Motherwell’s season has been one of the most compelling stories in the Scottish Premiership. Jens Berthel Askou’s side sit fourth, and the man tasked with marshalling their defence, Stephen O’Donnell, has been speaking candidly about what is driving this unexpected surge up the table.

How Askou is building belief inside Motherwell’s dressing room

At the heart of Motherwell’s strong campaign lies something harder to measure than tactics or fitness : collective belief. O’Donnell, the experienced Scotland international, credits his manager directly for nurturing that mentality throughout the squad. According to the defender, Askou has transformed the atmosphere inside the Motherwell dressing room in a way that goes well beyond standard coaching methods.

O’Donnell is clear that the manager’s approach is rooted in trust and accountability. Rather than singling out individuals when mistakes happen, Askou absorbs pressure and shields his players publicly. O’Donnell pointed to a specific moment from an earlier visit to Celtic Park as a turning point. When goalkeeper Calum Ward attempted a risky pass from the back that led to Celtic’s equaliser, the reaction from outside was brutal. Critics were quick to question Ward’s place in the side. Askou’s response was strikingly different.

“The gaffer’s calm,” O’Donnell recalled. “I ask him to play like that.” That short, composed defence of his player sent a powerful message to the entire squad. When a manager stands firm rather than deflecting blame onto his players, it creates something invaluable : genuine buy-in. O’Donnell explained that moments like that are precisely why players commit fully to what Askou demands from them on the pitch.

The defender also stressed that this belief is collective rather than individual. He was open about the fact that he hasn’t suddenly become faster or more technically gifted. What has changed is his conviction that the team can execute the manager’s plan. Askou, he says, views every player as part of the club’s identity rather than a separate asset. That philosophy binds the group together and fuels their desire to perform week after week.

Motherwell’s European ambitions and the challenge ahead

With nine league games remaining and only four Premiership defeats to their name so far this term, O’Donnell is frank about what the squad expects from themselves. A top-six finish and European qualification are firmly on the agenda, and falling short now would feel like a real missed opportunity given how consistent Motherwell have been throughout the campaign.

That said, the road ahead is steep. Every remaining fixture comes against top-six opposition, which underlines just how demanding this run-in will be. Here is a summary of Motherwell’s key Premiership season indicators heading into this final stretch :

The most recent setback, a 2-1 defeat to Dundee, snapped a lengthy unbeaten run in the league. O’Donnell acknowledged it stung the squad, but was adamant it hadn’t broken their confidence. “It did hurt,” he admitted, “but we just need to react.” That resilience, the capacity to absorb a disappointing result without losing direction, is itself a product of the belief Askou has cultivated.

O’Donnell drew encouragement from their record against the teams above them. Motherwell already defeated Celtic 2-0 earlier this season when Wilfried Nancy was in the dugout, proving they can compete with the best sides in the division. The defender outlined the squad’s mindset clearly :

• Compete for three points in every remaining match
• Maintain defensive solidity and push for clean sheets
• Stay focused on collective performance rather than individual moments
• Trust the manager’s system even under significant pressure

The three sides currently above Motherwell will not ease up. O’Donnell acknowledged that freely, saying the teams ahead aren’t going to make it simple. But the Motherwell defender insisted the squad has played these opponents before, understands their strengths, and knows how to make games difficult for them.

What O’Donnell’s words reveal about Askou’s management style

Reading between the lines of O’Donnell’s comments, a clear picture of Askou’s leadership philosophy begins to emerge. The Danish manager appears to prioritise psychological safety as a foundation for performance. Players who know they won’t be publicly criticised for following instructions are far more willing to take calculated risks and express themselves confidently.

This is not a passive form of management. Askou demands high standards every single week. O’Donnell spoke of the squad “striving for perfection, for wins and clean sheets.” That hunger is real. But the difference is that the pressure comes from within the group, not from fear of external criticism. The manager provides the information, sets the standards, and then trusts his players to deliver.

For O’Donnell personally, playing under Askou has renewed something important. Belief, not complacency, is what he takes onto the pitch. He is not claiming to have rediscovered some lost ability. He is describing a more fundamental shift : the confidence that comes from playing in a well-organised, tactically clear and emotionally intelligent team environment. That environment, built methodically by Askou since his arrival, may yet deliver something truly significant for Motherwell before the season ends.