Matches between the teams have gone with home advantage this season. Motherwell won 2-0 at Fir Park while St Johnstone had the better of the game in Perth despite Moult giving us the lead after 10 minutes. The Saints are our immediate target as we look up the table and three points would see us level.
Motherwell fans who were anxious during our six game slump need to look to our opponents to realise that there is almost always another team in greater despair. St Johnstone have had two draws and seven losses since their last win at the start of December. Our aim is to extend that run.
McDonald scored in his 'Well debut at McDiarmid Park in 2004
Whisper it but they are having problems finding the net. As a result they have dropped three places from the fourth spot that had been their place for a couple of months.
The loss of O’Halloran as the transfer window closed left Tommy Wright with no chance of a replacement and the striking task now falls to Maclean and Cummins.
Whether any remnants of the strategy that succeeded on Tuesday will survive is an unknown. Both full backs will be keen to return and Pearson has served his one match ban. Moult was returned to action after a spell as substitute and McFadden reminded us of his talents with a decent contribution for an hour. We’ll have to wait for the team sheets.
The win on Tuesday was a step back from the brink and we should take to McDiarmid with confidence. The home side are struggling and if we play to our capability a 2-0 win may be on the cards.
Remember our last trip to McDiarmid Park?