STEVIE HAMMELL has challenged Motherwell to bounce back from their Tynecastle defeat and get on with the job of cementing a Europa League return against Dunfermline tomorrow.
The Steelmen lost their five-match winning away record when they crashed 2-0 at Hearts on Christmas Eve.
That has allowed St Johnstone to cut Well's lead in third spot to just five points, with Hearts a point further behind in fourth.
And Hammell, above, knows that with a game in hand, Well will only have themselves to blame if they blow third spot.
Hammell, who played in last season's Europa League qualifiers, said: "At the start of the season we did set a target of a top-six place, but with the start we've had if we don't finish third or fourth it will now be a disappointment.
"Even though we've lost, I feel we've got a good enough team to still be up there at the end of the season.
"It would be disappointing to lose a European spot from this position.
"We've only lost one game against a top Hearts team who played really well. If we can get back to winning ways it can still be a fantastic season.
"The European games have been some of the best games I've played in at the club.
Meanwhile, Dunfermline defender John Potter has challenged his team-mates to improve their form.
The Fifers currently sit at the foot of the SPL, behind Hibs by virtue of inferior goal difference, having conceded 43 goals in 19 league games this season.
Saturday's 3-0 defeat at home to St Johnstone made it just one win in 15 outings for Jim McIntyre's side.
Now, as Dunfermline prepare to travel to Fir Park, veteran Potter has called for a marked improvement on recent endeavours – beginning by cutting out the defensive slip-ups.
The 32-year-old said: "As players we're all hurting because we know that apart from one or two of the squad, the rest of us aren't doing well enough.
"It's up to us to change that through hard work and determination.
"We've known for a while that this would be an important week. The St Johnstone game is now behind us and we've got to concentrate on Motherwell and then Celtic.
"We're obviously disappointed with the manner of the goals we've lost but we've got to move on.