Football Season Guide

Peterhead spent the 2020-21 campaign fighting against relegation, though Jim McInally was able to guide his side to safety in the end. McInally, all being well, will celebrate his 10th anniversary of taking the post in October and is Scotland’s longest-serving manager in the senior game. This is testimony to the steadiness that he has brought to Peterhead over the years. This season, though, promises to be a challenge. In the recent past, there appeared to be an ambition for the club to move upwards to the Championship, but the investment has cut back and so too have the expectations of the squad. Their League Cup campaign has been satisfactory, with defeats against Hearts and Inverness expected, while a victory over Cove Rangers should be seen as something of a bonus. The squad that they have coming into the season is one that looks somewhat limited both in terms of numbers and quality. Peterhead lost Ben Armour, their best-performing attacker last season, to Alloa, while Steven Boyd also made the move. They have, however, upgraded on Armour on paper by signing Russell McLean, a player who has enjoyed a successful previous spell with the club. Otherwise, their other option at centre forward is Derek Lyle, a 40-year-old who was excellent in his day, though now little more than a functioning squad player. They will lean on Dundee youngster Josh Mulligan on the right wing, with the 18-year-old back for another loan spell after last season was written off by injury. He is highly rated. Hamish Ritchie, meanwhile, was a good find on loan and he returns on a permanent basis. Nevertheless, there is a lack of quality in the wide areas – as well as a group of players who have been injury prone in the past. In the heart of the field, Peterhead look better stocked. Their five options are all experienced, with Simon Ferry, Scott Brown, Jordon Brown and Gary Fraser all good players. This is their strongest area by some distance. In defence, meanwhile, there is a clear lack of depth. The left-back role is set to be filled by Ryan Conroy, a veteran winger who switched into the role only last season, while their only natural right-back is another 18-year-old loanee from Dundee, Danny Strachan. Jason Brown is the pick of their centre-backs, with Andy McDonald the other starting option. New signing Jadel Musanhu is an entirely unknown player at this grade. Equally, in goal Peterhead are lacking, too. Brett Long has been signed from East Fife, where he had a poor season, and he is of an apparently similar standard to Lenny Wilson, who played ahead of Josh Rae at points last season.