Andy Paton remains the only Motherwell captain to lift the League Cup.
It has been 75 years since a 3-0 win over Hibs brought the trophy to Fir Park. The wait goes on.
Saturday’s defeat to St Mirren did not reveal this Motherwell team at its best. A decent opening quarter ended with the loss of a goal following a corner. The ball fell nicely to Mikael Mandron and he made the best of the opportunity.
A cruel defection and an excellent finish from Dan Nlundulu gave the Steelmen a two goal deficit at the break. Motherwell lost their rhythm in the second period as they pushed forward in ever more rushed attacks. A glimmer of hope came with Callum Hendry’s late goal but St Mirren ran out as comfortable winners.
The shaky journey through the group stage in July saw newly installed manager Jens Berthel Askou implement a new playing style. ‘Well fans behind the goal at Douglas Park in the opening game of the season feared the worst when Clyde opened the scoring with a long range lob over the stranded Callim Ward. The notion of the ‘keeper playing as an auxiliary sweeper took some time to sink home.
The group was won and narrow knockout successes over St Johnstone and Aberdeen followed. Meanwhile the team began to receive widespread praise for the refreshing passing game that typically began with the goalie and centre backs playing out from the area.
Askou’s first defeat arrived in game thirteen of the season and that required an added time goal from Celtic at Parkhead. It was a remarkable and praiseworthy start for the new manager – and for the players who adopted and adapted to his vision.
Saturday’s loss was a disappointment but with any luck it will be seen as a lesson on the road to a successful campaign. The team is in the top half of the table with the first round of league fixtures almost complete and it's offering entertaining football to boot.
The draw for the fourth round of the Scottish Cup is not far away. Might that be the start of another trip to Hampden?
