Not the same film…?
Mind weary from the familiar road, he slings the colours over a shoulder and heads for the platform. The question sits there, heavy and simple: surely it’s not the same film again? Last time an early penalty settled the stomach, for a while. Time stretched, doubt crept back in, and the old story tried to write itself.
This trip feels different. Not lighter. Just new.
I don’t think you can talk about the first trip to McDiarmid Park since January without talking about Kettlewell’s exit. The whole saga felt like a catalyst for real change at Motherwell. The Board used it to step away from the old, 80s-flavoured British template and towards the more contemporary, flowing football you see on the continent. Wimmer came in, and while that chapter was brief, the intent stuck. Back-to-back dominant performances against stubborn opponents — still missing the killer blow — suggest Askou is now putting that plan into practice.
The club’s moved forward, thankfully, but that doesn’t mean we should rest on our laurels.
Premiership-esque
We may be facing Championship opposition, but if any club should know not to underestimate the Perthshire side, it’s Motherwell. Simo Valakari has St Johnstone playing quick, threatening football. We sat down last Friday to watch Ross County v St Johnstone on the council telly and came away impressed. The Saints looked press-resistant, playing around County’s pressure, keeping the ball on the deck, and cutting through lines. Their transitions were sharp and purposeful.
They’ve started the season impressively. Not only progressing to Round 2 of the League Cup, but also thumping Partick Thistle 5-1 and edging out Ross County 1-0. Simo’s super saints are off to a flyer.
Predicting the game
I think the first spell is cagey: Saints are confident enough to play through the first line, regardless of opposition, so you’ll see a few tidy escapes from Holt/McAlear and quick punches into the channels. Once Motherwell’s press settles, the game tilts our way. Fadinger and Watt should start to own the second balls, Longelo gives you territory on the left, and the box entries arrive via cutbacks rather than hopeful crosses. It feels like one of those afternoons where structure beats chaos—control, recycle, go again—while Ward and McGinn tidy up the rare long ball over the top.
If there’s a wobble, it’s in transition and at set-plays: Baird will attack first contact, and Saints break quickly when you cough it up in the middle third. But if Askou’s side keep the rest-defence honest and the tempo high, the chances stack up. On balance: Motherwell will win, though the game will be tight initially. If we get the first goal, particularly given it’s a cup game, I expect Motherwell’s transitional ability to be able to pack a punch. That first goal won’t come easy, though.
As ever, a very safe journey to the 1,400+ ‘Well fans making the trip up North. We’ll be watching via Dispatch HQ this afternoon.
How do you think the game will go? What are your predictions? Let us know by using the new comment feature below.
