, because the last couple of managers have done so well."When they come back you do want to show them that the team they left is a decent team, and we believe a better team."It does add a little bit to the game and you want to make sure you don't lose these games."Hammell, whose side have lost to St Johnstone and Hibernian at home in the last week, added: "It will be a difficult game, knowing Craig and Archie well they will have their team well-drilled and organised."If we're not on top of our game, the last two games serve as a warning, we know what can happen."We need to be at it from the first whistle and if the fans can get right behind us, it really can help."Hammell feels Motherwell did enough to beat Hibs on Tuesday with Bob McHugh's goal late in extra-time controversially ruled out at 2-2 before the visitors went through to the quarter-finals of the Scottish Communities League Cup on penalties."The three home games we had, we were looking to get three wins," Hammell said."It hasn't turned out like that so it's important we get back to winning ways."We knew we needed to put a performance in after the St Johnstone game. It wasn't acceptable, we all know that."Tuesday night against Hibs we thought we created enough chances on the night and seeing Bob McHugh's goal back in the last couple of minutes of extra-time, it was well onside so that makes it a bit harder to take."We felt we did enough and if that goal stood we would have gone through. But it's gone now. Everything is just geared to getting three points tomorrow."Manager Stuart McCall is looking for a repeat of their attacking display against Hibs, along with defensive improvement."I've watched the game again twice and we played some excellent attacking football," McCall said."There is no doubt we need to be tighter defensively as a group, at the moment teams don't have to work hard to get goals against us."But we have created some outstanding chances, played some excellent football, we scored a goal that should have been given and we should be in the next round."If we can get the same attacking performance against Aberdeen, I'll be more than happy."We've looked at a few things defensively we can do better - concentration, communication, we have given a couple of sloppy backpasses, and just being tighter as a unit."That's not just the defence, it's midfielders tracking runners, defending at set plays."