BarryLFC

41.

Brian Johnstone and Andy Hamilton were named as starters in the First Division team of the year as the end of season prizes were handed out. I came third in the manager of the year contest, but could hardly complain given the relative performances of the teams produced by Campbell Money at Ayr and Terry Yorath at Forfar. Brian Johnstone added third place in the Player of the Year vote to his already bulging trophy cabinet as we signed off 2007/08 content, but primarily excited for the new season to come.

BarryLFC

Class of 2004

Kevin Buchanan was in the u19s until Craig left in January when he was promoted to #2. Will look to reclaim his starting role next season.
2007-08 record: Played:0, Conceded: 0, Clean Sheets: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: -

Stephen Lynch continued at Sheffield United where he has developed as a player.
2007-08 Sheff Utd record: Played: 44(2), Goals: 3, Assists: 2, MoM: 0, Ave: 7.11

Craig McGowan was Mr Consistency in the heart of our midfield this season, but his goalscoring boots were missing this year.
2007-08 record: Played: 40, Goals: 0, Assists: 4, MoM 1, Ave: 7.10

Brian Byrne continued as right back this season where he played pretty well, but not close to his outstanding performances of the season before.
2007-08 record: Played: 42, Goals: 2, Assists: 5, MoM: 0, Ave: 6.83

Scott McGowan was injured a fair bit this season, and suffered from the continued fitness of his brother.
2007-08 record: Played: 1(5), Goals: 0, Assists: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: 6.67

John Johnston continued his gradual improvement on the right. Assists were well down though and didn't take the step forward we hoped for.
2007-08 record: Played: 38, Goals: 5, Assists: 2, MoM: 0, Ave: 6.55

Andy Hamilton broke back into the Scotland u21 squad this season and his goals return was pushing that of his first season as a professional. Probably his best campaign ever.
2007-08 record: Played: 41, Goals: 9, Assists: 12, MoM: 4, Ave: 7.20

Mark Wilson probably regressed somewhat this season. He did hit goals in the double figures, but played more games than the year before. Needs to pick it up next year if we are to challenge at the top.
2007-08 record: Played: 38, Goals: 11, Assists: 8, MoM: 2, Ave: 6.79

Gary Fraser spent most of last season on loan at Second Division side Colchester where he performed well, but not up to the level he produced here.
2007-08 Sheff Wed record: Played: 1(4), Goals: 0, Assists: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: 6.40
2007-08 Colchester record: Played: 17(2), Goals: 4, Assists: 1, MoM: 0, Ave: 6.84

Brian Johnstone was back to his very very best this season, scoring goals aplenty and being man of the match on no less than seventeen occasions. He will spearhead our promotion chase next year.
2007-08 record: Played: 41, Goals: 23, Assists: 5, MoM: 17, Ave: 7.73

Paul King spent this season on the bench in Cardiff. Perhaps he wishes he hadn't been so keen to leave Greenock now.
2007-08 Cardiff record: Played: 0, Goals: 0, Assists: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: -

retired_marcias

Getting closer

Just out of interest, how did Ross County get on in the SPL? :p

BarryLFC

Class of 2005

David Mitchell continued on his merry way, happily doing nothing.
2007-08 record: Played: 0, Conceded: 0, Clean Sheets: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: -

David Ward is also sitting on his backside in the u19s doing nothing.
2007-08 record: Played: 0, Conceded: 0, Clean Sheets: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: -

Paul Craig made a heartbreaking move to Inverness in January and we will miss him desperately.
2007-08 Morton record: Played: 24, Conceded: 20, Clean Sheets: 12, MoM: 2, Ave: 6.71
2007-08 Inverness record: Played: 16, Conceded: 29, Clean Sheets: 3, MoM: 3, Ave: 6.81

Craig Robertson came into the team when Craig left and was adequate. No more, no less.
2007-08 record: Played: 19, Conceded: 23, Clean Sheets: 5, MoM: 1, Ave: 6.53

Steven Ritchie maintained his form from the season before and added goals and assists to the mix to boot. Future club captain in my eyes.
2007-08 records: Played: 39, Goals: 3, Assists: 5, MoM: 2, Ave: 7.00

Mark Nicol played all season for Dundee, but is now making noises about a move to a bigger club. We continue to wish him well.
2007-08 Dundee record: Played: 48, Goals: 1, Assists: 7, MoM: 0, Ave: 6.79

Michael Kerr didn't make much of an impact this season, but looked at home when called into action.
2007-08 record: Played: 2(1), Goals: 0, Assists: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: 7.00

Anthony Reid broke out this season in defence and will push Mahon all the way for a starting berth in pre-season.
2007-08 record: Played: 20(3), Goals: 3, Assists: 0, MoM: 1, Ave: 7.17

Steven Reilly dropped back to the u19s after an injury and didn't bounce back up. Will have to next year as he turns 20 soon.
2007-08 record: Played: 7(2), Goals: 0, Assists: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: 6.44

Gareth Jones had another solid season and has attracted interest from English outfit Burnley.
2007-08 record: Played: 36, Goals: 2, Assists: 3, MoM: 0, Ave: 7.06

Scott Campbell played a few games for Fulham last season which mystifies me somewhat.
2007-08 Fulham record: Played: 3, Goals: 0, Assists: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: 6.33

David Fraser failed to score in fourteen chances, but his left-footedness works to his advantage.
2007-08 record: Played: 9(5), Goals: 0, Assists: 4, MoM: 0, Ave: 6.64

Mark Russell dropped back to the u19s this season where he did well, but will be disappointed not to have had more chances in the top team.
2007-08 record: Played: 0, Goals: 0, Assists: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: -

David Davidson once again failed to break into the first team and had probably his most disappointing season to date.
2007-08 record: Played: 5(11), Goals: 2, Assists: 1, MoM: 0, Ave: 6.38

BarryLFC

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by glamdring:
Getting closer

Just out of interest, how did Ross County get on in the SPL? :p<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

They got relegated with 18 points.

BarryLFC

Class of 2006

Ross Adam was a standout this year in his second season as a professional. Just as well, since we don't have another left back.
2007-08 record: Played: 40, Goals: 0, Assists: 3, MoM: 1, Ave: 6.90

Robert McCarthy jumped in front of a few others last season but not far enough to get a regular place.
2007-08 record: Played: 1(4), Goals: 0, Assists: 1, MoM: 0, Ave: 6.40

Alan Moran improved this season from last, but Anthony Reid looked the better player when in the team. Will be a tough call for me to make next year.
2007-08 record: Played: 23 Goals: 1, Assits: 1, MoM: 0, Ave: 6.65

Andy Fraser has still not broken into the first team pool.
2007-08 record: Played: 0, Goals: 0, Assists: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: -

John Hunter suffered a spinal injury and didn't play all season.
2007-08 records: Played: 0, Goals: 0, Assists: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: -

Chris Miller still hasn't had an opportunity to show his stuff.
2007-08 record: Played: 0, Goals: 0, Assists: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: -

David Munro is now being targeted by Rushden and is moving steadily up the pecking order in midfield.
2007-08 record: Played: 0, Goals: 0, Assists: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: -

Gary Murphy has turned 19 and moved from the u19s to the reserves. Didn't play this year due to improved fitness from the boys in the team.
2007-08 record: Played: 0, Goals: 0, Assists: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: -

Robert Dunn had a season frustratingly similar to the one before, with another peach of a goal to remember.
2007-08 record: Played: 7(11), Goals: 1, Assists: 6, MoM: 0, Ave: 6.44

Craig Connolly didn't get a look-in this season and remains well down the depth chart.
2007-08 record: Played: 0, Goals: 0, Assists: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: -

David Graham had another year in the reserves and youths.
2007-08 Morton record: Played: 0, Goals: 0, Assists: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: -

Chris Robertson had another average year and doesn't look a top team prospect.
2007-08 record: Played: 0, Goals: 0, Assists: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: -

BarryLFC

Class of 2007

John Mann had a wee chance or two in the first team this season, but only showed that he wasn't ready for it. Has all the attributes to be a starter one day however.
2007-08 record: Played: 0(5), Goals: 0, Assists: 0, MoM: 0, Ave: 6.20

BarryLFC

Class of 2008

Alan Dunn 17, AM RLC

David Jones 15, GK

John O'Brien 14, D C

Brian Reid 15, SW/D C

David Smith 15, D/DM R

Chris McPherson 16, AM C

retired_brinker317

McPherson and O'Brien both look pretty handy...

Hopefully they'll be able to break through. I love this style of management, it's superb.

BarryLFC

42.

Pre-season saw us beat Dumbarton, Tranmere and Västerås away from home, the Swedes with only 10 men, but lose at Malmö despite a good performance. The bookies had us in the pack set to challenge for the title, though officially fourth favourites behind Falkirk, St Johnstone and Ross County. Defeat in the Challenge Cup to Partick by three to two despite leading twice was disappointing, but we bounced back with an opening day win over County that promised to hold huge psychological value. As the schedule worked we faced the three sides favoured by the bookies ahead of us consecutively on the first three weekends. If we could amass seven points we'd be right in the mix, but the trip to Perth was next up and promised to be a true challenge.

An own goal with fifteen minutes to go left us in bother, but Andy Hamilton came to the rescue with a last gasp leveller and the seven point target remained a possibility going into the home game with Falkirk. For the first time this season we had a full squad to select from and John Johnston returned from the suspension incurred for his red card in pre-season. A scoreless first half was visibly tense as both sides sensed the importance of the game even this early in the season, defensively we were solid, but we couldn't capitalise on the few chances we created and had to settle for a point. Still, we had negotiated a tough opening spell unbeaten, we were tied for second place and only a point off Inverness in first.

August culminated with a trip to Kirkcaldy to face Raith. We went with an unchanged XI, but lost Johnston to injury after twenty minutes of a scoreless first forty-five. After the break we came out all guns blazing, but another 0-0 draw ensued and its a habit we need to break and break now if we are to challenge for the title. Inverness lead on nine points, St Johnstone have seven, whilst we are tied with Falkirk both having six points, three goals scored and two conceded.