It has been a common grouse over the years that our managers have been reluctant to make decisive substitutions and that when changes are made they happen too late to offer a realistic chance of success. Jimbo's half time gamble made an instant difference.
The easy-going attacks of the first half were replaced with pace and urgency. There was more goal threat on Main's goal in the first ten minutes of the second period that was seen in the first forty five minutes.
The average age of the team was less than twenty one. Suddenly Hammell became the senior man in the team by four years. Reynolds and Coke were next in line aged twenty three.
Ruddy (22)
Hammell (27)
Reynolds (23)
Hutchison (18)
Hateley (19)
Coke (23)
Forbes (19)
Humphrey (20)
McHugh (18)
Murphy(19)
O'Brien (21)
Kilmarnock are the visitors to the new pitch at Fir Park next Saturday but it is unlikely that we'll start with the same eleven who finished against St Johnstone. Still, the progress of the youngsters will ensure that we'll have a few teenagers in the team.
One of the joys of supporting Motherwell is that we have the satisfaction of seeing new talent emerge and develop. It might be that the next few years will see the emergence of several who, eventually, will command a decent fee to keep the club in a healthy financial state.