Motherwell: Askou's quest to alter '140 years of history'

"There are things to improve, we're trying to build a new identity and a new approach on top of 140 years of football history at this club. You don't do that overnight."

The words from Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou pre-match at Livingston hung in the air. His team, lauded for their expansive, intricate play, had only one Scottish Premiership win.

With his team all of a sudden loitering at the foot of the table, Askou seemed defiant to stick to his football philosophy, something that irked club legend Stephen Craigan.

"I think it's a little bit disrespectful," the former Well and Northern Ireland defender said on Sportsound.

"I hear the word identity and philosophy thrown about but at some stage winning has to become a part of that.

"His message to the players is clear and they're following every word he's said, but you also have to be a manager that finds a way to win games of football."

It took until the dying seconds in West Lothian for that to happen, with Motherwell coming from behind in a spirted 2-1 win.

But how did they do it, and are the Lanarkshire side showings signs of being able to augment results with silky football?

Despite a bright start, Motherwell found themselves a goal down at the break following Jeremy Bokila's converted spot kick.

The visitors hit a leveller 15 minutes into the second half, also from the spot, thanks to Apostolos Stamatelopoulos.

Despite numerous chances and a disallowed goal, it looked as though Askou's side would be heading back to Fir Park with just a point.

Motherwell dug in though. They had eight shots on goal (seven were inside the box), 17 touches in Livingston's box and 24 final third entries in the second period.

It took until the 93rd minute for the breakthrough. Elijah Just, having been denied minutes before by the offside flag, found the back of the net after a beautiful team move and secured that all-important win for his side.

"They were a threat all the way through and we had to provide two big moments to make sure we won," Askou said.

"The first half lacked quality, but we stepped up second half.

"Elijah is a very good player, who has started very well for us, and hopefully that continues. It was good to see Slats [Callum Slattery] back, we've missed him. There was some moments of light for us today, and the win is massive.

"Every day is a step in the right direction. Every day there are bumps, last week was a bump. Today, there were plenty of bumps but we got over them."

While Motherwell will be hailing the three points as the best thing to come out of this afternoon's clash in Livingston, they were boosted by the return of Callum Slattery.

The 26-year-old came off the bench in the second half for his first appearance since August and looked sharp.

He had an attempt at goal, perhaps less said about that the better as he slashed his effort high and wide, and looked to breathe a bit more life into Motherwell.

With their second Premiership win under their belt and the Englishman back in the side, things are looking up for Motherwell just in time for next weekend's huge League Cup semi-final against St Mirren.

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