Father Barrys Sign (Top Half)

Missed a couple of those games but can't argue with the top pick and the Accies game was also a good day. I think if I stretched to 5, 3 of them would be games we lost! I think I'd have.. 1. Stirling 1 Alloa 5 Should have won by this type of margin on our first trip to Forthbank, we made it count on our return. Great day. 2. Hamilton 3 Alloa 2 Ten men go out on their shield and fight to the death. Led to a disappointing "what if" after watching the playoff final but a monumental effort. 3. Montrose 4 Alloa 3 Suspect defending at both ends never the less terrific entertainment where the outcome could have gone either way. 4. Cove 2 Alloa 3 Coasting, collapsing then digging out the win at the death to seal our place in the playoffs. The three young loaness stars all shone bright here Motherwell 3 Alloa 1 just misses the top 4 cut. A majestic Sammon equaliser in a cup tie where the team gave everything they had.

As on point as a one sentence summary can possibly be. Welcome Stenny also, Ive missed Ochilview and the Warriors Club. I know we were there last season but a midweek July league Cup kick about isn't the same as a freezing Christmas holiday league game. No needle between the fans either (although we'll see how the respective young teams "mingle")

Sending messages to abuse him is the act of complete idiots. I do readily admit I could have killed the boy at half time of the game, thought he had completely sold the jerseys (hes a big lad so likely would have knocked me down with a miss anyway in a conflict). But he made a mistake, we've all done that in the past. Dwelling on it helps noone. And we went on to put in one of our best 45 minutes of the entire season anyway. Any lingering hangover of ill will from that as you say will be completely evaporated if he starts the season well. And the fans will get right behind him if he does.

Agree with all of this. Was a bit surprised Donnelly got another year- injuries meant he never really got going at all last season. Hes very good on his day but as folk have said, still hard to tell whether he slots into Andy Grahams team effectively. I thought the manager might have used that budget elsewhere, but Donnelly definitely an asset if he can get back to his best. Defence is a key point- we did concede too many last season. If you have ambitions to win League One a solid defensive unit is half the battle. All three of our centre halfs had good moments and bad moments. Id argue Mackay actually has the highest stock in this precise moment and for me was really coming onto a game in the closing stages of last season. Id be expecting Neill to burst a gut and make amends for the Hamilton play-off game. But overall I expected the manager to retain 2/3 at most- Id still like to see a fresh option in there to try and stabilise that defence a bit.

Agree Alloas squad will likely be stable but still some major gaps to fill from the loanees returning to parent clubs- Andy Graham has been brilliant but his actual recruitment still relatively untested. He didn't have to undertake too much activity in the January window. As such pretty much up in the air as to how we will fare. I'd obviously expect a top 4 target again but whether we'll be anywhere near favourites remains to be seen. I really like trips to Stenny but historically other than Falkirk and Stirling there's very little needle between Alloa and other neighbouring clubs such as Stenny, Shire etc

Buchanans goal at Stenhousemuir in the League Cup early doors was an under rated gem. It was the first time I thought we could have a proper player on our hands. Work still to do as mentioned but he's improved a lot this season. Agree with everyone, he's not far off becoming a regular starter.

100% and I was talking about this at the weekend. Very much a confidence player. It took him a while to come out of his shell, but when it clicked with him he never looked back. All three of the young loan players were a great watch, but you could argue Taylor Steven had the lowest profile of the three but the most impact. Hes been terrific overall for Alloa. He likely needs a run of games, playing every week in the position where hes most effective. If his self belief remains high I think he'll be a real asset for St Johnstone. If as you mention hes on the bench getting the odd ten minutes he'd likely be better off on loan to a club at a higher level than us to progress (Falkirk, Ayr etc). Pretty much mirrors the Luke Rankin situation for me but down a scale- need to give him a run of games when he returns, see if we can keep the momentum from his successful loan spell in the Lowland League

I think hes on (relatively) fairly high money, so Andy might review whether he continues to provide value. His experience shows in the bigger games. Saturday he essentially struck home his only real chance on goal. No big time aura about him, works as hard as anyone in the squad and not too proud to play off the bench. Id also like to see another season from him, overall Ive really liked him as an Alloa player.

I think so too- Brian Rices recruitment was a bit haphazard towards the end as he tried to find a solution. Our squad likely too big at the moment and wasnt surprised in January when Andy wasnt fussed about adding to it. Squad definitely needs trimmed back a bit numbers wise- expect him to utilise the loan market too so that takes a bit of time.

Indeed, I think Andy will give him a chance to make an impact. There's gaps in the squad with loanees returning and look forward to seeing him come back full of confidence and try to make his mark.

Morgyn Neill messed up. No one will know that better than him and I'm sure it will be discussed with the manager. I'd rather celebrate the performance on Saturday than dwell on the error and get the pitchforks out. You always want your team to play in as high a league as possible, but for the manager I think be more proactive to build for what looks like a decent League One campaign next season rather than battening down the hatches in the Championship. Better for his development and progress at the club. I'm not too bothered about not going up for that reason.

I thought Hetherington was at times a wee step off the play in the first half, but second half he was absolutely terrific- arguably the best hes been all season.

Theres surely no chance Taylor Steven comes back next season. I'd expect him to be starting at St Johnstone - at worst at a full time Championship team where he plays every week.

I can see the point from Waspie in as much as the referee managing the situation based on the vital nature of the game. We dont actually know the words that were said, but regardless its a complete heads gone moment from Morgyn Neill and a very costly one from an Alloa perspective. The "what if" had he stayed on the park is just that though- we were terrific in the second half with ten men, Sammon wouldnt have come on at half time and opened the game up a bit.

Not being smart because its a common misconception that we have a tight pitch- I think when it comes to pitch dimensions Accies and Alloa playing surfaces are exact same width.