Well gaffer chasing widemen who can add goals to attack
Stephen Robinson hailed his new- look squad after their demolition of Linfield at Windsor Park – but admitted they still need some killer wingers.
The Steelmen ended their Northern Irish tour on a high, with goals from Chris Long, Peter Hartley and Jake Carroll sending their small pocket of supporters home happy.
But Robinson is still hoping to beef up his squad this week with wide players who can add some goals to his attack.
He said: “I still think we lack a little bit of a killer touch in wider areas of the pitch.
“I’m aware that I need to bring in two wide players to give us a little bit of pace and energy.
“We controlled large parts of the game, which was pleasing, especially as we had a few boys playing out of position.
“We’ll certainly be looking in the transfer market for a couple of wide players.
“James Scott is a brilliant young talent and good when he plays wide but his position is through the middle. We’ll be looking to do some business next week so hopefully, we can get one or possibly two in over the course of the next seven days.”
Robinson also revealed David Turnbull has returned to the club for surgery after his proposed moved to Neil Lennon’s Celtic broke down.
The 44-year-old added: “David can play right now and he can train right now.
“But something showed up on his medical scan. It ’s a strange situation because he is not in any pain.
“We have decided that preventative surgery is best for the boy. His health and his career must come first, ahead of any kind of money.
“We have a £3m player on our hands here, who will be out for a few months.
“But we’ll get David back to full fitness. There is no doubt about that.”
The Steelmen slipped in front inside 28 minutes – a gi f t wrapped present from Blues defender Mark Stafford.
Under pressure from new signing Long, he attempted to find goalkeeper Gareth Deane, but his backpass was woefully short and the striker was on hand to pounce.
Having danced past the sprawling goalie, the former Burnley and Fleetwood Town man lashed home from 12 yards, shooting under the legs of the covering Jimmy Callacher.
Robinson’s boys almost struck again 11 minutes before the interval as fel low new boy Jermaine Hylton whipped over a cross from the left that was just scooped over by Long.
Motherwell bagged a second just two minutes af ter the restar t . Chr is Casement needlessly hauled down flying ing Hylton on the left.
Liam Polworth then fizzedd in a menacing free kick, whichich skipper Hartley got up aboveove everyone else to power homeme with a flick of his head.
It could have got even worse orse for the Blues af ter Jimmy my Callacher had f lattened Long ong with a late crunching challenge nge to concede a free-kick.
Liam Donnelly smashed in the set-piece and it came back off the post with substitute goalkeeper per Alex Moore beaten.
But the ruthless Fir Park side wrapped it up on 68 minutes tes when Callacher again conceded ded a free kick on the edge of the box by taking down Danny Johnston. ton.
This time, Carroll steppedd up to curl a wonderful shot past ast Moore and cap a great workout out for Robinson’s side.