EVERYONE connected with Greenock Morton FC must fervently hope that today represents the fresh start which will see them put a hideous second half of 2013 firmly behind them.

They start the new year firmly anchored to the foot of the Championship table with an almighty battle on their hands to stay in the second tier.

Their quest begins at Dumbarton this afternoon, when Kenny Shiels takes his seat for the first time in the dug-out, having served a two-game ban which had followed on from his time at Kilmarnock.

Shiels comes across as an intense, passionate and charismatic figure so it will be interesting to see what effect his presence on the touchline will have on the players.

He will have to urge them on like a man possessed because let’s be honest, time is beginning to run out and a win in this match is pretty much non-negotiable now.

There are 18 games to go and Morton are going to have to win a right good number of them if they’re to survive in this division.

The situation is very difficult indeed but perhaps they can take a bit of comfort from the overall strength, or otherwise, of the division this season.

This is far from a vintage championship renewal and most of the other teams at best look a moderate bunch, something which of course brings Morton’s dismal record so far into sharp focus.

Ton will today be playing opponents who they have already defeated this term and it is vital they repeat the trick today and draw their rivals a little closer to the dogfight at the bottom.

If they can build on the positive aspects of their showing against Hamilton last week, then Morton have a fighting chance of winning and kickstarting a comeback.

They were a touch unlucky not to take anything from the game at New Douglas Park after a second half where they were on top and created a series of good scoring chances, only to spurn them.

Their profligacy meant that the very poor goal they conceded in the first half proved fatal to their chances of taking anything from the match.

On this occasion it was a botched attempt to play the ball out from the back which proved costly.

Nicolas Caraux’s, pictured, questionable throw-out to Stephen Stirling put the midfielder under instant pressure in a very dangerous area and he gave the ball away, allowing Accies to spring an attack which saw Mickaël Antoine-Curier head the only goal of the game. If Morton are not careful then this kind of self-destruct defending will prove catastrophic for their hopes of survival.

It’s admirable that they are trying to keep the ball on the deck and build out from the back but there has to be a degree of balance in their approach.

An element of pragmatism will be needed at times, particularly in Morton’s current parlous predicament.

Opposition sides will cotton on quickly to their new, patient build-up approach and Morton are under enough pressure as it is without always inviting people on top of them right on the edge of their own box.

On the positive side, the addition of new boy Darren Cole looks to have strengthened the rearguard and he seems well equipped to fit into the new style of play if first impressions are anything to go by.

The former Rangers youth was comfortable on the ball and assured in his defending and he brought some badly need mobility to the back four, growing in stature as the game progressed. Cole was joined further forward in the lineup by another product of the Murray Park coaching regime, young Barrie McKay, who came on to a game and showed a promising wee spark or two after half time.

The one thing missing from the away side’s display was the most important ingredient — the ability to hit the back of the net.

In the search to add an attacking edge, boss Shiels has turned to former Hibs and Scotland striker Garry O’Connor and he hopes to conclude a deal and tidy up the paperwork on that one as soon as possible.

O’Connor’s on and off field travails in recent years have been well-documented but if Morton can get a player like him fit then he could deliver the goals, presence and link-up play they are desperate for.

As the rebuilding job continues, one transfer which has been completed is the club’s capture of David Robertson.

Son of former Cowshed goalscoring favourite Dougie, the ex-Dundee United and St Johnstone midfielder is a player who can get beyond the attackers and he should prove a useful addition to the squad when up to full match fitness. But with the situation that Morton are in, they really need every new signing to come in and make an immediate impact.

They can’t allow Dumbarton the luxury of maintaining the current 12-point gap between the two clubs, never mind extending it.

And today’s fixture against them assumes even more importance after ninth-placed Cowdenbeath won at Alloa on Thursday, opening up a nine-point advantage over Ton.

Other teams in and around Morton are picking up points — the Greenock men have to follow suit starting from today, or an uphill struggle will soon start to look like mission impossible.

TEAM LATEST A ONE-match suspension picked up for an accumulation of cautions will see skipper Dougie Imrie miss today’s match with Dumbarton.

He is likely to be replaced by new signing David Robertson, who is in line for his Morton debut having signed for the Cappielow club until the end of the season.

David O’Brien (knee) and Aidan Ferris (medial ligament) remain sidelined, as does midfielder Joe McKee, who missed last week’s match at Hamilton due to an abdominal complaint.

Meanwhile, Tony Wallace and Jonathan Page both featured in a midweek bounce game against St Mirren but are still a bit away from a return to first-team action.

TRAVEL NOTES THE Greenock Morton Supporters’ Club bus to Dumbarton will leave the club at 1.45pm with pick-ups en-route.

Anyone wishing a seat on this bus can call John on 07909 997071.

Prices are £6 and £5 for concessions.

THE Lighthouse Morton Travel Club bus to Dumbarton will leave from the Lighthouse Bar at 1.45pm.

Any visitors wishing to travel can phone or text David on 07719 548046 to book seats.

THE Albert Hotel Morton Supporters‘ bus will leave the hotel today at 2pm.

Bus prices are £6 for adults and £5 for concessions.

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

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