It’s hard to avoid the old cliché ‘a game of two halves’ when describing Saturday’s match. Both managers agreed that St Mirren had the better of the first half while Motherwell dominated the second. Randolph produced some excellent saves in the opening period while Samson was the home hero later when he kept them in the game.
Rear of the year?
We were awarded four yellow cards by the referee and that will cost us before long. Several of our first team squad are very close to the six point threshold and an enforced holiday. Jennings’ caution for a moan at the official was not what we needed.
The news that our chasers failed to make ground put a shine on the result and it confirms the view that it is a point gained rather that a couple lost. Three wins and two draws from the last five outings is a decent return rate.
Congratulations are due to Henrik for winning the Clydesdale bank Young Player of the Month award. He caused the St Mirren defence a few problems in the second half and might have scored a late winner with his final shot. It can't be easy for a 20 year old to cope with the press and fan frenzy that has descended on him in the last few weeks. To his credit it would appear that he is adopting a level headed approach and he has been generous in his acknowledgement that the manager and his team mates have been an important part of his success.
Hearts have to visit Fir Park on Saturday for a league game that will have an important part to play in sorting out the European places. We have a six point advantage (and a game in hand) at the moment and it would be a good day's work if that margin is not reduced by this time next week. As McCall has stated in his weekly email to supporters -
"Your support can be like a 12th man for us – we’ve seen that in numerous games this season. The support, particularly at the last three home matches, has been noisy, positive and encouraging and that has filtered onto the players on the pitch.
We need every Motherwell fan who can attend next week to get along and cheer on the team. I can assure you this squad of players will do their upmost to win and entertain – they have been a pleasure to work with and as I’ve said before, everyone pulling together can help us achieve our goals."
Well said Stuart - now we have to play our part.