Motherwell face
Hearts at Fir Park on Sunday afternoon hoping to end a barren run.
The first
cycle of league fixtures is almost complete and Motherwell sit only a point
above bottom. The early hope that came
with a bright start to the season has faded as fans come to terms with the
significant weakening of the squad over the summer window.
Alfred
Johansson had looked forward to the recent three week international break as an
opportunity to spend precious time on the training pitch. His newly formed group had an intense
introduction and contained a host of injured players.
A lack
lustre showing against Celtic was followed by a careless loss at Rugby Park as
the winless run stretched to five. Few
‘Well fans anticipate a surprise revival against last season’s runner-up.
One
positive note from the defeat in Kilmarnock was contribution of Tawanda
Maswanhise. He looked much more like the
free flowing attacker of last season than was evident in the opening spell of
this campaign and if Motherwell are to take anything from Sunday’s game it is
likely through his efforts.
Hearts
suffered a horrific defeat at Parkhead last week and have to cope with a Thursday
meeting away to Trabzonspor before they can concentrate on the game in
Lanarkshire. There will be little sympathy
in the corridors of Fir Park for the short recovery time afforded to the
visitors.
Like their
hosts Hearts had a change of manager in the summer and Belgian Wouter Vrancken
is now in charge. Five league wins and a
draw have them at third place in the table.
Calvin
Miller, James Wilson and Claudio Braga lead their scoring table and the home
defence will have to show some improvement if Alex Paulsen’s goal is to be
protected.
There is
likely to be no lack of effort from the Steelmen but the odds favour a sixth
straight defeat, 1-3.
