Reply to this thread for Div 3 team previews.

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

I think I will approach this slightly different, and just give a preview of my own team, rather than do everybody else’s for them!!

At first glance it looks like I have a massive challenge on my hands, with Gretna having finished rock bottom of all of SESL last season, however on closer inspection, perhaps the squad is not as bad as they first appear.

At GK we have the pretty decent Matheison a 4/22, however he has little back up, only the veteran Main who will shortly retire. As a result, our Bosman signing Sarti 1/16 GK comes in to challenge with Mathieson for first choice.

Our defence looks to be one of the most promising areas of the team, young Gilfillan 1/20 DF looks to be a future star, and with Collins and Innes 2/20 DF and 2/18 DF respectively a decent youngish defence is already there. McQuilken and Townsley also provide extra cover, and a new apprentice Gatti 0/5 DM will look to impact on the first team during the season.

Midfield is fairly average, with Nicholls 2/17 MF looking to be the main man. However a young apprentice Pozzi 0/5 MA will get a run of games. Gretna would also like to announce their signing of Arjen Robben 4/26 MA from Alloa – who will join shortly after the season begins, I am pinning a lot of hopes on my first signing for the club!

Up front, and this is perhaps Gretna’s main weakness, although 4/25 FW Bingham, and 2/22 FW Duechar will get goals, there is not a lot of cover. This is where Robben may also help the side.

Main priority is avoiding finishing in the bottom spot!! I think promotion is far too great a leap for this side, but would I can build them into challengers for next season. Realistic ambition for this season – a hopeful top 10 finish, a wonderful season would be sneaking a play off spot!

Media Release: wee Rovers to bite again?

On the eve of SESL season 14, Albion Rovers told a packed media conference their aim for the coming SESL season.

"Not to be relegated again" said the eager-to-please manager.

"So I should think!" retorted the elderly Chairman.

No one in the room had the nerve to point out the bleeding obvious -
as ALB were now in Div 3 they could go no lower!

The brand spanking new CECIL CUP has paired the wee Rovers with Nairn County (currently without a manager after Champions Celtic pinched the promising NAI boss away to SESL Div 1). NAI are a decent side, but then so are ALB.

The manager added: "NAI are a decent side, but then so are ALB."

Test for echo. echo.

Albion Rovers had a solid enough side. 2 decent GK, 2 great DF's, 2 great MF's and top man Chris Silvestro 2 23 FW. So whats the problem then?

"There is no problem..." the manager told the baying media pack
"... we are currently unbeaten in season 14!"

Season 14 kicks of in 2 weeks time. Good luck to all Div 3 in SESL.

Div 3 team preview - BERWICK TO BOUNCE BACK.

The boys are back in town! And ready for season 14 that starts with the dust just settling on a terrific SESL Cup Final - an 8 goal thriller no less.

THRILLER IN MANILLA?
Rumours the SESL Cup Final ref was bribed to prevent a historic double for Celtic have apparently been denied this week. The ref was said to be "thrilled" by his surprise extra pay packet after the Cup Final - cash that was delivered by Dunfermline Chairman in a small brown manilla envelope....

A FINE PAIR OF CUPS
The introduction of a 2nd Cup competition is welcomed by the Berwick brethern. BER have been paired with HEARTS from Div 2, and a glance at their roster suggests re-building has stalled a little. I mean, can you have anymore 2/18 players on board! Are ALL of them going to get full 10 CP this season? Don't see any HEA squad fillers for sale on forum yet Brucie.
BER would not swap rosters with HEA and so expect to progress in CECIL Cup vs a team with just 2 20+ SL players.

BACKBONE OF BER
GK SL 24
SD SL 25
MF SL 25
WG SL 25
FW SL 25
A Bosman DF will be welcomed, plus 2 apprentice MF's.
Auction 1 has many tastey offerings also.
Berwick sure to bounce back in season 14.

AYR STICKING WITH LUKINS
Journalists were shocked yesterday as they faced Neil Lukins in Ayr's first press conference of the new season. The young englishman has managed to relegate his team twice in 2 seasons, so it was no surprise that the waiting journalists thought they had turned up to the wrong press conference! Undoubtedly, the first question thrown at him was questioning his appearance:

Q: What are you still doing here!?
A: Good morning to you too! I'll be the first to admit that last season was a struggle, but the fact that i'm still here shows that the board still have the confidence in me. I still have the belief and determination to turn this club back around, and that was obviously good enough for the Chairman to keep me in the seat.

Q: What went wrong last season?
A: Apart from the last 8 games, nothing really went right. Going over 400SL twice was a big wake up call, and it took a little bit of time for the team to pull their socks up and start giving good performances. Of course, it was too late and we missed out on staying up, but the morale within the team has risen because of that late surge and we intend to push that forward into this season.

Q: Do you honestly think you can bounce back straight away?
A: It will be tough without a doubt, but definately possible. However the team is looking a bit stretched in places, so this season will be mainly used to rebuild the team so we can forge a stong challenge for promotion next season.

Q: How do you plan to rebuild your squad?
A: Our Defence let us down throughout last season, but for the first half of the season in particular, so my attention goes to that area of the field first of all. Bosman Scott Golbourne has been brought in, and he will immediately be trained up to support Barry McLaughlin. Money is quite tight at the club at the moment, but when more is available I'm planning to bring in an extra apprentice to bolster the back line. We have many players who have played very little over the last season, so their status within the club will be assessed before a decision is made. Our front line looks solid with Brown and Heffernan going strong, and Brogno and Donnelly proved excellent cover in the back end of last season. A young midfielder or two will be brought in to act as replacements for O'Neill and MacAulay as they are begginning to age, but Dougie Ramsay and Craig Conway will be important players for us over the course of the next couple of seasons and so will be heavily protected.

Cowdenbeath Media release:
Date: 22/03/2005
Topic: Pre-Season Ramblings

Cowdenbeath set to build

After a promising finish to last season Cowdenbeath will be looking for a solid start to season 14. The main aim being to put to bed any chance of finishing bottom and to build a squad that in season 15 will provide a decent promotion challenge.

Goalkeeper Andy Carlin, 4/19 will be the first choice keeper once again at the start of the season but don’t be surprised if someone is brought in to challenge for this position. Current reserve keeper Finlay knows this will be his last season between the sticks for Cowdenbeath and so he’ll be hoping to bow out on a high.

In defence Cowdenbeath look fairly strong with the Excellent Derek McMillan at SW 3/21, Ged O’Hara 2/21 in DF alongside new bosman Archie Pike 1/16. Backed up by some decent experienced players it’s hoped that Cowdenbeath will leak less goals than last season.

It’s the midfield area that Cowdenbeath felt they lacked strength in last season and once again it will be up to James Brannan 2/18 to hold them together. Promising youngster Paul Ward 1/13 MA will also be expected to make the move up to star midfielder this season. Big things are expected of this lad. Again this could well be an area of the side that requires some fresh blood. An apprentice and a possible signing may well appear.

Up front Division 3 revelation Stan Coulter 2/23 will be hoping to build on a very successful final half of season 13. Club captain and veteran Keith Wright 6/13 remains in the side and with this being his last season as captain he’ll want to secure his legendary tag with the Glebe park support.

Promotion may be beyond the might COW in season 14 but expect them to cause a few upsets and who knows, maybe even sneak a play off place.

QUEENS PARK REVIVAL BEGINS

After two seasons in the doldrums, Queens Park fans are demanding a return to the glory days where they held their own in the top flight of SESL football. Those days are long gone and Manager Smith has had mixed fortunes in his time in charge, achieving their second promotion but also two relegations.

Season 8: Div 2: 3. Queens Park 17 5 8 55 52 +3 56 (Promoted)
Season 9: Div 1: 13. Queens Park 6 10 14 22 56 -34 28 (Relegated)
Season 10: Div 2: 10. Queens Park 12 5 13 46 53 -7 41
Season 11: Div 2: 13. Queens Park 8 7 15 34 66 -32 31 (Relegated)
Season 12: Div 3: 12. Queens Park 9 8 13 55 72 -17 35
Season 13: Div 3: 7. Queens Park 11 5 14 49 76 -27 38

So QP have much to improve on but the corner has finally been turned with our best position in 5 seasons and our first 'improved' season for many years. But we were well behind the team who finished 6th last year so there is some way to go.

The Manager is busily trying to improve his squad from what is a very thin one at the start of the season. After several retirements, the team is a mix of the very good and the very young (with a few reserves to cover for injuries and suspensions).

The very good:
Kelvin Davis 4 24 GK
Matt Elliott 2 25 SW
Barry Nicholson 3 20 MF
Gary Dempsey 3 26 MA
Alexander Farnerud 4 23 FW

The very young:
Nigel Smith 1 12 GK
Drissa Diallo 1 17 DF
Richard Naylor 0 5 DF
Tommy Miller 0 5 DM

So, with only 9 players on which to build a season, several deals need to be struck to bring in some quality where it is needed most, notably at the back where Elliott and Diallo need some better support.

One transfer has been concluded, which is the sale of Barry Nicholson to ROS in exchange for the younger Willie Henderson. QP fans are already suggesting that this indicates a likely switch to longball tactics this season as the lack of real quality in midfield will make controlling a game from that part of the pitch unlikely.

Once Naylor and Miller have been coached up, one or both of them may find themselves available for trades in order to bring in some more SL as the season progresses.

As for the rest of the division I think Stranraer and East Fife will challenge again, as may Berwick who underperformed last season. Gretna will certainly challenge with ex-CEL guy Gabbirelli in charge and whilst I don't think any of the relegated
sides will bounce back easily, one or two may force their way into contention. So if QP do better than the 7th they achieved last season we will be very proud, and rightly so.

Cheers,

Nigel

CLYDE FC SEASON AT A GLANCE
or, The Cats That Ate Division Three

First of all, let's just say that this entire situation sucks. This team doesn't belong in Division Three. Well, okay, we don't exactly match up well against teams from the upper divisions very well, either. But this team has a pair of audacious felines at the helm and theirs just too much brain power there to keep this team down for very long. And two seasons in Division three is two seasons too long.

Here's our outlook. We're moving up. We don't know how far up we can go this season, but we are moving up. Ideally, that would mean a seat reserved for two cats in the promotion area. At a minimum, it means the top eight of the division.

Ironically enough, we are suggesting a similar fate for Huntly. We don't intend to spend a lot of time in this preview discussing other managers teams, but let us quickly say this: Kevin Martin understands this game as well as any other manager in this league. His mastery of the game is seen in other leagues without fail. Yet when it comes to SESL, Kevin's Huntly team sinks like a rock. What's that all about? We'll see Huntly take a turn for the better very soon. Look for them to press for promotion and definately finish in the top six. Huntly brings the game to you every time. No easy matches vs. Huntly this season. As for the top dog, this season belongs to Michael Suwandi. Sure, other teams like RAN will press DFA and make an issue of it now and then, but DFA will take the title and may very well be the first team to snake the D1 title and the Cup in a single season. Watch.

Now, let's talk about Clyde. We have youth in goal, which is a blessing. However, as we welcome our Bosman sweeper to the team, we take note that we'll be putting an awful lot of TP/CP resources into the GP area of the pitch. Considering the aging factors of the rest of the field, we'll need to balance out the equation pretty quickly or find ourselves lopsided to the rear to the point that goal production will have been totally sacrificed for goal protection. Balance, balance, balance. You have to have balance to win in SESL. We have to say, though, that even though our FW are is led by a pair of age three veterans, Simutenknov and Wolff, it's nice to find a pair of mid-twenty SL forwards up front at the start of the season. Our problem will be our depth, and possibly our lack of stars. This is a team that took on four Division 1 teams in last season's Cup competition and earned a draw against all four. That's the kind of heart that will lead this team this season. Let's meet the team...

GK's: Will Hesmer (2/24) and Taylor Graham (1/13) provide the present and future of this club. Look for significant TP/CP resources to be directed here as Clyde and Calvin hang their hopes largely on these two fellows to lead them out of Division 3.

DF: Only Jimmy Conrad (2/23) is the only clear star in this area. Reason for concern? Not for Clyde and Calvin. They say they goal protection will compensate for any weakness here, and SD Ciprian Marica (4/19) still has enough left inhim to make an impact. Anyway, they are used to coping with starless defensive schemes.

MF: Again, only one star. Kerry Zavagnin (2/26) leads a group of midfielders that are not very talented or very deep. There will have to be additions here for Clyde FC to be competitive unless we want to become a longball team.

FW: Josh Wolff (3/25) and Igor Simutenkov (3/26) are ready to start the season, but midseason aging will hit this team hard in this area without additions.

That's the outlook. If we are to meet our goals, we will need to pick up an auction player early or add an apprentice. Look for this team to be aggressive in bidding and in the transaction market if necessary. Best wishes to all, and to all a good season.

Meow,

Clyde & Calvin

As I waved goodbye to many of my best fellow DIV 3 opponants I looked towards the season ahead. It was like re-taking a year in school (sniffle). But here I am , and the struggle starts all over again.

Strong points of the Stranraer squad are an up and coming GK in teh form of Simnett who is now well prepared to take over the role from aging McCondichie.

A core of solid MF players Gaughan, Moore, Sharp and Palmer. Good but not geting any younger.

Up front, McManus is the only skillful guy in the FW line.

Weaknesses are obvious, too few DF to work without support from the MF guys, Gaughan more often that not plays at the back.

Not enough youth in the squad. This wll bite us later in the season, but maybe that stash of TP will get put to good use trading in some good young players.

Popular opinion says SRA will remain in the top 4, but there are already a few contenders sat there who are eager to deny the team I took over in the middle of last season. Huntly are as yet unbeaten, and Queens Park were also in the running last season and are doing well so far.

It gives me great pleasure to follow the fortunes of the ex Div 3 sides, but so far they are not having the impact that everine was bemoaning in the forum last season. It was almost a given, according to some, that these teams would sail straight into Div 1 due to the alleged might of Div 3. I'm glad to say that it is proving more of a challenge. Hang in there lads, I'll be up to join you all soon!

Perhaps a rethink required in Gretna's pre-season hopes already.

4 straight defeats, no goals scored, and instead of an outside chance of a play off spot, I think just finishing 1 place higher than last season's Gretna finish will do me.

We do have a good young squad, however we are mostly dependent on a couple of elder statesman to get us the goals/points through to mid-season.

It looks like building this squad for future promotions will be a long drawn out process. So my catchphrase this season will now be "I have a plan - don't panic".

By the end of the season I think I will settle just for a decent run in the Cup to make up for my short expedition in the CECIL Cup.

An interesting season lies ahead for the little club of Deveronvale. Their young manager Tyron Barnard is enthusiastic about his clubs oppurtunities this season. " We have a good squad and i look forward to what could be the best season of the clubs history, since it became Deveronvale"

Prospects are good with Barnard having completed his first full season last season, Dev were heading towards a promotion battle when they decided to lose 7 in a row at the close, but things are different this year, the team has grown somewhat, and the youngsters like Fabregas, Downing and Maclean are all looking great for the future.

The words are not hollow as DEV started out the season advancing in the CECIL Cup only to be knocked out on penalties by a decent SM side, the league form has improved already with 7 pts out of 12, considering only one in SESH 1.

Barnard was heard to say the teams he felt would be a challenge

Gretna, despite a poor start Mark is a class manager and he could go far
Stranrear, managed by Clive, whipped DEV 5-0 in first SESH, but suffering defeat to Huntley
Huntley, Kevins side have had the perfect start to the season and will be looking to carry it on from there
Clyde, Phils side are the perennial under achievers and its about time things started happening for them

Dev, Barnard looks forward to Div 2 football, hopefully in this life and not the next

Hmmm. Pre-season hopes and what not, eh? As noted in my press, Huntly is striving for a 5th place finish this season. Right now, we're off to a great start to finish that high. Another four sessions like the first few and then we can rest easy knowing that we are going to meet our goal.

All attempts at annual underachieving aside, Huntly is seriously ready to compete for a change. 3 seasons ago I inherited a team that was so bad I thought the commish was kidding when he sent me the roster file. We had no youth and no resources. I think our 11th place run at the end of the season was due to everyone else playing their worst against us out of pity. The following season was spent muddling through that mess while we tried to build up resources and develop a good GK. The one after that addressed the DF nightmare and picked up a FW. Following that we had high hopes, only to be dashed by horrible luck in the opening sessions. By mid-season, promotion was not an option so we focused on the Cup and had one of Huntly's best showings in preparation for this season.

Right now we're riding strong on a solid GK with a promising backup in development. Our defense is not spectacular but should be sufficient to limit shots. All our best defenders and sweeper are relatively young as well, so there shouldn't be a strong dropoff after the break. The midfield needs help and will be a focus in auctions or trades. Decent stats, but not nearly enough depth for the season-long marathon. At FW we have a very balanced line and a youngster who should develop in a hurry as he'll play almost every match. By the end of the next session we'll be pretty much immune to marking as an effective strategy against us. Which 25+ FW do you want to keep from scoring only to let the other two run freely? All in all it's a good team for Div 3 and should turn some heads. Anyone who takes us lightly will probably be in for a shocker.

Still, we're predicting that our luck won't hold out forever and eventually we'll come back down to reality. SRA, BER, and MON all get the nod over us in my book. ALB also looks good to be in serious competition. Right now their position in the CECIL Cup is backing that claim. CLY is a little of a mystery at the moment. Phil's focus doesn't seem to be on promotion this season, so he'll be rebuilding and auction/trade shopping while trying to get as far as possible in the Cup competitions for extra revenue it seems. Only a home win against ALB stands between the cats and the Elite 8, so his goals appear to be coming true. He should finish middle-of-the-pack this season and be ready to start stomping people in season 15. The rest of the teams will need some additional players to make a strong case for promoting, so we'll see what the managers can do to help out their sides in the upcoming auctions. The old Celtic manager being in charge at Gretna now has me worried for the future, as it should the rest of you too if you're smart.

All in all, Huntly is a good T11 team that lacks depth at every position currently. EL management this season could be a nightmare for me. We'll have to really start balancing the tactics with who we can play for a given match. Finally boosting the OTF to 10 will help that immensely. As said before, look for something "new" from Huntly this season: self-respect. Sure, we'll suffer some losses this year and probably not make the top 4 after a dozen more grueling sessions. Still, the Black and Gold are no longer the worst team in the league and we'll be sure EVERYONE who comes to our house gets that message loud and clear.

....HUN not make the top 4 after a 7-0-1 start?

...are you drinking with Robin Dewar over there on South Fible?

Just an update, 8 games in and the unfancied DEV, not given credit by any other managers, are sitting in second, with a game in the next sesh against Huntly, DEV are aiming at top spot

SO THERE

PAW PRINT

Clyde & Calvin here with your SESL Clyde FC update...

It's been a rough start to the season here. The cats got together early on and decided on a strategy for the season. Kevin Martin has already pegged that strategy and divulged it above. He was right on the money. The cats felt an obligation to fans and shareholders to give it all we had in the CECIL Cup competition. Further, it did not appear a realistic goal to seek promotion this season. The game plan is to go as far as possible in the CECIL Cup, and try to hold whatever ground we can in the regular season table in the meantime. We will continue to build this team with a goal of promotion next season. We have some strong stars carrying us in CECIL that will still be effective in full force next season. Our auction activity this season has netted us a 1/14 midfield attacker that will benefit from significant training. TP and CP will be spent wisely and liberally, and the cats will continue to be active in the market. The extra revenue from the CECIL Cup will be useful in that regard.

Clyde & Calvin are nothing short of amazed to see the results of the Cup so far, and this session was no exception. We were surprised to squeak past ALB last week, though we recognize that Albion probably suffered from an unexpected lineup alteration (due to an injury earlier in the session, we think). However, we are even more surprised to see the 3-3 draw versus Peterhead this week. This is totally unexpected, and the cats neither one know what to make of it or how to approach it for the next session. As of this week, Clyde FC secured the bottom spot in SESL's Division 3, which, by some indicators, means that Clyde FC may very well be the worst team in SESL. Can this be true? Clyde & Calvin do not think so. With so much energy and strategem going into the Cup, we have barely begun to fight in Division 3. Look for a surge from this team as soon as we wrap up our Cup activities.

Meow,

Clyde & Calvin