We got the job done last night. And at this stage that is really all that counts. Like in previous games against St Mirren, they sat in and let us have all the ball with the grinding task of breaking that five-man defence down. It was resolute in the first half especially, of that there is no denying. Their new manager can certainly organise a team as he had shown previously at Motherwell for some years.
Our play was still very much laboured and lethargic at times, taking uneccessary touches and over-cooking it with the amount of passes in the midfield area. The play should be switched a helluva lot quicker than we have seen in the past few games. At one point Carl Starfelt threw his hands up in complaint at the derth in movement from his teammates in the opposition half – and rightly so. It is this standing still at times that is hurting us, particularly against those teams who set-up with a low block.
When that Carter-Vickers shot from close range hit the net, the elation was like a hot-air balloon deflating such was the relief and importance of it in the grand scheme of this season. It was a welcome goal for more than one reason however, as it was scored from a corner kick which is a tool we haven’t utilised to it’s fullest this year. Far too many times short, pointless corner kicks have went to waste because of our lack of ability to cross decent balls into the opposing penalty area.
Heading into the last nine games of the league campaign, this is a tool we need to employ more effectively. Fair enough, Giakoumakis was not playing, but that’s only one potential goal threat from set-pieces. We have our two centre halves in the mix and both should be looking to get more goals between them. We also have more than enough firepower to be looking around for knockdown’s in the penalty area. Maeda is the man for that task. Although he didn’t score last night, he did everything but to be fair to him. He always tries to make a nuisance of himself and put defenders under pressure.
Moreover, with a tough game at the Toni Macaroni against old foe Livingston, we should be looking at set-plays as a key point of entry to grabbing the goals that will lead to another vital victory, which could dictate the destination of the League Trophy come May. For too long now we have went to that stadium in West Lothian and come away without the full bhuna.
That is not acceptable, nor is it conducive to league winning form. Nothing but three points will suffice this time around. If we execute corner kicks and even freekicks better, it could be the tweak that ensures we come away victorious in the next League game and perhaps send a message that we’re here to stay.
Paul Gillespie
