Tangerines dent ‘Well Euro hopes
Ben Banks at Tannadice
Motherwell manager Graham Alexander says his side should have taken something from their narrow 1-0 loss to Dundee United - and European hopes are still alive.
Dylan Levitt’s goal in the first half extended the Steelmen’s winless Premiership run away from home, their last victory on the road coming against Aberdeen in November.
Overall, they’ve won just once in 15 league matches and have conceded first in 16 of their last 18 matches across all competitions.
But they came close to something in this affair with Ross Tierney and Kaiyne Woolery both cracking the woodwork in the first half.
They sit sixth and just a point off fifth-placed Ross County who occupy the final European position, while United are now four points ahead of Alexander’s side in fourth.
The 50-year-old said: “I thought we deserved something from the game, without a shadow of a doubt.
“We were unfortunate to go a goal down from nothing but the focus and the discipline of the players was excellent.
“We didn’t become disjointed and chase an equaliser too quickly. We were controlled and in the second half we had some great chances to score.
“We also had a couple of great chances to score before they got the opener. I was delighted with the players. They took on board what we were trying to do.
“The fine margins went against us but I can’t ask anymore from the players. I thought they were excellent.
“I thought the players did the best they could and that’s all we can ask for if we are going to get beat.
“If we get beat in a game, we stay together. We were just unlucky.”
A huge game away at Ross County now awaits Motherwell next weekend and the former Scotland international says a ‘great’ chance is still there for his players to take.
Alexander added: “Each game is tough but we have to be consistent with our mindset and take what we did today into next week’s game.
“It is still there for everyone - ourselves, Ross County and Dundee United.
“It is not guaranteed for anyone yet. There is still a great opportunity there for us.”
The ‘Well boss is hopeful of having some players back for the trip to Dingwall, along with a repeat of their Tayside performance.
Stephen O’Donnell, Nathan McGinley, Sondre Solholm, Liam Shaw and Jordan Roberts all missed out.
He added: “I spoke last week about being consistent in our mindset and how we approach things so we have to take what we did at Tannadice and take it into next week’s game and do our best.
“That’s what we did on Saturday. You can’t ask any more than that and I thought the players were excellent. I am really happy with them. I know sometimes things go against you, which they did, but I can’t ask any more from my players.
“I hope we can get some back but we can’t rush players along if they are going to break down again. It’s important that we look after players. But we had a very good team out there and a good bench as well. Everyone played their part.”