Motherwell are rising, fearless, and becoming a genuine force under Jens Berthel Askou’s guidance.
Image source, SNS
By Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Sportscene highlights: Motherwell vs Livingston
06/12/2025 2000
Motherwell are headed somewhere exciting with their new manager, and they’ll be hoping the journey continues smoothly. The Dane has been an undeniable success so far. Those who doubted his high-risk, front-foot style early on are not voicing concerns anymore.
The plan is working. Home supporters are thronging to Fir Park, savoring a sense of unity and connection that had been missing for too long. The stadium feels like a positive, buzzing place again.
Three points from the 3-0 win over Livingston extended their unbeaten league run to eight games, keeping them comfortably inside the top six with little sign they’ll depart soon.
Consistency drives the run
“It’s hard not to be happy with the form we’ve shown,” Askou told BBC Scotland after beating Livingston.
Remarkably, Motherwell have not conceded in four matches—against Hibernian, Hearts, Falkirk, and now Livingston. That clean sheet streak sits alongside a defensive solidity that has conceded only two goals in the last six games.
When they aren’t losing, they’re winning more often, which is shaping the confidence around the squad.
“It’s something we’ve been working on from day one,” the Dane said. “It’s not just about attack, attack, attack; we want a well-balanced team. It’s tough to create that balance quickly, but we’ve found some details and are really honing them. We’re still aiming higher because there’s more in us than what’s visible right now.”
Since the Premier Sports Cup semi-final defeat to St Mirren—a notable disappointment in a season with few others—their pace has been positive: three wins, three draws, and twelve points from eighteen available, eighteen points from the last 24.
One observer at Fir Park noted that a trip to Ibrox followed by a home clash with Celtic at the turn of the year doesn’t scare them, underscoring how far they’ve come.
Belief in the squad and fearless play
Askou’s willingness to rotate gave him seven changes for the Livingston match, underscoring the faith in his approach and in every squad member. Not many managers adopt such a cavalier rotation in a busy schedule.
The benefit, he explained ahead of the game, is inclusivity and reduced risk of overloading players during a demanding period, which can help prevent injuries later in the season.
In their last four fixtures, the manager has made 19 changes to the starting XI without meaningful disruption—a statistic that bodes well.
“We’re constructing a style and an approach at this club that’s fearless, played with bravery and confidence,” Askou said. “We want to generate a sense of dominance and control, and we’re getting better at both.”
Individuals driving the collective
Tawanda Maswanhise has been outstanding in a squad delivering results. He’s set to depart for the African Cup of Nations with Zimbabwe soon and will be missed, having scored eight Premiership goals—roughly a third of Motherwell’s league total coming into the Livingston game—and scoring in all three of their prior wins.
Yet the team isn’t reliant on a single star. Three different players found the net against Livingston.
Elliot Watt shone after returning to the starting lineup, delivering a crisp opener by burying a long-range effort. Calum Ward in goal has also matured after a rocky start to the season, making crucial saves, including a standout stop just after halftime to preserve a 1-0 lead.
What stands out is the sense that everyone is playing on the same wavelength. There’s a clear sense of purpose, with strong connections in key areas and the confidence to make quick, correct decisions.
Former Motherwell captain Stephen Craigan noted the trust between coach and players: “As a coach, he trusts the players he’s working with.” He added that the system remains effective regardless of personnel: the team knows their roles, and they have moved away from aimless possession and exposed gaps. They now look comfortable in every game, regardless of the opponent.
The road ahead
Familiarity could become a vulnerability as opponents scrutinize Askou-ball more closely; Falkirk’s 0-0 draw showed that teams may find ways to disrupt the system. Yet the approach isn’t one-dimensional, and several teams have struggled to live with Motherwell at times.
Perhaps the next step is turning chances into more wins, but they’re already close—consistently close, and often in control.
The bigger challenge may be preserving key talents and retaining the manager himself, given the rapid progress and rising reputations.
There’s no doubt about it: Motherwell are a force this season, and outsiders are taking notice.
