A year of two halves for Albion Rovers

Dec 30 2009 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge

IT has been a year of two halves for Albion Rovers. The end of last season was one to forget; the start of this campaign one to recall fondly.

Where is there room for improvement?

SCORING goals has been a continual problem that is yet to be solved, with the lack of a regular clinical finisher apparent.

Last season, just Elgin City netted fewer in the Third Division. This term, Annan Athletic and Montrose are the only teams who boast poorer records in front of goal in the league.

This season, it’s difficult to understand why given that Martin has some good strikers at his disposal. Pat Walker, David McFarlane, Marc Pollock and Marc McCusker are all in the Rovers ranks and well thought of.

As long as Rovers can keep it tight at the back, they will get away it. But there will likely come a time when the defence begins to leak and that is when the attacking department need to find their shooting boots.

Is the team good enough to win promotion?

YES, but the task facing them is massive. Rovers are a good side, but so are the likes of East Stirling, Berwick, Forfar Athletic and, of course, Livingston.

A play-off place should be seen as a realistic target for this season. Anything more than that would be considered a fantastic bonus given the perimeters Rovers work within.

How long will they keep hold of keeper Derek Gaston?

ROVERS may be fortunate to get to the end of January with him still at the club. The manager admitted to making mistakes in the transfer market last season but he was on the money with this boy.

Tall, physically strong and decisive, Gaston is an excellent shot-stopper, commands his area well and quickly gained the trust of his back four. He has all the attributes to play at a much higher level.

He has signed a contract extension to the end of next season but don’t be surprised to see him depart for pastures new in the summer, at the very latest. The transfer fee will come in handy, though.

Talking of money, how did the board turn a £34,000 profit?

BY living within their means. Rovers’ policy of not spending more than what comes in may frustrate on occasion but ensures the club’s future is not put at risk.

Frank Meade and his fellow board members deserve great credit for producing strong financial figures when you consider the fact the club averages barely 300 at Cliftonhill on some matchdays.

So when is the ground move happening then?

FURTHER developments are expected at the beginning of 2010. Rovers say they are happy with how negotiations with North Lanarkshire Council are going so, for the time being, it is a watching brief.

A number of ideas are being debated as to what the best outcome for the club will be. What we know for sure is that they will be leaving Cliftonhill for a community stadium in the Coatbridge area that boasts a 3G artificial pitch.

A thought worth remembering for 2010?

ROVERS have slowly rid themselves of the ‘joke’ tag that seemed to follow them around. But with that comes heightened expectations and Martin’s challenge will be to ensure his team are talked of as challengers and not mere also-rans.

“Such views were honest, and although he earned an SFA censure and pariah status atAlmondvale, he also won a lot of respect for speaking out and telling a few home truths.”