Neither is our poor form any comfort to the manager. In recent times he’s become adept at handling the praise that flows from leading his team of high achievers. We’re used to him extolling the exploits of his charges and taking time to throw some comforting crumbs to the losing side.
Come on guys!
Nowadays McCall carries the demeanour of a manager in charge of a struggling team. Gone is the bouncy smile and the occasional off the cuff joke. Instead he uses the mantra relied upon by many in his position – “Confidence plays a big part in football and the only way we get that back is by winning games. It's just hard work, no magic formula it's hard work, dedication, organisation and individuals playing as well as they possibly can.”
Perhaps the manager’s involvement with the international squad is a blessing in disguise. Could it be that instead of the risk of a staleness developing after an intense fortnight together, there might be a freshness in attitude when he takes up the reins after the break? We’ll grasp at any straw in the hope that the tide turns!
The players will have an uncomfortable two weeks to kill before they have a chance to turn the tide when Dundee visit Fir Park on 18 October. It may be that we’ll need to win that fixture to avoid sinking further and with a stiff run of games to follow the pressure is on (Aberdeen, St Johnstone, Dundee United, Inverness and Celtic). The Dundee game will be our last from over a month with three Friday night meetings filling the gap.
It’s been a few years since Motherwell have flirted with the dangerous depths of the table (we finished 10th in 2006/7) and many of our new found fans have yet to experience the frightening frustrations that a close shave with the drop can bring. We are far from that at the moment but unless a spark can be found there may be troubled times ahead.