You've been Dobbie-d - A look at the Championship so far: Part One - Queen of the South

With the International Break on the horizon, now is a good time to review the first quarter of the 2016-17 Ladbrokes Championship.

By Alex Marr

You've been Dobbie-d

(Picture Source: ITV)

Where else to start but Queen of the South.

The Doonhamers have started the season unbelievably well. Summer signing Stephen Dobbie has started his second spell in Dumfries with 6 goals in his 7 starts, which sent Queens top of the Championship. Gavin Skelton's side along with Celtic, Buckie Thistle and East Kilbride are the only 4 teams that are unbeaten so far in the Scottish senior league season. The only disappointing result so far was on Saturday (1st October); a poor 0-0 draw away to Dumbarton. Skelton has been able to produce a good blend in the squad with the experience of players such as Derek Lyle, Mark Millar and Lee Robinson in between the sticks alongside the youth of Lyndon Dykes, Dale Hilson and Jordan Marshall.

With Derek Lyle and Stephen Dobbie leading the line, it looks like they may well keep this form up until Christmas at the very least. It would not be surprising if Queen of the South took a clean sweep of prizes at the SPFL's Monthly awards.

Next Matches:

• Linfield (H) - Irn-Bru Cup - 8th Oct (live on BBC Alba)
• Greenock Morton (H) - Championship - 15th Oct
• Ayr United (A) - Championship - 22nd Oct
• Raith Rovers (A) - Championship - 29th Oct (live on BBC Alba)
• Dundee United (H) - Championship - 5th Nov

Having only seen Queen of the South once against Dundee United on the opening day it's quite hard to judge where they'll finish at the end of the season but I'm sure it will be more accurate than the BBC's prediction of 8th. My prediction is that Queens will not win the league but will finish third come the end of the season. It may be this season that the Doonhamers finally ascend to the top flight of Scottish Football for the first time since the 1960s.