Opinion: 'Buoyant' Steelmen to give St Mirren a stern test

Motherwell Times footballer writer Ben banks speaks with the Paisley Daily Express ahead of St Mirren's trip to North Lanarkshire.

Stephen Robinson returns to his old stomping ground this afternoon as St Mirren take on Motherwell in the William Hill Scottish Premiership.

Last season, the Buddies were unbeaten against the Steelmen – drawing twice and winning twice.

The Paisley Daily Express caught up with Ben Banks, football writer at the Motherwell Times, to get an insight into Robbo’s old team.

Motherwell haven’t lost at home this season in all competitions - how important has Fir Park been?

"I think it's been a factor. Certainly against Dundee United, it was the club's highest home attendance in over a decade for a game outside of Rangers and Celtic.

"There's a real community buy-in at the minute and players seem to be feeding off it.

"The crowd are demanding but with good performances like of late, they certainly back the team to the maximum."

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Who has been your biggest stand out this season?

"The obvious standout is Lennon Miller and there's no point trying to be cute in suggesting otherwise. He is light years ahead of most his age in terms of his maturity, football IQ and technical ability.

"He's been played more as a 10 but personally, I like watching him best as a 6.

"The shining light of this Motherwell team."

What is the feel around the club at the minute?

"Buoyant, I would go as far as that.

"It's the best and most positive it's felt in quite some time. The Graham Alexander era brought European football but the style of play grated on fans.

"He was eventually sacked and then Steven Hammell's reign didn't ever get off the ground.

"Stuart Kettlewell's had his challenges to overcome too but with a strong league start and a semi-final to look forward to, everyone is on the same page."

Who has been your biggest stand out this season?

"In the interest of having already touched on Lennon Miller, I'll go Tawanda Maswanhise.

"He's brought something different to this Motherwell team since signing after leaving Leicester City.

"Quick quick, good dribbling and the first thing he tends to do is get his head up and seek to beat his man.

"Him versus whoever is playing right-back will be interesting."

How do rate Stephen Robinson as someone who saw him at Fir Park as well as now St Mirren?

"Very highly.

"Stephen Robinson is, for me, in the same class as Derek McInnes in terms of experienced managers who have tried and tested success in this division.

"It's no coincidence to me that since he and Keith Lasley came into St Mirren the club have gone from strength to strength on and off the park. "Only good things will come for St Mirren with those two as the faces of the club.

"On a personal note, Stephen Robinson was the first-ever Premiership manager I'd interviewed as a journalist and I will always be thankful to him for his time then and the time he's given me since.

"A person I hope continues to have success in Paisley."

St Mirren and Motherwell will be rivals for that top six position. How do you see it panning out?

"I'd say St Mirren still have the core of the side that got to the top six over the last couple of seasons in the likes of Alex Gogic, Mark O'Hara and Marcus Fraser, so that experience is key whereas Motherwell's squad is fairly new, albeit with guys who have been and had that achievement before.

"Both teams play a similar style and I'd expect St Mirren to improve now they solely have the league to focus on between now and 2025.

"I think you will see the pair swap positions in the league quite frequently and it will be a bit of who's in the hot seat come matchday 33.

"I expect it to be very tight between these clubs points-wise this term."

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