The view expressed by Mark McGhee, "them winning 1-0 was just about the balance of the game", was likely to be unique among the 8,888 who attended the game. Although we showed some improvement in the second half that was as much due to the opposition missing a beat as to our renewed effort. We were soundly beaten.
The manager "learned a lot" about his players from this first game and he will now have some idea of the task ahead. His post-match interview suggests that there will be many hours on the training field before next week's game in Aberdeen.
With little opportunity to change personnel in the short term McGhee has to be given time to find how best to deploy his players. The sight of Laing in midfield raised more than a few eyebrows but the manager heaped praise on his second half performance. That may give an indication of future plans. Moult did not look comfortable in the wide right position but he was not the only one who failed to look comfortable in possession.
Results elsewhere were mixed from a Motherwell perspective. Kilmarnock hopped us but there would be no tears shed at another loss for Dundee United. We have now played every team in the league and hold tenth place. If we can still be there at the end of the season there will be a few sighs of relief down Fir Park way.