Football Season Guide

East Fife have endured some tough weeks in the summer as they have sought to improve a squad that has narrowly missed out on the promotion playoffs in each of the last three seasons. Performances over this time have largely followed a similar trajectory. East Fife have got themselves into position to achieve a top-four finish only to collapse at critical moments. Nevertheless, this is arguably a strong outcome for a club of this size – but season 2021-22 is shaping up to be an altogether more testing challenge. While East Fife’s squad has not bee overhauled, they have lost a handful of important players. It was the club’s decision to release both goalkeepers, but losing creative midfielder Scott Agnew, their best player in recent seasons, and keystone centre-back Craig Watson to Airdrie has been a significant blow. Scott Gallacher should prove an upgrade in goal, but while Connor McManus has been successful in the heart of East Fife’s midfield before, he does not offer the same offensive qualities as Agnew. Meanwhile, the addition of Aaron Steele in defence is something of a risk given his relative lack of pedigree. Right-back Scott Mercer is a solid arrival, though. The League Cup, though, has not gone well for East Fife. They have lost their opening three matches without finding the net even once. This is perhaps a reflection of a lack of creativity in the midfield, but also a lack of quality in attack. Kevin Smith is now well into his 30s, while Ryan Wallace is also getting on, though should be a good player still at this standard. Michael Cunningham and Sean Brown are unproven. In midfield, there is a responsibility for the likes of Liam Watt and Danny Denholm to show more creativity, while Danny Swanson will need to put a very disappointing debut season with the club behind him. East Fife’s defence, meanwhile, is highly experienced but lacking in pace and a little in depth. Nevertheless, if Gallacher solves their goalkeeping issues, it would be a boost. The squad, overall, still looks a couple of players light, and two or three good loan additions – something manager Darren Young has been typically good at securing in the past – will make a dramatic difference.