Alexander
Penalty denies new Well boss a winning start
Graham Alexander believes noise from the sidelines denied him a victory in his first match as Motherwell manager.
The Steelmen looked on course to beat St Mirren when referee Bobby Madden awarded the home side a penalty kick.
Alexander reckoned that shouting from the Buddies’ dug-out was influential in persuading the whistler to make the award.
He said: “I think we’ve been harshly dealt with at the penalty. I thought it was coming a little bit because there was an influence.
“There was a lot of noise on virtually every challenge – and I mean every challenge.
“I’ve seen the incident back and it’s a limited touch, if any at all.
“I feel for our guys because I don’t feel they deserved to score against us.
“I think it was Bevis Mugabe who was penalised but honestly, I’ve watched it back and you can hardly see anything.”
Alexander was smart enough not to directly criticise Madden. He doesn’t want to be handing over a portion of his first pay packet to settle a fine.
He added: “I am not going to talk about the referee. He managed the game well and did what he could.”
Alexander was, however, pleased with the response he got from his new players.
Fans were asking if former Fir Park boss Stephen Robinson had lost the dressing room.
On the evidence of this performance, the answer would seem to be yes, he had.
Whether this more energetic and focused play from the men in claret and amber persists remains to be seen.
The famous new manager ‘bounce’ was clear to see.
Players who just a week ago looked well off the pace were suddenly bright and sharp.
Alexander encouraged them to push up the pitch, with firsttime passes the order of the day. All very different from the rather laborious build-up in Motherwell’s recent outings.
Also noticeable was the input of Alexander’s long-time assistant Chris Lucketti.
He made regular trips from the dug-out and issued instructions to the defenders.
Sorting out a porous backline is a big part of the job at Fir Park. St Mirren have been on a great run, but Motherwell made it hard for them.
They went hunting in packs for the ball and had the majority of first-half possession.
Saints might have settled better if Marcus Fraser had scored early on, but he shot wide from close range.
The Steelmen were quick to get crosses into dangerous areas and Tony Watt should have scored but sent his header straight at the goalie.
A deserved goal for the Lanarkshire men came when Watt headed down a cross and Devante Cole was quick to tuck the ball home.
St Mirren were a lot livelier after the interval, with new signing Eamonn ‘ The Wolf’ Brophy being introduced to form a two-man attack alongside Erwin.
Erhahon had a good chance to equalise just after the hour mark but pulled his shot wide.
Saint’s equaliser was tucked home from the penalty spot by Jamie Mcgrath.
Motherwell debutant Liam Kelly later did well to save a Durmus free-kick and Alnwick was equally sharp to push away a Mark O’hara dead-ball effort.
This Motherwell squad is definitely capable of producing more than they have.
Alexander will hope the big noise is all about improved results.