Raith Season Preview

On the eve of the start of the 2017/18 football season, Raith fans are full of optimism and quiet confidence for the season ahead. A stark contrast to 12 months ago, where scepticism and apathy had taken hold. Is that optimism and confidence merited?

Optimism is fully merited but the quiet confidence should be delivered with extreme caution. There are plenty of reasons to be optimistic, a complete cull of both of the first team coaching staffs who performed so miserably last season was the start required, a safe and steady appointment of Barry Smith has kept the vast majority of fans onside, added to that the retention of the impressive Craig Easton as under 20’s coach and the addition of Kevin Cuthbert, who himself spoke openly and honestly throughout last season’s onmishambles. A leader who is much needed within that squad. Scott Robertson, who like Cuthbert will also fill a dual role and combine coaching with playing next term. Robertson who missed the entire season through injury last season, devoted time to help Easton with the U-20’s. There was real credit in that, could have sat and took wages whilst essentially doing nothing. 

The signings so far have been more than encouraging, free scoring forwards from last season’s League One Liam Buchanan and Greig Spence have potentially cured Raith’s miserable scoring record overnight. Relatively unknown defender Euan Murray has also arrived to provide much needed cover in centre half and full back positions. Aaron Lennox has returned after an injury ravaged loan spell to provide keeper cover for Cuthbert (who is unlikely to feature in the near future). After the farce of last season, nobody will baulk at signing any number of keepers.

The retention of key players was crucial, and up until this point the majority are around for the start of the season. Bobby Barr, Lewis Vaughan, Ross Matthews, Ross Callachan and Kyle Benedictus is an excellent nucleus and spine for a team facing League One next season. The jury may be out on Iain Davidson and Jason Thomson but both are capable of performing well and a step down in Division might just suit them. Jonny Court who was a rare success at the end of last season is another welcome return to Raith’s squad. The back up of the U-20 squad will be used to fill any holes that needing plugged on match days, hopefully at the expense of the numerous loanees Raith have fielded in the past few seasons. Most of whom didn’t cut it in the Championship, and left us exposed to their mistakes which eventually added up to relegation. If the budget allows, a full back and a wide player would complete Raith’s squad, and give them enough to compete for promotion. One of Locke’s (many) failings was the unbalanced squad he assembled. Lack of cover in certain areas left Raith struggling to field an eleven in their natural positions all too often. A smaller squad this season will be assembled and it already looks like having greater depth options. 

The biggest uncertainty facing Raith on the horizon is in the boardroom. John Sim seems to making a play for a greater input of the day to day running of the club, and has real desire it seems to install a synthetic pitch in time for 2018/2019. His vision is to increase the use of Starks Park, which whilst could increase revenue, a massive investment is required not only for the pitch itself, but for the other infrastructure to pull it off. Additional parking and changing facilities will be required if the vision extends to hiring out the pitch. Admin staff will be required also. Last season the board couldn’t do right for doing wrong, a lack of acceptance of responsibility has been evident also. Chairman Alan Young’s Q+A with Raith TV probably asked more questions than it answered and some real deflection was employed. A cull in the boardroom might not be a bad thing after last season, but having one individual in so much control goes against the ethos drummed up during the Reclaim the Rovers campaign in 2005. A highly complex situation is developing by the looks of it and very little information is available, the longer it drags on the more acrimonious it may become, and that is the last thing Raith needs. 

Where will Raith finish next season? A promotion challenge is a must, Raith cannot afford to spend 3-4 years bouncing around in League One like they did a decade or so ago. The difference in prize/sponsorship/media rights money at that time was negligible, now there is a chasm, a whole tranche of money Raith have relied on. A failed promotion this season will send Raith scrambling, and probably ripping up thier FT status. With Ayr United the only other team operating on a full-time basis, Raith will be a favourite for promotion, Airdrie’s implosion over the summer will see them be an unknown quantity come August. Alloa are still a very good side in this division, Stranraer also. Forfar, Queens Park and Arbroath continue with the same set up, whilst Albion Rovers and East Fife find themselves with new managers, both of whom are on the up.

 League One has had runaway winners in the last two seasons, next season will be somewhat tighter. If Raith can avoid their traditional October to March slump, then a title challenge is not beyond them. Home form is crucial, 5 out of the 9 away grounds will feature artificial surfaces, Raith will need to adapt quickly, it can’t be an excuse any longer as it is increasingly becoming the norm. Hampden, Gayfield, Stair Park and Somerset Park are our only away fixtures on grass and results will not be easy to come by there. Raith will be in the mix come March, and will need to hold their nerve, a strong finish is required. 3 out of the last 5 are at home. They have the firepower, they have full time training as an advantage. Quiet confidence is one thing, executing it is another. Raith have built a squad capable. Next season will be less chaotic than last year. If lessons have been learned, Raith will start 2018/19 in the Championship.