What we learned from defeat in Dingwall
Motherwell’s first-half performance will have alarm bells ringing among the Fir Park faithful, but their improvement in the second half provides some encouragement for the rest of the campaign.
Here is what we learned from Motherwell’s opener.
Lang’s debut to forget
Motherwell fans will be hoping Callum Lang’s display in Dingwall isn’t a sign of things to come.
The striker, on loan from Wigan, climbed off the bench to try and get them back in to the game, but he missed a glaring opportunity with a free header and should have done better with an earlier effort before his red card extinguished their hopes.
With a decent goals return from loans moves to Morecambe, Oldham and Shrewsbury, Robinson will be hoping this was just down to ring-rust.
Sluggish Steelmen
Robinson stated post-match that his side created enough chances to win TWO games and it will be the big concern that they couldn’t take any of them.
One shot on target from 15 attempts is simply not good enough for a side crowned the best of the rest outside the Old Firm last season. Motherwell looked off the pace in pre-season and they still seemed a yard off it at times, particularly in the first half.
Given seven attacking players – Hastie, Long, Lang, Watt, White, Seedorf and Turnbull – all got a chance and barely tested Ross Laidlaw, it will pose a selection headache ahead of Dundee United’s visit.
McGinley shows promise
The left-back, who made the leap to the Premiership from English League Two outfit Forrest Green Rovers, looked assured in possession.
Much better in the second-half, he was one of Motherwell’s few performers alongside goalkeeper Trevor Carson and substitute Sherwin Seedorf on a frustrating night.
There’s more to come from the Englishman.
Slow starts continue
Watching the Steelmen struggle to get their season off to a flier has been commonplace under Robinson, with the gaffer yet to win in the opening round of fixtures in four campaigns with the club.
Last season Motherwell only picked up a point in their first two games, yet went on to claim a European place and hold third spot for much of the season.
It’s very early days and there is plenty of talent in the squad to suggest another successful campaign.