Pre-Season Review: 2020/21

Following a five month hiatus, the players faced a pre-season like no other. The challenges following such a lengthy absence from the pitch were plentiful so it was increasingly important that we prepared for the upcoming campaign as best we could. The unique challenges we face this time around are only adding to those we already face. As a semi-professional side, we are unable to facilitate regular training sessions and therefore this meant we were, typically, limited to three sessions per week.
The club aren't in a financial position to be able to turn professional. It's unlikely that this will be feasible and financially possible for many years to come - it would take a miracle in order for us to be in a position to take that risk. We cannot jeopardise the future of the football club.
This naturally hands the advantage to the only professional side in the division, Queen's Park. For instance, Queen's Park are currently operating on a budget that is almost three times that of our own. Since taking the decision to ditch amateur status at the start in November 2019, they have invested heavily and have asserted themselves as the favourites for the title this year.
It certainly brings some perspective for us. Regardless, we had to make the most of our situation and looked to prepare suitably. In order to do this, myself and the coaching staff worked closely to discuss arrangements. We maximised our time on the training pitch whilst taking part in six friendlies with the first taking place at the end of August against Workington A.F.C. We also took part in a testimonial game for club legend Peter Watson against his former side and fellow League Two opposition, Albion Rovers.
With over three months before we took part in any form of competitive fixture and most clubs neglecting to take part in any friendlies at that time, we used July to ensure the squad were up to fitness but also as an opportunity to assess the squad. I was frequently liaising with my scouting team to identity players to strengthen the squad and I thought it was best to try to get business done early-doors.
By doing this, not only were we putting ourselves in a position to bring in players early and ensure we got their signature before any other clubs could muster their own interest, we were also giving ourselves plenty of time to get those players familiar with the surroundings of the club and the rest of the squad. We had time to coach them - alongside the rest of the squad - the foundations of an identity I wanted my team to have as a result.
Matt Yates, Shaun Struthers and Joshua Bradley-Hurst all arrived at the club pretty much off the bat.
Our focus was primarily on bringing in young talent who had been released from clubs in the Scottish Premiership. It was a cheap and affordable way to identify talent whilst also giving us a platform to build on moving forward.
Dominic Lavelle, a central-midfielder released by St Mirren was another example of this approach, whilst Ryan Hall and Nicky Buchan joined the club having never been on the books of a professional side.
The two sixteen-year-old's have potential in abundance and come with a low-risk factor given the low terms they agreed when signing two-year-deals.
We made two further signings. The first being the most experienced face we brought to the club. Greg Pascazio, previously on the books of Rangers, Montrose and most recently, Cumbernauld Colts, signed a deal until the end of the season to bring some further cover to the back four with his ability to play both centrally and on the right.
Another important factor that we considered when opting to bring Greg to the club was his experience. He brings a decent level of experience with him having played 41 games across two seasons for Montrose whilst still being fairly young at the tender age of 24.
Having yet to explore the loan market, we finally delved into our options and looked towards Carlisle - a local-based club in whom we have a good relationship with. We used this affiliation to bring in Jamie Armstrong, a 20-year-old capable of playing both out wide and centrally - primarily as a number ten - after he had signed a professional contract with The Blues last season.
There was only one departure to mention. Young striker Russell Currie completed a deal to join Edinburgh University on loan for the rest of the season. It's a deal which is beneficial for all parties concerned since Russell is quite far down the pecking-order with the signings of Yates and Struthers on top of Iain Anderson who was one of a number of players signed by Peter [Murphy] at the end of the last season.
Signings and the sole departure aside and having gelled without game-time, we went into our first match of our pre-season campaign against Northern Premier League Division One opposition in Workington A.F.C. We flattered to deceive in-front of a crowd of 115 and in a rather disappointing performance came out with a 2-0 defeat.
We quickly cast that defeat aside with victories against my former side Berwick Rangers and League One opposition in Montrose before narrowly losing out against Altrincham of the National League.
Victories against Albion Rovers in Peter Watson's testimonial game and Bonnyrigg Rose were separated by a pleasing performance against Northern Irish side Cliftonville albeit ending in defeat.
We now look forward to the League Cup that begins in just under a week's time with a trip to St Mirren. We will then host Airdrieonians of League One before we begin our League Two campaign away to Cowdenbeath on 17th October. The League Cup will return in November after a handful of League Two clashes with games against Stenhousemuir and Dunfermline Athletic.
Comments
James: Perhaps not quite what you were expecting when the oldest player signed was just 24.
Jack: Absolutely. He has the essentials nailed down and that is often enough to be a star in the lower divisions. Hopefully he can justify our support.
Spurs1882: Me too. I think he complements Yates very nicely.