Not the most encouraging pre-season performance. To be fair, friendlies are for tinkering and giving minutes, but the shape and balance looked off and a few persistent problems reared their heads.

Midfield shape and the numbers game

We looked outnumbered through the middle. There were plenty of bodies at the back and up front, yet the centre of the pitch felt thin and disengaged. When you’re trying to control tempo and press higher, you need midfield presence to link defence and attack. At times the team gave the impression of being two separate units rather than a coherent whole — pressing without support or possession without good options through the middle.

Front pair and service issues

Shankland looks a step up on Miovski in certain areas, fair enough, but right now he’s not clicking with Chermiti. You can see why the manager will give them time, but strike partnerships don’t form overnight. Then there’s the supply problem. That right wing remains a glaring weakness. If we’re going to dominate games in the SPFL we’ll need quality wide players or a full-back who can consistently influence play in the final third. McCrorie hasn’t suddenly become an attacking outlet — his crossing remains a concern — and that puts extra pressure on whoever plays out wide to create proper service.

Small positives and next steps

Manny caught the eye and Devlin looks like the kind of competitor this squad has been missing; someone who fights for every meter in the middle. That’s encouraging. The keeper didn’t face much and was largely untested, so it’s hard to draw conclusions there. Truth is, pre-season should highlight these faults so they can be fixed. We need recruitment and tactical clarity to turn potential into results. I’m not ready to press the panic button, but the work has to start now if we want to avoid the same frustrations once the real matches begin.

Written by RohlWithCheese: 7 August 2026

Tags: tactics match-review