Losing on the opening day of the 2016-17 season was perhaps not a surprise and the debate over the merits of our performance have now died down. Certainly it was a lot better than the appalling effort at Hibs the week before but nor did it inspire confidence for what is to come.
Annan Athletic - Galabank
Manager Mark McGhee's post-game comments that the squad was now settled raised eyebrows before Craig Moore, having just signed a one-year contract, was loaned out for the season and speculation grew over Scott McDonald. Skippy seems set to stay, for now at least, but nothing other than a convincing win at Annan will ease our concerns.
Samson and Brill will fight it out to start in goals with a change possible while the defence could also be altered given the sheer number of bodies available in this area. The midfield surely doesn't need a relocated Joe Chalmers to add security and the return of Keith Lasley will restore some feeling of normality to the centre of the park. **
It is up front that we have the biggest cause for concern. We will be without Louis Moult as he recovers from injury but McDonald, if he is not in the huff, Johnson and Ainsworth should provide some threat.
Annan are in League Two but showed last season they can spring an upset when they smashed Hamilton 4-1 in the Scottish Cup. We ourselves have a cup record which is anything other than convincing against lower league opponents recently but should be looking to record a confidence boosting 3-1 win.
**Article amended to reflect that Lasley is available.