Licensed to thrill – but van Veen pays penalty
DUNDEE UNITED 0
Motherwell boss Stevie Hammell is delighted the Fir Park fans are cock-a-hoop that his team has been given a licence to thrill.
But he admitted that a slightly less-thrilling performance that resulted in a victory would have been his ideal outcome.
The Steelmen are displaying a style that is a lot more creative than the one employed by former manager Graham Alexander.
Hammell is encouraging his men to show more bravery going forward and the supporters are lapping it up.
He said: “I don’t think there was a lot between this game and the one against Inverness in midweek that we won comfortably.
“I enjoyed watching us play, but I’d rather we’d played not so well and won 1-0.
“There needs to be an element of entertainment to football.
“We have a bit of responsibility to the people
who come and watch us play to make sure they enjoy watching us.
“It’s more difficult to play this way. It’s brave.”
Questions uppermost in Motherwell fans’ minds, like why both sides were wearing away strips, were forgotten as they munched a half-time pie.
How on earth could the score be 0-0 at the break? That was the main talking point.
Their favourites had enjoyed 70% of the possession in a 45-minute period where they battered the visitors’ defence, failed to convert a penalty and created more chances that some sides do in a month.
Kevin van Veen, who could easily have had a first-half hat-trick, was the man who saw his spot-kick saved by United goalie Eriksson.
That will have been a big boost for the Finland international – one he needed after conceding nine against Celtic last Sunday.
Van Veen also headed over from the middle of the goalmouth and grazed the crossbar with a vicious shot after being well set up by Tierney.
The penalty award seemed to take both sides by surprise.
Edwards had just done well to head a McGinn effort off the line but the referee decided he handled when the ball was played back into the box.
Fir Park favourite Louis
Moult made an appearance on the pitch before kick-off to mark his arrival on a seasonlong loan from Burton Albion.
The 30-year-old wasn’t stripped for action but he looked happy to be back when he emerged to the sound of Louie Louie by the Kingsmen.
Another former player did not get such a warm welcome.
Tony Watt was booed from the time his name was first announced until Dundee United replaced him with Glenn Middleton on the hour.
United had a little more of the play in the second half but only a little.
The Steelmen continued to put the Tangerines’ rearguard under pressure but ultimately the game showed why Moult has been brought back to Lanarkshire.
Statistics show that if Van Veen doesn’t score, his teammates toil to make up for his failure to hit the net.
The Dutchman was sure he had finally broken the deadlock six minutes from time but his shot on the turn was deflected just wide by Edwards.
Moult’s signing looked an even smarter move by Hammell when the final whistle was blown.
The manager explained his lack of training meant he wasn’t involved but he hopes the Englishman will have a big part to play over the season.