Football Season Guide

After 22 consecutive seasons in Scotland’s bottom tier, Montrose have finally managed to lift themselves above that level and will enjoy the third tier for the first time in more than two decades. Manager Stewart Petrie did a fine job of leading them to the League Two title last term ahead of Peterhead, but the challenge of keeping them at this level appears to be one that is even greater. While they have lost another of regulars from their side last season, including veterans Chris Templeman and Ross Campbell, they have struggled to recruit effectively ahead of the new campaign. Josh Skelly has arrived from Arbroath on a permanent basis and should prove an effective signing, having been under-utilised by their Angus neighbours, yet otherwise they have succeeded only in signing Paddy Cregg, a central midfielder who was highly disappointing last season for Forfar and ultimately released by them. Montrose have experience that could be both a blessing and a curse. Virtually the whole spine of their side is the wrong side of 30, particularly in midfield and defence, so fears that they could be short on speed and stamina could very well be realised in a number of games. Indeed, it would be surprising if they didn’t dip into the loan market early in the season to freshen up their squad. Many of their players do have experience at this level, though several have not played at this level for a handful of years and could find that their advancing age is starting to catch up with them. Midfielder Jamie Redman, for example, was an effective box-to-box player at this level previously but pushing 32, he may find that some games are too much for him. Collectively, it could be a big problem. It may be that they are forced to adopt a defensive stance at the beginning of the season in order to compensate for their lack of energy and speed. Centre-backs Sean Dillon and Michael Bolochoweckyj are both experienced performances and very physical, but at 35 and 34 respectively, it will be a challenge for them at this level.