Season Preview 2007/2008

Competitive football returns to Scotland on Saturday with Dunfermline kicking off their 2007/2008 Irn Bru Scottish Football League Championship First Division (what a mouthful!) campaign at Hamilton Accies. For a good number of weeks, excitement and optimism has been building among Pars fans as we hope the team can claim the championship and make an instant return to the SPL next season.

Following last season's double heartbreak of relegation and the loss of the Scottish Cup final with just five minutes remaining, it would be easy for the fans to look ahead with a sense of doom and gloom, but nothing could be further from the truth. Season ticket sales are up by a long way compared to last season, with the club about to break the 3,000 mark while the official supporters club have at least four buses going to Hamilton this weekend, with other clubs running buses as well. This type of away support hasn't been seen from Dunfermline for quite a few years.

And there are plenty of reasons for this feelgood factor amongst the supporters. Although last season was a bitter disappointment, the football Stephen Kenny's side were playing towards the end of the season was attacking and exciting to watch. The manager's preference for two attacking wingers in his teams led minds to cast back to the days of when Bert Paton was in charge, which were arguably the most exciting of times to be a Pars fan in recent years.

Gone also are the chronic injury shambles that we had to endure under previous regimes. Gone are aimless tactics culminating in a panic punt up field. Kenny has got this group of players organised, fit and have the ability to play. We showed on numerous occasions last term, especially during the cup run, that on our day we can be a force to be reckoned with.

But we must'nt forget that we have lost key players to the squad that ended last season. Hugely popular and influential goalkeeper Dorus de Vries departed for Swansea City, while Jim O'Brien returned to Celtic. Adam Hammill has pitched up on loan at Southampton after his successful spell with the club, while workhorse midfielder Gary Mason left for St Mirren after 7 years with the club.

These departures would have been enough to conjure up visions of disaster, but Kenny pulled off a number of important pieces of business. First up was the future of Tam McManus. 'The Bam' raised eyebrows when he joined on a free from bitter rivals Falkirk, but his impression was such that he became a firm fans favourite due to his all action, combative displays and goals in vital victories over Dundee United and St Mirren. The rumour mill had United and Kilmarnock interested in him, but Tam repaid the faith shown in him by Kenny by penning a 2 year deal, to the delight and relief of the fans. Tam's comment that "the manager and the fans made it an easy decision" to re-sign emphasises the good feeling reverbarating around the club.

Others to sign new deals included Scott and Owen Morrison as the squad began to take shape. The first new arrival was that of former Hibs winger Kevin Harper, who signed on a free transfer from Stoke City. The 31 year old has impressed in his pre-season outings so far and will be a key man in the season ahead.

Stephen Glass further cheered the fans by returning after his loan spell from Hibs last season. "The excellent professional" according to Stephen Kenny will bolster the midfield with his creative play, which will be vital as we go into games with teams content to sit in and frustrate, particularly at East End Park.

Sol Bamba is still at the club, despite his apparant desperation for a move away from the club. The big defender came onto a good game in the latter stages of last season but still has a lot to learn. I expect though that this isn't finished and we could see some movement before the transfer window slams shut next month.

Rumours surrounding Jim McIntyre with a move to St Mirren were unfounded, with the striker staying to compliment which on paper looks a potent strikeforce. McManus, McIntyre, Crawford, Burchill and Hamilton. Throw in young Ian Williamson and we have the potential to score the goals to get us out of the league.

But what about the other teams who stand in Dunfermline's way? Arguably the two biggest threats will be St Johnstone and Dundee. The Tayside duo have brought in quite a few players to bolster their squads, Dundee especially, but how good they will be we shall have to see. One man familiar to us will be Freddie Daquin who Alex Rae was quick to sign following his release from East End.

However, it is Owen Coyle's St Johnstone who will probably provide the biggest challenge, and are some people's favourites to finally win the title. The Saintees had an excellent campaign last term, as they ran Hibs and Celtic close in the CIS and Scottish Cup semi finals before taking the title down to the very last minute, where a James Grady goal for Gretna denied them. They have lost their main goalscorer in Jason Scotland as well as midfield man Simon Mensing, but they have brought in players such as David Weatherston and Dyron Daal, so will be an undoubted threat.

As well as them, there are plenty of teams who can beat anyone else. Hamilton who we face on Saturday had a magnificent home record last term and will be a difficult side to breakdown. Trips to Livingston usually prove difficult and this will be no exception this season as they will be striving to impress under Mark Proctor after a disappointing time out last term.
Partick Thistle under Ian McCall should be there or thereabouts as McCall, like him or loathe him, knows what it takes to do well in this league while Morton and Stirling Albion will also be looking to impress being back in the First. Clyde under Coco Hendry could be a threat as an unknown quantity while Queen of the South, particularly at Palmerston, will provide a tough test.

Its all set for an interesting season and I for one can't wait, as the league will be very competitive. But as well as that, we also have the UEFA Cup to look forward to, with the draw for the final qualifying round made this Friday. The chance to lay the ghost of Harfnarfjordur is there for us and we have to take it.

So the season starts with a vengence on Saturday. Here's to an exciting, memorable and ultimately successful campaign. Come on ye Pars!