IT is rare for Motherwell supporters to know what to expect from their team going into any new season, and this term is no different.
The form guide since manager Graham Alexander took over from Stephen Robinson in January would suggest there are reasons for optimism. The former Scotland international managed to steady the ship at Fir Park and then some after a difficult start to their campaign, with The Steelmen the form side outside the Old Firm in terms of Premiership points gained since his arrival in Lanarkshire.
Given the lowly starting point when he came in, that was enough for a relatively comfortable eighth-placed finish last term, and he will hope to break into the top six this time around. There are some areas of concern though if you dig a little deeper.
For a start, while results have been generally favourable during Alexander’s reign, some of the football on display hasn’t exactly been easy on the eye. The former Salford City boss employs a narrow 4-3-3, and fans weren’t entirely convinced he had the players to suit that system.
While the support was happy to give some leeway on that front given he inherited his squad, they are looking for some improvement in that regard now that Alexander has had two windows to put his own stamp on the squad.
On that subject, there have also been concerns over the players Motherwell have lost this summer, with captain Declan Gallagher, midfielder Allan Campbell and top scorer Devante Cole all departing the scene and leaving a rather conspicuous void right through the spine of the team.
In saying that, Gallagher missed a fair chunk of football through injury last season, and Finnish international Juhani Ojala arrived this week to add some much-needed experience to the defence.
Up top, Kevin Van Veen and Kayne Woolery have been brought in to help Tony Watt, but the midfield remains an area of huge concern.
During pre-season and in the Premier Sports Cup group stage, Alexander went with a midfield three of Barry Maguire, Robbie Crawford and young Dean Cornelius, a trio of broadly similar attributes. Motherwell fans will be hoping that new signing from Southampton, Callum Slattery, will be the one who can get his foot on the ball and offer a forward pass to link with the attack.
Another accusation that has been levelled at this Motherwell side is that they are lacking in heart. And their derby record is the stick used to beat them in that regard.
Remarkably, Motherwell shipped nine points to relegated Hamilton Accies last season, with a 3-0 defeat away and a 4-1 home drubbing included. Although, they did manage to scrap their way to a crucial 1-0 victory in the final game between the pair at the FOYS Stadium that all-but secured their Premiership safety.
If Alexander thought that result would put those accusations of a soft centre to bed though, the astonishingly poor performance in the recent League Cup defeat to main rivals Airdrie – League One opponents – set alarm bells ringing loud and clear once more.
At this stage of the season, shock results can happen, and Motherwell still progressed to the last 16 as winners of their group. But it was the manner of the defeat in Airdrie, where the team were completely outfought, that was hugely concerning.
One major plus for Motherwell though this summer was the permanent signing of Liam Kelly on a three-year deal from Queens Park Rangers, after the former Livingston keeper hugely impressed during his loan at the club in the second half of last season.
As well as his undoubted attributes as a goalkeeper, Kelly’s leadership skills will be hugely valuable to a side who have lost the likes of Gallagher and Campbell, and along with new skipper Stephen O’Donnell, he will be one of the main voices on the pitch for Alexander’s team.
“I want excitement,” said Alexander. “I want positivity, I want people to believe and to be optimistic.
“That’s how I am and that’s how I want my players to be. I don’t want to dampen people’s spirits but we all understand the difficulties and challenges that Motherwell face, year in and year out, competing against big clubs.
“I don’t want to dampen anyone’s excitement about the start of the season.”
Despite those words, the Motherwell supporters will no doubt be tempering their optimism ahead of their opening game against Hibernian tomorrow with a healthy dollop of trepidation.
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