LARGS boss Stuart Davidson admits his team will be underdogs going into the Super Premier Division — but he believes Thistle players can take inspiration from smaller nations’ performances at the World Cup.
Iceland pulled off a shock 1-1 draw against Argentina in their opening group game, above.
Croatia showed Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Co. no mercy in their 3-0 win over Argentina while Morocco held former world champions Spain to a 2-2 draw on Monday night. 
Davidson says his side also have what it takes to upset the odds and make life difficult for the bigger clubs on their return to junior football’s top flight.
He said: “One of the things that has impressed me in the World Cup is that some of the underdogs who are well organised have shown that they can unsettle the top teams. 
“If you are hard to beat, it is important, and that was certainly one trait that we picked up as last season went on.
“If you look at teams like Croatia beating Argentina 3-0, it goes to show you if you have belief, you can get a good result against the favourites.
“Largs will be underdogs in some of their games next season, but I have great faith in the players.
“It is important that we make a good start in the Premier.
“That is one of the things that killed us the last time we were in the Premier League. 
“It is important that we make an early impact, and then see where it takes us.”
Davidson also made the tongue-in-cheek remark that VAR should be introduced to junior football after Nicky Jamieson’s ‘goal’ was controversially chopped off by the referee in the last game of the season against Kilwinning.
He added: “If we had VAR Nicky Jamieson’s header from the corner may have been given in the Ayrshire Weekly Press Cup Final!”
Davidson is keeping his cards close to this chest over next season, as he gives his players extra time off following their exertions in the league and reaching the Ayrshire Weekly Press Cup final.
Last season’s pre-season was disrupted by a long wait for a remaining league fixture, and with the season just past running on until June, Davidson is keen to give the players as much time off as possible before the action begins in earnest.
He said: “Most of the players have signed up — we still have one or two deals to tie up.
“The players need a few weeks off to have a rest so we won’t start back at training until July 
9.
“We are looking to add to the squad. We had a good squad last year and it just needs some fine tuning.
“I feel we are more than capable of doing well, and we perhaps need a bit of competition for Blair Cousar in goal, and a couple of outfield 
players.”
“We have got quite a young squad so it would be good to add some experience.”
Talking about his aims for next season, Davidson said: “It is a bigger league and I am sure it will be very tough again.
“We want to stay in the league first and foremost, but I believe the squad of players we have are capable of more than that.
“Realistically it would be good to push for the top half of the table. 
“We need to get off to a good start and who knows where it can take us.
“You can change your targets as you go along but our first target is to get off to a good start and then we can see where we go from there.”
Looking at some of the teams, Davidson pointed out that it was a big fight to win the Premier last season with Kilwinning leading the way at one point, before it seemed Auchinleck were going to win the league, before Beith pipped them all to the post on the final day.
“A lot of teams will fancy their chances,” said Davidson, “and Renfrew, Irvine Meadow and Cambuslang who went up with us will be hard games too.
“But it will be good to play Pollok, who made a good finish to the season, as well as your established teams such as Glenafton, Cumnock and Hurlford.
“It is exciting just thinking about it.”
Asked whether it was good geographically to have a number of Ayrshire derbies, Davidson said: “Our away days were good last season with some memorable wins at Hurlford and Cumbernauld, and I am sure the all Ayrshire fixtures will have a bit of extra bite to them.”
Thistle fitness sessions are traditionally tough and the players will be heading to Irvine beach in preparation for the new season,
“Our team are all naturally fit boys,” said Davidson, “and I am sure they are all taking good care of themselves. 
“Match sharpness is a big thing and we only have three friendlies before the Ardagh Cup, but we want to win every game we play, and give a good account of ourselves.”