Reply to this thread for Div 1 team previews.

Cash will be added to totals on 31 March
(or 30 April for previews posted in April).

CEL: Under new management, but Bill has a top team to work with,
may find he is pushed to retain the title, 2nd place.

RAN: Sadly will struggle to maintain top 3 place as the team needs
an new injection. Possibly enough money in the bank to do this,3rd

MOT: Reserve GK will let them down as will MSA this team achieved
an excellent 3rd place last season but expect 10th next.

DFA: Could possibly improve on last season 4th , have the money and good
squad possibly 1st

STI: Another also ran: Mid table probably again after last season's 5th place.
Money might talk which could put them back in the top 6.

ABE: Ross walked on water yet again to get 6th place, will find
MSA a killer this season with his ageing team expect 12th place.

INV: Like this team but has a small Squad at present, could make a
BIG impression this season if Steve gets it right possibly 2nd or
if he gets it wrong 10th.

DUU: I think it will be more of the same as last season, but should climb higher
possibly up to 5th.

ROS: Need to pick up points early as MSA will hurt them , can not see
any improvement on last season 9th.

DEE: Same again > a mid table team should stay the distance but lack of money
could halt their progress.

KIL: I think it is same again as last season , a struggle most of the
time , but after MSA res GK Mark Simms could be the deciding factor,
sorry Todd 13th.

HIB: 12th last season , solid DF not alot in MF apart from
33SL Lee HINDS and sound DF. Little money in the bank , depends on
how many goals Hinds can score, get it right and expect 4th place.

RR: Promoted from div1 , contenders for the drop, this team has little chance
unless James can pull off some amazing trades as after mid season they
will be on a downward spiral. 15th

STJ: How did they get promoted? Probably the worst team in DIV1 doomed
for relegation! BUT manager Yoav (Top Trader) has other ideas + he has
91 TP !! YES (ninety one) some bargaining power , expect 16th place
with current team , but you never know with Yoav.

SM: A good allround team who should do well in div1 may surprise a few
teams , probably the best of the "new kids on the block" > 7th.


LIV: First thoughts are bye bye back you go, but this is TOP man Adrian Nicholas.
He has done it all and will need to be at his best to keep LIV up in Div1.
I think it will be close, 14th.

Taking on this job after just one season in the SESL will be a big challenge and after looking at the squad I've inherited here's a quick rundown of my new charges.

At GK we have the experienced Marshall 3/27 who will wear the number 1 jersey and back up keeper Dropsy 2/16 will hopefully continue to make good progress.

In defence we have a couple of definite first choice players in Kennedy 3/26 and Woodengate 3/23. The other positions in the back line will be filled with a combination of Balde 5/12 and DM's Grant 2/17 and Quinn 1/17.

Playing in midfield will be bloody anyone whos available as the squad doesn't really have much choice in this department. Petrov 5/12 as the only MF on the roster will have to carry most of the load as Juninho 5/24 MA will have to do a job upfront as well. Thompson 4/24 WG will also have to do his part here before reinforcements can be brought in.

Upfront we have an aging strike force last seasons Captian, Sutton 6/21 being the oldest with Lynch 5/24, McLean 5/12 completing the the dads army. Maloney 3/29 will have to take the burden and carry on his great goalscoring form last season.

Utility man Parker 4/21 will fill in anywhere necessary to help out the team.

My team needs to dare I say it "rebuild", this is an aging squad that needs some fresh new young players as the previous incumbent of this particular hot seat went out in "guts or glory" approach last season on a very successful campaign, narrowly missing out on the double, with defeat in the Cup Final, but did nothing to improve on the rosters youth policy.

Excuses aside this season will be HARD.
Rangers will no doubt be smarting from loosing the tilte.
Dunfermline have shown theyv'e got what it takes in a one off game but can they hold it together for a full season.
Will Motherwell be able to bring the good form shown in the OLMEC Cup to this seasons league tilte race.
Played Ross County and Stirling at Nairn in last seasons cup and look forward to playing them again with my new team.
Don't know much about the other teams in the league, but I am looking forward to swapping battle scars with you all.

And to finish I'm very interested to see what Yoav will do with all those TP.

I pretty much agree with Robin's assessment. DFA have the youngest side (counting everybody's best 16 players) so will be least affected by aging, have plenty of money for coaching, and the second highest total SL. Their SESL cup win was no fluke. As for my team...

Goalkeepers: As good as anyone else in the division with the exception of Celtic. Michael Fraser will be the no.1 choice but Mark Brown will take over next season.

Defence: The loss of Martin Jenkins to SL400 could well be my downfall. He would have started this season as a 3/26 and I used a lot of cash coaching the team back up as high as I could. With just five defenders, one of the midfielders is likely to play back. Having said that my defence is not too shabby and is quite young.

Midfield: I dumped a midfielder in the hope of bringing Leigh Hinds to the club but was just outbid in the auctions. My Bosman will play here but whether I train him will depend on the early auctions or whether I bring in an apprentice.

Forwards/Wingers: Six players with SL 20 or more, matched only by Celtic who have a higher total SL. But after mid season aging we will be evenly matched. These six players will make or break my season.

The biggest problem I have is with such a small squad I am affected by injuries and suspensions. You need 15 outfield players if you want to play normal aggression all the time and so I will have to use my 1/8 MF quite often.

I'll be delighted if Robin's prediction of 2nd place comes true but I realistically hope for 3rd ot 4th place at best.

I was going to talk about ROS prospects for next season, but I am
still reeling from the (now) 94 TP that STJ have.
With the average TP (at this stage of the season) being worth approx.
80k, Yoav can sell 40 giving him some 3200k to add to his current 32k!

So whilst I predict his current team is the worst in div1, I wonder
who will win all the future auctions ?

As for Woss Cunty we have gone DF yet again, pack em in at the back,
stop the other team from scoring.

So we welcome "bossie" Richard Gough a 1/14SW,& Gordon McQueen a 0/1DF.

Up front we will rely on Marek Heinz 2/22FW + the aging Joe Cole 5/20 MA.
New addition will be Gordon Strachen a 0/5MA who will not feature much this season, but hopefully will be one for the future.

For us we need to get points early in the season as MSA will hurt us,
and if we can achieve that then we should get a mid-table place this season with a remote possibility of a top 6 finish.

Dunfermline Athletic’s Profile for Season 14

Dunfermline won second division title in season 12, was crowned SESL cup winner in season 13 and I personally would like to take it to the next level and try to win the first division title this season. Upon looking at our contenders in this division, I realized it will be a close fight till the end of the season and although first spot is a possibility, I would be glad if I can improve on our performance from last season. So, second or third place finish is a more realistic target for us.

Dunfermline Athletic, The Team

Goalkeepings

Dunfermline will have two equally strong GKs manning their goals this season with Antti Niemi 2/22 soon to take over as first choice goalie from the aged Marco Ruitenbeek (4/25). Having two quality GKs will definitely be an advantage for Dunfermline’s push for the title.

Defences

Having a strong backline will enable the rest of the team to go offensive at times and play defensively to protect a lead during a game. Dunfermline will be counting on sweeper Ledley King (2/26) and utility defensive man Lewis Vale (2/26) to work with the more experienced Richie Byrne (3/26) and form a strong defensive wall at the back for Dunfermline.

Midfields

Abandoning our midfield area to focus on playing Longball has been our tactic due to the 400 SL limit. But with that gone for the next season, addition to this area might be considered. Currently, captain Stuart Duff (6/14) will lead the line with rookie David Healy (1/10) with possible search for more MF to strengthen the overall outlook of the team.

Wingers

The two wingers brought near the end of last season had improved Dunfermline’s overall performances and we intend to stick with WG again this season. Dean Bowditch (2/22) and Peter Lynch (2/19) will provide supplies of crosses for our FW players to improve our chance in competing with the favourites in this division.

Forwards

Sebastian Kneissl (3/28) and Jerome Vareille (3/26) will be expected to lead the front line with Carlton Cole (4/25) acting as backup cover for the two. It is a rather aged frontlines for Dunfermline, and I would expect at least one addition during the season to bring in youth player to balance the ages of our FW players.

Dunfermline Athletic, The Competitions

To make predictions of how other teams will be doing this season for me is no different than picking good oranges out of a basket. Have no clue whatsoever.

There have been some changes in managerial positions for some of the teams in division 1 and there have been some new managers joining us from division 2 when their respective teams were promoted. All might be a threat as they bring along new tactical and strategic display with them. Combined this with the experienced managers already in the division, I expect another competitive season just like the last.

Many would have made their predictions from looking at team rosters but I would rate managerial capabilities higher amongst others. Afterall, each manager will be deciding how each teams will be build throughout the season, how resources are being used and what tactics to play against one another.

Whether it is Yoav’s art of trading and his ‘secret’ plan with his TP or James’ consistent performances and experiences, I would regards all teams highly although a few does stand out in my opinion.

Celtic and Rangers have always been the front runners for the past few seasons and they will be amongst the few to be challenging again this season. Last season’s dark horses in Motherwell and Inverness will no longer be just dark horses. I would expect them amongst the toughest with their balanced squad.

Both Dundees with new managers are possibilities for top 6 finish. With experienced managers in charge, Aberdeen and Ross County are always expected to have a few tricks up their sleeves. Like I said, I would have no idea how this season will end but I do know that I will again enjoy the competitiveness just like I did, last season. Good luck guys.

The following words from the late comedian Rodney Dangerfield, " I get no respect....no respect at all," would apply to MOT. Once again, MOT is forecasted by a number of people around the SESL to not finish very high in the standings. Finishing in third place last season and in the championship game of the Olmec Cup should have earned MOT some respect but obviously it hasn't. MOT still has a very strong lineup this season.
Thanks to all of you who are predicting that MOT won't finish very high. You have given MOT the motivation to whomp the crap out of you....just like this past season.
Good luck to all this season!

A bit on the late side....

To quote many a SESL Manager "We will be having a rebuilding season" or alternatively "I am going to get relegated"

Having scapped promotion back into Division 1, Livingston are starting to look a bit on the old side so I've shipped out a couple of good 4 year olds to try and bring in some youth. This is almost certainly going to cause us to relegated this season but even with them it wasn't going to be easy to stay up.

There are some bright spots on the horizon in the form on Wingers Luis Garcia and Antonio Nunez but the midfield is looking decidedly light weight. Hopefully Sean Wright-Phillips can improve sufficiently and combine effectively with Captain Lee Makel.

Overall I'm looking to remove the reliance on midfield in favour of a strong wing attack and bolster the defence to make us harder to score against. With this in mind apprenctice sweeper Jamie Carragher has joined up from the Youth squad. The departing 4 year olds have brought an influx of TP so expect to see at more apprentices arrive during the season.

It's going to take a season or so to show fruits but I'm not really expecting anything but last place this season

Good luck to all and nice to see the return of veteran manager Chris Cheung

Well what an excellent start to Inverness' season

I reckon I was just unlucky against Rangers and Partick - two evenly matched sides in both games. Sometimes the dice are against you.

But it was yet another mistake in the game against Motherwell. I created my line up and then decided to change the subs a little and forgot that when you load a line up back in LUFC that the tactics reset to normal (could be worse, I think it's stall in PSFA and SaSo). So I played 4-2-4 normal rather than longball which cost me two shots. HAving said that I should have got twice as many goal chances anyway but only won that duel 7-6.

Two more silly mistakes like that and this will be my last season

So here's to more look for the rest of the season

From MOT

MOT is not sitting still with their Olmec Cup Championship roster.
Manager Lear has exchanged some TP's and players for some young, talented players who will add some extra vitality to the roster. As everyone knows, if you sit still with your roster in the SESL, your team will eventually get killed by the harsh aging rules.
MOT is expected to get off to a slow start this season until the newly acquired players have a chance to settle into the lineup.
The recently acquired players are:Gordon Forrest a 1/18 SW - will add a whole new dimension to the MOT backfield. He is young and highly skilled for his age. Is expected to step right into the MOT lineup and assume a regular role.
Bill Evans - 2/18 DF - is probably the best 5th Backfielder in the league, MOT was fortunate to obtain him. Adds depth and stability to what should be another good season for the MOT defence.
Gavin Skelton - 1/16 WG - another one of MOT's young, but highly skilled player acquisitons from the off-season. Skelton , when partnered with O'Donnell will give MOT a number of other tactics they can use on their highly potent offence.
The leaders on the MOT squad this season are expected to be Stephen Hammell a 4/24 SD- his experience in the backfield was invaluable in the Olmec Cup playoffs.
David Cowan - 2/27 MF will anchor a very solid MOT midfield this season. Cowan is expected to see a lot of playing time in the MF because MOT is perhaps lacking some depth in the MF.
Upfront on the MOT squad sees the dynamic duo of Sonck and Clarkson returning for another season. Sonck was acquired partway through last season and it turned out to be the best move ever made by MOT management. He was the top player on the pitch as MOT made their run in the Olmec Cup. Many good things are expected of Sonck this season.

Saint Johnstone started the season as the number one candidate for relegation.
The roster was in a state of complete decay and there was no cash in the bank.

But now it seems that a major turn around took place.
Extensive coaching of the teams backbone, as well as a couple of youth players and suddenly the sun came out from behind the clouds and the future seems bright.

Facing both Sesl giants - Celtic and Rangers - the unltimate underdogs managed to give them a big fight.

Tough play all over the field resulted in a great victory over last session's leaders Rangers, 4-1 is what the score board showed at the end of the day. Rangers were toppled from 1st to 8th place.

Another giant barely escaped a similar humiliation when Saint Johnstone came to Celtic Park and took to 3-1 lead over the Champions. Over excitement near the closing minutes resulted in 2 corner kicks in favor of the home boys which miraculously rocked the net, allowing Celtic to maintain their pride by getting away with a home draw against a weak team.

Recently signed player John McGovern 1\12 MF is going to get a special trainer that will teach him all the ricks necessary for him to be able to play along side Jamie McQuilken and Keigan Parker in order to enable the club to field a solid lineup on each and every match in order to avoid the embarrassment caused by the recent scandal.

A couple of other youth players are expected to arrive at the club just as soon as enough cash is saved - a Goalie and another DF - So this team is not going to give up and my belief is that a big surprise is waiting for a few people with another Saintly performance on div1 on season 15.

Another chance to gain extra cash, and since cash is low at Dunfermline - here is a little analysis on what has been happening with Dunfermline and the rest of div 1:

As I imagined before, the competition in div 1 is definitely fierce and many favourites are beginning to find their feet trying to squeeze their way to the top of the table.

Celtic and Motherwell have been trying to build up a younger squad and struggle in the first few weeks but things should pick up soon and I expect both these teams to be one of the major challengers in div 1.

Rangers is obviously still the favourite to do well this season and against all odds, Aberdeen is doing extremely well and currently top of the table. The rest of the pack looks really balance as teams were beating one another by each passing weeks.

It is probably still too early to make anything out of the table position at this moment, but I would be pleased if Dunfermline can keep up our performances right through the end of the season.

After starting the season with good amount of cash, Dunfermline has spent it on a 0/8 FW that I found hard to train but one can only wonder what Rangers is trying to do by saving up all that cash in the bank.

Early strategies, suggest that most managers are trying to coach/train up a few key players and quickly getting their players above the SL 30+ marks. There are definitely a few top marksman to worry this season.

HIB with 3/40 MA, 2/30 WG and 2/30 FW
CEL with 3/32 FW
DEE with 3/38 WG, 2/36 FW and 3/35 FW
MOT with 3/31 GK
RAN with 2/35 SW, 3/33 SD, 2/34 MA and 3/31 FW
STJ with 5/31 GK, 4/34 DF, 4/34 MA and 4/36 FW

Let's see how things turn out in the next few weeks. With all teams almost at similar strengths and capable of beating the rest, this season won't have two horse race like the last.

Well after a pretty ordinary start to the season, apart from the good cup run, I've decided that I have no chance to win the league with the side I have. I may have lots of good players but no outstanding ones and not enough CP to get them. So after bringing in a 0/11 DF and 1/14 DM I'm looking to bring more young talent to the club, slow down on the training and coaching to conserve cash for season 15 and make a push for the title in season 16.

Also less predictable longball from now on.

Without wishing to sound repetitive this is a "rebuilding" season, and like Rome wasn't built in a day, this might take a while as it's gonnae be some job.

Early season results haven't been at all good. One win, four draws and three defeats is hardly the stuff of champions, at moment it looks like 12th position and safety is going to be the first hurdle to get over. Needless to say this is not where I want to be and the quicker I turn things round the better.

In the CECIL Cup we had some limited success until last sessions results, where we got done over by Div 2 top boys Falkirk, a disappointing but fair result.

Recent team selections have also come under scrutiny from those in high places, decisions were made that with hindsight have been proved to be CRAP! As a result two veteran players have been sent away on gardening leave pre early retirement.

It's good to see that nobody has really raced away in the league, as every team seems capable of producing a result against any other team. Showing that a couple of good sessions could see us right back up there challenging!?!?!

Rest assured these mistakes wil not be made again as the Boss here at Celtic will no longer settle for current results regardless of this being a rebuilding season or not.

HIB season preview?
It's all about our MA - Sir LEE HINDS!
That is all.

As for challengers (for relegation?):-
What happened to those Celtic t-shirts with "no ecuses" written on them? Why would a title winning roster from season 13 need re-built a few weeks later?
The t-shirt being worn in Celtic's avator picture is mighty fine though, so lets all look forward to more forum posts from Celtic!

If STJ was a car, it would need a M.O.T! Use your TP bundle, dammit!
MOT don't need a M.O.T, they just need to recapture some form that saw them so spectacularly win the inter-league Olmec Cup a month or two ago.

Both STJ & MOT are too good to go down. LIV are not - they are relegation material and seem to never get involved in trades to try rescue the situation they are in - how many more blowouts will the LIV boss accept before ringing the changes?

DFA are the hot tip for championship title winners.
ABE are the hot tip for medical insurance salesmen! Rest your players Ross, dammit! Talking of which, Ross County have trade superemo Robin at the helm and seem based on solid foundations, so again (like the film 'Debbie Does Dallas')too good to go down!

So who WILL go down, dammit, I hear you cry!

LIV, INV, RR and HIB for Division 2.

HIB? DAMMIT!