Airdrie have had a decent enough pre-season, although the majority of the teams they played were lower league opposition. They have lost arguably their best 3 players during the summer, in Owen Coyle, who took up a managerial role at St Johnstone, Marvyn Wilson, who went to Hamilton Accies and Alan Gow who made the step up to the SPL with Falkirk, so it's not looking too good for the diamonds...
Prediction: 10th
Clyde FC
Could the squad this season for Clyde be any more different than the one from the previous season? Clyde have basically released all of the their players and signed up a whole new squad, none of which have really impressed me, apart from Alex Williams, who despite having a bad spell for Morton and QoS, will score goals in the first division. But overall a very unsettled team with a lot of gelling to do. I think Clyde will struggle.
Prediction: 9th
Brechin City FC
I'm not a fan of predicting my own clubs fortunes but I suppose it has to be done if I am panning out the league. City have signed 5 experienced pro's who should do well for themselves and Brechin are coming up a stronger side than last time, and as the Division is weaker, I think Brechin will avoid relegation comfortably.
Prediction: 7th
Dundee FC
The "big boys" of the division, just newly relegated from the SPL after about a decade in the top flight. To my surprise, Dundee have actually kept a good few of their prize assets over the summer and have signed a couple of guys that will shine in the first division. I think Dundee will romp to the championship this season.
Prediction: 1st
Hamilton Academical FC
Hamilton will be the surprise package in this years 1st division, after signing the likes of Brown Ferguson from Alloa, Ian Harty from Clyde and Marvyn Wilson from Airdrie, 3 players who will all do well in the division. The club have recently turned full time and have an artificial pitch, which will be to their advantage. A good season for the Accies is in order, but not good enough to challenge.
Prediction: 3rd
Queen Of The South FC
A part time club (Well, not fully, they have quite a few full time players) who consolodated their place in the 1st division after promotion to the 1st several seasons ago. They have a couple of the best 1st division players, in Steve Bowey and David McNiven. While the bookies have predicted them to be battling against relegation, I think another mid-table place is in store for the Doonhamers.
Prediction: 5th
Ross County FC
Similar to Queen of the South, apart from the fact Ross County are full time and not part time. Ross County have also finished the past few seasons mid-table and even under new management, I expect the fortunes of the Staggies not to change dramatically.
Prediction: 6th
St Johnstone FC
For the past couple of seasons in the first division, St Johnstone have been tipped to win the league, but have miserably failed and finished somewhere near the bottom. But they now have a new manager in Owen Coyler who seems to sign a decent player everyday and their squad size is huge so even if a key player is injured during the season they will have someone who is perfectly capable of taking their place. The Saintees will push Dundee all the way for the title.
Prediction: 2nd
St Mirren FC
Once again, theres been a lot of hype about St Mirren going to win the league but once again I think it's all rubbish. Apart from Craig Hinchcliffe, Kirk Broadfoot, Marc Corcoran and perhaps Stewart Kean, their squad is really average and everyone apart from Kean can't hit a coo's erse with a banjo. Another dissapointing season is in store for the Buddies.
Prediction: 4th
Stranraer FC
Last but not least Stranraer. A club who has done extremely well (Like Brechin) to get to this league and this is a team who doesn't rely on the one player, but on a team spirit and determination. Stranraer have signed about 10 players during the summer, a few of which should do well for the Blues, I think they can stay up along with Brechin.
Prediction: 8th