Well have shown some style to go with their steel
PERFORMANCE REVIEW
Pound for pound, arguably the best of the lot.
With Hearts, Hibs and, to a lesser extent, Aberdeen, all having had their issues, Stephen Robinson’s men have taken advantage to muscle their way into the Premiership’s top three.
And given the fact their wage bill is much lower than any of the moreestablished trio, that is of considerable credit to the Fir Park manager.
Better still, they have done so with an eye-catching brand of attacking football.
In a throwback to the club’s swashbuckling style of Mark McGhee’s first season of 2007-08, Well regularly favour a front three.
Then it was Ross McCormack, Chris Porter and David Clarkson who gave opposition defences a torrid time.
This season it’s three from four of Chris Long, Jermaine Hylton, James Scott and Devante Cole, with all able to interchange positions.
Cole is back at Wigan, who have recalled him from his loan, but Robinson is bullish about bringing another frontman to replace him in the window.
STAR MAN
Declan Gallagher has been an outstanding pick-up from Livingston.
Strong, great in the air, composed on the ball, the 28-year-old has done a terrific job helping Well cope with the loss of defensive leader, Charles Dunne, out since September with a groin injury.
His form was not missed by Scotland, with Steve Clarke giving him his debut in the win in Cyprus, keeping him in the team for the home game against Kazakhstan.
The initial selection may have been slightly unexpected. But his assured displays have marked him out as a leading contender to fill one of the centraldefensive positions when the country tackle Israel in the Nations League Playoff semi-final in March.
To ensure he remains in contention for inclusion, he will have to maintain his form at club level, which is good news for Motherwell.
PROSPECTS
Simple – get David Turnbull fit.
The midfielder was Scottish football’s Young Player of the season last year, scoring 16 goals in 34 appearances.
A £3.5-million move to Celtic collapsed when the player’s medical highlighted a knee issue.
He was sent for remedial surgery and has been in rehab. But that is near complete, with a return expected in the next few weeks.
And, as well as the Steelmen have done in the middle of the pitch, that should make a big difference.
Robinson recently acknowledged as much when revealing Turnbull had confided his fears he would struggle to get back in the team, so good had their form been.
“I told him not to worry. Space can always be found for a topquality player,” said Robinson.