Preview - Falkirk (a)

Motherwell have not won in the league since Boxing Day but we've been playing reasonably well and an efficient performance saw us past Morton in the cup. While Lasley, O'Donnell and McLean are still out we have plenty of competition for places and there will no doubt be disappointed players come Saturday afternoon. David Clarkson in particular will find his place under threat – there is only so long he can be given to find goals – as both McCormack and Keegan scored in the reserves mid-week. While the same midfield of Paterson, Fitzpatrick, Kerr and Smith looks likely, this will mean McBride, Vadocz, Molloy and McGarry are all left out – how long has it been since we've had genuine competition for places?

Our last visit

Falkirk on the other hand are down in the dumps. Not only can they not beat us – one draw from six attempts since their SPL return – but they have just suffered a horrible week which saw exits from both cups, a six-pointer lost in the league and Alan Gow sign for Rangers. Darren Barr and Karl Dodd are both likely to be missing from their defence so there is every hope Scott McDonald will be able to keep up his good record against the Bairns. They are also short up front with Carl Finnigan and the aforementioned Gow being the only real options short of playing a kid.

This is the sort of game we must be looking to win. We are usually good at letting Falkirk play pretty football but we stop them causing too many problems. Our attack, McDonald in particular, gives them a lot of trouble and if the teams keep up their recent form there is little doubt the points will go home with us. But it is precisely this sort of situation we usually blow. If Maurice Malpas can keep the side from becoming complacent there is no reason not to think we can't take another 2-1 win.

Our last visit to Falkirk