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DNZY
I begin a new chapter of the quest to conquer the notorious British Steel Challenge 2016.
I will be giving account of my journey every three game months. The first update will be coming soon...
Seasons:
2015 - Cabinteely
DNZY
January 2015
Starting off in my home country again, taking the helm at one of the most unknown footballing powers, Cabinteely FC. Or how I like to call it..the kip five minutes down the road from me! Arguably the team with the least experience in the whole of British Isles and Ireland, I'll happily start from scratch. Especially with my horrible stats. Also, I couldn't help but notice this tweet from the club's official Twitter.
I mean it couldn't be a simpler choice.
Fun fact about Cabinteely, they don't even play in Cabinteely. Their home games are played in Stradbrook, Blackrock...about 15 minutes away.
Seem quite healthy financially too. (For a First Division Irish side).
Next update: April 2015
DNZY
January 2015 - March 2015: "What fresh hell is this?"
So starting the first few weeks at Stradbrook and the immediate reaction is "why have I come here?". But yes, it has been pretty shocking. Well maybe that's an overstatement considering our feeble reputation but nonetheless it has been a bit deflating. That being said, I'm not expecting miracles in the first season and must remain professional.
...yeah...may need to rethink my strategy. The results haven't been good but at least we do score goals but doesn't justify the performance. I mean we didn't even come out with a friendly win either. Anyways cracking on with the results from the league.
Eliminated vs. DundalkPretty much thrown in at the deep end for my managerial debut against high-flying Dundalk. It might have been a poor choice of tactic but going 4-0 after 25 minutes is unacceptable at any level so a few changes were needed. And it started to work! Got back to 4-2 within seven second half minutes but fell flat on our face again coming to the dying moments. It was a good second half performance. Plus now it meant more focus on the league.
First match in the league against the students of UCD and we pretty much were 'schooled'.
So our first home game of the season welcomed the Wexford Youths in their camp pink and black. We were starting to find our shape again and posed threats within the first five minutes. However, it was Wexford who struck first. It didn't start off too well in the second half as with only 46 seconds, the margin doubled through Dean Broaders. An impact substitute loomed with Dean Ebbe firing us back into the game but we ran out of steam. 13 shots / 4 on target - the ratios starting to look better, but the scoreline didn't match.
What next for us? Oh, yes. A trip to Tolka Park and the favourites for the title, Shelbourne. Pessimistically, I fancied us to lose by more than three. But no. We hit them first through a defensive mishap, allowing Shane O'Neill doubling his goal tally for the season. And we looked strong! Almost making it two only for Dean Ebbe to fire straight at the keeper. Suddenly it led to a second half collapse with an equaliser, arguably against the run of play. Our team still went with an attacking mentality and almost clenched the lead with elevent minutes left only for a point blank save from the Shelbourne 'keeper. Frustration mounted after one of the worst kickouts from a goalkeeper I've experienced gifted the goal which sunk our chances of coming away with anything. Confidence destroyer right there.
It felt as if we were on the upward curve given the performances so far and Stradbrook hosted Cobh Ramblers for our fourth match of the league. Peaking a bit of confidence pre-match but it did not show one bit on the pitch. Messy, untidy, unconvincing football leaving no shot on target from six shots. To be fair, we were lucky to only concede two.
To sum up the performances so far, much work to do. Leaking goals doesn't help either so hopefully I can find a suitable tactic to play to our philosophy. But another problem is the morale...
Next Update: May 2015
Cymro
All the best with this.
DNZY
Dan
DNZY
April 2015 - May 2015: "A complete turnaround!"
After a particularly grim spell of recurring defeats, the Cabo boys finally found form...and in style! Team spirit has well and truly been lifted with four wins in five matches in the month of April and the first day in May. Perhaps the jury isn't out after all!
Although we are still quite a bit a distance from the summit, it looks much better than being grounded at the wrong end of the table. Spirited performances against tough opposition and keeping firm at the back helping us on the way.
At last! Our first three points of the season at home to Finn Harps. Goals from Purdy and O'Neill proving decisive. It was a tactical tweak going from a 4-4-2 Skinny Diamond to a 4-4-1-1 that finally cracked the code to win. Question is, would it spill over to the next games or was it a one off?
De Town, Athlone Town were our next opposition with a fair trip to the Midlands. It seems our team bus was well and truly left on the pitch as we seriously parked it in our own half and somehow sealed a point. Athlone registered 18 shots with 8 on target compared to our measly 4 to 1 ratio. But that only shot on target was vital with another goal from our golden boy Shane O'Neill. Molloy may have breached our defence but I'd happily take the point all day long.
Another match on the road, this time down the south to Waterford United, hoping to sneak more points. Careless antics giving away possession cheaply gave Waterford a soft 1-0 advantage at the half hour mark. However, we responded brightly with our Nigerian-Irish brickhouse Victor Ekanem powering in a header five minutes later. Suddenly, the tempo was in our favour and we were rewarded for our efforts with a penalty with the last quarter of the game remaining. Duly deserved victory and amazingly, our winning attitude started to show.
Back to Stradbrook for the local "derby" against U.C.D., hoping to compensate for our opening defeat to them. A structured defensive line was key here and somehow against the run of play an own goal gifted us the lead and the eventual win! Considering it took up more than an hour to get our first shot on target! The students did not become the masters on this occasion.
The start of May represents the beginning of summer. For us, it represented a fourth win in five as we kicked the Wexford Youths off the park with a clinical individual display for interim striker Dean Ebbe. With a cup match looming midweek, a few faces were rested and it worked for us! Wexford condemned to only their second defeat of the season.
Decent enough draw, but going to Flancare might be a big ask. The board only expect us to compete and weren't expecting us to get past the second round anyways.
Really, FM? Really? The same fixture but in reverse.
Well, I may not have won but I'm glad my form was recognised for manager of the month, sealing second. Bear in mind this was announced BEFORE with Wexford match.
Shane O'Neill also managed to come second, this time for goal of the month. Didn't see the winner but Shane's was quite decent to say the least.
A few number of fixtures, quite big fixtures at that. Might tire out some players but trying to maintain this record could prove to be even tougher.
Next Update: End of May 2015
JamesBCrazy
DNZY
It's definitely up in my last post, but here it is again for your convenience.
Dan
DNZY
Just a simple tactical change paid huge dividends! Hopefully it will hold!
May 2015: "A sweet month with a bitter aftertaste."
To put things bluntly, it was a month spent riding on luck. Though luck equals wins and wins help us climb the table. Albeit playing careful football on the counter but for a team of our caliber its certainly overachieving beyond expectations. Despite the first and last match in the month of May, we looked quite impressive.
Keeping ourselves on the hunt for a top position, the Waterford defeat dented our confidence a bit. The defeat helped us slip from second to fourth going into the second half of the season. The Wexford boys seem to be proving a handful at the top but only five points to make up in order to dethrone them. Seems a bit wedged with a cluster of teams lying around me.
A tricky game to start off the month with a return fixture against Shelbourne. Fair to say this game hasn't the most glamorous with very little in terms of goal mouth action but nevertheless we handed their ass to them after an own goal and Dean Ebbe putting the cherry on top. Shels finished the game with ten men but posed us little threat with eleven anyways.
A long four hour trip to Cork to face Cobh Ramblers proved to be worth it with another glittering display. The first fixture ended in complete disappointment but revenge is a dish best served with Ebbe and Brown. It also helped us to our fifth consecutive victory in the league.
Athlone Town may be team struggling at the foot of the table but are proven to be a slippery bunch. Definitely rode our luck for this one as we deservedly went behind through early pressure in the opening eleven minutes. Despite getting a fortunate penalty, maybe a harsh one at that, we drew level from our right back Sean Burke. By my standards it was not good enough, but inspiration unraveled in the second half with a Purdy display. Richie was a hot potato and too hot to handle for De Town's defense, opening them up at any given opportunity. That said, it was a fortunate win.
Outshone, outplayed and battered against Waterford United to put an end to our winning streak. Simply awful, not even getting a shot on target. The first ten minutes were a killer to our hopes. Another charitable o.g. at one end to a silly o.g. at the other to put us 3-1 behind at half time. Nothing uplifted them in the second half and the nail in the proverbial coffin well and truly stuffed us. Not a great way to end the month.
Eliminated vs. Longford TownIt was the Don Cowan show as Longford Town's dominance in the first half ended our hopes to make the third round. A weakened team but no end product. Depth in squad doesn't look exactly promising.
Huzzah! My superiority shows by winning the MOTM award. Despite the woeful last performance I was top dog, grabbing four wins from five in May.
Since the month of June looks a little bare, I'll go for a blockbuster update with the months of June and July in one post. Three away matches in a row, starting with the FAI Cup against Longford won't help. U.C.D., Wexford and Shelbourne are three huge back to back games where we need at least six points from. Luckily no Waterford in sight.
Next Update: End of July 2015
DNZY
June-July 2015: "A summer of frustration."
A bumper amount of games, both crucial and important. The trio of matches involving UCD, Wexford Youths and Shelbourne I was hoping to get six points from, only managing one. Incredibly disappointing. Our cup hopes were torn up, shredded and stamped on by Longford. Few wins here and there but the pressure is beginning to mount and I'm wondering if we can hold on.
It seems our title hopes are a fickle memory now. Not a hope we'll catch Wexford at this rate. Our only saving grace would be to snatch a playoff place, but with the teams below us, we'll need to rely on good fortune to hold out at this rate.
Our furthest away trip came up in Ballybofey as Finn Harps welcomed us. Can't say that I was too surprised at the result as our dominance showed on the day. Two wins from two against the Donegal side.
The first of the big three came about as we took on the students of U.C.D. for the third time. The temptation to smash my keyboard was real in this one as we blew an enormous amount of chances as the stats below will tell you. Credit has to be given the UCD 'keeper pulling off heroics to keep us at bay. Very disappointed we couldn't get more than a point.
The biggy was up next, facing Wexford Youths at Stradbrook. The Youths has the league almost by the balls at this stage so at least a point was needed. Nope. Despite upping the ante in the first half, we fell behind and from there on in it was a mountainous climb. Eric Molloy sunk our hopes and left us for dead. Gutted.
Isn't it incredible how one incident can turn a game on it's head? Well we were cursed by Kevin Knight's early booking in the second half to earn us a harsh defeat to the Shels at Tolka Park. Conor Foley curled a delicious shot from the edge of the area into the back of the net to put us in front at the break. However, defending was on our agenda following the red card and two goals, no less than sixty seconds apart left us with no points. I was reaching boiling point at that stage.
What would make this stage better for us was three points against Cobh Ramblers, considering they were one of the chasing pack. Not the most entertaining match, but a rare goal from Alan Cawley sealed the deal and hopefully would kick us back into shape.
Athlone Town was our next trip, knowing full well that this would be a much harder match than it seemed given our last two. Surprisingly, it was more comfortable than that with two first half goals from Conor Foley and Alan Cawley. However, the comfort zone was breached due to one of the most absurd own goals from my goalkeeper Cathal Gillen.
Well...Finn Harps definitely got their revenge from me. Disastrous to say the least. Never really looked like posing a threat in front of goal. A very poor way to end the month of July.
Eliminated vs. Longford TownThe board are willing to hang onto me for now. Just waiting to seal the deal on a new contract. However, there were already two casualties.
The Finn Harps one was inevitable, but UCD's form took a huge tumble which saw Colin O'Neill on the firing floor.
Luckily I'm not involved on here....yet...
Four important games where I need at least, AT LEAST two wins from them.
Next Update: End of August 2015
DNZY
August 2015: "A miserable run-in to the finish line."
Coming towards the end of the first season and things have taken a turn for the worst. Injuries, suspensions and rotten results mean we now go chasing for the playoffs. Wexford Youths have been too hot to handle and seem to be charging to the league title. With my best centre back and strike force all in the hospital beds, one can only hope for a speedy recovery.
Cobh Ramblers have now snatched our place in the playoffs, but we still need to face them for the last time so anything goes. More concerned about losing our top half status with a few teams sniffing around. Might pay off as we reach the end but our ambition to make the promotion/relegation playoff is still achievable.
Revenge was on the cards as we traveled down to skanger town, er, I mean Waterford United. By the way they were playing they were set out to snap legs, bite faces and slash throats, which they ultimately did. Four injuries. FOUR. Luckily, one of them was a stubbed toe but three faced lengthy spells on the sidelines. Despite that, we went in front from a rare Sodiq Oguntola goal. But they felt they had the last laugh, draining an equaliser while we were down to ten men. However, justice prevailed with a sweetly struck Alan Cawley free kick in injury time. Suck on that you c***s!
This was a classic case of reviving form as it was a woeful spell for U.C.D. as manager Colin O'Neill hit the sack. The Students lost their last six, but amazingly found form against us. Typical. Another red card changed the game in the second half and we folded like origami.
High flying Wexford Youths were up next, knowing a defeat will all but end our hopes of the title. And it proved to be just. Stayed on the back foot for most of it, but with a late red for Peter Higgins, we sought hope. Peppered the goal a few times but to no avail. Gutting defeat.
A second half capitulation saw our way out of the playoffs with an embarrassing display against Shelbourne at home. Our home form has been woeful and added to that with a spanking from Benrouguibi, having a hand in all three goals. Full time could not come soon enough.
The last four are crucial, and none more crucial than going to Cobh. Should we lose, a four point gap gapes. Luckily bottom half teams will see us out but none should be left for granted. This is mission improbable.
Next Update: End of 2015 Season
DNZY
September-October 2015 (End of 2015 Season): "Close, but no cigar."
Some might call this season a brave success, I find it a missed opportunity for greater things. With a playoff spot in our hands, we really needed to push on. Only a handful of wins would secure it, especially with a match with Cobh Ramblers in the wakes.
Those two defeats may be very costly.
Saved by the bell! Shane O'Neill was our saviour to snatch a goal at the death to take a point. It meant we were still in contention for a shot at the playoffs still one point behind the Cork side.
The only team in the league we haven't been on the end of a defeat, Athlone Town, was a big match. Cobh slipped to a midweek defeat to UCD due to a cup match clash, meaning Cobh played on Wednesday and were battered 3-0. No other option but to win and a win we managed! A debutant of Stephen Hanley proved to be a gamble but paid off with a glittering display along with Richie Purdy grabbing a second. Of course Athlone kept it interesting with a goal back but we were now up to third thanks to it!
A team who were getting on my nerves, Finn Harps cut us open again and demolished us 3-0. No chance of us getting a toehold. However, our luck prevailed as Cobh fell to a 2-1 defeat to Wexford to keep us in the driving seat.
The big concern was goal difference..
Bottled it! Despite a good first half, Waterford bombarded us with shots left, right and center to claim a 2-1 victory. All we could hope for was a Cobh defeat at Shelbourne.
Gutted. Nabbed in the last match to let the Ramblers sneak in under to leapfrog us. However, Shelbourne did the kind favour of demolishing them in the playoffs and eventually going up by defeating Cork City in the final. Glad we managed to stay fourth, but when you get that close, you just wish you could hang on to it.
Next Update: End of Season Awards/Overview 2015 Season
DNZY
End of 2015 Season Overview
Competitions Overview:
No major strives in the cup competitions, however fourth place in the league was a great feat and will be looking to improve on that.
Quite surprised to see Alan Cawley in AMC given he was a bit of a scalp compared to others like Conor Foley. Was also a difficult own to decide between Shane O'Neill and Dean Ebbe, but despite being injured for a lengthy spell Ebbe took the lone striker role. No complaints about GK and defence.
Not a surprise as he was a cut above the rest in my humble opinion. Always looked rock solid as a center back, despite a broken leg causing him to miss the final quarter of the season. I have seen him play in real life too and I know of his quality so I was relieved when he finally gave into signing a new deal for us until the end of 2016 too.
Claiming the bronze glove was my 'keeper Cathal Gillen who helped us to good results during the season and keeping 7 clean sheets in the league.
Also, an encouraging personal accolade coming just second best to Shane Keegan understandably but glad my achievements are getting acknowledged!
Not a bad intake, hope they can make some impact in the up and coming seasons.
Oh, and something else happened...
NEW DEAL! Time to pop the very cheap and cheerful bottle of cava.
Next Update: Pre-Season/Transfers 2016 Season
Cymro
DNZY
Don't jinx it!
DNZY
Winter Break-Start of 2016 Season - Transfers Round Up & Pre-Season
Transfers:
I didn't exactly 'splash the cash' however a few investments were carried out over the course of the transfer window. On the way out were a four players, sadly including John McKeown who hasn't interested in renewing his contract due to ambition issues. The rest were effectively dead wood players. As for the transfers in, a few soft spots for Malahide players whom I worked with in FM14, most notably my star man Anthony Bolger. Although 22, I feel he will excel at this level once he gets into the strive.
Greater detail of these signings can be found here:
Jake Hyland - M/AM(C) (free transfer from Malahide United)
The number one item on the shopping list was a replacement for John McKeown and I immediately swooped this player up. Looks brilliant for a division of this caliber. More inclined to field him as a BBM as opposed to bring him up to a AMC to partner Alan Cawley as a sort of 'mini-reunion' as Malahide players combine in the center of the park.
Marco Chindea - AM(RL)/M(RL) (unattached)
Next step was to increase the firepower on the wings. Let go by Athlone last season, Marco looks a worthy candidate with good pace. I may work on his crossing to make him look a bit more dangerous.
Robbie Gaul - D(RC)/DM/M(C) (unattached)
Not entirely sure who let go of Robbie, but he'll be key to fill in at the back or the rock between our defense and midfield. Defensively, we looked unstable last season and with his versatility, I'm sure Robbie will feature around some area. Not the best stats, but a team player for sure.
Manny Kaguako - D(RL) (free transfer from Tolka Rovers)
Before you ask, he has resided in Ireland for the last number of years, qualifying him as an Irish citizen and therefore eligible in the challenge. Again, better defense will help us out this season and Manny could prove to be a big player. Good stats defensively.
Connor Deards- ST(C) (free transfer from Swilly Rovers)
Swilly Rovers had a great campaign in the EA Sports cup, making it to the final and Connor played integral parts in it. Supposedly a target man with a heading of 5 is pretty atrocious but as a poacher or advanced forward with a finishing of 12, it could help us score goals. This guy could spark magic.
Anthony Bolger - ST(C) (free transfer from Malahide United)
A sort of homecoming to be under my managerial prowess again, the ginger ninja himself Anthony Bolger. Provided wonders for me in FM14 and have signed him up in hope he can help out again. Not impressive statwise, but the plan is to loan him out before he cements himself in the first team. I have faith he can show what he is capable of.
Paul Phelan - M/AM(L)/M(C) (free transfer from Ferrybank)
More of a backup since the number of left sided midfielders in our team is slim, but could be a solid winger for us when he gets game time. Temporary signing for now.
Dean Murphy - M/AM(L)/M(C) (free transfer from Cherry Orchard)
After Victor Ekanem's broken leg, it was clear we seriously needed a good center back to partner him on his return. Dean has good heading stats to help us with aerial challenges and should galvanize the defense.
...I really need a new assistant. Hopefully this doesn't spill over into our league form.
First particularly competitive game of the season was at Dalymount Park to take on Bohemians. The scoreline didn't exactly reflect their greater force compared to us and we gave it a good shot. Connor Deards bagged his first goal on his debut which was promising too. Mickey Mouse cup as far as I'm concerned.
...definitely seems to be a trend here. None of them offered me interviews so there was no problem with my security at Cabinteely.
And that's us out of the first round.
Tough run in with Cork and Bray back to back, plus our now bogey side Finn Harps away. The big one though is trying to get one over the team that snatched a playoff from me last season Cobh Ramblers. Trying to settle an old score.
Next Update: End of March 2016
DNZY