A look at how the players performed in yesterday’s disappointing defeat.
JAK ALNWICK – 5
Sadly, Alnwick made mistakes for both goals conceded, and his distribution was poor. The latter had a real effect on how we played. Too many long balls made the game the type Motherwell were hoping it would be. It’s hard to say if that was down to a lack of match sharpness, or just a poor performance.
JAMES TAVERNIER – 6
A mixed bag from Tavernier. In the first half, he done well, both defensively and going forward. As the game became more physical, though, he seemed to drop his level in terms of decision making. Kept trying to drive us forward, but not one of his better days.
FABIO CARDOSO – 6
Given he was clearly being targeted, Cardoso was doing ok. He won most headers, although fans tend to notice the ones defenders lose. The Motherwell forwards will hassle any defence with their style, but Cardoso managed to get by in the main. He took an elbow early on, then had his nose broken in the second half by the same player. Certainly a game he’ll learn from if nothing else.
BRUNO ALVES – 6
Alves won most of the balls in the air first half. He missed a great chance from a John free kick, but was looking solid. In the second half, he seemed to lose his composure and discipline. Lucky not to be sent off in a late incident, and played too many long balls when more patience was required.
DECLAN JOHN – 5
An ineffective performance from the left back. He would often have a lot of space, but found it difficult to get in behind. When he did get a good cross in, we were unable to capatalise. Also took a few corners in the second half that were easily caught by the Motherwell keeper.
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DANIEL CANDEIAS – 6
If Candeias had kept up his level from the first half, he’d have been a clear man of the match. He gave Motherwell problems on both flanks. His free kicks weren’t great, though, and crosses not quite good enough. Regardless, we felt good about how he was playing.
In the second half, he was the prime culprit for letting the referee get to him. His decisions became poor as his frustration grew. A few shots from the edge of the box were wild when passes were on. You can never fault his effort, but his application on the day was poor.
RYAN JACK – 6
Jack had a poor match overall. The game was a real scrap, and as such, his usual midfield composure wasn’t able to come to the fore. As we were hitting longer balls from the back, it became about winning second balls, and he wasn’t getting close enough consistently to do that. A game he’ll have found very frustrating.
GRAHAM DORRANS – 6
Dorrans, like Jack, struggled as the game didn’t suit his style of play. In the first half, during moments we kept possession in the opposing half, he was doing well. As the game progressed, he was lost in the scrap.
JOSH WINDASS – 5
Windass was the most frustrating player on the park. He missed a great chance in the first minute with a powderpuff shot, and it largely summed up his day. Overall, he had three great chances and spurned the lot. He was obviously working hard to get into the positions, but the finishing was poor. The game was suited to his pace and direct style, but he never delivered.
CARLOS PEÑA – 4
A poor game for Peña. The nature of the math meant that he couldn’t get on the ball often. He was looking to get on the end of every ball crossed into the box, but only managed that once. In the second half, his strength led to good chances for Morelos and Windass, but those were his only real contributions.
ALFREDO MORELOS – 6
I doubt Morelos has ever been kicked more in one game in his entire career. He kept getting up and going for more. He had a few chances, and probably should have scored, but given the way the referee allowed him to be constantly fouled, his was a performance which wasn’t so bad. His rating is only dragged down by his poor finishing on the day.
AARON NEMANE – 3
One good cross aside, Nemane didn’t offer much. His was a risky substitution given how the game was going.
ROSS McCRORIE – 3
Also someone who was a risk to bring on in a really physical match. He done OK but had a loose moment which led to the second goal.
EDUARDO HERRERA – 2
Yet again, thrown on with not much time left in a game we were chasing, and not playing well in. He’s really had little chance to show us anything yet.