St Jonstone are a workmanlike team, they have a couple of decent players, but most are inconsistent. If they have a good night they will cause us problems, but hopefully are newly found solidness at the back will mean we should be able to cope with anything they throw at us. Kevin James will be a danger at corners and free-kicks, so surely the players have been warned to give away as few as possible. The Saints also have a couple of suspensions, including Derek McInnes, which can only help our cause, but lets not be complacent as if we play poorly they have shown in the cup this season they are capable of beating anyone.
As for our team, it just about picks itself. I would imagine MM will go for Clarky and Skippy up front as McCormack is not 100% fit, and it will be McGarry or Molloy if Smith does not shake off his injury. I personally would play Molloy in this game, as McGarry can put a lot of effort into games but against teams we are expected to beat he is often found wanting with attacks frequently break down due to his inept touch.
For me the biggest worry in our team, apart from Clarky who I am sick of having a go at as we all know his deficiencies (the shot that went out for a throw in sums him up), is Fitz in the centre of midfield. Everyone says give him a break, and he does put a lot into games, but again like Clarkson he actually does very little and panics on the ball. Surely St Jonstone are going to target him as the weak link in the team, so they will pressure him all afternoon not giving him any time on the ball. This will lead to Fitz hiding and panicking and will give the Saints a hell of a chance to dominate the centre of the park. I am not sure whether Vadocz is ready to play or not, and probably would not risk changing it for such an important game, but Fitz has to realise he is a key player when starting in the middle of midfield. He has been around long enough now to know what is expected - so please get your finger out and help Kerr to dominate the midfield as this is likely to be where the game is won.
This is a fantastic opportunity for Motherwell to get through to the Semi Finals, where we are going to get it right up Charlie Nicholas and draw Dunfermline. All of us can see a sunny day out in May in front of us - so please please please lets not cock it up against the journey men and has-beens from Perth.
They will be up for it - lets break their hearts and romp into the semi's!!!
Prediction - Motherwell 3 St Jonstone 0 (Skippy 2 and Clarky!!! - optimism personified)
Q/F Team:
GK - Smith
RB - Corrigan
LB - Murphy
CB - Reynolds
CB - Craigan
RM - Smith or Molloy
LM - Paterson (although I would be half tempted to swap him with Murphy as his pace going forward would be a real threat)
CM - Kerr
CM - Fitz (has to produce or binned)
ST - Skippy
ST - Clarkson (god help us all)
MM