Scott Walker column

Published 11 Aug 2010 10:57 0 Comments

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OUR lads did not perform to their capabilities against Livingston - there's no argument about that - but we showed great spirit to earn a draw.

The team played poorly on the day. We didn't pass well, defended poorly, gave the ball away far too easily and lacked movement. It was way below par for us.

Livi were by far the better team in the first half. They were sharper than us and created plenty of chances. They were quick to the ball and broke at pace.

But after we made some personnel changes at half time, especially with the introduction of big Jim Lister, who gave us a different option and a physical presence up front, we played much better.

We must take positives from the result. Yes, Alloa have a group of players who are capable of performing much better than that but a point away from home against the only full-time team in the division is a lot better than nothing.

Our next game is this Saturday, at home to East Fife, and we will be doing our best to make sure the points are staying at Recreation Park come 5 o'clock.

We must get the ball out to our wide players in this one and get good delivery into their box to put them under pressure. If we do that I'm confident we can win.

Our home record will be crucial this season. If we want to do well the side must make Recreation Park a hard place for other teams to come to.

At times last term we were quite gung-ho at home but hopefully we've learnt from that and can be a little more controlled when teams visit the Recs.

Craig Levein's Scotland team will certainly have to avoid being too cavalier when they take on Sweden tonight, in the country's last friendly match before the Euro 2012 qualifiers begin.

I must say I'm glad to see that Levein has brought Allan McGregor and Kris Boyd - both exiled for different, and well documented reasons under George Burley - back into the squad.

The former Dundee United gaffer is his own man and I'm convinced he would have told the blazers at Hampden Park that he would make the decision on these players, before he agreed to take on the national job.

For me, we need as many quality Scots in the pool as possible. We are a small nation and can't leave players who can help the cause on the sidelines.

Next week, I'll give you my reaction to the East Fife game and Scotland's friendly away to Sweden.

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