‘We lacked a spark today’: Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson says team got what they deserved in defeat against Hibs

MOTHERWELL boss Stephen Robinson admitted his side got what they deserved after a poor performance against Hibernian.

The Steelmen have been in fine form in recent weeks, winning four games on the bounce including a stunning win over Rangers at Hampden last week, but were well off the pace in a 1-0 defeat at Fir Park.

Robinson’s side travelled to Dundee on Wednesday night and picked up three points, but three games in six days proved too much for his players and he had no excuses for a lacklustre performance.

“We got what we deserved, nothing,” he said. “We lacked a spark today.

“What Hibs did to us, we’ve done to other teams; we lost the physical battle today, we lost every second ball.

“People talk about how good a football team Hibs are, but they did the free stuff better than us today. They won every second ball, came out with every loose ball and won every header and deserved the result.”

Martin Boyle scored the only goal of the game in a first half that Hibs dominated, with Motherwell slow out of the traps before gradually picking up after the break as Robinson made a host of substitutions.

https://www.sundaypost.com/sport/football/martin-boyle-grabs-winner-for-hibs-as-motherwell-come-back-down-to-earth/

He admitted his players had struggled after a tough schedule.

The Well manager said: “Everyone was looking at each other today looking for a spark.

“We were looking at Cadds (Chris Cadden), at (Louis) Moult for a spark instead of people taking the bull by the horns and making it happen themselves.

“Perhaps that’s just the culmination of a difficult, difficult week for us where we’ve come out with two wins. It did take a lot out of the boys but we will regroup.”

Neil Lennon was delighted to claim a second 1-0 win in succession after beating Hearts during the week, but felt it should have been more comfortable in the closing stages.

“I’m delighted with the performance and a great three points,” he said.

“Motherwell have been on a great run, they’ve had a great recent run and a good start to the season, so to come here and play as well as that, I’m delighted.”

However, he added: “We shouldn’t have to see games out as uncomfortably as that. We were just a little bit lightweight in front of goal at times, we were snatching at things.

“But we made good opportunities, particularly on the break in the second half to kill the game off.”