Alexander: We were great, despite defeat
DUNDEE UNITED...................................2 MOTHERWELL........................................1 Paul Thomson at Tannadice
Motherwell boss Graham Alexander insists the best team lost after turning in their finest performance of his tenure in the first half of their 2-1 defeat at Dundee United.
The Steelmen lost their third game on the spin when Charlie Mulgrew struck 13 minutes from time at Tannadice after Tony Watt’s penalty seven minutes earlier had cancelled out Ryan Edwards’ first-half opener.
Twice Motherwell switched off at the back post following costly set-pieces.
However, the Fir Park gaffer reckoned his side were on top form at Tannadice and insisted he enjoyed watching his side play for most of the match, with the first half display the best ‘Well have produced since he arrived in January.
Alexander said: “I thought the best team lost. I thought we were excellent.
“First half we were completely dominant, but one ball into the box we don’t defend well and we concede.
“Second half they came into a bit more and we were chasing it a little bit.
“We had to have a bit of composure and continue what we did in the first half, and we got the goal we deserved.
“I don’t think we’ve played as well as that in our other games.
“I thought the first half was the best we’ve played since I’ve been here, so we just wanted to try and replicate that in the second half.
“I know if we can keep performing like that we’ll win lots of games this season and lots of points.
“I was actually enjoying watching my team to play – apart from the result.
“We have to see what we can improve on in terms of set-pieces, but apart from that I’ll just be looking for a similar performance in upcoming games.”
For United’s first goal, Charlie Mulgrew whipped in a superb delivery to the back post, but skipper Stephen O’Donnell might feel he could have done better in tracking Edwards.
And for the winner, United were allowed to turn a free-kick back across goal for Mulgrew to nip in ahead of Nathan McGinley and poke home.
Alexander added: “There were little bits we could have done better in the second half, but I understand when you are chasing a goal you can leave yourselves open.
“When we were on level terms we controlled the game, but you have to go for it a bit. Even then, I can’t remember Liam [Kelly] making any real saves, but we’ve come out on the back of a defeat.”