The manager struck the correct tone in his post match comments by pointing out the benefit of having a high profile game coming up on Wednesday. If the team can recover some of their recent form then, regardless of the next result, we should be able to face the Dundee United game with confidence.
For the first time in several outings our central defensive pair struggled to cope with a pair of big strikers. Barrett and Higdon in particular seemed to win most of the high balls. It was hardly a surprise to see the number eleven get his head to a far post cross to score their first goal. McGhee's long held view that we need a more commanding centre back will have been reinforced. The transfer window opens next week.
The crowd was a disappointing 5241. Although a dip in attendance is common on the last shopping Saturday before Christmas it was not unreasonable to hope that the chance to see Motherwell equal a seventy year old record might have tempted a few more locals to turn up. Those who were present hardly raised a cheer all afternoon.
Mark McGhee suggested that last week's frozen pitches had interfered with the normal training routine. His tone suggests that there could be a few hard sessions before the Boxing Day visit to Ibrox. Keep off the mince pies lads!