Copyright dailyrecord
Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou has kept their Hampden preparations along familiar lines - other than practising penalties with the heart rate up. The Dane is well aware Saturday's Premier Sports Cup semi-final against St Mirren could go the full distance after both teams played out a tight goalless draw in Paisley earlier this season. When asked if he had changed his build-up, Askou said: "No and yes. No because the rhythm leading into the game will be the same. I think that's important, because you try and make a rhythm and schedule that gives you the perfect preparation to be able to perform in any game. "The only thing that we have done a little bit differently is that we have practised penalties a little bit more lately and tried to incorporate that in the small-sided games, so it has been given an edge of competitiveness, and also with a little bit of heart rate up when we take the penalties. "We do penalties in the break, and then the heart rate is up, it's competitive, instead of doing it 10-15 minutes after training. "So far it's looked good, they've been banging in penalties in the back of the net. So if we need that, then we feel confident that we can be successful in that aspect as well." Askou's side have enjoyed the bulk of possession in all games this season other than against Rangers and Celtic, and the focus on implementing their style will not change. "Obviously the biggest difference from playing here to playing at Hampden iis all the fuss and emotions about being in the semi-final and the spectacle around that," the Motherwell boss said. "Hopefully our approach will help, since it's not based on the emotional status of the game or the results. We try to apply our style of play no matter what the result is in the game, the occasion, where we are, who we play, and hopefully it will be fruitful on Saturday. "And I expect St Mirren to do exactly the same, to do what they do best, and then we will see. "They are not too overly concerned or fussed that we will probably have more possession because they know how good they are in the moments where they have possession and when they can get the ball up our end." The Well boss allayed some fears over the status of two players who limped off during Wednesday's 2-0 win over Dundee United. Motherwell will make a late call on Stephen O'Donnell while Tawanda Maswanhise is expected to be fit after going off with muscle fatigue.
