Published: Wednesday, 20th January, 2010 3:10pm

Walker welcomes Wasps' new signings

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THE friendly game against Arthurlie on Saturday provided a good test for the boys with new striker Bryan Prunty making a goalscoring debut.

Prunty bagged a brace and looked sharp. There is no hiding his quality, he holds the ball up well and knows his way to goal.

The game was played at a high tempo which gave it the edge we were looking for as we prepare to make a push for promotion in the second half of the season.

Despite all the recent postponements, the club has done fantastically well in organising bounce matches to keep our fitness levels up.

This Saturday we make the short trip to Stenhousemuir where we hope it will be third time lucky against the Warriors having lost our two previous league meetings with them this season.

There is no talk in the dressing room about them being our bogey team, though - we simply didn't play well in the first game and although the team's performance was better in the second clash, it wasn't enough.

Our main objective on Saturday will be to keep things tight at the back and not concede the first goal as that will give them confidence.

I want to also talk this week about what it means to captain a side. I have captained St Mirren and Brechin City and it is a task I don't mind doing at all - it's an honour.

As a player you have to make sure you're performing well on the pitch and organising the players around you. The manager wants his captain to pass on his instructions on the field of play.

A captain must be as professional as possible off the pitch too and set a good example to the squad. The player with the arm band has to keep the team together and pick them up when things are not going well by making the dressing room a happy and lively place.

Tommy Turner was a great captain for St Mirren. He was a brilliant leader on the pitch, calm in possession, and gave the players around him confidence.

When Brown Ferguson captains Alloa he inspires the lads because he has such a professional approach to the game. Bomber plays well consistently and has shown a commitment to the club having been there for a long time. It is good for a team to have that.

The captain's arm band is usually worn by central defenders or midfielders. The latter are in the engine room of the park and can communicate easily. But I wouldn't pick a captain based on the position they play. It must be given to the player with the best leadership qualities.

Guys like Richard Cough and Terry Butcher led from the front and were influential characters who played consistently well for their clubs.

But for me, Ryan Giggs is the most phenomenal captain playing today. At 36, he is still a major influence in the games he plays. He's quite simply a model professional in every way.

My last word this week goes to another new signing at Alloa, James Bloom. The manager has tied up the left back on loan from Falkirk and the youngster looks like he will be a good player for the club.

Next week, I'll give my reaction to the Stenny game and share my views on what eligibility should be needed to pull on the dark blue of Scotland.