Trying to figure out what a new manager will do with his first starting line-up could be a confusing business, particularly if that new manager has to decide whether to play himself.
But Darren Dods doesn’t expect too many shocks in rookie Alloa boss Jim Goodwin’s team-sheet at Glebe Park this afternoon, nor in his tactics.
Dods, himself a player/manager, explained: “Jim was part of the coaching set-up under Jack Ross and it is staying pretty much the same I think.
“They’ve been going well and I wouldn’t think he would change things too much.
“The big decision he’ll have to make is does he play himself? He was suspended for their last two games but is available this weekend.
“Their last game was on TV so I watched that obviously and we’ve got a good idea of how they’ll set up.”
On his departure to St Mirren, Ross stated that he expected Alloa to win the league. Dods will hope he’s wrong, of course, but the former Dundee United and St Johnstone defender certainly expects today’s visitors to stay towards the top of the table for the rest of the season
“You would probably say that if you finished above Alloa and Livingston you would have a great chance of winning the league,” he said.
Dods arranged a closed-doors match with Cowdenbeath during the international break, which provided game-time for players who haven’t been first team regulars.
Now he’s hoping that his table-topping side can pick up where they left off at Stranraer a fortnight ago.
He said: “We were in good form before the break so ideally we would have kept going and played Alloa rather than having a rest.
“Hopefully our form will be just as good tomorrow and we can get another three points.”
Chris O’Neil’s hamstring injury continues to keep him out of contention.
