St Johnstone v Motherwell 31/08/2024

[MelvinBragg]

Ebiye is a strange one. As others point out, his goals to minutes is impressive. And yet there are times he looks like he has never seen a football before. And like it or not (and this is where Stuperavic has fallen foul) Kettlewell likes strikers who press and make life difficult for the opposition. Robinson does that, Ebiye not so much. And, yes, I am aware goals win games and are probably more important than pressing on paper but pressing can stop the opposition getting at you as much and maybe tire out defenders for your late sub to score against.

That being said, with the plethora of strikers that we have on the books, you imagine there must be some combination that would work in a 352 with the wing backs supplying them...

[wellup83]

3 points on the road. Always welcome. It doesn't matter how you get them as long as you get them. We were dominant for large spells of the game with Stj having a 10-15 minute spell where they got their equaliser. I'd much rather we created 2 chances in a game and took them than half a dozen and not. Enjoy your Saturday night Well fans. COYW 

[santheman]

38 minutes ago, steelboy said:

We got zero attacking width today with the 4-5-1.

We have  30 players but are going to struggle to put out a decent team so shitfests like today are probably going to keep us up and we'll need a decent finisher on the park. 

Trust Steelboy to find a negative out a positive

[El Grew]

Yes we didnt play particularly well and no it wasn’t an easy watch at times but then you can say that for the majority of games in this league. Other than maybe Celtic the  league lacks any quality as shown by the results in the various Euro qualifiers from Hearts, Kilmarnock and St. Mirren.

However fans demand results so today’s is very welcome as we’ll play better and lose.

[SteelmaninOZ]

The gaffer said 

 

[FirParkCornerExile]

Just back from the game. Good Motherwell support there who backed the team well. We were in total control of this game until St Johnstone equalised. We became a wee bit disjointed for a period after that but got the win we probably deserved. No absolute stand outs for man of the match, no failures but I'd give it to  either Casey or Graham. Probably Casey for his hand in the winner.

[FirParkCornerExile]

9 hours ago, MelvinBragg said:

We have been rotten? Funny as the BBC reporter seems to think we were well on top and expressed surprise when St Johnstone equalised...

There is no way we were rotten.We did what we needed to do without reaching the heights of the Hearts game. 

[weeyin]

We were definitely the better team, and should have put it out of reach in the second half before St Johnstone equalised.

A fair result, even if a late goal sometimes makes it feel like we nicked it.

[texanwellfan]

Much like the Hearts game in as much as we looked comfortable but then had a shaky 10 Minute spell after they scored. Started and ended the second half with some good pressure on the Saints goal. Although we scored very late, their goalie had at least two great saves to stop us scoring before that. Happy to get 3 points. 

[MJC]

It was a scrappy game as you would expect but thankfully we edged it in the end. 
 

Moses needs to be a starter.

[Mootherwell86]

Great result! 

[Spiderpig]

1 hour ago, weeyin said:

We were definitely the better team, and should have put it out of reach in the second half before St Johnstone equalised.

A fair result, even if a late goal sometimes makes it feel like we nicked it.

Just watched the highlights on sportscene, it should never have been a corner that led to Ebiye's goal, the keeper never touched it.

Still we've been on the receiving end of stuff like that before so it's nice to get some luck for a change, it's been a good couple of weeks.

[Kmcalpin]

A good win on the road but we made it unnecessarily hard for ourselves. St Johnstone played as I expected them to. A deserved 3 points. More thoughts to follow. Referee was weak and McPherson really ought to have seen red for a shocking tackle. 

[texanwellfan]

55 minutes ago, Spiderpig said:

Just watched the highlights on sportscene, it should never have been a corner that led to Ebiye's goal, the keeper never touched it.

Still we've been on the receiving end of stuff like that before so it's nice to get some luck for a change, it's been a good couple of weeks.

Even better, a late winner from a corner that should have never been. Haven’t seen highlights yet but I thought he did touch it when watching the stream. Either way, I’m happy

[ropy]

2 hours ago, MJC said:

It was a scrappy game as you would expect but thankfully we edged it in the end. 
 

Moses needs to be a starter.

I’d certainly give him 20 minutes rather than 5.

[Kmcalpin]

2 hours ago, MJC said:

It was a scrappy game as you would expect but thankfully we edged it in the end. 
 

Moses needs to be a starter.

It depends on the game. He's a poacher and does the business in the box. If we're expected to be on top and playing on the front foot  he's our man. If we're expected to be on the backfoot then he shouldn't start. 

[joewarkfanclub]

I really dont know what this team and manager need to do to please some folk. We were far from perfect today, but we dominated the game for 60 minutes, shoulda been outta sight before Levein spun the wheel with his subs, scored and goal and gave us a nervous 10 - 15 minutes. After that we dug in, got ourselves back in the game and deservedly scored the winner. For all our faults (and the managers) this team has something. Previous Motherwell teams would have found a way to lose that game. This one found a way to win it. If you cant be happy with that you need to find a different hobby. Given our injury list and fixture schedule, I would have bitten your hand off for 7 points at this stage. We now have a couple of weeks to rest and recuperate. Hopefully one or two will be closer to a return and the manager can get some fitness into the legs of those that need it (looking at you Tony!) Overall, it was a pretty decent day out.

[joewarkfanclub]

10 minutes ago, wellgirl said:

I honestly think we are brilliant and you can see how much team spirit there is when you see the videos 

I probably wasn't thinking we were brilliant at the Killie game when my nerves were in shreds but that's Motherwell 

I didnt think we were "brilliant" today, but we were solid enough and stood up to some fairly roughouse tactics as is usual from a Levein team.

We were the better team for the most part and thoroughly deserved to win the game.

The manner we did it was very pleasing.

Of course we have loads of room for improvement. But given the number of injuries we have and the turnover of the squad, its hard to imagine we wont improve markedly as the season progresses.

Plenty of reasons to be optimistic.

[dennyc]

18 minutes ago, joewarkfanclub said:

I really dont know what this team and manager need to do to please some folk. We were far from perfect today, but we dominated the game for 60 minutes, shoulda been outta sight before Levein spun the wheel with his subs, scored and goal and gave us a nervous 10 - 15 minutes. After that we dug in, got ourselves back in the game and deservedly scored the winner. For all our faults (and the managers) this team has something. Previous Motherwell teams would have found a way to lose that game. This one found a way to win it. If you cant be happy with that you need to find a different hobby. Given our injury list and fixture schedule, I would have bitten your hand off for 7 points at this stage. We now have a couple of weeks to rest and recuperate. Hopefully one or two will be closer to a return and the manager can get some fitness into the legs of those that need it (looking at you Tony!) Overall, it was a pretty decent day out.

I think we all know that no matter the result, no matter the performance, a few on here have made up their mind regards Kettlewell, So rather than praise a victory all we get is silence, or at best grudging acceptance of a decent result qualified by some nit picking nonsense over one or two incidents in the game. Three wins in a row and barely a positive word. Reading the match thread after a game is hilarious at times.  

Same blinkered approach applies to how Halliday and SOD perform. Anything they contribute is ignored but one misplaced pass and the keyboard lights up. Criticise by all means when justified but how about some balance?   SOD was excellent last week and it was noticeable today that our midfield disappeared when Halliday had to go off. I'm not his biggest fan but credit where credit is due. What was pleasing was that both of them got a great reception today when the came over to take throw-ins/corners in front of the Motherwell fans. Changed days. Both have worked hard to improve their fitness and contribution and I think that fans who are prepared to open their eyes have appreciated those efforts.

Finally, some praise for the Bois. They were excellent throughout the game today. Did what they are good at and supported the team throughout. The drum even sounded in tune.....ish. And not a hint of trouble from what I witnessed.  Even the stewards and the police looked fairly relaxed.

A good day all round. 

 

 

[joewarkfanclub]

16 minutes ago, dennyc said:

I think we all know that no matter the result, no matter the performance, a few on here have made up their mind regards Kettlewell, So rather than praise a victory all we get is silence, or at best grudging acceptance of a decent result qualified by some nit picking nonsense over one or two incidents in the game. Three wins in a row and barely a positive word. Reading the match thread after a game is hilarious at times.  

Same blinkered approach applies to how Halliday and SOD perform. Anything they contribute is ignored but one misplaced pass and the keyboard lights up. Criticise by all means when justified but how about some balance?   SOD was excellent last week and it was noticeable today that our midfield disappeared when Halliday had to go off. I'm not his biggest fan but credit where credit is due. What was pleasing was that both of them got a great reception today when the came over to take throw-ins/corners in front of the Motherwell fans. Changed days. Both have worked hard to improve their fitness and contribution and I think that fans who are prepared to open their eyes have appreciated those efforts.

Finally, some praise for the Bois. They were excellent throughout the game today. Did what they are good at and supported the team throughout. The drum even sounded in tune.....ish. And not a hint of trouble from what I witnessed.  Even the stewards and the police looked fairly relaxed.

A good day all round. 

 

 

I concur! 🧡❤️🧡

[robsterwood]

Loved today. Went with my 12 year old son  and 13 year old son. 13 year old was not that into football but that last 5 mins got him hooked. From the injustice of the denied penalty. The way well played. The last minute goal. He even didn't criticise lack of hotdogs in cafe. Thank you mangers and players. Loved end applause to fans. Great day out. Even dropped mother in law and wife off for a day in Perth.

[Kmcalpin]

We thoroughly deserved to win as we were the better team and tried to let St Johnstone play football, but that was neither appreciated nor reciprocated. In truth we should have scored more and been out of sight by half time but we still lack that killer touch in front of goal. We were also a bit unlucky. Credit to SK & SF though. They almost lost us the game but in the event they won it for us. 

Against the backgrouind of a huge injury list and new players bedding in, I don't think the starting line up is right. Defence wise I thought our 3 central men had an excellent game, such a change from last season. That was crucial in achieving a win today. Up front, Robinson is not a lone striker, despite some deft touches.  A lack of support from midfield and the close attention of a hulking 6-4 centre back made life difficult for him. Tony Watt also is never a lone striker.  I was disappointed in midfield and we lack an attacking midfielder. Lennon Miller was played too far forward and his normal game was therefore constrained and to be fair Saints do have some combative and abrasive midfielders. Still his contribution from set pieces really is proving an asset and shone through today.  Craig Levein will be sticking pins in his effigy this evening (only joking as he's genuinely a hell of a nice chap). I thought Halliday and Davor struggled a bit to compete and weren't really effective defensively at all. That said, Saints do have a very competitive and combative engine room, although lacking in creativity.

I felt sorry for both wing backs. Young Wilson made some telling interventions but I thought he and SOD were left out to dry a bit by our formation as Saints caused us a few problems down the flanks.  On the plus side, Manwanhise looked quick and lively and we should have brought him into the game more quickly. Jack Vale too added some much need pace, when he entered the fray.

We did ok for most of the first half but took our foot off the gas a bit latterly and inexplicably. Overly cautious instructions from the technical area. For 10 minutes before they equalised, Saints began to dominate the game in midfield as we goaded them into attacking us and invited them onto us. Levein then made some inspired changes and not surprisingly they scored. We then wobbled. However, late on SK made some equally telling changes that proved instrumental in setting up a great late finish. Saints still managed to rain down 3 decent attempts on goal and the Ox wasn't best pleased with those in front of him, as they left him exposed. 

Then came the great finish. A series of attacks and vicious corners from Lennon Miller had Saints on the ropes and Ross Sinclair did well. Then up popped Moses to strike the killer blow and instigate scenes in the stand. Ye cannae beat a late winner! A lively crowd responded and the players appreciated that.  The team showed great durability and character to win today and thats all I ask.  

[SteelmaninOZ]

Dan Casey 

 

[Ya Bezzer!]

From watching the highlights, could Oxborough done better at the goal?

Wouldn't put it in the blunder category but it seem to go under him.

This was some 'glanced' arithmetic so I hope I got it right but I make it 7 out of 14 goals scored by defenders so far this season.  

 

[weeyin]

The shot that came in at Oxborough was hit hard and at pretty close range. Could he have done better? As every headline writer in every newspaper has said multiple times this week, definitely maybe.