Johnston - Comments

Really? It's difficult pal - taking a team over without a win in 9 league games and with what is a very average squad was always going to be hard. But I've started to pick up a bit of form and hopefully it can continue. Like I said, if we strengthen well in January we've got every chance of getting to the upper regions in the league.

Thanks mate. Yeah tbh I was very surprised when I got approached! I thought they would overlook my given my experience! I just hope I can revive them as they are a big club!

Cheers pal, hope so. January will be defining for me, hoping for a lot of changes to the squad!

November 2014

1st November 2014 - Loan Signing & AFC Telford (A) (League)

So, as I mentioned, I wanted to strengthen the centre of the park in January. However, I saw Jake Hessenthaler was available for loan from Gillingham, and he looks to, from his report, to have the quality in midfield that we so desperately need. With no monthly payment or wage contribution either, this lad also comes as no financial burden to us.


A hard-fought draw against AFC Telford in a game that we had the better chances. In a tight first half, we made the breakthrough via a Jamie White penalty. After having chances in the second half to kill the game off, we ultimately paid the price, as Telford got their equaliser through a goal from a long-throw. A frustrating result given the chances we had but one point is better than none.

8th November 2014 - Crewe (A) (FA Cup 1st Round)

A spirited performance against League One Crewe. After a tight first 20 minutes, Crewe got the opener through a well-worked goal. Into the second half, and Alexandra doubled their lead. A free kick was poorly dealt with by our 'keeper Mildenhall, as the ball went straight through him and into the top of the net. We got what proved to be a consolation through Ryan Brunt but we couldn't grab a second to force a replay. A loss, but I am proud of how we played and on another day we may have got a better result.

11th November 2014 - Alfreton (A) (League)

An extremely disappointing performance and result against a side below us in the league. We were lethargic throughout and struggled to get any momentum in the game. Two goals either side of half time put the game beyond us, despite Monkhouse scoring his first goal for Rovers with a great header. A very bad day at the office and I made my feelings known to the team after the game.

15th November 2014 - Kidderminster (H) (League)

FINALLY - A LEAGUE WIN AND OUR FIRST IN 12 LEAGUE GAMES. A great ball from Leadbitter fed White perfectly to get his first goal of the day. Michael Gash equalised for Harriers with a good finish from about 8 yards out. But, two goals in five second half minutes; one from White and an OG, put us in control of the game. I was delighted, but it got even better, as White got his hat-trick with another good header. However, the last action of the game was a Kidderminster consolation. Despite this, I was delighted with the result and relieved to put that awful league run to bed.

22nd November 2014 - Chester (A) (League)

A bit disappointed with this draw, against a side in the relegation zone. Chris Iwelumo put Chester in front after 25 minutes, and we were really struggling to get going. I rallied the team at half time and changed a few things, including changing from a 4-1-2-2-1 to a standard 4-4-2. The change worked as we got our equaliser just after the hour mark - white getting his fourth in two games with another good header from close range. A draw where we showed character to get back into the game, but I thought we would be capable of beating a team in the relegation zone, especially after beating Kidderminster last time out.

25th November 2014 - Barnet (H) (League)

ANOTHER DRAW. Balanta put us ahead just before the half hour mark with a neat finish. The lead lasted a minute though, with an immediate response coming from the Bees. It got worse 9 minutes later, a goal concede from a set piece enraged me. I hate it when we concede from set pieces. However, with 20 minutes left, we got our illusive leveller through a pearler of a FK by Brown. The game then fizzled out into a draw, and again we had to come from behind to get a point.

29th November 2014 - Welling (H) (League)

A comfortable win against a team that are out of sorts in Welling. An early goal from Balanta got us on our way from the off, reacting first from a Brown FK which was parried by their 'keeper. In the middle of the second half, Balanta broke away with the ball from a Welling corner and carried the ball the length of the pitch, before whipping the ball in for Lee Mansell to slot home from close range. A win and a clean sheet to celebrate my birthday - lovely!

Table & Summary

Not a bad month. 2 wins, 3 draws and a loss from our six league games, and we are now unbeaten in four. Currently sitting in 13th place, 8 points off the play-offs and 7 points off the relegation zone. I am really happy with the Jake Hessenthaler loan signing and I think he has settled into the squad well. Hopefully we can keep this run going in December!

Next post: December's results and summary!

Haha, isn't always lovely down here Dan?

Looking to get a lot of the season done today guys!

October 2014

17th October 2014 - Forest Green (H) (League)



25th October 2014 - Forest Green (A) (FA Cup 4th Qual.)

So, an immediate chance to get revenge over Forest Green, with the opportunity of the FA Cup 1st Round - an expectation that the board had set me when taking the job. After a tight first half an hour, we conceded a sloppy goal from a corner, with Jon Parkin getting his second goal against us in 8 days. But just before half time, we got the first goal under my leadership. A counter attack from a Forest Green corner ended up with Jake Gosling slotting home from 7 yards after a great cross from Andy Monkhouse. In the 61st minute, it got even better...and what a goal this was. Some neat build up play saw Gosling receive the ball on the right wing. The lad cut inside on his left foot and unleashed a shot from 35 yards and the ball flew into the back of the net off the woodwork. We closed the game out comfortably, without Forest Green causing us any real problems. A great away win for us and I'm delighted we have managed to get to the proper rounds. I just hope this can kick-start our season!

27th October 2014 - FA Cup 1st Round Draw

A tough away draw in the FA Cup. I would've liked a lower division team to go as far as possible in the cup. But we will give it a good go and hope to cause an upset!

Table & Summary

Obviously, only one league game has been played in the league since I took over but we have dropped to 17th from 13th. I think it is clear to me already that I need to strengthen the squad in January, with our weakest areas being the centre of midfield and the right back berth. But I am extremely pleased with the FA Cup win and like I mentioned before, I just hope that can spark our season into life.

Next post: November's results and summary!

Cheers mate, it's a lovely day here in the West Country.

So then, I have been offered and accepted the Bristol Rovers post. I am pleased that they have given me a chance to prove myself here!


As you can see, the club is in pretty bad form at the moment, so that will be an immediate subject to address.



Next post: October's results and summary!

Cheers pal! I have started with a National B License and Sunday League past experience!

10th October 2014 and I have my first job interview - with Bristol Rovers. I will let you know how it goes!

Unlucky mate. Looking on the plus side, it's a great foundation to really push on next year if you sign some good players.

Keep the faith Lee, you're still only two points off the play-offs!

Great start pal, always good to start with a win but 6-2?! Love that!

This should be a good'un! Good luck Dan!

Ah that's great to hear! Yeah I guess so, I will probably be starting one tonight doing the same as your other one where you start unemployed, along with a Championship save I think. Good start to this one btw pal

Solid start, BMG! I reckon you can definitely qualify in that Europa League group too! Top stuff so far!

Is the beta a lot better now mate? I tried to start a career but didn't really get too engaged with it because of the various problems! Have they fixed things such as too many injuries?

Just a random image off the internet, but it worked! Cheers again mate, massive help!

That's great, I shall try it out later. Thank you for your help pal!

Hi guys

Sorry if this has been posted before, but does anyone know how to upload screenshots of a save onto a comment? (I HAVE A MAC) I want to start a career on here but I don't know who to put screenshots on here haha!

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Good luck mate!