[Cliche Guevara]

I'm a bit bemused by how highly rated Alloa's squad seems to be. I'm not necessarily disagreeing, but being familiar with a lot of their players I'm very surprised at the number of people who think they have the strongest squad.

I know Robertson's quite a good keeper, but nothing outrageous for this level. Walker and Dunlop both played for Ayr and, frankly, I thought Walker was pretty rubbish. Dunlop's been around this level for a while and never really been considered to be a particularly good player. I notice McClune has been right-back for the Wasps, for a number of years, but don't recall him being that special. Gibson is a class act, right enough.

Obviously in midfield Smith is well-known, and I can't help but think that he is largely responsible for the optimism surrounding Alloa. I understand that Wilson is highly rated, but I don't think I've ever seen him fit to play. I know Grant has played for a while, and he seemed an okay player but I don't really recognise the rest of the midfield.

Up front is particularly interesting. Is this considered strong? Obviously Prunty and Gormley are wll known to me. I did say earlier that I don't reckon either would get into our team now. Prunty was brilliant at the start of the season 2008-2009, but fell away badly. He might yet score plenty of goals this season, but struggles with consistency. Gormley tried hard, and did score some goals. Perhaps he still has time on his side, but he didn't really do anything while on loan for Albion Rovers in Division 3. Some of the Ayr support really didn't like him. Noble had a good season for Airdrie, a few years back, but has hardly scored the number of goals you might expect to see in a title winning team.

I'm curious to know where supporters feel the real strengths in Alloa are and if anyone, like me, thinks they peaked last season in a poor league, and will fall back into the pack this year.

[Fudge]

Good defence, excellent strikeforce, although with the expection of Smith I don't think their midfield is all that brilliant (though certainly decent)

Dunlop was excellent last year and is widely recognised as being one of the better defenders in this league. Prunty would walk into the Ayr team. Please remember you have Andy Rogers up front. Prunty is one of the only strikers at this level you'd expect to be finishing with 15+ league goals and there's only three or four max that fall into that category. Prunty aside, they've got one, if not two strikers who are more likely to start than Gormley.

From what i've read of your posts, you seem a bit annoyed people are - in your view - underestimating Ayr.

This post has been edited by Fudge: 28 July 2010 - 16:32

[Cliche Guevara]

Fudge, on 28 July 2010 - 16:31, said:

Good defence, excellent strikeforce, although with the expection of Smith I don't think their midfield is all that brilliant (though certainly decent)

Dunlop was excellent last year and is widely recognised as being one of the better defenders in this league. Prunty would walk into the Ayr team. Please remember you have Andy Rogers up front. Prunty is one of the only strikers at this level you'd expect to be finishing with 15+ league goals and there's only three or four max that fall into that category. Prunty aside, they've got one, if not two strikers who are more likely to start than Gormley.

From what i've read of your posts, you seem a bit annoyed people are - in your view - underestimating Ayr.

No, our squad isn't complete yet so it's too early to tell. It was just you who didn't seem to think we could compete which seemed odd.

This is different anyway, as I'm genuinely curious about Alloa as there seems to be quite a weight of opinion behind them at the moment. It is interesting that you consider the strike-force to be excellent. Regarding Prunty, I have just watched him for a season and a half, so I'd rather decide for myself if I think he'd get back into our team!

[Fudge]

Cliche Guevara, on 28 July 2010 - 16:43, said:

No, our squad isn't complete yet so it's too early to tell. It was just you who didn't seem to think we could compete which seemed odd.

This is different anyway, as I'm genuinely curious about Alloa as there seems to be quite a weight of opinion behind them at the moment. It is interesting that you consider the strike-force to be excellent. Regarding Prunty, I have just watched him for a season and a half, so I'd rather decide for myself if I think he'd get back into our team!

Do you think he's a worse striker that Andy Rogers?

[Cliche Guevara]

Fudge, on 28 July 2010 - 16:45, said:

Do you think he's a worse striker that Andy Rogers?

No idea, yet!

I doubt he'd start ahead of Roberts - definitely not Reynolds, and I'd hope we could bring in another striker who's better. As I say, though, it's not really about Ayr and it is illuminating if Prunty is being considered the main man.

[number one wasp]

Defensively we are the strongest we have been for years, Walker was brilliant last season and frustrated alot of teams who felt he fouled alot just ask Cowden fans , Also good to have a natural left back in Dunlop which we have been lacking for a few years and obvously McClune has been consistent for us at RB for a few years now and Robertson in goals we seem to have got a good run of goalkeepers the past 3 seasons with Jellema then Crawford and now Robbo.

In the midfield we have got Mcdonald who i can't really comment on having not seen him in any matches yet but heard positive things about and John Grant who some people forget is still only a young lad in his early 20s and has produced some decent performances for us in recent seasons and is deffinately one for the future aswell as now.

We have Smith at left mid who is regarded as the best part time player in scotland and we also have young Declan McAvoy who can play left back or left mid and likes to get forward alot, We also have Andy Scott and Dougie Wilson in god competition for right mid.

We also have a good few youth players in Jason Thompson and Scott Gallagher who are deffinately players for the future of the club aswell as many other youth players who had a part to play last season when we were short on injuries not one player stepped up and was a poor player which is promising.

Up front we have Jim Lister who scored 38 goals for bathgate last season and offers us something different up front, David Gormley was affective from the bench last season and i expect he will probably play the same type of role this season, Obviously everyone kows the type of players Prunty and Noble are and that was a good partnership for us last season and got a few goals from it so we should get more of that this year.

All in i think we have a pretty strong squad who can defend and attack rather than last season where we were hanging onto games at times in the hopes we would clinch late goals that seemed to be happening in the last few months of the season. AM has got the squad right IMO we needed a left back and he got it and hes added a few attack minded creative players to our squad so hopefully we see more chances created for Noble and Prunty.

[gy diamond]

number one wasp, on 28 July 2010 - 16:49, said:

Defensively we are the strongest we have been for years, Walker was brilliant last season and frustrated alot of teams who felt he fouled alot just ask Cowden fans , Also good to have a natural left back in Dunlop which we have been lacking for a few years and obvously McClune has been consistent for us at RB for a few years now and Robertson in goals we seem to have got a good run of goalkeepers the past 3 seasons with Jellema then Crawford and now Robbo.

In the midfield we have got Mcdonald who i can't really comment on having not seen him in any matches yet but heard positive things about and John Grant who some people forget is still only a young lad in his early 20s and has produced some decent performances for us in recent seasons and is deffinately one for the future aswell as now.

We have Smith at left mid who is regarded as the best part time player in scotland and we also have young Declan McAvoy who can play left back or left mid and likes to get forward alot, We also have Andy Scott and Dougie Wilson in god competition for right mid.

We also have a good few youth players in Jason Thompson and Scott Gallagher who are deffinately players for the future of the club aswell as many other youth players who had a part to play last season when we were short on injuries not one player stepped up and was a poor player which is promising.

Up front we have Jim Lister who scored 38 goals for bathgate last season and offers us something different up front, David Gormley was affective from the bench last season and i expect he will probably play the same type of role this season, Obviously everyone kows the type of players Prunty and Noble are and that was a good partnership for us last season and got a few goals from it so we should get more of that this year.

All in i think we have a pretty strong squad who can defend and attack rather than last season where we were hanging onto games at times in the hopes we would clinch late goals that seemed to be happening in the last few months of the season. AM has got the squad right IMO we needed a left back and he got it and hes added a few attack minded creative players to our squad so hopefully we see more chances created for Noble and Prunty.

Use really need to hope that McDonald isn't a started for use this season because the guy is absolutely dire and will slow every attack you make down, struggles to make a 5 yard pass half the time and can't tackle.

Prunty and Noble will score plenty this season and as for the Ayr fan suggesting Prunty wouldn't get in your team, you are talking about the team that has Roberts upfront aren't you? because Prunty is by far a better player than Roberts.

[Cliche Guevara]

gy diamond, on 28 July 2010 - 17:04, said:

Prunty and Noble will score plenty this season and as for the Ayr fan suggesting Prunty wouldn't get in your team, you are talking about the team that has Roberts upfront aren't you? because Prunty is by far a better player than Roberts.

I didn't notice that last season, when Roberts played every week and Prunty was freed as he couldn't get a kick of the ball. Or the second half of the season before.

I'm not sure Roberts will be a starter every week, but I don't live in fear of Prunty and don't have any burning desire to see him back at Ayr.

[number one wasp]

gy diamond, on 28 July 2010 - 17:04, said:

Use really need to hope that McDonald isn't a started for use this season because the guy is absolutely dire and will slow every attack you make down, struggles to make a 5 yard pass half the time and can't tackle.

Prunty and Noble will score plenty this season and as for the Ayr fan suggesting Prunty wouldn't get in your team, you are talking about the team that has Roberts upfront aren't you? because Prunty is by far a better player than Roberts.

Going to take your comments about McDonald with a pinch of salt till i see him myself we have been told a few times a player was crap an somehow turns it round at us i dunno if that's down to AM or what.

Agree wth you on Prunty though he could get into the majority of teams in this league and always going to score goals for any team so lucky for us hes at Alloa.

[pencils]

Really happy with the squad AM has got together. The defence, even though we didn't have a left back for most of the season, was probably our strongest area last year. Even though we lost Buisty it has improved on last, with Dunlop coming in, who has been excellent pre-season and Gibson, who IMO, is better than Buisty. We also seem to have good cover in this area. McCavoy can fill in lb, Brown can come in CB and Grant proved how good he can be at RB against Dundee, Griffiths never got a sniff!

Midfield was our weak point last year. Really lacked any creativity. McDonald has come in and seems to be the ball playing midfielder we lacked last year. Darren Smith will play out on the left. I doubt there will be a better player in that position in this league this year. We also have Bomber to return. When he is back, it'll be like a new signing. 2 he was great, in what was a poor team. Last year he was injured and didn't really make an impression. So having him back fully fit and playing around better players will be great. Andy Scott I think will be first choice out on the right. Can be quite frustrating at times, but he is capable of putting in some great performances. Comfortable on both feet too.

Not too sure if AM will opt for 1 upfront, with 5 in midfield (Brown sitting in front of the defence) or two upfront. Think when we play Livi, Brechin and Ayr, especially away from home we'll play 1 upfront. Not too sure if that would be Noble or Prunty. If we go two it will be them two who start. Showed a great understanding together when both were fit. Once Noble bangs in a couple of goals, his confidence raises and he doesn't seem to stop scoring! Also have Gormley and Lister, who look like they will be great impact subs. Lister looks like he'll be a real handful for tiring defences, only problem his he seemed to be blowing out his arse after 5 minutes on sat!

Also, we seem to have 2 very good goalkeepers.

Lastly, I believe we have the best manager in the league.

[Pesadilla]

number one wasp, on 28 July 2010 - 17:15, said:

Going to take your comments about McDonald with a pinch of salt

Honestly fella, if he starts for you you'll be pouring that salt in your eyes after 1/2 a season. He's the least commited tackler I've ever seen. He's got the ability to keep the ball, no doubt, by passing back to the 'keeper from everywhere. He's got the imagination of a toad. You could fart from behind the goals and you'd blow him off the ball at the half way line. And he's very ugly.
I don't rate him.

This post has been edited by Pesadilla: 28 July 2010 - 17:22

[gy diamond]

number one wasp, on 28 July 2010 - 17:15, said:

Going to take your comments about McDonald with a pinch of salt till i see him myself we have been told a few times a player was crap an somehow turns it round at us i dunno if that's down to AM or what.

I agree that sometimes it is best to ignore what other teams fans say. We were told that Russell was rubbish by Thistle fans and he got a move to the SPL after a season with us in the 2nd.

We were told that Scott McLaughlin was terrible by Morton fans and he turned out to be one of our better players for the last 2 seasons(not hard I know).

So fair enough make up your own mind NOW but from experience this guy is really a waste of a jersey sometimes you would be better stating with 10 on the park than have him play but that is only if you get the same KMac as we had.

[Diamond93]

Nobodys mentioned noble who is in my eyes a lot better than prunty. Noble was seriously undervalued by airdrie and he will no doubt create and score goals this term. In regards to robbo yes he is a good shotstopper but that's about it. He did save us games but also cost us some aswell and I think mark ridgers may well turn out better than him. Btw what happened to gilhaney ??

[bsd]

Bloody Hell, somebody's stirred the beast that is NOW.

Anyway, looking at our squad it is undeniably stronger than last season. However that means nothing until we start playing for real.

We now have 2 decent keepers to replace 1 decent one.
The rest of the defence is stronger with Gibson replacing Buist and Dunlop replacing McCafferty.
Smith should be a good addition. I've seen McDonald a couple of times now and I'm yet to be impressed but time will tell.
Lister is an interesting one. Obviously he will be behind Prunty and Noble (and maybe Gormley) but he looks useful so far.

The rest of the squad is as it was last season.

The downside is Ferguson who will be missing for a while and Wilson who is trying to come back from a bad injury.

All means feck all though until we play Livi in the opening game.

[printer]

Cliche Guevara, on 28 July 2010 - 16:04, said:

I'm a bit bemused by how highly rated Alloa's squad seems to be. I'm not necessarily disagreeing, but being familiar with a lot of their players I'm very surprised at the number of people who think they have the strongest squad.

Allow me to assuage your bemusement. Bear in mind we only lost the league on goal difference last year.

Cliche Guevara, on 28 July 2010 - 16:04, said:

I know Robertson's quite a good keeper, but nothing outrageous for this level.

No, Robertson's not "outrageous" for this level, but he is as you say, a good keeper. In fact he is proven consistently at division 1 level. How many other teams in the division can say that? We also have proper back up and competition in Ewings. So we are stronger here than last year in squad terms.

Cliche Guevara, on 28 July 2010 - 16:04, said:

Walker and Dunlop both played for Ayr and, frankly, I thought Walker was pretty rubbish. Dunlop's been around this level for a while and never really been considered to be a particularly good player.

If you think Scott Walker is pretty rubbish...well...what can I say? He again is a proven effective player in division 2. Dunlop from what I have seen of him already is possible the buy of the season for us. First choice left back and cover in central defence. Check back and see how highly the Dunbarton fans rate him.

Cliche Guevara, on 28 July 2010 - 16:04, said:

I notice McClune has been right-back for the Wasps, for a number of years, but don't recall him being that special. Gibson is a class act, right enough.

McClune was our best and most consistent outfield player last year.

Cliche Guevara, on 28 July 2010 - 16:04, said:

Obviously in midfield Smith is well-known, and I can't help but think that he is largely responsible for the optimism surrounding Alloa. I understand that Wilson is highly rated, but I don't think I've ever seen him fit to play. I know Grant has played for a while, and he seemed an okay player but I don't really recognise the rest of the midfield.

From last year's team, which, remember, nearly won the league, we have added Smith and McDonald from Airdrie. Despite what many Airdrie fans will tell you McDonald is just the sort of player we need. We have workers and ball winners but we were missing the qualities that these two bring. In addition Brown Ferguson is expected to be back fully fit in October. This will be like getting a new quality player in as he has been less than fit these last two years. Interestingly Mark Brown is probably the first midfield name on the manager's team sheet.

Cliche Guevara, on 28 July 2010 - 16:04, said:

Up front is particularly interesting. Is this considered strong? Obviously Prunty and Gormley are wll known to me. I did say earlier that I don't reckon either would get into our team now. Prunty was brilliant at the start of the season 2008-2009, but fell away badly. He might yet score plenty of goals this season, but struggles with consistency. Gormley tried hard, and did score some goals. Perhaps he still has time on his side, but he didn't really do anything while on loan for Albion Rovers in Division 3. Some of the Ayr support really didn't like him. Noble had a good season for Airdrie, a few years back, but has hardly scored the number of goals you might expect to see in a title winning team.

When Prunty played with you in division 1 he was voted player of the season for the division. And...actually, that's the end of my argument.

Gormley is an impact player and probably fifth choice up front.

Noble is one of the most effective forwards in the division and IMO our number one forward.

I accept the league will be tougher this year, but the depth, quality and balance of our squad has increased IMO about 20% to 25%. Having said that there is no guarantee things won't go wrong. We carried a bit of luck last year and that may turn against us. We will see.

[itzdrk]

gy diamond, on 28 July 2010 - 17:04, said:

Use really need to hope that McDonald isn't a started for use this season because the guy is absolutely dire and will slow every attack you make down, struggles to make a 5 yard pass half the time and can't tackle.

Prunty and Noble will score plenty this season and as for the Ayr fan suggesting Prunty wouldn't get in your team, you are talking about the team that has Roberts upfront aren't you? because Prunty is by far a better player than Roberts.

prunty is MILES better than roberts
there is a LONG list of reasons why aswell

[itzdrk]

however i will say scott walker is a garbage player who plays everyone onside and just fouls everything that moves(not to be confused with tackles)

noto to mention his SHITE heading ability

[++Ammo - Airdrie++]

itzdrk, on 28 July 2010 - 21:12, said:

prunty is MILES better than roberts
there is a LONG list of reasons why aswell

i concur, have a green dot good fellow

[pencils]

itzdrk, on 28 July 2010 - 21:16, said:

however i will say scott walker is a garbage player who plays everyone onside and just fouls everything that moves(not to be confused with tackles)

noto to mention his SHITE heading ability

Big Scotty scored a cracking header on sat!

[Dink]

I have to say I'm not quite as confident as some Alloa fans. Our team last season was solid and managed to grind out or snatch a lot of wins by a single goal. Alan Maitland has obviously tried to bring in a few more creative players this season in order to address the deficincies that our team displayed last season.

We have lost Scott Buist and Davie Crawford from the team that did so well last season and I think that they may well both be big losses, they were probably two of our best three players last season. Scott gave us a lot of height, composure on the ball and he thrived last season playing alongside the more experienced Scott Walker. I think, however, that we have probably replaced him adequately with Billy Gibson and also Mark Brown being more than capable of stepping into defence. I think Davie Crawford is the bigger miss, Robertson and Ewings both look to be decent keepers but I have yet to be convinced that they are as good as Crawford, who was probabaly the best keeper I've seen at the Recs for a long while.

Alan Maitland has moved to address some of our other deficincies, however, with the signings of Dunlop, Smith and McDonald. Left back has been a real problem position for the whole duration of Alan Maitland's time at the club, but Dunlop really looks assured in that area and he also gives us an additional attacking threat when he bombs up the park. Similarly the left side of midfield has long been an area where we've struggled, we constantly had to play Andy Scott out of position there with Gilhaney unable to last more than 15 minutes without pulling his hamstring.

Then we come to McDonald, who obviously struggled at Airdrie. I've been pretty impressed with what I've seen of him so far. Also, our inability to keep possession was real failing last season so hopefully he can help us in that area. I know fine well, however, that players can look great pre-season and then fade once they are in the hurly-burly of a league campaign.

We have also brought in Jim Lister to give us an extra option in the attacking areas, and I've no doubt that he will rumble up defenders and cause a bit of chaos, but he is a long way behind Prunty and Noble who will undoubtedly be our first choices.

So, I think we have good team for this level but I certainly don't think it's head and shoulders above the others, Brechin and Livingston in particular would have a good shout of having stronger squads than us. I had a concern last season about our lack of pace in the forward areas and I still don't think we have addressed this, although if we sign Dougie Wilson back up he can certainly add some pace and directness to the team.

[Miles Brookeson]

Cliche Guevara, on 28 July 2010 - 16:04, said:

I'm a bit bemused by how highly rated Alloa's squad seems to be. I'm not necessarily disagreeing, but being familiar with a lot of their players I'm very surprised at the number of people who think they have the strongest squad.

I know Robertson's quite a good keeper, but nothing outrageous for this level. Walker and Dunlop both played for Ayr and, frankly, I thought Walker was pretty rubbish. Dunlop's been around this level for a while and never really been considered to be a particularly good player. I notice McClune has been right-back for the Wasps, for a number of years, but don't recall him being that special. Gibson is a class act, right enough.

Obviously in midfield Smith is well-known, and I can't help but think that he is largely responsible for the optimism surrounding Alloa. I understand that Wilson is highly rated, but I don't think I've ever seen him fit to play. I know Grant has played for a while, and he seemed an okay player but I don't really recognise the rest of the midfield.

Up front is particularly interesting. Is this considered strong? Obviously Prunty and Gormley are wll known to me. I did say earlier that I don't reckon either would get into our team now. Prunty was brilliant at the start of the season 2008-2009, but fell away badly. He might yet score plenty of goals this season, but struggles with consistency. Gormley tried hard, and did score some goals. Perhaps he still has time on his side, but he didn't really do anything while on loan for Albion Rovers in Division 3. Some of the Ayr support really didn't like him. Noble had a good season for Airdrie, a few years back, but has hardly scored the number of goals you might expect to see in a title winning team.

I'm curious to know where supporters feel the real strengths in Alloa are and if anyone, like me, thinks they peaked last season in a poor league, and will fall back into the pack this year.

I can smell your fear from here.

[Aufc]

I think its clear Alloan and Ayr will be two of the favourites for the league. Alloa have got most of the same sqaud as last season. Robertson will be a great keeper for you. Obviously prone to the odd mistake but he will save you more time than cost you. Kev McDonald was terrible for airdrie. However, I think a change of scenery might be good for him and he might flourish just as McLaughlin did with us.

Ayr have made some great signings in my opinion. Mclaughlan was one of our best players last year. Bobby Donnelly is also a crackng defender. Trouten is another. I think Stephen McKeown, if he can stay clear of injuries, will be a tremendous signing. Him and McLaughlan in the middle of the oark wuith trouten out right will be more than a match for any midfield in the league.

And prunty is shite. But much better shite than roberts.

[printer]

Aufc, on 29 July 2010 - 10:28, said:

I think its clear Alloan and Ayr will be two of the favourites for the league. Alloa have got most of the same sqaud as last season. Robertson will be a great keeper for you. Obviously prone to the odd mistake but he will save you more time than cost you. Kev McDonald was terrible for airdrie. However, I think a change of scenery might be good for him and he might flourish just as McLaughlin did with us.

Ayr have made some great signings in my opinion. Mclaughlan was one of our best players last year. Bobby Donnelly is also a crackng defender. Trouten is another. I think Stephen McKeown, if he can stay clear of injuries, will be a tremendous signing. Him and McLaughlan in the middle of the oark wuith trouten out right will be more than a match for any midfield in the league.

And prunty is shite. But much better shite than roberts.

When someone comes away with a statement like this, you really can't take anything they say seriously.

[Diamonds are Forever]

I think McDonald will do well at Alloa. Airdrie fans have a bit of a hatred of him but he does have good technical ability, and I think in the right team with the right role he will be very good. He needs a few thugs around about him to give him time and space on the ball, he never had that at Airdrie. Also, we only saw him play under one manager in all his time at Airdrie, it's quite possible that the reason he seemed so negative was because his manager was negative and tactically inept. Will be interesting to see how he does with a better manager.

[bsd]

With the possible exceptions of Livi and Brechin, Prunty would walk into any team in this league. He may not be 1st division quality but he has more than enough for the 2nd.

I am hopeful of McDonald being a decent signing. He seems to be getting worse reviews than one of my favourites - a certain Adam Coakley. He can't be as bad as that. Maybe Brown and Grant are the players he needs around him.