Robinson working to perfect Well strike combination

Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson says he is still trying to tweak his attacking options to turn around the side’s form after a difficult recent spell.

The Fir Park side have now gone five games without a win, and have only scored twice in that time, a sharp contrast with the first half of the season when a potent attack helped them climb to third in the table.

Robinson lost forwards Devante Cole and James Scott during the transfer window and recent signing Mikael Ndjoli and top goalscorer Christopher Long are both injured.

That creates an opportunity for Tony Watt to make his first start since signing as a free agent but Robinson says the blend of his front three is important, with Jermaine Hylton looking sure of a place and on-loan Newcastle winger Rolando Aarons also in contention.

“We did 11 v 11 between ourselves on astro on Saturday so we got another 45 minutes into Tony Watt. So he becomes a live option as well,” Robinson said.

“What people haven’t mentioned is Devante Cole and James Scott. A lot of physical presence has been taken out of a very successful front three. So we are still trying to find the right combinations and the right way to go about that for people to step up and make that impact.

“We feel we are getting there again. There isn’t too much wrong but we will tweak certain things to make sure that works.”

Robinson said that the physical size of the players was also a factor, having lost a duo who offered a chance to change tactics.

He said: “For the first part of the season we played with one out-and-out winger and we had James or Devante on the right. It gave us a physical outlet, both boys are six foot. It allowed us to play the ball a little bit longer at times and not be too predictable.

“We have put different people in different positions. Rolando has come in and done really well, I think there is more to come from him.

“And it’s up to other people to step up. We are looking for consistency from our front three. It’s the hardest part of the game.”

The Motherwell manager is preparing his side to face St Mirren in their Scottish Cup replay on Wednesday but admitted he wasn’t confident that the tie would beat the weather.

“It will be touch and go again,” he said. “I think the forecast isn’t great but it is meant to calm down towards the game.

“We have a superb groundsman and ground staff and they will do everything in their power to get it on. We are desperate to get it on, play the game and make sure we progress.”