Terry Christie: 'Paul Hartley is going in at the deep end, but I think he'll do well and Alloa are a great club'

The first difficulty that has to be overcome is the transition from being one member of a team, as Paul was at Aberdeen until just a couple of weeks ago, to being in charge of that team, and the man who has to take responsibility for the results.

I was lucky when I took charge of my first club because I was already managing people every day in my other job as a headteacher, but Paul is not in that position, so he will have to learn quickly.

There is huge pressure on a manager, and one thing he has to do is make himself fireproof. You do that by ensuring your technical knowledge of the game is first rate, and by preparing thoroughly so that, if you do lose on the Saturday, the players can't blame you for things that have gone wrong - or at least they are less likely to do so.

You need those players on your side, obviously, so you should never try to score points off them in team talks. And you shouldn't refer to your own playing career either, or say: "I used to do this or that." They'll know what someone like Paul has done as a player, so they won't need reminded.

Finding new players is crucial, too, and that often depends on other contacts you have within the game as well as your own knowledge and scouting ability. In Paul's own case he has one great advantage in that respect: the solution in his own hands, as he can pick himself. He's still only 34 and, if he plays, he'll be the best player in the Third Division by a million miles.

He must play as often as possible, simply because of the influence that will have on the team's results. Having said that, being a new player/manager is even tougher than being simply a manager, because at times you are too concerned about your own game to be able to make an accurate assessment of how the team are playing.

And when disappointments come along, as they will do sooner or later, every manager has to learn to take them in his stride. Again, it can be harder for a player/manager to do that.

So the three factors Paul has to master are: being a good manager of people; having the technical knowledge; and finding players. At some clubs, some of the time, a fourth factor can be just as vital: managing the board. You want the directors to support you, not be undermining you, so getting them onside is extremely important.

Paul is going in at the deep end, and he will need good people about him, but I think he'll do well.Alloa are a great club with a terrific board - they're some of the friendliest, most helpful people in the game - and that, along with his ability and intelligence, will help him quickly come to terms with the job.

• Terry Christie was manager of Alloa Athletic from 1999 to 2003. He also managed Meadowbank Thistle and Stenhousemuir, among other clubs.