We’ve invited fans of the 42 SPFL clubs (well, some of them at least) to give us a preview of their team’s upcoming season. Let’s find out what Sandy Tuckerman thinks is in store for Alloa…
Last Season’s Position – 9th (Play-off winners)
This Season’s Prediction – 7th
Best Signing of the Summer – Dougie Hill
There has been a big turnover of players at the Wasps with key players Ryan McCord, Daryll Meggat and Ben Gordon moving on. Danny Lennon has made some interesting signings including two young Celtic players on short term loans. While these may bring excitement there is need for some experience and continuity to pull a new team together. The player brought to do this is Dougie Hill who has been signed from Raith Rovers. He is not a new face have spent 2 previous spells with the club but this along with his Championship experience should make him a valuable signing.
Key Man – Mike Mulraney
The club chairman might be an unusual choice for key man but he has been in control of the clubs through 2 successive promotions and staying in the Championship for 2 successive seasons and had the vision to give Paul Hartley his managerial start.
A successful local businessman he has got the balance of funding the club to the right level to maintain the success, not falling into the Gretna trap but performing at a higher level than some of the historically more prestigious clubs such as Dunfermline and Ayr. His entrepreneurial touch saw naming rights for the stadium being sold to Indrodril- an unusual move for a provincial club.
The Manager – Danny Lennon
2015/16 will be Danny Lennon’s first full season in charge. He was brought in after Barry Smith resigned with the team heading towards relegation. Danny kept the in the Championship by leading them to 9th position and through the playoffs. His experience in the Premiership and contacts in the game are one of the attributes that the Chairman saw in him when offering the job. He has managed full time and part time and is keen to develop new talent something the Wasps need in order to facilitate their rebuilding and consolidation in the second tier.
Expectations
The Waspies are a team in transition. The last few years have seen a transformation from playing in the SPFL League 2 to rubbling shoulders with the former giants of the Premiership such as Hearts, Hibs and Rangers. A bit like the nerd on a Friday night trying to punch above his weight with a tall blonde. Last season was one of mixed fortunes with victories over both Rangers and Hibs, one of which resulted in an appearance in the Challenge Cup Final. In fact we are now on the official Gers bogie list.
Despite this we were still heading back to the seaside leagues when Barry Smith stood aside. In the end all was forgotten after that playoff triumph.
Losing the core of the team from the last few years Lennon was forced into a rebuilding job, McCord, Meggat and Gordon having departed for full time football. Some interesting replacements but no real marquee names like Michael Chopra, maybe when some oldies but goodies are left on the shelf that might come. The mix of old faces like Hill along with some players from lower leagues such as Khader should make it interesting. Survival for a third season is a definite priority.
