There are two things to consider here - the drop in budget and the inclusion of the younger players , only some of whom you have included.
It is essential the younger players are developed and nurtured through otherwise this squad falls short .
As others have said , Curle has taken goalscorers out of the team and replaced them with work horses.
We have more steel but inherited injury prone players.
In all , I think the squad is no improvement on last season and we will finish lower in the table.
I don’t believe Curle will be in charge next season one way or another .
i would like to have seen most of the youth players that have come through used as cover in each position - rather than filling up the squad with journeymen on higher wages - then we could have invested better in certain positions - width, striker, centre mid and centre half - the spine of the team - and get some pace and power, of which we have none.
in short, the squad isn't much improved, if at all and it will be all change in 6 - 12 months again