Alloa Athletic

Alloa avoided relegation again despite being part-time. They proved more than just plucky opposition and at times played some silky football. Finishing in 8th place they ended the season in strong form with only 1 loss in their final 10 matches of the curtailed season. The Wasps have lost a couple of key players. Iain Flannigan was considered the best part-time player in Scotland, but the midfielder has retired. Ray Grant has moved up a division from Clyde to replace Flannigan, which is a tough ask for the Alloa manager’s son. He’s a similar type of technical player, but may take a while to get up to speed. Striker Kevin O’Hara found good scoring form last season and that attracted Dunfermline to seek his services. Alloa will struggle for goals without him, but Lee Connelly has signed another loan deal from Sunderland. He was used sparingly last season but will be expecting a bigger part this season. Alloa’s other main goal threats, Alan Trouten and Liam Buchanan, are both in their mid-30s and that could be a problem as they start to slow up. Positive news has defensive stalwart Andy Graham returning from a spinal problem. Although now 37, he is their leader and also a potent threat at set pieces. Alloa are a well run part-time club, but the lack of gate money due to the COVID-19 pandemic will hurt them too. They have not replaced Kevin O’Hara and Iain Flannigan with players of a similar or better quality – that could come back to haunt them.