The Scottish Premiership is witnessing a potentially historic shift in what it takes to secure league safety. Traditionally, managers of relegation-threatened teams aim for the magical 40-point mark, a figure broadly accepted as sufficient for survival. Interestingly, no team has ever actually needed that many points to avoid the bottom two since the reintroduction of play-offs over a decade ago. This season, however, is shaping up differently, possibly setting a new benchmark for survival.
Current projections, based on points-per-game averages, indicate that Dundee, currently in 11th place, are on track to finish with 39 points. As a result, 40 points could indeed become the new standard required to guarantee safety in Scotland's top tier. This would be the highest tally needed since the 38-game seasons were brought back in the 2000-01 campaign.
For Motherwell, currently sitting comfortably in eighth position, the situation looks promising. The 'Well only need a solitary point from their remaining five post-split fixtures to ensure they are out of the danger zone. It's clear that the team has the grit and spirit to secure that point and potentially much more, bolstering hopes among us fans that this could be a stepping stone towards a broader campaign of success, reminiscing the glory days of the past.
The struggle to avoid the 11th spot and potential relegation is likely to be a tussle primarily among Dundee, Kilmarnock, and Ross County. With Kilmarnock and Ross County both sitting on 35 points, just one ahead of Dundee's 34, it's all to play for in the lower echelons of the table. The upcoming fixtures, where each bottom-half team faces off against one another, could lead to significant shifts in the standings, adding a layer of unpredictability to the survival race.
On the other end of the spectrum, St Johnstone faces a daunting task. Projected to end the season on 33 points, they are battling not just to escape the bottom spot but also to end with the highest point total for a last-placed Premiership team since 2017. This ironic achievement offers little solace as they strive to bridge a five-point gap, compounded by an unfavourable goal difference.
As Motherwell fans, we watch eagerly as our team secures its position, possibly inching towards marching all the way to Scottish FA Cup glory this year. On that note, let’s end with a bit of friendly banter aimed at our neighbours, Hamilton Academicals:
"How many Hamilton Academicals fans does it take to change a light bulb? None! They're still trying to figure out how many points it takes to stay in the Premiership!" Remember, it's all in good fun! Here’s looking forward to seeing the 'Well continue their march towards glory.
