"“If we're brave enough to be extremely consistent with the way we have identified possible advantages against better opponents with more resources, I think it's possible,” he replies. At that point in late October, Askou's team were attracting attention with their bold and intense possession-based football, yet their ceiling appeared limited to a top-half push after securing only a second league win in nine matches."
"Seven months on, Motherwell are on the brink of securing European qualification, playing what former Celtic striker Chris Sutton describes as the best football in the UK. That reputation has labelled Askou's men as kingmakers in the Scottish Premiership title race - a billing they lived up to with a stunning win at Rangers two weeks ago. Leaders Hearts and second-placed Celtic are next to visit Lanarkshire, where Motherwell have lost just twice in 16 months, in a five-day spell that could decide the destination of the trophy."
"Motherwell's form has tailed off after a remarkable run of one defeat and 14 clean sheets in 20 league matches that had them in scarcely believable title contention. Despite that, Askou's nine-month Premiership journey has felt like a linear path to success, with a European spot in touching distance. That does not apply to his managerial career, although demands have always been sky-high."
Jens Berthel Askou leads Motherwell, a modest Lanarkshire club with a large fan ownership group, toward European qualification. He frames success as being possible when the team is extremely consistent in identifying and using advantages against stronger opponents. After a slow start in late October, Motherwell’s bold, intense possession-based football drew attention, and their performance later improved dramatically. A run of one defeat and 14 clean sheets in 20 league matches placed them in title contention. Despite a later dip in form, Motherwell remain close to Europe and have earned a reputation as key influences in the Premiership title race, including a major win at Rangers. Hearts and Celtic are next to visit Fir Park, with the trophy race potentially shaped by the upcoming matches.
#scottish-premiership #motherwell #jens-berthel-askou #european-qualification #possession-based-football
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