Midfielders
On paper Berwick have eleven, yes, a whole team of midfielders vying for just 3, 4 or 5 places each week. Last season Berwick fielded a reasonably settled midfield. They were without Danny Swanson and Ian Little for most of the season too. They're back now and some new boys have been recruited so let's just say competition for places looks like it could be tough!
Stuart Fraser, Gary Greenhill, Ian Thomson and David Greenhill will be well known to fans who watched our Championship winning season. Gary Greenhill (pictured in Jan 2005) joined Berwick under Sandy Clark, having worked together at Dunfermline but for me really only started to show his best for Berwick last season where he played a key role in the centre of the park. Just 22, he does pick up niggly injuries but I expect Gary to be even better than last year in Division Two.
Ian Thomson starts his second season at Berwick. It's been quite a rise up the ranks for Thommo who came to prominence while staring for Spartans in their cup run of 05/06 which included dumping Berwick, Lossiemouth and Queen's Park out before taking St. Mirren to a replay in the year they got promoted to the SPL. Solid midfielder with a terrific workrate who contributes to the goals tally too.
Stuart Fraser has a terrific history that I wasn't really aware of until I started researching this. He was a defender at Luton Town back at the beginning of the decade, breaking into the first team, getting capped for Scotland U21s (pictured right) against Holland before breaking his leg playing in an FA Cup match in 2001. Ended up at Stevenage then Arniston Rangers before coming to Berwick last season. Clearly another hard worker and comfortable in midfield and at the back, was recognised with the Player of Year award by the Central Borders Supporters Club at the end of last season.
David Greenhill was another player signed just before the start of last season. Gained experience as a youngster at Clyde and Division Two experience at Alloa. Just turned 22, he's a skillful midfielder often used on the left where he's comfortable dribbling around a series of players before having a go at goal. Was pressed into striking duties at points last year, netting three goals.
In terms of starting places, of those players I fear most for David Greenhill and Ian Thomson this season but we'll wait and see.
Danny Swanson (left) will be desperate to confirm his talents once again this season after missing out on most of last season with a knee injury. Joined from Leith Athletic and excited the black and gold faithful with a number of star performances in 05-06. Just the one goal so far - against Stenhousemuir in April 2006.
Senior statesman of the side, player-coach Ian Little (right) also missed most of last season through injury. His career goes back to 1990 when he played for Meadowbank Thistle as a 16 year old. Ian showed he'd not lost his touch when he did come back towards the end of the season but I suspect he'll be a sub this season unless there is an injury cricis.
Two other young players who'll be looking to take any chance they can are Steven Noble and Scott Lucas. Left sided Noble seemed to be somewhat sidelined towards the end of last season, especially after McGroaty came to the club so will be interesting to see if he can push back into the team this year while Lucas, who made his debut against Arbroath back in February was largely used a sub in the centre of the park.
Returning to the club is Kevin McLeish (left) - one of the five players who left Berwick to join up with Paul Smith at Stenhousemuir. How will the black and gold faithful react to his return? Used largely in the middle of the park or on the right he netted ten goals in his last spell - including penalties. Not as prolific at Ochilview and I don't remember him particularly standing out when we played Stenny last season. Previously with Brechin, Raith and Ross County who are all in Division Two this year.
Also joining is Paul McMullan. Must be favourite to start on the left if Berwick play a 4 across the middle. Seems to come highly rated having played at a good level in albeit short spells for Raith, Hamilton and Stranraer since January 2005.
That just leaves Tommy Lennox, a right sided player joining from Albion Rovers where he was a big favouite with the fans. Clearly impressed John Coughlin too and could find himself at right (wing) back where he's started many of the pre-season friendlies.
So there you go - a bit of a marathon rundown - shouldn't be short of players even when suspensions and injuries kick in and with the the reserves side in place now hopefully players not immediately in the squad can keep match fit.
Next up - Strikers.
Stuart Fraser, Gary Greenhill, Ian Thomson and David Greenhill will be well known to fans who watched our Championship winning season. Gary Greenhill (pictured in Jan 2005) joined Berwick under Sandy Clark, having worked together at Dunfermline but for me really only started to show his best for Berwick last season where he played a key role in the centre of the park. Just 22, he does pick up niggly injuries but I expect Gary to be even better than last year in Division Two.Ian Thomson starts his second season at Berwick. It's been quite a rise up the ranks for Thommo who came to prominence while staring for Spartans in their cup run of 05/06 which included dumping Berwick, Lossiemouth and Queen's Park out before taking St. Mirren to a replay in the year they got promoted to the SPL. Solid midfielder with a terrific workrate who contributes to the goals tally too.
Stuart Fraser has a terrific history that I wasn't really aware of until I started researching this. He was a defender at Luton Town back at the beginning of the decade, breaking into the first team, getting capped for Scotland U21s (pictured right) against Holland before breaking his leg playing in an FA Cup match in 2001. Ended up at Stevenage then Arniston Rangers before coming to Berwick last season. Clearly another hard worker and comfortable in midfield and at the back, was recognised with the Player of Year award by the Central Borders Supporters Club at the end of last season.David Greenhill was another player signed just before the start of last season. Gained experience as a youngster at Clyde and Division Two experience at Alloa. Just turned 22, he's a skillful midfielder often used on the left where he's comfortable dribbling around a series of players before having a go at goal. Was pressed into striking duties at points last year, netting three goals.
In terms of starting places, of those players I fear most for David Greenhill and Ian Thomson this season but we'll wait and see.
Danny Swanson (left) will be desperate to confirm his talents once again this season after missing out on most of last season with a knee injury. Joined from Leith Athletic and excited the black and gold faithful with a number of star performances in 05-06. Just the one goal so far - against Stenhousemuir in April 2006.
Senior statesman of the side, player-coach Ian Little (right) also missed most of last season through injury. His career goes back to 1990 when he played for Meadowbank Thistle as a 16 year old. Ian showed he'd not lost his touch when he did come back towards the end of the season but I suspect he'll be a sub this season unless there is an injury cricis.Two other young players who'll be looking to take any chance they can are Steven Noble and Scott Lucas. Left sided Noble seemed to be somewhat sidelined towards the end of last season, especially after McGroaty came to the club so will be interesting to see if he can push back into the team this year while Lucas, who made his debut against Arbroath back in February was largely used a sub in the centre of the park.
Returning to the club is Kevin McLeish (left) - one of the five players who left Berwick to join up with Paul Smith at Stenhousemuir. How will the black and gold faithful react to his return? Used largely in the middle of the park or on the right he netted ten goals in his last spell - including penalties. Not as prolific at Ochilview and I don't remember him particularly standing out when we played Stenny last season. Previously with Brechin, Raith and Ross County who are all in Division Two this year.Also joining is Paul McMullan. Must be favourite to start on the left if Berwick play a 4 across the middle. Seems to come highly rated having played at a good level in albeit short spells for Raith, Hamilton and Stranraer since January 2005.
That just leaves Tommy Lennox, a right sided player joining from Albion Rovers where he was a big favouite with the fans. Clearly impressed John Coughlin too and could find himself at right (wing) back where he's started many of the pre-season friendlies.
So there you go - a bit of a marathon rundown - shouldn't be short of players even when suspensions and injuries kick in and with the the reserves side in place now hopefully players not immediately in the squad can keep match fit.
Next up - Strikers.
posted by theducket at 11:58 PM
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