Graham Alexander convinced Motherwell will soon adjust to life after Tony Watt

Motherwell manager Graham Alexander accepts losing Tony Watt has influenced their results – but he is convinced they will soon adjust to the departure of their top goalscorer.

Well went into the winter break in fourth place in the cinch Premiership but then sold Watt to Dundee United after the forward signed a pre-contract at Tannadice on the back of hitting nine league goals.

Six league games in 2022 have yielded just two goals and two points, with the Steelmen’s latest defeat coming after Watt netted his first United goal in a 2-0 home win.

Alexander admitted the transfer window was a “destabilising” period and could not argue with the assessment they have been missing Watt’s goals.

“It’s not a lazy argument, he was the top scorer in the Premiership,” said Alexander ahead of Saturday’s Scottish Cup fifth-round tie against Aberdeen at Fir Park.

“I think we are creating as many chances as we did previously, but we’re not taking advantage of those chances. Tony, in that period, for us, was taking advantage of those chances.

“It’s quite clear. It would be silly for to say it’s a lazy argument. It’s not. It could be any player who has been a significant part of what you are doing, when they are missing there’s going to be an adjustment period.

“That’s what we have to do, we have to adjust. We have lost a certain type of player and haven’t got a direct replacement in how he plays so we have to adjust our game for whoever is going to play in those positions.

“That’s where we are finding those adjustments but we are still creating chances and the stats tell us that.”

Alexander added: “It’s why strikers get the most money, because they do the most important thing and that’s score goals.

“Other players have to take that