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Can Motherwell follow-up strong opening day performance?

Can Motherwell follow-up strong opening day performance?

Yahoo17 hours ago
Former Scotland defender Charlie Mulgrew thinks a lack of quality in the final third could hinder Motherwell's top-six hopes.
The Steelmen looked strong in their league opener against last year's runners-up Rangers, winning the ball back on the press and at times cutting the Glasgow side open with intricate passing play on their way to a 1-1 draw at home.
However, Mulgrew thinks they can't get ahead of themselves, considering the timing of the fixture.
Speaking to BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, he said: "I think it's easy to get carried away when you play Rangers or Celtic at the start of the season and get a result.
"Motherwell are so good going through the lines, but I don't know if they have enough in the final third.
"I think their style works better against a team like Rangers that will press high so they can play through them, but I don't imagine teams will do that often against them.
"Like a St Mirren, can they break them down that way?"
Whether Jens Berthel Askou's team can gain continued success with this style is yet to be proven. However, there can be no argument that they played with the bravery their boss wants, and got a positive result against one of the best teams in the country.
Fellow ex-Scotland international Michael Stewart added: "I'm really impressed with how Motherwell played against Rangers.
"I saw them against Morton in the Premier Sports Cup, and up until that game, the issue was end product.
"I think from defensive third to middle third they'll be able to compete with anyone, but the final third will be their defining factor this season.
"It's not horrendous, but compared with how good the build-up is from defence to midfield, if they were as good in attack, they'd be comfortable top 6 and challenging above that.
"Yesterday seemed like it would be a hard luck story, creating chances and not scoring.
"But they broke through and thoroughly deserved their draw, and really arguably could've got three points. It's exciting."
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