We have player four, won one, lost three, scored two and conceded six, yet the manager can still see an upside. "We're not too far away, we're on the upward curve. If we play like that, more often than not we'll get three points", he said after the match.
At the same time he was frustrated at the faults that led to Aberdeen's two goals. He described our failure to defend set pieces as our Achilles heel. Of the second goal, which had the two number fives competing for the ball he said, "We must be stronger in these one v one situations". It would appear that the main training task for the week ahead has already been identified.
The manager offers some advice
The international break arrives at the beginning of September. Before that we play St Johnstone in Perth then Kilmarnock come to Fir Park. Both of those teams are below us in the table, albeit by only one point. It's a fair assumption that Motherwell will not be challenging at the top end of the league therefore an added importance rests with those clashes against our competitors in the lower half. The manager will find it hard to say anything positive if we lose those two, indeed in that situation we would likely be in possession of bottom place.
The break also provides a slot for the club to pay tribute to Keith Lasley. His benefit match is to be held on Saturday 5 September with Bolton Wanderers providing the opposition. Tickets (£10/£5) are already available at the ticket office or at the gate on the day. Kick off is 3pm.