Motherwell Boss Admits Team 'Miss Winning' Amid Top-Four Battle
Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou has openly acknowledged that his squad is frustrated by their recent inability to close out wins, even as they cling to fourth place in the Scottish Premiership with just six matches remaining.
The Steelmen currently sit three points ahead of Hibernian in fifth, but their form has dipped sharply after a strong start to 2026. Until March, they were unbeaten in the league this calendar year—but since then, they’ve lost three and drawn one of their last four outings. Their next challenge? A tough trip to face league leaders Hearts on Saturday.
Focus on One Game at a Time
Askou made it clear he’s not setting internal point targets for securing fourth spot, warning against the mental trap of calculating hypothetical scenarios. "When you start doing that then you get ahead of yourself," he said. Instead, he insists the only mindset his players should have is chasing all three points in every match.
"We really, really try to push for the win because we miss winning," Askou added. "We want to win every game we compete in, and we know that every time we do, it's obviously a massive step towards achieving something big."
He expects more points will be needed to hold onto their current position but refuses to guess how many. "Time will tell," he concluded.
Realistic Outlook on the Title Race
While Motherwell are no longer in serious contention for the title, Askou offered a grounded take on the race at the top. Hearts lead Rangers by one point and Celtic by three heading into the final round of matches before the league split.
Askou doesn’t believe any of the top-three sides will win all their remaining games. "Looking at the history, that’s unlikely," he noted. "If they do, they’ll have a very good chance of winning the title."
His comments reflect both respect for the competition and awareness of how tight the margins remain across the upper half of the table.
Saturday’s Clash With Hearts: What to Expect
Motherwell have drawn both previous meetings with Hearts this season—first a thrilling 3-3 in August, then a cagey 0-0 stalemate in November. Askou hopes the upcoming match leans more toward the former.
"Both clubs are in a position they could only dream of before the season started," he said, highlighting the progress both teams have made. He anticipates an intense, open contest with a lively atmosphere, possibly resembling the drama of their first encounter.
"I’m pretty sure they, as we will, will come with a big smile on their face, really excited to play that game," he said. "Maybe it will look a little bit more at times like the first game, or something in between. But probably with a very intense atmosphere again."
Key Factors in Motherwell’s Push for Fourth
Several elements could determine whether Motherwell hang onto their European qualification spot:
- Recent form slump: Three losses in four games have exposed fragility under pressure.
- Defensive resilience vs. attacking output: The team has struggled to convert dominance into goals.
- Mental approach: Askou’s emphasis on process over points suggests psychological fatigue may be creeping in.
- Fixture difficulty: Facing Hearts, then likely other top-six sides post-split, won’t make things easier.
- Hibernian’s momentum: Their rivals in fifth aren’t standing still—they’ll push hard to overtake.
Key Takeaways
- Motherwell are feeling the frustration of dropped points despite strong positioning earlier in the year.
- Manager Jens Berthel Askou refuses to set point targets, insisting on a win-first mentality.
- The team’s recent dip—three losses in four—has jeopardized their grip on fourth place.
- Saturday’s match at Hearts could define their season; Askou hopes for an open, attacking game.
- Realistically, holding off Hibernian will require consistent results, not just occasional flashes.
Askou’s honesty about missing victories shows a manager aware of the fine line between ambition and execution. With European football still within reach, every point now carries extra weight—and every missed chance stings a little more.
— Editorial Team
