Countdown to the new season: How will Raith Rovers do?
By Shaughan McGuigan:It's been the most hectic summer in recent memory at Starks Park. Whilst most fans anticipated a summer of change on the pitch, what they actually got was one of the most headline grabbing periods in the clubs recent history.
Although John McGlynn leaving to take up the reigns at Hearts wasn't entirely unexpected, the transformation of Turnbull Hutton from Raith's vice-chairman to what at times appeared to be Scottish footballs people's champion most certainly was. If that wasn't surreal enough the local press announced that a zombie film was in the process of being given the green light to be filmed at the clubs ground. It's been a funny old summer.
The board decided to promote from within to replace the outgoing manager. Long standing defender Grant Murray was given the position of player manager while Laurie Ellis, recently rewarded for his service to the club with a testimonial, was given the role of first team coach.
Both men are popular with the fans and the decision certainly seems to have the approval of the Starks Park faithful.
Their first task was to decide what to do with a threadbare squad. The expected departure of fringe players materialised and as happens every summer a few of them headed to East Fife. While McBride and Willaimson trod the well worn path to Methil a bigger concern for fans was the departure of top goal scorer John Baird and club captain Iain Davidson to Dundee.
New players have arrived though, two new full backs have been signed in the shape of Jason Thompson, previously of Hearts along with ex-Ayr United left back Eddie Malone. The midfield has been bolstered by two Andersons, central midfielder Stuart who had spells with Blackpool and Ross County while wide midfielder Grant was picked up after his release from Hamilton.
Up front Raith have attempted to plug the gap left by Baird by signing Pat Clarke who becomes a Raith player for the second time, and former Celtic and Alloa striker Greig Spence.
Perhaps the biggest criticism of John McGlynn during his tenure was the teams style of play. Some argued that he was a long ball advocate, others that he was simply making the best of the players he had available to him. Although pre season friendlies are never a great gauge it would appear that Grant Murray is hoping to alter that approach.
The first warm up match against Ross County had a refreshingly upbeat tempo to it and right away some differences were emerging between Murray and McGlynn's styles. Where previously Raith have lacked pace, at least until Jamie Walker arrived on loan from Hearts late last season, they suddenly have it in Grant Anderson who left two defenders in his wake to set up the equalizer that evening.
For the last two seasons Raith had lacked players who could support the front men, now they seem to have them in abundance. New captain Allan Walker seems happier to push up with either youngster Ross Callachan or Stuart Anderson sitting in alongside. On top of that both full backs now have a license to get forward, best illustrated in the third friendly against Motherwell when a Thompson cross from the by line was met at the back post by the equally adventurous Malone.
Forwards Clarke and in particular Brian Graham will be a handful for defenders. After a decent start to his life at Starks Park last season Graham ended up out for a few months after a hernia operation. His return from injury saw him entering a purple patch in terms of goal scoring and if he can replicate that form throughout this term then he'll easily better the 11 league goals he scored last season.
It's at the back again that Raith look most capable. The full backs have already been covered but the centre half pairing of Ellis and Murray has a solid understanding although Hill can also come into contention.
In goals they have arguably the best part-time footballer in Scotland over the last few seasons. David McGurn has proven time and again over the last 4 years that he is Raith's finest goalkeeper since Murray McDermott in the 1970's and it wouldn't be too much of a flight of fancy to label him one of the better custodians outside the top flight.
So when you add all these parts up what should Raith fans expect this season? Well Brian Graham has spoken of how intense training has been and certainly against both Ross County and Motherwell the Kirkcaldy side seemed to be fitter than the opposition the longer the game progressed. Tentative first impressions also suggest that supporters will see a style of play that's easier on the eye.
As for a finishing position, while it'll be difficult to compete against Falkirk and Dunfemline the club will be aiming at the very least to finish above Cowdenbeath, Dumbarton and hastilt promoted Airdrie who have spent their summer preparing for life in the division below. As a result anything above mid table should be seen as a success by the Rovers fans, especially with a debut management team and a squad that isn't entirely full-time.
Oh, and if the Starks Park based zombie flick is a box office success then that's an added bonus too.
Although John McGlynn leaving to take up the reigns at Hearts wasn't entirely unexpected, the transformation of Turnbull Hutton from Raith's vice-chairman to what at times appeared to be Scottish footballs people's champion most certainly was. If that wasn't surreal enough the local press announced that a zombie film was in the process of being given the green light to be filmed at the clubs ground. It's been a funny old summer.
The board decided to promote from within to replace the outgoing manager. Long standing defender Grant Murray was given the position of player manager while Laurie Ellis, recently rewarded for his service to the club with a testimonial, was given the role of first team coach.
Both men are popular with the fans and the decision certainly seems to have the approval of the Starks Park faithful.
Their first task was to decide what to do with a threadbare squad. The expected departure of fringe players materialised and as happens every summer a few of them headed to East Fife. While McBride and Willaimson trod the well worn path to Methil a bigger concern for fans was the departure of top goal scorer John Baird and club captain Iain Davidson to Dundee.
New players have arrived though, two new full backs have been signed in the shape of Jason Thompson, previously of Hearts along with ex-Ayr United left back Eddie Malone. The midfield has been bolstered by two Andersons, central midfielder Stuart who had spells with Blackpool and Ross County while wide midfielder Grant was picked up after his release from Hamilton.
Up front Raith have attempted to plug the gap left by Baird by signing Pat Clarke who becomes a Raith player for the second time, and former Celtic and Alloa striker Greig Spence.
Perhaps the biggest criticism of John McGlynn during his tenure was the teams style of play. Some argued that he was a long ball advocate, others that he was simply making the best of the players he had available to him. Although pre season friendlies are never a great gauge it would appear that Grant Murray is hoping to alter that approach.
The first warm up match against Ross County had a refreshingly upbeat tempo to it and right away some differences were emerging between Murray and McGlynn's styles. Where previously Raith have lacked pace, at least until Jamie Walker arrived on loan from Hearts late last season, they suddenly have it in Grant Anderson who left two defenders in his wake to set up the equalizer that evening.
For the last two seasons Raith had lacked players who could support the front men, now they seem to have them in abundance. New captain Allan Walker seems happier to push up with either youngster Ross Callachan or Stuart Anderson sitting in alongside. On top of that both full backs now have a license to get forward, best illustrated in the third friendly against Motherwell when a Thompson cross from the by line was met at the back post by the equally adventurous Malone.
Forwards Clarke and in particular Brian Graham will be a handful for defenders. After a decent start to his life at Starks Park last season Graham ended up out for a few months after a hernia operation. His return from injury saw him entering a purple patch in terms of goal scoring and if he can replicate that form throughout this term then he'll easily better the 11 league goals he scored last season.
It's at the back again that Raith look most capable. The full backs have already been covered but the centre half pairing of Ellis and Murray has a solid understanding although Hill can also come into contention.
In goals they have arguably the best part-time footballer in Scotland over the last few seasons. David McGurn has proven time and again over the last 4 years that he is Raith's finest goalkeeper since Murray McDermott in the 1970's and it wouldn't be too much of a flight of fancy to label him one of the better custodians outside the top flight.
So when you add all these parts up what should Raith fans expect this season? Well Brian Graham has spoken of how intense training has been and certainly against both Ross County and Motherwell the Kirkcaldy side seemed to be fitter than the opposition the longer the game progressed. Tentative first impressions also suggest that supporters will see a style of play that's easier on the eye.
As for a finishing position, while it'll be difficult to compete against Falkirk and Dunfemline the club will be aiming at the very least to finish above Cowdenbeath, Dumbarton and hastilt promoted Airdrie who have spent their summer preparing for life in the division below. As a result anything above mid table should be seen as a success by the Rovers fans, especially with a debut management team and a squad that isn't entirely full-time.
Oh, and if the Starks Park based zombie flick is a box office success then that's an added bonus too.
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