Motherwell boss explains narrative 'control issue' as he tells players to find 'band of balance'

Motherwell boss Graham Alexander has urged his players not to get too high or low amid a testing run of Premiership form.

The Steelmen are without a league win in 10 games and take on St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park on Saturday afternoon.

A disappointing Scottish Cup quarter-final exit beckoned for Motherwell last Sunday at the hands of Hibs, losing 2-1 after Bevis Mugabi was sent off inside 60 seconds.

Alexander's men aren't the only team to go on a lengthy winless run this term, sitting eighth but just a point off fourth and a European spot.

Livingston won one of their opening eight games, Ross County won their first match of the term at the 11th attempt, Dundee United had a spell with a sole win in 11 and Aberdeen are 10 without a league win this year.

Reading into things too much from a variety of sources is what Alexander feels is a reason behind such dips in form.

He explained: "I think there's a control issue from the narrative and messages around teams. It used to just be from the coaching staff who would communicate with the squad.

"They would keep things in check and keep a balance. But now there so many outlets and ways of communicating to teams, it's not just our message, it's everybody's message.

"Players can either get carried away with one extreme or the other. You can win and think you're better than you are, or you don't win and you think you are worse than you are.

"I think there's a band of balance, so it's about controlling your emotions and mindset. You can't go from one extreme to the other.

"It's a difficult thing to do in modern life with so much opinion and information. That's the way of the world so we and the players need to control and manage that.

"They need to listen to the relevant people