Winter Draws On...

We have two home games, Inverness on Saturday and Aberdeen on Boxing Day, followed by three on the road, Falkirk (10^th), Hibs (17^th) and Livingston on Hogmanay.

Only the most pessimistic Motherwell fan would take a view which suggests that we would not take enough points from these games to see us comfortably back in the top six by the New Year. But were we to fail to take at least, say, eight points from the possible fifteen then our chances of making the cut after thirty three games would be in doubt.

The second of December’s fixtures comes at Falkirk’s new stadium. Their appalling home record (Wins 0, Draws 3, Losses 5) will cause concern as we have a nasty habit of being the mugs who bring bad runs to an end. But the pathetic performance of the Bairns at Fir Park in September should be fresh enough in the memory to give the players confidence as they venture into new territory.

Dreams of another Scottish Cup run will be kindled in the middle of the month when the third round draw is made at Tynecastle at 5pm on Saturday 10^th. There are five non league teams in the second round and with Lossiemouth playing Spartans there is a guarantee that at least one will join the big boys in the next round.

Those who are in the habit of sending a note to Santa nearer the end of the month should consider asking for a bit of consideration for out start to January. Our first two league fixtures see both halves of the Old Firm visit us in consecutive Saturdays!