To stay or to go?

The season, unfortunately, would appear to be tailing off. As an eternal optimist, I will not give up hope of reaching the play-offs whilst it remains mathematically possible, but thoughts will inevitably turn to next season.

With regard to which players should be kept on, my attitude has always been that it is useless throwing out the baby with the bathwater: at our level, the sheer turnover of players from one season to the next is a major barrier to success. I would also stress that even if our current poor form continues, this season has been far from a write-off. We have a capable new manager in charge; next season he will have his own players at his disposal; and crucially, he has already proved (most notably in the period between November and February this season) that he can get Stenhousemuir playing some decent stuff.

Far be it from me to comment on every player in the squad, but I have a few points to make. Ally Brown seems a capable keeper, and is probably worth keeping unless we could get Willie McCulloch back. Willie was easily the best keeper in this league, yet will not be first choice for East Fife next year; I fear, though, that he may be tempted by another second division club. In terms of numbers, defence is perhaps our weakest area, but we are not without quality: McEwan has been outstanding this year, whilst Lyle's remarkable versatility makes him an essential part of the squad.

In the centre of midfield, Ferguson and Bucket are already under contract, whilst the wide midfielders - Hamilton and Dillon / McLaughlin - should, in my view, also be kept on. If, with better players around them, they continually fail to apply themselves, then they should be freed NEXT season - but they must first be given a chance. All of them, and especially Ross Hamilton, are confidence players whose quality can be a great asset. Up front, Hampshire is perhaps in the same category, though admittedly I have seen less of him, and he would ideally be backup to Dalziel and, if it is humanly possible for the club to persuade him to stay, Harty.

Which leaves us with the youngsters, with regard to whom I can only echo some comments made on the forum recently. If there are youngsters who are up to the task, they should now be given a chance. If those same youngsters have shown attitude problems at any point, now is the time to let bygones be bygones. I understand the importance of discipline, but I nevertheless believe that these players could be terrific assets in a more successful team. I would certainly like to see Rhys Galloway in the team for the remaining games: he is an excellent young player, but next season he will have formidable competition from incoming left back Chris McGroarty. Rhys at least deserves a chance to put himself in consideration.

In the meantime, roll on Stranraer, and in Coughlin we trust.