| 7 | Motherwell | 35 | 13 | 6 | 16 | -17 | 45 |
| 8 | Hearts | 35 | 12 | 7 | 16 | 0 | 43 |
| 9 | Kilmarnock | 35 | 11 | 8 | 16 | -16 | 41 |
| 10 | Dundee | 35 | 10 | 7 | 18 | -21 | 37 |
| 11 | Ross County | 35 | 9 | 8 | 18 | -24 | 35 |
| 12 | St Johnstone | 35 | 8 | 5 | 22 | -28 | 29 |
PJ Morrison will spend another week with Cowdenbeath on an emergency loan.
The goalkeeper was in the SPFL’s team of the week after keeping a clean sheet in the 3-0 win at Queen’s Park last Saturday.
Cowdenbeath, who have won four on the bounce, host Albion Rovers on Saturday.
Fans can pay at the gate at Saturday’s Ladbrokes Premiership match with St Johnstone.
Supporters will be in the north end of the west stand. Fans travelling by car are asked to follow “away supporters” road signs for ease of access to the ground.
| Adult | £24 |
| Over 65s | £14 |
| 17-18s | £13 |
| 13-16s | £10 |
| Under 13s* | Free |
*Under 13s tickets are free of charge with any full paying adult or over 65 ticket, restricted to a maximum of two per adult/senior ticket.
Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Andy Sim on 07428 225254 or email tickets@mfcdsa.com.
Stephen Robinson says Motherwell are in for a difficult task at St Johnstone on Saturday, as the Steelmen look to bounce back from defeat to Ross County last weekend.
Here’s what he had to say to the media on Friday.
“[It’s] a very difficult one, based on results over recent years. It’s a very tough venue to go to.
“I think St Johnstone’s league position doesn’t suggest what a decent squad they’ve got.
“It’s a few games into the season. That’s all it is. League tables at this moment in time aren’t too much to take concern over.
“They’ve made some good signings. They are an experienced side. They’ve got a lot of players who have played football at decent levels.
“Tommy always has them organised. It’ll be a very tough game. We are going with no illusions whatsoever.
“We have to earn the right to play football. And try to take the game to them as well.
“We’ve got people who can win the game as well. But we also have to be solid.
“It’ll be a difficult game for us, but one we will definitely be up for.”
“When you look on paper, they’ve got a lot of good players.
“Players that can hurt you. The two wide players are very exciting players. Drey Wright coming back to full fitness as well.
“Murray Davidson, a player I’ve admired for a long time and is the heartbeat of their team.
“We will be very prepared for them. They are a decent side, as I say.”
“[He has] a very similar injury on the other side of his groin. It’s unfortunate that Charles is going to miss a large chunk of the season again.
“We probably won’t see him before Christmas.
“David Devine, one of the younger boys we have massive hopes for, he has a crack in his cheekbone after a reserve game.
“We are a little bit light in that area, so the fact we have Bevis Mugabi is a blessing for us. A boy of experience that late on, and that good a player that late on, we are very happy with that signing.
“Charles is the most positive guy I’ve ever come across.
“I’ve worked with Charles and he had injury problems at Oldham. Charles doesn’t get anything normal. It’s things that are way out there that physios haven’t seen before and strange injuries.
“It’s a big disappointment for him. But knowing Charles, he will come back fitter, he will come back stronger.”
Charles Dunne will spend three to four months out as he recovers from a groin injury.
The defender underwent surgery this week, after scans showed the need to go under the knife.
“Losing Charles again for a prolonged period of time is a blow,” said manager Stephen Robinson.
“He has shown how influential a figure he is for us in the centre of defence and in the dressing room.
“With young David Devine also out for six weeks, it highlights the importance of bringing in Bevis Mugabi to keep the competition high for places.
“We wish Charles a full and speedy recovery.”
Charles has made 77 appearances for the club since joining in the summer of 2017.
St Johnstone play host to Motherwell on Saturday, as the Steelmen look to bounce back from defeat last weekend.
The Saints are currently propping up the Ladbrokes Premiership, but McDiarmid Park remains a difficult venue to take points from.
After pipping Motherwell to seventh spot in the 2018/19 season by a point, St Johnstone have found life tougher so far in the new campaign.
The League Cup comes early in pre-season for many, but Tommy Wright’s side struggled more than most, losing to Montrose, Ross County and Forfar Athletic, recording a 4-0 win over Brechin City along the way.
St Johnstone are without a win so far in the Ladbrokes Premiership from six matches.
Defeats to Celtic and Rangers may be par for the course, with their other four results turning out three draws and one defeat.
Draws at difficult venues have been picked up, with 2-2 results at both Aberdeen and Hibernian. At home, they’ve drawn with Livingston and lost 1-0 to Kilmarnock.
St Johnstone have conceded 2.83 goals per game on league business this campaign, although there are the mitigating circumstances of losing 7-0 away to Celtic and 4-0 at home to Rangers in their first six games. In attack, they’re averaging 0.83 goals per game in the league.
St Johnstone lined up in a 4-3-3 formation in their weekend defeat to Rangers. David Wotherspoon came in, due to the enforced removal of Jason Holt, who couldn’t play against his parent side.
The highly-rated centre back may have been part of a defence which has lost goals, but he remains a key figure and assured figure in the backline.
He is one of the best in the air in the Premiership, with a 64% aerial duel success rate, putting him just behind Declan Gallagher and Christophe Berra.
St Johnstone’s joint top scorer with two so far in 2019/20, the forward is again looking lively in a dangerous-looking St Johnstone front line.
His January return after a spell in the wilderness with Rangers has seen him gradually get back up to speed, netting at Hibernian and Aberdeen already this campaign.
He’s yet to net for the Saints since his return in the summer window, but being back home at McDiarmid Park makes the striker one to watch out for.
A talented, bustling forward, May hit 20 league goals in his last season with St Johnstone in 2014/15, earning a move to Sheffield Wednesday.
Manager Tommy Wright: “We have to defend better. We are making far too many mistakes. That is what is causing us so many problems this season.
“As a manager you can make changes – which I don’t think is needed in the back four just now – or you work hard with them individually and as a unit, and keep their confidence high.”
Murray Davidson: “We have gone to places like Pittodrie and Hibs and we feel we have been unlucky not to win those games.
“It is still six games in and we need to start winning matches and go on a run. We need to get that first win as soon as possible.
“We have never set targets and I have always said we need to look at it game by game because it is such a competitive league this season.
“We have some big games coming up and we need to find some consistency to get positive results.”
Out injured: None
Doubtful: Murray Davidson (knee), Scott Tanser (foot), David Wotherspoon (foot), Stevie May (thigh).
Suspended: None
We’re asking supporters to bring along items for the Basics Food Bank (Lanarkshire) at our game with St Mirren on Saturday, 5 October.
Basics Food Bank have been operating in North Lanarkshire since November 2010, with four food banks open two days a week for two hours at time.
We are asking all fans to bring what they can to support this important cause, so that those in need can receive a food parcel to help.
Items needed are:
Drop-off points will be marked at the stadium and will be open before the match. Precise times will be advised shortly.
“It’s important that as a club, and as a support, we do our bit to try and help those locally who really, really need it,” chief executive Alan Burrows said.
“Anything we can collectively contribute will go far. Basics Food Bank do an amazing job helping people on a weekly basis, and if we can help them with their efforts, it can make a difference to people.”
Basics Food Bank are based at Motherwell Crosshill Parish Church, Wishaw Baptist Church and Airdrie Pilgrim Community Church.
If you aren’t able to make the game or want to donate sooner, there are also permanent collection points at Morrisons in Wishaw and Airdrie, and at Tesco in Wishaw.
Diarmuid O’Carroll is Motherwell’s new Under 18s manager.
The 32-year-old replaces Darren O’Dea, who left for Celtic earlier this month.
As a player, O’Carroll started life at Celtic, but despite a loan to Ross County in 2007 and an Under 21 cap for the Republic of Ireland, he never made the breakthrough in the east end of Glasgow.
He spent a year at Morecambe and another at Airdrie, before signing a short-term deal with Valur in Iceland.
He returned to the UK in 2011 and spent the next seven years of his career in Northern Ireland, turning out for the likes of Glenavon, Cliftonville and Crusaders.
At almost all his clubs, Diarmuid has been involved in some element of coaching and it was whilst in Northern Ireland that he started his coaching education with the IFA, where he is now waiting to start his UEFA Pro Licence course.
Most recently, as well as been a UEFA B licence coach educator, O’Carroll has been working in Las Vegas.
“I’m really happy to be at Motherwell,” O’Carroll said: “I’m joining a great coaching staff and I’m looking forward to the challenge.
“Once the opportunity arose, I knew it was one I wanted to take. This club has an exceptional pedigree of developing young talent, and I hope to play my part in helping the next generation come through.”
Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson added: “Diarmuid is an excellent addition and we are very much looking forward to working with him.
“We conducted a robust process with the appointment, which included a practical session on the park with our players, and we are excited by what he can bring to the group.”
Jamie Semple netted a double as Motherwell defeated Dunfermline Athletic 2-0 in the SPFL Reserve League Cup.
The midfielder grabbed a goal in either half, as the Steelmen dominated the game at Broadwood Stadium to claim their second win in the group stage.
Maurice Ross again called upon a number of first team players. Trevor Carson, Bevis Mugabi, Barry Maguire, Casper Sloth and Mark O’Hara all featured, while Christy Manzinga also featured in attack.
After both sides traded possession in the opening exchanges, the hosts started to gain momentum halfway through the first half and took the lead with 10 minutes remaining.
Ross MacIver’s cross from the right was met by Semple in the box, bundling home to open the scoring.
Semple headed against the crossbar early on in the second half, with O’Hara and Manzinga also having chances to extend the lead.
Then, with five minutes remaining, the game was put to bed. Semple found space on the edge of the box and fired in, although the visiting keeper will feel aggrieved to have not kept it out.
Motherwell: Carson, Cornelius, Hussain, Mugabi, Brown, Maguire, O’Hara, Sloth, MacIver, Semple, Manzinga.
Subs: Connolly, Starrs, Williamson, Muir, Kettings.
Allan Campbell, Barry Maguire and James Scott have been called into the Scotland Under 21 squad for their forthcoming double header.
The Motherwell trio, who all featured for their country in the last international break, are in Scot Gemmill’s selection for the matches with Lithuania and Czech Republic.
Scotland sit joint top of their 2021 UEFA European Under 21 qualifying group, having won their opening two matches against San Marino and Croatia.
They host Lithuania at Tynecastle Park on 10 October, before travelling to Uherske Hradiste to take on Czech Republic four days later.
A first trip to Perth in the 2019/20 season comes on Saturday, as Motherwell travel to face St Johnstone.
Stephen Robinson’s men are looking to bounce back from a disappointing end to a three-game winning run on Saturday, and go to a notoriously difficult venue to take on Tommy Wright’s side.
Kick off at McDiarmid Park on Saturday is at 3pm.
Motherwell’s 2-1 defeat to Ross County ended a three-game run of wins, which had come against Hamilton, Hibernian and Hearts.
Despite defeat, the Steelmen sit fourth in the Ladbrokes Premiership table with six games played, having won three, drawn one and lost two.
St Johnstone’s 4-0 loss to Rangers on Sunday, paired with results elsewhere, means they are the league’s bottom club going into the weekend.
The Saints have drawn three and lost three of their six league games so far, scoring five and conceding 17.
They also endured a difficult League Cup campaign, losing to Montrose, Ross County and Forfar Athletic. A sole victory came against Brechin City, as they were eliminated at the group stage.
Motherwell and St Johnstone met twice at McDiarmid Park in the 2018/19 campaign, with both sides claiming a win apiece.
The Saints won the most recent encounter back in May, with Scott Tanser and Murray Davidson netting in a 2-0 win.
Previously, Tom Aldred and Danny Johnson’s early double did the damage in a 2-1 victory for Motherwell in December.
Tickets are available online directly from St Johnstone, from our Motherwell ticket website or from the Fir Park ticket office. You can also pay at the gate.
Supporters will be in the north end of the west stand.
| Adult | £24 |
| Over 65s | £14 |
| 17-18s | £13 |
| 13-16s | £10 |
| Under 13s* | Free |
*Tickets are free of charge with any full paying adult or over 65 ticket, restricted to a maximum of two per adult/senior ticket.
Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Andy Sim on 07428 225254 or email tickets@mfcdsa.com.
If you’re outside the UK/Ireland, you can watch St Johnstone v Motherwell and the majority of our Ladbrokes Premiership games this season on our live streaming service.
Priced at £12 a month, just head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk to subscribe.
Wherever you are, there’s also live audio commentary available on our streaming service for £5.99 a month.
