Battling the Bairns again || Motherwell Vs Falkirk Preview
- Ruaraidh Blackwood
- Apr 4
- 4 min read
With the final international window of this domestic season done and dusted, and Steve Clarke’s side barely showing glimmers of what they are capable of, it is finally time for the last run in. And it’s the important one, the final push that decides whether or not Motherwell will have a European tour once again, or if they’llbe submitted to the League Cup groups.
The first opponents in this last hurrah of the 25/26 season are Falkirk. Currently placed in sixth, the Bairns are all but sure of their top half status. In what has been a fantastic debut season back in the Premiership, all they need is for United to drop points between the next two games, or for them to maintain some part of their +7 goal difference over the Tannadice Terrors.
For Motherwell, a win could see us potentially put more daylight between ourselves and Hibs, and increase our chances of European football next season, and a better qualification route to boot.
The Form Guide…
For Motherwell, there’s been something of a wobble in the last three games. Frustrating away loss in Dundee, inability to see through a lead at Celtic Park (again), and another “all the gear but no idea” draw at home to Hibs. For all that seems slightly doom and gloom, there’s another opportunity to rectify that blip and power into the split with confidence on Saturday.
Falkirk are in a weird run of form themselves. Plenty of goals scored at home to a struggling Killie, and have only failed to score in 2 of their last 10 games - coming against league leaders Hearts, and league chasers Celtic. Conversely, they’ve not kept a clean sheet since early February, so I get the feeling that there could be goals to come for both sides in this one.
The Teams…
John McGlynn has had the luxury of consistency when picking his starting line-ups in the last 5 games, with very few changes being made outside of suspensions and ineligibilities. The average starting side for the Bairns could be described as such:
McGlynn has preferred a 4-2-3-1 system (similar to our own) for the vast majority of the season, and some need very little introduction. Scott Bain is returning to club duty after yet another Scotland call-up, having played the second half against Cote D’Ivoire in midweek. Connor Allan, Barney Stewart and Filip Lissah all played their part in a UEFA Under-21s qualifier in Dundee over the break, with the former two pulling on the dark blue and the latter representing Czechia. With all this being said, it would not be a surprise to see McGlynn switch up the players to rest some who’ve been involved over the international break.
Moving on to the Mighty, Jens Askou gave updates on his squad in his recent press conference:
Speaking on the Slattery situation, JBA cut his usual cool, calm and collected figure when discussing it, saying that - regardless of the evidence given and the frustration at the ‘offence’ - we must move on and accept the blow that it is, and try to learn from it.
On other players, the mention of Eli Just being “used to“ traveling thousands of miles for international football should bring some hope to Well fans that he will at least feature in the game against Falkirk at the weekend. The midfielder has trained this week, and looks in good shape, according to the gaffer. With 13 goal contributions in the league so far this year, and a goal against Chile for the All-Whites, it has been an electric first season in claret and amber for the diminutive Kiwi.
On Tawanda, the manager mentioned that not going on international duty was a decision made more as a preventative measure than one of injury. The Zimbabwean was selected to play for his nation once again but, after reporting a ‘small issue’ post-Hibs, the club put out a statement saying that he would manage the issue in ML1. He has also trained this week, and having been rested over the international break he is available for the last big push.
On the others on the injured list, some are nearing the light at the end of end of the tunnel, so to speak. JBA is hopeful that they will be integrated back into team training from next week and it’s hopefully a smooth ride from there.
To Sum Up…
After a weekend playing against an electively-parked bus in Hibernian, and a week of yet more toothless drivel from Steve Clarke, it is fair to say that I am buzzing for this one.
Falkirk still have all to play for, and will be there for more than to just make up the numbers. They’re well-organised, explosive on the counter, and have more than enough weapons that can hurt you if you’re not careful, but should Motherwell find their rhythm early in the game, and find the clinical touch that has been missing in the last couple weeks, this could be a statement going into the last round of fixtures.
The beginning of the end, and what a ride it’s been.
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