MJC_MKI

Ironically enough, exactly two years ago tomorrow when we won 2-0. That was the first time we'd beaten them at Fir Park since Skippy Sunday.

4-0 Celtic with them playing at walking pace just as they were the last time they were at Fir Park. We'll turn in our usual gutless display that we have come to expect in 'big' games and I reckon that not only will we fail to score, again, but we won't even get a shot in target. Our midfield will be completely overpowered both physically and footballing wise and our ropey defence will ensure that Randolph will have his work cut out for him and just like in September, he is the only thing standing between us and a humiliating scoreline. Oh aye, and no doubt we'll get someone sent off aswell. The sooner this ones out the way the better.

One of our main problems is that we don't have a particularly good squad, both in quality and in quantity, and nor do we have a manager who has the tactical awareness to set us up to be difficult to beat or adapt to playing against sides who can defend in numbers and counter at pace. We've been very fortunate over the past few years that we've had guys like Higdon and Sutton to get important goals at important times during matches on a regular basis with others like Murphy and Ojamaa also chipping in at important moments too along the way. Last season we had Jennings to carry our midfield while Higdon got the goals, now Jennings is away we've had to rely on Law to take on this sort of role and when he doesn't play, our midfield don't play and when Higdon doesn't score, we don't score.

Too early to say that this is the reason for the last two performances IMO, however that is exactly what happened when McFadden was here before. The rest of the team looked to him to bail them out and knew that he was a cut above them all. As a result we became dependant on him and results were horrendous, so much so that we finished bottom of the table in 02/03 and only started playing as a team the following season once he had left.

Absolutely, we'll get absolutely murdered on Wednesday and Celtic won't need to get out of second gear either. This is a very bad time to hit such a slump and I really don't see where our next points will come from.

Another tough game but I think we'll win this one in the end. I can see this being the type of game where we're 2-0 and then let them back in it ensuring a nailbiting finish where we're clinging on. Can't see McFadden starting but I'm sure he'll feature at some point.

April 2011, we won 2-1. Since then we've failed to score a home goal against them and tonight we never looked like changing that. We were absolutely dire tonight and looked completely devoid of ideas how to break down a well organised, physical defence yet again. Humphrey and Hateley were the worst two players on the park for me, both had absolute stinkers and surrendered possession on numerous occasions and Hateley's set pieces were as bad as ever. The goal we lost was pathetic, considering it came from our corner then three passes later they were through our defence and in on goal. The only Motherwell player to come out of tonight with any passmarks was, yet again, Darren Randolph who saved us from an absolute pasting and showed yet again that he is worth his weight in gold for us.

1-1 or 2-1 either way for me, too close to call. Really hope we get the three points though, it would be superb to open up a bit more of a cushion on the 'chasing pack'.

About as real as the Easter Bunny. (In my opinion of course)

Superb result, well done Motherwell.

That's my view aswell, I too think we'll do enough to finish in a Europa League place, I don't think we'll get second though. However I struggle to get excited about that if I'm honest. Partly because there's a great deal of apathy surrounding the club just now and also because Europe is a level way beyond our reach and we'll just end up embarrassed as we always do, no doubt the club and McCall if he's still here will go out their way to tell us as much before we've even kicked a ball. This is why our dire Cup performances this season were such a let down. But for a bit of belief, motivation and better management we could still be in both domestic cups right now and that's what rankles the most. The season fell flat the night we whimpered out the Scottish Cup to Aberdeen, a result which was all the more galling when you consider we thumped them 4-1 just two weeks later. Whatever happens I don think this will be viewed as a poor season, but we could and should have had so much more IMO.

Complete non story. It's not going to happen and anyone with half a brain can see that, especially as this same pish is trotted out at least once ever six months these days. He's simply using our training facilities again to keep his fitness up just as he did before, but he was never going to sign for us when he was training with us last summer and he isn't going to sign for us now. His recent interview where he said in a half arsed tone that he "assumed" that he "might" end up playing for Motherwell again "some day" was a clear signal that he has absolutely no intention of signing for us again any time soon, if ever. So lets just put this nonsense to bed eh?

Despite the fact that we won comfortably on paper at least in our previous two matches, the scoreline flattered us both times, especially the Fir Park encounter. I don't think we'll be as fortunate this time and will come a cropper. And that's why I think we will come a cropper. Inverness will steamroller us in midfield and our generous defence will present them with a few gifts which they'll duly take.

3-2 Inverness.

Nine times out of ten that is exactly what the applause is for...defiance.

Summer football just would not work in this country, partly due to the clash with World Cup/Euros every two years and more significantly down to the fact that the powers that be in our game do not have the foresight and ideas to deliver a completely revamped gameplan which would work effectively. The sad reality is that Scottish football is severely handicapped both on and off the park.

Can't see this one going for us I'm afraid. 2-0 Kilmarnock

This makes for worrying reading indeed. If we are posting such a loss from a season in which we've finished 3rd and qualified for Europe then what kind of mess are we going to be in the next time we fail to make the top six?

Ross Tokely is a bungling trumpetfuck who would have brought nothing more to the team than we've already and would have caused many a debate on both here and in the East Stand at Fir Park. I'm glad we didn't sign him.

If nothing else, we have the starting 11 that is the equal to anyone else bar Celtic in the SPL. If we can avoid injuries/suspensions then we'll be okay IMO.

If we don't lose anyone else then I'll be fairly happy tbh. I think we've got the players to challenge for a 2nd/3rd placed finish barring injuries and suspension.

Amen to that. All day I'd felt that we'd really struggle tonight due to the conditions and that it had all the makings of a dire, turgid affair with us losing late on. Look on the bright side, at least when we do play this fixture then hopefully McNamara's honeymoon period is over, the weather is better and we get the result we want. Got to be positive I suppose.

Leann Dempster on Sky Sports News now...

Must be a right sore one for the United fans that were already en route, especially as that's the second time this season they've come down here only to have the game kb'd late on.

Also increases my desire to beat them tomorrow. Can't stand that prick Hegarty.