Motherwell winger Chris Humphrey hopes ‘Well can build on last Saturday’s success against Inverness but admits they face a tough test against a good Killie side.
Stuart McCall’s men opened the season in the best possible fashion, roaring to a 3-0 win in the Fir Park sunshine.
The Claret and Amber men now travel down the A77 to Rugby Park and the former West Bromwich Albion and Shrewsbury Town speed merchant insists that the standard has been set for the season ahead.
[pullquote]We have set high targets this season and we expect a lot from ourselves. Hopefully we get what we deserve.[/pullquote]
“For being the first game of the season, I thought we played very well last Saturday; particularly the first half where we passed it and played some nice football.
“Things look good at the moment but the challenge for us is to keep up that standard throughout the season.
“You could see from the way we were playing in pre-season that we meant business. The new lads, Nicky Law and Michael Higdon, are top class players and have added an extra dimension to our side.
“Last Saturday against Inverness is the level we want to try and operate at in every game. That sort of performance is what the gaffer will now expect from us each and every week as we have demonstrated that we can do it. Anything less isn’t good enough. We have set high targets this season and we expect a lot from ourselves. Hopefully we get what we deserve.
“As for the game, it will be a good encounter, that’s for sure. You tend to find that most games between Kilmarnock and Motherwell provide entertaining football as they, like us, try to keep the ball and pass it about. They have some good players and a big pitch so I reckon it’ll be one that both sets of fans can enjoy.
“They have lost one or two players who were massive for them last season but they have still got quality in their side. They look strong in the middle of the park and have always had good, attacking wingbacks so we will have to be at our best to beat them.
“You read about them in the papers not having a settled team but I don’t expect that will make things any easier for us. Teams can click at any time and the players Kenny Shiels has brought in are of a quality that will cause problems regardless if their team is settled or not.”
Both Kilmarnock and Motherwell have a reputation of being teams who favour the more attractive possession and passing game.
Asked if he thought Motherwell would fight the Killie fire with fire, Humphrey is convinced the Steelmen have enough in their ranks to match most in the SPL.
“We demonstrated our ability to play last week,” said the Jamaican. “We kept the ball and were very direct going forward.”
“If we can keep that up then I don’t see how we can’t cause teams problems. But, like I say, they keep the ball very well too so we will need to be patient and not get frustrated with ourselves and utilise any attacks we have to the maximum effect.
“Our biggest problem will be with injuries as our squad is very thin. If any of our top guys are ruled out then it might be difficult for us but that’s the same everywhere I suppose. But if we can keep our squad fit then I don’t see why we can’t achieve something this year.”
