LOVE him or loathe him, Nacho Novo might just be the ideal signing at the perfect time for Morton.

The 34-year-old Spanish frontman has been a prolific goalscorer for the majority of his career, particularly in Scotland with Raith Rovers, Dundee, and, most notably, Rangers.

And the one commodity a Ton side currently propping up the Championship table needs more than any other at the moment is goals.

Allan Moore’s men have won just one of their first eight matches, that being an opening day victory against part-timers Cowdenbeath.

The two major problems so far have been a lack of a firepower up front and a rearguard that has been leaking goals, and preventable ones at that.

In their eight fixtures so far, Ton have scored just eight goals — the least in the league — with half of those coming direct from, or as a result of, set-pieces.

At the same stage last term, they had netted 18 times, but that comes as no surprise when we consider the goals and assists the Cappielow club have lost since last term.

In Peter MacDonald (15), Michael Tidser (13), Peter Weatherson (12), Martin Hardie (10) four of the club’s top five marksmen have gone taking their goal threat them with them.

The bulk of providers have moved on to pastures new too, with the assists of Tidser (17), David Graham (7), Weatherson (6), Hardie (6) and MacDonald (4) now missing.

Therefore, it should come as no real surprise that a side that has lost individuals of that sort of calibre and failed to replace them should struggle for goals.

Of last year’s crop, the last man standing is Archie Campbell, below right, who, in losing intelligent strike partners MacDonald and Weatherson, has been robbed of what made him so effective.

Competing with him to spearhead the side is 20-year-old Kabba-Modou Cham.

The Belgium-born Gambian striker came to Scotland in the summer with no prior first-team experience and has so far struggled with the step up from youth football at the same time as attempting to adapt to an alien footballing landscape.

The third and final option is development squad striker David McNeil. Son of club legend John ‘Peanut’ McNeil, the 19-year-old has shown flashes of ability and undoubted potential.

However, his one competitive start to date, a defeat at Falkirk, was evidence that he is perhaps not yet ready to carry the goalscoring burden of a struggling side.

And nor should he. That’s where an experienced striker like Novo comes in. A man who has handled the pressure and expectation that goes hand in hand with representing one of the biggest clubs in the land.

Ton will be hoping that although Novo is creeping towards his mid-30s, he still has that knack for hitting the net.

The likelihood is that even if his legs can’t carry him as fast as they used to, he will still have much to offer in terms of his movement, positioning, work ethic and link-up play. In the event, Novo might not be the only new striker the Ton fans see at Cappielow this weekend.

Slovak defender Michal Habai began his career as a forward with first club Slovan Bratislava.

Indeed, the 28-year-old actually scored in the first match Moore saw him play, netting a late consolation for FC Petrzalka after he was sent up front as his side tried to salvage a point.

And after a midweek experiment saw him score a double in a reserve game up at Dundee on Tuesday, it would be no surprise to see him partner Novo up top against Hamilton tomorrow.

Ton wrap up the first quarter of the Championship campaign with what appears to be, on paper at least, a formidable fixture against league leaders Accies.

It’s a top versus bottom clash at Cappielow and the contrast between the sides’ fortunes in the eight matches played so far could not be starker. While Ton have triumphed just once in the league campaign, Alex Neil’s men have amassed 16 points having won six and drawn one to date.

But Moore’s men must put thoughts of league placings to the back of their mind as they look to pick up what would be an important three points in their bid to kick-start their season.

In doing so, they can draw inspiration from last week’s opponents Alloa who proved the New Douglas Park side are not unbeatable by ending their unbeaten run a fortnight ago.

The addition of Novo might well prove the key factor in their attempts to upset the applecart and prove that while the league table may separate the sides the gulf in class is not as wide.

Particularly, considering Accies’ miserly defence have conceded just three goals and kept five clean sheets on Championship duty to date this term.

However, and as Moore himself testified as he discussed the Novo signing yesterday, one signing will not solve all of Ton’s ills.

They will also have to cut out the silly mistakes in defence and keep the back door shut.

An elusive clean sheet would be the perfect base on which to build.

And if Novo can do the business at the opposite end, should he be involved, then Ton might well be celebrating a very welcome three points come 4.45pm.

TEAM LATEST NEW signing Nacho Novo joined in training yesterday and is expected to feature against Hamilton tomorrow.

However, he is lacking match fitness and Ton assistant Mark McNally says they will take another look at him today before making a final decision.

Reece Hands and Kabba-Modou Cham were also involved at Parklea. Frontman Cham is ahead of Hands in his recovery but tomorrow is likely to come too early for both of them.

Definitely out are David O’Brien (dislocated shoulder) and Thomas O’Ware, although the defender believes he could return to training as early as next week.

TRAVEL NOTES THE Albert Hotel Morton Supporters’ bus for the Scottish Championship game against Hamilton Accies at Cappielow this coming Saturday will leave the Hotel at 2.30pm. Prices are £2.50 for adult return and £1.50 for a concession £1.50 return.

No need to pre-book, all welcome. The club are also taking bookings for next Saturday’s away game against Cowdenbeath. The bus will leave the hotel at 12.30pm. Prices are £8 for adults and £6 for concessions.

All are welcome with pick-ups available en-route.

To book a seat, call or text Jim on 07983 600945.

There is still a limited number of seats remaining on the Gourock Tartan Army bus for Tuesday’s final World Cup qualifying tie against Croatia. The bus will leave the Albert Hotel at 6.15pm and pick-ups are available en-route. To book a seat on this bus, call or text Sean on 07939 898359.

THE Lighthouse Morton Travel Club are taking names for Cowdenbeath on Saturday 19 October.

Any visitors wishing to travel and want to book a seat can phone or text David on 07719 548046.