Stuart Kettlewell hoping Motherwell maintain impressive league standards in cup competition
Motherwell have taken four points from their opening two games
Stuart Kettlewell insists keeping Motherwell's standards high is his first objective in their Viaplay Cup last-16 tie against St Mirren on Saturday.
The Steelmen are unbeaten in open play in six games this season - they lost to Queen of the South on penalties in the Viaplay Cup group stage following a 3-3 draw - and travel to Paisley with four points from their first two cinch Premiership fixtures.
St Mirren have also had a strong start to the campaign, winning five in a row - including their first two top-flight games - after losing the first match of the season to Montrose in the Viaplay Cup.
Motherwell may be swapping the quest for points for knockout football but Kettlewell is clear about what he is looking for against the Buddies.
"Of greater importance is trying to maintain your standards and trying to win games of football," said Kettlewell.
"I keep talking about this habit you are in and you don't want to give that up for anything, whether that is the league campaign or whether it is a training day, you want to continually be in that mindset of having a feeling of confidence, really.
"But it is a different competition this weekend which will be incredibly difficult. It is such a hard draw to go away to St Mirren. It is two good teams in really good form.
"Their home record last season was exceptional, it was the very foundation of their success for large parts, as good as they were away from home as well.
"So we know how difficult it is going to be. So taking the competition aside it is just to try to maintain those standards for us."
Kettlewell revealed that striker Jon Obika, who came off the bench in the 2-1 win over Hibernian at Fir Park on Sunday after recovering from a hamstring problem, is sidelined again.
He said: "We have been dealt a blow with Jon Obika, unfortunately. He has a problem with his hamstring. John came on to the pitch on Sunday, it was great to have him come back in.
"Without giving away too much detail which I don't have at this moment in time, it looks as if we could be missing Jon for a lengthier period of time than what we thought.
"That is a disappointment. I can update as and when I have the full extent of the injury."
Calum Butcher (foot) remains out and the game comes too early for fellow midfielder Harry Paton (knock).
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