[The New Raith Rovers Thread]

3 hours ago, Against The Machine said:

So as things stand at the moment, is this the state of play? 

For the purposes of the chart, I've assumed that our out of contract players will return but that none of the loan players will. I've also just stuck with McGlynn's 4-2-3-1 but of course Murray might fancy a totally different set up. 

Keepers are obviously fine. 

Obviously it looks likely that Reghan Tumilty will leave, but even if RT stays, I think we could still do with an out-and-out right back to come in as a second choice, even if it's a kid out of a Premiership academy. I think Musonda suffered last season for constantly being shifted around the back line. At left back, I wouldn't be surprised to see Mackie return but I'd be a wee bit disappointed. Maybe he just needs a pre-season, but I don't think he was a particular upgrade on Liam Dick who was probably the weakest regular in last year's team. 

I'm quietly confident about Musonda staying, and while I wouldn't be overly upset about Benedictus leaving, I'm starting to think it might not be the worst idea to keep someone of his experience and ability around. I'm not sure we'll get better in a like-for-like swap in this market. Those four centre halfs are a solid unit for this level, albeit there's a reliance on Lang and Berra maintaining an element of fitness. 

The base of the midfield intrigues me, but I'm thinking about it through a real John McGlynn lens where he's always tried to pair a tackler with a passer. We don't really have an alternative to Matthews, and I wonder if that's where Murray maybe sees Scott Brown filling in? At the very least I think he'd be a more all-action option compared to Spencer (who we might not have, of course) and Stanton who are both more creative/passive. 

Into the attacking midfield and you come to another of the issues we had last season, with Zanatta and Connolly as the only two wingers. Ethan Ross clocked a lot of minutes on the left but he's half the player there as he is in the middle. Although I've put Easton into the middle, hopefully he can be an effective wide option to go into a three man rotation with Zanatta and Connolly to make things much less predictable for opposition managers and defences. The middle of that three though is where this squad shines brightest. Ethan Ross, on his day, might well be the best in the league in that role, we know Easton can do it, and Vaughan is excellent there too if he drops back. 

Speaking of Vaughan, as things stand there's a fair onus on him to hit the ground running and stay fit. Obviously that's completely in the lap of the Gods. We know if he's fit he scores goals, but there's no point putting any pressure on him, it's not fair and it's not pragmatic. That leaves Jamie Gullan, who I think is better than he showed last season, but he needs a good strong start to the season if he's to avoid accusations of flattering to deceive. We definitely need at least one more proper striker to come in. 

Depending on formation and who else we bring in, I don’t see Zanatta Starting for this team if it’s 4231 then I would go with Ross on the left, Easton in the AM and Connolly on the Right because he wouldn’t sign Easton and bench him so he’ll start

Also at the back I would prefer an upgrade on Liam Dick because he’s suspect defensively and not that great going forward either but I don’t think we will get 1 in. Also I wouldn’t mind losing Bene either and get a younger 24/25 yo better CB in. 
 

midfield this is the big issue if we go for 2 CMs then who does he play, with possibly 5/6 player fighting for 2 spots Matthews, Stanton, Arnott, Maybe Spencer, there’s rumours of this guy from Peterhead coming in.

luckily were not paid to make these decisions. 

 

 

[The New Raith Rovers Thread]

I wonder when we will hear about the new strips for next season and hopefully they look good… 

could there be a slight delay after January Signing of you know who that we can’t find a sponsor for the away strip. We know the Dean park hotel is likely to be on the home one 

[The New Raith Rovers Thread]

8 minutes ago, TxRover said:

Solid theory…

Which isn’t the worst thing even, especially if it results in Arnott getting a loan and playing time. I think that any of several League One teams would love to get Arnott on a loan and might very well have him as a starter. I dislike losing the depth, but if we got Brown and Spencer, I think that ship will have sailed.

We are already heavy on attacking mids/wingers/forwards signed. We have to sign that RB for sure plus at least one CB, so I’m not sure Murray is still looking for a striker with Vaughan/Gullan/Zanatta all having played CF before. Yes, I agree none of them are true strikers, but true scorers available in our budget range are like hens teeth.

We will get a striker in because can we trust Vaughan to keep fit? Gullan ain’t a natural No9 and Zanatta meh not really had much game time up top 

[The New Raith Rovers Thread]

3 minutes ago, Been going too long said:

Read a bit about Scott brown and he can play a few positions so that maybe in his thoughts 

What like a Mikey Millar type player? 

[The New Raith Rovers Thread]

2 minutes ago, Against The Machine said:

Assuming he can keep Spencer and bring Scott Brown in, we'll not be short for midfield places. If you split the midfield into two lines (the way you would in a 4-2-3-1) you'll have four senior players for the "base" (Spencer, Brown, Matthews, Stanton) and four for the "attack" (Connolly, Zanatta, Ross, Easton). 

That'd certainly put is in a healthier position than last season, but it's a little at odds with Murray's initial comments about a tight squad. 

It's something I'd like to see, I think it's the kind of options you need to have for a proper sustained playoff push, but I don't see that there's the money for that and a full stocked defence, and that's before you get to relying on Vaughan and Gullan to be the only strikers of any note. 

Well if he’s signing a midfielder/keeps 1/2 players and obviously brings in more then that tells me the budget isn’t as bad as the internet accountants suggest

 Because there’s a lot more positions needing work done than midfield we may need 2/3 CHs, a RB or 2 and 2 strikers maybe plus we will have loans as well or we could be selling a few players who knows so it’s interesting to see how many he brings in, because we can’t go with a tight Defence with just 4 or 5 players 

[The New Raith Rovers Thread]

So if were signing this Scott Brown from Peterhead, surely that means Spencer is away/ or Arnott is getting loaned out….. because Murray has mentioned keeping Spencer the most when interviewed so could be that we go with 6 midfielders next season 

[Peterhead 2019-20]

3 minutes ago, blueone said:

https://www.peterheadfc.org/2022/05/27/skipper-scott-brown-to-depart-club/

Been one of our top players for a few years now and also was the club captain. Never hidden his intention to go back to full time football and every season has had offers but not quite the right one for him. Has turned down a few, Dunfermline was one and more recently Ayr.

No reason why he couldn't play at Championship level and should be even better with full time training.

 

He's number 8 in this game from 2019.

 

Cheers what type of midfielder is he? Attacking Box to box or defensive midfielder? 

[Peterhead 2019-20]

Hello, obviously I don’t know much about this Scott Brown lad can you tell me much about him? but I’ve seen he’s been linked/likely to be, the lads a midfielder I think,  but I can’t see him getting into our midfield if Brad Spencer stays, because we already have Matthews, Stanton, Easton, Arnott (possibly Brad Spencer and Scott Agnew if signed as assistant/player). 

So if it’s a championship club it might be someone else 
 

 

[The New Raith Rovers Thread]

1 minute ago, Raith_Raver said:

Amid all the excitement and expectation of big things ahead we should be wary of expecting too much too soon from Murray, it usually takes time to work out best team and formation and fine tune a team.

Everyone understands that and I think a lot of people will give Murray time to implement his ideas, tactics and formation it’s not going click right away and a lot of these players aren’t his and could they adapt to his style we don’t know yet 

[The Official Airdrieonians Thread - 2019/20 and beyond]

1 minute ago, Kenny_m said:

I wouldn't think Agnew is intending playing.

Your probably right, I think we will register him tho, because we normally have about 6/7 players out at once during the season so he could play if needed type basis but need to wait and see I suppose 

[The Official Airdrieonians Thread - 2019/20 and beyond]

1 minute ago, Kenny_m said:

Midfielder.

Cheers I don’t think he’ll sign then because apparently we’re close to agreeing terms with Spencer about a new deal so we will have 5/6 midfielders on the books if Agnew is registered as a player as well

[The Official Airdrieonians Thread - 2019/20 and beyond]

13 hours ago, Passionate said:

Murray wanted and more or less agreed terms was Scott Brown from Peterhead, unfortunately now the lad looks like following Murray to Raith,

Obviously I don’t know watch Peterhead where does that Scott Brown play? Don’t know much about the lad (if he is a target) because if it’s defence then cool, midfield don’t think he has any chance of getting in

[The Official Airdrieonians Thread - 2019/20 and beyond]

2 hours ago, airdrieman said:

More excellent news RE Watson. A good League 1 right-back, decent going forward, can cover a couple of positions, has a physical presence and a real leader and good professional. Now announce Frizzell! 

Is Frizzell staying At Airdrie? there has been some talk that he has offers from Us and Queens Park and what’s his main position? 

[The Falkirk FC Thread]

24 minutes ago, FFC 1876 said:

I'd imagine that's already well underway. I think we've got up to 6 loans again for this year as well, we may finally make effective use of that avenue. 

If one thing McGlynn is good at it’s using the loan market,  when he was with us he brought in some fantastic loan signings ie Regan Hendry then signed him permanently, Ben Williamson looked good when he came in, got the best out of Ethan Ross and Kai Kennedy to name a few. 

yes some were fillers for injuries etc but he does have some great contacts in the game and can find a player within the loan market that he can improve and be a good asset 

[The New Raith Rovers Thread]

19 minutes ago, 1320Lichtie said:

Know he works at the ground but if he was wanting full time that’s shite from him for me. Could’ve ended up at a decent side in this league, good season and he could get into the Prem

I thought he could do a job in the championship, I would’ve taken him at us if Tumilty goes but staying in the same league hmmm 

[The New Raith Rovers Thread]

2 hours ago, RRFC_Liam said:

Would anyone here take Ballantyne who just left Montrose as a possible replacement for RT? As he is looking for Full time football 

He’s signed for Airdrie 

[The New Raith Rovers Thread]

2 minutes ago, Rovers_Lad said:

Heard Sim was in on the interview process for new manager

Aw that would explain it then 

[The New Raith Rovers Thread]

If Kyle Benedictus does leave, who’ll be club captain, me personally think it should be Ross Matthews but be interesting to hear who you think 

[The New Raith Rovers Thread]

Well we know that going by Dylan Easton first day video John sim is in the country, his he here to try get the DG situation sorted or is he here to meet like Ian Murray and discuss things like maybe a better budget etc be interesting to see the reason why he’s here 

[The New Raith Rovers Thread]

5 minutes ago, TxRover said:

Coulson never got a good run at Cowden, I’m not sure he’d play enough in League One yet…but the reviews were always positive on his effort. What about Mitchell?

Forgot Mitchell sorry, erm maybe send him like stenhousemuir or Forfar or maybe Annan 3 top half teams in league 2 I think he could do a fairly decent job at 

[The New Raith Rovers Thread]

3 minutes ago, TxRover said:

Well, while we’re at it…let’s consider developing/young players. Players that might need a loan to develop, and to what level…or that could be released

Mitchell - League Two or One, but probably Two to get better chance of playing time.

Coulson - League Two, with better assurance of decent playing time after Cowdenbeath.

Mahady - I don’t believe he will pan out, release.

Bow - I genuinely have no idea…suggestions of nagging leg issues, but nothing validated.

Young - League One, if we can spare him.

Arnott - League One (or Championship…if we’re that stupid), if we can spare him.

Masson - LL/HL if we were to loan, probably not ready to loan out yet.

I think Bow and Mahady will get released, could see Masson probably at like a Bo’ness or somewhere like that, Coulson maybe bottom half league 1/top half league 2 and the other 2 young and Arnott keep within the squad 

[The New Raith Rovers Thread]

Would anyone here take Ballantyne who just left Montrose as a possible replacement for RT? As he is looking for Full time football 

[The New Raith Rovers Thread]

5 minutes ago, Enigma said:

If we were to loan out Arnott, and I don’t think we will, there will inevitably be injuries, suspensions etc. then McGlynn can whistle for him as far as I’m concerned.

Scott Agnew could be player/assistant like he was at Airdrie, but will only be used when needed type thing that could be 6 midfielders (if Spencer stays) so we’re full in that department. 
 

I do agree the defence and strikers need worked on massively as stated those are the positions we’re very light on 

[The Official Airdrieonians Thread - 2019/20 and beyond]

10 minutes ago, Ballboy said:

Definitely a surprising choice.   I did ask for the manager situation to be resolved quickly.    One question that does come up though is with a manager and assistant both on the pitch how does that work.    Delighted booth are staying but I've heard many times before their still needs to be someone on the sidelines to make decisions.    Good luck to both clearly they struck up a good partnership on the pitch last season so let's hope that continues.  

I don’t know what Murray’s set up was for Airdrie in terms of Coaching/back room staff but surely if both are on the pitch wouldn’t 1 of the coaches not take charge? Because the only 1 of his team at Airdrie he’s bringing is Scott Agnew 

[The New Raith Rovers Thread]

1 hour ago, Been going too long said:

I would trust Alan temple on that

Hopefully get the Spencer deal done within the next few days