In the early days under former Gothenburg boss Askou, it was a tad hairy.
In his first game, Motherwell faced FC Twente during a summer training camp. Even at the embryonic stage the new style was clear, and it was terrifying.
Well lost 3-0 and looked horrifyingly nervous at the back as they tried to be prime Barca in their own box while turning the goalie into a ball-playing centre-half.
In Askou’s first competitive game, goalkeeper Calum Ward was lobbed by Clyde’s James Hilton while about four miles outside his box. It was heart-attack stuff.
But with each game, it began to click more and more. The sight of Ward standing on the halfway line wasn’t causing as many fans to choke on their pies.
Five months on, and Motherwell’s scintillating, intricate and almost instinctive football arguably reached its peak against Celtic on Tuesday.
Their first goal was an uncharacteristic deep cross and header, while the second came from a high press that pounced on Celtic’s haplessness.
But it’s what happened around it that made it so special. Make no mistake, this is the best football many fans inside Fir Park have ever seen.
There was a ferocity about their approach, an insatiable appetite to hound Celtic. A late flurry of possession and pressure from the reigning champions skewed the stats but Motherwell were in control throughout.
“It was an absolute football lesson, both in and out of possession,” former Celtic midfielder Scott Allan said on Sportscene.
“It was the composure and calmness of Motherwell’s play.
“There was one team that was connected and one who was totally disconnected. It’s the difference between a manager who is really implementing something.
“Motherwell played better football, more exciting football than Celtic. But at the same time they had a real structure behind the ball which caused Celtic problems.
“It’s both boxes, and that’s what leads to a solid team.”