Motherwell have had a standout 2019. From relegation fears to battling for the top six, the Well have accumulated 22 points so far this year. The Steelmen fell short in the final stretch though, with defeats to Aberdeen and Rangers meaning their final five fixtures will be in the bottom six.
The Rangers defeat was particularly disappointing, losing 3-0 on home soil to Steven Gerrard’s men. Stephen Robinson’s side handed Scott Arfield a first professional hat-trick, making three basic errors whilst trying to play out from the back, which led to three goals.
Basic errors killed Motherwell. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Motherwell were probably at their poorest since a disappointing Scottish Cup exit to Ross County. One player who disappointed in midfield against the Gers was Alex Rodriguez Gorrin.
The Spaniard has been one of the many Motherwell players transformed after the winter break. Signing from Romanian side Sepsi Sfântu Gheorghe in the summer, the former Sunderland youngster failed to make an impact in the first half of the season.
He’s been linked with reported moves to Blackburn Rovers, Millwall and Wigan Athletic in the summer. Now Bristol City are reportedly after him. His Fir Park performance against the Ibrox side though shows he isn’t ready for such a jump just yet.
Development at Motherwell the best thing for Gorrin
His physicality seemed like an issue at the start of his time in Claret and Amber. Even in the Irn-Bru cup clash where he played for the Motherwell Colts he didn’t seem to deal with the physical demands. With his contract up in the summer, some Well fans may have thought that Gorrin was just another failed signing.
Gorrin struggled earlier this season. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Something’s changed though and Gorrin has became a key midfield component in recent weeks. Suddenly he is a deep lying playmaker, able to spray passes about with ease. The Spaniard doesn’t avoid a tackle either. The midfielder has upped the aggression since his timid start at Fir Park.
He’s started all but one game in the league since the end of December, coinciding with seven wins. Before this run they had just six wins all season. It’s been a positive 2019 at Fir Park, and Gorrin has played a quiet, yet just as key role in this.
This has seen him linked with moves down south but his performance against Rangers showed he is still rough around the edges. Often caught in possession, that slickness Well fans have became used to was gone and the aggression deserted his game completely.
The midfielder during his Sunderland days. (Photo by Victor Fraile/Getty Images)
It was similar but not quite as bad against St Johnstone. He gave the ball away too many times under no pressure and the game ran by him at times. Gorrin has came on leaps and bounds, but things like this will see him fade into the background down south. He’s only played a handful of good games, he needs to play well over a longer period of time.
The best thing for the Spaniard is to pen an extension at Motherwell, even if it’s only for a year. He has potential to go on to better things, but that time is not now. He needs to iron out the flaws in his game. The best place for that to happen is at Fir Park.