JIM GOODWIN has set his sights on launching Alloa Athletic back into the Championship as he prepares to take the reins at the Indodrill Stadium.

The 34-year-old hopes to build on the fine start the team has made under the departing Jack Ross and guide the Wasps to the title.

And while Goodwin will be balancing his new role with duties as a player, he is confident of a successful end to the season.

Speaking after being unveiled as the new head coach today, he said: "Our expectations don't change; our ambition is to get out of the league. Ideally, that would be wining the title but if that's not the case then we'll get up via the playoffs. 

"That's been my ambition as joining the club as a player and now as manager that doesn't change."


"BIG SHOES TO FILL"

Brought to the club by his predecessor only a few months ago, the prospect of one day becoming the boss at Alloa was something that played a part in Goodwin's decision to sign in the first place.

But with Ross' impressive recruitment drive and on-field achievements, the new gaffer knows full well he has "big shoes to fill".

He said: "When I spoke to Jack back in the summer, we had discussed a scenario like this.

"At that time I wanted to join a club that match my ambitions, in terms of getting out this league and being successful, but I also wanted to be at a club where if the manager were to move on then I was in the position to put my name in the hat.

"Thankfully that's happened and it's great way to get the job with the manager moving on and not being sacked or something like that.

"Jack has wished me well, and I wish him well at St Mirren. But for me, as Alloa manager, it is a very proud moment."

He added: "When Alex Rae lost his job, I think Jack was the obvious choice from their point of view. We are extremely disappointed to lose him because he was doing some fantastic things for us here and they're big shoes to fill.

"But he's left us in a good position, and he's left behind a fantastic squad of players that I have great respect for."

Goodwin also argued his style of management will be akin to that of his predecessor, and said: "The way Jack was as a person and as a manager, I'm very similar. I will put my own stamp on things going forward but nothing is going to change dramatically.

"The lads know how I am and know the standards that I set as a player and that won't change going forward as a manager.

"I'm not going to come in and try and reinvent the wheel - that's not what is required. And it's not like I'm going into a dressing room where morale is low; I don't have to go in and pick anyone up off the floor."


UNFAZED

Goodwin, who began working towards his coaching badges when he was 20 and plying his trade in England, also said he will have no issue taking his name off the team sheet if his on-field performances begin to slip.

He added: "The role will be player/manager and at this point in my career I still think I have something to offer on the pitch.

"Where I deem necessary and appropriate, and where it's going to continue to add quality to the time, then yes I'll pick myself, but I won't be guaranteeing myself a place.

"If me playing is having a detrimental effect on the team, then obviously I'll be the first one to hold my hands up. If I'm not playing well, then someone else will take place in the team.

"It was always my ambition to step into management and coaching - it's something that I've been passionate about.

"It's something that doesn't faze me, to be honest. And with the kind of club that I'm at right now, I feel I am very fortunate because [Jack] has left me in a great position and there's not an awful lot that needs doing.

"I've studied the game and if ever there was a game on the tele, regardless of what league or continent it's in, I sit and watch it. I digest it and see what kind of decisions the managers have made.

"I've been very fortunate throughout my career to have worked with a number of really good people that I respect and that I've picked up a lot of knowledge from."


IN THE DUGOUT

Goodwin will take charge of his first game away to Brechin this weekend and he admits that ties "can't come quick enough".

He said: "The fixtures don't come much tougher than this - away to top of the table and then away to second place.

"But I wouldn't want it any other way and I've got every confidence in the eleven that I pick for Saturday will go out there and win.

"We'll respect every opponent we come up against on a weekly basis, but I've got so much belief in the squad that we've got here that we don't fear anyone."

The manager also said there would be no changes to the backroom staff and both Paddy Connolly and Lee Sharp will be staying on at the club.

Goodwin said: "After speaking with the chairman last night, I picked up the phone to Paddy and Lee to ask them if they would continue to stay on.

"Although Jack has left with great plaudits, he couldn't have done it on his own and these guys behind the scenes deserve a whole lot of credit as well for what has happened at the club.

"I'm delighted to say they both accepted staying on which will be a huge positive in moving forward."

Chairman Mike Mulraney told the Advertiser there had been an "avalanche" of applicants, but in the end opting for Jim was a "very easy decision to make".

He said: "Obviously we wish our outgoing manager every success, but we're more interested in moving forward.

"We feel we have a ready-made replacement and we're sure Jim will be his own man and we anticipate a bright future.

"It was a very easy decision to make and he was our preferred candidate, as we normally do have under these circumstances.

"We had some excellent candidates applying for the job but, we believe we have the gentleman to take our club forward."