I'm really not interested in how Twente played, good or bad, this season or last. And I could not care less about Falkirk or Edinburgh City. All of whom were, like us, playing their first game of the season. So all the same qualifications apply.
What I am interested in is Motherwell and I expected more from them yesterday, even with all those valid comments about first game, new Manager, opposition, new tactics etc etc. And that's fair comment. Or am I and others not allowed to say we were disappointed in what we saw? Not overly concerned, but disappointed. Rightly or wrongly I expected more.
The performance of our experienced defenders was poor and they looked far from comfortable at being asked to play out from the back, with Ward also struggling supporting as sweeper. Midfield and up front we looked ponderous, with little link up play. Lack of pace all over the pitch. Little threat up front. I challenge anyone who watched the game to say my assessment was wrong. .
The youngsters that came on performed well, which also highlighted how off it the first choices were. But for me those youngsters were the only positive yesterday. Again that fact raises questions.
And the budget available to the opposition is irrelevant. At times last season those same players performed well against opposition with far greater resources than us. Even when playing against superior opposition, I came away from some games feeling we had did ourselves justice., despite losing. Not yesterday.
Will we improve? Most definitely. Am I saying we will struggle this season? No . Did I expect more from our established players? Yes. Will the new Manager be more aware now of the challenges he faces? Undoubtedly.
The criticism posters are getting for raising valid points is nonsense.