Alloa star Stephen Simmons admits it would be a massive blow to the whole squad if they were to lose a second manager inside twelve months.

The experienced midfielder revealed how the Wasps endured a tough spell after the shock exit of previous boss Paul Hartley last January, and now 11 months on he does not want to suffer deja-vu.

These fears come from speculation linking current gaffer Barry Smith with the vacant manager’s job at St Mirren, but the 31-year-old hopes his boss will be sticking around in Clackmannanshire for the near future.

Simmons told Advertiser sport: “I think it would be another massive blow to us if we were to lose Barry Smith to St Mirren. That would mean we would lose another top young manager at almost the same point of the season again. We struggled a wee bit for a spell after Paul left midway through last season, but Barry came in and settled us down. He has put his own ideas across this season and the results he has got as a result have been brilliant.

“There is no surprise from any of us in the dressing room though at him being linked because we know he is a top manager. In football, everyone wants to better themselves and test their skills at the highest level, and I don’t think anyone would have any problem with that if it comes about.” Simmons reckons the Wasps fell short of their best in the 2-0 defeat to Hibs at Easter Road, but he believes it came down to not getting the right breaks in the match as they were cruelly punished by a fluke second goal.

He said: “I don’t think we lacked the belief to win, but I do think we let ourselves in terms of our performance. We gave away silly free kicks and there was a number of areas we have improve on. We had a great spell in the game just after they get their second and the ball just wouldn’t break for us.

“There was still twenty minutes left at that point and I think if we get a goal at that point then we had them under some severe pressure to look for an equaliser, but it just wasn’t to be. The second goal is a sheer fluke which is frustrating. He tries to bring the ball down and it goes over the goalie so there is nothing we can do about that.” Alloa now get set to face runaway SPFL Championship leaders Hearts at Tynecastle, but the former Gorgie Road favourite reckons his current side can give them a run for their money.

The fan’s favourite is confident of putting Robbie Nielson’s men to the test come Saturday, but believes their chances will be boosted if they can get some of their top team stars back as the injury crisis at the Indodrill Stadium begins to ease.

Simmons added: “We have had a number of boys out through illness and injury, but hopefully now we can get a number of them back in time for Hearts and the more we can get back then the better chance we will have.

“Hearts unbeaten run has to come to and end sometime so next week is as good a time as any. We go into every game looking to win it, we did that against Hibs, but let ourselves down a wee bit so we will look to put that right on Saturday.”