The reference to tennis is understandable. The game flowed from end to and both teams could have scored more than once. Higdon should still be blushing following his inability to give a fitting finish to Murphy’s spectacular saunter through the St Mirren defence in the first half and Jamie will regret the direction he chose for his second half header from the six yard line. The visitors rattled the bar when McLean’s long range effort deceived Randolph and McGowan should have burst the net when he rounded our ‘keeper in front of the Saints’ travelling support.
Any neutrals who forked out £22 for the privilege of shivering at Fir Park would have been entertained by the goal mouth action but what about the quality on show? Both teams are due credit for their attempts to keep the ball on the deck and some phases of play were pleasing on the eye. At the same time too many periods of possession broke down because of poor control or inadequate technique. The groans that followed needless wayward passes from both teams were a major part of the soundtrack.
Still, we have to understand that if sparkling skills were a regular feature of any of the twenty two who lined up at the start of the game then the chances are that they would be playing at a so called ‘higher level’ (code for a richer league). The inability of SPL teams to compete on financial terms with our neighbours south of the border makes any comparison with the endless diet of top class football available on TV unfair, yet the reality is that our clubs have still to produce a strategy that will ensure a healthy SPL.
From Motherwell’s point of view we’ve taken eight points from the last four games and that pattern will guarantee a fine season.