I’m in a Good place now
SPFL PLAY-OFFS Jim has learned from final agony ALLOA v DUMBARTON Fight can bring out our best STEN’MUIR v PETERHEAD
BY ALAN MARSHALL JIM GOODWIN insists Alloa are better prepared to take their second chance in the Championship play-off final. The Wasps manager feels his side have come a long way in the 12 months since losing out to Brechin on penalties last season. Goodwin says lessons have been learned from last May’s play-off agony that can give Alloa the edge over Dumbarton tonight. Goodwin said: “I don’t think the squad is any better player-wise than a year ago but we have more momentum behind us and feel better prepared for the challenge that lies ahead.
“Last time it was my first time as a manager in the play-offs and I feel I know more now than I did a year ago.
“That does not necessarily mean we will beat Dumbarton but it means we are much more ready to do so. I am pleased with where we are. “We got the job done at Raith. I am looking for us to get it done in this game and be in a good place for Sunday.” Midfielder Steven Hetherington is Alloa’s only injury absentee for tonight’s first leg at Indodrill Stadium. While Wasps boss Goodwin is in confident mood, Stephen Aitken is hoping Dumbarton have shaken off their semi-final nerves. The Sons gaffer is looking for a more relaxed performance tonight after scraping through on Saturday. Aitken said: “We have a lot to lose but hopefully we have the nerves out of our system now as having them did not help at the weekend.
“It was a nervous and edgy display. Arbroath gave us a real fright but we came through it and now we will look to do that in two more high-pressure games.”
Aitken is not surprised to be facing Wasps in the fight for a Championship place because he felt they caught hurting Raith at the right time.
He said: “I thought they would beat Raith in the other semi as it would have been difficult for manager Barry Smith to lift his players after losing the league.
“We had a dip after losing the Irn-Bru Cup Final and it took us games to recover but Raith had no time to get over it.”
Craig Barr returns from a ban but there are injury doubts over Kyle Hutton and Calum Gallagher. BROWN FERGUSON reckons Stenhousemuir are the underdogs in their showdown with Peterhead.
And that’s despite six wins and a draw in Stenny’s last eight games against tonight’s visitors.
Ferguson said: “They were favourites to win League Two and while they did not manage to do that they will be looking to get promoted via this route.
“Playing them brings out the best in our players. But we can’t fail to recognise how good they are. They have quality players and are strong favourites so there is a big task ahead of us.”
Colin McMenamin, who has a broken arm, is the Warriors’ only absentee for the League One play-off final.
And David McCracken could return to Peterhead’s starting line-up with Mason Robertson struggling.
Blue Toon boss Jim McInally won’t set up with a defensive formation in tonight’s first leg.
He said: “You can sit in and end up with penalties, there’s no point going down a silly route like that. We’ll go out to win this leg and do the same on Saturday.”