RYAN STEVENSON knows wild expectations rarely turn from dreams into reality - and has his time with madcap Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov to prove it.

But the Partick Thistle striker has no problem with Ian Baraclough reaching for the stars as the new Motherwell boss prepares for his Fir Park bow this afternoon.

Baraclough set his sights on the Premiership title on the day he was unveiled as Stuart McCall's successor - despite the Steelmen struggling at the foot of the standings.

Survival is Motherwell's main aim this term but today they face a Thistle side who have their own ambitions as they bid for a place in the top six.

Baraclough got an immediate reaction from his players last weekend as they saw off St Mirren and Stevenson knows the Jags will have to combat the new manager bounce if they are to get all three points in Lanarkshire.

He said: "At least he's ambitious! He's come in and had the guts to say exactly what he wants to do, though I don't know if some of it was tongue in cheek.

"I've been in the situation before where things haven't been going for you, then a new manager comes in and things just seem to turn.

"They're just below us. It's a big game because we want to create that distance between them and catch the teams above us. It's a big game and a big period.

"Like I said, I don't know whether it was meant to be tongue in cheek or whether he thinks that. If he does, great.

"He'll come in with his own ideas and things he wants to implement. We know the fear we've got is that a new manager can make it a difficult game for us.

"Boys who have not been playing have a clean slate to impress the manager. We beat them earlier in the season so it's about doing that again."

After seeing another two points slip through their grasp seven days ago as they were denied at the death by Dundee, Thistle head to Fir Park determined to end the year on a high note.

Victory could see them leapfrog the Dees and Kilmarnock and move to within touching distance of sixth-placed St Johnstone in the standings.

It would also give them breathing space over the three teams battling it out to avoid relegation and Stevenson is determined to make the most of a chance to get back to winning ways.

He said: "They obviously haven't been doing that well but it's a big game for us.

"We've been on a decent run of late. We're disappointed we didn't win the game last week.

"With Motherwell being just below us in the league it would be nice to win and put a bit of a gap between us.

"We're teetering around the top six. We're trying to take the positives from being on a decent run.

"Going into the New Year we want to change draws into win. We were 30 seconds away from that on Saturday. There's not a lot between the teams.

"It's about seeing games out and picking up points when you aren't playing so well.

"We're on a decent enough run of games but with a lot of draws. A few wins and you can shoot up the league in no time."