A Difficult Season Ending in a Sense of Hope - Alloa Athletic 2021/22 Season Review
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Saturday brings the end to a somewhat forgettable season for Alloa Athletic. We take on Montrose at the Indodrill, who will no doubt be wrapping their players up in bubble-wrap before they head for the play-off's against Airdrie. This should be the type of dilemma that Alloa boss, Brian Rice, is dealing with, however, instead, we have a damp squib match with the possibility of moving up to 5th in the division. For that fact, this season, overall has to be chalked down as a failure. With the squad's ability, there is no doubt that the position we will finish is a major underachievement. However, going into this Saturday, I don't go in with the doom and gloom mindset that might have been associated with the position in the table. With a new man at the helm and a fresh way of thinking, the only way is up going into next season.
This blog will look brightly into the future but before doing that, we have to dissect the season that has just been.
Four days after leading Kelty Hearts to the SPFL League 2, after victory over Brechin, Alloa fans were left shocked with the appointment of Barry Ferguson at the Indodrill. The usual quotes were coming out from the press conference of Ferguson following the footsteps of the likes of Jim Goodwin and Jack Ross, however, the Wasp faithful were ever so slightly skeptical about the season ahead.
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| New Alloa boss, Barry Ferguson. (Pic - SNS Group) |
With a budget promised to be bigger than the Championships, the warning signs were there early with some of his recruitment. Many of the names that were brought in by the former boss haven't seen a look-in to the Alloa team, even going into these final games with little of the line. It is hard to be critical of Mark Lamont, Jordan Armstrong, Tom Leighton and Ben Armour to name a few but with 16 appearances between the four of those players, it really doesn't say much for recruitment of a team who were meant to be challenging for the title. There have been individual circumstances in each of the mentioned cases with injuries playing a part, but for Ferguson to sign so many players with no intention of playing them was a warning shot going forward.
There isn't anything I can say that hasn't been said in regards to the treatment of some Alloa heroes. Neil Parry and Andy Graham in particular, stalwarts of the Alloa side for many years, were surplus to requirements as Ferguson looked to continue to put his stamp on the team. Parry, unfortunately, was shown the door permanently, signing on at Clyde in August and that move was already enough for some Alloa fans to lose full faith in the manager. This decision would come back to haunt us with many inspired performances from the former Alloa keeper against us. It wasn't all failures in the market, with Mark Durnan and Euan Henderson coming in and proving a success. The hit rate simply wasn't up to scratch, however, and it always put us in a tricky situation going forward. The photo below showcases the last recruitment drive when we were relegated from the Championship, and the difference is stark. It would be impossible to match a nearly perfect window from Ross but for Ferguson, it wasn't even close.
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| Alloa's 2016 summer recruitment. (Pic - David Glencross) |
I was willing to give this gamble a chance though. We still had a very good core of a squad and surely we would still be up there competing in the play-offs I thought. Ferguson had enjoyed success, albeit financially driven, in his previous job, so maybe we were getting an improved manager since his last stint in the SPFL.
The League Cup was mixed, losing out to Brechin and Cowdenbeath at home, but then beating Livingston and drawing with Raith. It really was anybody's guess how this team would fare in the league after that.
The warning signs continued though with a lackluster performance on the opening day against Peterhead, registering just one shot on target. For the faithful fans who traveled through, it wasn't exactly what they had in mind and the dismissive nature of Ferguson to criticism from supporters did not go down well. That relationship would never recover from the opening day, and I am sure we all need no reminder what happened at Dumbarton in the 1-1 draw just a month or so later. With little reason to, Ferguson charged towards the away end to 'discuss' his disapproval of some of the shouts from the stand. In a bizarre turn of events after a fairly decent performance, there was no really no way back from this for the manager.
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| Ferguson spat with supporters at Dumbarton. |
The biggest downfall in the first half of the season, which left us well out of the title race was our lack of consistency. There were fantastic games and results dotted in the opening half, such as our memorable 4-3 comeback against Queen's Park, a professional 2-0 victory up at Montrose and seeing off Falkirk and Airdrie comfortably at home. However, for every 3 points, there was silly points being dropped every other week with the team failing to put 3 wins together all season. A large part of this was down to the discipline. Something that was commented on many times by the manager and his staff, Alloa have picke up 7 red cards this season and failed to take any victories from any of the games. The constant shooting ourselves in the foot to make our task more difficult has been our achilles heel all season.
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| Sena red card just 19 seconds into game Vs Cove Rangers. (Pic - David Glencross) |
There are some positives that I would like to bring out from the first half of the season, ones which probably make our final position even more frustrating knowing the team's capabilities. Without a doubt, our best performance of the season on the eye was our 5-0 thrashing of Bonnyrigg. A hat-trick from Henderson and a double from Sena saw off the promotion hopefuls that day, however, the man of the afternoon was Stefan Scougall. The playmaker was flying at this point of the season, topping the assists charts across the four leagues and oozing class with every performance. You can't ignore the hat-trick that game too as Henderson was catching the eye with double figures before Christmas. There was some exciting play in this Alloa side. When given the chance Steven Boyd linking up with those previously mentioned could really get fans off their seat. Unfortunately, it just didn't happen enough.
The team had plenty of guts though and even when it wasn't coming off, their effort couldn't be faulted. In typical Alloa fashion, we put a show on when the Premier Sports cameras came for our game against Celtic in the cup. Despite in being dominated by Ferguson Vs Celtic, his Alloa side were incredibly competitive and even gave the Champions elect something to worry about in the final moments of the game. We ultimately fell to a 2-1 defeat that night and set the national press into meltdown but from an Alloa perspective, many hoped this would be the catalyst. It wasn't.
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| Connor Sammon pulls one back Vs Celtic. (Pic - David Glencross) |
Ferguson was eventually relieved of his duties after a home defeat with 10-men against East Fife in the middle of February. An afternoon that summed up his managerial reign. There was a sense of relief among Alloa fans as we now looked to salvage some stability and secure our status in the league. You could see the immediate lift with a victory away to Dumbarton in Paddy Connolly's interim game in charge.
Following that victory, Alloa appointed Brian Rice in charge for the remainder of the season, which was met positively by Alloa fans. I spoke at the time about how I believed this was the perfect fit at the perfect time for the Wasps in my last blog post. The mood at the Indodrill continue to lift with the arrival of Chipper, his infectious, enthusiastic and passionate attitude about the game gave the players and the supporters a new lease of life for the final quarter of the season.
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| New boss Brian Rice appointed in February. (Pic - Jan van der Merwe) |
We were beginning to see free-flowing football with our favourites back in the team playing roles that suited their strengths. There was a lot of stripping the game back to basics, and with a squad this talented, all you had to do was the basics right and their ability would shine through. Give players like Kevin Cawley the freedom to do what he does best, and he will not let you down. That is what we have seen over the recent weeks, an enjoyment in their game and ultimately, it has led to better football being played and results. A few tactical tweaks were made, for once, we actually played 2 up front, which many had been calling out for weeks. Some chopping and changing followed but it was a success, with results beginning to turn.
He was given the remit of keeping the club up, something that many were fearing could be a real possibility if the previous management stayed in place. With victory against Clyde in a hard-fought win, we all but secured our safety and officially secured it a week later.
Before we look forward into next season, I would like to conduct my own sort of award prize-giving for the end of the season.
Player of the Year - Mark Durnan.
This one will no doubt cause debate among supporters, as it has done on commentary with Lewis, the co-comms. For me, it is a toss of a coin between Mark Durnan and Stefan Scougall. Personally, 'Vinnie' pips it. The centre-back has been the only bit of consistency in the back-line with the manager constantly chopping and changing not just the defence, but the goalkeeper. Taking on the armband for a period of time, through no fault of his own that Andy wasn't there, Durnan has stepped up to be that leader on the park. At a time in his career where many questioned his ability, he has looked controlled, composed, and commanding at the back. Obviously, it isn't always perfect, there are mistakes in there but for me, he has been integral, and will be going forward. You also can't ignore his goal return, which for a centre-half is pretty decent.
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| Alloa defender, Mark Durnan. (Pic - John Howie) |
Young Player of the Year - Euan Henderson.
This season hasn't matched the expectation of Cameron O'Donnell, Liam Evans, Lucas Williamson, and co, getting more game time and for that fact, the shortlist for this award was pretty short. Henderson, however, is very much a worthy winner of this. This was a signing met with excitement back in September. He burst onto the scene with a debut goal against Falkirk and went onto get 12 before his mini-return to Tynecastle at Christmas. That disruption in his season, coupled with a suspension shortly after coming back, has hampered his form with just two goals since returning. However, overall it has been a successful loan spell. When Henderson drives at any defence, you know something can happen. His electric pace has been a thorn in many defences this season, and you only need to ask Queens Park fans about what they think about that after our victory over them.
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| Alloa forward, Euan Henderson. (Pic - David Glencross) |
Goal of the Season - Blaise Riley-Snow Vs Dumbarton.
There isn't an extensive list for this year's nominees but this strike from the on-loan Raith midfielder just edges it for me. It kick-started another bonkers end to a game against Dumbarton, making it 1-0 on the 82nd minute, before we eventually fell to a 3-2 defeat. A nice knockdown from Sammon was laid off to Riley-Snow who sent one sailing into the top corner, leaving Kieran Wright rooted to the spot. It was almost identical to my second place strike from Adam King away to Montrose, however, there is something just so satisfying about Riley-Snow's goal that means it takes top spot. In a loan spell that hasn't brought much excitement, this goal certainly will give Alloa fans something to remember him for, despite us falling short on the day.
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| Blaise Riley-Snow celebrates against Dumbarton. (Pic - David Glencross) |
Moment of the Season - Comeback at Firhill.
Highlights - Queens Park Vs Alloa | cinch League 1 | 24th October 2021
In a challenging season, these moments have been few and far between but that 4-3 victory against Queens Park will rank among one of the most exciting Alloa games I've been to. After an early Cawley goal, it was to and fro between the sides, before Craig Howie eventually got us level again at 2-2. When Luca Connell struck to make it 3-2 to the home side, I was ready to pack my bags and head up the road. 'Hendo' had other ideas though with an unbelievable brace in stoppage time. That image of him charging through on goal, Lee Kilday on his backside, after a defence splitting pass from Charlie Gilmour is just sublime. A game that showed the team's mentality to not give up and keep our excellent record against the Glasgow side.
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| Alloa celebrate the 4th goal against Queens Park. (Pic - David Glencross) |
Next season provides new opportunities for this Alloa side to right the wrongs of this year. Play-offs should be the goal, and there is no reason why we can't achieve this. The league is again looking stronger than ever with Kelty Hearts and Queen of the South confirmed to be joining us. Queens Park (depending on play-offs) and Falkirk will continue to flaunt their full-time status and show their financial prowess. Then, you have either Airdrie, Montrose, Ayr and Dunfermline all contenders to be in this division. It is nothing a well-drilled, organised, and attractive Alloa team should fear. On our day we are capable of beating anybody, we must now get the stability that will bring the consistency to do that over the 36 games.
Priority #1 is securing the services of Brian Rice for another campaign. He has brought the stability we required and the players seem to love playing for him. I am sure there is no Alloa supporter who would be opposed to him leading us forward. My hope would be this is, if not already, tied up soon so we can begin securing the core of the squad for next season. Many of this team are more than capable of doing well in this division, as we have seen previously in League 1 and the Championship.
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| Brian Rice with Sena. (Pic - David Glencross) |
Will we see the return of some of our loan stars? PJ Morrison has been a sensation since coming in under Rice. Fantastic saves and distribution makes him arguably one of the best keepers in the league. Although we will be met with stiff competition, that would be a major coup to hold onto him. Henderson will most likely head back to Tynecastle, however, the door may be open for the return of Thistle duo 'Sena' and Ross MacIver. Sena, for me, has done more than enough to merit our interest in a permanent deal. His combatative and tenacious style in the middle of the park has made the loss of Stevie Hetherington slightly less hard. We also can't forget the few goals he has added into his game, including a goal of the season contender against Bonnyrigg.
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| Reason for excitement, Boyd and Scougall. (Pic - David Glencross) |
The areas for strengthening are up-front no doubt. Alloa have scored just 45 goals this season, which is around 20 behind the leading teams in the league. There is a role for Connor Sammon in the team, who I believe offers so much more than his goal return but that doesn't hide the fact we need a profilic scorer to find the back of the net throughout the season. Strikers like Greig Spence, Ross Stewart, Liam Buchanan and co. have fired us into success in the past, and we desperately need another hero like them! Adding to that, strengthening throughout is always important but potentially a left-back as it has been an area with little competition and much change this season.
There is plenty to be optimistic about going into next season. Let's hope the boys can go out in style this weekend with Montrose and we might just pip our rivals across the Forth to 5th place. There is a new mood, a new hope brewing at Alloa now. There are smiles on the pitch and in the terraces and let's hope 'Rice Ball' will bring us something to really cheer about come May 2023!
It has been another year on the mic for me doing the commentary duties, of which I have enjoyed very much again. I am unsure what the SPFL have in-store for the streaming services of Scottish football but if that is the end of that role, it has one that has brought many a good memory. Thank you to Lewis and all the team behind the scenes who make the running of that so successful. There have been many a player and fan who have helped out there too, which has been great. Final thank you to David Glencross whose photos are throughout this review. Again, perfectly capturing every single moment in Alloa colours perfectly. Despite some real hard times for the fans this year, our great wee club has been well backed up and down Scotland throughout. For us all, a few weeks off and then, onwards and upwards to the next campaign where we look to do it all over again.
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| Always a smile to the face. Andy Graham grabs a goal Vs Cove Rangers. (Pic - David Glencross) |
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