Facing systems in flux

Motherwell started the season as Scotland’s first laughingstock, losing home and away to Sligo Rovers (apologies for the unavoidable slight, Rovers).  Their fragility was soon resolved with wins at St Mirren and Aberdeen, and home to Livingston, in their opening four league fixtures.

Since that win over Livi nine weeks ago, results dipped.  Defeat at Kilmarnock, a home draw against Dundee United and a thrashing at home to Hearts last time out (although they comfortably disposed of Inverness in the League Cup during this spell), suggest a system very much in flux.  Oh, how we’ve been there.

Steven Hammell was confirmed as permanent manager in August.  He clearly has the backing of his players and brought a system that can bloody the nose of most teams in the league.  I suspect, however, that the same system’s fragilities are now well know.  Hearts soaked up waves of attacking play at Fir Park, before delivering three sucker punches without reply.

Ange Postecoglou will be desperate to get this game underway to put the debacle of Paisley behind him.  The trip to Germany will also be on his mind, though I don’t expect anyone to be rested tomorrow.  Ideally, we will secure the points early on and allow the manager to rest his captain and a few others.  Some of the early brilliance we have seen in games from Celtic this season should be enough.