Motherwell throw two late goals and lose to St Johnstone

[Footymad]

Motherwell's League Cup adventure ended at the first hurdle with a 2-1 loss to St Johnstone at Fir Park. - External Link

[seasideboy]

I am loathe to criticise a team I've supported for over 60 years but after today's debacle it's necessary. Firstly, can I get a ppv refund because I only saw one team try to play football? They were faster, fitter, more up for it, slicker....need I go on? We went ahead, against the run of play, with a well taken Watt goal and proceeded to gift them two goals through lack of commitment and concentration. Their main threats all came from O'Hallaron who left Lamie trailing the whole game ...when we actually stood close to him. He was free to run as he pleased all game. We won very, very few second or loose balls...they went as physical as they had to ....but we capitulated to easily. We looked jaded, lethargic and, worst of all, disinterested. Sad, sad, sad given other 'fancied' casualities who fell today. Great chance to progress blown away.

[Gowboy]

A very good summary seasideboy of a game that leaves me very frustrated. Like you I am a long time supporter (first visit to FP, 1961) and I do not like criticising players as long as they at least try and as long as they can show basic skill and endeavour. That was missing in chunks yesterday. I won't name individuals but the difference in closing down defenders who had the ball between our forwards and those of St Johnstone was very noticeable. As a result our efforts to move forward were disjointed and when we did get passes away that actually found a teammate, the basic lack of control time and again was appalling. The constant pass backs to our keeper or to a fellow defender were soul destroying to watch. Possession is great - but you have to do something constructive with it. O'Halloran showed how to use pace against a slower defender and our wingers/wide players should be shown a rerun video on a daily basis for the next two weeks. Saints had a game plan and executed it well. We did not appear to have a game plan other than tippy-tappy it at the back until forced to get rid of it quickly and hope one of our guys can then fashion something out of nothing. Outfought, outthought and outplayed.