Key players set to return

Iain Robertson • Published 24 Feb 2010 10:24 0 Comments

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ALLOA Athletic manager Allan Maitland believes the depth he has in his squad could prove the "deciding factor" in the championship race.

With Scot Buist and Kevin Welsh set to return for Saturday's home game against Peterhead and Mark Gilhaney a possibility, Alloa could reap the benefits of having one of the best squads in the division.

And with a string of winter postponements creating a back log of fixtures for all clubs in the third flight it is not difficult to see why strength in depth could be key.

Maitland told the Advertiser Sport, "It may well be the deciding factor. We certainly need everyone fit if we want to win things and the fact that we'll have key defensive players coming back will be important for us."

Looking ahead to the visit of the Blue Toon to Recreation Park, the Alloa manager insists winning at home is a must.

"As always in this league there is a thin line between success and failure but this is a game we must win," he said.

"It would be a great match to get maximum points as it would keep the pressure on everyone else."

He added, "Peterhead had a strange result last time out at home to Brechin when they lost 3-0.

"They had been doing much better before that and were in good goal scoring form - it will be a hard game."

The Wasps recorded a single goal victory over Neale Cooper's side back in August and left Peterhead with a point after a goalless draw in October.

Cooper's side are sitting mid table at the moment and won't have given up hope of reaching the promotion play-offs. They may be seven points behind fourth placed Brechin but have a game in hand and know a run of good results could see them challenge.

Games will come thick and fast for Alloa now - they face Clyde twice in four days next week as they look to complete a quartet of league wins over the Bully Wee this season.

A 1-0 win at Broadwood early in the campaign was followed by a 2-0 victory at the Recs in October. A repeat of those results would be a massive boost to Alloa's title bid.

Former Hamilton and Dundee assistant manager, John 'Cowboy' McCormack, took charge at Broadwood last September, but despite the fact his side are currently propping up the division, the Wasps gaffer says Cowboy has signed some good players who will make a difference to their fortunes.

"Clyde have made good signings in John Stewart, Adam Strachan and Neil McGowan," Maitland said.

"They will definitely get better and as I have said before, anyone is capable of winning games in this league."

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