Motherwell have had what appears to be a perfect preparation for the new season. We have four competitive games behind us and are unbeaten. In theory there should be a sharpness in our squad which the rest won’t achieve for a few weeks. The early start should give us an advantage when Hibs visit Fir Park on Sunday.
The only cause for concern is that the squad is too small to sustain us through the season but the transfer window remains open until the end of the month. Craig and Archie will have targets in mind; we have to hope that a few can be landed!
Here’s a summary of the other SPL hopefuls.
Aberdeen suffered a horrific season last term as Mark McGhee’s first year in charge was an unmitigated disaster. His position must be under pressure unless he delivers a decent showing before the turn of the year. Last time they failed to get into the top six and had poor runs in the cups. McGhee, as he is always eager to tell the media, has a long line of impressive candidates he wishes to sign but wages are a problem. Imports for this season include Yoann Folly, a Togo international, and Paul Hartley. We recorded two draws and a win against the Dons last season.
Celtic failed to take the title last season despite their rivals from Govan fielding their poorest side for years (and that says a lot about the rest of us!). Tony Mowbray paid the price and Neil Lennon got the job. Several players left Parkhead this summer although Artur Boruc and probably McGeady are the only ones who will truly be missed. Among the new arrivals Gary Hooper, from Scunthorpe, should provide plenty of goals. Joe Ledley and Juarez are both decent signings for the middle of the park and they will feel confident of controlling most games in which they play. As ever, any points we take will be gratefully received.
Dundee United had a fine time last year. Their third place finish and Scottish Cup win ensured 2010 will go down in Tannadice history. Their squad has hardly changed over the summer and they will be confident of finishing the league in a European position again. Motherwell took only four points from the four meetings with the Tangerines and we’ll be hoping for more this time.
Hamilton have exceeded expectations in the last few seasons and can now be considered SPL regulars. Billy Reid’s tactics have ensured top flight survival but their small budget and poor support will mean another bottom half finish. Around ten summer departures will lead to a new look team at New Douglas Park and the fresh faces are starting to appear. Jack Ross and Gavin Skelton are reliable, though far from spectacular signings while Jim McAllister is a highly talented young winger even if a little inconsistent. We’ll be looking for maximum points from our meetings and will hope to celebrate the New Year derby with a win across the Clyde.
Hearts have lost Mole, Kingston, Stewart and Nade as the new management team restructures the squad. Jeffries has signed Kyle (who served so well when JJ was at Kilmarnock) and Barr from Falkirk. They still have a good, solid squad and we can expect them to be in the hunt for a top four finish. Even so, we beat them three times from four last season and we’ll have no fear facing them again.
Hibs enjoyed a mixed season last term as they managed to qualify for Europe through their league position despite a late collapse. Their early form was sensational and even had some pundits suggesting that they could challenge the Old Firm for the title. Stokes and Riordan are, at times, a lethal combination up front and it could be that they succeed by outscoring the opposition. Motherwell fans are all too familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of Graeme Smith in goal. Hibs have plenty of potential but their bad run of form towards the end of last term saw some people question the ability of the manager to maintain discipline and should the side make a poor start this year, he will come under severe pressure.
Inverness were promoted last season as they successfully bounced back from relegation at the first attempt. Terry Butcher and his men were clear second favourites behind money bags Dundee but dogged determination won the promotion prize.. They have lost only a couple of minor players from their title winning squad but have also made some good additions to complement those they already there. Innes and McCann will boost the defence and Tuffy could be a smart signing in goal. Striker Blumenshtein is an unknown quantity, signed from Israeli club Hapoel Bersheba, and will compete with the ‘Well favourite Foran. Survival will be their aim.
Kilmarnock finished in eleventh place last season thanks to a 0-0 draw at home to Falkirk on the last day of the campaign. Mixu Paatelainen has returned to Scottish football for the Rugby Park hot seat but with no money to strengthen the squad, he could be fighting a losing battle. Kyle, the main scorer, has left together with Ford, Skelton and Fernandez. The squad is solid rather than spectacular and if the likes of Invincible and Taouil cannot raise their games to provide goals from midfield the side could be in deep trouble once more. David Silva appears to be the headline signing and much will be expected of the Portuguese midfielder in the months ahead. It seems inevitable that Killie will be scrapping in a relegation battle towards the end of this season.
Rangers’ exodus continues as the bank maintains the pressure on the wage bill. Half a dozen have left but, as yet, no new faces have signed up. Boyd provided a barrow load of goals in their title winning season and he’ll be missed. Novo, Beasley and Thomson also played their part and it is hard to believe that the championship flag will be unfurled at Ibrox a year from now. Walter Smith has delivered beyond expectations in the last few years with reduced resources but the challengers have failed to take their chance. Another title would be a fitting reward in his retirement year but it a runner up spot is more likely.
St Johnstone finished eighth in their first SPL season for seven years. Derek McInnes boosted his reputation in the process and the Saints will be confident of similar success this time. They have shed a number of players from their squad but the vast majority of these were bit players. Scott Dobie joined from Carlisle and Marcus Haber has been loaned from West Brom. The midfield and defence are both solid with the experienced Jody Morris looking to dictate play in the centre of the park. The Saints occasionally had troubles at killing off games last year but they will hope to have improved and will hope to be in the mid-season race for a top six finish.
St Mirren’s Danny Lennon has made a huge number of signings to strengthen his squad but whether or not his lower league recruits can make the step up is a big gamble. Certainly one or two will probably be good enough but if that is all, the pool is looking somewhat short on SPL quality. The loss of both Dorman and Mehmet will have a huge impact on the creative and scoring side and if the team do not have adequate replacements for them they could well turn out to be in real trouble, especially if Lennon does not turn out to be a dream manager. This could be the year they return to the First Division.