Shaun Fraser joins on loan.

Shaun Fraser: an option.

Yesterday, Stenhousemuir FC announced that they have secured the services of Partick Thistle's Shaun Fraser on loan until the end of the year. Fraser, 18, plays as a striker and made sixteen first team appearances for his parent club last year, scoring twice. The club website does not indicate if this is until the end of the calander year or the end of the football season in May, but the player is well regarded by the coaching staff at Thistle and should make a very decent addition to the squad.

According to opinions from various Thistle supporters, the player is raw and unpolished, but can offer a physical and bustling style of play (perhaps due to his background as a rugby player in his early teenage years). What he lacks in technique and natural ability, he makes up for in enthusiasm and energy and should provide an interesting alternative in attack.

While Stewart Kean and Andy Rodgers perform with diligence and zeal, Fraser's addition will add another dynamic to Stenhousemuir's attack. From the descriptions of his style of play, he draws strong comparisons  to Scott Dalziel. Dalziel was physical and direct and, at times, we have missed a player with these attributes (the game against Brechin City immediately springs to mind). Fraser is expected to form part of the squad that plays against Forfar Athletic later today.

In the same article, the club also announced the signing of Joseph McCafferty, a young midfielder released from Falkirk. Having seen him play in the recent Stirlingshire Cup match again Stirling Albion, he looks an impressive addition to the squad. Composed and intelligent on the ball, he showed a fine range of passing and good technique and was one of game's standout performers. Given the wealth of options that the Warriors have in the middle of the park, McCafferty's first team chances may be limited, but should injuries and suspensions hit the club hard, I would be confident if he was to step up to the senior squad.

Later today, I will making the equivalent of Gulliver's voyage to Brobdingnag as Stenhousemuir battle with Dick Campbell's leery assortment of strapping ex-professionals at Forfar Athletic. Forfar fans may object to their team being described as "hammerthrowers", but with players like Chris Templeman, Chris Hegarty and Marc McCulloch in their ranks, the description is probably entirely justified. Having taken two points from our last four visits to Station Park, I am approaching the match with caution, but given Forfar's poor start to the season and their supporters' indfifference to Campbell's tactics and new signings (Kevin Motion has been described as a "waste of a jersey" by one fan), the Warriors can approach the match with a sense of quiet confidence.

I might buy a bridie today. I'll tell you on Twitter if it's any good or not.