Jens Berthel Askou has eye on the prize with Motherwell
Jens Berthel Askou is optimistic that the best is yet to come for his swashbuckling Motherwell side this season as they bid to book a place in the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup quarter-final.
The Steelmen have had a brilliant campaign so far as they sit fourth in the William Hill Premiership, just 10 points behind leaders Hearts with a game in hand.
Well have been lauded for their bold style of play under Berthel Askou and are also viewed as one of the favourites for the Scottish Cup ahead of Wednesday's last-16 trip to holders Aberdeen.
"I think we have a great chance of making a very, very good season," said the Dane. "Then we will see if it's going to give us any prizes at the end.
"But I'm quite sure that it will create some memories around the place here that people will appreciate and cherish and bring with them for years to come, the way we are performing.
"Obviously we need to back that up with results, not just in 26 (league) games, plus a last-16 round (in the Scottish Cup) and a semi-final in the League Cup, but hopefully more than that."
Well have lost only three league games all season and are widely viewed as the most eye-catching team in the country.
"We're trying to create an approach and a style that is without fear, in general, of making mistakes," said Berthel Askou. "Without showing up feeling like an underdog who just needs to scratch and bite a little bit and see if we can steal the result here and there and tease the opposition a little bit.
"We're here to win and to try and dominate all the games. And whether it's Scottish Cup, League Cup, or in the league, or in a friendly, it's the same approach, so nothing scares us.
"We have built confidence over time and hopefully that confidence, that flow, that momentum, plus the development we have been in - we're still growing week by week - will help us in the final stage of the league."
Well, who beat Aberdeen 2-0 at Fir Park in the league on Sunday, have Lukas Fadinger back from suspension for the rematch at Pittodrie, but on-loan Celtic defender Stephen Welsh is cup-tied.
"It was a difficult game the other day and I expect this to be more difficult," said Berthel Askou.
"They have their home crowd behind them and they are desperate to progress and defend their title. It's a game that could last a long time.
"We have most of our players available and fit and sharp, which gives us a good opportunity to shoot with everything we have, and that's what we try to do.
"Whether we are favourites or one of the favourites or should or could (win the cup), that's all speculation. But we are confident as a group and we will invest everything we have in the game tomorrow and then we will see how far that will take us."
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