Indeed, even in their promotion season of 2005/06 they were causing us problems, taking us to extra time in the League Cup before giving us a good hounding in the Scottish Cup later in the year. Once back in the SPL the teams have played 12 times with Motherwell coming out on top only three occasions. St Mirren also knocked us out the cup last year, ended our top six hopes and this season papped us in the League Cup.
Craigan watches...
So, for whatever reason St Mirren definitely seem to have something over us at present. At least Craig Brown will be going into the tie with a fresh mind which should hopefully ensure previous frustrations are forgotten while we could also be boosted slightly by their team news - if neither Mair or Innes recovers in time to play, a weakness could appear in the centre of defence, if we ever manage to get far enough up the park to exploit it.
The likes of Dargo, Mehmet and Higdon are run of the mill forwards for the SPL but all have caused us problems in the past. Andy Dorman is the other man to watch although with his thoughts seemingly drifting towards a freedom of contract move, his form has been less impressive than previously.
We will surely return to 4-4-2 after the catastrophe in Inverness so Jutkiewicz will probably have Sutton as a partner once more. This could see Hately move to right back instead of Saunders while Humphrey's poor performance in the Highlands could cost him his place as Forbes may return.
It is hard to predict who will win this match between two evenly matched sides but it seems certain not to be pretty. Both sides may be privately happy enough with a 1-1 draw.
Remember the last time St Mirren were at Fir Park?