The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

THE GOOD

Saturday saw the end of the first quarter of the Ladbrokes League One season, and for Raith it was a case of job done. 22 points from 27 is a dream start, maximum points from their 5 home games was required to set down a marker, away from home was a mixed bag, where a nervy opening day draw at Alloa was followed up with a brace of 5-0 victories at Bayview and Hampden. A rare trip to Cliftonhill saw Raith lose their only game of the league campaign in a below par, error strewn performance where Rovers got exactly what they deserved.

Raith’s lightning start is all the more impressive considering a growing injury list to the small squad that was assembled in the summer. Quality over quantity was the approach favoured by Barry Smith, any shortfalls in the squad would be made up from the talented, if somewhat inexperienced Under-20 squad. Kevin Cuthbert, Aaron Lennox, Kevin McHattie and Kyle Benedictus have all missed the majority of the season so far. Club captain Ross Callachan was also sold on transfer deadline day. Additions of Graeme Smith, John Herron and Dario Zanatta have helped plug holes, but Raith continue to rely on the youth to see them through. 

With Cuthbert out long term, Aaron Lennox was default number 1, yet lasted only 2 League games before picking up an injury. Since then Rory Brian and Graeme Smith have both started. Injuries have left us short in defence also, no fewer than 5 players have started a game at centre half this season. With no consistency at the back, it is almost miraculous that Raith have conceded only 5 goals. After just 9 games, Rovers have used 3 different keepers and 5 different central defenders, this team is defying all logic. Once Lennox, McHattie and Benedictus return, Raith should improve further and the options from the bench will increase. Although none of the three look ready to return in the immediate future. 

THE BAD

Is there a downside to this season’s start? Well the answer might be round the corner. As we approach the end of October, Raith’s pace setting form could be about to fall off a cliff, if the last five years are anything to go by. When you take the cumulative games (league fixtures only) played in November, December, January and February over the last five seasons, the stats are alarming.

Played 68, Won 13, Drawn 22, Lost 33. 

A total of 61 points from 204 is horrendous. Raith cannot afford that level of mediocrity over the dark winter months if they are to find themselves back in the Championship after just one season. The consequences of a failed promotion bid will bite hard budget wise, and the possible loss of full-time status will be a major set back. Three different managers have oversaw the slump when the clocks go back, even Ray McKinnon had a turgid record. Barry Smith will be hoping that he doesn’t suffer like his predecessors did.

THE UGLY

Last season’s debacle was always likely to yield change in the boardroom. Somewhat surprisingly changes have been almost wholesale, the majority of the directors who made the cataclysmic decisions that resulted in Raith’s worst season since Claude Anelka and his pub team pitched up have been moved on or gone of their own accord. John Sim who was pivotal in the Reclaim the Rovers campaign of 2005 has now taken full control of the club also. Previously he was owner of Stark’s Park Properties who own the ground. David Sinton, a former chairman has re-appeared and is hovering just below Alan Young as vice-chairman. Bill Clark has also been appointed to the board in recent days.

The takeover is short on detail at the moment, I would imagine this will be addressed at the shareholders AGM and open meeting on Thursday 19th October. So far the takeover appears to be amicable (at least in public) but might get ugly after the planned meetings as the critique of last season’s decision making is reviewed and the way forward is fully revealed. 

John Sim certainly has ambitious plans for the infrastructure of the club, development of the ground is high on the agenda and the installation of a synthetic surface has almost certainly been rubber stamped already, with installation to be completed by the summer of 2019 at the latest. A plastic pitch will make Starks more of a community hub, increasing the use ten fold, so from a business sense it is a no brainer. As a playing surface for senior football clubs? The jury is well and truly out. The first team should be the priority of any football club, a surface designed to benefit the commuinty hub aspect of the club could be of detriment to the first team squad and might end up a step too far. Like grass pitches, there are good and bad synthetic surfaces. Whilst weather can ruin a good grass pitch, there is no excuse for a poor synthetic pitch. For a senior football club, only the latest, improved surface will do. 

The new owners should be applauded for ambition and their commitment to trying something different, a complete reset of the club’s off-field operations was required. An air of complacency had crept in over the last few years. The next few months on and off the park promise to be exciting. Personally I can’t wait. 

CB.