Quinn says Motherwell can make comeback

Oct 8 2008 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

MOTHERWELL defender Paul Quinn has claimed there will be no excuses for any more poor performances now his team have been dumped out of two cup competitions at the first hurdle.

The Fir Parkers suffered major disappointment last week going down to French cracks Nancy in the first round of the UEFA Cup – in the process missing out on potential money-spinning ties against European giants AC Milan, Benfica and Ajax.

That result came on the back of a disheartening Co-Operative Insurance Cup exit at the hands of Lanarkshire rivals Hamilton.

But with the Claret and Amber now able to concentrate fully on league commitments for the remainder of the year, the right-back is hoping this free run can allow them to compete once again for third place.

“The Falkirk result was massive,” Quinn told the Wishaw Press.

He continued: “It was important to get our league form back on track.

“We were getting away with not quite performing in the league against Celtic and Rangers and other teams because we had the European build up as well – which maybe was taking the focus away.

“But now there is no hiding place and we need to start picking up points especially at home.”

Motherwell face two winnable matches away to Kilmarnock and Inverness in the coming weeks before they attempt to gain revenge over Hamilton in their first league meeting of the season.

And Quinn is hoping to build on the back-to-back wins over St Mirren and Falkirk that were sandwiched in between the more high profile cup ties.

He said: “We have played all the so called bigger and better teams in the league now – Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen, Hearts and Dundee United.

“Most of these teams finished in the top six last season so for us to start picking up points now is vital.

“The Kilmarnock game will be our first away game in a few weeks and the boys will very much be looking forward to that.”

Looking back on last week’s Euro exit, the 23-year-old believes a lack of experience at that level cost Motherwell.

The Wishaw lad was guilty of conceding the free-kick that led to Nancy’s first goal of the second leg but is determined to learn from it saying: “The guy has actually fouled me beforehand but he is clever enough and more experienced that when the referee turns round he stops and I actually start pushing and pulling at him and ultimately they get the decision.

“We don’t follow it up and we are punished for it.”

He added: “The second one was exactly the same and if you give these good teams chances they will put in a good delivery and it will cause you problems.

“But it’s a learning curve and I would like to think that if the chance does come around again then we won’t be shooting ourselves in the foot like that.”

Having played seven games in 23 days, the Motherwell players will get a few days off this week before preparing to face third-placed Kilmarnock at Rugby Park after the international break.

And Quinn is hoping a win over Killie will prove to the doubters that they are more than capable of competing for third place again.

He said: “If we play the way we can play – in spells against Falkirk – then we shouldn’t have any problems competing for that third spot and hopefully getting another crack at European football.

“The whole (European) experience was fantastic and I think that is what has given us the drive and hunger to stride on and try and get that again.”