Lasley: Only result matters against Jags

The Jags provide the opposition at Fir Park as Motherwell attempt to build on their maiden victory under Ian Baraclough last weekend.

That win brought Well within six points of the ninth-placed SPFL Premiership club with the knowledge a win against the Glasgow side when the two teams meet will half that gap.

However, it's a target which isn't in Motherwell captain Lasley's crosshair.

"Playing the teams around us does give you the chance to close the gap," he said. "It really is a game-by-game basis and the flip side to the Partick match is we could find ourselves back down again if other results go against us.

"We're just focused on ourselves, and it will be a tough game against Partick, who won their last away match 4-0 at Inverness.

"To be honest, we have got enough to worry about just with the game without thinking about gaps and point differences. But we're looking forward to it."

Lasley added: "Any time you lose you are thinking 'Who is behind us?' and if you win, you have your eye on the team above.

"The manager spoke about it earlier last week that we want to get back to being the positive team we have been in recent years. We've also spoken about it as a group."

The game against Thistle this weekend is being looked at in a completely different light following last Saturday's 1-0 win in Paisley.

It was Well's first three points since November 7 against Dundee United, and now gives the Steelmen the chance to start afresh with Baraclough at the helm.

Lasley said: "We spoke all week about how important it is to pick up points against the teams around us given the situation that we find ourselves in.

"To come away with the points is pleasing - but three points is all it is.

"We now move on and look forward to the Partick game with hopefully another good week of training behind us, as well as working with the new manager for a another week.

"Hopefully that will get us going into that game in a different frame of mind."