Motherwell

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Jens Berthel Askou has been speaking to the media ahead of Motherwell's trip to St Mirren on Saturday.

Here are the key lines from his press conference:

• Askou feels referees in Scotland would benefit from being full-time, he says "it would help that they have freed up more time to analyse, to study, to discuss both the situation and the game itself."

• The Motherwell boss "doesn't blame" VAR for the two red cards his side were shown against Aberdeen midweek and thinks "we will see improvements in the years to come, both in terms of how to use it but also the decisions themselves."

• When asked how his side can bounce back from the defeat in Aberdeen, Askou stresses "We do that by staying true to who we are."

• Askou adds "I think there's evidence for this team to be really good at taking the knocks and the harsh lessons and using them to our advantage."

• As they prepare to St Mirren, Askou admits "we still have that little bit of feeling of revenge" after they were beaten by St Mirren in the League Cup semi-final earlier this season.

• The Motherwell manager is expecting "a difficult team to play against" in St Mirren "because they work so hard".

• Team news: Stephen Welsh is back while Lukas Fadinger is out through suspension.

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• St Mirren have won just two of their last 17 league meetings with Motherwell (D8 L7), and are winless in their last seven (D4 L3) since a 1-0 victory in September 2023.

• Motherwell have suffered just one defeat in their last 11 league visits to St Mirren (W5 D5), doing down 1-0 in January 2023.

• St Mirren have kept a clean sheet in five of their last six home league games (W3 D2 L1), losing the other 0-2 to Falkirk in January.

• Motherwell have kept 11 clean sheets and conceded just three goals in their last 14 league games (W8 D5 L1). It's the fewest goals conceded over a run of 14 games by any side in the Scottish Premiership since Rangers also let in just three in 14 from October 2020 to January 2021.

• Motherwell (40 goals, 18 conceded) and St. Mirren (21 goals, 37 conceded) have seen fewer goals in their Scottish Premiership games this season than any other sides, both in total (58) and as a per-game average (2.23).

Jenna Thomson
Fan writer

After what had been such a positive seven days I am crushed.

I try not to get angry or upset over results but the Aberdeen double feature has taken the wind out of my sails. We had such a promising shot at making it two semi-finals this season but alas it's not meant to be.

I am speechless as to why Jens Berthel Askou thought making six changes, including dropping Calum Ward was a good idea. Matty Connolly is nowhere near top flight level. Why he insists on playing him in our cup games is ludicrous.

I know some of the big teams in England rotate their squads and that is fine if your bench warmers are worth a couple of million each, we don't have that luxury.

I was hoping I could revel in a hat trick of positivity but I am numb inside. One way to look at things is without the cup to distract us we can look to see if we can cause an upset and finish higher than fourth. I personally find that mindset to be more demeaning than motivating because we should always aim for both.

There was nothing stopping us from doing both and yet the wait for silverware goes on for another year.

We went down to ten men and got a last minute shock against Rangers while dominating that entire game. We controlled Aberdeen with ease like a shepherd managing his flock on Sunday, yet winning seemed impossible.

Dropping down to ten men within the first three minutes on Wednesday should have been a sign of what was to come. Aberdeen having a man sent off should have levelled the playing field however, once again Liam Gordon made a disastrous mistake that has cost us.

It's not the first time he's gone in for a nonsensical and unnecessary tackle that has ultimately cost us. As much as I like him as a player and think he has been overall been great for us he is one of the many that should be hanging his head in shame after this performance.

What worries me is the possibility that we revert back to stereotypical Motherwell ways where one bad result undoes months of progress and success.

We have to bounce back immediately against St Mirren, anything less than three points will be catastrophic.

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Motherwell may have missed a "massive opportunity" to get to another cup semi-final, and even a final, after being knocked out of the Scottish Cup by Aberdeen.

Manager Jens Berthel Askou made six changes to his starting line-up for the trip to Pittodrie, which included swapping goalkeeper Calum Ward for back up Matty Connelly.

Oscar Priestman was shown a red card after just three minutes when he slipped and wiped out Aberdeen's Lyall Cameron and Motherwell found themselves a goal down when Kevin Nisbet scored from the resulting free-kick.

The numbers were levelled when Dennis Geiger was sent off for the hosts midway through the first half but not long after the start of the second period, Motherwell were reduced to nine after Liam Gordon was red carded.

Askou's side went on to lose the game 2-0 and former Hibs and Celtic midfielder Scott Allan was surprised by the manager's team selection.

"I was expecting to see the strongest Motherwell team last night," he told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Changing the goalkeeper does have an impact on the game and he does play it short for the sending off, but Callum Ward has been in there and been excellent of late.

"So, it was a huge opportunity if they overcame Aberdeen, you're then looking at Dunfermline, which you would fancy. Motherwell would have been strong favourites and then you're back at Hampden again and anything is possible, especially because they've been playing so well.

"It's absolutely a chance missed and I think there will be a lot of Motherwell fans really disappointed.

"You look back at that League Cup semi-final against St Mirren, Motherwell were heavy favourites and St Mirren did a job on them. St Mirren obviously deserved it on the day.

"Full focus now on the league but that was a huge opportunity for Motherwell last night, there's no getting away from it."

Holders Aberdeen overcome Motherwell in a controversial Scottish Cup fifth-round tie to set up a quarter-final meeting with Dunfermline Athletic (UK users only).

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Scotland midfielder John McGinn criticised VAR north of the border as "a mess" as his brother Paul's Motherwell exited the Scottish Cup at the hands of Aberdeen in a tie featuring three red cards. (Sun), external

Motherwell have contacted Scottish head of refereeing Willie Collum after having two players sent off at Pittodrie. (Record), external

Thursday's Scottish gossip

Motherwell fans, we asked for your views after Wednesday night's Scottish Cup defeat to Aberdeen.

Here's what some of you had to say:

John: Never a game to put your number one on the bench. Far too many changes. Manager at fault for this one I'm afraid. Officials hopeless too but not the reason we lost.

David: This one is on the manager. No excuses, we blew a fantastic opportunity. Completely unnecessary squad rotation bringing in players who are not up to speed with the way the team is playing. If Jens Berthel Askou is still with us next season hopefully he will pay a bit more respect to the cup competitions and understand how important they are to a club like ours.

Eddie: Don't understand his starting team selection, we had a chance of getting to Hampden this year.

Colin: All plaudits this season are deserved, however this was our worst performance of the season up until 75 minutes when we showed a lot of grit. Decisions did go against us in the game but for once Askou has to take some of the blame, he made too many changes for this game.

James: We were rotten. Didn't deserve anything. Only hope we recover quickly. Some of the starters didn't do themselves any favours.

Grant: Two dreadful sending offs cost us the game but onward and upward in the league.

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Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou: "Very, very disappointed with us not getting anything from this game and not progressing in this cup.

"We really, really wanted to do that.

"The players gave everything out there, with some difficult circumstances.

"First of all, the first red card, then we have to readjust and reorganise a little bit, and I think we did that well.

"Then obviously they get a man sent off and momentum changes even more, and we made a few adjustments at half time.

"We were ready to punish them a little bit harder than we were able to in the last ten mins of the first half.

"Then we get Liam Gordon sent off in a decision that is a mystery to me and will remain a mystery to me because there are two players covering behind him who will, without a shadow of a doubt, get in his way or at least make sure it's never a very obvious goal chance that gets getting."

Motherwell are out of the Scottish Cup after losing to Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

There were two red cards for the visitors, with manager Jens Berthel Askou scathing in his assessment of the decision to send off Liam Gordon.

Read the match report here.

Send in your thoughts.

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Defender Liam Gordon is daring Motherwell supporters to dream of Hampden glory this season.

Jens Berthel Askou's side travel to Pittodrie on Wednesday for their rearranged fifth round Scottish Cup tie.

The winners will progress to face Dunfermline in the quarter-final.

Motherwell are fourth in the Scottish Premiership table, 10 points behind leaders Hearts with a game in hand. All that while playing some of the most eye-catching football in the country.

While Gordon knows getting to a cup final and lifting the trophy would be a tall order, he doesn't see any issues with supporters believing it could happen for the first time since 1991.

"Everyone should dream," the 30-year-old said.

"Everyone has dreams and aspirations and we're no different in that dressing room. We all want to do special things in our careers.

"To have an opportunity of silverware for a club like Motherwell would be amazing. That's our dreams and it should be theirs as well. We're in a good place, we know how difficult it is to go and do something at that level but we feel we've got the quality to do something along those lines."

Askou's side missed out on their chance of a cup final earlier this season when they suffered a 4-1 semi-final hammering against eventual League Cup winners St Mirren.

And while that pain is still fresh in the players minds, Gordon has been impressed with how Motherwell dealt with the setback.

"We've dealt with that in a good way," he added.

"The wheels didn't come off after that. The performances throughout the league have been so high and impressive that, yes it's still hurting us right now but we want to right that wrong and we've got the opportunity to do that in the Scottish Cup."

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Jens Berthel Askou is anticipating a tough Scottish Cup tie against holders Aberdeen at Pittodrie but says his side is "fit and sharp" and aiming to dominate.

The sides met on Sunday in the Premiership, with Motherwell 2-0 winners at Fir Park as their impressive form continued but Askou expects a more difficult task in a knock-out game he says might need penalties to separate the sides.

"We play to win and it's a good opportunity to take the next step," the Dane said. "We know we're going to face a top team and it was a difficult game the other day.

"It's more difficult because they have their home ground behind them and they are desperate to progress and defend their title.

"I'm excited to go up there.

"It's a game that could last a long time, and we've been waiting to play it for a while. It could be decided on one kick or one save. We're ready for it."

Motherwell reached the semi-finals of the Premier Sports Cup and are currently fourth in the Premiership in Askou's first season in charge. They have been tipped as possible Scottish Cup winners because of their record so far but the manager says they approach each game the same way regardless of the competition.

"When you're playing a game, you want to win it," he said. "We're in good shape as a club. We have most of our players available and fit and sharp, which gives us a good opportunity to shoot with everything we have. That's what we aim to do.

"Whether we are favourites, or one of the favourites, should or could, that's all speculation but we are confident as a team and as a group and will invest everything we have in the game.

"We'll see how far that will take us, and obviously we are optimistic and go there with a positive mindset.

"I expect Aberdeen to do the same even though they haven't had the best season so far. It's a great opportunity for them to get a lift from the game.

"We don't fear anyone but that's the case all season. We're trying to create an approach and a style that's without fear in general of making mistakes , without showing up feeling like an underdog who just needs to scratch and bite a little bit and see if we can steal a result and tease the opposition.

"We're here to win and try and dominate all the games and whether that's Scottish Cup, League Cup, in the league or in a friendly, it's the same approach."

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Paul McGinn is backing Motherwell defensive partner Stephen Welsh to play his way into Scotland's World Cup squad. (Scottish Sun), external

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Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou knows his side will need a sharp and energetic performance to defeat Aberdeen in their Scottish Cup tie at Pittodrie on Wednesday, after being made to work for three points in their Premiership clash on Sunday.

The Steelmen were 2-0 winners at Fir Park but it was a close match until Tom McIntyre's late own goal put the game out Aberdeen's reach.

Askou felt his side made things a little difficult for themselves at the weekend and knows his players will need to step up again if they are to progress to a quarter-final against Dunfermline.

"We know we're going to play a very good and strong team on Wednesday," Askou told Motherwell's YouTube channel. "And we know it might go to 120 minutes so we will need a lot of energy.

"We had to expend a lot of energy because our phases in possession in the second half, and for a spell in the middle of the first half, weren't good enough or smart enough.

"We have to learn from that and try to avoid as open and lively a game again. But if that's what we get then the fans who travel up there are going to get an exciting game to watch again.

"We just need to make sure that we are the sharpest ones."

The manager applauded the contribution his substitutes made after being called on against Aberdeen and he admitted he may need to rely on his bench if things get tricky at Pittodrie on Wednesday.

"We really needed a hand today when we put players on," he said after full-time at Fir Park. "Sometimes we've been lucky that the game is under control when they come on but today we really, really needed them to play to their maximum.

"Big credit to them for lifting us tactically, technically and especially physically. They made a difference and were able to come in and seal the deal.

"We needed that because it could have been very messy at the end if we didn't have that second goal."

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They may be 10 points behind league leaders Hearts, but pundit Michael Stewart has urged fans not to write off Motherwell's title credentials.

Jens Berthel Askou and his side have won many plaudits for the attractive brand of football they play, and with just 11 games to go they are keeping the pressure on the top three.

"I did a game against Morton in the Premier Sports Cup group stage and there'd been some sort of good performances prior to it but they were really struggling to score in the group games before that," Stewart reflected.

"They managed to score a few goals that night but just watching them, you could tell there was substance there.

"I made the prediction that if they were able to find somebody that can score goals, they'll be the surprise package, they'll be in the top six."

Come mid-February, Motherwell can claim one of the top goalscorers in the league. Tawanda Maswanhise is joint-top alongside Celtic's Benjamin Nygren on 13 goals

In 31 games in all competitions, he has 18 goals and has helped fire Motherwell to the League Cup semi-final and the quarters of the Scottish Cup.

"As every marker comes along, they've surpassed it and we're now at a position where I genuinely, wouldn't write them off.

"I don't think they will do it. I think it's a long shot, but I would not write them off because they've progressed.

"Maswanhise was more of a wide man. He's now their centre forward. They've got the likes of Eli Just and Callum Slattery as sort of two tens.

"Then they've got midfielders that have got great energy and a bit of poise with Elliot Watt and Lukas Fadinger and Oscar Priestman as well. They've got a great balance to the team."

• Michael Stewart was speaking on the Scottish Football Podcast, available here.

Two Celtic stars, duos from Dundee and Dundee United, and a pair from Motherwell. It's time for Jonathan Sutherland's team of the week, so let's take a look and see who impressed...

Raphael Sallinger - Hibernian

Not a vintage weekend for goalkeepers. Sallinger gets the nod for a couple of stops and a clean sheet. An overall impressive addition at Easter Road.

Julian Araujo - Celtic

What a big goal. Ended up in hospitality with his celebration, but it was a big moment.

Stephen Welsh - Motherwell

Outstanding again after his goalscoring heroics midweek. An assist for Just as well. Not sure what Celtic don't see in him.

Ross Graham - Dundee United

Goal and a doughty warrior at the back. His four touches in the opposition box was only bettered by teammate Kristijan Trapanovski, while he made more clearances than any other player.

Cameron Congreve - Dundee

A continuous threat down the right for the Dark Blues. What a good loan signing he has been by Steven Pressley. Took eight shots and created three chances.

Craig Sibbald - Dundee United

Pulled the strings in midfield and scored a vital goal. Set up four chances, the most of any United player, and won more duels than any of his teammates.

Elijah Just - Motherwell

For me, Elijah Just has to be in with a shout of player of the season. The New Zealand international has been consistently excellent, showing guile, creativity and goalscoring ability. On the scoresheet again this weekend, against Aberdeen. Ghosts around the pitch with elegance, class and endeavour.

Sebastian Tounekti - Celtic

Loves Rugby Park. Great on his debut there, scored there against Auchinleck Talbot and sparked Celtic's comeback on Sunday with a goal of the season contender.

Simon Murray - Dundee

Murray in a hurry at Dens Park. After a barren spell, the Dundee captain looked pumped for action with his quick fire double.

Youssef Chermiti - Rangers

Michael Stewart told me on Sportscene he doesn't think Chermiti has the potential to be a top striker. But he has scored six of his seven goals this season against Celtic and Hearts, including his hat-trick yesterday on what was a huge occasion.

The challenge for the 21-year-old is to start delivering this sort of performance more consistently against the other sides in the Premiership.

Tyreece John-Jules - Kilmarnock

The former Arsenal youth - and nephew of Red Dwarf star Danny John-Jules - was a force of nature for Kilmarnock against Celtic, following on from his midweek hat-trick.

Scored a great goal, clipped the crossbar from a free-kick and just generally showed star potential. Such a shame he limped off with what looked like a thigh muscle strain.

We asked you Motherwell fans for your views on the 2-0 win over Aberdeen. Here's a taste of what you had to say...

Alan: Another comfortable win despite some close calls at the other end. The composure of every player in the team shone through and we should have scored at least five goals.

However, this win probably ensures a top-six finish and we are looking at a European spot as well. This transformation is primarily down to the manager but he couldn't have done it without some very competent players who have excelled themselves this season.

Derek: I'm calling all Well fans to pinch themselves. This is absolutely the best time since the Ancell Babes. In folklore, we've had this team's exploits passed down through the generations. Even the Willie Pettigrew years can't beat this. A trophy would be the icing on the cake. Take a bow JBA.

Mark: Solid performance from the Well. For all the chances missed from both sides, it could have finished 5-4. Teams are now realising that to stop us from flowing they need be be cynical in their tackling. Just need to repeat the win on Wednesday!

Gerry: I'm a Celtic fan who went along to sit with the Well fans today. Motherwell are currently playing excellent football. Very pleasant to watch, great team spirit and a deserved victory against an Aberdeen side that offered very little throughout.

Nice atmosphere at Fir Park today too. Well done Motherwell. Breath of footballing fresh air.

Stuart: Wasn't the best performance by a long way, but possibly more satisfying to win when not playing as well as we have had in recent games. We were a bit careless in possession and gifted opportunities to Aberdeen, but created some great chances for ourselves. We still need to be more clinical, but I'm living the dream as a Motherwell fan this year - where could we end up?

Motherwell score in each half to defeat Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership (UK users only).

Motherwell kept their impressive home run going as Aberdeen spurned a host of missed chances as their search for a manager continues

We want your thoughts.

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Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou kept his cards close to his chest when asked about his team's title credentials following their 2-0 win over Aberdeen on Sunday.

"I don't think anyone has won the championship yet, have they," he asked.

"The league is not over, whether we are a part of it is for you to discuss. I think we're in the group of teams in the league that reach for the maximum potential.

"It could and maybe should have been under a lot more control at half-time than it was.

"I can't blame anyone for not trying to score that second goal, we invested a lot in that - at times maybe too much. We had to work as a team and individually to make sure the opposition don't score.

"Big praise for the subs to come on and make a big difference. That's what we need and have needed to be where we are.

"We have used most of the players in our squad and, now we're entering that final phase, we need everyone to be ready and to step up."

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Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou intends to continue evolving as a coach and says he may change his style of play over time.

The Dane has enjoyed huge success after implementing a brave approach in his team, who have been encouraged to play out from the back and take risks this season.

Though it's helped the team climb to fourth in the Premiership and proven popular with Motherwell supporters and neutrals, midfielder Elijah Just has revealed that when he played under Askou at Horsens, the style of play was more direct.

Askou says he is open to new ideas and lessons that might lead to further change.

"It's important to keep developing as a coach," he said. "In two, three, four, five years from now, I will have picked up new ideas and developed them.

"If I'm playing the same system, who knows? But it's about developing and learning all the time, not just for players, but certainly also for coaches.

"Back then (at Horsens) there were different circumstances. Now here there are some really, really good circumstances in terms of being able to do what we do here.

"I wanted to get there back then, but I had to be a little bit more patient with that, and then I left before we arrived where we are now, as a football team, in terms of style of play.

"And here there were some really good circumstances in terms of being able to accelerate that process from day one."

The 43-year-old has enjoyed his experience of Scottish football so far but also said his style was adapted to counter Premiership teams.

"You get to play teams who play very differently, and that is very demanding," he said.

"We need to make sure we develop a style which is different from many other teams, but we still need to be extremely competitive against the traditional way of doing things up here. And we've worked hard on that, and I think we've improved the ability to do that.

"But it just asks a lot of questions of you, and I think that is cool and extremely exciting to really be challenged against that."

Motherwell striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos has praised manager Jens Berthel Askou's man-management skills after he allowed the 26-year-old to return to Australia on loan to Sydney to try to win a place in the Socceroos' World Cup squad. (The National), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.