1. Stephen Dobbie (Queen of the South)
The incredible (for this level at least) signing of Stephen Dobbie hasn’t just improved Queen of the South talent wise, the acquisition has lifted the whole mood at Palmerston. A gloomy outlook has been transformed into a sunny disposition, and little wonder. Hibernian were bodied out the cup last midweek, and now this, a straightforward victory over an Ayr side who had hoped for similar revitalising properties from their own eye-catching signatory, Gary Harkins. While the former Dundee and Killie whizz impressed sporadically, it was Dobbie who was the star-turn with a goal and an assist in a 4-1 success. With an abundance of attacking choices in Derek Lyle, Dobbie and another new arrival in Lyndon Dykes, the Doonhamers might yet surprise a few more teams this season.
2. Lewis Vaughan (Raith Rovers)
Gary Locke’s Championship-topping dynamos (not a sentence we thought we’d ever type) might not finish the season in pole-position, but wherever the Kirkcaldy club do end up residing, the chances are they’re going to be a decent giggle to watch. An appealing predisposition to getting forward will see far more games like Saturday’s one, where a 3-1 win over St. Mirren could easily have ended up 8-4. Declan McManus scored two and missed five good chances, as Lewis Vaughan consistently set up opportunity after opportunity by cannily exposing the gaps between the threadbare Buddies midfield and shoddily inept back-line. With both Raith and Dunfermline seemingly far better going forward than they are at the back, Saturday’s Kingdom derby could be a rare old wheeze.
3. Mark Docherty (Dumbarton)
Dundee United fans decided to create a display of some sort before Saturday’s match against Dumbarton, by attaching wee bits of orange and black plastic to sticks. We can only guess at it’s effectiveness though, as due to the Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium only having one stand, no-one could actually see it, apart from anyone who happened to be looking out their upstairs window in the adjacent housing estate. The United fans were probably wishing their view of the team’s performance was as easy to miss, with Ray McKinnon’s collection of tangerine tripe barely troubling Dumbarton’s goalkeeper Alan Martin. Admittedly, much of that was down to a fantastic Sons showing, with Mark Docherty impressing at centre-half, while also having the cojones to batter in the penalty which separated the teams in a 1-0 win. Word of warning though, Dumbarton defeated United by the same scoreline the last time they shared a division in 1995-96, then failed to win any of their next 29 league games.
4. Jim Goodwin (Alloa Athletic)
With St Mirren crying out for a ball-winning central-midfielder, it must be slightly galling for their fans that they let the Irish assassin, Jim Goodwin, leave during the summer. Sure it’s the level below, but as he batters opponents into submission each and every week, roaming the park with those cold, dead eyes of his, it’s difficult not to think that Alex Rae could have done with him. For the second week in succession, Alloa were sensational, especially in the first 45 minutes, as Stranraer were swashbuckled at Stair Park, slumping to a 5-1 deficit at half-time. It’s been a dreadful start to the campaign for the Blues, with the only positive that Saturday’s eventual 5-2 drubbing was one better than last weekend’s 5-1 shellacking from Livingston. It’s another grim beginning for Brian Reid’s outfit, but for Alloa fans this side is starting to resemble Paul Hartley’s vintage, albeit one with a far less huffy, hirsute human at the helm.
5. Shane Sutherland (Elgin City)
An Edinburgh City fan has offered to sponsor Callum Antell’s home and away strip this season if, and only if, the custodian can keep three successive clean-sheets this season. Based on Edinburgh’s first two league performances, however, Antell’s jersey will be completely bereft of a sponsor come season’s end. City found themselves three down after just 25 minutes, and on this evidence the Lowland League champions look ill-equipped for the rarefied air of League Two football. Two-goal forward and recent signing Shane Sutherland is trying his best to help Elgin fans forget about that turncoat Dylan Easton, and his partnership with Craig Gunn could prove to be the division’s best. Elgin are the early pace-setters, while Edinburgh play Cowdenbeath next week in a battle of the pointless.
6. Mark Lamont (East Fife)
It’s been quite the start to Mark Lamont’s season, with every East Fife league goal to date either being scored or created by the Fife winger. After his two assists last week, he matched that again on Saturday, while his goal direct from a free-kick applied a lick of sheen to a comprehensive 3-0 win for Gary Naysmith’s side against a ragged looking Peterhead. After a wretched end to last term, Jim McInally was charged with improving a defence that wasn’t up to scratch. But after conceding seven goals in the first two matches, it would appear he’s not really mastered it. However, upcoming fixtures against Brora and Albion Rovers should, in theory, give the Blue Toon something to build on.
7. Daniel Mullen (Livingston)
Airdrie fans didn’t seem to take too kindly to Daniel Mullen’s antics on Saturday, labelling him a diver, con-artist, cheat and all-round bad egg. However, it’s tricky to take the moral high-ground when your own team features Iain Russell, a man who’s went down more often than Jenna Jameson, Bree Olson and Nina Hartley combined. Just like last week, David Hopkin’s hopefuls were far too good for a supposed promotion challenger, with Mullen kicking things off with the opening goal in an entertaining 4-2 win. While Airdrie look good enough to be a play-off participant, Livi, with six points from six and nine goals scored, will be aiming slightly higher.
8. Jim Lister (Forfar Athletic)
After two successive relegations, things looked a little brighter for Cowdenbeath in the summer. Liam Fox appeared to be a competent new coach, and he quickly set about assembling a team which was tipped for decent things after two truculent terms. However, after last week’s tame defeat to Elgin, a defensive shambles saw his side take the lead, fight back from 3-1 down and still contrive to lose 4-3 to Forfar, and that’s with goalkeeper David McGurn on his mettle. Jim Lister was the tormenter-in-chief once more, as the bridie chomping Loons followed up last week’s 3-2 win with another slender, bracing victory. And with 12 goals in their two games, they could potentially be Scottish football’s great entertainers this term. The Blue Brazil on the other hand, need to get their act together, pronto.
9. Jordyn Sheerin (Berwick Rangers)
Berwick forward Jordyn Sheerin has never quite grasped his opportunity at league level. Prolific in the junior ranks with Musselburgh, Camelon and Arniston, his goal tally withers and dies when making the step up the ladder. That might continue to be the case at his new club, but in Saturday’s 2-0 win over a disappointing Annan Athletic he proved there was a little bit more to his game than (hardly any) goals. Annan struggled all day with his sheer physicality and presence, and his ability to keep a gaggle of defenders busy became even more important as Berwick became shorthanded during the second period after going down to ten men in a bad tempered affair. Four points from six isn’t a blistering start for John Coughlin’s crew, but it is encouraging.
10. Dylan Easton (Clyde)
We do enjoy a bit of lower-league beef. Who can forget the time Peterhead forward Andy Rogers tweeted that all Fifers were mutants? Or the occasion some Annan scallywag smashed Jim Weir’s frosted window? Or when Ally Love was chased to his car after a match by irate Airdrie bampots? Classics, each and every one. Praise be then for Stirling Albion chairman Stuart Brown, who took to Twitter at the weekend to post pictures of what he felt was the disrespectful mess which the Clyde team had left the pitch, dug-out and changing room. He also mentioned that he’d brought it up at the time, but that one member of the management team didn’t reply to him. Was it Barry Ferguson? Was it Bob Malcolm? Frankly, we can’t imagine either of them caring less about the tape on the park or the talcum on the floor, so both men are candidates. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, with Dylan Easton performing admirably, but frankly that played second-fiddle to box-office Brown was providing. We’re already looking forward to the return meeting in October, and remember, Keep Britain Tidy.