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Preview - Dunfermline (a)

Last updated : 25 December 2006 By Firparkcorner

It is always hard to predict Motherwell games and this Boxing Day clash is particularly difficult. We played well enough in our last game – are we due a collapse? – but Dunfermline are poor and really struggling so we must be slight favourites. When do we ever cope well in that situation? And knowing a win will see us nearly safe will the desperation of the Pars players help them get the points?

Jim Hamilton in Claret & Amber


The waters are further muddied by the suspension of Jim Paterson. Clarkson is also out but he will not be missed nearly so much. We have two options to replace Stepover. Option one is to move Fitzpatrick to full back and play someone else in midfield. This does not seem at all attractive because not only is Ftiz not great at left back but he is already low down the pecking order for central midfield. Below him all that is left is the unfancied Shaun Fagan and we know Malpas would rather not go down that route! The alternative is also not perfect. Move Reynolds out to left back and introduce a new centre half, presumably Kinniburgh. That means moving Mark from his settled position but at least everyone would be playing in his natural position. It also prevents any possibility for he nightmare circle of change to occur which is Fitzpatrick to left back, Corrigan to midfield and Quinn to right back.


So we have things to think about and presumably Dunfermline do too. After all, Crawford is suspended, Burchill was out injured against ICT and Hamilton hobbled around having delayed an operation. They haven't scored in their last two games and while they have been improving under Stephen Kenny we must view this as a great chance to solidify our SPL position.

The big concern is that our guys lose focus and allow a desperate team to overcome us. But St Mirren and Inverness faced off Dunfermline in a similar situation in the last two games and came out unscathed with 0-0 draws. We will aim to go one better and come back with another vital 2-1 win.

Remember our last visit to east End Park?