Sevennil

You've made some pretty well structured points in this thread over the last 24 hours but I'll stay clear of the Cowdenbeath tit-for-tat. The part I've emboldened however...wasn't it the case that an agreement had been reached and now the new owner(s) are reneging on that agreement to make more funds available for strengthening of the playing squad. Regardless of the new owners making McDougall two new offers for repayment I still think he's well within his rights to be upset about it, especially if both alternative offers simply aren't suitable to him or his family, even more so as the funds are being made public knowledge as available, yet the club are deciding to use them (his money) for a different purpose (team strengthening).

Ford also said that he believed the answer to the club's current cash predicament is to invest in the playing squad. "What we are trying to do is build a squad to bring success on the park which we believe will bring financial security off the park," he said. "That's in everybody's interests. "What is crucial is success on the park. It brings its own rewards financially and would hopefully resolve a lot of the issues which face the club." Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Albert Einstein

Was actually meant as more of a compliment, especially to the older generations of the Sons support. I'd be very surprised if there's actually that many Dumbarton supporters who prefer the current way they have to watch their team's home games over Boghead.

Boghead > Dumbarton Football Stadium Stand

Really hope DC is our number 1 keeper this coming season. As Waspie says, he'd be playing at a higher level (deservedly so) if it hadn't been for poor choices in the past, perhaps more so by his agent at the time rather than himself.

We're well aware of that, this'll be his third stint with Alloa. Hill and McCord both sent off for fighting on 22nd August I reckon

Personally I hope this isn't true. There's probably a lot better players out there who we could get playing for us for a lower wage. Agnew was okay when he played with us (could turn it on for a game or two then be anonymous for a couple of games afterwards) and from what little I seen of him in a Dumbarton shirt he was the same with them. Would be very surprised if he got a full-time deal but admittedly I've only seen him a few times since he left us so fair play to him if it comes to fruition for him.

Happy with all three of those signing. Holmes and Flannigan are both comfortable with the ball at their feet and with Simmons gone, Holmes has experience in 'that role' should Lennon adopt that formation any time. It also means we aren't sacrificing the creative element up top with Flannigan filling the spot Holmes usually operates in. Hetherington hasn't really had a run in the team, whether due to injuries or simply not having the team shape to accommodate him. The good thing with a new manager coming in is that he has no pre-conceived judgments towards players and wants to see every player play and he's obviously seen something in Hetherington during his short time here. With our two full backs out of the first leg of the playoff final at Forfar, he put Hetherington at left back. From the outside looking in, it appeared to be a gamble and he was untried there before, I think. Himself and Chopra were our two most impressive players that night, quite a feat for Hetherington especially considering it was his first game (start) for a while and the pressure not only of playing out of position, but of the whole importance of the fixture. Glad to at least have some more players signed up, we'll get a team together yet.

McKinnon has signed the two best Alloa players from the game at The Glebe in the first leg of the play-off semi-finals just gone by. A new string to his bow in terms of attracting these players is that he's now in charge of a team where he can offer these players full-time football rather than part-time at Brechin. He's not been in the job long but from the outside looking in he seems to be doing well so far. I must admit McCord and Benedictus were two of the few players in our squad which I would have liked Alloa to have kept.

Although I understand where some of you are coming from, I think Eddie is getting a bit of a raw deal here. Yes he can be frustrating at times, but he does have his uses too. His decision making leaves a lot to be desired at times but he has pace to burn and can be a useful weapon, especially coming on as a substitute towards the last quarter of a game when players he is already quicker than have begun to tire. I remember reading an article about Terry Christie when he was at Stenhousemuir and he had a midfielder (not sure of his name) who he said couldn't play football to save himself but he could run all day long. He simply played him as more of a positional player to stifle the opposition coming forward and this allowed his players to get back into position whenever an attack had broken down or he'd win a race to the ball to get possession back. Pretty sure he played in their famous cup run when they beat Aberdeen and St Johnstone before Hibs beat them in the quarters. I've been raging at Eddie before, especially when he swung over a free-kick from near the sideline in the last minute whilst we were a goal down only for it to clear not only the players in the box but KFC too!! However, he turned the semi-final against Rangers when he came on (still feeling the effects of the flu!) and it's a game all us wasps will remember for our entire lifetime. I'd give both him and Danny Lennon the benefit of the doubt for now and see how things develop with him.

Great timing

Everton FC are keeping tabs on a pair of promising Alloa Athletic players, according to reports in Scotland. The Blues have sent scouts to watch teenagers Scott Hynd and Russell McLean and are said to be keen on the Athletic duo. Alloa’s head of youth Graeme Liveston is quoted in the Alloa and Hillfoots Advertiser as saying Everton have been north of the border to run the rule on Hynd and McLean. “Scott Hynd has been on the Everton radar for a while now and he must’ve activated the process, but they have also shown interest in Russell McLean as well,” Liveston said. “He has come back from a trial down at Coventry City. He was there for a week and I’ve had reports that he did very well and they remain interested in him. The problem for Russell is he is right in the middle of six highers so he will probably have to wait until the summer, but it proves how highly he is rated. “Everton weren’t sending a Scottish scout, but one of their top men so they have clearly been keeping tabs on them for a while.” Alloa are currently ninth in the Scottish Premier League table.

We've been before, for a Scottish Cup game about 4 or 5 years ago. The attendance for that game was read out over the tannoy with the Alloa attendance read out separately straight afterwards. Think ours was 243 or 273 or something along those lines. To be honest, we probably won't take as many as that to a league game there unless it means something (playoff, relegation, etc).

He's looking to go back to the IPL (no, not the cricket!). He played in David James' team, the Kerala Blasters, last year (which also had Jamie McAllister and Stephen Pearson in it) and got to the final.

Absolutely amazing day yesterday. Was happy to hear we had our two full-backs in the starting line-up but unfortunately Doyle was clearly struggling and had to go off. Having been up at Forfar on Wednesday, the game started to take on the same feel as that night when Docherty had to go back to the right back position and we then lost a bit of midfield drive and creativity. Game would've probably petered out to a goalless draw had Chopra not produced that finish right on half-time, must've been a real body blow to the Forfar players too. It gave the second half a spark which I feel wouldn't have been there had it been 0-0 at half-time and I couldn't wait for them to come back out. To then get that goal out of nothing (can't believe neither of them just didn't put their foot through the ball!) gave us the impetus in the match and I thought we'd go on to win but when Holmes got sent off (correctly in my opinion) we were under the cosh for a few minutes and it began to look like a game where we would simply just have to try and hold on. Had the game went to extra-time I think Forfar would've made their extra man count and we would've tired quickly, so getting the goal (and hanging on to it) during the ninety minutes was crucial. Seems like it was scripted that Daryll would be the hero. With his performances lately being a bit below par from what we're used to from him, he arguably saved his best of all for us, til last! That tackle at 1-0 kept us in the tie, then he scores the winner thanks to some hesitation in the Forfar defence. On the subject of the Forfar defence, it was unusual to see the more experienced members of it were the ones who were ultimately to blame for their collapse. Dods and Douglas left the ball to each other and Chopra took advantage which led to our second goal, then Malcolm headed the ball out for a corner with Douglas ready to catch a cross unchallenged. From the corner neither of the centre halfs, or Douglas for that matter, took responsibility for the incoming ball and Meggatt looked like he was going to score from it before he even got his head on the ball. What a wonderful feeling that was, don't think I've jumped about as much as I did yesterday for both Buchanan and Meggatt's goals. Lost my voice for a wee while after the game from shouting them on so much too. As for the debate between winning the Challenge Cup and being relegated or losing the final and staying up, I'm so glad it was the latter. It was an excellent day at the Excelsior when we won arguably the greatest Challenge Cup Final there has been (we were also promoted that season). Yesterday felt just as good as that to me, perhaps even better. Both those days were brilliant for differing reasons but staying up, especially in the manner we did, eclipses a Challenge Cup win (nowadays) for me. Just a wee side note: I don't know how many on here actually read the match programme but the article in yesterday's edition by Jonathan Markwell concerned players coming on as a substitute and then being substituted themselves for a variety of reasons (injury, tactical due to someone else receiving a red card, poor performance, on a yellow card, etc). Now I know Holmes didn't get substituted but it just seemed extremely coincidental that a substitute in yesterday's game didn't see out the game on the same day of that particular article. I know people have mentioned him in earlier posts on here and on the match thread but I must give a big shout out to Paddy Connolly as well. Twice, in such a competitive league, he has come in when managers have left us and he's filled in impeccably and let no one down. A big part of our success not only this season but in the last few years. Really hope Michael Chopra returns to the Indodrill in January. Most opposition teams supporters have given him stick for his size but I'm sure after seeing him play I'd doubt very much they wouldn't want him in their own teams. For such a big guy, he has the quickest feet I've seen of anyone in an Alloa shirt before. Just imagine what he'd be like fully fit! It'll be interesting over the next few weeks to see who Danny Lennon offers terms to and who moves on. We'll have a bit of rebuilding to do anyway with both Meggatt and Chopra leaving but I'm sure he'll be able to attract a decent enough standard of player to at least compete with the likes of Dumbarton, Livingston, Morton, Raith, etc next season. It'll also be interesting to see what happens with the Livingston situation soon too. If they don't get their house in order quick smart then they'll not be able to sign (or re-sign) players, perhaps Forfar could end up joining us in the Championship anyway. Players I'd like to see sign/re-sign are: Kyle Benedictus Liam Buchanan Kevin Cawley Mark Docherty Michael Doyle Iain Flannigan Ben Gordon Lionel Messi Steven Hetherington - not many appearance so far but has the potential from what little I've seen of him Graeme Holmes Ryan McCord Jason Marr - if fit Stephen Simmons - if fit I can see Spence, Tiffoney, Weatherston, McDowall, Gibson, Layne, Rutherford, Ferns and Asghar all looking to move on to try and find more first-team football.

I hope so. Kyle has been arguably our best player throughout the four play-off matches and I'd be more than willing to give him and Ben the first-team centre half pairing, especially with Jason's constant injury problems disrupting the consistency regarding our first team selection. He's earned it in my opinion. Marr has been excellent for us over the last few years and for that I'd be happy if he was retained as our back-up at centre half if Ben and/or Kyle are injured/suspended.

Been to all five since Smith left. I did say 'could' rather than 'would' take us down, you've even emboldened it yourself. It's not like the players haven't been playing for Paddy, or indeed Smith for that matter. This season has been one where our performances have unfortunately been a lot better than our results and if Lennon can reverse that trend in the final four matches I'll be very happy. Infact I'd be very happy if we could just play crap and win for a change, it'd be a lot better than playing well and losing, especially at this stage of the season. There's also no reason to suggest Lennon couldn't take us down too though. There's a lot of different permutations which could happen with the bottom three teams' final fixtures and here's hoping they fall favourably for Alloa.

I didn't make anything of the situation. The reports regarding Lennon were already online before I posted, indeed I posted about Lennon first, then followed it with a separate one about Cathro, simply due to someone mentioning flying in from Spain. Realistically, I'd have expected MM to make an appointment based along what has been successful for him/Alloa in the past, i.e. the Hartley model. Take Neil McCann for example. He's not long left the playing side of things, he's completed badges at Largs and now has three years experience as an assistant manager. Dunfermline seem to be plodding along right now and maybe he'd like a change, especially if he would be getting to cut his teeth as a manager as opposed to an assistant-manager. Just an example. Like I said, I'm not against the Lennon signing, it's just a little uninspiring to me. Should he keep us up and be a success with Alloa, believe me I'll still be extremely happy! Each to their own and all that, simply just a difference of opinion, isn't this what this website is for. Too much taken as scripture on here by some (not directed at you Moonster).

Hoping does not equal expecting. I was simply surmising after a post by someone saying 'flew in from Spain'. I'd imagine if/when Cathro does come back to Britain it'll be to an English Championship side, or perhaps as an assistant to a manager in the EPL. SPL at worst. Underwhelming appointment and I stick by that. He may well keep us up but so could Paddy. I'd have preferred MM to make another Hartley-esque appointment, an ex-player doing their badges and looking for a route into management for example. Perhaps this avenue may have even been looked into and no candidates appealed to him. I'm not disappointed with the appointment, he simply comes across to me as a manager who is, and probably always will be, 'doing the rounds' in Scottish football.

Was hoping this meant Ian Cathro, seeing as he wants his first management stint in charge of an English-speaking team.

Pretty underwhelming. Should have left it until after the Hearts game, at least give him his first match in charge one where we have a (slight) chance.

This was an expected result, the worst result today was Raith losing. Staying within 3 points of Cowden before the final game is what we need to try and achieve just to give ourselves a chance, but that'll be even harder now with Raith also having nothing to play for against them now.

Mascot, how about tannoy announcer instead?

We're far from safe just now. Getting points on the board quickly now will put heaps of pressure on the players of the other teams and I feel we will rue not seeing out the three points on Saturday. Had we done, Livi's hopes of 8th would've been extremely faint and Cowden's players would know that even a win wouldn't be enough to leap-frog Alloa. That late equaliser, coupled with the fact Cowden now play a home game against Dumbarton whilst both Livi and Alloa sit idle (league-wise) must be a massive incentive for them just now. If Raith were to lose to Falkirk, it would end Raith's hopes of a play-off spot and then Cowden would be playing two teams in a matter of days with little to play for...last season anyone?! We don't have a 9 point gap this time around either. We really need a favour from both Dumbarton and Raith. I'd be happy if Cowden came away from those two games with only a point to show for it but I can see them beating Dumbarton this Saturday unfortunately. If they do, it would give their players some confidence going into the midweek match too, especially as we'll be unlikely to get anything at Tynecastle on the same night. Theoretically they could even go into the games on the 11th (when they play Livingston and Alloa play Dumbarton) with a chance of ensuring their safety. For players such as Gordon, Doyle, McCord, Cawley, etc it would be a shame to see them perhaps finish their time with us with a relegation. They've been the spine of the side since Hartley took the reins four years ago and they've given us a lot of great memories, results-wise against the 'bigger' clubs this season and a double-promotion including the brilliant play-off performances against both Brechin and Dunfermline. It's all ifs and buts of course. This season could still end up being arguably their best season in an Alloa shirt too, should they grab a Challenge Cup win and achieve league survival. I must admit my glass is in the half-empty camp just now though, probably due to last Saturday.

Would be good if it happened but it's highly doubtful. He'll be able to get more money elsewhere anyway, and maybe even move up a league or get a full-time deal from a team near Newcastle, especially if his fitness keeps improving.