Published: Wednesday, 5th December, 2007 09:30
Wasps are buzzing for league leaders visit
By John Simpson
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Hamilton's Paul McLeod has returned to Recreation Park on loan.
SECOND Division leaders Ross County are visiting Recreation Park on Saturday hoping to strengthen their position and improve their promotion hopes.
But Alloa are equally determined to ensure their own promotion challenge gets back on track.
At Recreatioin Park, manager Allan Maitland will be working hard this week to assure his boys they are capable of beating County, but they must show an improvement on their display at Hampden Park on Saturday when they lost 1-0 to Queen’s Park.
Maitland said, “Our first half display at Hampden was really poor, part of that being because David McClune, Sandy Hodge, Paul McLeod and Graeme Brown were making their first start for us for a long time.
"This may have disrupted our playing pattern but the way we played in the first half was not acceptable.
“In the second half we had some great chances but we did not score which was the biggest disappointment for me. Losing the goal was just reward for our inability to score.”
Now it’s on to the big game on Saturday.
Maitland said, “This is a great match for us considering we are only four points behind leaders County.
“Our home form has been excellent so we must try hard to take the game to County, play our own game and hopefully take our chances.”
He added, “Some fans have been wondering why I brought back Paul McLeod on loan from Hamilton. The reason is we need another striker. Introducing Paul will, I hope, help people like Graeme Brown to score at a time when Andy Ferguson is just coming back into the side.”
Speaking about his line-up for the County game, the manager admitted he could make a change or two.
He said, “Derek Fleming our captain was not fit for the Queen’s Park game. He is a massive player for us and I am hopeful he will be fit for Saturday.
“Brown Ferguson and Scot Buist were injured and are possibles, while Ross Clark was not available but should be ready for this weekend.”
Midfielder Brown Ferguson said this week, “I picked up a calf injury against Ayr United and missed the Scottish Cup game against Livingston. I was just gutted to miss that one, and the Queen’s Park match last weekend.
“I had taken a deep kick which resulted in bleeding in my calf. However, I am feeling fine now and I hope to be available for selection against Ross County.
"This is a really huge game for us. If we bounce back from the Hampden defeat and win, then that would hopefully be a sign that we are a good team.”
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Alloa pick up first away point