Managers post Alloa Athletic

Link to audio of both managers’ post match comments

Allan Johnston felt that it wasn’t much of a game:-

“Both teams probably cancelled each other out. I can’t remembe4 too many saves by either goalkeeper. Obviously it was good to get a clean sheet but we have to do a lot better going forward with the creative players that we have got.”

The manager was disappointed that the chances created were not converted:-

“Especially when you have that many forward thinking players on the pitch. You are hoping for a wee bit of creativity, somebody to produce a chance or more shots. We took too many touches sometimes and got caught on the ball. We didn’t get shots away and put crosses in. There is a lot that we can improve on but sometimes that happens when we are on a run like we are just now.”

In reply to suggestion that there was a lack of inspiration, AJ replied:-

“It is a young team possibly not used to handling situations like this when the crowd are on their back a bit. It is learning to deal with that, it is part and parcel of football when you are getting a wee bit of stick you have to have that composure to get on the ball. It happens at every club.

“You are obviously going to get a bit of stick, at the end of the day we know that it has to be better as well. With the creativity that we have got we have to be scoring more goals. We are disappointed not to win and rightly so.

“We should be expected to win games like this but there are no easy games in this division and you can see why Alloa have had three draws already. You can see why they have frustrated a lot of the teams. They slow the game down, they get behind the ball, they make it difficult and take the tempo out of the game.

“I don’t think they pressed us high up the pitch, obviously there were times when they tried to press but if they are pressing like that we should be able to pass the ball and get in between them. That’s the wee bits that we need to improve on - taking responsibility to get on the ball and when we have got it cutting out that slack pass.”

So how easy is it going to be to improve things quickly?

“I think we are better away from home to be honest. That has been the case probably since the start of the season. We need to improve our home form. Going away from home, I think there is more pressure on the home team. Hopefully we can go out, get the goals that we are looking for and get back on track.”

The manager confirmed that the absence of Kallum Higginbotham was due to his impending visit to see a specialist.

“There is every chance that he will need an operation. Ryan Williamson picked up a knock in the Scotland game so he should hopefully be available for next week.”

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