Arbroath made a very satisfactory return to League One this season as they finish fourth then gave a good account of themselves in the promotion playoffs, in which they were ultimately bested by Dumbarton.
Dick Campbell’s side had assembled a strong squad from the beginning of the season but added to it impressively as the campaign went on, with the likes of Scott Martin and Leighton McIntosh supplementing what was already a strong unit.
Arbroath typically played in a 3-5-2 formation, which made them very difficult to break down. Moreover, their hard-working wide players added quality to their ranks at both ends of the field, with a good deal resting on how they performed.
The three-man defence was largely solid, although goalkeeper David Hutton made a number of errors over the course of the season and will find his place under question next season. If he is not released, Ricky Gomes could take his spot.
Arbroath’s defensive strength laid a strong foundation for the team and meant that they were especially effective playing away from home, where they could counterattack rapidly. It led to 10 wins on their travels, though at Gayfield they were not so impressive, with their tally of seven victories only ranked eighth in the league.
Consistency was a big problem throughout the season, but especially towards the end of the campaign, when they struggled to piece together successive wins. Problems for the teams below them, however, allowed them to get away with that issue.
These issues were, in part, caused by a lack of consistent scorer, with the manager struggling to get a handle on his most effective front pairing. McIntosh was increasingly used from the bench, despite being his side’s most prolific attack, in part due to the arrival of Ryan Wallace, who was not as effective as they might have hoped after joining in January.
Next season, Arbroath will want similar progress and with Campbell liable to remain in charge and another healthy budget set to be put at his disposal, they will expect to reach the playoffs once again.
