Saints boss Jim Goodwin insists he’s not taking tonight’s trip to Fir Park lightly despite Motherwell’s miserable run of form.
After an impressive start to the campaign, the Steelmen have lost their last three games on the spin, most recently going down 2-1 at Tannadice to high-flying Dundee United.
The Buddies own six-game unbeaten run came to an end against Rangers on Sunday, and while the Buddies boss is confident his side can maintain their own fine form away from home, he’s expecting a serious response from Graham Alexander’s men.
When asked if St Mirren need to be wary of a Motherwell backlash, Goodwin told Express Sport: “We definitely have to be.
“These losing streaks, similar to our unbeaten run prior to the Rangers game, have to come to an end at some point.
“We just need to make sure Motherwell don’t get back to winning ways against us.
“We want to bounce back as well very quickly from that defeat on Sunday. We’re not going into the Motherwell game on the back of a five or six-nil drubbing.
“We’re going into this game still feeling confident and carrying momentum from the performance we put in on Sunday.
“Away from home in this league is always difficult but our last couple of away performances have been very good.
“We beat Ross County and we beat Livingston. We have to take a lot of hope from that and go with the same approach as Sunday.
“We’ll be aggressive and get after them. If we do that and stay composed on the ball, we give ourselves a great chance.
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Goodwin will be forced to reshuffle his midfield pack after Jamie McGrath left the Rangers game on a stretcher and Ethan Erhahon limped off with a hamstring complaint.
Both will be missing for the trip to Fir Park, with Goodwin adamant Wolves loanee Connor Ronan is more than capable of filling the creative void left by the pair.
Goodwin said: “We’re pleased to say McGrath’s injury is not as bad as first feared. When you see any player going off on a stretcher, straight away you fear the worst.
“He’s had a scan and thankfully it seems to have settled down a lot. It was a bang on the hip and there’s a bit of a bleed in and around the muscles there.
“I don’t think it’ll be a long-term thing. Hopefully in a couple of weeks he’ll be back in amongst things.
“We don’t think Ethan will be available and Scott Tanser will have a late fitness test to see if he’s fit to go.
“Greg Kiltie can fill in that number 10 role, having played it before with Kilmarnock, but I don’t think Connor needs to step up anymore than he already is.
“He’s been our star performer so far and has scored three goals, including that early goal of the season contender against Rangers. He’s been a real creative spark for us.
“Steven Gerrard singled him out for praise in his comments after the game, which must give him a great boost.” confidence.”
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