Early season form mirrors last year despite defeats
Alfred Johansson’s arrival at Fir Park has prompted intense scrutiny after the Swede oversaw three successive defeats in the opening weeks of the Premiership season. For many supporters, though, the sharper metric is the club’s league tally after seven games: Motherwell occupy exactly the same points total as they did at the same point of last season under Jens Berthel Askou.
"It was always going to be a big ask for Alfred Johansson to follow in the footsteps of Jens Berthel Askou."
The comparison is not intended as a rebuke. Rather it frames a familiar narrative for Steelmen followers: early-season uncertainty does not necessarily determine the course of the entire campaign. Last season, Askou’s team endured a stuttering start which included five draws before gathering momentum and producing one of the most memorable campaigns in recent club history — a run that took them to the fringes of the title race.
Questions around goals and defence persist
Critics and supporters alike are raising similar questions to those posed this time last year. Is there enough firepower up front? Can key attacking players rediscover their best form? Is the backline as reliable as it was under Askou? Specific names feature in the debate: Alex Paulsen’s performances have been scrutinised and there is discussion over whether Tawanda Maswanhise can return to the scoring levels that propelled him in the first half of last season.
- Form: three straight defeats for Johansson’s side at the start of the campaign.
- Context: same points after seven games as under Jens Berthel Askou in the equivalent period last season.
- Concerns: attacking output, reliance on particular scorers, and defensive solidity.
Supporters who witnessed last season’s late surge will point out that early results can be misleading. Askou’s team had drawn five of their first matches before a landmark win at Aberdeen and an eventual sustained run of form. Those who back Johansson highlight that he was chosen because his philosophy and style were seen as compatible with the club’s recent footballing identity.
Expectations and patience at Fir Park
The Fir Park board’s decision to appoint Johansson was not made lightly; the Swedish coach was viewed as a figure who could continue an attacking, progressive approach. But transitioning between managers, even when philosophies align, requires time for players to adapt to different training methods, matchday decisions and the coach’s finer tactical preferences.
For now, the argument among supporters and pundits is recognisably similar to that which circulated during Askou’s early days: can Johansson coax goals from his forwards, and will the defence regain the consistency that fuelled last season’s achievements?
| Last season (after 7 games) | This season (after 7 games) | |
|---|---|---|
| Points | Same | Same |
| Notable early issues | Five draws, then win at Aberdeen | Three defeats on the spin |
That parity in points offers Johansson a platform: the task is to translate potential into sustained results. The immediate focus for the coaching staff will be to find the balance between the club’s attacking instincts and the defensive resolve required to grind out points in the Scottish Premiership.
Motherwell’s supporters will watch closely in the coming weeks. If Johansson can steady the ship and address the questions over goals and defensive performance, the early stumbles need not define the season. Conversely, continued inconsistency will sharpen calls for changes on and off the pitch. For now, the comparison with Askou’s opening run provides both reassurance and a reminder: form can turn quickly in football, for better or worse.
