VIDEO: Keith manager Dean Donaldson likes 16-game Highland League format and sees little room for error among the title contenders
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PRE-SEASON preparation is going to be crucial if Keith are to be successful in the shortened Highland League campaign coming up.
The league announced a start date and a new one-off format for the season on Saturday, giving manager Dean Donaldson some food for thought.
His Maroons will play just eight home and eight away matches over the course of the league programme, a format he said he is happy with.
However, he realises that the fixture card may need to be kind to his team, and knows a good start will be important.
Keith's last competitive football outing saw them finish last season with a flourish at Strathspey Thistle. see SHFLTV YouTube highlights below
Donaldson leads his squad back into pre-season training in Inverurie tonight, and will soon look to fix up friendly games to get his players match fit for the October 17 kick-off.
On the 16-game format, Donaldson is happy that the league season has left plenty space for all of the cup competitions to be contested.
“You have just got to go with it so we’ll see how it works out,” he said. “It’s just good to have a date to work towards,” he said.
“I’m glad all the cup games are going ahead as well because that gives most of the clubs their best chance of competing for honours.”
While Keith are not expected to be title contenders themselves, Donaldson said he expects several clubs to fancy their chances if they hit the ground running and find form in the early weeks of the campaign.
“Whoever starts the league best is going to have a fair crack at it,” he said.
“Nobody can get off to a poor start and expect to win the league. I’m pretty sure that only one or two defeats are going to be the maximum you can afford if you’re expecting to win the league this season.”
The Highland League have also announced that this season’s League Cup competition will be played in a group stage format early in the campaign, although last season’s tournament has yet to be completed from the semi final stage.
Donaldson is also wary that his team could end up having to travel to face many of the league contenders if the fixture list - which is expected to be drawn up in the next week - is unkind to the Maroons.
Strangely, Keith often reserved their best form for on the road in recent campaigns but with Kynoch Park in prime condition right now, the manager wants his players to be in similar shape for when they eventually resume games on home turf.
“The last two seasons we’ve probably played better away from home but everybody will be hoping for favourable home fixtures and getting the favourites at your home ground is going to be better for most teams,” said Donaldson.
“Kynoch Park is in great shape and it just depends how we get the boys ready for next year.
“You can play too many games and end up with boys getting injuries, but not enough games means you’re not prepared properly.
“It’s going to be a challenging pre-season for the boys.”
Keith have made an addition to their squad by signing teenage midfielder Lee Scott from Elgin City.
The Keith-based player had a spell on loan at the Maroons last season and Donaldson said: “He’s a player I like. He’s still got a lot to learn and he’s still learning his trade but I’m glad I’ve got him in.
“He’s someone who can play in a number of positions and will be a great addition to our squad.”
