13 games in, with the festive run in coming up how is the championship looking. Falkirk remain top, only losing 1 game in 13 and 6 points ahead of 2nd place Livingston. At the other end of the table Airdrieonians sit on just 5 points with 1 win in 13 games. They will be looking for a run of form coming into the new year where the league will be shaken up. Here is a run down of every club in the championship thus far.
Falkirk
Falkirk remain top of the table and dominant in the first half of this season. After an incredible, invincible season in League 1 last year, they have kept up the momentum and John McGlynn’s side look comfortable going into the new year. The side has been working towards increased fan ownership and the Falkirk Supporters Society are a majority shareholder in the club. The clubs financial stability are important to their success. They have been able to keep players and bring new faces in as well as improving the infrastructure of the stadium which provides better facilities. The Bairns have scored 27 goals and conceded 8 making them one of the best attacking and defensive teams in the country with only Celtic scoring more goals (31) in all the Scottish leagues.
Livingston
Livingston’s kryptonite so far this season has been the number of draws they have grabbed (5). Only 6 points behind leaders Falkirk, Livingston are fighting to take top spot and with only 1 loss in the league it is not a controversial opinion to say they could win it. In the past 3 seasons clubs relegated from the Premiership have won the league to go straight back up (Dundee United, Dundee FC, Kilmarnock) with that being a common theme and with the run they have been on, it is very possible. David Martindale has been able to retain players like Andrew Shinnie, Tete Yengi and Scott Pittman who have experience at a high level and with faces such as Stevie May coming in they have real premiership quality.
Ayr United
Scott Brown’s side had a very strong start to the season, but they have only won 1 of their last 5 league games which has seen them slip down to 3rd place. Ayr United were sitting top, but they were unable to get a result over their 2 top competitors – Livingston and Falkirk. That along with a rather unexpected defeat to Raith Rovers it seems their momentum has been shot. They have an opportunity in the Challenge Cup to gain some needed morale when they face off against East Kilbride. An injury to Ayr’s top scorer Anton Dowds who has 5 goals in 6 games this season means more of the squad needs to step up. In the last 5 league games Ayr have only scored 3 goals and will be looking for that player to help them turn it around.
Queen’s Park
Callum Davidson’s Queen’s Park have been fighting for a play-off spot since the start of the season. Currently they sit in 4th tied on points with Ayr. They have been able to pick up points this season away from home with 11 points in 7 games. This has helped them maintain somewhat consistent performances and with a quality manager in Callum Davidson it can be expected that they will continue to fight for their spot in the Premiership next season.
Partick Thistle
The Jags started the season slow with only 1 win in the opening 5 games. They have started to climb up the table and are unbeaten in 6 games (3 wins, 3 draws). Although performances remain scrappy, they slowly are getting back to old ways and Kris Doolan will be proud of defensive performances, keeping 6 clean sheets so far this league season. If Partick Thistle can start scoring more consistently it will be crucial in turning draws into wins and see them climb further up the table. Brian Graham continues to impress at the age of 36 with 8 goals in all competitions this season, his leadership can be important to the Jags season.
Hamilton Academical
Hamilton’s Oliver Shaw is currently the league’s leading scorer with 7 goals. Hamilton have been able to find the net this season with a 3-0 win over Morton and a 4-0 win away to Airdrie the following week. However, down at the other end of the park they are the 2nd worst defensive team in the league having conceded 20 goals in 13 games. This has seen them lose out on many points this season. Currently sitting 6th, Hamilton’s aim for the new year is to keep attacking performances consistent but tighten up at the back. 7 points outside a play-off spot can quickly change if Hamilton can start getting consistent wins.
Raith Rovers
Raith’s season seems to just be starting, having won only 2 of their first 10 league, now games results are beginning to come through- unbeaten in the last 3 with a win over Ayr united. Although many poor results this season Raith have proven they can beat top sides with wins against previously mentioned Ayr and handing Falkirk their only loss this league season. To turn their year around they will need to start taking points from the teams around them.
Greenock Morton
Morton have been on the receiving end of a 6-0 defeat against Falkirk and have gone without a win in their last 5 games. Even with poor results manager Dougie Imrie remains confident after a promising performance against Ayr United. Morton have only scored 8 goals this season making them the 2nd worst attacking team in the league. Having lost one of their main goals threats in George Oakley to Ayr United, Morton are still looking for those players that can put the ball in the net.
Dunfermline Athletic
James McPake’s team have only won 2 games so far – one of them being an impressive 3-0 against Livingston – they sit in 9th with only 9 points in 13 games. Dunfermline have put on decent displays in games but are unable to make the most of it, 6 of their losses this season have been by 1 goal. The Pars look to be fighting against relegation at the moment but in the championship complete turn arounds can happen. James McPake will be fighting to keep his job if Dunfermline don’t start to pick up wins very soon.
Airdrieonians
Sitting at the foot of the table, with only 5 points and 1 win in 13 games is Rhys McCabe’s Airdrie. Their only league win came on matchday 1 against Raith Rovers – since then they have gone on to concede 26 goals and only score a further 5. After finishing 4th last year in a play-off spot, fans would not have been expecting such a horrible start to the season. With football being a results-based game Rhys McCabe is another who may see his job in danger. Airdrie’s next game is against Dunfermline who sit just above them this would be a great opportunity for the team to gain momentum.
With the January transfer window fast approaching we will see players leave and new players come in as well as possible changes in management. This will shake up the league and it would not be surprised if it vastly changes from its current sittings.
