Graham Alexander is delighted with Tony Watt’s goal improvement but he urged the striker to continue to be more selfish.
The Motherwell star has bagged two goals in his last two games after admitting that he needs to score more goals this season.
The 27-year-old works tirelessly for the Steelmen and his creative output was evidenced by seven assists in the league last season.
However, Watt realised that he needed to improve on his three league goals last term and he’s started in style with two goals in three games this campaign.
Alexander is a massive fan of the former Celtic man and the ‘Well boss admits there is a mutual understanding between the pair.
He said: “We played a game in midweek and he had opportunities there. He turned down shots and he’s looking at me to say that he knows.
“He wants to work for the team and set other people up but he gets in positions where he can take advantage himself.
“Strikers and forward players, ultimately, get judged on numbers - goals and assists. I feel with Tony’s ability that he can score more goals.
“We’ve put the challenge down to him and he’s always up for a challenge.
"It’s been a great response from him with two goals in quick succession. We are really pleased.”
Watt was hugely influential in Motherwell’s first Premiership win of the season against Livingston.
The versatile forward equalised on 48 minutes with a clever header before his shot led to Liam Grimshaw’s late winner.
Alexander was thrilled after the game but it might have been a different story had the Steelmen not left West Lothian with three points.
Referee Craig Napier made a bizarre decision to stop play, and subsequently award Livingston a free-kick, when Sean Kelly collided with goalkeeper Max Stryjek, despite there being no foul. with Justin Amaluzor primed to fire into an unguarded net.
"I was disappointed at the time,” Alexander admitted. “Look, player safety is really important but the referee had blown before the lad even landed. It was a great opportunity for us.
“But I spoke to the player afterwards and he is okay. At the time I was frustrated but I can understand the referee making the decision because player safety is very important.
“I’m saying this because we won the game – it could have been different. I thought the referee gave a free-kick to justify him stopping play.
“ It wasn’t a free-kick and there was no push from our player. But we’re glad the player is okay because he did take a whack from the keeper. Thankfully it didn’t affect our result.”
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