Split ahead

The three week spell that holds the final five league fixtures starts this weekend.  Those fortunate to be in the top half squabble over European gold while those in the bottom fight to avoid oblivion.

Relegation is seen by fans as an admission that the team were simply not good enough and that the drop is deserved.  It is also viewed as an opportunity to return to rarely visited grounds, face fresh opponents and perhaps a quick return to the top level.

Players and club staff have another view.  The financial implications force cuts in employment and wages.  Ambitious plans have to be put on ice as gloom descends.  It’s horrible.

For Motherwell the five game run starts with the visit of Dundee.  It will be the third visit from the Dark Blues and given past results it could be the toughest test.  We have taken only one point from those meetings and the 5-1 drubbing suffered in February proved to be the final act in Mark McGhee’s reign.  We have a two point advantage in the table and must not let that slip.

Next will be Ross County on 6 May, again at Fir Park.  This season’s form has given Motherwell two wins and a draw against the Dingwall team.  If we can maintain that return there will be a few smiles breaking out in Lanarkshire

If our home form can produce the goods then some pressure may come off the trip across the Clyde on 13 May.  Hamilton’s artificial surface has never been a happy hunting ground but we can take heart that the Accies have yet to beat us in their three attempts this campaign.

Our last home game is against Kilmarnock on Tuesday 16 May.  With any luck this could be a free run for both sides.  They enter the split best of the rest and only a collapse would drag them into the play-off place.  They will have faced both Dundee and Inverness before their trip to Fir Park and we wish them well in those encounters!

The season wraps up with Motherwell in Inverness.  It is the fervent hope of all in claret and amber that we will be able to concentrate on the pretty views up and down the A9 without any concerns about the result.

 So far this season....