Motherwell striker John Sutton always believed they could finish the season on a high despite being written off in some quarters following Craig Brown`s departure to Aberdeen.
A draw at Tynecastle sealed Motherwell`s top-six place last weekend and they are 90 minutes away from their first Scottish Cup final in 20 years with St Johnstone standing in their way at Hampden on Saturday.
"We have always done better when people have written us off," Sutton said. "A lot of managers come and go and every time people say 'this is Motherwell on their way out`. But we always seem to prove the doubters wrong and hopefully we can finish off nicely this season."
Stuart McCall took charge after Motherwell`s promising early-season form had dipped to see them take just one Clydesdale Bank Premier League point from a possible 15. He soon lost top goalscorer Nick Blackman, Alan Gow, Mark Reynolds and Marc Fitzpatrick from his already small squad.
But McCall eventually added Gavin Gunning and Francis Jeffers to his squad and Motherwell have since picked up some impressive results, including victories over Celtic and in-form Dundee United, twice.
Sutton insisted he never lost hope they could have a good end to the campaign.
"The manager came into a very difficult situation because at the start of the season we were fairly clear in third place and dropped like a stone," the 27-year-old said. "We managed to turn it around and at least stay in the top six. In many ways our season could be defined on Saturday.
"If we can manage to squeeze past St Johnstone and get to the final, I think everyone will look back on a very successful year."
Motherwell have only reached the last four on one occasion since 1991, losing to Rangers, and Sutton is well aware of the supporters' expectations.
"Even before the Dundee United tie they were talking about going to Hampden," Sutton said. "When the draw comes out you`re always looking to avoid the Old Firm. But I guess St Johnstone will be pleased it`s us and not Dundee United because I think they are the real form team in Scotland right now."
Source: PA
