| THIRD DIVISION 2003/04: PREVIEW OF SEASON |
| Stirling Albion Last season: 5th Player / Coach: Allan Moore Players in: Craig Ferguson ( Maryhill ), Scott McLean ( St. Mirren ), Barry Elliot ( Partick Thistle ), Derek Anderson ( Queen of the South ), Ryan Davidson ( Hearts ), Myles Hogarth ( Alloa Athletic ) Players out: Steven Reilly ( Queen's Park ), Mark Crilly and Robert Dunn ( St. Mirren ), Steven Kerrigan ( Arbroath ), David Butler, Blair Cremin, Fraser Duncan, Ross Johnston, Stevie Mallan, Gareth Munro, David McCole, Kenny McLellan, Anton Nugent, Chris Reid, Willie Stuart Veteran winger Moore's first term in charge brought about an improvement from the Binos, both in terms of performance and final league position. They even remained in contention for promotion until the latter months, when their lack of a killer instinct up-front finally told. Despite this relative success, Moore has gutted the squad, showing the door to 15 players, and of these, only Crilly and, perhaps, Dunn did he want to keep. Based on the evidence of history, you would expect that Stirling would start to move up the divisions again soon. They should be able to score more goals now with McLean and Elliot on board, but changing the squad around so drastically may blow back up in Moore's face. Prediction: 5th |
| Stranraer Last season: 9th in Second Division and relegated Manager: Neil Watt Players in: Jamie McDonald ( Livingston ), Graham Guy ( St. Mirren ), Stephen Swift ( Linlithgow Rose ), Kenny Meechan ( Largs Thistle ), Gary McPhee ( Cumbernauld United ), Andy McCondichie, Thomas McAllister, Allan Grant and Chris Cruickshank ( all from Maryhill ), David Graham ( Stenhousemuir ), Murray Henderson, Gary Essler Players out: David Farrell ( Albion Rovers ), John Fallon ( Cowdenbeath ), Kevin Gaughan and Willie McCulloch ( Stenhousemuir ), Sandy Hodge ( Queen of the South ), John Hillcoat ( Ayr United ), Ian Harty ( Clyde ) Probably it was a surprise ( in the footballing sense of the word, equivalent to shock ) that Stranraer were relegated, viewed so mainly because of their cup run, but then anybody could come down from the Second Division. Accordingly they will be viewed as one of the favourites to be promoted, for this alone. The question is, will they be able to adjust? This goes not just for the players who took them down, but also those brought in to reverse their slide, largely from the junior ranks and especially Maryhill, from where new manager Watt has arrived too. A former player at the club, Watt must cope without their talisman, Ian Harty, sold to Clyde, and whether the likes of Gary McPhee, a failure at Queen's Park, can fill the resulting holes left by his departure and others is borderline. In general however, junior players when signed en masse by league clubs tend to make the required step up and, in the case of Clyde, propelled them to success. Stranraer may not enjoy such a dazzling turnaround but could well be promoted nonetheless. Prediction: 3rd |
| Queen's Park Last season: 8th Coach: Kenny Brannigan Players in: Steven Reilly ( Stirling Albion ), Stephen McAuley ( Airdrie United ), Ally Graham ( Hamilton Academical ), Frankie Carroll Players out: Tony Mitchell ( Arbroath ), John Gemmell ( Partick Thistle ), James Allan ( Gretna ), Willie Martin and James White ( Elgin City ), John Stark ( Morton ), Chris Fisher, Craig Taggart, Mark Cairns It sounds like self-pity, but poor old Queen's really could do with a change of fortune. Finishing bottom two seasons ago was painful, eighth place last season was decidedly underwhelming. It would have been higher but for a combination of factors: failure to rise to the challenge at Hampden as they did away, lethargy when playing mediocre teams, an inability to convert chances when often loads were created, and, particularly in the second half of the season, defensive confusion that led to some poor goals being conceded. At Hampden it's all too familiar to see Queen's play a sluggish first half, barely get better after the break and only in the last quarter of the game bring some verve to their play: the notorious 'Hampden Surge', which still usually ends in a defeat. In away games displays are usually much better to watch and in truth a lack of luck has cost the team points from some very close-run affairs. Last season the team certainly possessed a fair degree of talent; now that some of it, in the shape of Allan, Gemmell and Martin, as well as Cairns, has gone, Brannigan's task appears no easier. Yet for all their skills, these players failed to inspire us to any higher than the bottom three and Brannigan now has the opportunity to field what are his own signings. Ally Graham is capable of being a first-class target man, albeit having a prolific striker to play off him still seems a long-shot. McAuley seems to be in the recent tradition of forwards clever when dribbling with the ball, and Carroll has already shown what he has at his disposal. Midfield is competent and tenacious, with Whelan, Reilly, Kettlewell and Clark, and the back-three should be solidly compact. One potential flaw is the possible exposure of the wing-backs to opposing wide-players; this was highlighted against St. Mirren and may necessitate a re-think of the formation. If the aforementioned St. Mirren game is anything to go by we are in for moments of high-tension, joy and heartbreak in the season ahead. This would be certainly be preferrable to drab, never-ending series of a win, a draw and a defeat, but its still unlikely that the team will be able to rise above either of these two. A midtable finish, with a smaller gap between ourselves and the challenging sides above us, is the most realistic aim. Wait, I forgot something: ah yes, Queen's Park, Third Division Champions 2004. Couldn't resist trying out that phrase, but we probably won't be needing it. Prediction: 7th |