By The Grumpy Old Git
July 24 2005

With the new season just about upon us already I thought I’d have a look forward to the coming season and speculate on how the competition is looking – and where we’re going to fit in. Losing key players is never easy but sometimes some of the shit will sprout in roses…

The first place on my journey is to look at the competition. The first division was a bit of a walkover for Falkirk last season so we’ll look at the most obvious candidates to succeed them. First up is St. Johnstone. Under new boss Owen Coyle they should be a totally different proposition then the rather lame bunch of under achievers assembled in Perth last season. In has come an experienced – and daunting – defence, more steel and creativity in midfield, and some pace and guile up front. A complete makeover! A new goalie (still to be confirmed as I write this), Mark Campbell and Kevin James from champions Falkirk to bolster the defence. The brutally impressive Simon Mensing at right wing back (they’re changing to 532 this season) will pose another tough defensive challenge for any side. In midfield they’ve taken promising ex. Hearts kid Neil Janczyck (spelling), and ex. Clyde hardman Darren Sheridan. Up front ex. Dundee kid Steven Milne will partner ex. Hibbee Stephen Dobbie. Guys like Peter MacDonald, David Hannah, Ryan Stevenson, Steven Anderson, Paul Sheerin and Mark Baxter, and oor Owenie, will provide considerable depth to their squad

possible St. Johnstone line-up

New Goalie Campbell, Rutkiewicz, James Mensing, McCann, Sheridan, Janczyck, Dyer Milne and Dobbie.

Relegated Dundee will be a bit more of an unknown quantity. Bereft of some of their ‘luxury’ players they still have players with some considerable experience. Soutar in goals is highly rated. Barry Smith has been in D1 ten years ago with them, Bobby Mann had a few years with Forfar and ICT in the SFL. Their only major defensive signing was Partick defender Adrian Madaschi. He’ll fill the gap vacated by the only player who makes Eddie Forrest look blessed – Lee Wilkie. The Scotland international will be out for most of the season with his second cruciate injury. Former Diamond (for a week) Tam McManus could be the star of the show if he screws the nut. McManus will be partnered in their attack by Scotland U21 international Simon Lynch, recently signed from Preston. Strength in depth may be a concern. Dundee will be the only one of the favourites to play 442.

Possible Dundee line-up

Soutar Smith, Mann, Madaschi, Robb Anderson, Brady, Robertson, Swankie McManus and Lynch

St. Mirren will be up there too come April 2006. They’ve brought in 2 new central defenders and as such have created themselves a bit of a selection headache. Relying again on their favoured 532 formation the conceded relatively few goals but didn’t score nearly enough to pressurise Falkirk. Ian Maxwell (St. Johnstone) and John Potter (Clyde) have joined up as well as former Hamilton striker/winger Mark Cocoran. Is Cocoran going to play as a main striker when he’s more of a winger? If so can he contribute enough goals to help Saints compete? Look for low scoring affairs again. The selection headache I predicted will be where they use Kirk Broadfoot. Pre-season suggests he’ll be moved to midfield. Broadfoot was a rampaging defender last season, but deployed in midfield he’ll likely be tighter marked and may suffer the change! Time will tell.

Possible St. Mirren line-up

Hinchcliffe Maxwell, Millen, Potter v.Zanten, Murray, Reilly, Broadfoot, Lappin Kean, Paatalainen

Certainly in terms of player movements, Hamilton have been the surprise packages of the summer. New boss Billy Reid got rid of a team of part-timers and brought in almost a team full of full-timers. Our own Marvyn Wilson and former Diamond Alex Neil have joined a plethora of former Clyde players. Two words would sum up Accies ‘Big’ and ‘Bigger’. With guys like John Robertson, Hodge, McLaughlin, Keogh, Jones, Thomson, etc, it could be a bruising season for D1 sides. Accies seem certain to follow the lead of Clyde last season and play a 532 formation relying on the industy and goals of Ian Harty to keep them in contention. There seems to be a bit of depth in the squad with guys like Gilhaney, Keogh, Hardy, McArthur and Brown Ferguson not even in my possible line-up. 35 year old midfielder Bennett – played his career in English lower leagues – is getting rave reviews.

Possible Hamilton line-up

McEwan Thomson, Balmer, McLaughlin Robertson, Wilson, Bennett, Neil, Hodge Harty and Jones

John Robertson’s Ross County are my ‘dark horses’. Robbo loves to play a very attacking 433 formation. Having lost namesake John Robertson and Jamie McCunnie over the summer, I’m not too sure what he’s doing defensively but be sure the midfield will be industrious and the forward line speedy, direct and well drilled. The only concern for Robbo could be that cash restraints will stop him bringing in some new faces. His forward line doesn’t boast a big goalscorer. Look for a better return than old Grandpaw Smith’s inconsistent side last season. Rankin will again be their star man.

Possible Ross Co. line-up

McCaldon Cowan, Canning, Lauchlan, Zadi Teirnan, Rankin, Burke Higgins, McGarry, Winters

Queen of the South will be pretty much a case of same old, same old. Only really new face will be an old one, former Doonhamer and Buddie John O’Neill. Look for more from Stephen Payne on their right wing and strike David McNiven. Another 442 side.

Possible QotS line-up

Barnard Wood, Thomson, Reid, English Payne, Lovell, McColligan, Bowey McNiven and O’Neill

Brechin will be a tough cookie who will surprise some. They could come in handy for us west coast sides as they’re bound to take points from local rivals Dundee. The second best goalie from Glenmavis, Craig Nelson, will be their trusty custodian. In front of him in 442 formation will be Willie McLaren’s worst nightmare – Craig McEwan, with experience help from guys like Paul Deas, Scott Walker and Igor Bollan. Veterans Paul Ritchie could still be a goal threat. Brechin won’t be anyone’s pushover.

Possible Brechin line-up

Nelson McEwan, Deas, Walker, Bollan Mitchell, Winter, Johnston, Smith Hampshire, Ritchie

Stranraer are a bit of an unknown quantity. There are some old faces like Kevin Gaughan, Alan Jenkins, Ian Ross, Paul Walker, Stevie Aitken, Leigh Hinds, Scott McLean and Michael Moore. On their day they could do a job and be tough to beat. The four strikers have been known to score now and again, so they will beat more fancied sides at times.

Possible Stranraer line-up

Corr Henderson, Gaughan, Keddie Hamilton, Jenkins, Aitken, Ross Walker, Moore, Hinds

Clyde are a complete unknown to me. When Peter Cherrie is your best known player you’d think you’d be in trouble. Nothing they’ve done makes much sense. Seemingly they’ll have 20 players, one French, and in the words of verbose manager Graham Roberts that leaves us with 98% of his side being Scots! Allegedly. You do the math. Craig Bryson was a player I rated last season. The rest I’d be wasting my time speculating on. Some of the ‘exciting’ signings have come from Cowdenbeath! For the sake of their fans – and the league’s credibity - I hope this isn’t an experiment on a par with Claude Anelka’s last season.

So that brings us back to Airdrie. I’m not going to dwell on what we’ve lost, that’s obvious and well documented. In my opinion we’re not going to be strong enough to challenge for the title and won’t have a deep enough squad to maintain a challenge even if we did get off to a good start. The signing of McPhee will provide a different dynamic in attack to Coyle, but can Twigg or Roberts raise their game enough to keep us in contention? I’ve no doubts that McPhee can still be a one-man attack even at 35 years young. Honestly, how many of us could keep up with him? The defence picks itself. Frazer Coyle looks like the kind of right back we’ve been missing for a few years. McManus, McGowan and Lovering have got to be the other three in our back line. In centre midfield I think the only combination we can consider is McKeown and Hardie. McKeown just gets better every year and he’s got to be first choice in there. He is almost as industrious as Marv but his passing is incalculably greater. Hardie provides good height and muscle in there and in honesty, even during some of his tepid displays last season he contributed more than he was credited with. I’d be tempted to move Docherty out wider on the right to both protect Coyle a bit, and, more importantly, to protect himself from himself. Doc is at his best when attacking the opposition. In centre midfield he is liable to injure himself getting stuck in. Leave that to Dosser and Hardie, they’re our best combo. Playing Doc on the right wing ensures we can safely play McPhee up front where he belongs. Against Motherwell he was wasted out wide. When we play the 532 teams Doc could be pulled in a bit allowing Coyle to push up further. Young MacDougall would be a good option there from the bench if we need more pace and cutting edge. Lack of depth in defence is my greatest concern. With Dowie not working out, I’d say we desperately need and experience centre-half. McManus won’t play every game and it’s still asking a bit much of young McKenna.

Possible Airdrie line-up

Samson Coyle, McManus, McGowan, Lovering Docherty, McKeown, Hardie, McLaren McPhee and Twigg

or against 532 sides;

Samson Coyle, McManus, McGowan, Lovering MacDougall, Docherty, McKeown, Hardie, McLaren McPhee