Here we go again...

After the disappointing defeat by Albion Rovers in the Challenge Cup, Warriors fans will be attempting to claim that the 'real' season starts this coming Saturday, with the visit of Elgin. Most observers would expect some changes to the side after such a poor showing; here's my take on the ideal line-up:

----------------------Bennett---------------------

McEwan --- Smith --- Ovenstone --- Lyle

---Love --------- Ferguson -------- Motion -

---------------------- Shirra ----------------------

--------- Hampshire -----Dalziel -------------

Good performances in midfield will be paramount, especially in wide areas - in previous season we've suffered from a lack of width, and we can't afford to fall into the same trap this time. Motion is the only decent candidate wide on the left (unless we put Lyle there and pick McGroarty at left back), whilst on the right, I think Love's pace and control could tear most teams to shreds. In central midfield, there is no better ball-winner than Ferguson - as proved against Fleetwood. On the basis of reports from the Airdrie match, meanwhile, it'd be impossible to leave out Shirra.

At the back, Smith and Ovenstone have impressed me greatly, whilst Thom will provide decent backup if he learns to be a bit less rash in the tackle. Bennett looks an assured keeper. Up front, Hampshire is looking fit and is probably the best candidate to partner Dalziel. The two players who've impressed me particularly, and who I'm especially keen to see picked, are Ferguson and Love.

I'm reluctant to make predictions about how we'll do this season, but I'm certainly looking forward to it: I have every faith in John Coughlin's capacity to bring the good times back to Ochilview. My formative years coincided with the 'golden years' of Second Division football, memorable cup runs, and quality coaches like Terry Christie, Graeme Armstrong and Brian Fairley - but since Brian's departure in 2001, we've only really had two or three decent seasons. Moreover, I think a lot of us perceived a great sense of negativity between 2001 and about 2004-5: from the backroom shenanigans in 2001-2 (Gordon Hill et al), to the abysmal league campaign of 2003-4: these were dark times.

These days, though, irrespective of what happens on the park, things are unquestionably more positive: we have a forward-looking board who do a terrific job at keeping us up to date with goings-on, a terrific artificial playing surface which is a great asset, and an excellent manager. As the new league season dawns, then, the message is simple: Bring it on!

Here we go again

It didn't really take too long before the optimism of the new season became a distant memory. 90 minutes in and it's as if it was all a bad nightmare; again. Albion Rovers are not very good but they made up for what they lacked in ability by putting a great shift from the first minute to the last. So while our team might have most of the possession and passed the ball about (the halfway line) we were ineffective. There were no killer passes. Too many times we got into position to cross and either cut back or if they did cross, it was straight to a defender. Up front is a worry, where Dalziel and Gibson don't cut it for me. Love came on and was a menace for the 15 minutes or so he was on the park, and he came the closest to scoring with a header well saved by the Albion keeper. We created very few clearcut chances. Dalziel sclaffed one shot which the keeper almost managed to help into the net but otherwise chances at a premium. It is still early days and too soon to get too depressed but it was not a good start today. We still have Brand and Brazil to come in to the team and they can only imrove things (surely) . As far as the team is concerned, my view was:- 1. Bennett - did ok. Almost pulled off a great save at the penalty but in truth had little to do. 2. Lyle - hopeless today. He was so lethargic and when he did get forward he was unable to deliver the ball into the box, preferring to turn back and pass the ball. 3. McGroarty - he was never my favourite signing, an opinion which remains unchanged. He literally did nothing. 4. Thom - seemed untroubled throughout the match. Reality is that while the Albion strikeforce were a couple of pests, they are unlikely to trouble the scorers too often. We will face better players than that. 5 Smith - didn't put a foot wrong. My MOM. 6 Tyrell - how on earth does he keep winning our player of the year award? 7 Shirra - had high hopes but he was disappointing today. Didn't get involved anywhere nearly enough. 8 Hampshire - he looked ponderous throughout the match and actually didn't look fit. Did nothing. Just like last season. 9 Dalziel - goodness me. Did he have his boots on the wrong feet? Looks low on confidence. 10 Gibson - ineffective. 11 Thomson - misplaced so many passes. Another player with a big reputation who had a disappointing debut. Surely he can only improve. As for the subs, Love was good. Caused them trouble and came closing to scoring. He must be close to a starting spot. Ferguson, when he came on looked old and slow. Despite this, I can't fathom how Tyrell starts ahead of him. My summer holidays start next week (boy, do I wish they had started yesterday) so I miss the next 3 or 4 matches. Bizarrely, by the time I return, in all likelihood we will be out of two cups before the end of the first week in August!

2008/2009 predictions

So, another season is almost upon us. As ever, I am fairly optimistic about our chances. Not sure how long it will last but hopefully a bit longer than last season. We seem to have built a squad of players, all of whom have performed well at this level. In the past we have put our faith in players who are in the twilight of their careers and who have come to Stenhousemuir for their last big pay day (ha!). So while there are no “names” in the squad, it is players familiar to most fans at this level, and who have generally created a good impression at their other clubs ie. their supporters didn’t want them to leave. So how do I think the league will turn out? Based upon what I saw last season and what I have seen and heard during the close season I think there will be one or two clubs in for a shock this season, one way or another. My prediction for the final league placings: 1.Dumbarton - look to have signed some decent players who come with big reputations (OK, I know it doesn’t always work out for the better but…) Throughout their team they have players who most other clubs would happily see playing for them - McEwan, Lennon, Murray and Carcary. It can’t be much worse for them than it was last season but I think they will have a squad and manager capable of getting them promoted. 2.Stenhousemuir - for the reasons above. Will we go up in the play offs? Who knows? 3. Montrose - were decent enough last season and Weir seems to be a good manager. 4. Berwick - they have made some disappointing signings; whether it’s just rubbish (Dillon, McGurk) or players that don’t want to play for them (Lister - that looks like that was a close escape) but McGonigal and Mooney will do OK I think. 5. Cowdenbeath - bit like Forfar, I’m not sure how they will do. Some good signings - Tomana - and some bad ones - McGregor, the little thug who would get sent off every week if he wasn’t suspended most of them. Again, bit like Albion, I don’t know what the future holds for them following the resignation of McDougall as Chairman and the property developers taking over the running of the club. Selfishly, I’m not looking forward to returning to darkest Fife this season - the place just depresses me. 6. Forfar - this is the team I am least confident about. Either they will have a disaster, be mid table, or get a play off spot! I have no idea. Disappointed Ally Brown didn’t end up back with us. 7. The Shire - almost like a proper team now, with proper players and a proper manager. All they need now is somewhere to play. Can’t help but feel they have simply been offered a stay of execution and that they are not long for this world. What do they do when their “sugar daddy” calls it a day? Don’t think they will be any where near good enough for promotion (Hillcoat is hopeless and Cramb will get bored) but I can’t see them finishing bottom. 8. Elgin - as long as Inverness continue to lend to them then they should be good enough to stay off the bottom. 9. Albion Rovers - the new Shire. They are broke by all accounts and their squad looks paper thin. Signing Dumbarton’s rejects from last season can’t fill their fans with confidence. And while there will be the odd gem to be found in the Amatuer ranks, I don’t think a team full of them is the answer. 10. Annan - they haven’t had time to get a strong enough squad together so I think it will be a season of toil for them. It will be interesting to see how the Annan public get behind them especially if they struggle. I still can’t fathom how Spartans didn’t get in. Hey ho. So, Saturday coming brings the start of the new season and while we have to wait a further week before the league starts it will be great to see competitive football again.

Skelmersdale Utd 0-1 Stenhousemuir

Given the results our our matches on pre-season tour, outside observers would surely expect us to be happier Saturday's result - a 1-0 victory - than with our draw the previous evening. As we all know, though, football isn't played on paper, and Warriors supporters - whilst we were undoubtedly relieved to claim a late victory - were left feeling frustrated for a significant proportion of the game. This is not to criticise the performace of the players, which was perfectly functional. Perhaps it was the sheer frequency of substitutions in the second half, but the match was stuck in something of a rut from the interval right up until our late winner, a tap-in from Scott McManus after good work from Haynes. One especially interesting aspect of the game, in any case, was the fluidity of the Warriors' formation, with players shifting from one wing to the other, from attack into midfield and vice versa. Alan Brazil, for example, started the match in an unconventional wide left role before moving up front. Whether or not this will prove to be a wise or long-term tactic remains to be seen, and will depend largely on the players' familiarity with each other.

When all is said and done, then, this was a successful end to a successful tour, with impressive performances from the likes of Ovenstone (again) and Gary Thom, though the latter needs to learn to be less rash in the tackle. Robert Love also showed some wonderful touches. With the players looking fit and prepared for the season, then, here's hoping this serves as a prelude to a successful campaign.

STENHOUSEMUIR (4-3-1-2): 1 Bennett - 2 McEwan, 3 Lyle, 4 Thom, 5 Ovenstone - 6 Tyrrell, 7 Love, 10 Brazil - 11 Motion - 8 Hampshire, 9 Dalziel.

Fleetwood Town 1-1 Stenhousemuir

My first glimpse of the new-look Warriors team, in Friday's friendly against Fleetwood Town, proved to be an ultimately satisfactory one. Previous pre-season tours have seen something approaching a full-strength Stenny team in the first half of each game, followed by a raft of substitutions after the interval; this time, however, substitutions were kept to a minimum, a decision which undoubtedly helped the flow of the game. Although there were a few notable absences in midfield and attack - with neither Brazil nor Tyrrell featuring, and Dalziel only on the bench - the defence was near enough full strength: pre-season friendly or not, the Warriors were not taking this one lightly.

The match itself was well contested and refreshingly competitive: Fleetwood proved themselves to be extremely capable opponents, who should, on this showing, expect to be one of the stronger teams at their level this season. Their attacking endeavour presented a challenge to the Warriors backline, but our defence remained solid throughout, with Jordan Smith excelling alongside the equally impressive John Ovenstone. Defence was perhaps the most impressive aspect of our performance - perhaps unsurprisingly given the notable absentees in other areas of the park - but the attacking players also put in a good shift. Kevin Haynes made a worthy contribution, and put the Warriors ahead on the stroke of half-time with a well-taken header. Whether or not he signs a contract might depend on how desparate he is for first-team football. With competition from Dalziel, Brazil, Hampshire and Love, nobody can be guaranteed a start, but he might prove to be a useful addition.

The key battleground was in the midfield, where the Warriors won the battle in central areas. Fleetwood made more of an attempt to attack down the wings, with some success, but Steven Ferguson's masterful performance was a joy to behold for the travelling support. Both Desmond and Motion had their moments, and I would be interested to see them play in a formation which allowed them to roam up and down the flanks a bit more. Brand, meanwhile - although quiet for spells of the game - showed some lovely touches. Fleetwood's headed equaliser, with around 15 minutes to go, failed to dampen the spirits or spoil what had unquestionably been a useful workout for both sides, and a deserved draw.

There followed the obligatory trip to the bar, where a few lucky Warriors were treated to complimentary pies and chips by our hosts: a few found it difficult to grasp that it was possible for a Stenhousemuir fan to live in Blackpool, but I had fun trying to explain. Fleetwood's club president, meanwhile, evidently shared our appreciation of Ferguson's performance: he approached me in the bar and asked to be informed of the finer points of our captain's career history! I was pleased to get a chance to meet John Coughlin for the first time (courtesy of my Dad, who is helping to sort out training arrangements for the weekend), and he shared the fans' view of the game: a good-spirited encounter, and ideal preparation for the season ahead.

STENHOUSEMUIR (4-3-1-2): 17 Renton - 2 McEwan, 3 Lyle, 4 Smith, 5 Ovenstone - 6 Desmond, 8 Ferguson, 11 Motion - 7 Brand - 9 Haynes, 10 Gibson.

What happens on tour...

As a longstanding member of the 'Warriors Abroad' club, I am used to travelling 200 miles north to Ochilview to watch the Warriors. This coming weekend, however, roles will be reversed, with the squad heading south to my home town of Blackpool on pre-season tour. In terms of having football 'on my doorstep,' this really is as good as it gets: in the first of the two matches on tour, the opposition will be provided by Blue Square North side Fleetwood Town - five miles from Blackpool town centre and three miles from my house. As if that weren't enough, the following day sees us travel to face Skelmersdale United, whose ground is conveniently located a couple of miles from my girlfriend's house. I couldn't have planned it better myself.

The impending fixtures got me thinking about pre-season tours of years gone by. For most Warriors supporters, the most memorable pre-season experience was our trip to Oslo two seasons ago, and especially the spectacular thunderstorm during our 7-2 victory over St Hanshaugen. Whilst most supporters were happy to sacrifice their view of the action for some much-needed shelter, I insisted it was worth sticking it out on the touchline - though club chairman David Reid was evidently the only other person in agreement. From my own perspective, though, my fondest pre-season memory is of a previous visit to Blackpool in 2001, whereupon my Dad and I devised a route for the team coach, leading it quickly and safely to its destination, but also leading it past our front door. Only afterwards did I realise that the players might have been a tad bemused to see a house on the outskirts of Blackpool decked out in Stenhousemuir flags...

Other pre-season highlights have included a victory over a Preston side managed by Craig Brown, not to mention the joy of watching various players attempt kareoke after our match at Bamber Bridge in 2003. There is, of course, one notable exception to the long list of successful pre-season tours: in 2002, our match with Barrow was abandoned during the first half, with Des McKeown and Brian Crawford both having sustained serious injuries at the hands of opponents who clearly were yet to grasp the concept of a 'friendly.'

This weekend's trip, though, will surely be a positive experience. One point worth remembering, however, is this: only twice since the tours began (in 1999) have Stenny won both fixtures in any given year - in 2003 and 2006. On each occasion, a hugely disappointing league campaign was to follow. Less successful pre-season results, on the other hand, have generally been followed by more positive performances when it counts. Let's hope, then, that any success we might enjoy at the weekend doesn't taint our chances of success in the season to come!

Border raiders...

With pre-season already underway, now is an appropriate time to take stock of the gaffer's dealings in the summer transfer market. The majority of the deals seem to fit into one of four categories:

• Berwick players signing for Stenny (Smith, McGroarty and Thomson, plus Noble and Haynes who are currently on trial)
• Stenny players signing for Berwick (Hamilton and Dillon)
• Players signing for Stenny having previously agreed to sign for Berwick (Motion)
• Players signing for Berwick having previously agreed to sign for Stenny (Lister)

It goes without saying that clashes between the two sides will be eagerly anticipated, and I hope our traditionally good-natured relationship with the Berwick support continues, notwithstanding the controversial transfers of Lister and Motion. Berwick's newly-appointed management team, of course, will be looking forward to their first visit to Ochilview, where they should receive a warm welcome. Alan McGonigal, their manager, hails from the Stenhousemuir area and served the Warriors well whilst on the coaching staff, whilst his assistant Martin Mooney will be especially fondly remembered by the Ochilview faithful, both for his goal against Hearts at Tynecastle and for his legendary tan. I remember meeting Martin shortly after he joined us in 1999, and being greatly impressed by his attitude to the game: here's hoping his Berwick side finish second behind the Warriors this season.

The inherent assumption in that assertion, of course, is that we have the capacity to claim the title. The season is long and hard, of course, but with the squad we have in place, we have every right to be confident. Two new goalkeepers will compete for the No. 1 spot, whilst the defence looks solid, with the likes Smith, McGroarty and fellow new boy John Ovenstone alongside the ever-dependable Craig McEwan. Promising youngsters such as Rhys Galloway and Gary Thom will also be keen to stake a claim for a first-team slot; I'm especially looking forward to seeing more of Rhys after his impressive start last season.

Competition will be fierce for the central midfield berths: Andy Brand will be a great asset bursting forward, whilst Ferguson, Tyrrell, Shirra and Thomson will each have a major part to play. Whilst neither Willie Lyle nor Graham Gibson are natural right wingers, both will be hoping to secure the No. 7 shirt, whilst new boy Kevin Motion should offer us an option wide on the left. With Alan Brazil joining the already-impressive front line of Dalziel, Love and Hampshire, meanwhile, our attack looks ever stronger.

At this stage, of course, it's all talk: we have been pre-season title favourites in two of the previous three seasons, with precious little to show for it. Yet John knows what it takes to win this league, having done so with Berwick in 2007. Two years on, who's to say he won't be celebrating again?

Annan: Good or bad

Earlier in the week Club X was revealed. Annan Athletic are the latest new recruits to the SFL. As the days passed it became quite clear that Spartans were not everybody's favourite to claim the spot in the league that I had thought would have been a formality. Obviously I'm not privvy to what went on at Hampden on Thursday and I'm sure there are good reasons why Spartans performed so poorly when the voting started, but I haven't seen or heard any logical explanation. Surely it can't be simply that their ground was not going to be ready at the start of the season. So, while it is always quite exciting to have a new team in the league, and a new ground to visit, I can't help but wonder what exactly Annan are going to bring to the party. To me they seem like another fair to middling to team, from a relatively small town, with little prospect of generating decent crowds and, generally, I can't see them improving the quality and attractiveness of the league. For me, while Spartans may not be the best supported at the moment, surely if it is done properly, there is room for Edinburgh to accomodate an SFL club? As I said before, I am not at all clear why Spartans were so far away from winning the election. I have no idea who Stenhousemuir were backing although I can only presume that in the final voting we went for Annan. I think Cove Rangers managed to poll 12 or 13 votes, which interestingly, is about the same number of clubs north of the Forth! The process does seem to have a degree of farce about it where self interest rules. There is, as ever, talk of introducing a pyramid system to Scottish football, but I can't help thinking this is simply a sop to the gallant losers earlier in the week. The reality is at some point you simply reach the bottom and there is nowhere else to go and as far as senior football in Scotland the bottom is the 3rd division. Se despite it all, I'm looking forward to my first visit to Galabank, which unfortunately won't be next month but instead early February. Wonder if the novelty will have worn off by then?!