syemo - Comments

Comments
#330832 An Attempt at taking over the British isles
syemo
14 years ago
4 weeks ago
136
Decided to keep on at Northampton and see how this season goes, I'm letting go of any player that didn't have a start under me last season, since they weren't in my plans last year and won't be thinking of starting them this year either. Any starting player that didn't really excel in majority of games released too. After all of that i was left with a squad size of 12. A few in both the under 21's and 18's.

Sent out a job advert for a new assistant manager and a new scout also.

Pre season is upon us. A lot of trials will be done in the off season trying to assemble a team for the upcoming season. I envisage a lot of ins and outs over the next season. Even if i bring in a player that might not mean he'll last the full season. If they don't perform i will either loan or just release them. So all short contracts is what I'm intended to do.
#330777 An Attempt at taking over the British isles
syemo
14 years ago
4 weeks ago
136
https://gyazo.com/aa335fa25e27a17c664111c0976fda42.png


New contract came up at end of the season, i was in two minds. Shall i stay and see how next year goes and go for a full rebuild of the squad or do i see what else is around. Not sure if I'm feeling Northampton. A lot of contracts was up, I'm at 13K a week at present on wages so the transfer budget is going to mainly go into the wage budget. That's before i even make changes players aren't on too much either just a big squad.

- Accept contract and give it a season to see how the rebuild goes?
- Move on now and see what else is available?
- Club wants to develop youth but is this too a low level to start that. Ive always wanted to do a YDWAWK save so i could tie this in with in the challenge, with me trying to bring in players from the youth team throughout the next few years.
-Be nice to build Northampton and take them to the top to unlock that achievement another thing that I've always wanted to try and do. All depends if i have the patience to try that with Northampton.

#330763 An Attempt at taking over the British isles
syemo
14 years ago
4 weeks ago
136
Final League Table

https://gyazo.com/a3ade7b94a4faa21df7c3c4b228602c7.png


My record in the 29 league games that i had was 9-8-12
Before my tenure - 2-1-10

Certainly a turn around in form, would of like a few more wins and draws than losses but we were fighting for relegation in the end. Team was predicted to finish mid table, i really thought i could give the board that when i arrived. But main aim was to keep in the league.
#330760 An Attempt at taking over the British isles
syemo
14 years ago
4 weeks ago
136
I only signed a contract to the end of the season.

Brief look at the team they were only 3 points away from safety

We was lacking in certain positions. Only a couple of formations i was able to play, Took a few tries at certain ones to finally settle on a system and once that was in place and the team got the familiarity and results started to happen. But still slightly inconsistent to really make a name for ourselves in the league.

They only scored 10 games in 14 games, 4 of them coming in one game in the FA Cup 2nd Qualifying.

Before i took charge.

https://gyazo.com/60276ed00279cbc15f2d98470f2c2ec7.png


Desperate need of a striker i extended the loan of one striker and brought in another Brendan O'Reilly.

https://gyazo.com/7b9d29a49bd3f2e709d041a370e641a2.pnghttps://gyazo.com/1ad697240f02b13fc6da5afbc34372a0.png


O'Reilly got 12 goals, closest next goalscorer had 5.

In need of goals i didn't want to go too attacking so making sure we was still in games was first priority. We didn't lose many games by a distance and in the end the lack of goals was the major problem something that will need addressing next season.

https://gyazo.com/cf9e3654fcff8f41ed1fde575b18e8d8.png
https://gyazo.com/63958a8204bc34e553ad126b44b6bc77.png
#330558 An Attempt at taking over the British isles
syemo
14 years ago
4 weeks ago
136
Northampton Town job came up and they were second from bottom of Vanarma North, a possible move to England i accepted the interview and then delayed the decision for a week, still undecided on whether or not i wanted out of Carrick.

After the loss to Welders i accepted it in a moment of rage and there i was off to Sixfields.
#330557 An Attempt at taking over the British isles
syemo
14 years ago
4 weeks ago
136
https://gyazo.com/8b6ead8b84a07095e60e0c6640173787.png


A mix bag of results to start the season, it was a little frustrating and i was thinking of possible moving away from Carrick. I knew the squad was capable of doing well but the earlier up and down form was making me have a couple of different mind sets, a few jobs was popping up. Since we got knocked out of Co. Antrim meaning i would have to find a club in the future that would be in that to get that achievement. Is it easier to move on or should i stay?
#330556 An Attempt at taking over the British isles
syemo
14 years ago
4 weeks ago
136
https://gyazo.com/501acec2c9c37877b266e2c25b16d742.png


Player of the last two seasons Ian Parkhill left on a free transfer and Curtis Dempster who moaned at lack of first team football was shown the door due to only average 6, 6.1, 6.2, 6.4 when he had the chance of ten games. Our back line in Keegan, Nelson, Duggan and West went to institute. Our highly potential right back Martin went out again on loan he struggled in the games i did play him last season so hopefully another season will do him good to be on loan.

3 Players came in a Backup LB in Hughes, A backup CB as i let 3 go. and a backup striker since Parkhill left.
#330554 An Attempt at taking over the British isles
syemo
14 years ago
4 weeks ago
136
Towards the end of the season i did receive job offers from Rhyl, Limerick and Ballymena who also got relegated with us. But i never wanted to move because i really was optimistic in staying in the top flight. But i've kept my job and know anything but promotion will see me getting sacked, no players during the first month wanted to leave it was only towards the beginning of the friendlies that they started to want to move to further the careers, they wanted to play top flight. I wasn't too surprise that it was going to happen but it was mainly my first 11, the team is young and there backups who also had good potential was good enough to win the league i every player that wanted to go i loaned out to the premier clubs to keep them happy and the development going. Knowing that IF we get promoted i will have them coming back to the squad with a second year in the top flight experience.

To say the squad was now thin was an understatement but it wasn't much smaller than the squad i got promoted so maybe that will be better and not a lot of option for rotation.


#330549 An Attempt at taking over the British isles
syemo
14 years ago
4 weeks ago
136
Final Legue Table

https://gyazo.com/6d0b0a3dcf3150ac9894b740b5766856.png


RELEGATED. 8 points from safety, we deserve to go down in the season as our form was dreadful. The team was capable of so much more and proved it in matches during the season but once the slide started to happen i couldn't find the right formula and a few players that haven't perform and fallen out will be on there way out. Hopefully i can keep the job and get the last lower league cup trophy. The team is good enough to come straight back and be better than before lets hope i can keep the squad together.
#330545 An Attempt at taking over the British isles
syemo
14 years ago
4 weeks ago
136
Second Leg no words could describe it....

https://gyazo.com/b2d04b012904fbffa9396a82826a73fb.png
#330544 An Attempt at taking over the British isles
syemo
14 years ago
4 weeks ago
136
First leg could have gone better but we stayed in the tie and should of maybe found the equaliser after a terrible first half.

https://gyazo.com/b188af86ea4334717cbcb933faddc4b1.png
#330543 An Attempt at taking over the British isles
syemo
14 years ago
4 weeks ago
136
When the league spilt it looked like this.

https://gyazo.com/844fbdb2e682a3ca614028f0866ba0df.png


4 points was the gap we had to make up in 5 games. 2 losses 2 draws and a win wasn't enough to crawl that back. So off to the relegation playoff it was to save our top flight status.
#330540 An Attempt at taking over the British isles
syemo
14 years ago
4 weeks ago
136
Pre season went as well as it could some good performances and not many players disappointing so it was looking hopeful going into the season.

2 losses to start the season off wasn't all that great but it was expected (especially since it was Linfield and Glentoran) as we are fighting for survival in the first year.

A win against Knockbreda gave us the confidence in the Co. Antrim Shield. Next 6 league games brought 4 wins and 2 draws to take us up into 3rd position.

But then it happened not sure why or after a change of personal and then tactic to find the formula to stop the rut, the run the inevitable happening. A LOSS to Larne started the spiral happening we stopped taking our chances and just started to leak goals for fun. 15 games without a win in all comps. took us from 3rd to second from bottom a win against Linfield showed some promise but that was short lived. Newington knocked us out of the cup after a replay and then the form just kept going we did manage a few draws at least but that wasn't going to be enough. We was enough above last place to not go down and with the relegation playoff i was confident that if we got there we should be able to beat the team.

https://gyazo.com/21edea570e5fd1b7b130122857cf2a7a.png
https://gyazo.com/21edea570e5fd1b7b130122857cf2a7a.png

#330538 An Attempt at taking over the British isles
syemo
14 years ago
4 weeks ago
136
There was good and bad in pre season, i couldn't get the contracts signed for a couple of our key players so i changed the option to let the chairman doing the contract negotiating in doing so we kept Carlin, Nelson, Duggan our 3 main young starlets and spine of the team but sadly in doing so i didn't see Willie Faulkner contract come up for release and another youngster Eddie Bell. Faulkner was getting on at 33 thought maybe just maybe that was the right decision. So i was in reckoning we needed to strength every position if we was going to make it in the top flight even though we have some success in cup competitions against most.

Over course of the season 14 players arrived.

https://gyazo.com/483aaefe6d22a3a8b2396734738e78ff.png


A few strikers were brought in that have played and scored at this top flight in football as Ian Parkhill our player of the season dropped to 1 star in the off season. This could be a step to far for the 31 year old.
#330535 An Attempt at taking over the British isles
syemo
14 years ago
4 weeks ago
136
One thing that is quite annoying is i have been searching for these pair of strikers for the past couple of seasons and with gaining promotion thinking they just might come now, they both go and retire. I hate seeing players that have the potential just sitting on free transfers for a season or two and then retire at a young age. Especially when i have tried numerous of times to offer a contract and them not wanting to talk.

https://gyazo.com/c93a28ee178023b564d9e813f2ae0732.pnghttps://gyazo.com/bd7cad3ff6e6dd826c59304cee63559a.png
#330534 An Attempt at taking over the British isles
syemo
14 years ago
4 weeks ago
136
Star player of the season was Ian Parkhill he was only meant to be a backup striker but after injuries to both starters in the pre season he had to start and i never looked back.


https://gyazo.com/941d7b025d8c1364c2a92a92c6dc3288.pnghttps://gyazo.com/8ab7ef88ace74460c187d87e793df776.png


Success came with a strong backline a few strikers who knew how to score and a good central partnership. Not sure why Lavery is at left back as i never played him there only came on as a sub, he's a left winger normal position.

Problem is a few contracts are coming up for expiring and Nelson and Duggan both are not wanting to talk just yet. So even with a promotion and playing in the top division is still maybe not enough for them.
#327628 The British Steel Challenge. An Jamie3 Career
syemo
14 years ago
4 weeks ago
136
Good to see someone else doing the British steel challenge and also starting in Northern Ireland, good luck will see my eye on your progress.
#327542 An Attempt at taking over the British isles
syemo
14 years ago
4 weeks ago
136
This had to be the most tense match of the season, it was an even match to be fair and it was our star man of the season Ian Parkhill to get the only goal of the game and that brought us the league title and our third trophy of the season UNBELIEVABLE!

https://gyazo.com/83540c18d8812153ded0cecceccde223.png

https://gyazo.com/66bb9f7cbb1519c263774af8fa3a68f0.png

https://gyazo.com/b206329a952ff0b56b7ac0e99197bd20.png
#327538 An Attempt at taking over the British isles
syemo
14 years ago
4 weeks ago
136
We face Loughgall and if we don't win we need to hope Annagh Utd slip up for us to win the league. Yes we have already qualified for the playoffs but being this much in the lead to lose the league would be soul destroying.
#327537 An Attempt at taking over the British isles
syemo
14 years ago
4 weeks ago
136
Back to the closing stages of the league.

A couple of wins was needed earlier on to wrap up the title so we didn't have to drag it out to the last game of the season, but unfortunately that wasn't the case and i think the team was already of thinking of there holidays rather than winning the title. We was 7 points clear before the last game of the season but that lead was down to one going into the final game.

https://gyazo.com/be1d982b0f737f6daa1645aeaa591aea.png
#327536 An Attempt at taking over the British isles
syemo
14 years ago
4 weeks ago
136
#327535 An Attempt at taking over the British isles
syemo
14 years ago
4 weeks ago
136
League Cup

We got drawn against Cliftonville in the 2nd Round of the cup, not the easiest of ties and after we was taken apart from Linfield earlier in the season i wasn't looking too hopeful.

https://gyazo.com/28169babf9f3f0410f32e81c834c0d14.png


I switched to a more defensive formation for this game after what i learnt against Linfield and i was happy how we played, we kept it tight and wasn't allowing Cliftonville any real chances. we grab a couple of counter attacking goals to set up a famous win in front of 182 people.

https://gyazo.com/7531f7cc225f68789deb81668d6e3820.png


Next two games where a little more straight forward beating Albert Foundry and then Dergview in the Quarter final setting up Glenavon in the Semi's.

Another big game against another big club in northern Ireland after the game against Cliftonville i went back to the same tactic and was hoping for the best.

What i wasn't expecting was this result and seeing ourselves in the final of the League Cup against Coleraine. Whom at the moment are riding high in the Premier.

https://gyazo.com/af9c8f3c5d12feeb95dc3f13aacbcdf3.png


This was certainly a smash and grab win.

1817 people where in attendance for our big scalp and our second trophy of the season.

https://gyazo.com/8f7031a18bf8c82e7d744b5c82fb87cb.png


This game i thought Coleraine was going to come at us being the bigger team, we kept there shot to long range and walked out with a comfortable win 3-0

#327534 An Attempt at taking over the British isles
syemo
14 years ago
4 weeks ago
136
Intermediate Cup

We got knocked out by Dollingstown, i played a weakened team due to the runs of matches in the league and the final coming up. On hindsight i should have chanced it and played a few more regular first team players.

https://gyazo.com/c757e9744a9468ae36a46be234ca453c.png
#327533 An Attempt at taking over the British isles
syemo
14 years ago
4 weeks ago
136
#327532 An Attempt at taking over the British isles
syemo
14 years ago
4 weeks ago
136
https://gyazo.com/c88fc2bfb8e63f759855f66a3909300c.png


We started off superbly with a goal from Noble on 26th minute but we got pegged back 3 minutes later. But a quick fire in the second half made the last 30 minutes a little less nerve wrecking and we was on course to the first trophy of this challenge.
#327531 An Attempt at taking over the British isles
syemo
14 years ago
4 weeks ago
136
Steel & Sons Cup

A good run in this competition the draw was kind to us until the quarter finals i didn't feel we had any trouble but you never know in these matches.

Quarter Final and semi final was the trickiest of ties i thought, with both reserves squads looking good and some first team players might have been thrown in too, we progressed to the final where we would face Crusaders Reserves.

https://gyazo.com/e52d950306d6a24984400c6530bd4e39.png


https://gyazo.com/c371ca65bd477c40b0427e7192551451.png
#327530 An Attempt at taking over the British isles
syemo
14 years ago
4 weeks ago
136
Irish Cup

I was slightly disappointed about this competition i really thought we could have gotten slightly further in, and when realising the draw for next round it was easily could of been a semi final.

https://gyazo.com/90baf0203453a7e522db85c89a6fb4e3.png
#327529 An Attempt at taking over the British isles
syemo
14 years ago
4 weeks ago
136
Co. Antrim Shield 1st Round.

We couldn't have gotten a worse draw for the first round. Linfield.

https://gyazo.com/82026b8ab18ed92d2b1c414f9f729613.png
#327528 An Attempt at taking over the British isles
syemo
14 years ago
4 weeks ago
136
in the next few posts i am going to break it down into cup competitions etc.

First up the league.

https://gyazo.com/868cc089eaa9a98466043dc7af3e3f98.png
https://gyazo.com/6877c24921ba894040b0010926470bcb.png


We started off the league campaign very strongly and it only went from strength to strength, there was a small slip with back to back losses in october but apart from that it was all straight forward. So before the league spilt up we are looking in a good position to get promoted to the Premier Division in Northern Ireland.

https://gyazo.com/a886e0355010da17a24bf988dce95849.png
#327527 An Attempt at taking over the British isles
syemo
14 years ago
4 weeks ago
136
https://gyazo.com/fb1058659ece8ac10c828c5591dc292f.png


Not a bad pre season we did incur a couple of long term injuries to the two main strikers in Sean McCarron and Dale Noble.