Stevie wants to Ham it up for Well fans

Motherwell were disappointing in a 2-0 home defeat by the Spaniards last week and face a mountainous task to qualify for the group stages after losing several experienced players.

The Lanarkshire side acquitted themselves well against Panathinaikos in the Champions League but came up against more clinical opponents and lost 5-0 on aggregate.

And Hammell is looking for a more streetwise performance in Valencia tonight.

“We came away last week really disappointed,” the 30-year-old said. “We went into the game with confidence that we could do something in the tie but we didn’t perform on the day.

“It’s been the story of our trip in Europe, the first goal is crucial. Unfortunately the first goal we have been losing is a sloppy one.

“For all the good play we had against Panathinaikos we were maybe a wee bit naive.

“We said when we got to 
Europe we didn’t just want it to be a good experience for the players and fans, we wanted to do well. It has not worked out for one reason or another, we have come up against top-class opposition.

“With how small and young the squad is, it was always going to be a big ask. But hopefully we will give the fans that little something to remember.”

Motherwell’s squad is even younger than usual after Simon Ramsden, Steven Saunders, Tom Hateley, Nicky Law and Shaun Hutchinson were all ruled out, while Michael Higdon is battling to be fit.

They ended Sunday’s 1-1 draw against St Mirren with five teenagers on the park and four more travelled to Spain.

Hammell, who became a first-team regular as a teenager, said: “It will be a good experience for them, I’m sure, but with how small our squad is and how young our squad is, that’s just the reality.

“The young boys that have come in so far have been excellent. They have not looked out of place at all.”