IT'S a culture shock to which some at Fir Park are struggling to adapt.

For years Motherwell fans have become accustomed to sustained success.

Three years in a row of finishing best of the rest outside of the Old Firm have brought the glamour of European football, and, more importantly, a familiarity with winning football matches.

That's a trait which appears to have deserted them recently.

Saturday's 1-0 defeat at home to St Johnstone, courtesy of a goal from Brian Graham after 86 minutes, signalled their fourth defeat in as many SPFL Premiership games, leaving Stuart McCall's men in 10th going into the international break.

It's a far cry from the team which won 22 games last season, bagging 64 goals in the process.

And while most fans continue to support the Steelmen through their sticky start to the season, Motherwell midfielder Paul Lawson says those who criticise the team from the Fir Park stands must instead rally behind a team that he admits is lacking in confidence.

"It's hard when you're getting a shout from a fan here and there," he said. "People can tell you to blank it out, but when you hear it it's hard to ignore.

"When things are going badly the fans have the right to vent their frustrations, but they need to understand we are as frustrated as they are.

"I was only here last year, but I'd like to say how well the club have done in recent seasons. There's talk of budgets and things like that and I'd have thought we'd have one of the lowest in the league.

"The manager has worked wonders with the players he's brought in given the amount he has lost. It's still early days and the fans need to get behind us.

"If you're winning 1-0 and you play a bad pass it's an unlucky pass, if it's 0-0 or you're getting beat it becomes a terrible pass. It's a fine line.

"The fans pay their money and have that right, but sometimes if they can see the boys are lacking a bit of confidence, they need to get behind us."

While confidence may be an issue for Motherwell, injuries have more than played their part in their poor run.

Iain Vigurs and Stuart Carswell were added to their crocked list at the weekend - Carswell was taken to hospital on Friday night with an allergy reaction - with many others still lacking full fitness.

The road to recovery has been a long one for Lawson. The former Ross County man has struggled to gain a foothold in the Well ranks since moving south from Dingwall in the summer of 2013, with Saturday's defeat coinciding with his first start in claret and amber since December.

And while the 30-year-old admits it was hard going, thrust into the team as Carswell's emergency replacement, he recognises the need to grasp the opportunity to impress.

"You've got to take your chance when it's handed to you," he said. "It's just game time I need, so it was good to get back, despite the result."