Dumbarton endured the most disappointing season of any club in League One. At the start of the campaign they were tipped as potential title winners, having added some exciting names to their squad, yet by the beginning of May they were breathing a sigh of relief that they were not going into the final day of the season under threat of relegation.
In truth, it was a season in which everything that could go wrong did for long periods. They elected not to have much depth to their squad, and an early-season injury crisis absolutely crippled them in many areas of the team. It was a risk they knew they were always going to be flirting with, yet they did not cope with the situation well, and plummeted towards the foot of the standings, with Stevie Aitken jettisoned in October to be replaced by Jim Duffy.
The hangover of the injury situation continued to cripple Dumbarton deep into 2019 but once they got things together, they showed themselves to be more of a playoff-standard team. Dom Thomas’ arrival at the club on loan for a second time during the season was the catalyst for their improvement, with the Kilmarnock man absolutely outstanding for them. Indeed, it was just he was nominated as one of the league’s Players of the Season. Had it not been for his goals, Dumbarton might well have sunk.
Callum Gallagher ultimately came onto a game, too. The midfield was constructed around Stuart Carswell, who was excellent, though when he was missing too often Ross Forbes had to play centrally, where he was less effective. Michael Paton was a big disappointment out wide, meanwhile.
Dumbarton had major defensive headaches all season, which were caused in part by injury problems and in part by players not good enough. It was January and the transfer window before they started to turn things around, David Ferguson an important addition. In goal, they struggled throughout the season, with Grant Adam unconvincing.
There is the scope to build a good deal for next year, but there is a sense they are on a knife edge. With Duffy in charge, they should be in safe hands, though.
