He bemoaned the concession of “two poor goals” in the first half and declared that the performance was not good enough. We were also two down at the break in the previous game at Tannadice. John Sutton was offered up to give the players’ perspective and he made no excuses while giving St Johnstone credit for their win.
For the Motherwell support in the 1,892 crowd there was that awful feeling that sometimes becomes evident in the first few minutes of a game. The home side was full of energy and attacking intent and we were forced to the back foot. We were unable to hold the ball and every tackle seemed to set up another wave of blue shirts pressing in and around our box. Clearances simply delivered the ball to the Saints' defenders and the cycle repeated.
While the two goals conceded were defensive horrors, it looked inevitable that St Johnstone would find the net such was their domination of the game. Nielsen will not enjoy reruns of his poor handling of May’s 30 shot that led to McKay’s opener and both Hammell and McManus can share the blame for allowing McKay and unchallenged header of a routing cross.
McCall knows that he needs to freshen up the team and suggested that might happen but he also pointed out that the small squad limited his options. Shirkie made his debut when Anier was subbed ten minutes from the end and new boy Reid had a decent shift at right back although he completed the match with a heavily strapped wrist having come off for treatment.
It’s now time for the much trumpeted spirit of the squad to play its part in stopping the rot. We face Hearts at Fir Park on Saturday and the possibility of a third consecutive loss, unless the fighting spirit McCall calls for is apparent.
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