Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell has challenged his side to find the composure to take the initiative against Dundee as they search for an elusive cinch Premiership win.
Jon Obika’s last-minute equaliser earned Well a 1-1 draw at Celtic Park on Saturday and a morale boost, but they remain without a victory in 10 matches as they prepare for what could be a pivotal eight-day period.
Motherwell host Dundee and then St Johnstone either side of a trip to face Ross County.
To take advantage of the run, they will likely need to reverse a trend that has seen them struggle to take the initiative in matches.
Motherwell have not taken the lead since beating Hearts 1-0 at Tynecastle three months ago and only two of their 16 league goals have come in the first half, neither of which were at Fir Park.
“In the last nine games or so, you can maybe even include the Celtic game, we have had by far the best chance or chances before we have conceded the first goal,” Kettlewell said.
“I look at those situations and I think it’s a greater issue if we are not creating those opportunities.
“But very simply we need to show the composure to give ourselves a lead because the mindset that comes with scoring the first goal is pretty remarkable.
“I know I keep going back to when we have been on real good runs, but on those good runs we have generally got our noses in front and shown we are a good team when we have something to hold on to.
“At this moment we have not converted those glaring chances that have come our way and there is no magic formula to that other than keep putting yourself in a position, make sure you start games at a real good intensity and make sure you understand what your team can do to influence the opposition.
“The more we can put ourselves in that position then the more I believe we will score the first goal.”
Kettlewell has urged his side to use their point against the champions as a “catalyst”.
“We want to keep that same defensive organisation, that concentration that we had throughout the game and we have to add a little bit, especially playing at home,” he added.
“We have to make sure we carry a threat more consistently through the game than we did at Celtic Park, but the game at Celtic Park always feels like something different.
“We have to add the layers on, create more chances and put a little bit of pressure on ourselves that, when those chances come, we can take them.”
