Fight on to make it Wright
MOTHERWELL 4-4-2 4-3-3
ST JOHNSTONE
The French striker has had to wait four months for his top-team bow at Fir Park but took just 13 minutes to seal a thumping win over Saints.
Former PSG kid Manzinga added to goals from Devante Cole, Peter Hartley and Jake Carroll as Well cemented their place in fourth spot.
That showed the 24-year-old is fit and raring to go after injury issues blighted his early days with the Steelmen.
Delighted boss Robinson said: “It was fantastic for Christy to get off the mark because he hadn’t been fit and has waited a long time for that chance.
“His understanding of the game can be quite naive at times but he has raw attributes and hopefully he’ll prove to be another good find.”
Manzinga’s cool finish in the final minute put the trimmings on a Fir Park feast.
Saints made a reasonable start but their Achilles heel of poor defending soon took hold, although the opening goal in 29 minutes was superbly crafted and finished.
Centre-back Hartley fizzed a pass into Chris Long’s feet.
The striker released Jermaine
Hylton, who put Anthony Ralston on his backside before hanging up a far-post cross for Cole to meet with a downward header beyond Zander Clark from six yards.
Four minutes after half-time, Hartley’s powerful header from a Liam Polworth corner eluded a clutch of bodies in the box to nestle in the net.
Motherwel l had assumed total control and any semblance of vision from Cole would have seen him play e i ther A l lan Campbel l or Long through on Clark instead of wasting the openings.
It was almost costly as, at the other end, Matty Kennedy hit the side-netting and Ali McCann flashed a header over.
It was a brief Saints flurry but they just couldn’t defend high balls into their box and Well’s third 18 minutes from time came from a familiar route.
Declan Gallagher rose this time at the far post to meet a
Polworth delivery with a header which bounced against a post and, as defenders stood static, Carroll gobbled up the rebound from close range.
It was his first goal for the club since signing from Cambridge.
Manzinga completed the scoring as al l three subs combined to good effect.
James Scott broke clear and chipped a pass to Mark O’Hara which the midfielder headed into the path of Manzinga.
The striker calmly took a touch before slotting b e yond a n exposed Clark.
Robinson sa id: “La s t week we were not ruthless enough. This week it’s the total opposite. “We were ruthless when the opportunities arose and some of the defending was very good when it needed to be.
“Jake Carroll and Mark O’Hara’s headers at the end showed that they were al l determined to keep a clean sheet and that’s what wins you football matches.
“It’s a strange game as we’ve played a lot better than that.
“I thought the whole day was
Had no major calls to make and was able to keep his cards in his pocket for most of the match, which is always good to see.
He was always up with play and let it flow where possible. Was helped out by both sets of players and will be delighted with his overall performance. No issues. 8/10.
EUAN ANDERSON:
flat, the crowd was flat and we were flat.
“We weren’t at our best but still controlled the game.
“I can’t remember Saints having a real opportunity so it’s really pleasing when you know you can play better than that and still win.”
The victory was even more impressive given illness had hung around the squad in the build-up. The Well boss added: “There has been a sickness bug and a cold going about.
“A few of the boys felt a bit under the weather and you could see that in our sharpness and decision-making.
“Maybe 4- 0 flatters us a little bit but we were in control of the game and when we needed to defend we did that well.”
Superb overall show from the Motherwell defender who was in great form at both ends of the pitch.
He scored a goal, had a hand in two more of them and helped his side earn a well deserved clean sheet. An excellent day’s work for the big man.
Tommy Wright claims it’s a fight to stay afloat until he finds a January defensive lifeline to buoy survival hopes at St Johnstone.
The Perth gaffer was left with a familiar sinking feeling as his team shipped four dreadful goals.
After seeing his backline fail to deal with basic balls into the box the Saints boss wants to add recruits to his rearguard in next month’s transfer window.
Wright, whose side remain rock bottom, said: “It’s frustrating but until we get some experience then they are just going to have to deal with it.
“It’s not that they can’t do it, they just don’t do it often enough. But I have to be patient and stick with them as this is what we’ve got until January.
“We counted seven decent balls into our box and we lost every header