The waiting is nearly over

So, just hours to go until the start of the new campaign. There can't be anyone out there who is seriously expecting a campaign as successful as last year - this will be tough given the make up of the division but we do have the talent to stay up and that must be the aim.

I expect two divisions within this league with Ross County, Airdrie and Raith Rovers surely the teams expected to be challenging for promotion, while Ayr and Brechin are now well established at this level. It's easy to look at the signings that other sides have made and worry that we lack some bigger names or foreign talent of other teams. However, remember how well we played last year and with much of the squad intact and some division two experience Coughlin will be quietly confident. A good start on Saturday against Cowdenbeath is important, with games against Raith and Airdrie to come through August we don't want to be propping up the division after 4 or 5 games because it's difficult to catch-up.

Although I wasn't at any of them, a series of defeats in pre-season isn't too concerning. Reading reports of each game would suggest we got a good work out against good sides and Haynes aside the players got a chance to build up match fitness. The Sunderland result especially seemed to suggest real promise.

Can't wait. Good luck to John Coughlin and the players.

For what it's worth, here is my starting XI.

O'Connor
Manson, Horn, Smith, McGroaty
McLeish, G Greenhill, Fraser, McMullan
Wood, Gemmill