Third Division - Mid Season Review 2011/12

Paul Hartley’s first venture into management at this stage looks to be a very successful one.

The Wasps' Manager will know that there is more work to be done but he must be content that his side are in with a shout for the title after a run of nine League matches undefeated.

Their home form is again the noticeable thing – they are undefeated at Recreation Park and have only conceded seven goals on their own pitch.

My old mate Keith Knox has made his home town club a force to be reckoned with this season.

As the IRN-BRU SFL’s highest scoring team, it’s no surprise that they appear to be in great confidence and form heading into 2012 and will look to build on the early season results.

However, not many would have given them a chance after their first day 8-0 mauling by Morton in The Ramsdens Cup.  They’ve shown great strength and resolve to bounce back from that so well.

Each season Harry Cairney seems to take Annan forward and that has happened again this term.

There is no doubt that their success is built on what happens at Galabank – they have taken 20 points from 27 and are nine goals to the good.

Worryingly, they have only won once in the last five League games and the Manager will be well aware that League Championships are won, and lost, during the winter months.

The Spiders are one of the form teams in the division right now and they might just be timing their run to the Play-Offs to perfection.

With 18 points from the last 30 available, they seem to be getting into the groove at the right time – they have won their last two games without losing a goal.

If the defence can be as stubborn on the road as they are at Hampden, they would be a sure bet for one of the top four slots – six conceded from eight games at home; 14 goals from seven games on the road.

Caretaker Manager Ian Little got a reaction from the players when he replaced Jimmy Crease after their shock exit from the Scottish Cup and that might just be what catapults the Wee Rangers into the Play-Off scenario.

Three wins in November and recent draws with high flying Annan and Alloa have shown that they should be competing at the top end of the table.

In Darren Gribben and Damon Gray, they have natural finishers who could shoot them up the table.

Ross Jack’s side are tremendous at home – 16 points from 21 - and questionable on their travels – six points from 21.

If they can remedy the second part of that equation, they would have a real chance of finishing in the Play-Off positions.

Four draws in the last six League games has halted the momentum gained from hammering Alloa 5-0 in early October and a run of wins would make a whole lot of difference to the Black and Whites - they need to recover from a Boxing Day battering at Recreation Park first though.

The Jim Duffy project at Broadwood has been as refreshing as it has been successful already.

After the restructuring at the club, the Manager embarked on a longer term vision of developing younger players – bringing boys in from amateur, juvenile and youth football.

You can see how much of an impact he has had on the players with his coaching – the team have only conceded 16 goals in 16 games which demonstrates an organisational emphasis.

A Play-Off place would be well ahead of schedule but may not be out of the Bully Wee’s reach.

Montrose have struggled since the start of the season and concede too many goals – an average of 2.5 per game - to have any chance of being at the right end of the division.

However, their Boxing Day win at Balmoor Stadium halted a run of five games without a win and was only The Gable Endies second victory on the road.

Ray Farningham will be hoping this acts as a springboard for a brighter second half to the season.

Big signings don’t mean success and that’s never been more evident than at Balmoor Stadium.

When Rory McAllister arrived in the summer, big money went on to Peterhead to win the division.

Sadly for everyone at Peterhead, only two wins from 16 games proves that football is, and always will be, a team game.

Jim McInally, who arrived in October, will be hoping to climb the table and maybe sneak into the Play-Offs but will be more likely assessing the squad ahead of a new assault on the title next season.

When Spencer Fearn walked away from The Shire so, it appears, did their chance of competing anywhere other than at the bottom of the Third Division.

Two wins from 17 League games – one was on the opening day - and 41 goals conceded shows where East Stirling are right now and there’s no sign that they are likely to improve any time soon.

And, given that Manager John Coughlin is a top operator, that tells you everything.