Five to go

By the time Saturday's trip to Falkirk comes around the team should have shaken off the disappointment of the defeat to St Mirren and the realisation that we are a bottom six club. It is vital that the players finish the season in a positive frame of mind and that any feelings of self-pity are banished. The best springboard for next season will come from a strong, confident end to this campaign with seventh place secured as soon as possible.

SPL table with five to go

The manager is already talking up the importance of good performances as an indication that players want to remain at Fir Park next season. He is right to make every effort to ensure that they don't switch off before the end of May. They may have their summer holidays already booked but with none our opponents yet safe from the drop we cannot expect any easy games.

The schedule leaves us with three away games and only two at Fir Park. Falkirk, fresh from the boost they received by reaching the cup final and a guaranteed Europa Cup place next season, are in a desperate position in the league. They are bottom by four points and have only two of their last five games at home. A defeat would further reduce their slim hopes of survival so we can expect a battle. It could be argued that it is the ideal match to start the run-in.

The following weekend sees us return to the new St Mirren Park. Given the disaster which befell Motherwell on the first visit in February there is every reason to expect a more spirited showing on this occasion. Terry Butcher then brings ICT for a Wednesday evening entertainment on May 13. If all goes to plan we'll have three wins and seventh place guaranteed with a couple of fixtures in hand. Easy!