Today we will look at the comings and going in June 2020, up to and including the squad getting back together on the 29th.
Firstly a couple of staff members joining.
Stephen Wallace (40) Joins as our Chief Scout on £40/wk. 8/10 for Judging Ability/Potential. First staff role.
Paul Connolly (36) joins as our Assistant Manager @ £95/wk. First staff role after over 400 games between the 2nd and 6th tiers in England and top two tiers later on in his playing career in Wales. Got some decent coaching attributes (12 defending, 16 Determination) and is Resolute, but doesn’t like Creative Freedom……
That’s a saving of £150/wk we can spend on players 🙂
Striker Kieran McGrath (19, 5ft 11) joins after being released on a free from Celtic, at a bargain £80/wk. IRL he’s joined East Kilbride on loan, after being a very sought after kid ( https://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/13419270.celtic-beat-five-top-english-clubs-to-signature-of-scottish-under-15-starlet-kieran-mcgrath/ ). He’s the striker I’m looking to for a 1 in 1.5 return at least. 14 Finishing, Heading & Acceleration, 13 Pace, 11 Dribbling & Off-the-Ball, I feel he may be the marquee signing of this window, as I’m struggling getting scouted 4* plus players to talk to us. Might get some quality loanees though.
Central Defender Jake Davidson (19, 6ft 1) joins from Cumbernauld Colts on a free. IRL he is at The Spartans on loan until the new year before going back to Dundee Utd. One for the future, 14 Decisions already, needs a bit of work on his technicals and strength.
Centre Mid Liam MacDonald (5ft 10) joins on a free after being released by Peterhead. IRL he’s on loan at Huntly, returning to Peterhead in January. Solid, and a natural Carillero/BWM which we haven’t had at the club.
Centre Back Yusuf Hussain (19, 6ft 2) joins on a free after being released by Motherwell. IRL he is still at Motherwell. 11 Marking, 12 Decisions & Positioning and good Physicals I’m hoping he will progress to the point of surpassing McNiff this season.
Right wing-back Marky Munro (19, 5ft 9) joins on a free after being released by St. Johnstone. IRL he’s at Stenny on loan from St Johnstone for the 19/20 season. 11 tackling, 9 Passing and relatively rapid (14 Acc 13 Pac) I hope he can challenge Ross Meechan this season as he already has better speed and vision, just needs a bit of work mentally & physically.
Season’s expectations are in – The board want the playoffs! Doable, we weren’t far off even though we tailed off towards the end of the season. We are well under budget – about £1k week, happy to get to near £2k for the wage bill, that could be 2 more top signings.
I know this jumps about a bit, but favourites……No pressure then.
A tough group in the Betfred Cup, 2 Championship teams (Livingston & QotS), 2 League 1 (Airdrie & Edinburgh City) – A guaranteed £17.5k though, goes up £1250 per place in the group.
Dean Cornelius (19, 5ft 10) joins us on a free after being released by Motherwell. IRL he’s still there. Rapid (Acc & Pac 14) and with 12 passing, hoping he can form good relationships with Lewis Barr, Archie Gardiner & Tom Sutherland. He’s currently rated as the 5th best player in the squad (4th best midfielder though….)
So the players have reported back (29th June). 4 are 1kg heavier than when they went on their hols (Lewis Barr, Lewis Faulds, Rod Nanitelamio (Now 106kg!!!) & Tom Sutherland). Nothing much else to report.
Pre-Season meeting done – they want to win the title!!!!!! Went in with playoffs but 3/4 of them weren’t happy!! No pressure at all!!!!
And that’s June 2020 – We are favourites for the title & the players think we’ve got a great chance of winning it!!!! See you next time for the pre-season in July before our first Betfred game v Livingston at home on the 11th July. We have 2 friendlies arranged before then, v Morpeth Town (Tier 7 in England IRL) and our good friends Civil Service. See you soon.