The outcome of this game in Llanelli will set the tone for the opening spell of the SPL season. Failure to progress will have several consequences. Motherwell fans will be subject to months flack from all and sundry, media pundits will have a field day as they sharpen their knives, unable to resist the easy target of a team which could not dispose of the Welsh part-timers, and the players will have their confidence hit as they prepare for the league campaign.
It will not matter that our team is depleted in manpower, that the new management team has been in place for only a fortnight and that a new system of play is being introduced. All we will hear about is the damage to Scotland's coefficient and the poor quality of SPL football.
Fans on the march in Nancy
Surely we can avoid the humiliation and extend our adventure for a few more weeks?
Any subconscious overconfidence which might have been evident in the first leg will be gone. The comments from the squad in the build up to the match suggest that there is a determination to succeed and with the enthusiastic support of the travelling 'Well Army it would seem that the bookies' odds are will justified. Motherwell are hot favourites and it is hard to imagine anyone collecting on the home win.
This time next week could see our lads in Albania - but first they need to do the business in Wales.
Come on ye Well!