Preview-Dunfermline (h)

We are currently thirteen clear of Dunfermline who occupy bottom spot. If we lose the gap is down to ten…but no, come on, we are surely safe. The debate will be put beyond all doubt if we avoid defeat this Saturday but with a patchwork side it is likely to be a struggle against desperate opponents. Scott McDonald will probably play but if he shows anything less than his best he will no doubt get the fans on his back. McCormack has joined the injury list and it might be an idea to give Paul Keegan a run from the start - he can't be worse than Clarkson and could be a good foil for McDonald.

Sunny day at fir park

Corrigan is probably out again, Quinn is suspended and the usual long term folk are still missing. Kerr, Vadocz, McBride, Molloy, Fitzpatrick, McGarry and Smith will no doubt fight for the midfield spots and against a potentially tricky midfield we will have to play well here. Glass and Mason are no mugs in the middle while their loan players, Hammill and O'Brien are full of tricks on the wing.

At the back we will no doubt have Smith in goal and unless Corrigan surprises people by appearing it will be the same back four - Paterson on his poor side, Craigan, Reynolds and Murphy. Dunfermline have their own suspension and injury problems to deal with and quite frankly there are no excuses for us even if have some issues in our team.

Motherwell have defeated Dunfermline on both occasions the sides have met this season but it must be a worry that we have little to play for while they urgently need the win. That could be just enough to give them the edge but in Scott McDonald we still have the best player on the park by some way and he can make the difference for us in a 1-0 win.

Remember the last time the Pars were at Fir Park? Report