FM24: Albion Rovers: Wee Rovers On The Rampage

[MurderOnZidanesFloor]

ALBION ROVERS FC

Cliftonhill - The quaintest of settings and the home of The Wee Rovers

WHY ALBION ROVERS?

Alongside my journey through the desert at Al-Nassr, I wanted to come back home to a club ive had a soft spot for since the 2018/2019 season. At the time, Albion Rovers were part of the greatest escape in Scottish football history, coming from bottom of Scottish League 2 with 8 games to play and taking 16 points to narrowly push Berwick Rangers into Scottish Non League and survive relegation by the skin of their teeth.

Over this period, and all through the covid period, I was a regular virtual ticket holder at Cliftonhill watching the matches, and I would love to not just return this staple of Scottish football back to the league pyramid, but push us up into the higher echelons of the league structure.

But in truth, Albion Rovers had been circling the plughole for many seasons, and finally in the 2022/2023 season, after finishing bottom of the Scottish League 2, Albion Rovers lost the relegation playoff 2-1 on Aggregate to Spartans. This would be the first time in a proud 120 year history that Albion Rovers would be competing outside of the Scottish League pyramid.

Born out of a merger between Albion FC and Rovers FC of Coatbridge in 1882, Albion Rovers have competed in the first division as recently as 1998/1999 but have spent the overwhelming majority of their life toiling to avoid relegation from the lowest divisions in the pyramid, in the various league formats Scotland has held.

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PRE SEASON - IMMEDIATE PROBLEMS MAKE THE TASK AN UPHILL STRUGGLE

No sooner is the ink dry on my contract, that I receive the news that the chairman is looking to sell the club. And when a new chairman comes in, they usually have pretty clear ideas about who they want their manager to be. Lets hope im given a chance, and some multi milionaire Arabs want to pump a billion pounds into Scottish grassroots. I think not.....

As if that wasnt bad enough, I walk into a backroom team that includes no scouting department, and no medical department! At least for now, even though we are operating on a part time training schedule, someone needs to come in to rehabilitate the injured players.

So ive had better first days on the job shall we say.

SQUAD ANALYSIS - A MODEST GROUP OF TALENT THAT WILL CHANGE SIGNIFICANTLY OVER THE COURSE OF THE SEASON

I will not be making big changes immediately and everyone will get a chance to prove their worth, but there will be absolutely no room for anyone who cant make an immediate impact. Defensive midfield and the wide areas in particular have been identified as problem areas in the squad.

Trials have been offered to Owen Rendall (Wick Academy) (DM), David McCaughie (Sauchie Juniors) (RW), Theo Leslie (Montrose) (RW), Liam Bremner (Golspie Sutherland) (LW), Jamie Docherty (Cowdenbeath) (LW)

Following a succesful trial period, the only player to be offered a contract is Jamie Docherty (Free Transfer - Cowdenbeath).

THE MAIN MEN IN THE SQUAD

Kai Kirkpatrick has been impressive in pre season having made a breakthrough at Cumbernauld Colts. Great off the ball movement and great ball carrying abilty means he will go into the heart of the midfield

Paul Kennedy came through the Celtic youth team and via spells at Clyde and Broomhill brings playmaking craft to the centre of the pitch. an elegant player with a great range of passing.

Ross Connolly is an assuring presence between the sticks. Making up for his small frame with cat like reflexes, Connolly was a free transfer from East Sterlingshire and the undisputed number 1 at the club

A huge onus is on Bright Prince to score the goals. A speed merchant who loves to latch onto through balls and play on the shoulder, Bright Prince has plenty of talent for this level but must work on his composure in front of goal.​

 

[leckuno]

Brilliant mate, I use to stay not far from the stadium 10 years ago and popped along every so often but now closer to the stadium of their main rivals in Airdrie

 

[MurderOnZidanesFloor]

PRESEASON - AN UNDERWHELMING WARMUP KEEPS EXPECTATIONS LOW

Throughout the preseason period, so many additional players are offered trials its not worth listing them all. Whilst some underwhelm, two players do manage to earn themselves deals at the club.

Jamie Docherty can play off the left or the right, and ideally i want him from the right hand side to lessen the workload on young Nathan Brown.

Signed on a free transfer after leaving Cowdenbeath, Docherty's main attribute is his pace, crucial for quickly beating his man or for ghosting into the box to be on the end of things.

Callum Haspell comes in from Rothes on a free transfer and has the ability to play as a centreback or defensive midfielder. Although its not his preferred role, I feel he will be a useful half back.

Haspell had a solid trial period and seemed worth the punt, good levels of natural fitness are a underrated quality given the lack of training we do.

RESULTS SUFFER AS THE WEE ROVERS SEARCH FOR THE FORMULA

Whilst trialling so many players and possible tactical setups, performances were always more important than results, but it was noteworthy that some of the best performances irrespective of results were against the "bigger" opponents; indeed the performances against Cove Rangers, Glenavon and South Shields gave rise to the notion that a sit deep, soak it up and hit hard with pace out wide and up top might be the way forward this season. A Nuno Espirito Santo at Forest type influence seemed effective.

The staffing team has also been expanded thankfully, as Billy Bonar and Mick Macleod come in as head physio and physio (both unattached), and Adam Dobbie (also unattached) comes in as a scout.

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[MurderOnZidanesFloor]

AUGUST - A GOOD STARTS SEES THE BIRTH OF WEE ROVERBALL

Despite there being a lack of overall quality in the starting 11, every game has seen us with the battle for xG. Not that its particularly important of course, but it does suggest we have found a way to make chances and keep it relatively solid at the back.

We are selective in our pressing, and aim to funnel the opposition into congested central areas ready to spring quick direct balls into the wide men to use their pace and dribbling ability.

Liam Fagan and Callum Home have forged a decent centreback partnership already, and young Max Ross, on loan from Motherwell, has been trialled as a half back with some promising signs.

TURNING CLIFTONHILL INTO A FORTRESS

A come from behind win against Broxburn was encouraging, but the result of the month was by far the 2-0 win against Calledonian Braves, who had come into the game top of the league with a 100% record winning 3 out of 3.

A fantastic solo strike from Jamie Docherty on 22 mins, cutting across the box and bending one into the top corner in a style reminiscent of Arjen Robben gave a deserved half time lead, which was followed on 61 mins as Alan Reid found time and space in the 2nd phase of a corner to drill hard and low to the goalkeepers bottom right corner.

The two away games featured gritty, tenacious performances and the Wee Rovers were rewarded with a good point away to Broomhill in one of the worst games of football every played, but kicking ourselves we didnt defend the second phase of a corner vs Gala Fairydean as Danny Galbraith's speculative effort fizzed past Ross Connelly.

In the Calledonian Braves game, a minor sour note was an injury sustained by Kai Kirkpatrick, who will be having 6 weeks on the sidelines with an ankle injury.

AUGUST LEAGUE TABLE

KIRK TOWNSLEY - A STAR IN THE MAKING?

A wee lad from Broxburn Athletic seems to be making quite a stir.

At just 16 years old, Kirk Townsley has had four 7.00+ performances and bagged 2 goals. In our fixture he was a constant menace too. This chap might be someone to really keep an eye on as the season progresses.

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[MurderOnZidanesFloor]

SEPTEMBER - THE FRESH PRINCE OF CLIFTONHILL

Despite a slow start to the season, Bright Prince's form has seen a surge through September. Helping himself to 6 goals in September, Prince has been instrumental in the Wee Rovers good form throughout the month.

THE HEART OF A LYON - JAMES LYON SIGNS

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After a successful trial period, James Lyon comes into the squad on a free transfer following release from Partick Thistle.

Lyon can play box to box, happy to receive the ball in close quarters or collect it off the back 4, and gets himself in the right places at the right times in the centre of the pitch. Adds good cover and a useful option

FOCUS FIRMLY ON THE LOWLAND LEAGUE AFTER CUP EXITS

The Scottish Challenge cup saw the 2nd part of a double header v Caledonian Braves, and this time around Braves were good value for their 2-1 win. Disappointment came against Highland League Strathspey however, as the Wee Rovers had the lions share of the game but conspired to give away two penalties in an agonising 3-2 defeat.

League form has remained solid. Not many people gave the Wee Rovers a chance away to East Kilbride, who at the time were 4 wins from 4 and top, but a stellar performance featuring a flying Bright Prince hattrick crowned the most unexpected of 4-3 wins.

A solid 3-1 win vs Hearts B was ironically followed by the most complete performance of the season, as Rovers in a new look dangerous 442 shape totally dominated the game from start to finish against Sterling University, yet faced a man mountain in the form of keeper Adam Buttigeig who managed to repel everything thown at him.

With most of the focus on Bright Prince, it would be easy not to acknowledge the steady, assured performances of veteran Alan Reid, the right back has been averaging over 7.00 for the month.

SEPTEMBER LEAGUE TABLE

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[MurderOnZidanesFloor]

OCTOBER & NOVEMBER - ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED? A SENSE OF INJUSTICE FUELS GOOD RESULTS AS GOALS FLY IN

Nobody can complain that they dont get value for money when watching the Wee Rovers these days!

October started with a highly contentious 2-2 draw away to Bo'ness United. With the Wee Rovers 2-0 up and cruising with 15 to play, an inexplicable error from Ross Connelly coming for a cross and getting nowhere near it, a red card to Marcus Lavery, and then a last minute penalty threw away 2 points in frustrating circumstances.

But this was channelled the right way, into an excellent 3-0 home win vs East Stirlingshire in a one sided affair. With Nathan Brown working wonders down the left and Liam Fagan marshalling the back 4, James Lyon's long range low rasper put the icing on a rather nice cake.

The short turnaround to play Linlithgow Rose was never going to prove easy in a 2nd v 3rd game, but Rovers dug deep to secure a priceless 4-3 win in a 7 goal thriller with Nathan Brown, this time playing off the right in a 442 counter attacking shape, providing a constant thorn in the side with jinking dribbles.

With the cup exits coming earlier than planned, an unusual 2 week mid season break sat in the middle of the shortened months of October and November, with two low profile friendlies and plenty of rest which could provide a useful fitness boost over the course of the season.

And this was very much proved in the final fixture vs Celtic B, who, despite the close looking score, were out run and over powered over the course of the 90 mins with Rovers again fielding a new look 442 shape and Billy Mortimer and Bright Prince working in tandem to secure a 5-3 win at Clifton Hill.

A hard fought, drab 1-0 win vs a very capable Berwick Rangers fielding the evergreen Liam Buchanan up front was secured at Sheffield Park, and the only sour note was an unexpected 1-0 reverse at home to Tranent, who rode their luck to run out 1-0 winners despite being on the back foot for most of the game, consigning Rovers to their only defeat in the last 10.

NOVEMBER LEAGUE TABLE

THE SECRET WEAPON - WEEBALL

The "Weeball" phenomenon is spreading.

Weeball is a dangerous and direct 442 shape that has been paying instant results as a surprise change up tactic, merging a deep block in defence with two organised banks of four, pinching the ball back in central areas, and springing immediate counters with the pace out wide.

Direct balls from both full backs and the goalkeeper who are instructed to play direct passes into Billy Mortimer have been a particular feature, Mortimer's ability to link play from a deep lying forward position since coming into the side has been revolutionary.

IAN BENTON LOOKS TO END THE OWNERSHIP SPECULATION

Wee Rovers fans woke up to the news on Tuesday 7th November broken by Radio 5 Live, that an unnamed local businessman was looking to purchase Albion Rovers. Chairman Ian Benton is open to the sale.

With the club already struggling to control its wage budget heading into the halfway point of the season, any kind of cash injection and importantly, an end to any speculation over the managerial post would be very welcome.

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[MurderOnZidanesFloor]

DECEMBER - MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS AS ROVERS LOSE GROUND

On paper, with a favourable set of fixtures, December had the potential to be a pivotal month, and so it seemed to prove......but for the wrong reasons.

Taking on a woefully out of form 2nd from bottom Gretna side, the dual wide threat of Daniel Orsi and Cameron Mulvanney absolutely tore into Rovers back 4 and blew us away at half time. It was by far the worst performance of the season with no indication that it was coming, and a team meeting was called to clear the air.

Would this be channelled positively, you bet it would, with back to back 4-1 demolitions v Cumbernauld Colts and Civil Service Strollers, Bright Prince helping himself to 5 goals over the two games and showing a real poachers instinct in front of goal.

But then when all evidence pointed to a comfortable win, another inexplicable collapse to concede a 94th minute equaliser against bottom side East Sterlingshire to a long range Joe Moore piledriver was a serious kick in the teeth.

7 points from 4 games is not a disaster in isolation, but in the context of the situation to take 1 point from the leagues bottom two sides, and coupled with the continued good form of Tranent and top side East Kilbride who show no signs of slowing down having won 4 out of 5 in December, probably leave too much to do with only the top team going to the playoffs.

DECEMBER LEAGUE TABLE

TAKEOVER TALKS PLUNGE ROVERS INTO AN EMBARGO RIGHT ON THE EVE OF THE TRANSFER WINDOW

With Craig Graham now revealled as the local investor, a takeover is in progress.

I dont expect a big boost to finances, but it is important to note that whilst our rivals are strengthening, we are in a transfer embargo.

At this absolutely key time of the season, its imperative this takeover is concluded quickly to make assessments to the squad, and bring in the reinforcements we need to push in the 2nd half of the season.​

 

[MurderOnZidanesFloor]

JANUARY 2024 - OFF FIELD ISSUES THREATEN TO DERAIL THE SEASON

The big off field positive is that Craig Graham's takeover is complete. Having paid the packet of crisps and a mars bar that the club was up for sale for, the embargo no sooner in place has been lifted, and whilst no extra money is available, I have assumed Craig's full backing.

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The bad news however, is that Callum Haspell has been making increasingly loud noises about wanting to leave, and this has caused divisions in the camp, particularly with some of the more senior players who have been backing Haspell up.

Its an awkward situation. When Callum Haspell came in from Rothes big things were expected, but our tactical direction has progressed away from the 433 somewhat and its meant opportunities are limited. `With a settled centreback partnership and no cup football, then really there is no role for Callum Haspell left.

The senior players want him to be given game time. I think its better to move him on and save his wages, but its a difficult balancing act as i dont want to upset the morale in the camp at this crucial stage.​

PURE GRIT EXTENDS THE UNBEATEN RUN TO 7​

In a month of games where performances were not great, the results were ALL that mattered, and when needed, big big performances from Bright Prince yet again and young Nathan Brown steered the Wee Rovers through a tough month.

The Sterling University performance was excellent, but there was more than a hint of smash and grab in the games vs Broxburn and Broomhill who, under a new manager Mike Dods, defied their lowly league position to throw off the shackles and test Fagan and Home at the back with a lively front 2 partnership.

THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT, THE FUTURE IS....BROWN?

Bright Prince and Nathan Brown are forging an incredible partnership....not as strike partners, but wide man and striker. Its been so interesting to see these two guiding the Wee Rovers through the last couple of months and seeing Brown's first thought to feed Prince with through balls....not to mention getting into the box himself. Both players are averaging nearly 7.5 for the month.​

JANUARY LEAGUE TABLE​

 

[MurderOnZidanesFloor]

AN UNEXPECTED EAST KILBRIDE BLIP RE-ENERGISES THE TITLE BATTLE?

East Kilbride, seemingly unstoppable at the top, have had a poor January, with 3 draws that have have allowed us, and Linlithgow to close the gap with 12 to go.

With Linlithgow themselves in excellent form with 5 wins in a row, the title race has closed from what seemed like a foregone conclusion to a race that looks like it will go to the end of the season.

Yes, we have a mountain to climb, but with a win in our game in hand, the gap closes to 5 and crucially, we STILL have East Kilbride to play at home