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I think it's fair to say that 2014/15 was a rollercoaster of a season on and off the pitch. Top scorers well into the season, in touch at the top of the table and still in two cups, lauded off the pitch for our 'model approach' to steering the club, destructions of the BNBs, competitive with Aberdeen, and then this happens. The Two Ronnies depart and it's heads gone everywhere. Results plummet. Utopia was apparently Mordor all along, Sauron is bald and Saruman is a till-dipper. 5th place finish, League Cup runners up. Rumours persist about club ownership and the management team departing. -------------------- Thoughts on requirements/possible needs per position: Keeper +1 - Szromnik surely not ready going by his dev league highlights, rumours of Scott Fox joining, though I'd like to think we're aiming higher. Complete speculation on top of his goal-gifting abilities, but I do wonder how much of our defensive woes in recent years have been due to Rado not being able to guide the four in front of him - McGowan, Fojut, Morris, Dixon, Dillon, Souttar, Townsend was certainly a talented enough bunch of defenders to work with last season. Left-back - Dixon probably the #1 pick, though Dillon and Spark should be pushing him hard. Right-back - McGowan with Dillon back-up. Spittal, Paton and Spark can cover beyond that. Centre-back +1/2 - Rumours of Fojut departing, would leave us with Morris, Dillon and Souttar, no combination of which gives me confidence on a season-long basis, and I'd rather Souttar was kept in midfield. McGowan can cover. Central midfield - If Souttar is still here then him + 1 of Pates, Ranks or Telfer is probably what we're going to see. Smith and Fraser hopefully pressing hard for starts, so I'd be surprised if we made any signings in this position if Souttar stays. Butcher is presumably offski. Left-side attacking midfield - Dow, Spittal, Johnson, Erskine. Can't see us signing anyone else. Right-side attacking midfield +1 - Connolly, Johnson(?), possibly Ciftci. Would like to see a solid starter brought in here if Connolly can't stake a claim consistently. Central attacking midfield +1 - Telfer, Erskine, Ciftci if he's still here. Coote as backup. Would like to see a more experienced, solid playmaker option in here tbh, a proper Armstrong replacement. Striker - Ciftci if he's still here, Muirhead, Bilate, Anier, Murray, Moore, Dow. Potentially weak if Ciftci goes, but perhaps too many bodies already in contention for us to sign anyone else. Fingers crossed that Muirhead keeps putting in good shows, and one of Anier, Murray or Moore kick on. Anyone know the story behind Darren Petrie being let go? From what I've seen he's had good write-ups from our own and opposition fans who've seen him play this season. Management-wise, I'm happy to give McNamara more time to develop the squad and himself. I still can't decide whether or not he's, on balance, all things considered, underperformed or done reasonably well in his two years at the club. Would be delighted if Thompson stayed on, assuming his heart is still in it. Whatever happens, I hope the fans and the club can draw a line under the negatives of 2014/15 and move the f**k on, starting today. Early prediction: 4th place if Souttar and Ciftci stay on and we make solid additions in the summer 6th-8th otherwise --------------------- UPDATES --------------------- Michael Gardyne permanent move to Ross County (late May). Darren Petrie released, picked up by Raith Rovers (29 May).