SamLea10 - Comments

We kicked off the month with a home game against surprisingly bottom of the league Stockport County. I changed the formation to a 4-1-4-1 in an attempt to give us a little more solidarity in defence and that decision paid dividends. We ran out 2-0 winners (Yes nil), curtesy of goals from youngster Stephen Foster and debutant Lain Howard who is on loan from Stockport! Mostly delighted with our 1st league clean sheet however Stockport were so poor it was untrue as they failed to hit a shot on target. One major negative to come out of this game, Nathan Rooney picked up a hamstring injury and will be out for 6 weeks.

Ethan Moore got back to scoring ways as we lost away at Vauxhall in a entertaining game. It was more or less a case of them taking their chances and we didn’t they raced into a 2 goal lead and we could never quite recover despite clawing 1 back before half time.

A 1st away clean sheet of the season against 3rd placed Guiseley helped us to a rare away win. A great solo goal from Tom Taylor and a 2nd half penalty from Ashley Kington sealed the all 3 points, in what was our most commanding away performance of the season.

It was a case of 1 step forward then 2 steps back as we lost 5-0 at home to the hands of struggling Barrow. Everything they hit went in, it was a simple as that on the day. We were terrible.

I was really proud of the team as we bounced back from our horror show against Barrow, with an outstanding 4-1 win at Gainsborough. Before the game I advanced the 4-1-4-1 system we have being using in the last few games, giving more clear instructions to individual players. This worked wonders as some of our ‘steady eddies’ were stand out performers. Geohaghan grabbed 2 goals from corners and was dominant in the air throughout. Kington put in a performance that meant Nathan Rooney’s absence from the side went unnoticed, he scored a 25 yard drive. Ethan Moore was also back to he’s best scoring a cool finish across the keeper. Great performance.

Again another up and down month for us. Some real positivies as we kept 2 clean sheets for the 1st time this season, but old habits bit us in the back against Vauxhall and the Barrow game was embarrassing to say the least. To be fair the signings I have brought in have made a positive impact, especially down the left side where we now have a lot more competition for places. It’s great to be able to bring a player on that you think can make a difference, rather than a mistake. We currently sit in 14th, 5 points from the drop, and 9 from a play off spot with 10 games to play. It just shows that if we didn’t throw away some silly points and made ourselves a little more compact we could of been up there in a tight league. Safety is the most important thing going in to the final 10 games.

In’s and Out’s

3 players have departed on loan until the end of the season. Graham Hutchison has joined Ilkeston, Jack Dean has gone to Hinckley and Calum Flanagan who hasn’t featured this season has joined Kettering.

We’ve brought in 5 players which i’m delighted about and they should really enhance the squad.

Hednesford captain Sam Barnes has come in on loan after falling out favour and will replace Graham Huchinson’s place in the squad.
Lian Howard has signed from Stockport on loan. He will give us some much needed competition and experience on the left hand side of midfield, i’m quite surprised they have decided to let him go in all honesty.
Ricky Shakes has also been brought in on loan. He will compete for a place on the right hand side where i’ll be looking to use he’s pace from the bench more often than not. Has experience at this level and higher, great impact player.
Goalkeeper Lewis Fielding has joined on a Non-Contract basis. He will stiffen up the goalkeeping ranks, and will go in as number 1 ahead of improving loanee Luke Nalder.
And finally Theo Brown has signed on a Free from Hinckley United and has signed until the end of next season. Really excited about him looks a great prospect.
*Only Sam Barnes was brought in time to play any part in the January fixtures*
Results

We had a great start to January beating Solihull Moors, who gave us a real lesson at their place just a few games ago. We started very positively and took the game to them in the early stages. Nathan Rooney got the scoring underway with a powerful strike which the keeper got a hand to but couldn’t keep out. Exodus Geohaghan then provided us with the perfect half-time boost as he rose highest to flick the ball past Singh in the Moors goal following a deep free-kick. It wouldn’t be us if we didn’t concede as live-wire Omar Bogle netted he’s 18th league goal in 17 games with a cool finish. But we held on for a great win to put us into 9th!

Our inconstancies continued however against Bradford P.A. as we went down 2-1 away from home. Bradford are a difficult side to play against as they use a 3-5-2 system and it really doesn’t suit the style of play we use. They dominated for much of the first half and went into the break 2-0 up. I really went for it at HT and went to a 3-4-3 system which worked brilliantly and we were unfortunate in the end not to snatch a point with a flurry of late chances.

We picked up a very good away point at Histon, who are a good side. They played an attacking game and were on top in the 1st half when Kaine Sheppard put them 1 up with he’s 19th of the season. However we dug in until half time and brought on Target Man Deegan who nodded down Taundry’s cross to Geohaghan for the equaliser. From then on we edged the 2nd half and had a couple of half chances where we could of won it. Nevertheless a well earned point, Sam Barnes made a positive impact on he’s debut at Centre Half.

Disaster then struck against bottom side Colwyn Bay where we suffered a 3-2 home loss. We were the better side throughout but yet again poor defending cost us despite keeping their attacks down to a minimum. It was 3-2 at the break, but it just wasn’t our day as we hit the bar and missed good chances. Just shows anyone can beat anyone on there day in this division.

Unfortunately, our game against Vauxhall was postponed due to weather conditions, and has been rescheduled for early next month.

Another indifferent month for us in terms of results, I was really pleased with the Solihull win and point at Histon, we gave it a good go at Bradford, but the loss to Colwyn Bay has left a real bitter taste going into Feburary. We need to start picking up more wins as the table is condensing and we are slipping closer to the drop zone.

We’ve managed to get a few players in during January which is really pleasing. I did initially think I would be able to get players from higher divisions on loan but that proved very difficult hence the reason we shopped around at our level, which in the long run could be a good thing as we have brought in a little more experience, especially out wide. Main highlight for me is securing Theo Brown’s signature until 2015, he’s got real potential and I am becoming a little concerned about the amount of Non-Contract players we have.

Another mixed bag for us this month as consistency evades us further. We made a good start against struggling Oxford City as we made a better fist of combating there bustling approach. A debut goal from Steve Towers and imposing Centre-Half Geohaghan set the stage for Ethan Moore to add to he’s 11 goals this campaign.

We then played our part in a stunning game at Moss Lane. We found ourselves 3-0 down at the break, and completely outplayed by a good quality Altrincham side. However after some harsh half time words and a couple of tactical tweaks and substitutions, Target Man Ben Deegan grabbed he’s 1st and 2nd goals for the club either side of a Nathan Rooney penalty which was won by the improving Tommy Taylor.
Next up we faced Harrogate, and it was the story of 2 strikers. The clinical Ashley Worsfold scored 2 early 1st half goals, as it looked as if the points were heading to Harrogate. However Ethan Moore had other ideas scoring relatively late on in both halves to ensure we grabbed a share of the spoils in what was a very even game.

No month is complete without humbling disappointment, and this December was no different as we led 1-0 inside 5 minutes against Solihull Moors, but we soon found ourselves 3-1 down at the break. Solihull then showed their strength in depth adding Darryl Knights and Peter Till to the fold in the 2nd half as both players added to the score line. A game where cutting edge told.

We bounced back from our Boxing Day defeat with a good home win against Gloucester. Ethan Moore capped off a good move before the impressive Stephen Foster scored a placed shot on he’s competitive league debut to give me plenty of food for thought! A late Steve Towers O.G. made it an unsurprisingly anxious finish which was so disappointing as we were close to our 1st league shut out of the season.

Table



We have now crossed the midway point of the season and are heading into the new year. I see 13th place as a respectable league position for us. We have had problems at the back all season and that needs to be addressed during the January period.

3 Star Men so far; Exodus Geohaghan, Ethan Moore and Nathan Rooney have all been outstanding, the latter 2 are also starting to show real signs of improvement thanks to the game time they are receiving.

Going into the new year I find myself in a bit of a predicament as we are 8 points ahead of safety and 9 from the play-offs we do seem destined for a mid-table finish. However I am wary that in a tight league like this a turn for the better or worse in the coming games could lead to us looking at The Skrill Premier next season or us dropping into the Regional Divisions.

I am going to look at the situation of Ashley Sammons and the under performing Graham Huchinson in January. I would like to persist with Huchinson but I can’t help but feel he’s £200 per week wage bill could be spent better elsewhere. Sammons is slightly different as I haven’t really given him game time despite him being a reasonably talented player, so if we could pick up a couple of thousand for him in January I would be quite pleased.

In terms of incomings I will be looking in the loan market as I should be able to look higher up the leagues for players starved of match action at this point, so hopefully I can get some players in that will really improve the team for next to nothing.

A priority will also be to tie up Ethan Moore on extended terms. He would become our highest earner by quite a distance, but if I can free up the wage budget and tie him down until the end of next season that should be good for the long term plan. I have no chance of tying down the other 2 star men as they won’t even entertain contract talks.

1 bit of business was done in December. I forgot to mention before that in October I requested a Parent Club link for obvious reasons which saw us receive 10k from Gillingham and I have loaned young keeper Luke Nalder until the end of the season from them as Jose Veiga heads back to Tamworth as of January.

November was a month to forget as we leaked goals and lost games. We started great with a home win against struggling North Ferriby. Ethan Moore scoring 2 goals before the visitors pulled one back 15 minutes before time. This took us to 3 straight wins in the league and I was really hoping to push on...

But it wasn’t to be, an away trip to Harrogate stimulated our decline as Nathan Rooney grabbed 2 second half goals including a 30 yard drive to put us 2-1 up with 20 minutes to go. For us to throw away the points thanks to 2 lapses of concentration within 2 minutes to ensure the points stayed in Harrogate.

We then got exactly what we deserved against Stalybridge, who found themselves 4 up at the break. Another shocking defensive display, the only positive being Luke Hubbins as he grabbed he’s first 2 goals of the campaign.

It didn’t get any easier for us as we travelled to Keys Park for an F.A. Trophy game against Hednesford Town. We gave a good account of ourselves but 2 goals in 2 minutes for Neil Harvey put us on the wrong end of another result.

Then to rub salt into the wounds, we lost 2-0 to high flying AFC Telford despite being the better side, but missed chances and defensive lapses led to another home defeat in a game where we should of picked up at least a point.

So overall a terrible month, not to many positives to take, as we seem to have taken 2 steps back in our development. Harrogate, Hednesford and Telford all find themselves vying for a play-off spot which does put the defeats into perspective and also shows that we do have some way to go if we are going to compete with the top sides in the division.

We have again had a little bit of activity in the transfer market. We have managed to secure the services of Steve Towers and Target Man Ben Deegan on loan for the rest of the season. Both players have good experience and Ben especially will give me something I don’t have in the squad at present. We will be contributing 20% of the wages for both players.

There has also been a change on the managerial front as former Preston and Liverpool striker Neil Mellor joins me as Assistant Manager whilst Matthew Gardiner departs.

Midfielder Owain Warlow has been released from he’s Non-Contract terms after failing to make an impression on the 1st team, back-up keeper Matt Sargeant has also departed following an offer from Cambridge City for he’s services

I'll upload the table next month, we currently sit just outside the relegation zone so we need a big month to push us up the league!

We have showed more signs of improvement during this period of games as we started the month with a win away against an experienced Stockport side. Moore and Rooney again with the goals in a display where we showed real grit and determination, grabbing an impressive late win.

Unfortunately, we followed this result up with a horrible display at home to lower league Ilkeston, who to be fair have got some outstanding players for the level they are at. But to lose 3-0 at home was a bitter pill to swallow to say the least. Maybe we’ll win the F.A. Cup next year eh?

Back to the league and a Nathan Rooney double ensured we got a home win against struggling Leamington. A slightly disappointing performance if i’m honest but we showed a bit of character to win a game we need to be winning which was pleasing.

We faced another struggling side in Oxford City... A game I fancied us to win as they are struggling much like Leamington. They have got 2 powerful, experienced strikers, and they bullied our defence throughout (including Geohaghan), both of them netting on what was a really poor day for us.

However we managed to finish the month on a high with double act Rooney and Moore putting us 2-0 ahead. They pulled 1 back in the 2nd half but youngster Tommy Taylor grabbed he’s 1st goal for the club beating he’s man and slotting the ball across the keeper to give us the win.

We are certainly showing signs of improvement, the only disappointing thing being our consistency levels as we are really up and down. Would of loved to progress in the F.A. Cup but it just wasn’t to be, it’s a shame because we would of received another favorable draw at home to put us in with a great chance of making the first round. Having said that I can’t moan at 3 wins out of 4 in the league and hopefully we can continue in that manner!

As i mentioned before I would again have to balance the books due to the wage restrictions we have; youngsters Josh Smith and Danny Williams have been released both failing to make a 1st team appearance for the club. We also released Ebby Nelson-Addy who has made 4 appearances at right back this term following the injury of Taundry but has been really disappointing so i’ve decided to let him go.

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In the 1st game of the month we suffered our 4th straight defeat at the hands of Bradford Park Avenue, a game we deserved nothing out of with the visitors looking more threatening throughout, clocking up double the attempts on goal than we managed.

Thankfully we managed to stop the rot against Colwyn Bay in a dramatic game where we raced into a 2-0 lead within 38 minutes before they clawed a goal back on the stroke of half time. We then conceded another shortly after the break to make it 2-2. Things then got even worse when Centre-Half Graham Huchinson got a second yellow card on 68. However some tactical adjustments saw us grab 2 goals in the space of a minute as we grabbed all 3 points!

We then welcomed Gainsborough to Aggborough in a game we should of won. Star Man Nathan Rooney got us off to a great start, we then created chances throughout the 1st 60 minutes or so but could not extend our lead. The visitors then equalized with only there 2nd shot on target in the 85th minute. Unfortunately we just can’t buy a shut out at the moment.

We played a more even game against Workington as it was the story of 2 strikers as Ethan Moore grabbed 2 goals, either side of a Tom Collins brace for the visitors. A point a fair result.

To finish off the month with 2 away games we put in a tired performance against a strong Telford side, who just had to much for us on the night despite us controlling the game in the 1st half. But we managed to win our 2nd away game within 4 days as we beat a battling Cambridge City side in the F.A Cup 2nd Qualifying Round. Youngsters James Reed and Jack Ward scoring in display that contained 8 changes.

Another up and down month for us really where we played a lot of games. I feel the more recent signings we have made have strengthened us, and I was delighted to get through to the next round of the cup where hopefully we can get a favorable draw as the extra income and publicity would be great!

Defensive frailties and tired performances are my main concern. We need at least 2 goals to win a game, I have set the training onto defensive but it’s not really making an impact for us at the moment. Exodus Geohaghan is a cut above for us at Centre-Half and is worthy of a place in a Skrill Premier side at least, whilst we have former Walsall man Richard Taundry at right who’s another top player at this level. so it is slightly surprising that our defensive record is so terrible, Ellis Deeney is improving but Hutchison has been pretty awful throughout... but I have very little room to maneuver as you can imagine. New signing Jack Dean hasn’t really set the world alight wither in he’s ball winning midfielder role which is slightly disappointing but he’s young and will improve.

To finish on a positive the form of Ethan Moore and Nathan Rooney has been outstanding up front and they’ve combined to earn us some vital points. So long may that continue!

We had a great start at home to Altrincham winning 2-1, young striker Ethan Moore bagged 2 goals which is great for he’s confidence. We did come under the cosh at times during the game but we did manage to hold on for the win which I was delighted with.

With the games coming thick and fast we managed to grab a last minute equaliser against Gloucester in which was a disappointing performance. Good to see Jack Ward get he’s 1st goal for the club, but we looked shaky at the back and we were lucky to escape with a point.

Unfortunately we then took 2 batterings at the hands of Brackley and Hednesford. The defence has been far, far to easy to breach, whilst we have failed to keep hold of the ball when in possession which is very worrying. To finish the month we gave a battling performance away to Boston which was pleasing, however our defending came to bight us in the back again as we have now conceded 14 goals in 5 games. Our attacking play however was really encouraging in the last game.

More signings...

On the back of our poor form I made 4 new signings to bulk up the squad, as we looked jaded after just a few games whilst it was clear we do need more quality.

Joe Conchie - Young right midfield player, signed on a free after being released from Tranmere, looks a good balanced player and will give us much more competition on the right hand side.



Ashley Kington - Signed on a free from Weston-super-Mare; a little more experience than the other players we have signed. Should add a bit of creativity and steel in midfield. Another Non-Contract signing.



Jack Dean - Add’s more competition in the middle of the park, can play at the back as well, looks a little different to the current crop of central midfielders we have as he looks like he can really get about. Hopefully can develop into a good player at this level.

I won't upload the table at this point as only 5 games have been played, another tough month ahead but hopefully we can pick up some points.

Thanks Dan, glad your following, I hope you enjoy it!
Should be a key player for us Rick, thanks for the support!

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In’s/Out’s and Friendly Results

Outs: As I mentioned in my previous post, I would have to balance the books somewhat. I have let 6 players go:

Aaron Williams, a promising Right winger has joined Buxton on loan until the end of the season. Buxton will be paying he’s £130 wage bill which is the main reason for he’s departure. He will hopefully develop a lot more quickly with the added game time as well.

Shabir Khan has joined Matlock on loan until the end of the season. He would of been good cover at Centre Back and Left Back, but £100 of the wage bill is too good to turn down especially with him being just a back up player.

Sam Smith has joined Hampton & Richmond on loan until the end of the season. A player I don’t particularly rate good enough for the 1st Team. The full £100 per week of he’s wages will be paid by Hampton so it’s a good deal for both parties.

Experienced defender Stuart Whitehead has been allowed to join Witton Albion on a free; at the age of 37 I saw him as a little too experienced and he’s £175 was again to high for what I see as a back up player.

Winger Danny Edwards and Centre-Half Richard Munday have also been released from there Non-Contract deals.

In’s

James Reed - Youngster has come in from Boston United; has had a little playing time with them last season in what is a strong team at this level. Promising scout report, so hopefully we can help him progress. Comes on a Non-Contract basis for now.



Tommy Taylor - Left Midfield player; bags of potential, looks to have a trick up he’s sleeve and should be a great coup for us. Joins as a free agent after being released from Burnley. I would of liked to have signed him on a deal to 2015 but he was only keen on a Non-Contract deal.



Jack Ward - Young attacking midfield player, seems to have balanced stats which i’m hoping he can improve on. Importantly he plays in the role behind the striker where I desperately needed cover. Previously at Brentford... Non-Contract again.



Stephen Foster - Comes in highly recommended, only 16 with great technical ability, can play anywhere across midfield. I’ll be looking to give him opportunities where possible, but he isn’t nailed on to make the 16 week in week out at this point. Looks great for the future.



Friendly Results:



Mixed bag really, we are struggling to adapt to the system i’m looking to play, I have got short passing set in an attempt to keep the ball on the floor and keep good possession so hopefully we can improve on that throughout the season.

I am little disappointed with some of the results but the 6-0 win over Watford gives me great encouragement for the season ahead!

I have been given a 2.2k per week wage budget to play with, however we are already slightly over that so I will have to juggle things around a little to get that back on track. We have a mix of promising youth players and some with a little more experience. Naturally the more experienced players are on the most money and a couple will have to go.

I have screen-shotted what I see as my most important players I currently have for the upcoming season below:

Exodus Geohaghan - Towering Centre-Back, has played at a much higher level than this, should be a cut above this season.



Richard Taundry - Former Walsall player, can play in a number of positions, mainly a right back or central midfield player. Good balanced stats and looks to have good delivery from set-pieces.



Nathan Rooney - Ex Wolverhampton Wanderers trainee. Looks a quality player at this level, i'll be looking to get him on the ball as much as possible this season. Central Midfield/Attacking Midfielder.



Danny Glover - Still a young player, has scored goals at this level before and looks to be a useful striker.



Midfielder Ashley Sammons Young Striker Ethan Moore and Goalkeeper Jose Veiga should also play big parts this season.

In terms of staff we had a couple of high earners that I released as I feel the money can be used better elsewhere, I haven't brought anyone new in as yet.

I will be looking to use a 4-4-1-1 formation for the coming season. I’m hoping it will give us a balance between attack and defence... I’ve got the idea that I would like to advance to a 4-2-3-1 in the future but I feel my current players would struggle with that formation.

In terms of friendlies it is just the 5 which will see us come up against Bath, Watford U21’s, Swindon Supermarine, Hinckley United and Carlton... Our first league game is a home game against league favorites Altrincham.

Hi guys, just a quick introduction... I have started a couple of careers on here before, without really going anywhere with them. I have a little more free time on my hands now hence the reason i’m going to give it another crack!

So, this will be a journeyman career (hopefully), I am going to start with Worcester City as they are just about the closest side to me in terms of location in The Skrill North.

In terms of a database it is a reasonable size, with all major European leagues loaded going down to the Second Division at least. I have loaded players from the Regional English Division which adds a bit more realism in the lower leagues, so I have got a large pool of players to look at as I set of on my career. Transfers budgets are also disabled in the first window.

And finally in terms of a career objective there will be a few things i’m looking to go by:

Attain realism at all times - This will include staying within the clubs budgets, keeping a close eye on finances, no scouting or buying players that aren't within the means of the clubs scouting structure (i.e. no scouring the database for a dutch amateur which will sign for peanuts and be a class above the rest, as IRL this would be unrealistic on a number of fronts).
Go with the flow - I haven’t really got an overall objective of where I want to end up, whether that is staying with 1 club and taking them to the top; jumping up the leagues myself from club to club as quickly as possible; managing abroad or to win the champions league. So hopefully I can get you guys involved with that as we go along!

Initial objectives:

Worcester City are currently bottom of the Skrill North IRL, so I am aware that the playing squad may not be the greatest along with it’s finances. So my main objective for this season will be to attain a respectable league position, whilst building a young squad and develop an attacking style of play. My minimum objective is to secure a Mid-Table Finish.