Airdrie 24h On

Firstly, we at least turned up ready for battle if it was needed. It wasn't a scrap, as it happened, but after the debacles at Rugby Park and Love Street in recent seasons few folk would have backed us to emerge successfully in a war of attrition. Kerr in particular worked his socks off in midfield and showed a surprising willingness to dig in for tackles and jump for headers. He tired late on but he was carrying McGarry who, in fairness, is surely only fifth choice for the central midfield spot. Foran chipped in with yet another goal and displayed an eagerness to chase folk down over the park – even appearing at inside right occasionally – was pleasing to see even if it suggests he could be playing for a move away from Fir Park. McDonald had a poor game but received little service although Clarkson again showed promise even if he fell just short of getting that goal his confidence needs so much.

When Motherwell play well and don't get the results we worry that it is a sign of a struggling side. In the last five matches we have played well at times and struggled at others but from two league away games, both the Old Firm at home and Airdrie away in the cup we have picked up seven points almost to guarantee SPL survival and progressed to the 4^th round of the cup. If we have achieved this and we're happy with the performances, things are going okay. If we have done all this and we still have so much room for improvement how much more can we do when we sort our remaining flaws?

The cup draw has been fairly kind to us. Not only do we have a second division side, albeit a good one, at home, but there are more all-SPL ties ahead and there will be at least two lower league sides in the quarter finals. Of all the sides we have really struggled against recently Rangers are out and Hibs have still to negotiate a tricky third round tie at Aberdeen. Celtic and Hearts are the obvious favourites but if the door isn't yet wide open for us it certainly does not seem to have been slammed in our faces either.