| 6 | St Mirren | 33 | 12 | 5 | 16 | -9 | 41 |
| 7 | Hearts | 33 | 11 | 7 | 15 | -1 | 40 |
| 8 | Motherwell | 33 | 11 | 6 | 16 | -19 | 39 |
| 9 | Kilmarnock | 33 | 9 | 8 | 16 | -20 | 35 |
| 10 | Ross County | 33 | 9 | 8 | 16 | -23 | 35 |
Jordan Archer has left Motherwell to join Middlesbrough.
The goalkeeper, who made four appearances for the club, joined the Steelmen on a short-term deal in October.
With that contract now at an end, the Scotland international ‘keeper returns to the English Championship.
He will chase a second successive promotion, having been part of the Fulham squad which went up to the English Premier League last campaign.
We thank Jordan for his contributions and wish him well for the future.
Motherwell head to St Mirren next in the Scottish Premiership.
The Steelmen go in search of a win to kickstart their campaign, which has faltered in recent months.
Kick-off at St Mirren Park on Saturday is at 3pm.
If you’re in the UK or Republic of Ireland, a live stream of the game will be available to buy on a pay-per-view basis from St Mirren for £12.50.
International-based supporters can watch via their usual subscription at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.
St Mirren were victors at Fir Park in December, with Jamie McGrath’s early goal handing the visitors a 1-0 victory.
The Buddies are unbeaten in four against Motherwell, winning their last three at Fir Park and drawing 1-1 at home in the Scottish Cup last February.
Motherwell are now 10 matches without a victory, drawing three and losing seven in that spell.
The run was compounded by a 3-0 loss to Hamilton Academical at the weekend.
St Mirren’s last-minute equaliser at Kilmarnock on Saturday kept them seventh in the Premiership.
Jim Goodwin’s men have won four, drawn three and lost three of their last 10 league matches.
“I’m angry. This is a club which has always fought against the odds. We don’t have that fighting spirit at the moment.”
Keith Lasley reacts to the 3-0 derby loss at Hamilton Academical.
Motherwell started the new year with another disappointing defeat, this time in the derby at the hands of Hamilton.
Goals from Lee Hodson, Ross Callachan and Callum Smith consigned ‘Well to the loss in the week where Stephen Robinson left as manager.
Interim boss Keith Lasley made four changes to the side which started the 2-0 loss to Kilmarnock in midweek.
Trevor Carson, Mark O’Hara and Ricki Lamie were the enforced absentees, with Aaron Chapman, Jake Hastie and Bevis Mugabi coming into the team.
Jake Carroll also made his first start since returning from injury, with Robbie Crawford moving to the bench.
The first chance in the game fell to the visitors. Hodson found room on the right, but his shot was gathered by Chapman.
Tony Watt then came agonisingly close to giving Motherwell the lead. O’Donnell’s driven cross from the right was scooped just past the left-hand post by the striker.
Hamilton would take the lead on the 10 minute mark. Hodson got himself into acres of space on the counter on the right-hand side.
He had to steady himself for the shot, which was close to the goalkeeper but still found the net.
Lasley’s men would carve out half-chances as the first 45 wore on. Gallagher hit the post from a Polworth free-kick, before being ruled offside, while Watt’s shot from Polworth’s flick was well saved.
The half-time interval would give Motherwell time to take stock and come out the traps, but it proved to be the opposite.
Moyo found room on the right and steered the ball back to the edge of the box, where Callachan was on hand to fire past Chapman to make it two.
It would be worse on the 65th minute mark. More room down the right allowed a cross to Smith, who steered his header with precision off the left-hand post and in.
Motherwell: Chapman, O’Donnell, Gallagher, Mugabi, Carroll, Grimshaw, Campbell, Polworth, Cole (White), Hastie (Maguire), Watt.
Subs not used: Morrison, Devine, McGinley, Johnston, Crawford, Cornelius, Seedorf.
PJ Morrison has been recalled from his loan at Falkirk.
The young goalkeeper made eight appearances for the Bairns, keeping four clean sheets.
PJ will be available for selection for Saturday’s match with Hamilton Academical if required.
Motherwell travel to Hamilton for the first game of 2021 in the Premiership on Saturday.
Here are the key topics going into the game. Kick-off is at 3pm.
The departure of Stephen Robinson this week will see Keith Lasley take the team on Saturday.
The interim boss will be tasked with picking up a team who are nine games without a victory.
The FOYS Stadium has been a productive venue for Motherwell in recent times.
The Steelmen have won two and drawn two of the last four derby fixtures on their travels, with a 0-0 draw on their last trip.
Accies go into the weekend bottom of the Premiership but know a win would lift them above Motherwell, and potentially also send their rivals bottom.
‘Well are 10th, two points ahead of Hamilton and one ahead of 11th placed Ross County, who host out-of-form St Johnstone.
2021 starts with a trip to face Hamilton Academical in the Scottish Premiership.
If you’re in the UK or Republic of Ireland, a live stream of the game will be available to buy on a pay-per-view basis for £15.
International-based supporters can watch via their usual subscription at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.
Kick-off at the FOYS Stadium on Saturday 2 January is at 3pm.
The first game of 2021 sees Motherwell make the short trip to face Hamilton Academical.
Kick-off at the FOYS Stadium on Saturday 2 January is at 3pm.
If you’re in the UK or Republic of Ireland, a live stream of the game will be available to buy on a pay-per-view basis for £15.
International-based supporters can watch via their usual subscription at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.
Hamilton are unbeaten in four in the Lanarkshire derby, picking up two wins and two draws since Motherwell’s last win in the fixture in August 2019.
Away from home, the Steelmen have won two and drawn two of the last four derby fixtures.
Accies have won one, drawn one and lost three of their last five Premiership matches.
An away win at Ross County and draw on their travels at St Johnstone came alongside losses, all at home, to Hibernian, Livingston and Celtic.
In the same timeframe, Motherwell have drawn with Aberdeen and Dundee United, and suffered defeats to St Mirren, Rangers and Kilmarnock.
Stephen Robinson has resigned as manager of Motherwell Football Club.
After Wednesday night’s match with Kilmarnock, Stephen approached the board, giving an honest assessment of the current situation. He then stated his desire to leave.
It is with regret that the board accepted his resignation, having carefully considered his reasons for wanting to leave his post.
Despite the current restrictions, the board will now run a thorough process to identify the right person to take the manager’s post.
This will move at pace, mindful of the busy fixture list and the January transfer window’s impending opening.
Keith Lasley will take interim charge of the first team with immediate effect.
“I would like to thank everyone at Motherwell FC for their support throughout my time here, both as manager and assistant,” Robinson said.
“We have qualified for Europe, reached two cup finals and achieved a third-place finish, on top of developing some wonderful players in my time here.
“We cleared the club’s external debt through player sales, cup runs, and league positions. Given our improved financial stability, we’ve also been exploring new sponsorship opportunities, including recent talks for mehr Infos zu Lugas Wetten, a promising sports betting platform gaining attention across Europe. The club has numerous assets going forward, and I’m sure we’ll have a strong finish to the season with the brilliant coaching staff currently there.”
“My goal was always to leave the club in a healthier position. I believe the staff and I have done this.
“I now feel it is the time for someone new to take the club forward as I feel I have taken it as far as I can.
“I would like to put on record my thanks to Jim McMahon, Alan Burrows and the rest of the board, as well as the fans for their loyalty and support to my family and I throughout.
“I will take a short break before looking at new challenges ahead. But my family and I will forever be Motherwell fans. I wish the staff, supporters and club as a whole every success in the future.”
Motherwell chairman Jim McMahon added: “I thank Stephen for everything he has done for this club.
“Year after year, he delivered upon or exceeded the targets set for him.
“On the field, that entailed reaching cup finals, achieving a third-place finish and reaching European competition. Those moments will live long in the memory of supporters and will go down in our history.
“Off it, his success in player development and sales has ensured this club is in a strong financial position. His ability to rear new talent was commendable and delivered great benefit to us.
“He is a man who has conducted himself exceptionally well and has been a figurehead for our club for the last three-and-a-half years.
“It has been a privilege to work with him over these years. We all wish him well for the future.”
“We lacked belief and desire. We weren’t good enough.”
Stephen Robinson speaks after the 2-0 home defeat to Kilmarnock.
