Football Season Guide

Brian Rice's arrival after the sacking of Martin Canning last January led to a revival in results and a change in footballing philosophy. Hamilton ended up avoiding the relegation playoffs, and the appointment proved a success. But, once again, it's been a summer of trying to shop in the bargain basement for Accies. So far they've yet to spend any money, with eight free transfers coming into the club as well as a loan deal. Rice is having to form a new centre-back partnership that could include both Ciaran McKenna and Markus Fjortoft this year. Both remain unknown quantities. In addition to that, however, the Accies boss has done well to bring in real Premiership experience. This was something that was lacking last season, but the additions of Blair Alston, Brian Easton and new number one Owain fon Williams could prove golden this season. Rice has done well to get rid of plenty of the deadwood that was already at New Douglas Park. Delphine Tshiembe, Alex Penny and Matthew Kilgallon failed to provide the steel Accies would've hoped, and have all gone. So it will be a totally new back-line this year for the Lanarkshire side. Their strengths and weaknesses continue to be unknown such is the revamped nature of their squad, but they scored the least amount of goals last season. Accies have scored seven goals in four League Cup group stage matches, but they could still do with more firepower to help George Oakley and Steven Davies.