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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Andy McGilvray

Motherwell boss dedicates award to hard-working players and staff

Motherwell boss Graham Alexander says his Premiership Manager of the Month award for April is testament to everybody around him at Fir Park.

Alexander says without the players and staff he works with, none of this would be possible, but is pleased to have a talented group behind him.

And he says there will be no let-up against Kilmarnock tomorrow, despite Motherwell's Premiership status having been secured.

He said: "It's recognition for results on the pitch and it's obviously not down to one person, whether it's a staff member or a player, it's down to a whole group of people on the pitch, off the pitch, around the scenes, behind the scenes.

"I'm really pleased that the results have got this award, but it's down to a lot of people and I would like to acknowledge that.

"Any manager will tell you, it's a really tough job and it's impossible to do it on your own, you need good people around you, you need good players, motivated players, and that's what we've had for the last few months.

"It's every credit to everyone who has contributed."

Alexander says he has seen a lot of progress since taking over in January, and hopes that continues in the last three games of the season.

He said: "The thing we were trying to fight for was consistency, I think the team has shown it's capable of really good results, but it's following those results up and that was the biggest thing for us.

Alexander says the biggest thing he has tried to bring in is consistency (SNS Group)

"We obviously haven't won every game, but we've won enough to secure our Premiership status, we went close to a cup run, and have shown good signs of improvement and growth to take into next season.

"We've also got to focus on the next three games - it's really important that we approach these games in exactly the same way as we have done over the last few months.

"There's no letting off from us as a staff, I would expect the players to understand that message as well, because I think momentum is a really good thing in football.

"It's hard to get, but easy to lose, so we want to finish the season strongly and we want to concentrate on the game tomorrow, but it gives me confidence that we have good players within our club that can show the right motivation to win games, the right togetherness, and that's the big thing for me.

"Underpinning everything we work for is a team ethic, and that's how we've got success in the team."

Alexander expects a tough game from Kilmarnock tomorrow, but says it's important that the visitors don't want the points more than his side does.

Alexander expects a tough clash against Kilmarnock but says Motherwell have to want the points just as much (SNS Group)

He said: "It will be a tough game, Kilmarnock need the points to make sure they're safe, it's three games, so everyone's running out of games.

"I went to see them last week against St Mirren and both teams really competed at a high level, so we understand the challenge ahead, but the biggest thing and the main thing for me is how well we play.

"I think we've shown over the course of three months how well we can play against any opponent, but we're going to have to win every challenge and compete at the highest level, physically and mentally, before any quality is shown.

"We've had two really tough games against Kilmarnock just in my time here, and I don't expect anything different tomorrow - but we need to show that we need the points just as much as Kilmarnock.

"They're for different reasons, but we need them."

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