AUCHINLECK Talbot boss Tommy Sloan says he's feeling optimistic ahead of the new West of Scotland Football League campaign.
The manager is staying in confident mood despite a 4-0 loss in Talbot's penultimate pre-season fixture, against a strong Kilmarnock side on Sunday.
As Derek McInnes's men prepare to face Cercle Brugge in a Europa League qualifier in little over a week's time, Beechwood Park was the host to one of Killie's final warm-up matches as they prepare to face the Belgian outfit.
(Image: Craig McGhee)
After a disappointing defeat to Ayr United last Thursday, McInnes fielded a far from weakened team for the trip to Beechwood Park.
The game came just a day after Talbot's previous pre-season friendly, a 2-0 win at home to Lowland League Tranent with goals from Kyle McAvoy and new signing Ross Clark.
(Image: Craig McGhee)
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Kilmarnock proved a tougher nut to crack, with Ethan Brown, Brad Lyons, Bruce Anderson and Bobby Wales giving the Rugby Park side a comfortable win.
The side fielded by McInnes also featured a number of first team players, including stalwart Rory McKenzie, midfielders Danny Armstrong and David Watson, attacker Gary Mackay-Steven and recently acquired goalkeeper Robby McCrorie.
(Image: Craig McGhee)
Sloan commented: “It was a busy weekend. We got two good workouts against two really good sides. It served a purpose anyway.
“After seeing [Kilmarnock's] game with Ayr United I wasn’t too surprised.
“They put a strong side out and didn’t bring too many young guys into it. It was a good workout for our players; they had to battle for 90-odd minutes.
“It wasn’t until late in the game they really sealed it either. Killie certainly didn’t lighten up when you see the subs they brought on.
“We were up against it for long spells in that match. Whether it will be the same when they go away in Europe I don’t know.”
(Image: Craig McGhee)
Talbot have just one more friendly left, at home to Thorniewood United, before the new West of Scotland Football League campaign gets under way on July 27.
Sloan's side made a slow start to the 2023-24 campaign, with his new-look squad taking just five points from 24 in their first eight matches before staging a remarkable recovery through the autumn, winter and spring to finish second behind champions Beith.
Talbot won't have it easy in their first few games this time round, either, with Junior Cup and West of Scotland Cup winners Darvel first up at Beechwood Park before a trip to newly-promoted Johnstone Burgh and a derby at home to Stephen Swift's new-look Cumnock side completing their first three fixtures.
But Sloan is philosophical about the challenges facing his team in the opening stages of the new campaign.
“You’ve got to meet them at some time," he said. "Ideally you’d like to be up and running but it is what it is.
(Image: Craig McGhee)
“We’ve brought a few players in, and they’ve settled in fine. I think we’re in decent enough nick.”
The confidence in his playing squad is clear from the manager, who has much less turnover to handle than this time last year.
It is something Sloan says has been evident in pre-season, and that he hopes Auchinleck can build on when competitive fixtures get underway.
He added: “We’ve not conceded that many goals, taking the Kilmarnock game out of that.
(Image: Craig McGhee)
“Having a settled squad is certainly going to help. We’ve got a load of the same players.
“The new additions are certainly looking promising and there’s a familiarity there with the pre-season games."
Talbot's final pre-season friendly, at home to Thorniewood on July 20, gets under way at 2pm.
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