Father Barrys Sign (Top Half)

We'll likely need to build a whole new defence in summer, so would be good to see us retain other players further up the park. Would definitely be looking to sign Donnelly permanently. Would also hope to see Sammon and MacIver still at the club, and obviously Cawley. Coulson another I'd get signed up on a new deal. Expect Durnan to go, as well as aforementioned Church and Stanger who are likely to get full time offers. As much as it pains me it's probably time up for Andy. Taggart hopefully stays, whilst Doyle may be looking to stay full time, although it's another guy I would like to see us sign if possible. I've heard Jamieson of Kelty touted for goalkeeper next season.

The question is which Buchanan goal at Ibrox is best...seeing as he scored twice there in the same season. The 1-1 game rounded off one of the most memorable football weekends. Scotland had beaten Rep of Ireland on the Friday at Celtic Park, and it had a proper big game feel to it, the stadium atmosphere was brilliant. Had low expectations for Alloas trip to Ibrox the following day but Buchanans equaliser was some moment. As much as that trip was great, the midweek 2-2 was even better- Ben Gordon header taking the lead on the night and a really well worked equaliser with brilliant play by McCord and Docherty in the build up. In terms of losing my mind when a goal goes in, the Buchs goal that night is definitely in my top 5.

Yeah it was particularly telling that I was more interested in the colour of card for the Hamilton goalkeeper than scoring the penalty. Taggarts injury and Stangers red card left us with a disaster at the back, of which we had no real alternative. Stanger maybe a bit naive to get the 2 bookings but he was having a really good game. Add a man short to our predicament, and we were always on borrowed time. Our best chance was regrouping at half time and concocting something resembling a defensive shield of our goal for the 2nd half. The atmosphere was getting pretty poisonous at 2 0 and the crowd reaction might have affected the home team. But it was still a major long shot. Once Accies got one you knew the inevitable was coming, although maybe not quite as fast as it transpired. It was good to see majority stayed back to applaud the team. Not in a happy clapping way, but more of an appreciation for the effort. No one can say they didn't put in a shift, both in the afternoon and over the course of the season.

Stewards were also a bit over the top. A few of the young team were a bit boisterous but the stewards appeared to be revelling in the confrontations. No wonder Accies fans are disgruntled if they are treated like that every home game.

I was well on the bus by the time it happened, but appears there was a small skirmish outside post match and one guy had a black eye. Generally fans mixed fine after the game. It was quite humane of Accies to kill us off before the break rather than give us hope we might hang on in pretty impossible circumstances. By full time I think most Alloa fans had accepted our fate. No need to apologise mate in my opinion. I don't think you shouted anything personal from what I heard anyway and it was an emotional time . Heard a thousand times worse a thousand times at matches over the years.

Looking at our backline after the Stanger red card and Taggart injury, it was always going to be an uphill battle even at 2 0. I thought our best chance was the numbers being evened up had the Accies keeper walked at the penalty. Others have covered the incident, but ultimately its referees interpretation and he didn't think it was a sending off. Could sense trouble if we conceded before the break and it wasn't a huge surprise when we did. After that I didn't give us much hope of holding out for 90 minutes, but I didn't quite expect us to concede 4 before the break. We ran out of bodies, which we couldn't really prevent- and can't fault the efforts of the players- particularly when we had the most makeshift backline I think I've ever seen at Alloa. Certainly not angered by it or anything, and best of luck to Accies in the final. If I'm annoyed at anyone, it's our captain but that's another story.

Pretty bizarre that our home form was best in the division not so long ago and we struggled to get wins on the road- then it totally flipped as the season drew to a close, with some decent away wins.

Alloa have been in playoffs 8 times with 4 wins- decent enough record.

I think Alloa and Airdrie will both play smart and rest up some players- but I think both will want to finish as high up the table as they can. Airdrie will probably really fancy their chances against Falkirk anyway. Not 100% sure playing the 9th team is any easier or better. Arbroath look to be stumbling over the line to 8th but should they drop to 9th its probably still a 50/50 game for us or Airdrie. Cove have looked disastrous at times in terms of results and probably not the team they were last season. But they have a bit of momentum in recent weeks and should they get to 9th I think that momentum would make them a tough proposition. From a purely Alloa perspective, being paired with Hamilton would leave us without Michael Doyle who is on loan at Alloa from Accies. Whilst we could cope with his departure he's been an integral part of the team since he arrived. I dont think it really matters- there wont be huge gaps in quality between any of the 4 and whoever wins the play-offs will do so on merit, and nothing to do with earlier games in the season.

Hopefully a decent away support and atmosphere in the ground for what will essentially be a glorified bounce game- despite both managers stating otherwise. Bit of chat on the run in topic on the forum re 3rd/4th preference. We take who we get- there's no real hiding place or backdoor route to winning the playoffs. Previous form against your opponent goes out the window often in these games. Falkirk will be favourites but they'll be feeling the pressure that goes with it. They certainly have more riding on it than ourselves and Airdrie and will be interesting to see how they respond to it- regardless of how the ties pan out at time up.

If you put a gun to my head I'd probably rather avoid Falkirk and go for the 9th team in Championship too. But I don't think previous form matters all that much- playoffs are a 4 team tournament and you play who you play to come out on top. We've been stung in the past in a few similar scenarios in the play-offs. 2010 we played Cowdenbeath 8 times...4 in the league, 2 in the cup (initial tie plus replay) and twice in the playoffs. We only lost one game out of eight to them which was sadly the pivotal playoff game. Similarly in 2017 we had brushed Brechin aside 6 1 in the league very late on in the campaign...yet lost the playoff final on a penalty shootout. On the basis of these traumatic moments, I'm happy to say we take who we get and if we get through it we are promoted on merit.

Agree with this, thought Miller and Scougall excellent and as good as I've seen Miller. Some goal too, had the perfect view of it flying into the net. Also as good as Cawleys been in a while. Back to his best playing in a position where he was clearly enjoying his football today. Also thought Sammon led the line really well and deserved his two goals. We've struggled a bit in recent weeks but to get over the line so emphatically today will give everyone a bit of belief going into the playoffs.

Momentum going into the play-offs is a big deal from an Alloa perspective just based on our previous experiences. On the three occasions we've gone into the play-offs on good form we've pretty much scooshed it- 2006 against Arbroath and Berwick to avoid relegation, 2013 against Brechin and Dunfermline and 2018 against Raith Rovers and Dumbarton (although we left it pretty late to break their cattenacio). I don't think finishing 2nd or 3rd makes much odds to be honest.

I had this down as a "Falkirk rest their players for the cup semi" but the Edinburgh result puts a bit of pressure on in the approach to that game, particularly as Inverness look to be on good form. Edinburgh winning in midweek doesnt really change anything from our side. From the outside looking in obviously, I dont think Falkirks drop off is as alarming as some of their supporters seem to be taking it- although of course time will tell on that. A dip in form was probably likely, when it became clear the league was out of reach, but play-offs were cemented and they have a cup semi to look forward to. They could win the semi final, and are favourites for the play-offs- win promotion and its still a brilliant season for them. Regardless of Falkirks approach, we're capable of winning the game- even though we havent exactly been firing on all cylinders ourselves in recent games. After running Falkirk close a few times, it would be brilliant to seal the play-offs with a win on Saturday. Would also give us confidence going into play-offs too. But even if it doesnt happen, I think we'll have enough to get over the line in the last couple of of games.

Edinburgh result doesn't really change anything for us. One win and we are in playoffs barring a mental goal swing.

Alloa on the front foot for much of the game but that was expected given the circumstances of both teams. First half was good but looked like we were running out of ideas second half. Mikey Doyle easily our best player. All about results and we got there in the end. A massive 3 points, Sammon had far from his best outing but he won us the points in the end.

Unfortunately missing this weekends fixture due to the international clash- think we are the only match in the league that hasn't been moved to accommodate. Think there will be a few others in the same boat who go to away games and also follow the national team. Appreciate its just unfortunate due to the distance rather than pointing fingers at the respective clubs- couldn't expect the players to get up there for an evening game, and would put us at a disadvantage. A shame to be missing Peterheads social club, and the way they're going might not get back there for a while..

We were comfortable winners in a performance that was pretty good in patches. Even when Clyde equalised I always thought we would win the game, despite some really good saves from Parry to keep it level. Thought the old timers Doyle and Cawley were our best players today. Donnelly again put in a really good shift and Sammon looked hungry from the bench, took his goal really well. Millers goal will be added to my Goal of the Season poll- very good strike. Shame Edinburgh picked up an unexpected point at East End, but another win next week would put us in a decent position for the run in.

Totally agree. The best teams tend to be based on the back 4 picking themselves week in week out. I totally get the flexibility aspect which we certainly have at our disposal- personally just don't like tinkering with the defence unless it's unavoidable.

In Coulson, MacIver and Donnelly all of a sudden we seem to have unearthed a triumvirate of Salah/Firminho/Mane proportions. In all seriousness, they did link really well together on Saturday. Strongly suspect Coulsons goal was a sliced cross that the keeper completely sold the jerseys with- but he deserved the goal for his overall impact on the game, and indeed the Alloa team recently.

Pitch inspection 11am. As far as I'm aware zero snow in Edinburgh.

I can see some of the points people are making but I still don't understand the excessive criticism of Sammon and the clamour from some to get him out of the starting 11. He has his off days, his all round game is a bit patchy and he's definitely a confidence player. But the guy has done the business for us this season. He has as many goals as Kevin O'Hara had achieved at this same stage a few seasons back. He puts a real shift in every game, whether he's on it or not. And give him the right kind of service and he'll put the ball in the net. The guys covered it well on the podcast.

It doesn't look like it. If it was going to be moved it would have been by now. We both had a free Saturday in February (Scottish Cup Round 5) which would probably have been the only viable date. It's not a fixture that can be easily switched to a weekday evening due to the length of travel time for the players, all of whom will have day jobs. Can understand them not moving it, but it's one I'll miss as a result. Edit- clashes with Scotland vs Cyprus at Hampden (kick off 2pm) for those wondering what the hell we are on about. A lot of clubs have moved their games

Some decent points printer and Kev, topics I was also discussing with my mate on the journey back. Doyle can play CB as we know so certainly think there's something to trading him with Taggart position wise. Be interesting to see how many goals we've conceded from crosses when Andy Graham is playing. I was pretty frustrated with how the game went, we had a really good spell in the first half but ultimately didn't do ourselves justice. No complaints with the outcome but thought a result was there for the taking had we done a bit more in our best phase of the game. We didn't have nearly as much foothold in the midfield once Scougall left the pitch. Clearly still some injury problems in the squad which hopefully clear up a bit this week. Next Saturdays game probably a far bigger one for us. Wee bit disappointed more supporters didn't go through for the game, was a far smaller number of away fans at East End than more recent fixtures there.

Since being turned over 4 0 at Airdrie Alloas defence has tightened right up, but we are struggling a bit to score at the other end. Bearing in mind we are going against the best defence in the league by some distance, I'd be tempted to change the frontline and put Donnelly in for Sammon. Not really a slight on the big striker who has done the business for us this season, I just think the type of service he needs may well be limited on Saturday. Donnelly offers a bit more in terms of dropping deep and linking play which we will definitely need at the weekend. A win would be fantastic, but would be more than happy with a point- fairly obvious observations when going up against the league leaders.