December 2009 will not be recorded as a happy time for Motherwell. Losses to Hibs, Celtic, Rangers, St Johnstone and Hearts together with the sacking of a manager must place this period close to an all time low.
The league table shows Motherwell holding on to sixth place but a closer examination shows that position to be fragile. The pile up of postponed fixtures reveals that each of the chasing pack has at least one game in hand while Aberdeen, Hamilton and St Mirren have played only 16 compared to our 18. We desperately need a win at the weekend to stop the rot.
Defence in a blizzard
With any luck we'll be battling for a mid-table place in the coming weeks rather than scrapping to avoid relegation but the comings and goings during next month's transfer window will play a decisive part in our fate.
Many felt that Jutkiewicz's prolonged applause to the Motherwell fans at the end of last night's game signalled his intentions. That would leave us with Sutton, Murphy and McHugh as strikers, an unlikely source of salvation. We know that the club are talking to Everton about both Jutkiewicz and Ruddy. The issue will have to be settled early enough to give the manager (whoever he is) time to secure any necessary replacement. January could be the month that makes or breaks our season notwithstanding the horror that was December.
But what would football be without hope? There can be no better time to start a revival than at New Year with a win over Hamilton Accies at Fir Park.