Three things we learned as Morton suffer consecutive defeats

The Cappielow side suffered consecutive league defeats for the second time this season whilst slumping from fifth to eighth in the process as injuries look to cripple the Ton chief at the wrong time, with a congested fixture list to contend with.

A disastrous seven-minute spell cost his side against Hamilton, before a brief lapse in concentration let them down against Queen's Park.

The defeat leaves Imrie and his severely depleted squad facing the daunting task of a trip to leaders Falkirk on Saturday as they look to finally get the second quarter of their Championship season up and running.

But those who took in both games were left with more questions than answers, and Ton supporters who were looking up the table just a few short weeks ago are now beginning to look nervously over their shoulders at the relegation places.

Here are three things we learned from Morton's last two games...

Concentration

Morton had boasted a great defensive record up until Saturday.

They'd recorded three clean sheets on the bounce and looked to have a defence that was almost impenetrable.

Rudden benefitted from a lapse in concentration (Image: alex craig) But the manner in which that they've lost four goals in their last two games has suddenly put a totally different outlook on things.

Balls into the box that looked to be a comfortable ask for the Ton backline at the start of the season, now look to be an issue - as Oli Shaw and now Zak Rudden have found out to Morton's cost.

Shaw benefitted from poor defending of set pieces (Image: Gary Bradley) Shaw was the man to react first in two set piece situations to bag himself a quickfire double, on his way to bagging a hat trick on Saturday before Rudden was afforded all the time and space in the world to dispatch a brilliant first time volley beyond Lewis Budinauckas on Tuesday.

Dougie Imrie will be looking to rectify that and fast as he looks to get his side back to their defensive best.

Injuries

Injuries and suspensions continue to ramp up on the Ton chief, at the worst time possible.

Imrie is currently without as many as nine first team players, with around half of those considered nailed on starters after their impacts during the beginning of the season.

Imrie's injury woes are ramping up again (Image: Gary Bradley) Iain Wilson will now miss Saturday's trip to Falkirk (Image: alex craig)

Ryan Mullen, Gary Woods, Morgan Boyes, Dylan Corr, Cammy Ballantyne, Alexander King, Nathan Shaw, Ali Crawford and Lamar Reynolds are all currently on the treatment table with a variety of ailments.

Iain Wilson's late red card on Tuesday night takes the absentee number up into double figures ahead of the trip to Falkirk - and only a few weeks after thinking having a bigger squad would avoid a repeat of last season's injury nightmare, Imrie may feel like his luck may never turn.

Finishing

Morton's finishing touch, or lack of it, has severely let them down in recent games.

Decision-making in the final third has been poor, and in both games so far this week, Imrie's men have paid a high price for their wastefulness in front of goal.

Moffat has seen chances spurned in recent games (Image: alex craig) Owen Moffat saw big chances go a-begging in both games against Accies and Queen's Park, whilst Arron Lyall saw two curling efforts stopped on Tuesday night.

Filip Stuparevic was unsuccessful with two attempts at New Douglas Park, and will be desperate to recapture the touch that saw him find the net against Raith Rovers and then against Accies in the SPFL Trust Trophy.

Moffat's chance at Hamilton was a turning point (Image: Gary Bradley) Composure in front of goal needs to be found again, and fast, with teams in and around Ton - notably Dunfermline, who upset Livingston in eye-catching fashion on Tuesday night - also looking to build up a head of steam.