Pre-season

SLG · Pre-season

Anybody been to see any pre-season games yet and got any thoughts on how their well their team is getting prepared for the new season?

I went to see Stirling Albion v Hibs yesterday, 5-0 for the Hibees. Pretty impressed at the moment, we've lost some decent players over the summer, but those coming in Kerr, O'Brian, Jonleit seem to be quality. Benji is looking great, much fitter and sharper than last season and scored two cracking goals yesterday. Played quite a few of our 'kids' as well and it looks like there will be about four of five joining Stevenson, Fletcher and McCann in pushing for a first team place. Really looking forward to the new season now.

DanaBC

I don't know that much about your football..... just learning. The FIFA -20 are here at the moment and there look to be some promising players on the team for Scotland! I'm not sure how long you have to wait to call them up...

When does the season officially start?

SLG

The Scotland team had a bit of a disaster at the U20 WC Dana. For various reasons. There are some good players coming through though and a lot of good players at that age group who never went to Canada for the WC. Of the Hibs players that were there, I think only one - Fletcher - will feature regularly in the SPL (Scottish Premier League).

The new season doesn't start till the 4th of August. So a couple of weeks left to go. Regular pre-season games being played between now and then though.

Reluctant Hero

Ross County officially kicked off their pre-season yesterday against Highland League Champions Keith. Couldn't make it to that one but we won 4-1.

The first friendly I will be able to make is a grudge match against Inverness Caley Thistle on 28th July.

County got relegated to Div 2 last season, but bizzarely, I think we have a stronger squad this season than what we had last year. Of course we have a new manager at the helm, Dick Campbell, who has a wealth of experience at this level. Indeed he was told by the County board, if we don't get promoted, he will get sacked.

Can't wait for it to all kick-off. A summer without a Euro Championship or World Cup to enjoy is a long summer Laughing

DanaBC

SLG

Aye, Dana, that was meant to be our warm up for this competition, didn't do us much good though.

That's great that you still get the derby RH, even if it's only a friendly. Good to keep the rivalry up! You'd better hope your team is being strengthened, Stirling showed that the top of the 2nd should be at least as good if not better standard than the bottom of the 1st. I think County might struggle to get back up (at least through the automatic spot), but it should be a pretty good league with little between yous Raith and Airdie at the top.

Reluctant Hero

Yeah, really looking forward to the derby. We are playing Buckie Thistle tomorrow night. Looking for another good performance and hopefully a clean sheet.

CIS Cup draw today and County got drawn at home against Elgin City. Think we'll need a couple of good cup runs to pay for all the players we have brought in this season.

SLG

Saw the draw for the league cup. Sure Elgin are pleased not to have to travel too far in the cup. Tbh, is the money in the second much less than the first? I would have thought that as long as you are up near the top, your crowds should hold up and that would be the most important thing. Cup runs would help. Saying that, if SPL2 ever gets off the ground, might be more of a problem if your still in the second.

Reluctant Hero

Is everyone's pre-season still going the way they would have liked?

County have won 4 out of 4 so far with their final game this weekend against our local rivals Inverness CT. I am heading along to this game, so I can't wait Very Happy

Don't think County have entered the race to sign Steven Naismith yet, but surely it is only a matter of time since the rest of Scotland seemed to be linked with him Razz

Don't forget to post your weekly predictions in our new Fantasy Football League. The season is barely over a week away.

http://ourscotland.myfreeforum.org/about4380.html

SLG

Hibs have been on great form the twice I've seen them. 3-0 against Bolton (who finished 7th in EPL last season) and played them off the park. Not going to the Middlesbrough game today, but if we get another good result, will have been an almost perfect pre-season. The signings all look good, with maybe just a big striker still needed. Still time for players to leave though, but hopefully that's not going to happen.

Reluctant Hero

Went to the Ross County vs ICT match at the weekend. If Caley play like that throughout the season, they are certain candidates for relegation Wink

We dominated them in the first half taking the lead with a well crafted goal. However, we slightly lost our way in the second half and lost two late goals.

Think the scoreline slightly flattered them and considering there are now two divisions between us, I thought it was a great performance by County.

Fills me with confidence for the new season, bring it on!!

mad clansman

[quote="Reluctant Hero"]

Reluctant Hero

SLG

I've got Ross County on my line, so hoping they do the job! I'm sure they will though Smile

Always hardest to predict early on. I'm pretty nervous about the derby as well mad clansman... you going to the game on Monday? I wouldn't pay the £33, so going to the pub to watch it instead.