Alloa’s Jordan Kirkpatrick wins Ladbrokes League 1 Player of the Month
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Jordan Kirkpatrick is Ladbrokes League 1’s Player of the Month for August following a stunning start to the season, and the Alloa ace is putting his goal-happy start down to the guidance of manager Jack Ross.
Having joined in the summer from Dumbarton, Kirkpatrick has scored eight goals in total as Alloa extended their unbeaten run from last season to 19 games, before it was ended by Livingston last weekend.
Alloa currently sit second in the table, just one point behind Brechin City, thanks in no small part to the form of Kirkpatrick, but the modest 24-year-old insists he has his manager and team-mates to thank for winning August’s gong.
Speaking exclusively to Ladbrokes News, Kirkpatrick said: “To be honest, I’d have to say it’s been down to the rest of the team, and definitely the manager.
“Obviously I wouldn’t be getting the chances if the boys weren’t creating them for me, so massive compliments to them for creating and giving me the chance to get these goals.
“The gaffer has helped a lot – not just with me – in terms of confidence and expressing ourselves. He’s helped me enjoy playing again.
“A lot of the boys in the team probably haven’t enjoyed it as much over the last couple of seasons as they have this season under the gaffer.
Kirkpatrick first worked under Ross while the latter was assistant manager at Dumbarton: “He is very good one-to-one with you and knows a lot about the game. From what I witnessed at Dumbarton, he helped a lot of the boys there.
“He’s come here and we all saw a turn-around from Alloa last year, even though they were at the stage where they were facing relegation, they still managed to become a bit more stable and consistent.
“It just shows you that he can definitely go very far in the game if he just keeps doing what he’s doing.
“He’s always involved with the boys at training and he’s always getting involved in the banter, so he’s good that way.
“But if there’s wee spells where he can get a chance to pull you aside and have a wee one-to-one then he’ll give you some tips on things you’ve done and the weekend and where you can improve.
“He’s all about trying to progress the boys. He’s not about keeping them where they are, he’s trying to get them to go as far as they can, which we all notice and appreciate.”
Kirkpatrick spent the second half of last season on loan at Clyde in Ladbrokes League 2, and recognises the part The Bully Wee have played in helping him rediscovering his form.
Having turned down the opportunity of a permanent move to Broadwood in the summer, Kirkpatrick is still thankful for his short time with the Cumbernauld club.
He added: “When I was at Clyde it was all about getting back to playing football again and enjoying it, and I appreciated that and the help from the gaffer Barry Ferguson.
“Clyde was all about getting more game time, but when the gaffer offered me the chance to come to Alloa it was a no-brainer because of my past experience with him at Dumbarton.
“I had a really good time with him there and it seemed like the obvious choice to sign with him again.”
Kirkpatrick and his team-mates face a trip to Hampden to take on Queens Park this weekend, with The Wasps 4/5 favourites to get back to winning ways.
And in the Ladbrokes League 1 goal race, Kirkpatrick is a tempting 4/1 to win this season’s accolade, and he’ll be sure to come good on those odds should he maintain his excellent form.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
