If the last fixture of the regular season is to be meaningful we have to beat the Paisley side for the fourth time. Newly appointed Ian Baraclough enjoyed his first win at St Mirren Park following his appointment in December when Sutton’s goal separated the teams. A repeat, preferably by a bigger margin, would be welcomed by him and the large support that will follow the team.
There were cheers around Lanarkshire when Thompson’s late penalty hit the net in Dingwall to produce an unexpected win for the relegated Saints but our gratitude will end with Saturday’s kick-off. Gary Teale will have to join others in submitting an application for the manager’s position and he’ll be trying to ensure that their last home game in the Premiership ends on a high note. It may be that a few of the younger members of his squad will be tested in preparation for next season.
The Motherwell team will be in good heart after the convincing 3-1 win over Kilmarnock. There have been no reports of injuries from Fir Park and the manager is unlikely to make any significant change to the staring eleven. The combination of Erwin and McDonald will lead the line. Johnson is the preferred wide man with Ainsworth and Sutton likely to be in reserve.
A win is just the starting point for Motherwell. Our goal difference is worse than that of Ross County and Kilmarnock so a high scoring game is needed. We also need Partick Thistle and/or Hamilton to win on Saturday, preferably by a few goals. In a perfect world we win and both our rivals lose - that’s on offer at 14/1 from the bookies. If that happens we would be in control of our fate with one game remaining. All guns blazing...3-0 to the Mighty ‘Well.
Remember our last visit to Paisley?