THIS time last year all Stephen McManus wanted for Christmas was a win. Twelve months ago Motherwell were in the middle of a downward spiral that threatened to bring a halt to their three-decade run in the Scottish top flight.

With manager Stuart McCall having just resigned, the Lanarkshire club were in the middle of a 12-match run that offered up just one victory that would not be halted until Ian Baraclough arrived in late December. And while this season may have struggled to get off to a flying start for Motherwell – who currently sit in 10th place in the Ladbrokes Premiership ahead of today’s meeting with Inverness – McManus is content that the perspective for all at the club is vastly different as they approach the festive season.

"There was a point last season when we were wondering where our next chance, goal, victory was going to come from,” said the centre-half. "Then we were asking ourselves how can we stop shipping goals?

"In the lead up to Christmas last season it was unpleasant but we don't feel anywhere near that this season. This season we feel that we can create chances and defensively we are good and our shape is good.

"The squad is in a better place and the club is also in a better place as there is a lot of stability outside the club. Last season there was talk of Argentinians coming in to take over the club and that is unsettling for players and fans alike. The club is on a very good footing now and we have an owner that cares so much about the club and that is reflected in the way Motherwell is being run at the minute.”

The off-field saga that cast a shadow over matters a year ago are now not an issue, and the fresh feeling of optimism also stretches on to the football pitch. Under Mark McGhee, Motherwell appear to have turned a corner from the side that was, to be honest, all over the place at times under his predecessor Ian Baraclough. A draw at Pittodrie and a win at Rugby Park provide the backdrop for today’s visit of John Hughes’ team, and McManus insists the focus is firmly fixed on looking up rather than nervously glancing downwards.

"You can have the best training sessions in the world but if you are not winning on a Saturday then it is not enjoyable,” said the defender, whose team can go seventh today if results fall their way. "People don't see the hard work that is put in.

"Things are always better when you are winning football matches. We are looking to the ICT game and the league is really close. The gap between Ross County and ourselves is not that much. The hardest thing is getting those wins and consistency. We want to be looking up the table as opposed to down.”

McManus' feel-good factor is something he attributes to the influence of the man who hasn't give him a day off for over a fortnight. McGhee has won over over the Motherwell dressing room, so much so that the fact he has been giving them double training sessions and working them hard since his arrival last month has gone without even a hint of complaint.

"Every manager or if you have aspirations to be a manager then you cannot change too much too soon as you have to keep everybody onside," he said. "Mark has come in and worked us as hard as anybody I can remember.

"I haven't worked as hard as this since my time under Gordon [Strachan] at Celtic and Middlesbrough. That is a similarity straight away and it is great for team bonding.

"People are working hard and we are enjoying it as there is progression at the other end which is manifesting itself in results. We feel as if we are going in the right direction."