Motherwell

Calum Macdonald
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Lennon Miller will have a learned a huge amount from being in Steve Clarke's squad despite not making his Scotland debut, says Motherwell manager Michael Wimmer.

Fir Park midfielder Miller, 18, was an unused substitute in both legs of the Nations League play-off defeat to Greece.

"For Lennon it was the best thing to work with them for 10 days," said Wimmer.

"I often hear he didn't play, is he disappointed? This experience, to work with this coach, to work with John McGinn and Andy Robertson, Premier League players, if you sit with them, eat together and see them in the dressing room, see the work ethic, you can learn every day."

Miller and his clubmates now turn their attention to Aberdeen on Saturday at a sold-out Pittodrie.

And former Stuttgart assistant Wimmer is hoping to draw on his experience in Austria as the race for the top-six nears a conclusion.

With three pre-split games remaining, Motherwell are in seventh spot, a point behind Hearts and three adrift of Dundee United.

"I had similar situation when I took over at Austria Vienna, we had four games to go (until the split) and on the last day we had a derby with Rapid Vienna, and we won and were in the top six," said the German.

"The table is so tight, it will be a decision on gameday 33."

The game on Saturday will be only the fifth in charge for Wimmer, but he's enjoying Scottish football so far as he looks to make it four matches unbeaten.

"The challenge is so honest, each game is so honest. You make a foul, you say sorry and the game goes on. This is great. I love every day," he said.

"I've never had a team before where you don't have to say please run, work. The players do it, and this is great."

Calum Macdonald
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Motherwell manager Michael Wimmer has been speaking to the media before his side's trip to face Aberdeen this weekend.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• Wimmer says it was a "brilliant experience and the best thing" for Lennon Miller to be away with the Scotland squad and learn from players like John McGinn and Andy Robertson, not only on the pitch but how they conduct themselves off it.

• The German says he is loving his time in Scotland and is also enjoying the "honesty of the Scottish game".

• Wimmer thinks the table is so tight that the race for top six will go to gameday 33, but warns it's important not think beyond Saturday's game against Aberdeen.

• He says it is "brilliant" that Motherwell have sold their full allocation for the trip to Pittodrie, and it's the management and squad's job now to make the fans happy.

• The German knows Aberdeen will be a tough game - "they have a great manager and good players, especially on offence" - but he wants to be a "tough opponent for them, and with 20,000 ers, it will be great to be on the pitch on Saturday".

Nick Mheat
BBC Sport Scotland

What if the Scottish Premiership was decided on overperforming your expected goals (xG) rating?

You're rolling your eyes, aren't you? Fair enough, but the above graphic still paints an interesting picture.

In the second column you will see each team's current xG tally after 30 games, but the table is sorted based on the third column, which shows how much each side has overperformed or underperformed by.

For example, the chances leaders Celtic have created throughout the season suggests they should have scored around 77 goals, but Brendan Rodgers' side have sured that tally with an overperformance of almost 12 goals.

Remarkably, Dundee have overperformed their xG total of 34 by 11 goals. If Tony Docherty's side could sort out their defensive issues, it's safe to assume they wouldn't be fighting for survival.

It's the opposite for Kilmarnock, with their underperformance of 5.5 showing they have struggled to take their chances. Addressing that is key if Derek McInnes wants to pull his side away from the bottom.

Other underperformers include Hibernian, Dundee United and Ross County, while the remainder of the teams in the division appear to be fairly steady.

Nick Mheat
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

As well as implementing a high-pressing game, manager Michael Wimmer has stressed the importance of Motherwell having more control in games in the infancy of his tenure.

Upon his appointment, the Fir Park side had the lowest average possession (39%) in the Scottish Premiership, something the German coach vowed to address.

Across just four games in charge, Wimmer's Motherwell have exceeded their previous average in three of those matches.

The only game they failed to do that in was the win at Rangers at the start of this month, when they had 35% of the ball in an impressive 2-1 victory at Ibrox.

With more possession, the average number of accurate es made per game by the Lanarkshire side has also increased, as has their accuracy.

Of course, more possession does not guarantee more points. South of the border, Nottingham Forest currently sit third in the Premier League despite having the lowest average possession in the division.

But Motherwell fans, many of whom were demanding a more attractive style after Stuart Kettlewell's exit, will be enthused by the fact they are already seeing signs of Wimmer's proactive philosophy at such an early stage.

We asked for your Motherwell player of the year - and the biggest disappointment.

Here's what some of you said:

James: Before his injury, Paul McGinn was our most consistent player. Liam Gordon has taken on that mantle. Lennon Miller has been fantastic in patches and dragged us through some games before his injury. And as much as I hate to it it, our biggest letdowns have been Stuart Kettlewell and Stephen O'Donnell.

Ryan: Miller - best. O'Donnell - worst. Tom Sparrow - most improved.

Mark: There's no two ways about it, Aston Oxborough has been incredible this season. Shame he got injured but it was good to see him getting close to full fitness again. It's also good to see Tawanda Maswanhise playing - he looks like he always has a good time and has got on the scoresheet a good few times too.

Paul: Biggest letdown overall has been the number of injuries we have faced as a club. This has been frustrating and had a detrimental effect on our ability to have consistency and consolidate after good performances. Best player has to be Miller and it's no coincidence that our upturn in results has been after he became available again after injury.

Kevin: Player of the season has got to be Maswanhise, just edging Miller. Poorest performer was Kettlewell, good riddance.

With just eight Premiership games left, we're down to the business end of the season.

Player reputations have been enhanced - or sullied - with their performances throughout the campaign.

As thoughts begin to turn to end-of-term awards, we want to know your Motherwell player of the season so far - and the biggest flop.

Share your views

We asked your for views on Lennon Miller's comments and the reaction from some in the Scotland camp.

Here's what some of you said:

Kevin: If that's what he believes who are we to decry the lad. Set your sights high. Not like us Scots but let's not pillory him for being ambitious.

Keith: Much ado about nothing. A young lad who has confidence in himself, but also probably an off-the-cuff remark that is being made to carry more weight than it needs to be. Same old Scotland - always putting people down. Embrace his enthusiasm and confidence.

Ross: He's a generational talent, but he may well regret those comments now being around the squad. Pretty sure John McGinn for one won't let that go lightly!

He's been naive at best and probably been caught in the headlights a bit during the interview. One thing's for sure, he'll only improve with the quality around him in the national squad. Good luck, Lennon.

Gary: I think the comments are being blown totally out of proportion and not helped by John Carver mentioning it. As a Well fan, I can confirm young Lennon is the most humble and very down to earth lad there is.

If he said "I can't believe I am in the squad and I will never be as good as the other lads" then that would tell Clarke he isn't ambitious. A total non-story. Just let the lad learn and he will be a massive player for Scotland.

Alistair: I think Miller most likely meant "a couple of years" rather than "a couple of months" and simply misspoke. Any other times I have heard him speak he comes across as quietly confident (a good thing) and not at all arrogant (a bad thing). Overall, the media are overhyping the situation.

Gary: Surprised to hear McGinn criticising the comments which are being totally overblown. Would be a bigger concern if Miller didn't have confidence to improve.

Wonder if John regrets his stupid oompah dance before the Euros then hardly kicking a ball the whole tournament? He is better than that so was very unfair to criticise young Lennon.