The defeat on Saturday at the hands of our mid-table rivals was a big blow to our top six ambition. Maintaining a healthy distance from the relegation zone will be the task for the rest of the campaign.
The manager probably caused more than a few Motherwell fans to raise an eyebrow with his post match analysis that included the claim that "It's probably the best we have played in terms of possession and our quality of play."
A rare throw-in from the TV gantry
There's no doubt that we had most of the possession especially in the second half but that was largely due to Kilmarnock stringing five defenders across the park as they shut up shop. Regardless of the "quality of our play" the fans in the Cooper Stand never saw MacDonald forced into a decent save. Too many in claret and amber had an off-day.
The players worked hard but there was no creative spark. Our attacks were routine and predictable, a mixture of long balls to the ever willing Main or hopeful lobs into the box. Robinson said, "I've been told we put 30 crosses into the box and 12 corners..", but for the most part the Kilmarnock defence soaked them up untroubled.
Eliott Frear completed his first 90 minutes of the year but he has still some way to go to reach the level that allows him to outpace his marker. Ryan Bowman, complete with face protection, was given 20 minutes as we struggled to find an equaliser. It was his first outing since December and a first chance for match experience with Main.
Nadir Ciftci has yet to justify his place in the team. The jury must delay judgement a while but an improvement in the next few games will be needed if he is to win over the home stands.
We face Dundee (a) and Aberdeen (h) before the cup tie with Hearts. Something better than a nil return will be needed to give us hope in the knockout.