HockeyBhoy - Comments

2026-27: February Summary

MATCHDAY 26 - Saturday 6 February 2027
LIVE ON


League Leaders City made the short trip westwards to Anfield in what I saw our biggest test so far. We had made such an improvement in the first full month so much so that I felt that I would be happy with a point from Thomas Tuchel's men. What I got was more, and a massive three points to brought us closer to the top two. Goals in the closing stages of each half did the trick and Alisson collected his 12th clean sheet in the Premier League this season.

It was a tough game with each side creating plenty of chances but neither getting that all important breakthrough. That changed three minutes from half time, a wonderful right wing cross from England captain Trent Alexander-Arnold and a powerful header from Romelu Lukaku that gave Ederson no chance at all. We clinched the points two minutes from time and it all owed itself to some tricky work from Mohammed Salah. The Egyptian wizard showed some superb close control to bamboozle the City defence before putting the ball on a proverbial plate to Adán who had made a near post dart, and the Spanish striker poked his shot across Ederson and into the far corner. A massive, massive result for us.

Team: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Vallejo, Van Dijk ©, Tierney; De Jong, Rodri; Salah, Venegas, Lemar; Lukaku. Substitutes: Tielemans (for Rodri 60), Adán (for Lukaku 78), Roberto Firmino (for Lemar 83), Woodburn, Stevens, Ballard, Heerkens.
Man of the Match: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Attendance: 54,704

MATCHDAY 27 - Wednesday 24 February 2027
LIVE ON


You've heard of the saying, it was a game of two halves right? Well that was certainly true after the Tottenham game as we ran amok in the second half to record a result which cost Tottenham manager Frank DeBoer his job at the final whistle and kept our 100 per cent league record going since I took charge. We dominated the game from start to finish but trailed at the interval to a 20th minute strike from Hélder. The young Brazilian shrugged off the attentions of Virgil Van Dijk; and that's some feat in itself; to stun us and the Kop with a well taken effort that Alisson never saw until it had passed him.

A few choice words were said at half time and we took the game to Spurs who were playing Harry Kane wide on the left. We drew level in the 63rd minute when Youri Tielemans slid the ball into the path of countryman Lukaku who placed his shot under the advancing Jack Butland and into the corner. Spurs buckled after that and conceded a second eight minutes when Jeoren Heerkens stood a cross up to the far post and Ben Woodburn, in for the injured Thomas Lemar, planted his header home. Goal number three came in the 85th minute, Heerkens with another deep cross that Ricky Armstrong planned to head back to Butland but substitute Fernando Almeida anticipated it and nodded it into the gaping goal to send the Kop delirious.

We added the coup de grace in time added on, Almeida sped away down the right and his cross was flicked on by Lukaku into Woodburn who placed his shot beyond Butland for 4-1 and seal yet another three points. It also sealed De Boer's fate as Daniel Levy sacked him seconds after the final whistle.

Team: Alisson' Heerkens, Vallejo, Van Dijk ©, Robertson; Rodri, Venegas, Tielemans; Salah, Woodburn; Lukaku. Substitutes: Fernando Almeida (for Salah 69), Ballard (for Van Dijk 78), Camara, Stevens, Whalley, Kovacic, Roberto Firmino.
Booked: Van Dijk
Man of the Match: Ben Woodburn (Liverpool)
Attendance: 54,704

MATCHDAY 28 - Saturday 27 February 2027


Sometimes you don't have to win convincingly, sometimes a 1-0 win will do. And that was what we got in South Wales, when a single goal saw off a plucky Bluebirds side that had chances of their own to embarrass us. Just as the fourth official was about to appear, we scored what proved to be the game winner.

Andrew Robertson fed Tielemans at the edge of the box and the Belgian national skipper dug the ball out of his feet to curl a wonderful shot beyond the grasp of Sochor; and find the top corner. A fantastic effort that had everyone talking about it. The run continues....

Team: Alisson; Heerkens, Rodri, Van Dijk ©, Robertson; Kovacic; Venegas, Tielemans; Fernando Almeida, Woodburn; Lukaku. Substitutes: De Jong (for Kovacic 62), Lemar (for Fernando Almeida 66), Roberto Firmino (for Lukaku 76), Camara, Stevens, Bunk, Vallejo.
Man of the Match: Youri Tielemans (Liverpool)
Attendance: 33,820

Two more youngsters made the bench for the Spurs and Cardiff games, Ged Whalley and Sebastian Bunk. Although neither of them got on to make their débuts, both are prospects who could break into the first team in the next couple of seasons if they apply themselves in the right way.

Frenkie De Jong: Scores the goal that wins the Carabao Cup for Liverpool

Dutch maestro Frenkie De Jong proved to be the match winner as Liverpool won the Carabao Cup Final for the third successive season by beating Chelsea 2-1 at a rain sodden Wembley this afternoon.

The midfielder struck with three minutes left when it looked like the teams were going to head towards an additional thirty minutes on the wet, strength-sapping, surface and ensured Reds new manager Mark Duell's first ever Wembley Final would end up a winning one. The England national team boss only took over at Anfield at Christmas time but has masterminded a real change of fortunes which has seen them move within six points of leaders Manchester City.

Liverpool dominated the first half, and had to cope with the loss of influential French playmaker Thomas Lemar in the first half. The creative Frenchman limped off with a tight Achilles after just 27 minutes play, an injury sustained in the opening minute. As of yet, the extent of it is not known but Liverpool and their fans will be hoping for good news when it has been assessed.

Yet despite their dominance, Liverpool couldn't break down the Blues until they got their breakthrough just as the fourth official prepared to show two minutes of added-on time at the end of that opening half. An inswinging corner from Mohammed Salah saw Chelsea skipper Andreas Christensen foul Adán in the box right under the referee's nose. In the absence of regular taker Lemar, former Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku assumed responsibility from 12 yards and drilled the perfect penalty into the bottom corner despite Kepa going the right way.


Chelsea hadn't been in it but drew level in the 58th minute when Christensen turned from villain to hero for the London side. The Dane connected with a free-kick swung in by Houssem Aouar to power a header beyond the reaches of Alisson in the Liverpool goal and send the blue half of Wembley into raptures. We suddenly had a game on.

Both sides then had chances to go ahead after with Lukaku and Adán both going close for Liverpool, and Chelsea's Davinson Sanchez thudding a header against the crossbar with Alisson beaten all ends up. Liverpool's injury woes continued with five minutes to go, Kieran Tierney also limping off. The Scot seemed to be holding the back of his ankle as fellow countryman Andrew Robertson replaced him. Then came De Jong and his vital intervention in the 87th minute: Salah looped a free-kick into the penalty area and De Jong was given a free header from around the penalty spot to loop it over Kepa and into the corner.

Yet the Blues could have forced extra-time when Alisson skewed a clearance straight to Jagoba Alonso in the second of five minutes injury time. Thankfully for the Reds, the Blues top scorer lashed wide when he should really have scored. Liverpool resorted to dogged defending after that and held on for their twelfth win in this competition and third in a row.


As Liverpool skipper Virgil Van Dijk lifted the trophy, news broke that Roman Abramovich had parted company with manager Pal Dárdai, The Hungarian leaves Stamford Bridge after almost five years in charge, assistant Zsolt Löw has been placed in temporary charge.

Liverpool - Alisson; Heerkens, Vallejo, Van Dijk ©, Tierney (Robertson 85); De Jong; Venegas, Kovacic (Camara 72); Salah, Lemar (Adán 27); Lukaku. Unused Substitutes: Rodri, Stevens, Roberto Firmino, Arioli.
Chelsea - Kepa; Jacoba Sanchez, Christensen © (Carter-Vickers 74), Davinson Sanchez, Vagnoman; Maier (Cusiance 57), Acosta; Martins, Aouar, Sancho (Isak 63); Alonso. Unused Substitutes: Lingard, Sosa, Mazzone, Dizdarveic.
Booked: Acosta, Aouar.
Man of the Match: Andreas Christensen (Chelsea)
Attendance: 90,000
Referee: Lewie Nicholson (Northampton)

Thank you, I don't have much in terms of squad depth so the wheels could come off at any time. We shall see how things develop.

2026-27: January Transfer Window Summary

We began with the decision made by Club Captain Virgil Van Dijk on his future. Have I managed to talk him round? Well...

Alas not!

The skipper appreciated me wanting him to stay on but his mind was made up. Hopefully, we can make him leave on a high with yet more medals in his pocket. This meant we needed at least one, if not a couple of new central defenders. So we went shopping....

Incoming deals:

After the skipper announced his retirement at the end of the season, centre halves become priority. The first new face was Renzo Arioli, a 23 year old central defender signed from Bologna for £3.7 million.



Despite his tender years, Arioli has over 20 Under 21 caps for his native Uruguay. He started off his career in his homeland before joining the Rossoblu in the summer of 2024. Whilst he is not a big name, what attracted me to Arioli he has good mental abilities and tackling for someone who isn't 6 foot tall. He was also named in the Rossoblu's best XI last season despite only making a handful of appearances. He's one to keep an eye on.

The second newcomer was young full back Mark Stanko.



Stanko is an 18 year old American right back whom we signed on a free transfer from the Columbus Crew Academy. He already has 10 Under 21 caps for his nation, and looks a very good prospect we can develop. With Trent Alexander-Arnold now in his late 20s, I'm hoping this kid alongside Jeroen Heerkens will become first team regulars in the future. I'm also plan to have Stanko trained as a left-back so he is capable of filling in either full back position. Now that would be a luxury to have.

Our final permanent newcomer is Daniel Ballard.



A former Arsenal youth teamer, Daniel has made over 150 appearances for West Bromwich Albion since signing for them in the summer of 2022. He's also a full internationalist for his native Northern Ireland, and the Stevenage born defender (his Mam comes from Northern Ireland) now has 29 caps for his declared nation. A towering presence at 6'3, he's a defender that likes to defend. Some might say we've paid over the odds for him but he will be in the mix for selection as and when Van Dijk hangs up the boots.

Also coming back to Anfield on a recalled loan, is Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans.



Tielemans had been on loan to Premier League rivals Southampton this season after being frozen out by the previous boss. With the amount of games coming up, we're going to need him if Frenkie De Jong, Rodri and Mateo Kovacic get injured. To have a 29 year old with nearly 70 international caps at your disposal, that's a nice option to have. He might not feature often but if the chance comes then I'm sure he will look to shine.

Outgoings:

The biggest departure from Anfield in this window was England internationalist Joe Gomez who has joined Paris Saint-Germain for an initial £60 million outlay.



Joe was a defender I didn't want to lose especially when Van Dijk announcing his retirement. However, the offer that PSG made was too good to refuse, and Joe was interested to talk with the French. I was kinda hoping he'd not agree terms but he did, and away he went across the Channel. He left with our best wishes, having made more than a massive impact in his time here. To get £60 million, leading to an extra £8 million in add-ons, for someone out of contract next summer is good business I think. I hope it doesn't come back to bite me on the arse.

Two more players left, albeit on loan.




After giving Sidney Guiste his début in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg, I'm keen to see the Bootle born midfielder develop and think it will be best served with a half season loan to Brighton. The kid has potential no doubt, and if he impresses then who knows we might have another home grown talent making the first team soon.

The other departure was winger Patrick Roberts. He is not a first teamer and at his age, needs first team football. Stoke have given him that option and agreed to pay us £12.75 million if they want to make the deal a permanent one. That suits us down to the ground completely. It's up to the player to showcase his talents enough to make the deal happen.

2026-27: February Preview

Yet another month of league action punctuated by a series of Cup games, each of them as important as the other.

We begin February with a massive home game against Premier League leaders Manchester City. As we kick off, we start nine points behind Thomas Tuchel's men but we're a team in form and in confidence. Whilst City have led for the majority of the season, we have now built ourselves a platform in which to build on. Both sides have matchwinners a plenty in their squads, I'm just hoping that we don't choke and freeze on the occasion. To win this one will be huge, and depending on how United fare then we might close in further.

Then we continue our second assault on Wembley in the Emirates FA Cup as Reading of the Championship come to Anfield in a Fifth Round tie. It's another step up in quality of opponent for us so whilst the back ups have done well for us so far; we might have to field a much stronger side as we aim to get into the quarter finals. But we will assess who's available match by match as we have done so far. There's no Saturday game after the Reading game so our next game is my first ever Champions League encounter with a trip to Germany to face Borussia Mönchengladbach. Gladbach and Liverpool faced each other in the 1977 European Cup Final with the Reds winning that one 3-1 so a repeat would be nice especially in this case away goals proving vital.

After Germany, all roads lead to Wembley as we face Chelsea in the Carabao Cup Final. It's my first ever domestic Cup Final since moving back to England to manage so it'll be a special occasion indeed. We recently hammered the Blues 4-1 in the League but this means nothing in a one off game like this. They will be itching to put the record straight and deny us a second successive Carabao Cup win. Whilst the board had this as a non-priority competition, I see it as important as any other. After all, a piece of silverware in the cabinet can only but please those upstairs more right?

We return back to league action for two more games to finish the month off. First is a testing home game against Tottenham who will be hoping a win might put them back into Champions League qualification contention again. Like most top teams, they have an abundance of quality in their ranks but I'm hopeful ours will be the better on the night. The month finishes with a trip to South Wales to face the Bloobirds who are in the relegation zone and struggling to get out of it. Hopefully the boys will step up to the mark and show why there's a noticeable difference in the teams, league position and ability wise.

It shapes up to be another cracking bunch of matches.

2026-27: January Standings and Awards

When I took over in December 2026, the Club was outside the European spots. Now look at where we are now!

We lie in third place, just four points behind second placed United but having established a gap of our own from fourth placed Watford and even more from fifth placed Tottenham Hotspur. We're still unbeaten since I took over, and that's a great feeling to have at the moment. Hopefully Mr Delcroix will be thinking he's made an astute appointment.

I'm just amazed how well it has taken off.

Whilst I have had not the biggest squad in terms of depth, everyone of them seems to have bought into the 4-2-3-1 formation I've decided to adopt. Goals are coming from everywhere, we're not reliant on just one player scoring goals. That's one of the things I've liked at all my teams so far, goals from all over the pitch. Now if Alisson scored one then would be something special and different. Perhaps if we have a penalty in the final game of the season and it means nothing to the result then I might let the Brazilian internationalist take it.

Awards wise, we again won nothing. Despite winning every single one of my games in January, I didn't get the Manager of the Month award. In fact, I didn't make the top three. That award went, for a second time this season, to Xavi who manages Wolves. Second placed were the Manchester duo of Thomas Tuchel (City) and Diego Simeone (United) and neither of them had a 100 per cent record. Something dodgy.

I will win it one day...

As for the player awards, the nearest we got was Eduardo Venegas getting second placed in the Goal of the Month for his superb free-kick against Chelsea. I think if Thomas Lemar's effort against the Geordies had been in the League as opposed to the Carabao then it would have been a serious contender.

Time to continue the rebuild..

2026-27: January Summary (Cup Competitions)

We began our Emirates FA Cup adventure with a home draw against League Two Leyton Orient. With so many games in the schedule in January, I decided to rest most of my star names for this tie and give chances to some lesser lights such as back up keeper Ertem Stevens and one of the forgotten men in Patrick Roberts who has had three loan spells at Celtic in his nomadic career so far. Stepping up their comebacks from injury at this time were Dutch duo Jeroen Heerkens and Club Captain Virgil Van Dijk. And it was a bit of a stroll to say the least.

The biggest surprise was that it took us 31 minutes to break their stubborn resistance, but it was a great goal though. Picking up a pass from Rodri, Eduardo Venegas charged into the penalty area unchallenged by a O's defender and picked his spot high into the centre of the goal with Ramsdale given no chance. We doubled the lead 19 seconds after half time, Reiss Nelson thudded a shot against the post but the ball rebounded into the net off the back of the legs of the luckless Ramsdale. Venegas then clinched a fourth round berth with the final goal in the 59th minute when he drilled a low effort home from just inside the area; again having been given time and space by the generous O's.

Team: Stevens; Heerkens, Warburton, Van Dijk ©, Robertson; Rodri, Venegas; Roberts, Nelson, Woodburn; Adán. Substitutes: Roberto Firmino (for Adán 62), Fernando Almeida (for Roberts 67), Kovacic, Alisson, Gomez, Salah, Vallejo.
Booked: Robertson
Man of the Match :Eduardo Venegas (Liverpool)
Attendance: 54,704

Making a Reds début alongside skipper Van Dijk in central defence was 21 year old Richard Warburton. Warburton, born in Childwall, is a product of our youth team and has been a constant figure in our Under 23 team this season.

FOURTH ROUND - Saturday 23 January 2027


Our opponents in the Fourth Round would be mid-table League One side Lincoln City. The Imps had earned the right to play at Anfield with a giant killing in the previous round when they beat our nearest and dearest, Everton, 1-0 at Goodison Park. We were hoping to not match this and make our way into the last sixteen. Like the previous round, I opted to give players such as Stevens and Roberts starts as well as an appearance for Frenchman Karim Camara who I have big plans for. Yet despite dominating the game, we went in at half time on the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline. Garth Langagine scoring in the 28th minute and it was a terrible goal to concede: a harmless ball forward and for some unknown reason our central defender Jesùs Vallejo seemed to pause as if there was no danger and Langagine lifted the ball over Stevens to send the 2703 away fans dancing with delight.

Naturally the players were reminded this wasn't good enough at the break, and to stop giving Lincoln too much respect. Four minutes after the restart, we levelled when the referee deemed that Savin had been a bit too forceful in his challenge on Roberts and awarded us a penalty. It looked a bit harsh considering the conditions but if a referee is going to award your side a penalty then you take it. Romelu Lukaku stepped up and sent Pearce the wrong way with a perfect penalty into the bottom corner. We took the lead in the 64th minute with a simple set piece play straight off the training ground, Venegas with the corner and a near post header from captain Van Dijk.

Two goals in a minute put the tie beyond any doubt though. In the 74th minute Duhaney brought down Venegas and we had a second penalty of the afternoon. Once more Lukaku stepped up, and same place despite this time Pearce going in the right direction. Then almost straight after the kick-off, Ben Woodburn did a tremendous challenge and interception before releasing Roberts whose shot was parried by Pearce but straight to who else but Lukaku who tapped the ball into the empty net to complete a superb hat-trick. Banana skin avoided.

Team: Stevens; Heerkens, Vallejo, Van Dijk ©, Tierney; De Jong, Rodri; Roberts, Camara, Woodburn; Lukaku. Substitutes: Venegas (for De Jong 62), Lemar (for Camara 62), Alexander-Arnold (for Heerkens 69), Adán, Alisson, Nelson, Arioli.
Man of the Match: Romelu Lukaku (Liverpool)
Attendance: 54,704

The fifth round draw was made on the Monday after, with John Terry and Frank Sinclair making the draw live. They gave us this, which is another winnable tie and a good chance of making the sixth round stage.




SEMI FINAL, FIRST LEG - Wednesday 6 January 2027
LIVE ON


A rainy night on Tyneside greeted us as we played Newcastle in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final. With away goals not counting, it was imperative that we came away with something. A win would be great but a draw would be also considered a good result in the hope we could finish the job at Anfield a fortnight later.

It was a tense affair with neither side wanting to give much away, and it was not until the 57th minute when the deadlock was broken. A right wing cross from the creative genius that is Thomas Lemar saw Mateo Kovacic rise highest above everyone at the far post to head past Vlachodimos. A huge goal indeed. Then with 13 minutes left, we got ourselves a bit of breathing space in the tie with a second goal. Some good inter-play by the boys saw the ball find it's way to Lemar who produced sublime skill to chip the keeper from around the penalty spot. Some player.

Wembley was within touching distance, we just needed to complete the job at home now.

Team: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk ©, Robertson; Rodri, Kovacic; Nelson, Lemar, Woodburn; Adán. Substitutes: De Jong (for Rodri 57), Salah (for Nelson 66), Lukaku (for Adán 69), Vallejo, Stevens, Venegas, Heerkens.
Man of the Match: Thomas Lemar (Liverpool)
Attendance: 58,662

SEMI FINAL, SECOND LEG - Wednesday 20 January 2027
LIVE ON


With Wembley within our sights, we looked to finish the job against the Geordies but knew full well that one slip could prove to be costly, Because of the importance of the game, I decided that the strongest possible side would start the game in the hope we could grab the first goal and put the tie almost beyond doubt. Like the first leg, it was a close run affair but we had the better of the possession. With 27 minutes gone, we opened the scoring when a Venegas free-kick from wide left was connected to by a powerful header from skipper Van Dijk. The stadium erupted, we knew we had placed a firm foot into the Final.

I took a chance to give another of the youngsters a chance with still over half on hour to play. Sidney Guiste, born in Bootle, had been catching the eye in the Under 23's and internationally for the England Under 21's so it would be interesting to see how he adapted to the big stage as he replaced Rodri. And the kid didn't do too bad at all, he looked at home without being brilliant. Moments after his introduction, we thought we had gone 2-0 up on the night, 4-0 on aggregate, when Mohammed Salah lashed one into the top corner but a lino's flag quickly muted our celebrations. It was a harsh call indeed, and Mo was very upset it had been chalked off.

Eight minutes from time, we got that second goal to confirm our place in the Final. Guiste was fouled fully 30 yards out, and there was only thing on the mind of Lemar, a shot on goal. What he produced was sensational, a curling yet brilliantly executed free-kick that soared into the net at the Kop End. I couldn't resist doing a Mourinho down the touchline in celebration, it was a world class strike from a world class footballer. Newcastle were beaten now, and we had a Wembley date in the calendar.

Tell me Ma, me Ma, I want no tea, no tea because I'm going to Wembley. Tell me Ma, me Ma....

Team: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk ©, Tierney; Rodri, De Jong; Salah, Venegas, Lemar; Lukaku. Substitutes: Guiste (for Rodri 53), Fernando Almeida (for Salah 67), Camara (for Lukaku 74), Woodburn, Stevens, Vallejo, Heerkens.
Man of the Match: Thomas Lemar (Liverpool)
Attendance: 54,704

Our opponents in the Final are these guys:

The Blues advanced by defeating London rivals Arsenal 3-1 on aggregate.

2026-27: January Summary (Part Two)

MATCHDAY 24 - Tuesday 26 January 2027
LIVE ON


Our penultimate game of the month saw us host an underperforming Chelsea side at Anfield with the Blues boss Pál Dárdai seemingly under pressure to deliver. I was expecting a tough game but what happened was that we produced probably the best performance under my short tenure so far, even eclipsing the 2-0 away win at Arsenal last month. We started with what was the strongest team I could feature, and were celebrating a goal as early as the fifth minute in the pouring rain on Merseyside. Romelu Lukaku played a nice ball to Eduardo Venegas at the edge of penalty area and the young Mexican drove at the heart of the Blues defence, twisting one way then the other, before lashing in his 11th of the season into the roof of Kepa's net.

We doubled our advantage in the 16th minute with a wonderful team goal. Some beautiful passing ended with Mohammed Salah playing in Trent Alexander-Arnold and the England captain took it in his stride before striking the ball across Kepa and into the far bottom corner. A stupendous free kick produced the third six minutes after the restart, former Blues loanee Mateo Kovacic was upended at the left hand edge of the penalty area and Venegas stepped up to superbly curl the ball around the wall and into the roof of the net again giving Kepa again no chance whatsoever.

Goal number four for us came seven minutes from time. Venegas tried to repeat his trick from the 51st minute but the wall repelled it but only to the feet of Adán 20 yards out whose fiercely struck effort hit the back of Davinson Sanchez and wrongfooted Kepa to nestle into the back of the net. The Kop was bouncing, in fact the whole of Anfield (bar the away end) was. Chelsea did pull a goal back in the 86th minute through Jagoba Alonso but a consolation it was, they had been ripped apart by some ruthless efficiency by my Reds.

Team: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Vallejo, Van Dijk ©, Tierney; De Jong, Kovacic; Salah, Venegas, Lemar; Lukaku. Substitutes: Woodburn (for De Jong 64), Arioli (for Tierney 71), Adán (for Lukaku 76), Nelson, Stevens, Rodri, Heerkens.
Man of the Match: Eduardo Venegas (Liverpool)
Attendance: 54,704

That game saw the début of a new Red, Uruguayan Renzo Arioli.

MATCHDAY 25 - Sunday 31 January 2027
LIVE ON


We finished the month with my first return to Deepdale since leaving for Anfield a month previous. It felt surreal walking into the away dressing room, but I didn't actually do a Ron Atkinson who in 1999 as Nottingham Forest manager: stepped into the home dugout in his first match at the City Ground against Arsenal. The home fans were kind, and as such I still harbour no bad feelings to them and their Club. We showed two changes from the side that destroyed Chelsea, Rodri replacing Kovacic who picked up a thigh strain in the closing stages of the Blues game which will keep him out for the next three weeks or so. I also opted to rest Kieran Tierney with an equally good replacement in Andrew Robertson.

In fact, it was Rodri who opened the scoring after just six minutes. A throw from Robertson was flicked into the path of the Spaniard at the edge of the box by Lukaku, and the midfielder made strides forward before curling the ball into the corner beyond Jasper Schendelaar. Despite the number of chances and possession in our favour, Preston weren't making it easy and were keen to impress my replacement there: Unai Emery. Two goals in as many minutes shortly after the hour did for them though. In the 61st minute, a long range effort from Rodri struck Swedish defender Helmer Andersson to wrongfoot Schendelaar for 2-0.

It became 3-0 and game over in the 63rd minute. Venegas had a free-kick parried by Schendelaar who then proceeded to deny both Salah and Rodri before the Egyptian scored with his second bite of this particular cherry. I applauded the home fans at full time, and even though we'd kept our unbeaten run going, I left Preston that day with a gut feeling that my old side will stay up and that would give me as much satisfaction as anything.

Team: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Vallejo, Van Dijk ©, Robertson; Rodri, De Jong; Salah, Venegas, Lemar; Lukaku. Substitutes: Roberto Firmino (for Lukaku 68), Arioli (for Van Dijk 73), Woodburn (for Venegas 78), Adán, Stevens, Nelson, Heerkens.
Booked: Van Dijk
Man of the Match: Rodri (Liverpool)
Attendance: 20,830

2026-27: January Summary (Part One)

MATCHDAY 21 - Sunday 10 January 2027
LIVE ON


Our first game of the New Year saw us make the long trek to the South Coast to face a Bournemouth side managed by French footballing legend Zinedine Zidane, and as predictably they played football the way it should be played: neat passing football on the deck. Having played Newcastle in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final in midweek, I opted to ring a number of changes to try and ensure the players remain fit and healthy. We took the lead in the 16th minute, Mohammed Salah with the right wing cross which was headed out by Goran Milas straight to Thomas Lemar who took the opportunity presented to him with an volley into the bottom corner and continue his goalscoring run. The Cherries equalised immediately, Danny Loader releasing Frenchman Luis Severino with a superbly weighted through ball and the striker finished with a sweet low shot past Alisson.

Buoyed by this, Zidane's Cherries took the lead themselves within four minutes of that equaliser. Steveroy Byers's shot cannoned off Joe Gomez and into the path of Loader who managed to get to the loose ball before Jeroen Heerkens and squeeze his effort home. We needed something and got back on level terms with just under two minutes to go to half time. A counter attack saw Salah find Spanish striker Adán who charged on and created space for himself to strike across the keeper from twelve yards. It was a massive relief for him as it ended a personal goal drought that had lasted over ten hours of play. Whilst I was happy, Zidane wasn't.

As we entered the final 14 minutes, the sides still couldn't be separated and people were thinking a draw was on the cards. However, two goals in a minute would change that and both came our way. In the 76th minute, another counter attack and another Salah assist. The Egyptian played the ball into Adán, brimming with confidence, and he finished superbly for his second of the game. Then as Bournemouth tried to respond we hit them for a fourth time; this time Adán created the goal with a pass into exciting Mexican prospect Eduardo Venegas who drilled home with confidence. Bournemouth made it a nervous finish when they scored a third in the second minute of four minutes added on at the end, Joel D'Alessandro with the goal. But we held on for a third successive league win.

Team: Alisson; Heerkens, Gomez, Vallejo, Tierney ©; De Jong, Kovacic; Salah, Lemar, Woodburn; Adán. Substitutes: Venegas (for Woodburn 62), Rodri (for Kovacic 72), Lukaku (for Lemar 85), Nelson, Stevens, Van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold.
Man of the Match: Adán (Liverpool)
Attendance: 18,961

MATCHDAY 22 - Wednesday 13 January 2027


January's heavy schedule continued with a midweek home game against a Fulham side battling against relegation. Once more I made a few changes to give players rest as much as I could do, and making his Liverpool début against the Cottagers was Spanish winger Victor Manuel Roqué. Roqué had done well for the Reserves so I felt he deserved a chance to display his talents in the first team so I could get a real good look at him as I plan to build for the future.

Predictably, we dominated with three times as many shots as our visitors. However, we left it late to secure a fourth League win in a row and that was with a winner in injury time. With the pressure building at the Kop End, Andy Robertson's intended left wing cross found its way to Venegas who fired across Blanco and break Fulham's hearts of a point but ensure delight in L4. It was his ninth of the season.

Team: Alisson; Heerkens, Gomez ©, Vallejo, Robertson; Rodri, Kovacic; Roqué, Venegas, Woodburn; Adán. Substitutes: Salah (for Roqué 64), Lukaku (for Adán 68), Camara (for Kovacic 89), Roberto Firmino, Stevens, Van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold.
Booked: Rodri
Man of the Match: Guiliano Japaz (Fulham)
Attendance: 52,593

MATCHDAY 23 - Saturday 16 January 2027


Our third league game in six days, yeah thanks a lot fixture planners, saw us travel to Pride Park to face Derby County. The Rams, like our previous opponents Fulham, are battling against the drop but for them an instant return to the Championship. I'm still seething that James Beattie, their manager, took my Championship Manager of the Year gong last season when he scarcely deserved it. So if my new Club could take three points on their home turf then that would be oh so sweet.

We took the lead with just four minutes on the clock, Ben Woodburn's shot was palmed away by Pigliacelli but straight to the red hot Venegas who lashed home the loose ball. We doubled it on the quarter hour, a cross from Robertson bounced its way to the far post where Salah had the easy task of firing into the empty net in front of him. Derby pulled one back in the 22nd minute when Scott Hirons picked up the pieces to stride unchallenged and fire home past an exposed Alisson. However, the Rams afternoon went sour three minutes when Lewis Baker went for an early bath for two yellow cards. Naughty boy!

The Hirons effort was one of just two efforts that Derby managed all game as we dominated them from start to finish. Yet it took an 88th minute goal to seal the deal so to speak. A Lemar cross wasn't dealt with properly by the home side and Romelu Lukaku volleyed home. It was the big Belgian's 14th of the season and his first under me after a few abject performances previously. Five league wins in a row and climbing the table in the right direction.

Team: Alisson; Heerkens, Gomez ©, Vallejo, Robertson; De Jong, Kovacic; Salah, Venegas, Woodburn; Lukaku. Substitutes: Alexander-Arnold (for Robertson 34), Van Dijk (for Heerkens 60), Lemar (for Woodburn 68), Fernando Almeida, Stevens, Camara, Adán.
Man of the Match: Romelu Lukaku (Liverpool)
Attendance: 32,983

2026-27: January Preview

A busy first full month for me and the Reds with a League Cup semi-final, the start of our Emirates FA Cup challenge and five Premier League games. We're definitely going to need to dip into every single pore to ensure we come away with some success.

The first game of 2027 sees us entertain League Two Leyton Orient at Anfield in the Emirates FA Cup Third Round. After playing two games in three days, I'm leaning towards giving some of the fringe players a game in this one. It's a tie we will be expected to win, but we cannot afford to think the tie is a foregone conclusion before we kick off. We will be treating it as serious as every game we play, certainly not a shift in the way I approach games. Time to shine for some of the lesser lights.

After Orient we play the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final, and it's a quick hello back to Newcastle. That first leg will be played at SJP, and it's imperative we keep the tie close or come away with an advantage. If we want to be at Wembley to defend this trophy in March then we need to overcome a tough opponent and as we found out in the recent league game, Newcastle can perform when the odds are against them.

The first league game of the month follows after that as we go to a Bournemouth side that could be drawn into a relegation scrap if they don't buck up their ideas and the others below them do. We then host Fulham at Anfield who are in a similar spot to the Cherries, in fact four of the five league matches are against sides in the bottom half of the league standings. Therefore we will be expected to win all of them. After Fulham, we go to relegation threatened Derby County before hopefully securing our place at Wembley when we have the second leg of the Carabao Cup against the Geordies.

Our hardest league game of the five then comes up as Chelsea come to Anfield before it's my first trip back to Deepdale since leaving for Anfield. Wonder what sort of reception they will give me? That's where the sentiment stops for me, as I want to leave with all three points to keep that European charge a rolling.

We're gonna need every fit body available to us as we continue to battle on all four fronts at present. Coming out of this hectic schedule will determine how we might finish the season.

2026-27: December Standings and Awards

So we have already made a very good start, winning both games and moving in the right direction. The Club was in 7th when I took charge, and already those two wins have seen us rise up a couple of places as well putting us just three points behind third placed Arsenal. I'm determined to get the team into the Champions League in this initial half season and then it will allow us to put the building blocks in place to kick on further after that.

City might be twelve points ahead of us but if we can finish second or third then that will be a heck of an achievement considering the shocking start to the season the side had.

We didn't have much luck in the Premier League's Monthly Awards. Of course if I had been in charge for a full month then I might have had a shout for my first ever Premier League Manager of the Month award, but it will come I'm sure. Manchester United's Diego Simeone took that ahead of his cross city rival Thomas Tuchel. That said, Thomas Lemar, my French creative genius, took third place in the Player of the Month award. He's certainly been very good in my first two matches.

That said, we had this bombshell to deal with:


I've asked him to reconsider and see if I can get one more season out of the cultured Dutchman. If not, a world class central defender will definitely be on one's shopping list this summer. He will be very hard to replace.

2026-27: December Summary

MATCHDAY 19 - Saturday 26 December 2026
LIVE ON


My first game in charge of Liverpool, the biggest challenge of the career so far, came around. Visiting Anfield on Boxing Day were a Newcastle United side, still floating around in mid-table, and potentially a banana skin of an opener. With both Club Captain Virgil Van Dijk and fellow Dutch defender Jeroen Heerkens still on the comeback trail from injury, I decided to adopt a back four with England captain Trent Alexander-Arnold given licence to get forward as often as he liked with Kieran Tierney playing left back instead of fellow Scot Andy Robertson. The engine room would see Frenkie De Jong sit deep and allow Mateo Kovacic to support the attack. Thomas Lemar and Mohammed Salah would play the wings with French wonderkid Karim Camara playing directly behind Romelu Lukaku.

I felt it gave us a real good chance of winning, and had quality in every position.

My fears of Newcastle springing a surprise came true in the 11th when De Zan drilled in a low shot at the near post, not the prettiest goal to concede. We needed a quick response otherwise the crowd could really get frustrated and the heat would immediately turn up a few notches. Thankfully we were only behind for four minutes, Salah intercepted a pass from Diaz and immediately counter attacked before finding Lemar wide on the left who then swing in a perfect cross for the Egyptian to head in only his fourth of the season. The Kop End was jubilant and they were celebrating again in the 19th minute as we took the lead. Once more Lemar was the architect, his free-kick caught the Magpies sleeping and Kovacic stabbed in from inside the six yard box.

The game was turned on its head completely as we scored our third in the 27th minute, and it was Lemar who scored it. The French star picking up a pass from Camara to finish low past the exposed keeper. A great response and one that pleased me no end. If the first Newcastle goal was bad to concede, their second which came nine minutes before half time, was the stuff of nightmares. With Joe Gomez out of position completely, Newcastle counter attacked us with ruthless efficiency, scorer of the first goal De Zan squaring the pass perfectly into the path of Ruiz who finished with aplomb and leaving Alisson with no chance at all.

The next goal would be vital and I just knew we had to get it, it would certainly ease the nerves in the stadium and those I was experiencing. It owed so much to a surging run from Tierney who charged down the left wing with Newcastle defenders trying their damnest to keep up, The Scot measured a cross to the far post which Camara headed it down for Fernando Almeida, on for a under-par Lukaku in the 66th minute, to direct his own header home. Some impact inside two minutes by the Portuguese striker off the bench. We sealed the deal and the three points nine minutes from time when Lemar scored his second of the game, albeit with a deflection off Ruiz which wrong footed the keeper, from just inside the penalty area. The perfect beginning, eventually, despite a few scary moments.

Team: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Vallejo, Tierney ©; De Jong, Kovacic; Salah, Camara, Lemar; Lukaku. Substitutes: Fernando Almeida (for Lukaku 66), Nelson (for Camara 73), Rodri (for De Jong 73), Venegas, Stevens, Robertson, Firmino.
Man of the Match: Thomas Lemar (Liverpool)
Attendance: 53,922

MATCHDAY 20 - Tuesday 29 December 2026
LIVE ON


The Christmas period is always a hectic with games being played in a short space of time, so less than 72 hours after seeing off Newcastle at Anfield we travelled down to London to face Arsenal. The pre-game discussion saw a bit of disrespect from Arsenal's Swedish Head Coach Mats Gren who publicly questioned some of my senior players and their commitment. That was all I needed to fire up the boys, time to make him eat those words with a large portion of humble pie. I decided to name an unchanged side for the trip to the Emirates which meant Lukaku led the line despite a less than spectacular performance in my first game in charge of the Reds.

He wasn't much better here and was surprisingly lucky not to be hooked again, and if he doesn't buck his ideas up then I'll consider taking him out of the team despite him being the team's top scorer. We decided to be less attacking here, despite keeping the same formation and personnel. Arsenal had their chances but they failed to make them count, so it was a real smash and grab raid. In the 27th minute our counter attacking skills saw us take the lead as the rain fell constantly in North London, Lemar down the left wing and a cross to the far post which was nodded home by Salah. We scored the second with eleven minutes left, Osvaldo tripped Lemar after an inswinging corner by Kovacic. The Frenchman picked himself up, and drilled it perfectly right into the bottom corner despite the keeper going the right way.

Two wins from two, and the perfect way to start from my viewpoint. Gren's choice of words pre-game had certainly backfired on him.

Team: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Vallejo, Tierney ©; De Jong, Kovacic; Salah, Camara, Lemar; Lukaku. Substitutes: Venegas (for Camara 23), Nelson (for Venegas 72), Rodri (for Kovacic 82), Fernando Almeida, Stevens, Robertson, Firmino.
Booked: Vallejo, Tierney
Man of the Match: Joe Gomez (Liverpool)
Attendance: 60,432

2026-27: In The System

We have had a breakdown of the players that will form the basis of our first team squad here. Now it's time to look at some of the fringe players and other youngsters.

Could any of these break through into my first team squad?

GOALKEEPERS:
31. Sean McCARTHY

DEFENDERS:
34. Nick POINTON
35. Richard WARBURTON
37. Sebastian BUNK
39. Jamie GOUGH
40. Brian GODDARD

MIDFIELDERS:
7. Victor Manuel ROQUE
8. Sidney GUISTE
32. Patrick ROBERTS
38. James BARKER

FORWARDS:
33. Grant BENTLEY
36. James WILSON

Of these, I will be probably looking at moving on Patrick Roberts for sure. The former Celtic loanee, three times over, has only made seven appearances since signing for £25 million from Southampton in the summer of 2025. He's 29 years old as well and I cannot see him shifting some of the first team anytime soon. We might have to cut our losses on him but that will be a good £110K a week on wages saved.

The others are all either late teens or early twenties with Sidney Guiste looking a good talent for sure. Guiste, 20, is a regular in the England Under-21 squad so it'll be good to see him develop. Perhaps a loan move might just see him take his game to the next level. As for the others, I'll see what happens under my backroom staff which has been boosted by the arrival of Steve Stone, Shay Given, Cillian Sheridan and Richard Cresswell who all decided to follow me to Anfield from Deepdale.

Chapter 27: In within touching distance

Everything was rosy in the Werribee City garden so to speak as the team entered March. The unbeaten run had stretched to a remarkable 16 games, and to go on a sequence like this: it takes some doing regardless at whatever level you play at. With the gap being eight points between the Bees and third placed Langwarrin, Basil was starting to think that something special was unfolding.

Those pundits who had written Werribee at the start of the season, and in December, were starting to be served with a large portion of humble pie and served cold too. Basil opened the latest edition of the Herald Sun, the local newspaper, and saw the following:


Talk about high praise indeed in a few paragraphs. A sudden glow appeared on Basil's face, and maybe a wry smile too. A few moments later, the predictable email came from John Waddell.


John's words really hit a point with Basil; it was like he knew what Basil would be like even before that first ever meeting last July. But Basil knew, and he consistently stressed it when floating ideas with John, it was purely a team effort that had gotten Werribee where they are at the moment and always would be. Because of the way Werribee had progressed, this was probably why Kyren (Harrison) had been poached to become the new Preston Lions Head Coach and John himself was also attracting attention elsewhere. Basil knew he wouldn't stand in John's way should he want to become a manager in his own right but if he stayed put then it would be just grand.

Basil looked to the skies, knowing whatever would happen next would happen for a reason as always. Football had always been a cut-throat industry, Basil had seen managers come and go a plenty, now he had to continually prove that he was not going to be labelled a one season wonder but there might be a time when Werribee had been taken as far as they can. But that could wait, for now.

Chapter 26: Love, well promotion, is in the air

The Bees were still buzzing at they entered February, the month of love. For Basil, the only love he was craving was nine points from the three games that Werribee were to play. Well there was no chance of Jessica Miesel was there? With just three points sharing the top four, Basil knew all too well that a loss could really set the Bees back. Not only would it ruin the unbeaten record but also conceivably send them out of the promotion spots which the team had worked so hard to be in all season.

Basil knew if they could make these three home games count then quite possibly, the P word could be thought of more seriously. It had been banned until now just in case it allowed complacency to creep in; and Basil certainly wouldn't allow that at all.

Matchday 14: Werribee City 3 - 2 Moreland City

The first game in February saw Werribee take on a mid table Moreland City side that had parted with long standing manager Adrian Mathers just a week before. Mathers had been in charge for six years at Moreland and played for them for nine before deciding to take up the manager's role at Altona Magic in the division above. For the game, Basil made a couple of changes from his last line-up. Lisandro Paz was given a well deserved rest with Omar Ammache taking his place on the right wing; and Brandon Zaffina was swapped for Jamie Gorgovski in central midfield.

The Bees took the lead in the 24th minute and what a goal it was. Ammache dispossessed Christopher Cristaldo with one touch and then with his next, played a superb 50 yard pass onto the bootlaces of Alec Goodwin who smashed it over the head of the advancing keeper and into the top corner for the striker's eighth of the season. And that's how it remained until the 52nd minute when it led to three goals in eight minutes. City drew level when Cristaldo's free-kick had Alex Baird flapping at and Conor Rafferty headed in his first career goal unchallenged. Then four minutes later, the visitors led. Tom Lakic backed off Cristaldo a touch, and that was all the former Werribee man needed to create himself a chance which ended up with an arrowed finish into Baird's bottom left hand corner from the edge of the area.

Inspired by harsh words from Brush on the touchline, Werribee were level on the hour. A long range effort from Matteo Ballan was charged down by City's Tobias Haegele but the rebound was fortunate to land at the feet of Michael Holden who took one touch before placing it past the stranded keeper. Could either side find a winner? Yes they could, and it was Werribee. With six minutes to go; Ballan planted a free-kick into the penalty area and central defender Julyan Collett got his head onto it first to plant a header beyond Kieron McDowell to clinch all three points for Werribee City and make it 14 unbeaten.

Team: Baird; Lakic, Collett ©, Petrov, Bavcar; Pistininzi (Parkinson 71); Ballan, Gorgovski (Murray 68); Ammache (Paz 76), Holden; Goodwin. Unused Substitutes: Elasi, Dunn, Davies, Kessie.
Booked: Goodwin
Man of the Match: Alec Goodwin
Attendance: 465
Position After Game: 1st


Matchday 15: Werribee City 2 - 0 Goulburn Valley Suns

Bottom placed Goldburn Valley Suns arrived at leaders Werribee City hoping to pull off the surprise result of the season on the day after the day of love. However, there was no love shown by the home side as they strolled to yet another win and make it 15 unbeaten. Wingers Paz and Holden were on target with first half strikes and the Suns had no response. The opening goal came in the 26th minute when a high and deep cross from Nicholas Bavcar wasn't claimed by Declan Maiorano in the Suns goal but landed at the feet of the recalled Paz who drove home his fifth of the season from the acutest of acute angles.

The second and decisive goal came in first half injury time. Another deep cross from Bavcar which had the Suns all at sea, and Holden (rested from the start but on as a substitute for an injured Ammache) drove a low effort across Maiorano and into the bottom corner for his fifth of the campaign. Potential banana skin well and truly avoided.

Team: Baird; Lakic, Collett ©, Petrov, Bavcar; Pistininzi (Murray 72); Gorgovski, Ballan; Paz, Ammache (Holden 32); Goodwin (Elasi 64). Unused Substitutes: Parkinson, Dunn, Kessie, Davies.
Man of the Match: Nicholas Bavcar
Attendance: 224
Position After Game: 1st

Matchday 16: Werribee City 3 - 0 FC Bulleen Lions

Werribee City finished their three game home stand with a comprehensive defeat of a FC Bulleen Lions side that have slipped down the table considerably. The Lions were surprise leaders after three games but now find themselves potentially being drawn into a relegation scrap whilst the Bees continue their incredible season at the top. Werribee made three changes from the side that saw off Goulburn Valley Suns in their last game with Holden, Zaffina and Nathan Elasi came into the starting eleven; Ammache, Gorgovski and top scorer Goodwin making way.

Three goals in 14 minutes proved to be the difference; and with results going their way, the Bees now hold a six point lead at the top of the table. That opening goal came in the 32nd minute when Paz clipped in a cross to the far post where Holden headed in his sixth of the season and third in as many games. The others arrived either side of half time. Goal number two came from another header; this time powerfully headed in by defender Collett for his second of the season following a Ballan corner. Lions keeper Wyatt Chant hadn't covered himself in glory in trying to save those but he stood no chance when the Bees scored their third 50 seconds after the restart. Paz scampered away down the right and his pinpoint cross found Goodwin, on for the injured Elasi, and the striker headed in his ninth of the campaign.

It just seems to get better and better for Basil and his Bees...

Team: Baird; Lakic, Collett ©, Petrov, Bavcar (Parkinson 63); Pistininzi; Ballan (Gorgovski 74), Zaffina; Paz, Holden; Elasi (Goodwin 31). Unused Substitutes: Ammache, Dunn, Kessie, Murray.
Booked: Pistininzi, Ballan
Man of the Match: Lisandro Paz
Attendance: 670
Position After Game: 1st

With six matches left, these are the standings:

Chapter 25: The Invincibles?

After the goalless draw at Langwarrin, Basil glanced at the league table in front of him. Sure the team were still unbeaten and that was a good sign but one result could change that. How would the team respond to a defeat considering this was something that has become alien to them so to speak.

One evening whilst relaxing, for once, Basil tuned into one of the local radio stations and predictably enough there was a phone-in going on. What he heard next raised his eyebrows a bit:

"Up next we have Greg on line number 3, and he wants to talk soccer. Hello Greg."
"G'day mate, yeah I want to talk about my team." Greg stated.
"And who's that? Manchester United, Liverpool in Pom land?"
"Nah, Werribee City mate."
"Oh..."
"They're doing brilliant this season mate I tell you, they haven't lost a game."
"That's impressive."
"Sure is, we've got this new Head Coach and he's done so well. Basil Brush's his name."
"They're managed by a puppet?"
"Nah, I'm being serious mate. That's his actual name, and for a Pom, he's brilliant."
"Good to hear, do you think they will go unbeaten all season then Greg?"
"Hey, why not. Let's be optimistic here, they can become The Werribee Invincibles!"

And at that point, Basil switched the radio off and thought. "The Werribee Invincibles", sounded just awesome. He looked online and much to his surprise, this hadn't ever been done in Austraila like EVER! Sure he had heard of the original Preston North End Invincibles of 1889, the Arsenal one of 2004 and most recently the Celtic one in 2017 when the Bhoys won the league and both domestic Cups but wouldn't it be nice to be such illustrious company? However, Basil was not one for getting ahead of himself as his late father always tried to instil in him, preferring to keep those size 7 feet firmly implanted on the ground.

A few days later came the predictable email from John Waddell, outlining February's fixture list.


Yeah Basil had seen his Youths Manager Kyren Harrison leave the Club the day after the Langwarrin draw. The 34 year old had decided to leave the Bees for Preston Lions who feature in the division below on a one and a half year contract. Basil could have stepped in his way and caused a bit of friction but would that have been wise? In hindsight, not. An advertisement for his replacement was drafted as soon as the Lions announced Harrison, but as Basil and Werrribee entered February: nobody had been appointed.

Could Basil and the Bees keep this unbeaten campaign running?

Chapter 24: Still leading the way

There were only two games in January for Basil and his Werribee City league leaders as the campaign shifted to the second half of the season, the real business end of proceedings. With the team unbeaten, they had certainly put themselves in a great position to be promoted to NPL Victoria - 1 for the 2020-21 season. Surely they weren't going to collapse in a fashion that would have drawn comparisons with dear old Devon Loch. To the uneducated, this was a horse owned by the Queen that inexplicably slipped yards from the winning post in the 1956 Grand National and lost out.

Basil was determined as ever that he wanted to finish the season promoted in his début campaign, and if the team could bag the title then that would be the real icing on this particular cake.

Matchday 12: Manningham United Blues 1 - 3 Werribee City

Werribee City continued their unbeaten run in the 2019-20 season to an astonishing 12 games after dismantling hosts Manningham United Blues at the David Barro Stadium. It was a comprehensive loss for the home side, and pushed them into the relegation places. The visitors made a single change to the side that drew 1-1 with Moreland Zebras in their last game, Nathan Elasi being replaced in a straight swap by Alec Goodwin. It was actually the returnee who gave the Bees the lead two minutes from half time when he volleyed home after Alex Dao's weak defensive header landed at his feet. It was his sixth of the season.

However, the Blues stunned Werribee with an equaliser as the game entered first half injury time. As a cross came from the right, Bees central defender Julyan Collett and Blues striker Dean Lorenzi challenged for it but the referee saw Collett challenging a bit too much forceful than he should and pointed straight to the spot. Veteran Blues defender Filippo Gattari assumed responsibility from twelve yards and sent Alex Baird the wrong way with a perfect penalty into the bottom corner. Yet the Bees regained their lead in the 57th minute and it owed so much for the creative skills of Matteo Ballan as much as the finishing of Goodwin. The midfielder carved open the home defence like a knife through hot butter with a 50 yard pass straight to the striker who took it on before finishing with aplomb for his seventh of the campaign.

Still there was time for a second penalty in the game, and this time it was awarded to Werribee. With just quarter of an hour left to play, Mario Clark was adjudged to have fouled Lisandro Paz in the area, and Ballan was given the chance to wrap up the win. The schemer made no mistake with the second perfect penalty of the game, giving Luke Gallo in the home goal no chance whatsoever. It was his second of the season. Difficult away game conquered.

Team: Baird; Lakic, Collett ©, Petrov (Davies 88), Bavcar; Pistininzi; Ballan, Zaffina (Murray 66); Paz, Holden (Ammache 73); Goodwin. Unused Substitutes: Elasi, Dunn, Parkinson, Kessie.
Booked: Pistininzi, Zaffina
Man of the Match; Matteo Ballan
Attendance: 432
Position After Game: 1st

With the games now scheduled to be every other week until May, the break came at a good time for Basil and Werribee. It was enabling the players to be more refreshed when it came to game time, and a fully fit squad could only be of benefit for all concerned. During the latest break, the Club received a boost when central defender Collett agreed a one year extension to remain at Galvin Park Reserve. The 30 year old had been the subject of some transfer speculation prior to agreeing terms but to tie down one of the Club's most experienced players was seen as a good bit of business for Basil and Werribee.

But it wasn't all good news, Brush had identified another experienced defender in Diogo Ferreira to become one of his first signings for 20-21. Yet the centre half signed for Hamilton Wanderers in the NZ Premiership at the same time as Collett agreed his new deal at Werribee. But not to be disheartened, Brush saw it as one door opening and one door closing. Who knows, Ferreira could be a close season signing if push comes to shove. A couple of teenage midfielders in local A-league squads also took Brush's eye. Brush was planning for a future, knowing quality will be needed to take this team to the next level. Should Werribee lack ambition, Basil was adamant in his own mind he wouldn't hang around when his contract expired in the summer of 2021.


Matchday 13: Langwarrin SC 0 - 0 Werribee City

It could have been better, Basil lamented to himself as the Bees endured a goalless draw with promotion rivals Langwarrin SC at Lawton Park. Despite being the visitors, Werribee were the better side throughout the ninety minutes. However, once more their lack of killer instinct came back to haunt them as they managed just a paltry three shots on target from 21 attempts. "Not good enough." Basil mumbled to himself when the final whistle shrilled.

The biggest miss came ten minutes into the second half when the Bees were awarded their second penalty in as many games. It came about when home midfielder Vince Lia slid in on Paz and remarkably the referee pointed to the spot, leaving everyone (including the Werribee contingent) surprised. As designated penalty taker, Ballan stepped forth but this time the midfielder's effort lacked any sort of conviction and allowed Nikola Roganovic to make an easy save. So still unbeaten, could this run last to the end of the season? That's going to be a real test of character Basil thought as he stepped onto the bus home.

Team: Baird; Lakic, Collett ©, Petrov, Bavcar, Pistininzi; Ballan, Zaffina (Murray 66), Paz (Ammache 82), Holden; Goodwin (Elasi 72). Unused Substitutes: Parkinson, Dunn, Kessie, Davies.
Booked: Zaffina
Man of the Match: Nikola Roganovic (Langwarrin SC)
Attendance: 574
Position After Game: 1st

So with nine games to play, these are the standings:

Chapter 23: What do the experts know anyway?

As the fireworks lit up the night sky over the Yarra River, Basil took stock of the last 12 months. It had certainly been a bit of a whirlwind for sure. He had started the year 2019 as a Civil Servant and playing his last season as one of Stocksbridge Park Steels most senior semi-professionals; now he was embracing 2020 as a full time football manager albeit on the other side of the world. Quite a change in fortunes for sure.

What would 2020 bring him? A date with Jessica Miesel perchance? Nah, too much a long shot that one. He viewed he had more chance of winning a small prize on the Victorian State Lottery than a hot date with Ms Miesel, the actress from Atlanta; Georgia who stars in the medical drama "The Resident." No, then the realism hit him.

He could be a title winning manager before half the new year would be out, providing Werribee continued to do what was expected of them. Now how good would that feel? The following morning on the first day of 2020, Basil awoke to John Waddell's latest fixture email which read the following:


John Waddell's words certainly rang true, Basil felt he was blessed to have such a knowledgeable assistant at Werribee. Imagine how much he would probably have struggled without the steadying influence of the 53 year old. However, something else caused a raised eyebrow, the local pundits had been talking about the season so far. Despite the team being unbeaten, the only side in the division to be, the pundits still didn't believe Werribee had what it takes to get promoted to NPL Victoria - 1.

The pundits had the Bees down to finish third by the time the final ball was kicked in mid-May. Langwarrin SC were the new favourites to win the title with Moreland Zebras now predicted to finish in the second promotion spot. Werribee and Brunswick City would miss out if those pundits had their way. "Is that so?" Basil said to himself. "Guess Basil Brush is going to have to make these pundits eat their words," he mused. Basil hated been written off despite the superb start he had had.

Time to make a statement again.

Chapter 22: Merry Christmas Werribee City!

Basil looked at the December games that the Bees would play, all of them away from home. What kind of fixture planning do they do here; he muttered to himself. Sure he was used to playing back to back home or away games in his playing career, but playing three away games straight, well he hadn't seen anything like it. Well, he had but that was when he was watching the NHL. Still it was a chance for him and his Bees side to really make a statement and put a bit of daylight in what was a very tight division.

Matchday 9: North Geelong Warriors 0 - 0 Werribee City

Werribee City made it nine games unbeaten with a goalless draw in Geelong. The Warriors were second best to their table topping visitors throughout, and failed to force Bees keeper Alex Baird in the whole ninety minutes. Bees manager Mark Duell cut a very frustrated figure in the visiting dugout, seeing his side waste chance after chance in a game they dominated. Michael Holden, scorer of the winner against Brunswick City seven days ago, went the closest to breaking the deadlock: his 65th minute shot thudding against the post and away from danger. Warriors keeper Marko Stevanja kept his side in it throughout with a series of important saves but the Bees will see this as two points dropped for sure.

The game also saw the Bees give a début to new signing Omar Ammache as a second half substitute.

Team: Baird; Lakic, Collett, Parkinson ©, Bavcar; Pistininzi; Zaffina, Ballan, Paz (Ammache 64), Holden; Goodwin (Weaver 73). Unused Substitutes: Petrov, Dunn, Murray, Williams, Gorgovski.
Man of the Match: Tom Lakic
Attendance: 196
Position After Game: 3rd

Basil knew his team needed extra firepower, they had scored just nine goals in those nine games unbeaten. Therefore it came as a welcome relief when on the Monday after that Geelong draw, striker Nathan Elasi agreed to join the Bees as a free agent on a two year deal. What made it better for Basil, the wage budget was still under control and the board were still happy with him. Hopefully the new signing could help out as it was becoming clearer that Shaun Weaver wasn't good enough. But would the new signing have an instant début on the Saturday at Northcote City? That was something Basil was toying with in his mind.


Matchday 10: Northcote City 1 - 3 Werribee City

After the frustrating goalless draw in Geelong where Werribee should have really hammered their hosts, Basil's attentions turned to the next game against Northcote City, and he surprised the team by making two changes. Dropped were skipper David Parkinson and striker Alec Goodwin. Replacing them were Daniel Petrov and in an instant début, Nathan Elasi, whilst Julyan Collett skippered the team. And it seemed to be groundhog day for the Bees in that first half, wasting chances after chances and leaving Brush to cut an exasperated figure on the touchline. The far from impressed manager made his feelings known at half time as he ripped in his shell shocked side.

Those words seemed to fire up the Bees as they seemed to be better in the second half, and they opened the scoring in the 58th minute when Lisandro Paz bombed down the right wing to cross to the far post where fellow winger Michael Holden beat Paul Petrovski with a neat half volley for his third of the season. As débuts went, Elasi had a steady one and with 18 minutes to go the striker made way for Goodwin. Seconds later, Werribee had gone 2-0 ahead when a cross from Matteo Ballan was met by a pinpoint header by Goodwin, his first touch and a fourth goal of the season. What an impact!

Sensing they could score again, Werribee looked for a third and got it in the 74th minute. A beautifully weighted pass inside the home left back by Brandon Zaffina found Paz in a pocket of space and he angled a low drive under Petrovski for his fourth of the campaign. Home right-back Paul Swithenbank headed in for Northcote two minutes later but that proved to be just a false dawn and Werribee were back to winning ways, and back in the promotion places.

Team: Baird; Lakic, Collett © (Davies 67), Petrov, Bavcar; Pistininzi, Zaffina, Ballan; Paz, Holden (Ammache 82); Elasi (Goodwin 72). Unused Substitutes: Parkinson, Dunn, Kessie, Murray.
Booked: Collett
Man of the Match: Lisandro Paz
Attendance: 442
Position After Game: 2nd

Matchday 11: Moreland Zebras 1 - 1 Werribee City

After getting back to winning ways seven days ago, Brush surprised all and sundry when he named an unchanged side for the trip to Moreland Zebras: their last game of 2019. This meant that new signing Elasi kept his place ahead of Goodwin who had scored in that 3-1 win at Northcote City, the new boy's second successive start. However once more the Bees failed to convert the chances they were presented with and put their hosts to the sword. It would certainly come back and bite them, right?

Sure enough it did when the Zebras opened the scoring 12 minutes from time, Cameron Watson reacting first to the loose ball after a spot of ping pong football in the Bees penalty area following an Aaron Turner corner kick. With time running out, it looked like Werribee would lose their first game of the season but with just a couple of minutes left; they scored a dramatic equaliser. A free-kick from Ballan was blocked by a resolute Zebras wall and back to the schemer who swung it wide right to Mark Pistininzi and the defensive midfielder's low cross was turned in from close range by former Zebras striker Goodwin, who had been introduced as a substitute for the ineffective Elasi. It was the striker's fifth of the season.

There was even more joy in the visiting dressing room at the end, despite them only taking a point. Leaders Brunswick City had suffered a surprise 2-1 loss at Manningham which meant the Bees would end the first half of the season, top of the pile and unbeaten in eleven.

Team: Baird; Lakic, Collett ©, Petrov, Bavcar (Parkinson 77); Pistininzi; Ballan, Zaffina; Paz, Holden (Ammache 72); Elasi (Goodwin 63). Unused Substitutes: Kessie, Dunn, Davies, Murray.
Booked: Pistininzi
Man of the Match: Cameron Watson (Moreland Zebras)
Attendance: 561
Position After Game: 1st

So this is the table at the end of the first half of the season:


Definitely good reading indeed as Basil munched his way through the four course Christmas Day dinner that the hotel had cooked. Despite being over 10500 miles away from his family, the sight of being a table topping manager more than made up for it. Merry Christmas Werribee City indeed!

Chapter 21: Life's Been Good (with apologies to Joe Walsh)

As Basil relaxed in his hotel room a few hours after the Brunswick City victory, it gave him plenty to time to reflect. Four months had elapsed, almost five, since he met Angus Brown in that Melbourne restaurant and agreed to become the new Head Coach of Werribee City. And what a ride it has been so far, he contemplated. Considering that this was Basil's maiden journey into the cut throat world of football management, it had certainly gone well for the Englishman.

The decision had been a successful one so far.

With the halfway point of the season looming on the horizon, Werribee were very handily placed indeed to get promotion at the first time of asking but Basil was not counting any proverbial chickens. One defeat and they could easily back down to fifth if results went against them, that's how Basil was seeing it in the bigger picture. The build up week had seen Brush make yet another signing, this time picking up 22 year old winger Omar Ammache who signed on non-contract terms. With Lisandro Paz and Michael Holden playing well in the wing roles, Brush saw his latest acquisition as a very useful back up to call upon. It also met the board's approval as this was yet another player signed under the age of 23. Brush was certainly trying to build something for the future.

That was one new face in, but time had run out to get a second one in. Striker Nathan Elasi had been on trial with the Bees for the last four weeks, and the former Melbourne City striker had done well. He had played 4 games and scored four goals which was exactly what Brush was looking for, someone who could put the ball into the back of the net and provide good competition for first choice striker Alec Goodwin. Whilst his demands weren't over the top, Brush was concerned that the board wouldn't be happy with him signing a 30 year old journeyman striker. But eventually gut instinct took over and a contract was offered.

Predictably midweek saw yet another email from John Waddell with December's fixture list so Basil could update his planner.


Could the Bees kick on further and strengthen their grip at the top? The board were certainly pleased so far, so it was safe to assume that things were going to plan. December would be pivotal, it was just about taking advantage and making sure complacency didn't kick in. As the team boarded the bus bound for Geelong, Basil was reminding his players exactly that. They had built themselves up to be a force but now the target was firmly on their backs, everyone else wanted to beat them. No room for taking things easy, winning games builds team morale and smiles on faces. Time to shine brighter than ever before.