Football Season Guide

Had awful last season. Finished dead last in League One, 11 points adrift from the nearest team. Hardly surprising that only 5 wins achieved in 36 rounds, with just 31 goals scored all season. After such a dreadful season expected clear out happened in the summer. All but one of the underperforming strikers were released. The most serious loss though was that of the pillar of the back line Higgins, who retired. Due to serious financial difficulties not yet able to boost the numbers in the squad with many new signings. Still entirely new forward line will be available to coach Crawford. Newcomer Shepherd is the main hope for goals, while the other new faces Trouten and Schiavone should support him from the wings. 19-year-old centre-back Denham signed to step in Higgins’ shoes but, with only 2 typical centre-backs on the books right now and 3 of the likely 4 starters in defence aged 21 and younger, East Fife don’t look really ready for the new season. On goal also expected to rely on youth – 19-year-old Smith.Veteran Fleming (38) signed mainly as a mentor and back-up. East Fife’s many young players are seen as their main strength. The lack of fear those youngsters are likely to show could bring some surprising results. Small and badly structured squad, pretty insecure scoring record, combined with very patched up defensive line all considered major weaknesses. No easy solutions either with the team seriously restricted financially and unlikely to add too many new names to the ranks as the season progresses.