The Magic of the Cup || Motherwell v Ross County Scottish Cup 4th Round Preview
- Ruaraidh Blackwood
- Jan 17
- 4 min read
After a deserved - if slightly frustrating - draw away at Easter Road, Motherwell turn their attention to the cup. Once again fighting for the oldest Association Football trophy in the world, our first combatants is Stuart Kettlewell's (yes, really...) Ross County. With his second team in as many months, Mr. "Pretty Aggressive Guy" comes to Fir Park looking for his first win against us since he left.
The Form Guide...
As mentioned before, Motherwell come into this one with 10 points collected from a possible 15. With the draw to Hibs, that now takes us to 14 points dropped from winning positions on the season, which is still a rather alarming stat. On the contrary, it is positive to know that the gap between us and the old Firm is only 7 points, so the hunt for Europe is still very much on.
The obvious first point to mention in the form guide is that result against Raith. The 6-0 drubbing handed to the Dingwall side saw them part ways with Tiny Docherty. Docherty was brought in to replace Dom Cowie, who himself left after a disappointing opening to the Championship season.
Bringing back Stuart Kettlewell, who'd last taken charge of a game for the Staggies in 2020, County have picked up a decent win against Thistle, but also fell at the Round of 16 to St Johnstone in the KDM Evolution Trophy.
The Teams...
Motherwell shifted to a 3-4-3 against Hibs, much like they did in the original fixture against the Leith side at the Fir Park fixture. With Sparrow and O'Donnell (later Koutroumbis) down the right wing, we seemed happy to attack almost solely down that flank. I assume this is because of some weakness identified by the analysis team at the club, but just seemed strange.
The loss of Elliot Watt to injury (now confirmed to be until at least February) dealt what could've been a massive blow to the Steelmen, with the midfielder picking up both the club and league's POTM award. However, Oscar Priestman deputised as he has done on occasion, and played mightily well in his absence.
The reintroduction of Jordan McGhee, who has been sidelined with injury virtually since joining the club in the summer, was also a welcome afterthought in a grey afternoon in the capital.
Ross County, under Kettlewell, have surprisingly lined up with a 4-back formation in his two games in charge. Either due to the personnel he has on hand - and being unable to employ his usual 3-5-2 - or due to a change of heart with the formation, he’s used both a 4-1-3-2 and a 4-3-3 in their win over Patrick Thistle. Historically, Kettlewell has tended to switch between a 4-3-3 system and some variation of a 4-5-1 when managing Ross County, both in the lower leagues and in the Premiership. Looking back, it's almost nostalgic to see players like Ross Stewart, Iain Vigurs, and Michael Gardyne in Ross County line-ups, but I guess that just shows how long ago it was that Kettlewell was last at County.
Tactical predictions
Motherwell are likely to dominate territory and possession this afternoon, but the challenge will lie in how effectively they can dismantle what is expected to be a compact Ross County setup. Stuart Kettlewell's teams consistently show a willingness to concede the ball, drop into a low block, and prioritise defensive structure over pressing high. The objective will be clear: slow the game, crowd central areas, and tempt Motherwell into sterile circulation rather than decisive penetration.
From Motherwell’s perspective, patience will be non-negotiable. Expect long spells of possession around the edge of the box, with emphasis on full-back width, midfield rotations, and timing of runs between the lines. The danger in these scenarios is overplaying: recycling the ball without purpose plays directly into County’s hands. Breaking the block will require quick switches, disguised passes, and above all clinical decision-making when half-chances arise. One lapse in concentration at the back, however, could be costly.
Ross County’s attacking threat is likely to come almost exclusively in transition. Once possession is turned over, they will look to move the ball forward quickly into wide areas or channels, exploiting the space left by Motherwell’s advanced shape. This makes rest defence and counter-pressing crucial for the hosts. If Motherwell can manage those moments and convert pressure into an early goal, the game should open up in their favour. If not, frustration, and risk, will grow as the clock ticks on.
What JBA Had To Say...
What Jordan McGhee Had To Say...
To Sum Up...
It is once again, for the third time this season somehow, that Motherwell face off against a Stuart Kettlewell side. We're all hoping for the same result as the most recent outing against the Ayrshire side, but it would still be prudent to be wary of the banana peel that this game can be.
To be playing the team rock-bottom of the Championship after 20 games should be a relatively easy affair for the Well, considering how high-flying we are so far this term, but County are desperate for a morale-win. Let's hope it's an comfortable one for the Steelmen, and we march ever closer to some silverware when Jens is at the wheel.
Comments