By Chris Mac
August 15 2003

After a good win and a good game mid-week against Morton. Airdrie United return to league duties and our first home league match against Alloa Athletic.

Unconfirmed reports have it that Stephen McKeown has a broken ankle following the last Morton game and will be in plaster for a minimum of six weeks. Sandy has other doubts through-out the team and a few last minute fitness checks will have to be carried out before the games kicks off.

From a fans point of view, it shows a weakness in the team especially in mid-field , Stephen Docherty played the right wing back position on Tuesday night due to an injury to Willie Wilson, if we are forced to use the same this week who fills the gap in mid-field. Lee Gardner is still out with a groin strain picked up in the friendly against Dundee Utd. That leaves Paul Ronald who looked more composed against Morton and Darren Miller who has been fighting for his chance to get into the first team. Is Saturday the right time to bring some youth in?

Below I have had a look at the possible re-arrangements that may be needed those in red are the players I would use in yellow the secondary choices, only five players in the team I think are definites and in their correct positions.

Mark McGeown

Alan McManus    Sandy Stewart    Neil McGowan

Stephen Docherty/Willie Wilson                                Kenny Black/David Dunn

Marvyn Wilson            Darren Miller/ Paul Ronald

Mark Roberts/Martin Glancy/Alan Gow

Jerome Varielle           Alan Gow/Mark Roberts       

Terry Christie of Alloa, who it turns out watched us on Tuesday night has rated us the best team in this division, thanks very much. He hopes to bring a full squad through to Airdrie but is waiting on at least two fitness reports.

Past meetings between Airdrie and Alloa

 

	Airdrie  wins	draws	Alloa Athletic wins
League	23	6	10
FA Cup	4	1	0
League Cup	2	0	0
Other	1	0	1
Total	30	7	11

Biggest defeat to Alloa:

Scottish Division 1

Alloa Athletic

6-0

Airdrie (old)

27-03-2001

Biggest Win

1954/1955

Scottish Division 2 (old)

Airdrie

5-1

Alloa Athletic

Biggest Scoring game

1948/1949

Scottish Division 2 (old)

Alloa Athletic

4-5

Airdrie

Latest game

2001/2002
Scottish League Challenge Cup	Airdrie (old)	2-1	Alloa Athletic	14-10-2001

Should be a good game tomorrow, Alloa seem to be one of the teams who go up and down on a regular basis from the Second and First divisions, but I would and have predicted a healthy win for the Diamonds