Aberdeen 48h on - Positive!

The first half was entirely dominated by Motherwell and we carved out several chances. McFadden twice came close, Partridge was robbed and while the penalty was soft, we deserved a break for our good play. We could easily have been two or three clear at half time. Aberdeen had hardly escaped from their own half in the first period and Butcher would have been delighted at half time.

Happy day!

The Dons started the second half well but their goal was fortunate in the extreme. Woods was in position to make the save until the ball took an outrageous bobble – flukes of that nature can’t be anticipated and we were very unlucky.

The Dons obviously received a big lift and put pressure on us but we managed to fight our way back into the game. We seemed to have weathered the storm and were beginning to attack again as the end approached. Lehmann was unlucky to shoot over at full stretch – another inch and he would have had the winner. When we were pushing forward, we were hit on the break and lost a goal. This was disappointing but it was always a risk when you go for the win as the game comes to a close.

We have been playing well and creating chances all season. Half a dozen really young players have been blooded and we have discovered a few treasures. We have one in the current international squad and another two in the U21 team. The Rangers’ game will be hard, but a good performance will lift our confidence. If we do well going forward, we might begin to believe that we are not a one-man team and we can create chances without Faddy.

After the Rangers game, we have two very winnable matches. Livingston and Partick Thistle are both, quite frankly, mince, and we are very capable of beating them. Six points from the pair and we are looking very safe indeed. Livingston should not have beaten us on the opening day and the Jags failed to beat us when we were at our lowest point. We should be confident going into these matches.

Same score against Rangers will do!

For those faint hearts who complain that we are on the way down, just remember the woeful displays which the team were producing last season. No spirit, no effort or flair. Now a team desperate to succeed entertains us. They deserve our support, not criticism.

Let’s see the home support ‘Stand up for the Motherwell’ the next time we take the field at Fir Park.