PARTICK THISTLE
LAST SEASON: First division winners
NOTABLE INS: John Baird (Dundee), Simon Colina (Barcelona), Gabriel (Rayo Vallecano B), Paul Gallacher (Ross County), Mark Kerr (Dundee), Isaac Osbourne (Aberdeen), Gary Fraser (Bolton Wanderers, loan), Henoc Mukendi (Liverpool, loan)
NOTABLE OUTS: Steven Craig (Wycombe Wanderers), Andy Dowie (Queen of the South), Chris Erskine (Dundee United), Paul Paton (Dundee United), Mark McGuigan (Albion Rovers, loan), Ryan Scully (Dunfermline Athletic, loan), Glenn Daniels (Celtic, end of loan), Alan Archibald (retired), Bradley Halsman
LAST SEASON'S BEST XI (departed players crossed out): Fox, O'Donnell, Balatoni, Muirhead,
THE SQUAD (u-21 players in italics)
Goalkeepers: Scott Fox, Paul Gallacher
Defenders: Conrad Balatoni, Gabriel, Liam Lindsay, Jordan McMillan, Aaron Muirhead, Stephen O'Donnell, Aaron Sinclair
Midfielders: Stuart Bannigan, Jonathan Black, Simon Colina, James Craigen, Gary Fraser, Ross Forbes, Mark Kerr, Steven Lawless, Caolan McAleer, Hugh Murray, Isaac Osbourne, Sean Welsh, David Wilson
Forwards: John Baird, Kris Doolan, Christie Elliott, Jordan Leyden, Henoc Mukendi
IF HE GETS INJURED, THEY'RE SCREWED: Ex-Motherwell midfielder ROSS FORBES and his cultured left foot were too good for the first division, but he didn't make it in the SPL at Fir Park; can he do better second time around?
STAR OF THE FUTURE? Former Celtic youngster STEPHEN O'DONNELL thrived under Jackie McNamara, but declined overtures from Tannadice to sign a new contract with Partick. He can play either as full-back or in midfield and seems likely to earn himself a reputation as a good top flight player.
THE SEASON AHEAD: It's not as if Partick stumbled over the finish line after Alan Archibald took over - their results were actually better than under Jackie McNamara. I'd be surprised if the Harry Wraggs followed Ross County's lead by achieving a top six finish, but on the other hand they are considerably stronger than last year's other promoted team, Dundee. Automatic relegation seems unlikely because of Hearts' predicament, so the club's first aim will be to steer clear of the playoff that would come with eleventh place. Archibald has added some SPL experience to the side with the arrivals of Paul Gallacher, Mark Kerr and John Baird, while young loanees Gary Fraser and Henoc Mukendi could spice things up a bit. They've even brought in a Mexican and a Barcelona youth player! Worryingly, though, Partick don't seem to have adrquately replaced last year's star, Chris Erskine, who followed McNamara to Dundee United.
THE BEST XI?
Apart from Kerr, who will slot into Paul Paton's role in defensive midfield, I'm not sure how many of the new arrivals to include at the moment. Either the industrious Baird or the target man Mukendi may be an alternative to Doolan up front. Lawless can play on either flank but may be asked to cut in onto his left foot. Fraser is also a winger but is likely to be used as an impact sub. Forbes often lines up on the left but may come more central as Welsh is injured, with Craigen coming in to the side. Osbourne is another midfield option. Even though McMillan is a good right back, and Gabriel is another option in central defence, I'd expect Archibald to stick with the back four that served him well in the first division, at least initially.
THE BOSS: Alan Archibald only has half-a-season's managerial experience, but he guided the club to promotion after Jackie McNamara's departure and the team looked more solid at the back under his guidance. He's still pretty much a rookie, though, and this season will be a huge step up. His thirteen years of service at the club should buy him some time and space...but we said that about Barry Smith at Dundee last season, too. It would be a surprise if he looked woefully out of his depth, though.
CLICHE YOU'RE MOST LIKELY TO HEAR: "underdogs"
PREDICTION: It seems fair to make Partick favourites for ELEVENTH and the subsequent playoff - after all, they are the newcomers. But there's not much of a gap between them and most of the other top flight sides, and they will prove awkward opponents who certainly have the potential to finish higher and cement their Premiership status.
L.
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