Motherwell 1 vs. Rangers 1 Sept. 30 2007

“WELL” UNDER PAR


Is the consistency under threat? Do we take our eye off the ball before the big games come round? Walter has a bit of work to do to iron out our away form as once more points have been dropped on our travels.
The result and subsequent dropped points is all the more painful as we just managed to regain top spot in the league last week. There was only the one change from that game as Boyd game in for Cousin who is suffering from a slight niggle. On paper it looked a strong physical line up, especially in midfield but this may have played right into Motherwell’s hands as they played a very swift pass and move game that unsettled our defence and sliced right through our midfield. The pace was a problem for us and is another area that we need to sort out.
Just to add insult to injury though, quite literally, Jean Claude limped off, which is a huge blow as he would have been pretty much a certainty for Tuesdays Champions League tie. Lets hope he over comes the injury in time.


Today’s team: -

McGregor: - Had more to do in the first half than he would have anticipated and dealt with most things well. Was let down by his defence for the goal and couldn’t really be blamed for the outcome.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Hutton: - Never got the chance to dominate the right hand side as he has been used to as he was kept well entertained by his opposite number. Did manage the odd burst forward but to no avail.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Cuellar: - Was booked early on and that set the scene for the rest of his game. He did come more onto a game and spent a lot of time covering back in for Weir.
Rmed Verdict: - 5

Weir: - Struggled to cope with the pacey attack and was all too often dragged out of position. It doesn’t suit him at all when the ball is played at place along the deck.
Rmed Verdict: - 5

Papac: - Like the rest of his defence, the trickery and speed was a problem for him. He also needs to sort out his distribution, which was poor to say the least.
Rmed Verdict: - 5


Whitaker: - He is still living off the reputation of his first game. I don’t think I can remember one bit of quality possession or passing from him in today’s game. He needs to improve, and quick.
Rmed Verdict: - 5

Bazza: - The game passed him by, quite literally, as we passed it over his head and they passed it all around him. Not a great day for the central midfielders who really struggled to get there foot on the ball.
Rmed Verdict: - 5

Thommo: - If he had done half as well in his passing and tackling as he did in his niggling and backchat then he’d have had a good game. As it was, he didn’t.
Rmed Verdict: - 5

McCulloch: - A lot of power and work rate but lacked the guile to break down the stubborn defence. He did put himself about though and cracked a venomous shot off the bar.
Rmed Verdict: - 6 (MOTM for his work rate alone.)

Naismith: - He put in a lot of running and looked as though himself and Boyd would tear Motherwell apart in the first ten minutes. Disappeared a bit after that and wasn’t the same player when moved out to the right midfield.
Rmed Verdict: - 5

Boyd: - The frustration showed as he sclaffed at chance after chance today. His work rate was better and on another day might have scored a hat trick. It wasn’t to be though but he did manage a small consolation for us with the penalty.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

JCD (On for Whittaker): - Bad news got worse as he hobbled off the park. Will be a big miss if he doesn’t make the Lyon game.
Rmed Verdict: - 3

Beasley (On for JCD): - Weaved his way into the box for the penalty but didn’t spark anything after that.
Rmed Verdict: - 5

Adam (On for Naismith): - Couldn’t weave the magic left peg today.
Rmed Verdict: - 4

Smith: - Will be gutted that we have once more dropped points on our travels but his tactics proved wrong on the day.
Rmed Verdict: - 4


“Must do better,” reads today’s report card but will all be forgiven if we come back with the three points from France on Tuesday? Somehow, I think so.


WATP

Baz.