We’ve invited fans of the 42 SPFL clubs (well, some of them at least) to give us a preview of their team’s upcoming season. Let’s find out what Thomas Gourlay thinks is in store for Dumbarton…
Last Season’s Position – 7th
This Season’s Prediction – 6th
Best signing of the season – Jonny Routledge
Signed after his release from Hamilton. Looks so composed on the ball, rarely gives it away, and will be able to control games. Going by his few games so far I’m astounded that he hasn’t got a full time move: excellent footballer.
Key Man – Willie Gibson
Even though I think Routledge is a better footballer, I think Gibson will stand out a bit more because of his influence in the final third. The potential is there to be a fans favourite and also a player the opposition fans hate. Teams who do well will have a player who can create something from nothing and I reckon he will do this for us. Not the quickest for a winger but looks like a nightmare to play against, strong, quick feet and good experience. These kind of players with a bit of flair will have off days, but I’m confident he will have more good days and he will contribute goals and assists.
The Manager – Stevie Aitken
Most sons fans agreed that even though Ian Murray had done a great job with us it was time for a change. I must admit I was pretty shocked we managed to bring Stevie Aitken in, his reputation as an up and coming young manager was growing and I probably expected him to stay at Stranraer for another year before moving to a full time gig.
Aitken has been refreshing in terms of his tactics and signing policy. We seem to be looking to play a high pressing, fast attacking game as opposed to trying 5 at the back and just hoping to counter attack teams as we did under Murray. We have brought in some of the “lower” teams top players, something Murray would never do.
Stevie has chosen to bring an assistant, Stevie Farrell, with him. Stevie was his assistant down at Stranraer. A lot of Dumbarton fans reckon the departure of Murray’s first assistant, Jack Ross, had some effect on the squad, whether it was because he had a say in the tactics, or whether the players could go to him and discuss things, I do not know, but it’s clear that things appear to run a lot smoother with the help of a good assistant.
He has a hard act to follow, but I’m fully confident we have the right man in place.
Expectations
On paper we have made some very solid signings, re-signed a few key players from last season, brought in a decent mix of top players from teams below or around the same level as ourselves who will be hungry to show that they can play at a higher level, ex-SPFL Premiership regulars, and now we are starting to fill out the squad with a couple highly rated young loanees. There is a good balance throughout the whole team.
We can see from the pre season games that Aitken wants us to press teams higher up the pitch and play attacking football at a fast pace, excellent from a supporters point of view. It is a welcome change from relying on Chris Kane to score every week, messing about with a back 5 and having players looking lost/unsure of their roles in each position.
We have just easily beat Morton 3-2 in the Petrofac Training Cup. I couldn’t fault a player on the park, the midfield in particular looks strong and it seems we have a few proper football players who can retain possession.
Most fans were saying that all we were lacking was a goalscorer, but we have just signed Steven Craig, so hopefully he can hit the ground running and hit double figures for us comfortably.
I genuinely don’t see much in many other Championship teams that worries me too much and I reckon a finish of 6th isn’t out of our reach. Ultimately though, survival in the Championship will be a success for Dumbarton.
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