Fir Park has never been among Dundee United’s favoured destinations but boss Peter Houston believes they can enjoy their visit this time.
The Tangerines have won only once in their last 10 trips to Motherwell’s ground a 3-2 success on April 18 2010 earned by a Jon Daly double and a Craig Conway counter.
They head back on Saturday and what would be an already tough task has been made doubly difficult by the outstanding form the Steelmen have shown this season.
They sit in third spot in the SPL behind Rangers and Celtic and look poised to claim the ”best of the rest” tag once worn by United. No wonder, then, that manager Houston feels Well are ”overwhelming favourites”.
Mind you, he also thinks his players are back on song and can be confident after beating Hearts at Tannadice last weekend.
”Motherwell are having a fantastic season and have been really consistent so that is why they have been able to get so far ahead of the rest,” said Houston. ”They have good experience and quality young players so they are a very good blend.
”It is going to be a very tough match and with their form we will certainly go in as underdogs. Motherwell are overwhelming favourites but we don’t fear it.
”We will go there with confidence because since as far back as the St Johnstone game last month we have been playing very well.
”We have shown we can dig in and have demonstrated great concentration, so I am happy with the lads.
”We don’t have the best record down there recently but we want to put that right. We will certainly be having a go.”
United have completed the signing of Irish midfielder Richie Ryan but the ex-Sligo Rovers man won’t arrive back at the club until early next month. When he does return, Houston will relish working with him.
”The chairman managed to find some money to sign him so we are delighted to get him,” said Houston. ”There was interest from other clubs, so it is a good coup to get him on board.
”He is away back home just now but will come back over in December to train with us and get ready to go in January.”
Defender Sean Dillon continued his comeback from a calf tear by playing against Arbroath in a bounce game on Tuesday so is likely to be in the squad, while midfielder Stuart Armstrong is a slight doubt after picking up an ankle knock.