Motherwell are three points ahead of the Tangerines but we have played 18 compared to their 16. Inverness, one place above us, have played 20 – it will take some weeks before we can make sensible comparisons!
Our cup win will provide a much needed tonic following our recent dip in league form, a run of six games without a win can do little for the confidence. Sutton, Murphy and Jennings hit the net at the weekend and the team played with cohesion and purpose. McCall’s praise for Jennings following the cup game hit the mark correctly. His drive lifted the team and it’ll be great to see him back on SPL duty. Our recent record at Tannadice is decent, two wins from the last three visits, though few will predict a repeat of the 4-0 triumph recorded on January 2009.
Sunshine!!
United have stuttered badly this season. Since they beat Hamilton early in November they lost to St Mirren then recorded five draws including an embarrassing 0-0 with Ross County at Tannadice last Saturday. Will the transfer speculation over Goodwillie unsettle him?
This rearranged fixture is a big target for both teams as they try to haul themselves from some indifferent league form. Is it too much to hope that a rejuvenated Motherwell team are undergoing the fabled ‘new manager bounce’? If so, it could be a happy homeward journey with 3 points in the bag following a 2-1 win.