It is an astonishing and embarrassing achievement that has grown over the past few seasons. Motherwell scored 56 goals last season and in our number was the top scorer in the country – but not at Parkhead. The previous season brought us 49 goals, again, none at Celtic Park.
We don’t display the same reluctance to score when we face them at Fir Park. We enjoyed 2-1 and 3-1 wins last season and in the longer view we normally breach their defence more often than not. It seems to matter little what manager is in charge or what players we have in the squad. The habit of behaving like lambs to the slaughter is passed from one Motherwell team to the next.
Doggy mascots
Saturday’s display was fairly typical. We set up our stall with a lone striker and hoped that stout defending would keep us in the game. We were pinned back for long spells and it was hardly a surprise to see us lose a goal in each half.
Our best spell followed Anier’s introduction and we matched them for the last half hour. By then the damage had been done and in the end we were fortunate to keep the deficit to two.
The fixture list has us back for another try in the middle of January. It would be a refreshing change to see us ‘have a go’. It’s blindingly obvious that we have no success with the containing strategy and that we have some success at home when we face them with a positive attitude. It must be time to be more adventurous. Let’s make it a New Year’s resolution to go on the attack at the next opportunity.