Div 1 season 16 previews

Well i thought ita about time i wrote some things, i have need be so active
in the off season due to a number of reasons but lets not get into those

Season 16 looks to be an interestion one. The 3 top teams based on
top 11 and top 17 are
Dunfermline Athletic
Inverness
Hibernian

But i dont think any of these will win the title why ?
Will Mike (DFA) seems to choke he should have won at least something
in the last 3 seasons but seems to fail right at the end !! Unless Mike
is able to rally the boys he will battle

Inverness They have a new manager and Division 1 is tought and they
will be walking into a hornets nest with everyone wanting to beat last season
title holders.

Hibs - well three thinks have hurt my team in the last 2 season 1 inexperience
of the manager, lack of goal scoring ability in the team (for a Longball teams
its really odd) , and 3rd luck - i seem to loose way to many games that i should
have easiely won, and i 'm not able to get any lucky wins SESL/iamwithstupid.gif

. If i had a better
defense i would have given myself a shot at the title.

so now your asking if none of the top team teams are in with a shot who
will take the title ? Well there is only one answer to this its Rangers

they have a team that can fight with the top 3 but not only that they have youth
on there side they are 0.7 - 0.9 better off in ave age to the top 3 teams this
will be a huge advantage come mid season, add to this they have
40tp , 18 cp (currently) and 2690 in the bank they have all the resources
needed to win the title, put all this with the top class manager they have
and you have season 16 champs !

Here is my top 5
1) Rangers
2) Dunfermline Athletic
3) Celtic
4) Hibernian
5) Inverness

I have never know enought about the bottom half of the table as
i came into this league with a good team, but now i'm starting to pay attention
why you ask ? well my team is getting old and old and i'm battling to work out how
to get in good youth players, with out getting religated

here is my picks for the bottom 3
Last - Saint Johnstone OLDEST TEAM in the league and not to many great players
Buckie Thistle - so so resources and not many great players
Albion Rovers - no to many resources and a really bad top 17
teams like Dundee United, Ayr United have young teams and lots of resources
Stenhousemuir has the second oldest team but have a stack of resources
to rebuild

I hope everyone posts i'm interedted to see what everyone else thinks

Regards
Peter

So, we are all preparing for the start of Season 16. This is my 5th season in charge of Peterhead. Everything went brilliant for past 4 seasons for Peterhead. We improved from season to season (from 4th place in Division 3 in season 12 to 3th place in Division 1 last season). But this year, I think that another step forward is impossible. Although Peterhead is still very decent team, I think our reality is mid table this season.

Hibernian is my favorite for Division 1 title this year. It is true that they have bad luck in some matches in previous season, but is also true that there were also matches in which they were very lucky (I remember PET – HIB match in 1/8 final of the SESL cup which ended 1-5)

Rangers, Inverness, Dunfermline Athletic and Celtic (probably in that order) will be their main opponents. Rangers have very young team and if they will be near the top at mid season, they will sure become champions. Inverness and DFA are not so dominant at the start of the season as they were at the start of previous season. Besides, they don’t have any good young age 1 players in roster. I think that a push for a title last season will cost these two teams a title this season. And there is of course Celtic. Very strong team. They were near the top already last season with weaker team, so they will be even more dangerous this season.

Then came a group of 7 clubs (PET, KIL, BER, AYR, STE, DUU, ABE) which will fight for places from 6-12.

At the end, the is a group of 4 teams that currently seems the weakest. With a proper management, DUU could easy join above group of 7 clubs, because they have plenty of resources. But definitely there is a very hard season in front of BUC, STJ (again!) and ALB.

ABERDEEN

This team can never be written off as Manager Ross Hayworth continually defies the odds with his now customary use of low (really low) SL players in his line ups. Two GK's neither of which have SL in the teens and not much in the way of firepower up front, will, dare I say it, see ABE struggle this season. I think that with his experience and the number of new teams in the top league, Ross's team can still finish in the top half of the table.

ALBION ROVERS

The first of the promoted teams has a good rounded squad without any stand out players, three solid looking midfielders will be backed up by another three decent defenders and with a couple of good DM's as well. Lack of goal scorers could be a problem and Iman will need to use his coaches wisely to maintain his squad and not get drawn into the relegation battle.

AYR UTD

Last seasons Division 2 Champions will find it more difficult this season as they mix it with the "Big Boys", will the much maligned Longball tactic be as effective this season? Good options up front will need to do the business as the rest of the squad is a bit lightweight and I'd expect Neil to have his hands full trying to stay out of the bottom four.

BERWICK Rangers

The "WEE Gers"ďż˝ don't have the best squad, but it's not the worst either. A couple good established players, good young talent, an experienced manager and plenty of resources. I'm sure Terry will want to strengthen all round as there's not much in the way for rotation, don't know if he'll get the time though. Berwick will be happy to avoid relegation.

BUCKIE THISTLE

Although this team play in green and white hoops the similarities with Celtic end there. This team have the joint lowest SL for T11 and T17, with only STJ beating them with a lower average SL. Daniel will spend this season hoping that other teams are worse than his. Last seasons playoff winners will at best be involved again this season, more likely to go straight back down again.

CELTIC

Last season saw a slight improvement in league performance without finishing any higher in the league. More points, more goals scored, less goals let in and a better goal difference but still finished sixth. We also failed to defend the SESL Cup, going out without even reaching the Quarter Finals, it was a major disappointment. Overall it was a backwards step from Season 14. This season must see a change in league fortunes, and we a better run in the cups.

DUNDEE UTD

The Arabs are under new management this season with Craig McPherson taking over the reigns. Craig's squad looks all right going forward but it's behind the front line where his problems lie, with only two players over SL 20 from GK through to MF. Utility man Brewster might have a varied role this season. On the plus side there is plenty resources at his disposal, which of course will need to be used wisely.

DUNFERMLINE

What more can you say about Mike's squad, it has all the potential but lacks that killer extinct. Two blown titles in the last two seasons say it all. This season's squad looks a little tired and most of the better players are getting on a bit, so can this team make another push for the title or is it always going to be that wee bit beyond them.
DFA will not win the title this year and will need to settle for a place in the top six.

HIBERNIAN

Peter's has a tremendous amount of fire power with three FW's of 25+ SL, two 25+ SL WG's and two MA's of 24+ SL, scoring goals should be of no problem. Keeping them out might be, one good GK backed up by a youth and only two defenders with SL above 20, means his 26 SL DM will probably spend most of his time playing at the back. Strengthening is a must in if Hibs are to mount a challenge to the end.

INVERNESS

Last seasons Champions will be there are there abouts again this season if the new man in charge Tyron can keep things together. INV still have a strong squad, two good GK's, at least four good defenders, two midfielders, five SL 20+ attackers and there's still plenty money in the bank. Tyron will need to find his feet quick after his move from third division DEV, can he make it two in a row for INV.....

KILMARNOCK

Another new manager towards the end of last season saw Jamie take over "scandal" club KIL. Will he be able to banish his teams reputation over the rumoured use of "body enhancing drugs" to fast track their training and coaching methods? A possible "monster" in the making with Steven Naismith and a couple of other very useful players could see the talk of scandal a distant memory. At best a place in the top six but realistically a mid table team.

PETERHEAD

Ciril's team had a tremendous season 15. After being promoted to the top flight at the end of season 14, they challenged for the Division 1 title right up to the last week. It was a great effort that took a lot of people by surprise, will PET catch out as many people this season. Good first choice defensive and offensive lines have little back up and no one in midfield to help out. I don't think PET will be able to match their third place finish of last season and Ciril's team will finish mid table.

QUEEN OF THE SOUTH

The second season after promotion can prove harder than you think especially if the first year up was a good season. Ok, Stephen might not think he had a good season, but he finished in the top half of the table (just) and made it to the Semi Finals of the CECIL Cup, not bad for a promoted team. This season Stephen doesn't have a lot of money and has to wheel and deal to strengthen his squad, reckon he'll be happy to be Division 1 come the start of Season 17.

RANGERS

You can never write off James and his forces of darkness. A quiet season of last and he still finished fourth. This season's squad has a core of good older players with some fresh blood coming through just at the right time in the right places. More importantly James has plenty coaching and training points to use on his squad or to be used with a still large cash total to freshen up his squad when required. I expect RAN to make a more sustained challenge this season.

ST JOHNSTONE

There was a time not so long ago that Yoav had an almost obscene amount of TP piled up, now that it has a gone, I wonder if it has been spent wisely? His squad for the coming season is the oldest in the whole of SESLdom and has the least attractive average SL and joint lowest T11 and T17 figures. Of his 21 players EIGHT are aged 6 or 7 and four more are aged 5, over half the team is on its last legs. Where have all those TP gone? STJ will this season go down to Division 2 and start a major rebuilding program in season 17.

STENHOUSEMUIR

Ricky's team looks the strongest of the promoted sides, two good keepers and a strong defence, 5 20+ SL payers, will make them hard to beat. Upfront there are two ageing forwards, who will be expected to score the goals. The week spot is midfield, a couple of youngsters and a maturing MF with three age 6 players for company. 71 CP will see the squad stay up this season, but with the bulk of the team gong to find MSA hard, lots of planning will be required before the seasons end.

Having not expected to be promoted, this will be the first time I've looked at the teams I have to play this season. And having been away from SESL for a couple of years I don't know who's been doing well and who's been struggling so I'll just give my opinions on the teams as I see it. I'll give each team a Top, Middle or Bottom league finish prediction. I apologise in advance if I'm about to upset anyone!!

Aberdeen

No goalkeepers, no money and, unless that changes, no chance of staying up. The defence does look strong but the weak keepers will let in far too many goals and the attack is not quite strong enough to out score their opponents.
BOTTOM

Albion

They have a solid looking defence and a very strong midfield. I don't know what tactics Albion use but this squad looks perfect for Ball Control. If they can pull that off then they have a chance of upsetting some of the stronger teams in the division.
TOP

Ayr United
Look to be one of the strongest teams in the division but could just be let down in the early part of the season while they build up their 1/17 GK. Their strength up front has obviously been built up to play Longball and the change in that tactic will also work against them.
MIDDLE

Berwick
I'm not telling you my strengths and weakenesses. Work it out for yourself!!
There's no doubt about it though - it's going to be a struggle and I'll be happy just to stay up
MIDDLE- hopefully!

Buckie Thistle
They have 5 forwards but the worry is only one of them is above average. An outstanding forward would really make the difference for this team but as they are they will not be challenging near the top. In fact, with no sweeper and only 4 playable defenders Buckie could be in trouble.
BOTTOM

Celtic
With 6 defenders and the goalkeeper in the mid 20s SL Celtic will not be leaking many goals. And with 5 forwards who are just as good I'm sure they will win more often than they lose. Hopefully the reduction in the Longball tactic will slow them down a bit but they will be challenging for the title again.
TOP

Dundee United
Another team that could be let down in the early season while they build up the goalkeeper. Apart from that, a good defence and midfield will be enough to see them stay clear of trouble. A strong attack and a very useful 3/26 UT should be enough to get them closer to the top than the bottom.
MIDDLE

Dunfermline
With strength running thoughout the team Dunfermline will be up near the top of the table. The only weak spot seems to be up front where they could do with another decent striker. And will they have enought CP to maintain an aging squad?
TOP

Hibernian
A very strong attacking lineup with very good FW, WG and MA's. The defence looks ok and with Hibs actively looking for another defender this looks like a team with a very good chance of winning the title. And they don't use Longball so won't be weakened there.
TOP

Inverness
Another stong team but maybe lacking a bit of strength in depth. No particular weak part but they do rely on a lot of age 4+ players which could be a problem in the latter part of the season. Not quite good enough to be near the top but not far off.
MIDDLE

Kilmarnock
There's one or two great players in this team like a 2/27 MA and 3/29 MF. I think they will be let down though by a lack of firepower. With only one WG, who need training, and only one decent FW they could struggle for goals. The rest of the team is strong enough to keep them safe.
MIDDLE

Peterhead
Another team affected by the Longball change. With no midfield to speak of but a choice of 6 forwards to choose from they will be hoping the change in the tactic doesn't harm them too much. They have plenty of cash available to spend if they need to strengthen the miidfield during the season.
TOP

Queen Of The South
Another team that looks good throughout but just lack that cutting edge up front. They have no money to strengthen and that could be a problem. It's not the worst team in the division but I need to select another team to struggle and it could be QOS.
BOTTOM

Rangers
Only 2 DF's is the first thing I spot wrong with this squad. A weak midfield and only average goalkeeper aren't going to keep the goals out so I can see Rangers having a poor season. They do have some good wingers and forwards so they will always have a chance but will need to strengthen at the back to stay safe.
BOTTOM

St. Johnstone
St. Johnstone are in for a tough season. They have no sweeper, not much of a defence and their best players are age 6 - and there's four of them. Will almost definitely go down without strengthening. They will hope to pick up enough points at the beginning of the season before mid-season aging kills them off.
BOTTOM

Stenhousemuir
They have a strong defence but a weak and ageing midfield and attack. However, they have plenty of money so a couple of new attacking players will make all the difference. And with 71 CP available they can coach their player up to the maximum. That should be just enough to keep them up, but it will be close.
MIDDLE

Inverness news

Newly appointed manager Tyron Barnard has set his sights on maintaining the teams top flight status, while at the same time developing the clubs younger players so you could almost say this is a transitional season for INV. i may also not be highly rated by most of you, but when i get it right not even the strongest teams will stand in my way.

Prediction for the season, we will be glad at a top half finish and might decide to focus on only cup or league

I am busy preparing a list of full list of predictions that ill post next week,
But in short here is a quick pick
Title contenders
Celtic
Hibs
Dunfermeline

Relegation
st Johnstone

Cheers for now
Tyron

Its only ramblings so don't take it serious SESL/wink.gif

All New this season

New interface and very good it is too, wish we had moved sooner can't wait to get started.

Will this new software effect the outcome as people adjust , time will tell ??

At this Stage I can't see past my top three for the title who are . . . in no particular order I may add

DFA

+ Very strong squad , multi position MF can cover longball or normal tactic depending on oppenents , lots of resources

- Squad Age has to be a concern , need for youth development may effect challenge

HIB

+ Incredible Attack all high SL and very young, this team will score lots of goals and that is how you win games and titles

- With so much influence on attack there are obvious weakness's at the back , however there is a solid core of 3-4 DF which might get them through the big games.

CEL

+ Almost the opposite of HIB,CEL have a great defence 6 high SL DF and four of them are only age 2

- Although SL is better balanced than HIB the ageing is not with an old FW line which could be hit badly come midseason.

So who will win ????

I'll go for HIBS for no particular reason, but if they develop that attack to its full potential they have a great chance

As for Rangers , well if you listen to others predictions we will either be relegated or champions lol.

A good start is essential this year as we will be in better shape come the latter half of the season.

Good luck all

I think its time for the STE boss to have his word.
Ricky: I just wanted to wait until the first games had been played, sometimes you can tell a lot from a teams first two games. Afterall if the top 11's cant do it in the first game who can? and the second game can show the managers intentions for the season!
STE for example, came away with two 0-0 draws, home and away. A good start? well mixed naturally. No goals conceded in the top flight, thats got to be good. No goals scored, a worrt? undoubtedly, a suprise? no! A benchmark for the season? for sure! Stennys tight back line will be difficult for any team this season, but scoring goals is going to make or break this club this season!!
So what of the other teams?!
Good luck to the other promoted sides, BUC got off to a flier and look like staying up will be a walk in the park?
KIL, ALB and AYR have the worry of 0 points from the first 2 games to deal with and try to bounce back from.
Any time AYR struggle STE smile, but over the course of the season will AYR pull it back?
As for the teams that can win it!? i think we all know the usual suspects, but perhaps ill take a closer look after next weeks games!!

This season we are determined to be better than sixth place.
I have had two full seasons in charge of Celtic now and want to put in a challange for the tiltle at least until MSA. To that end we have made some changes to the squad for season 16. What follows is a run through of the players intrusted to propel us up the table to fifth spot or higher.

Boruc 4/24 will be the wearer of the number one jersey and will be backed up by young Marshall 1/18.

At the back 4/25 SW Virgo will provide the experience and marshall a younger but more rounded defence. Old stager Balde went off in search of some fresh meat in a move to Cowdenbeath which saw the new Balde 2/22 SD swap places. Young McManus has also been allowed to leave and went off North in a deal that saw 2/24 DF McKinstrey move to Parkhead. Wilson 3/26 and Kennedy 2/24 DF's and will be aided by Keane 2/25 DM, this should give us plenty of defensive options.

In midfield we have a number of veteran players. Telfer, Pearson, Lennon and Wallace are all age 5 and three of them have SL levels that make them squad fillers at most. The 1/11 MF Bosman was included in the Balde swap with COW and will feature more there. Utility player and Captian Dublin will spend most of his time helping out in midfield as well. MA's Petrov 4/29 and Nakamura 2/26 will have to devide their time from playing in midfield by supporting the forwards in attacking roles.

Young forward Zurawski 1/18 will be given time to mature as their is plenty of attacking talent to help. Hartson 3/25 will make a first class striker this season and new arrival Miller 4/25 will add some extra goal scoring options. Faithful 5/24 FW Maloney could have a eventful first half of the season as he looks to find the goals that will win him a lucrative final pay day with a move before the transfer window closes.

Another new player 4/26 WG Speirs will provide further attacking options as Celtic look for new ways to develope their goal scoring potential.

Hopefully the new faces will add to the squad and help us have a good season.

SESL/cool.gif

Well we have had 4 league games and 1 cup games
things are starting to get interesting.

The biggest surprise is Aberdeen sitting at the top they dont have a great team
but the manager seems to be smart with his tactic which has put him at the top
how long can he stay up there ? i think in the new few weeks we will see Aberdeen
drop from top stop.

The league table is rather bunched together one win could see 9th place move
to 2nd

I think 3 teams will fight out this season for the league they are the OLD Firm
and Hibs both Celtic and Rangers are looking good they have solid teams and have the resources to get even better. HIBs has the best top 11 at the moment
but they are not as rich as the old firm

If i have to pick a league winner it will be Rangers due to the ave age of there
team, so come midseason aging they will have a huge advantage over the rest

At the bottom half of the table we have 3 teams win a win yet what is amazing is
Berwick they have the worst team in the league yet are sitting in 8th spot with
2 wins, looks like they are picking there matches which is a smart move when
you dont have a good all round team

top 3
Ran
Hibs
Cel

Bottom 3
Queen of the South
Saint Johnstone
Albion Rovers

With a few matches out of the way, and lots of trading concluded, here is my take on the rest of the season.

Title Challengers

It's hard to look beyond Hibs, Celtic and Rangers for the title at the moment. Between them, they have the best three Top11s and Top17s. Their only possible
weakness is in resources - they don't have huge cash reserves or huge banks of CPs and TPs - but they have enough. All three have good keepers and shooters.

Top Half

Dumfermline, Inverness, Peterhead and Stenny should be pushing the top three and I would expect to see all of them in the top half of the table at the end of the
season. The main concern for Stenny is the age of the squad (only St Johnstone are older) and the lack of TPs, so they will need to have a good first half of the season.

Mid-table security

Ayr have a strong squad on paper, but the lack of a competitive midfield will count
against them. They should be clear of the play-offs, however.
Aberdeen have had a stunning start which shouldn't be maintainable. Statistically
they should struggle, but I daren't bet against Ross...
Kilmarnock have a few gaps in their squad, but lots and lots of cash should help. A
couple of good buys will keep them safe.

Hoping for the best

Dundee United are vulnerable, especially with the lack of a back-up keeper, but a
good performance from Brewster and good use of their CPs and TPs should be enough, just about.
I still believe that QOS have enough to stay up, despite our abysmal start! We are
short a reserve keeper and probably one decent defender, but I am hopeful that the improving forward line and midfield will cope.

Going down
Since I won't pick myself SESL/tongueout.gif

I am left with the following four teams for relegation:
St Johnstone (weak and ancient team, even worse keeper than QOS)
Berwick (lowest Top11 and Top17, poor defence)
Albion (no real stars in the Top11, but reasonable backup players)
Buckie Thistle (weak team, low on CPs and TPs, need more forwards)

QUOTE (Dundee United @ February 12, 2006 08:11 pm)

Season 16: Division 1 review
Top 4
DFA
CEL
HIB
INV

As for DUU - it will be mid table mediocraty again.

Update Preview

DUU & DFA are lower in tables than expected, but seeing as DFA are trading away their prized high SL WG's, then I am adjusted their league finish prediction to 4th spot. DUU will finish in mid table mediocracy as previously predicted.

CEL are my new picks as top dogs (I previously said they would be 2nd, and they currently sit 5th in table).
The boy Bill has procured himself a damn fine CEL roster with high SL players in all the right positions. Bill also lights up the blog and forum with witty wisecracks and would be a fitting SESL Champion come the end of the season.

HIB will challenge hard, and Peter's mind-games with CEL may not be enough to topple CEL. Just now HIB sit 2nd in table, and I previously said they would be 3rd, but with DFA pegged back to 4th in my reckoning, HIB slide up to 2nd spot.

INV will be 3rd. Previously I had them as 4th, but again with DFA pegged back, INV move up a spot. Decent all round team inherited this season, and cleave TP and CP use required to keep the Highlanders in the chase, and keep DFA at bay.

A few words about ABE? Rest your players sometimes Ross!
That is all.
My R Hayworth seems a legendary figure in SESL having been in the game since day 1 and always pushing his ABE squad to the limit (and beyond). ABE riding high now, but will slip to a respectable 5th spot in Division 1 when the honours are handed out at seasons end.

Relegation rogues? STJ, QOS, KIL, ALB. Saint Johnstone may emerge from the bottom 4 pack, but SESL awaits the unusually quiet Yoav to
please stand up, please stand up!