Motherwell

We asked for your views on Motherwell's 4-1 defeat against St Mirren in the semi-final of the Premier Sports cup.

Here's what some of you said:

James: As much as we passed the ball about, we were really poor. Probably the worst we've played this season. Definitely second best, Saints outplayed us.

Susan: Just not our day. St Mirren were well-organised and swamped the midfield and we just didn't catch fire. This won't define Motherwell's season but disappointing to lose 4-1.

Stuart: Street-wise St Mirren gave us a lesson on how to be clinical and controlling. Lots of lessons to make us stronger for the rest of the season. A really sore one for all connected to the Well.

Walter: Beaten by a more cynical but not a better team. We need to find a sharper edge to our game in front of both goals, otherwise we will be the team that is easy on the eye but without substantial success.

Gordon: Possession at our lowest so far. Saints hunted in packs to regain possession and deprive us of time and space to play our normal game. Saints had far more energy. We couldn't adapt and were tactically naive. They deserved their win.

Stephen: Having taken time to reflect on the heavy defeat to St Mirren, my overwhelming feeling is that myself and other Motherwell fans were severely let down by the application of the players.

St Mirren looked hungry and ready for the fight whereas we looked meek at best. Certain players who have received praise recently were posted missing which is incredibly disappointing. St Mirren thoroughly deserved their victory.

St Mirren scored twice late on to extinguish Motherwell's spirited fightback and seal a League Cup final place for the first time since winning the competition in 2013.

Have your say on the game here.

Read the match report here.

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Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou tells Premier Sports: "St Mirren executed the gameplan better than us, and they're deservedly in the final.

"We started okay after after a little bit of nerves, we applied some pressure, but our attacking game wasn't good enough and in the first, we were way too far off the level needed in the first-half.

"The game opened up in the second half when we were chasing, they done well to punish us.

"We know how to combat them, nothing surprised us, we just have to be better. First-half we were nowhere near good enough.

"They had a few moments where they could hurt us and they did. We weren't dangerous enough and now we sit here with disappointment, but acceptance we didn't do enough."

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Motherwell have a doubt over Stephen O'Donnell, who went off with a muscle problem against Dundee United on Wednesday, but Tawanda Maswanhise is expected to shake off the muscle fatigue that forced him off. Aston Oxborough (hand), Sam

Nicholson, Filip Stuparevic (both knee), Eseosa Sule, Jordan McGhee (both thigh) and Zach Robinson (Achilles) remain out.

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson revealed Miguel Freckleton was a "big doubt" but fellow defenders Alex Gogic and Jayden Richardson will return from suspension.

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Motherwell captain Paul McGinn says he hopes to emulate the longevity of former England international James Milner and continue playing into his forties.

The 35-year-old defender doesn't see this season as his swansong after overcoming last term's injury troubles to re-emerge as an integral part of the team.

As he geared up for the Premier Sports Cup semi-final against St Mirren on Saturday, McGinn said: "I actually feel really good.

"I guess it might change if you speak to me in May but as I feel right now, if I start noticing a level of performance dropping in a game then I'll know it's nearly there.

"Up until now I've been playing at a similar level, so I feel really good. I'm hoping to be one of the guys you see, a James Milner 40-odd, still kicking about."

McGinn expects a formidable test against St Mirren despite Motherwell being the in-form side, off the back of two wins and sitting fifth in the Premiership, with an attractive style of play now delivering more consistent results.

"We know exactly what we want to do," he said. "I don't think St Mirren will change much either, so we'll know what to expect from them, but it doesn't make it any easier to try and beat them.

"Teams are in a semi-final for a reason, aren't they? Any time I've played St Mirren they'll cause you problems, no matter how you play.

"I don't think anyone's a clear favourite either way. There's a reason for optimism for both but hopefully more for us."

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

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Sixteen minutes into Jens Berthel Askou's first match in charge of Motherwell, away to Clyde in the League Cup groups, fans of the Fir Park club were trying to work out why their goalkeeper was standing 30 yards from goal with their team in possession.

Seconds later, that curiosity turned to horror when the ball was lost in midfield and part-time striker James Hilton lobbed a shock opener over the scrambling Calum Ward.

Three months on, former Sparta Prague and Copenhagen coach Askou has gone from an unknown quantity to Scottish football's surprise package, his bold and expansive style now earning results.

With a brave approach, smart recruitment and candid interviews, the fanbase have taken the Dane to their hearts, although he has no idea what would come his way if he manages to win the club's first silverware in 34 years.

Three of the four stands at Fir Park are named after men who played integral roles in the 1991 Scottish Cup triumph - former players Phil O'Donnell and Davie Cooper, plus cup-winning manager Tommy McLean.

That alone highlights the lasting legacy this manager and his team could leave.

With about 8,500 Motherwell supporters, a similar number to St Mirren, expected to roar on their team at Hampden on Sunday, Askou said: "It means a lot, especially for a club of our size, to give this to our fans.

"It's fantastic support. It shows how many people around Motherwell are looking forward to the game and how big an occasion it is for them."

Read more: St Mirren & Motherwell bid for final

Sportscene pundits Neil McCann and Jackie McNamara preview the Premier Sports Cup semi-final between Motherwell and St Mirren on Saturday.

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou says Hampden Park should be the venue for cup semi-finals despite it likely being less than half full on Saturday when the Steelmen face St Mirren.

The Fir Park club have sold nearly 8,500 tickets and expect to sell more with the Dane believing it's important for the football culture in Scotland that fans and clubs get the experience of going to the national stadium.

"It means a lot, especially a club of our size, to give that to our fans," said Askou. "It's fantastic support.

"It shows how many people around Motherwell are looking forward to that game and how big an occasion it is for them.

"It's nice for people around Scotland to give more people around Scotland who make sure that this football culture up here is special, that they get the experience to go to Hampden."

Askou revealed Motherwell have been practising penalties with the "heart rate up" to be well prepared if the game goes the distance.

"The only thing that we have done a little bit differently [in preparation] is that we have practised penalties a little bit more lately and tried to incorporate that in the small-sided games, so it has been given an edge of competitiveness, and also with a little bit of heart rate up when we take the penalties," he said.

"We do penalties in the break, and then the heart rate is up, it's competitive, instead of doing it 10-15 minutes after training.

"So far it's looked good, they've been banging in penalties in the back of the net. So if we need that, then we feel confident that we can be successful in that aspect as well."

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou has been talking to the media before the Premier Sports Cup semi-final against St Mirren this weekend.

Here are the key points:

• The Dane believes Hampden should be the venue for cup semi-finals despite it likely being less than half-full on Saturday, with Motherwell having sold nearly 8,500 tickets.

• Askou adds: "It means a lot, especially a club of our size, to give that to our fans. It's fantastic support. It shows how many people around Motherwell are looking forward to that game and how big an occasion it is for them."

• After rising to fifth place in the Premiership following the 2-0 win over Dundee United, Askou says it's "good to be where we are and we want to stay there" although form will be "reset" when the semi-final gets under way.

• He insists Motherwell don't need to reach the final to foster more belief in what they are doing, but it would be "another indication that the club is moving in the right direction".

• The Dane admitted his side have extensively practised penalties and if they "need that then we feel confident we can be successful".

• Stephen O'Donnell and Tawanda Maswanhise should be fit, with Aston Oxborough likely to remain on the sidelines.

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

The plaudits have been glowing and growing for Motherwell this season.

Now they're heading to Hampden on Saturday in the League Cup semi-finals buoyant after the dominant 2-0 victory over Dundee United.

With some silly ball possession stats, solid defending, and a beautiful team goal, was Wednesday night the epitome of Jens Berthel Askou's vision?

Motherwell passed Dundee United off the park in the first half. They had 72% ball possession, 200 more passes than United, 12 touches in the opposition box, but yet just one goal.

It was a well-worked goal through, cutting down the left-hand channel where Longelo swept the ball to Maswanhise who tucked home.

The stats shouldn't shock those who have watched Motherwell this season. Only Rangers and Celtic have enjoyed more possession in this campaign.

They rank third for accurate passes. Fourth for expected goals, big chances, and touches in the opposition box.

Against Rangers, in the first game of the season, they drew 1-1 but massively outperformed their opposition in xG.

But sometimes stats don't tell the whole story. Against St Mirren, their opposition this Saturday, Motherwell dominated the ball with 66% possession, played 600 passes. That game ended goalless.

United offer 'perfect preparation' for semi-final

Askou was quietly pleased with the performance against United, and he wasn't the only one impressed.

Jim Goodwin, while dismayed at his side's performance, could not hide his admiration of Motherwell's display.

"We were really poor on the night, but I don't want to take anything away from Motherwell - I thought they were excellent, particularly in the first half," the United boss said.

"Motherwell want the press, want you to come on to them, they want to break lines and take your midfield out the game. They caused us numerous problems.

But it's not really about getting your flowers from opposition managers. It's about winning games, and Askou knows that.

"In many ways it was the perfect preparation," the Dane said on Wednesday night.

"With a little more quality and freshness in some of the guys' legs, we could have probably created another big chance or two to finish off the game even earlier.

"Right now, we're seeing a lot of good performances from a lot of different players - that's exactly what we need."

We asked for your views on Motherwell's 2-0 win against Dundee United.

Here's what some of you said:

Mark: Thoroughly enjoyed the match again. Value for money for the ticket. Passed the ball well and Dundee Utd never got a sniff in the first half. Very impressive that we could afford to leave out several starting players. The second half seems to be a problem. The players look drained after all the effort in the first 45. Hopefully the manager will get that sorted out soon. Great times for the 'Well.

Alan: A well deserved victory which sets us up for the semi-final on Saturday. We controlled the first half very well and Callum Slattery was on fire with his energy, running and ability to see passes. We still require more incisive scoring power up front but the combination from Emmanuel Longelo, Regan Charles-Cook, Mason Clark and Tawanda Maswanhise was impressive. Elliot Watt's goal was a beauty.

Watch the goals as Motherwell beat Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership (UK only).

Motherwell head into Saturday's League Cup semi-final on a high after recording consecutive Scottish Premiership victories for the first time this season by downing Dundee United.

Read the full match report here.

Have your say here.

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Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou tells BBC Scotland: "The win is important but the performance was more important because we needed to raise it from the other day [against Livingston]. It wasn't good enough.

"Many other times, had we delivered that performance, we would not have won the game. We might as well have lost it. Today was much better, much more controlled and dominant.

"The first half we were in full control, and it opened up a little. They tried to be man-to-man orientated. The second goal killed the game off a little and then we had good defensive structure at the end.

"I'm pleased with most of them. [Tawanda] has been decisive and scored some very important goals. That's what he's here for, he plays up front. We try to get him in good positions. He just needs to make sure he's there.

"I'm not overly concerned with any of [the injuries] but we'll have to see tomorrow and Friday. If for some reason, one is not ready to play on Saturday, we have a lot of good players in the squad.

"The three points we got at Livingston - we didn't do enough to deserve them. There have been other performances where we have deserved the points more. It's about us being better and more efficient and we are working on that."

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• Motherwell have won their past two home games against Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership, with those games seeing a combined 12 goals (3-2 in May 2023, 4-3 in December 2024).

• United have only won one of their past six away league visits to Motherwell (D1 L4), a 2-1 victory in April 2023.

• Motherwell's last home league game was a 2-1 defeat to Falkirk – ending their eight-game unbeaten run at Fir Park in the Scottish Premiership (W4 D4).

• United remain unbeaten in their four away league games this season (W1 D3), last going five without defeat on the road in the Premiership in October 2021.

• United's Jim Goodwin has lost seven of his 17 Scottish Premiership games against Motherwell as a manager (W5 D5), only losing more in the competition against Rangers (14), Celtic (11), and Hibernian (9).

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Goalkeeper Aston Oxborough is out of the Motherwell squad with a hand injury. Long-term absentees Sam Nicholson, Filip Stuparevic (both knee), Eseosa Sule, Jordan McGhee (both thigh) and Zach Robinson (Achilles) remain sidelined.

Dundee United remain without Ross Graham and Max Watters (both hamstring). Isaac Pappoe (knee) is out long term.

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Motherwell midfielder Callum Slattery is determined to build on a late match-winning assist on his return from injury.

The 26-year-old came off the bench and set up Elijah Just's stoppage-time winner at Livingston on Saturday after two months on the sidelines.

Motherwell host Dundee United on Wednesday night and Slattery said: "First and foremost, it's nice just to be back with the group.

"Then to come off the bench and make an impact, that's the plan when you come off the bench, no matter what.

"If you've been out injured or you've been fit the whole time, you want to make an impact in games no matter what.

"So I think just because I've had an injury, once it's behind me, it's behind me.

"I just had a small knock in training that I wanted to be cautious with. So that's what we did.

"I wouldn't say it was a worry. It was just more precaution and making sure everything was right before rushing back.

"I just want to concentrate on playing football, playing well and helping the team win games."

Caleb Akpo-Young
BBC Sport Scotland

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Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou has been speaking to the media before his side's meeting with Dundee United at Fir Park on Wednesday night.

Here are the main points from his press conference:

• Goalkeeper Aston Oxborough has picked up an injury, with the club assessing the extent of it. Askou revealed "he won't be able to play the coming games", with fellow keeper Mathew Connelly being recalled from his loan spell at Airdrieonians.

• Askou acknowledged the strong squad at his disposal and says he has "many players who could easily start" for him.

• He is relishing the "big game" against United and says Motherwell have ambitions to to finish above the Tannadice side.

• Despite victory at Livingston last weekend, the Dane did not feel Motherwell's performance "was very good" and says performance levels "need to be a lot better" going forward.

• Askou discussed the importance of league positioning but says it "means most" after 33 games when the league splits in half.

• On Callum Slattery's return to the side: "He's a very good player and he's been extremely important to this team for many years now. You can see his intensity and his passion and drive to come in and change a game. It's something we've been missing and his qualities so it's great to have him back."

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Elijah Just: The New Zealander has been a revelation for Motherwell. Sealed the win away to Livingston with a fine strike high into the net deep in stoppage time.

Watch Motherwell great James McFadden praise the influence of Elijah Just and Callum Slattery following the Fir Park side's late win at Livingston.

Watch Sportscene analysis of the penalty incidents in Motherwell's 2-1 victory at Livingston

Watch highlights from Motherwell's dramatic victory at Livingston in the Scottish Premiership.