I NEED THE LOU
Well boss faces edgy few days as in-demand striker puts on a show
Stephen Robinson admits he faces a nervous five-day wait praying no one sneaks Louis Moult through the narrowing gap in the transfer window.
Motherwell’s star striker once again showed why he’s tipped to attract interest from rivals with a classy finish that floored Hearts and possibly caretaker boss Jon Daly’s hopes of landing the job long term.
Make no mistake, Well were worthy of their win despite having to battle back from a goal down as Ryan Bowman cancelled out Kyle Lafferty’s half-hour opener inside seven minutes.
Then came the moment of magic four minutes before the break when Moult steered a cultured side-footed lob from the edge of the box over a helpless Jack Hamilton to bulge his far top corner.
It was a piece of sublime skill worthy of winning any game but it would have been a far more comfortable climax to this Fir Park clash had Moult not seen a second goal controversially disallowed by referee John Beaton on the hour.
Television pictures proved inconclusive on whether Moult’s header had crossed the line before Christophe Berra – standing inside his goal – nodded the ball away.
However, those wearing claret and amber were convinced the goal should have stood.
What remains indisputable, though, is that classy first-half strike – Moult’s landmark 40th for the club – is bound to catch the eye of rival managers.
Having already knocked back two bids from Aberdeen in this transfer window and amid rumours Rangers are showing an interest too, it’s fair to say Thursday’s midnight deadline can’t come soon enough for Fir Park boss Robinson.
He said: “I’d love to be in the position where we’re bidding for other players but that’s not the case I’m afraid.
“I cannot control what others do. My focus is on Motherwell and there has been no contact with regards to Louis. As far as I’m concerned he’ll be here until the end of the season at least. But again I cannot dictate what other clubs may do.
“Louis has said he won’t sign a new contract at this stage – that doesn’t mean he won’t sign completely.
“He knows I want him to stay. Finances might not allow that to happen but I believe we are building something here and I want him to be part of it.
“We earned the win – we worked extremely hard. We went one goal down but our
heads didn’t go down and we created the better chances.
“It showed the character in the side the way we came back.
“There’s a lot of confidence here at the moment. That’s seven wins out of nine – people forget about the League Cup run.
“It could have been easier if Louis’ second goal had stood. I’ve not seen it and until they give the referees help no one will know.
“I’ve said before the referees need help and this underlines it. It’s impossible to make those decisions at that kind of speed.” While the case for goalline technology once again came to the fore, the spotlight will also now fall on the Jambos’ next move when it comes to the appointment of a permanent manager.
Daly has done well since being put in caretaker charge earlier this month, taking four points from their first four Premiership games.
But this was undoubtedly a dent in his case to be given the nod ahead of former Tynecastle players Paul Hartley and Steven Pressley when the final decision is made this week. Every manager preaches the importance of getting the first goal.
So it would have been frustrating for Daly to watch his players lose the momentum they had whipped up with Lafferty’s 30thminute opener, the Nor t hern I r ishman’s f irst league goal in maroon.
Catching the Wel l defence asleep as they criminally stood off and watched him stroll towards the 25 yard-mark unchallenged, Laf ferty could scarcely have believed his luck to be given so much time and space to rap a low shot inside Trevor Carson’s right corner. But the tables were soon turned as Motherwell set about reclaiming the initiative when Moult headed on Richard Tait’s searching cross and Bowman stooped to nod home his first goal at Fir Park.
What a huge thrill to score in front of his home crowd after a year at the club.
But his limelight was to last all of four minutes until Moult upstaged his fellow striker with a delightful finish.
Bowman had another chalked off for offside from a free- kick halfway through the second period but Well clung on to make it back-to-back wins.