Analysing the matches against Clyde and Peterhead
In a pre-match letter to the Motherwell fans ahead of his Fir Park inauguration, Jens Berthel Askou had one, simple, clear message: Keep the faith.
It felt simultaneously hopeful and cautionary, acknowledging the challenges ahead while promising a brighter future. Football clubs don’t evolve overnight, and Askou’s Motherwell, already showing flashes of promise, clearly requires patience from supporters and staff alike. We very likely didn’t expect our faith to be tested so quickly, when Motherwell went a goal behind to lower league opposition twice in a row. Still, our faith was rewarded – a bonus point and a win takes us to 5 points in the group stage of the league cup.
Here’s how it’s all gone so far.
Returning to New Douglas Park: Clyde FC vs Motherwell FC | Premier Sports League Cup
The Steelmen’s League Cup journey began at Clyde, a team many assumed would offer modest resistance. Motherwell’s defensive frailties were quickly exposed as Clyde, buoyed the scent of an upset, struck first. The goal came from an unfortunate mistake by Callum Slattery, whose misplaced pass gifted possession to Clyde. The forward seized the opportunity and struck from distance, leaving goalkeeper Callum Ward stranded deliberately in no man’s land, painfully highlighting Motherwell’s lingering vulnerabilities. What was initially excitement turned into nervousness.
Graphic based on photography by Clyde Football Club
Yet, rather than wilting, Motherwell responded. Gradually turning territorial advantage into genuine threat, Callum Slattery’s thunderstrike rattled off the bar fortunately to the waiting head of Tawanda Maswanhise, who made no mistake in getting the Steelmen back on level terms. After half-time, the mometum stuck with Motherwell, as Apostolos Stamatelopoulos showed relentless pressure and was soon rewarded when a forced error gave Maswanhise the opportunity to double his goal count for the roasting afternoon.
Clyde, ever determined, struck again. Penalties followed, with Motherwell, dare I say surprisingly, scoring all five. Ward saved a Clyde attempt to clinch the bonus point. An imperfect victory, perfectly demonstrated by not getting the whole 3 points, was marred by defensive lapses and missed chances. These games are, nonetheless, important as a demonstration of resilience and incremental growth.
Graphic based on photography by Clyde Football Club
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Jens Berthel Askou’s Inauguration: Motherwell FC vs Peterhead FC | Premier Sports League Cup
Back at Fir Park, Motherwell faced Peterhead, a chance to secure their first competitive outright win of Askou’s tenure. On a rainy evening, optimism filled the stands, but it was tested almost immediately. Ten minutes in, Jason Brown pounced on hesitant defending, silencing the home crowd. A wave of anxiety rippled around the stadium. Was this Motherwell side destined to be defined by vulnerability?
Instead of panic, Motherwell methodically began to dominate. Midfielders Callum Slattery and Lukas Fadinger controlled possession, dictating play with short, assured passes. Emmanuel Longelo, making his first start, surged forward with fearless intent. His equaliser, emphatically struck, lifted the spirits and symbolised the type of football Askou wants to embed: confident, attacking, and full of conviction.
Graphic based on photography by Motherwell Football Club
Still, imperfections lingered. Chance after chance passed by unconverted. Getting into the final third was no problem for the Steelmen, but finding a man was a different story. Strikers were finding space but the crosses weren’t finding them. A palpable tension returned as the second half wore on. Jens Berthel Askou’s substitutions revealed both tactical insight and cautious pragmatism. Longelo and Elijah Just, both of whom were having good games, were withdrawn at halftime, decisions that initially baffled the crowd. But Askou later clarified these were calculated moves, designed to protect players whose fitness levels required careful management given they haven’t had as much pre-season time as others.
The substitutes brought fresh energy, yet precision continued to evade the home side. Tawanda Maswanhise injected pace and directness, unsettling Peterhead’s tiring defenders, but the decisive goal remained elusive. The visitors dug in, bodies desperately flung into tackles and blocks. Then came a moment of quiet brilliance, a goal born from composure rather than chaos. Slattery, receiving the ball deep into stoppage time, cleverly manoeuvred space on the wing. His cross – a delicate, inventive pass – floated tantalisingly into the six-yard box. Fadinger, having missed easier chances earlier, headed home decisively. Fir Park erupted—not only relieved but appreciative of the patience that finally bore fruit.
Graphic based on photography by Motherwell Football Club
Addressing the boo boys
In the post-match aftermath, Askou calmly addressed the Motherwell social media team. He acknowledged the frustrations, particularly the lack of clinical finishing and the occasional lapses in tempo management. Yet, he also pointed to deliberate improvements, structural solidity in possession, and the growing understanding between teammates. His measured reflections, free from knee-jerk criticism or exaggerated praise, revealed a manager fully aware of the journey ahead. Askou repeatedly emphasised control over pace; his team must learn when to speed up and when to slow down, a delicate balance essential for sustained success.
Statistics bore out his observations. Motherwell dominated possession (66%), completed significantly more passes than Peterhead, and recorded double-digit attempts at goal. Yet conversion remained well below expectations, highlighting the ongoing need for refinement. The cautious rotation and substitutions showed Askou’s strategic thinking about player welfare and long-term success. These decisions underline his understanding that a team’s evolution requires careful management, balancing immediate results with sustained player fitness.
After two matches, the story of Motherwell under Askou is one of cautious optimism. Problems remain visible, notably in defence and attack efficiency. The squad feels incomplete, a work in progress still forming its identity. But within this narrative lies genuine promise: the clear tactical blueprint, the emerging resilience, and flashes of attacking brilliance from new and returning players alike. Slattery, Longelo, and Fadinger already seem to be thriving by Askou’s guidance, embracing responsibilities and thriving in clearer roles. Younger players, such as Maswanhise and debutant Matty Connelly, have also shown encouraging adaptability under pressure (a bit too much adaptability under pressure if you ask my heart when Connelly decided to skin the Peterhead striker!).
The mantra “keep the faith” is more than just a comforting phrase – it’s the core philosophy that will define Askou’s reign. He isn’t demanding blind trust; instead, he offers a transparent vision of gradual yet purposeful improvement. If supporters can endure the inevitable frustrations, Askou’s methods promise real growth, driven by intelligence, patience, and quiet determination. For Motherwell fans, patience isn’t just advisable: it’s essential. In embracing Askou’s vision, they may find that patience yields not just success, but something deeper: pride in a team forged by careful craftsmanship, hard work, and resilience. These early steps, however faltering, indicate that the rewards could be well worth the wait. Askou’s side is not yet the finished article. And maybe that’s what unsettles some. This isn’t direct football, nor is it slick possession. It’s somewhere in between – raw, deliberate, occasionally disjointed.
A team in flux, not yet fluent.
And for a support that’s seen false dawns before, there’s bound to be scepticism. But amidst the groans, there’s also something more hopeful. A quieter majority who see the shape of what’s coming. Who recognise the effort, the structure, the intent. Who are willing to wait. And if this team continues to graft, to improve, to fight for every yard the way they did against Peterhead – that murmur of frustration will soon be drowned out by something louder:
belief.
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