We are back in third place after the first round of fixtures after what was seen as poor start to the season - but are we back on form?

Last season we made a great start to the season playing some great football and sweeping sides out of the way, this season we have stuttered but four wins against teams in the bottom six have seen us move up the table.

It also look as though some of the other teams are also not as good as last season with Dundee Utd, for example, not hitting form yet. The Capital sides have also been inconsistent even with Riordan back at Hibs and a new man in charge in Gorgie.

I also think that we are now concentrating on the SPL after what I believe was the distraction of the UEFA Cup ties with Nancy. While this was a great experience I think it meant that almost everyone connected with Motherwell took their eye of the SPL ball.

Back at Fir Park we have two games against the Old Firm coming up and this could see us drop down the table again and take some of the gloss of the current feel good factor. But I guess that means we have to take the longer term view rather than the knee jerk view that football people often take.

In recent weeks it has also been good to see some of the squad find form at last with Chris Porter looking more like the player of last season with three goals in two games.

Marc Fitzpatrick had his best game in a Claret and Amber shirt for ages against Hamilton, although the opposition may have had something to do with that.

After saying all that can we expect finish in third place again this season?? I think the answer to this question may come in January if McGhee can add to his squad while holding on to the players we already have.

What do we need? A back up keeper, a centre half and another central midfielder....can McGhee make it happen this time?

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