Mike Bassett: England Manager

Libertine73 · Post by **Libertine73** » Wed Mar 08, 2023 6:53 pm

ebfatz wrote: ↑Wed Mar 08, 2023 10:46 am
Libertine73 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 07, 2023 2:48 am
My rep went up to 13 (Good) after I won League One with Hartlepool a couple of seasons ago, but it dropped out of the top twenty after Coventry got relegated. I gambled on Coventry staying up, and failed.

Last season's automatic promotion didn't improve my ranking. It may have done if we'd gone up as champs, but I'm not sure. I'm currently 23rd (Fair). I would hope that my ranking will eventually rise if I do get promoted this season.
The cup run will have helped in terms of manager points so that may play into things at seasons end.
I was just praying for a Man Utd away scenario in that run as well.
Regardless of the result, that would have taken away the finance issue, at least for a while.

It certainly would have! I reckon a near capacity Old Trafford might have brought in around £1.5M.

Libertine73 · Post by **Libertine73** » Wed Mar 08, 2023 7:02 pm

Results

We started March with a comfortable 3-0 win over Accrington. We were two-goals ahead after 28 minutes. Both were scored by striker Tom Bearwish, and assisted by midfielder Jack Burroughs.

We went further ahead in the 42nd minute when right midfielder Gavin Whyte found the run of club captain Ivan Roca, who finished neatly.

We contained the visitors well throughout the game, and Man of the Match Tom Bearwish was unlucky not to complete a hat-trick in the second half.

Next up was a trip to Bristol Rovers. We got off to a good start. Gervane Kastaneer intercepted an opposition through pass. He moved upfield with the ball, then found strike partner Tom Bearwish in the area whose powerful header gave us a 10th minute lead.

Both sides had chances to score after that. We could have just as easily doubled our lead or have conceded an equaliser. Both keepers were on good form.

In the end, the one goal separated us. Tom Bearwish was Man of the Match for the second successive game, but I was also pleased with goalkeeper Alexander Elsener. The biggest compliment that I can pay the lad is that we haven't missed the outstanding Rúnar Alex Rúnarsson one bit during his suspension. Elsener did a very good job today, saving each of the host's four on target efforts.

We continued our good form with a solid 2-0 victory over Plymouth. In the 27th minute, Ivan Roca found Gervane Kastaneer in the opposition penalty area. The striker turned nicely, went past a defender then hit a vicious strike into the top corner to give us a 1-0 lead.

On stroke of half-time, Kastaneer grabbed his second goal of the game when he rose above his marker to head in a Gavin Whyte corner.

We remained solid throughout the second half to see out the win.

Having struggled as a left midfielder this season, I've been deploying Gervane in the target man role in recent games. I was delighted to see him get his first goals of the season, and win the Man of the Match award.

We finished the month with a wonderful 4-0 win at Charlton. Hero of our last game, Gervane Kastaneer, was on international duty, so with Ibrahim Meite and Jahvan Davidson-Miller injured, academy product Tom Jolley started the game in the target man role.

We got off to the perfect start. In the 2nd minute, Gavin Whyte made a good run down the right and got to the byline. His low cross to the near post came to another academy product, Jack Burroughs. The midfielder controlled the ball superbly then finished neatly to give us a 1-0 lead.

The hosts couldn't contain Whyte. In the 29th minute, he received the ball, went over the halfway line, kept going and then unleashed a 20 yard shot that flew into the top corner to double our lead.

Six minutes later, Whyte was instrumental in another move. His cross into the box could only be cleared into the path of Jolley, who drove us into a 3-0 lead.

It wasn't completely one-way traffic. Alexander Elsener reliably dealt with the few efforts that our opponents had on target, but a bad day for them got worse in the 86th minute. Tom Bearwish won a penalty, and the striker stepped up and took it himself to fire us into a 4-0 lead and complete the scoring.

Man of the Match: Gavin Whyte

What more can I say about him? Another fantastic display.

Summary

It seems that whenever I ask questions of this squad, they come up with the right answers. A perfect month sees us extend our winning run to five games, and our unbeaten run to eleven games.

This has given us a commanding lead at the top of the table.

I said in my previous update that I wanted a double figures points gap at the top of the table. You can see that this has increased from eight points last month, to twelve points this month, and fourteen points over 3rd place Shrewsbury.

I don't want to count any chickens, as I've experienced plenty of stuttering run-ins in previous saves. But, even if that happened, and we only managed to win six more points between now and the end of the season, I find it hard to imagine that both Brighton and Shrewsbury will win each of their remaining seven games to deny us a top two finish.

I'm hoping of course that we simply sustain this good form, and clinch automatic promotion then the title over the next three or four games.

Other News

Fulham have gone on to win the EFL Cup after eliminating us at the Quarter Final stage of this tournament.

Forthcoming Fixtures & Team News

Next up is a Sheffield Wednesday side that will still feel that 2nd place is up for grabs. It would be nice to be able to clinch promotion then the title over the Easter weekend.

This will be my side for our next game.

Redknapp69 · Post by **Redknapp69** » Wed Mar 08, 2023 11:21 pm

Promotion done and dusted - early congrats for a helluva middle part of the season that sorted you right out

Cracking effort from Fulham!

Good battle for the automatic and playoff places and could be plenty of movement for relegation as well!

Libertine73 · Post by **Libertine73** » Thu Mar 09, 2023 5:24 pm

Results

A hat-trick from midfielder Jack Burroughs meant that we started April with a 3-2 win over Sheffield Wednesday.

For the second successive game, Burroughs opened the scoring in the 2nd minute. The academy product received the ball from Gavin Whyte, then unleashed a long-range effort that gave visitor's keeper Jorgo Muca no chance.

Four minutes later, Burroughs took control of a loose ball after midfield partner Ivan Roca was tackled, and fired us into a 2-0 lead.

The player sensed glory, and in the 26th minute another loose ball came Jack's way, and his well taken effort got him his third goal and a 3-0 lead.

We were a bit sloppy in the second half. We conceded in the 64th and 90th minutes. If our opponents had been a bit more clinical in front of goal, they would have scored a deserved equaliser.

Man of the Match: Jack Burroughs

Jack's form at the start of the season was disappointing. He lost his place when he was suspended following a red card, then was injured for a few months. I'm delighted that he's come back well from these setbacks.

Next up was a trip to struggling Rotherham. Once again, it was Jack Burroughs on the scoresheet. In the 15th minute, a corner by Gavin Whyte was headed clear. The ball came to central defender Bambo Diaby who sent it back into the area, for Burroughs to volley us into the lead.

The game could have gone either way, with chances for both sides, but Alexander Elsener put in another brilliant display to ensure that we took all three points. Results for other teams mean that we need just one point from our remaining five games to clinch promotion and the title.

Good Friday: Coventry vs Salford

Knowing that we needed just a point to win promotion and the title, along with coming into this game having won our last seven and being thirteen games unbeaten, the team remained unchanged from the win at Rotherham.

22 mins: The game had been pretty even, but the visitors took the lead through one of League One's leading goalscorers Danny Hylton. 0-1

31 mins: After Tom Bearwish was denied an equaliser by the opposition keeper, left back Tyler Blackett gave away a penalty. Sam Deering made no mistake from the spot. 0-2

34 mins: My players rolled their sleeves up, and Gavin Whyte found Jack Burroughs in the area who pulled it back to 1-2, by scoring for the fourth consecutive game.

45 mins: Ivan Roca sent the ball into the area for young striker Tom Jolley to head in the equaliser. 2-2

Half-time

62 mins: Both sides had chances to go in front. In a bid to take control of the game, I made a double substitution. Left midfielder Jordan Kirkpatrick was replaced by Luke Thomas, and goalscorer Tom Jolley was replaced by Gervane Kastaneer.

86 mins: We'd been pushing for the winner, even though we simply needed to not concede, as a point would be enough.

An effort by James Gibbons was pushed wide for a corner. Whyte's delivery into the opposition penalty area was cleared, but the ball came to Gibbons. The right back sent the ball back into the area for none other than outstanding club captain Ivan Roca to power a header past Salford keeper Cameron Dawson, to make it 3-2.

Full Time

A remarkable fightback from 0-2down to win the game, and win League One!!!

Future Plans

I'm delighted to wrap up the League One title with four games to spare. I'll do a summary of the season when the remaining matches are complete.

Thoughts immediately turn to the Managerial Rankings.

I'm not as high as the 13th place I achieved after winning this division with Hartlepool two years ago, but I'm back to being rated as 'Good', having dropped down to 'Fair' after Coventry were relegated.

There are only three English club managers that are higher than me. Frank Lampard at Chelsea is in 4th place (Superb). Eddie Howe at Bournemouth is 11th, and Chris Wilder at Sheffield United is 12th (both Good).

Now that I've achieved a second promotion from League One, I'm obliged to depart Coventry, as my achievements need to be outside the top two divisions for the time being. I may leave within days, but may alternatively wait until this season is over.

Thoughts also turn to what my next job will be. The Hartlepool job is currently vacant, whilst the managers of Sunderland, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough are all under pressure.

I'm actually contemplating whether to see if my former club will have me back, after my successor Sam Ricketts was recently appointed as manager of struggling Championship side Preston. There is a good squad there, and I'm wondering if I'll get a further rankings boost if I were to take the club up via the playoffs in less than two months time.

However, the club's finances are insecure and the training ground needs investment. If I were to return to Hartlepool, it would only be for their remaining few games initially. I'm not sure that I'd want to be there next season.

Ideally, I want to be at a League One club next season. Dropping down to League Two could damage my ranking. I'd like to be at a well supported club, as there should be more chance of having a transfer budget.

Thinking about those clubs I just mentioned, Sunderland are struggling in the Championship, but will probably survive. They may well take a manager from a League One club though, so I'll see how that all unfolds. The same applies to Aston Villa.

The one that I'm keeping an eye on is Middlesbrough. They are twelve points adrift of safety, with just five games remaining. If Kenny Jackett is no longer required then I'd be keen on them.

Middlesbrough are financially insecure, but have some good players for this level. Their annual wage bill is currently £34M, which is more than four times higher than the £7.5M that we're paying out per year at Coventry.

Next Update

I'll keep you posted when there are any developments.

Here2Win79 · Post by **Here2Win79** » Thu Mar 09, 2023 6:32 pm

Congrats on the title. With regards Hartlepool… never go back

Redknapp69 · Post by **Redknapp69** » Thu Mar 09, 2023 9:02 pm

Nice one on the title - been brilliant!

Interesting musings of jobs available

Hartlepool is tampting for a playoff push but agree not to stay for much longer

Let's hope one of the "big guns" become available

Libertine73 · Post by **Libertine73** » Fri Mar 10, 2023 6:02 pm

Results

Our fourteen game unbeaten run came to an end with a 1-2 defeat at playoff hopefuls Forest Green.

I sent out a side of fringe players. I want to see if anyone catches my eye in our remaining few games, as they may turn out to be future transfer targets at whichever club I end up at.

We were deservedly two-goals down after 28 minutes, though young midfielder Graham Holland pulled one back in the 29th minute, with a neatly struck free-kick. He may be someone who's development is worth keeping an eye on.

I continued deploying the fringe players for the visit of mid table Macclesfield. We lined up in the defensive 442 formation, with an attacking mentality.

We created a reasonable amount of chances. In the 24th minute, Toby Sibbick surged forward from the right back position. He went past an opponent, then delivered a cross into the box for striker Tom Jolley to head us into a 1-0 lead.

The visitors equalised in the 38th minute, with their only effort on target throughout the game.

We kept going in the second half, and central defender Dave Gillespie won us a free kick. Sibbick took it quickly, and provided his second assist of the game when the ball came to striker Rakish Bingham who powered a header past visitor's goalkeeper Emmanuel Idem, to give us a 2-1 lead with his first goal for the club. This completed the scoring.

Man of the Match: Tom Jolley

The academy product used his aerial prowess to open the scoring, and win eight aerial duels.

Our final away game of the season saw us lose 1-4 at relegation threatened Wycombe. We were second best throughout the game. The only bright moment was when midfielder Graham Holland set up Tom Jolley for the equaliser.

One of the few players who did give a good account of himself was Moussa Sanoh, who created three chances, and looked dangerous throughout the game.

We finished the season with a solid 2-0 win over Peterborough. I returned to the defensive 442 formation with an attacking mentality, and we took an 11th minute lead through defensive midfielder Brian Townsend.

Conor Kearns had to make some good saves, to prevent the visitors from getting a deserved equaliser. We completed the scoring in the 67th minute, when substitute Mark O'Hara struck a superb free kick past opposition keeper Jack Byford.

Academy product Brian Townsend was named Man of the Match. Along with the goal, he used the ball well, and made four ball recoveries.

Summary of the Season

After finishing as runners-up in League Two last season, I made sixteen new signings in the summer, along with making six loan signings. Essentially, a new squad to challenge for promotion, without spending any money due to the club's financial predicament.

For whatever reason, our form was ropey during the first couple of months of the season. It could be that my new players needed time to gel, but I suspect that switching to the flat 442 formation both home and away as an important factor.

Once we got going, we never looked back. From October onwards, we soared up the table and went top for the first time in January.

We stepped it up a notch throughout February and March, and went into April twelve points clear at the top of the table.

With five games to go, we made it fourteen games unbeaten and won our eighth consecutive game with a 3-2 win over Salford, to clinch promotion and the League One title for the second time in my career.

Whilst we were several points short of the 106 points my Hartlepool squad achieved a couple of seasons ago, we only scored three fewer goals, and were significantly stronger defensively.

My Hartlepool squad had more of a depth of quality, whereas this Coventry squad has a couple of outstanding individuals.

Key Players

Throughout the season, I've highlighted several players who have made important contributions. I'd like to highlight the three that I feel have been the most important, starting with club captain Ivan Roca.

Ivan did a great job for me at Hartlepool, so I was delighted to be able to bring him to Coventry as part of a player exchange in the summer of 2022.

After helping us win automatic promotion from League Two twelve months ago, I decided to make him club captain for this season, after I sold Serge Leuko.

Ivan isn't the most vocal of captains, but he leads by example with his determined, hard-working displays. His average tackles per game ratio is the best in the division.

The game that encapsulates Ivan was that title clincher against Salford. We fought back from 0-2 down to get a 3-2 victory, with Ivan scoring the winning goal.

The next player that I'm highlighting is Rúnar Alex Rúnarsson.

A goalkeeper was on my shopping list last summer, after Gary Woods returned to Preston following his year long loan spell.

I couldn't have got a better keeper than Rúnar.

He has been the best in the division.

After a string of brilliant performances, Rúnar received a red card on Matchday 33, and served a three match suspension. His replacement Alexander Elsener did a great job in Rúnar's absence, and kept him out of the side for the run-in.

Rúnar's importance can't be overlooked though. He has been the main reason we have by far the best defensive record in the division.

Finally, Gavin Whyte.

I couldn't believe my luck when I signed Gavin last summer. He has been on fire all season. For a midfielder to register double figures in both goals and assists is an incredible achievement.

No player in the division has created more goals than Gavin.

He has without doubt been Coventry's best player this season. I hope that I get to work with him again in the future.

End of Season Party

That is tonight. I'm looking forward to letting my hair down. I'd better not go overboard though, as I have a meeting with the Chairman, Tim Fisher tomorrow lunchtime.

Speaking of the chairman, what a star he has been. He showed patience and understanding when I wanted to leave within eighteen days of arriving two years ago, and has provided practical support by bankrolling the club to the tune of £8.5M.

Revenue streams have improved, and should be even better in the Championship next season. Hopefully his investments will pay off.

I dedicate this title win to him.

ebfatz · Post by **ebfatz** » Sun Mar 12, 2023 9:27 pm

Congrats on the title.

I have a feeling there will be a tempting job that pops up at some point before next season starts that makes you really think about moving on.

Redknapp69 · Post by **Redknapp69** » Mon Mar 13, 2023 12:01 am

• Townsend looks a decent prospect
• Ivan isn't the most vocal of captains

Clubman of the year!
• Keeper has been a belter
• Name the new stand after Whyte!
• Fair play to the Chairmen sticking in that cash
• What a season – now what does the summer bring…..

Libertine73 · Post by **Libertine73** » Mon Mar 13, 2023 3:38 am

Oh dear...I have a massive hangover, and I made a complete tit of myself last night. I can't remember too much about what happened at the end of season shindig, but I'm waiting to go into a meeting with the chairman Tim Fisher. I'm getting bad vibes from his secretary, Mrs Ripper.

Ah, I've just been called in...

Mike Bassett: I can't remember what I did last night, but if my behaviour caused any offence, I apologise.

Tim Fisher: (long pause)...You disgraced yourself last night. You were rebuffed by my wife after making a lurid, drunken pass at her. You then went on to insult Mrs Ripper's husband Jack, calling him a 'know nothing nobody' for asking if it was wise to continue with your long ball tactics in the Championship next season.

MB: Did I?

TF: Yes you bloody did! You were dancing on the bar at one stage, and trying to drag me up there with you. We eventually had to throw you out. Once outside, we were treated to you baring your hairy backside through our glass doors, before you urinated against the handle of my car door. Thankfully I keep wet wipes in the glove compartment.

MB: That's good. I get my wet wipes from Savers, otherwise they can get a bit expensive.

TF: I don't care about your financial budgeting. You finished up by shouting, "Look everyone, I'm Lady Godiva" whilst pretending that a broomstick was a horse.

MB: That's not so bad...

TF: Maybe not, but in this case it was, as you decided to get naked for full authenticity!

MB: I don't remember this!

TF: Your assistant Adrian Viveash bundled you and your clothes into his car, and got you home. Everything is on CCTV.

MB: I'm so so sorry.

TF: I'm afraid that 'sorry'' doesn't butter the parsnips. I would like you to resign with immediate effect. We can tell the media that it's for personal reasons.

MB: Do I get a payoff for the remaining year of my contract?

TF: No. You're lucky we have decided not to hand our CCTV footage over to the police.

MB: Okay fine. Dean Smith is struggling down the road at Aston Villa. I'm sure they would be happy for me to eventually replace him. Especially as I'll be a free agent.

TF: Hmmm. This could be a problem. Okay, I'll give you six months of your salary as a lump sum, but you can't take a job with a club in the Midlands for the next twelve months.

MB: Very well. I'll clear out my desk.

I got home. Thankfully, my wife hadn't attend the party. "How did your meeting with the chairman go?", she asked.

"Tight git won't make any money available for transfers. How are the club supposed to cope with the Championship next season? Anyway, I've resigned, and he's given me a golden handshake, so I thought we could rent a villa down on the Costa del Sol until a job comes up. Pack your bags love, we're going tomorrow."

Next Update

I'll let you know what happens if and when jobs come up. I'm hoping that a well supported League One club will come up this summer. If not, I'll take any League One club from autumn onwards. I'll even consider a return to League Two if I'm still jobless in the new year.

ebfatz · Post by **ebfatz** » Mon Mar 13, 2023 1:32 pm

Well I wasn't expecting that!

So much to enjoy in there though.
Not just Bassett's antics but Jack (the) Ripper, buttering of parsnips, wet wipe purchases!

Superb!

Redknapp69 · Post by **Redknapp69** » Mon Mar 13, 2023 11:32 pm

Wahahahahahah - helluva night from Mike there

Gone out with a bang!

Shame the Villa gig is out of bounds but should be some free gigs coming up over the summer

A well deserved rest for you and Mrs Bassett now!

Libertine73 · Post by **Libertine73** » Wed Mar 15, 2023 3:34 am

Hartlepool won the League One Playoff Final, so an immediate return to the Championship for my former club.

Meanwhile, my replacement at Coventry is former Preston manager Alex Neil.

Neil achieved a 3rd place finish with Preston a couple of seasons ago, and they reached the Championship Playoff Final. Things went into decline after that, and he was sacked shortly before they got relegated into League One.

He seems like a good choice, and a few months after his appointment, the current Championship standings show that Coventry are holding their own in the division.

free image hosting

As for Hartlepool, they are having a great time and could be in the Premier League next season!

~~~

Not one League One job came up this summer. My holiday to Spain with the Coventry chairman's cash ended up lasting for twelve weeks. I then got a call from Sky Sports. They asked me to be a pundit for their League One coverage.

I couldn't stay on holiday forever. The cash was already dwindling, so I returned to England and started providing expert analysis on League One games.

I quickly gained a reputation amongst lower league viewers, for my no nonsense views about any club that didn't play long-ball football. 'A bunch of tippy-tappy merchants who need to get it in the mixer' was how I described Shrewsbury, whilst leaky Blackburn were accused of having Ossie Ardiles and Kevin Keegan as their defensive coaches.

Anyway, I did this for a few months, and was then headhunted.

A chance to finally manage in the Championship, and look at that transfer budget. However, I remembered that my payoff from Coventry stipulated that I couldn't join another Midlands club for twelve months. Damn!

Meanwhile, the Accrington job has come up.

They're not a well supported club, but if memory serves me correctly, the League One side were taken over by new owners in the summer, so there may be money to spend.

I'll keep you posted.

Libertine73 · Post by **Libertine73** » Thu Mar 16, 2023 4:50 am

I'm back!

"Accrington Stanley! Who are they?" I hear you ask before glugging a bottle of milk.

Well I'll tell you.

I was correct about the club being taken over recently. £25M was pumped into the club last summer, though with the lowest average attendance in this division, I imagine that money was to clear a huge overdraft.

That cash is getting swallowed up every month though.

This is how things are currently.

You'll see that there's still a few million in the bank, and I have a transfer budget. However, my predecessor John Coleman has arranged deals to go through in January. One of my personal rules is to honour any prior arranged deals, so I doubt they'll be any transfer funds left after January 1st.

My chairman has deep pockets though, so more money may come along.

He might veto some deals though. Whilst he's happy for me to merely guide the club to safety this season, he's clearly ambitious, and will want me to replicate my achievements at Hartlepool and Coventry from next season onwards. It doesn't look like he will patiently wait for this to happen either, so my transfer dealings in the next two windows will be crucial.

Here's how things stand in League One.

We're several points clear of the relegation zone, so hopefully they'll be some 'new manager bounce' and we'll pull further clear. I basically want us to finish as high as we can this season. The playoff positions seem to be unobtainable, but there is still a lot of the season left to play

Recent Achievements

Accrington have been a mid table club these past couple of seasons, after one season in the Championship. The club have the lowest average attendance in the division. The stadium capacity is just 4107. It was a bit higher when the save started, but the financial difficulties the club suffered under the previous regime meant that one of the stands was closed down to reduce running costs.

Key Players

This isn't a stellar squad. There are 46 players at the club, but only a handful look good enough to play regularly, and another handful could be decent squad players. I'll be looking to offload plenty in the new year.

I'm very impressed with this defender though.

Tobias joined from Newcastle in the summer for £1.5M. (John Coleman spent a whopping £3.4M in the summer). The player has done a great job this season, and looks as good as any defender I've worked with so far in this save.

Next up is George Maris.

George joined Accrington eighteen months ago, on a Bosman from Cambridge. I've been aware of him for a while, and considered bidding for him when I was at Coventry.

The player has barely had a look in this season under my predecessor, but the club's Assistant Manager, Jimmy Bell, gave George his first start in the Accrington's last game. He got the equaliser in a 2-1 win over Preston.

The final player I'm featuring is Quivi Fowler.

Quivi arrived eighteen months ago, on a Bosman from Cardiff. I think that he has all the attributes to provide plenty of assists.

Forthcoming Fixtures & Team News

Along with some turgid recent results that led to John Coleman getting the sack, you can also see that my first game in charge is tomorrow at league leaders Forest Green. I'll pick ten of the XI that finished the Preston victory, but we won't be deploying the attacking 352 formation that Jimmy Bell used. I'll be giving the players a crash course in the morning, of what I expect from them, using the long-ball approach in the 44 effing 2 formation.

This will be the side.

Redknapp69 · Post by **Redknapp69** » Thu Mar 16, 2023 11:55 am

• Guwon Hartlepool!
• Ah nooooooooooooooo – that Villa job would have been a banger!
• Didn’t the kid in Accrington advert just go to jail?

• Christ - £25m! That looks a hefty wage bill?
• Consolidation seems key for this season as 17 point claw to playoffs seems tough
• Feck – gash stadium capacity
• 46! You need to bin some off if you want the Jan deals to go through
• Some decent players
• Looks like leaking a LOT of goals

Libertine73 · Post by **Libertine73** » Thu Mar 16, 2023 5:45 pm

Redknapp69 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 16, 2023 11:55 am • Guwon Hartlepool!
• Ah nooooooooooooooo – that Villa job would have been a banger!
• Didn’t the kid in Accrington advert just go to jail?
• Christ - £25m! That looks a hefty wage bill?
• Consolidation seems key for this season as 17 point claw to playoffs seems tough
• Feck – gash stadium capacity
• 46! You need to bin some off if you want the Jan deals to go through
• Some decent players
• Looks like leaking a LOT of goals

Yeah, the wage bill is about average for the division, but that low average attendance obviously means low income. The club are leaking several hundred thousand each month.

ebfatz · Post by **ebfatz** » Thu Mar 16, 2023 9:50 pm

Losing money hand over fist.
There will have to be another take over happening soon if you keep losing money at that rate!
£700k a month losses is huge!

Here2Win79 · Post by **Here2Win79** » Fri Mar 17, 2023 2:51 am

Not sure I’d be honouring the previous manager’s deals, seems like a chump, having already spent 3m. And means you miss your first opportunity in a while to utilise an actual transfer budget, which you never had at Coventry. I’d be calling the agents and telling them their guys are too silky for Bassett’s route 1. Unless they actually look good of course

I think you can make the playoffs, so long as you have a goal scorer. Defensive base looks solid and those midfielders look decent although their low average ratings are a bit worrying. It’s all down to the front two knowing where the net is.

Taiwanese Welshman Wai Tsun Dai would be a good candidate for Silly Names United if not for the fact that it sounds quite a tragic tale.

Libertine73 · Post by **Libertine73** » Fri Mar 17, 2023 3:48 am

ebfatz wrote: ↑Thu Mar 16, 2023 9:50 pm Losing money hand over fist.
There will have to be another take over happening soon if you keep losing money at that rate!
£700k a month losses is huge!

I think it's the same for most clubs below the Championship that don't have decent average attendances. They all seem to be operating beyond their means.

I'm hoping that my current chairman will be like my previous one. Plenty of regular bailouts to stop the club from going bankrupt.

Libertine73 · Post by **Libertine73** » Fri Mar 17, 2023 3:59 am

Here2Win79 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 17, 2023 2:51 am Not sure I’d be honouring the previous manager’s deals, seems like a chump, having already spent 3m. And means you miss your first opportunity in a while to utilise an actual transfer budget, which you never had at Coventry. I’d be calling the agents and telling them their guys are too silky for Bassett’s route 1. Unless they actually look good of course

I think you can make the playoffs, so long as you have a goal scorer. Defensive base looks solid and those midfielders look decent although their low average ratings are a bit worrying. It’s all down to the front two knowing where the net is.

Taiwanese Welshman Wai Tsun Dai would be a good candidate for Silly Names United if not for the fact that it sounds quite a tragic tale.

I also have a left back called Randy Onuoha...

With the forthcoming transfers, I've always honoured pre-arranged deals in whichever save I'm doing, to add a touch of realism. I feel like cancelling them would give me an even greater unfair advantage to what I already have. I'll be swooping on a load of players with expiring contracts, which will mean that my transfer activity in the summer will be abnormal compared to the AI clubs.

Libertine73 · Post by **Libertine73** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 4:28 am

Results

My opening game in charge of Accrington saw us come away from league leaders Forest Green with a creditable 0-0 draw.

This was a very scrappy game, but we remained solid enough to deny our opponents a single shot on target.

We didn't offer much in attack ourselves, but a point is a fair reward for a hard-working display.

My first game in charge at the Wham Stadium was a hard fought 2-1 win over bottom side Grimsby.

I continued with the attacking 442 formation, but it was the visitors that took a 15th minute lead, when our young keeper Toby Bull was beaten by a long-range free kick.

That woke us up a bit, and the deserved equaliser came on the stroke of half-time. Left midfielder Quivi Fowler delivered a cross to the near post. Jonathan Roberts' header was parried, but his strike partner Andy Dallas was first to the loose ball, and smashed in the equaliser.

We were struggling to create chances in the second half, so I made a double substitution after 62 minutes. Strikers Roberts and Dallas came off, and I brought on Nathan Delfouneso and Adrian Urbanski. I also switched to the flat 442 formation.

These changes eventually paid off after we dominated the final half an hour. Central defender John Souttar chipped the ball towards Urbanski. The young Polish striker turned one defender, got into the box, then skipped past another, before letting fly with his weaker left foot. The ball went in off the post, and gave us an 87th minute winner.

We finished 2024 with another hard fought victory, this time at home to struggling Notts County.

This game came just two days after our previous one, so while strikers Nathan Delfouneso and Adrian Urbanski were rewarded with starts after their impact from the bench in the Grimsby win, I also had to change my entire back four and midfield, due to their condition not being high enough.

We started the game well, and in the 27th minute right midfielder Jonathan Williams headed the ball into the path of Delfouneso, who drove us into a 1-0 lead. We should have been further ahead by half-time, having dominated the first half.

We were made to pay for failing to make the most of our advantage, when the visitors equalised in the 57th minute. I made a double substitution shortly afterwards. Wai-Tsun Dai came on for Williams, and Andy Dallas came on for Delfouneso.

This gave us the freshness we needed. In the 73rd minute, debutant Jason Neville delivered a corner into the box, and Urbanski rose above his marker to head in the winner.

Man of the Match: Randy Onuoha

Most of our attacks came down the left. Onuoha supported left midfielder Scott Fraser, and created a couple of chances, whilst winning five tackles.

Transfer News

In this transfer window, there have been just five departures of players that were surplus to requirements, bringing in a total of £130K.

There have been plenty of new arrivals though. Eleven in total.

My predecessor John Coleman arranged five deals to go through on January 1st. One of my self-imposed rules is to honour any previously arranged deals, when I arrive at a new club. This is regardless of whether I rate the incoming players or not.

However, my hands-on chairman Steve McAuley had other ideas, and vetoed three of the deals. He didn't feel that the offers were realistic enough.

I am fine with this. There was one deal that I was keen to go through though, and it was to sign Elias Sörensen from Championship side Derby County for the princely sum of £1.5M.

I've been aware of Elias since last season. He was on loan at Yeovil, and ripped up the National League, scoring 35 goals. Had I have not taken Coventry up last season, or had got a new job last summer, I'd have been looking to take Elias on a season long loan.

Personally, I wouldn't have spent so much money on one player. I'd have been looking to spend £200-300K on five or six players. However, I'm pleased to acquire Elias. I'm confident that his combination of speed, fitness, movement and finishing will get us the goals that we need to finish in the top half of the table this season, and challenge for promotion next season.

The other deal that McAuley permitted was Rhys McCabe on a Bosman from League of Ireland club St. Pat's.

I wouldn't have been interested in signing Rhys. He looks average at best, and his age would have put me off.

To be fair, he's been steady in the few games he's played since his arrival. He'll provide reasonable competition for the remainder of this season, but I've arranged to sign a couple of midfielders in the summer. This will mean that Rhys will be a squad player at best next season.

With the club having done so much of their dough on Sörensen, there was very little left in my transfer budget. This meant that I would be looking at bargains, freebies, player exchanges, and loans.

On 2nd January I signed Jack Payne from my former club Hartlepool on loan until the end of the season.

Jack was an important member of the squad that won League One, two and a half years ago. He's only started four games since I left though.

I see him as an upgrade on what I've currently got. If things go well, I'll be looking to do another loan deal for him, or sign him permanently for next season.

On 3rd January I spent the remaining £55K I had left, on Hartlepool central defender Martin Vukorepa.

Like Jack Payne, Martin was an important member of my League One winning squad at my former club. He hasn't been involved in a single game since I left there. Martin is also an upgrade on what I've got, and will slot in beside recently appointed club captain Tobias Figueiredo.

On 4th January I took Rhys Hunt on loan from fellow League One side Forest Green.

I first became aware of Rhys last season, when one of my scouts identified him in a youth search. I didn't have room in my squad to take him to Coventry, so Forest Green snapped him up instead.

He has developed well there. I think that his strength and aerial ability will compliment the attributes of Elias Sörensen.

I've done deals to sign two new target men in the summer, but if things go well for Rhys this season, I'd hope to have him on loan again next season.

On 6th January I snapped up free agent Aaron Bolger.

The player was released by Cardiff last summer, having barely had a look in there. He looks a good all-rounder, who will hopefully score a few goals, provide a few assists, and win a decent amount of tackles.

He could do with establishing himself as a regular first-teamer this season, as he'll face stiff competition from the two new midfielders that are due to arrive in the summer.

On the 10th January I was back on the phone to Hartlepool again, this time to bring in Dalian Maatsen on loan until the end of the season.

Dalian has been the best right back that I've had in this save. He's another that was completely frozen out after I left Hartlepool.

I've also got the option of deploying him in central defence if I need to.

Dalian's contract at Hartlepool expires in the summer, so I hope that his time at Accrington will become permanent.

On 22nd January I signed Nick Freeman from Newport in a player exchange.

With no money left to spend, I offered National League side Newport three of my players that were surplus to requirements. To my surprise, they accepted the offer, though one player had to be removed who they couldn't agree terms with.

This has worked well. I've offloaded two players I don't want, that no-one else was showing any interest in signing. This also frees up space in the squad to make six rather than five loan signings.

Nick was with me during all three of my title winning campaigns at Hartlepool. He only played 8 games in the League One campaign. 2 goals and 3 assists was a decent return.

Nick will provide competition to Wai-Tsun Dai for the right midfield position.

On 26th January I took Jack Burroughs on loan until the end of the season, from my other former club, Coventry.

Jack came through the academy at Coventry before I became manager there. It was under my management that he became a regular in the side though, and was a key player in the club's promotion from League Two.

The arrival of Ben Thompson meant that Jack slipped down the pecking order. A suspension and then a lengthy injury lay-off didn't help.

He eventually got back in the side though, and played a key role in the fourteen game unbeaten run that culminated in the club winning the League One title.

Jack started 12 games in midfield last season. He scored 7 goals and provided 2 assists. The highlight was a hat-trick in the 3-2 win over Sheffield Wednesday.

He'll hopefully post similar returns during his few months at Accrington. He's out of contract at the end of the season, so I'll hope to make things permanent if all goes well.

On 29th January I took experienced central defender Curtis Nelson on loan from Championship side Cardiff.

Curtis has been mostly out of favour during the last eighteen months at his parent club. He'll add depth to my central defence, and will get the chance to become one of my first choice centre backs if anything happens to Martin Vukorepa or Tobias Figueiredo.

My final signing of this window was on 30th January. Cheikh Diaby arrives on loan from West Brom.

Cheikh was an important member of my Hartlepool League One winning squad. During his loan spell there, he started 29 games, scored 12 goals, provided 1 assist and was named Man of the Match five times.

Cheikh's pace alongside the various target men he played alongside caused opposition defenders plenty of problems.

He'll provide cover for Elias Sörensen, and if all goes well this season, I'll look to bring him back for next season.

January

Results (continued)

I suffered my first defeat as Accrington manager, with an unfortunate 0-1 loss at new league leaders Middlesbrough.

Again, player's condition informed my selection, so I made nine changes to the starting line-up.

The hosts took the lead in the 6th minute, but this was an even game. There were chances for both sides.

A Man of the Match performance by the opposition keeper denied us what would have been a deserved point.

We bounced back with a solid 2-0 win at home to struggling Swindon. I gave full debuts to new signings Martin Vukorepa, Elias Sörensen, and on-loan Rhys Hunt.

Sörensen was proving to be a handful, and our opponents were struggling to cope with his movement. We put the visitors under constant pressure, and had numerous chances to score. Swindon keeper Joseph O'Shaughnessy was continually thwarting us.

A pivotal moment came in the 21st minute, when opposition central defender Ethan Pinnock received a straight red card for a professional foul on Sörensen. However, our opponents then used defensive, men behind the ball tactics which made it difficult to for us to create chances.

We managed to take the lead on the stroke of half-time though. O'Shaughnessy failed to collect a Quivi Fowler free kick into the box, and Sörensen was in the right place to open his account for us and make it 1-0.

We continued to probe in the second half, and forced an own goal in the 56th minute which completed the scoring.

I was very pleased with the performance of young defender Tin Stimac. I've been deploying him at left back. He used the ball well in this game. The Croat got forward and created three chances, whilst defending well, winning four tackles.

Next up was a trip to promotion contenders Shrewsbury. I was pleased to see us dominate the first half, but we were incredibly wasteful in front of goal. Elias Sörensen was the biggest culprit. Only one of his six efforts at goal were on target.

The second half was closer, but we stayed solid to keep the clean sheet.

Man of the Match was right back Daryl Lupo. He got forward well, and used his ability to run at defenders and make six successful dribbles.

I suffered my first home defeat as Accrington manager, with a 1-2 loss against Charlton.

This was our first disappointing performance since I've been here. We didn't do enough to get on top, making it an even game in terms of possession and chances. We wasn't solid enough defensively, we're wasteful in front of goal, whilst opposition keeper Darren Randolph made good saves.

I still feel that we deserved a point though.

I dropped young goalkeeper Toby Bull, and replaced him with the more experienced Chris Maxwell for the 1-1 draw at MK Dons. This proved to be a wise choice, as he made several important saves.

At the other end, striker Adrian Urbanski had four efforts at goal, but failed to test the keeper with any of them. Thankfully, left midfielder Quivi Fowler hit a fine equaliser early in the second half, after we conceded just before half-time.

Maxwell's performance earned him the Man of the Match award. He earned us a point that we didn't really deserve.

We finished January by coming from behind to beat Blackburn. The game was too open and even to start with. Both sides looked like scoring, and it was the visitors that took a 21st minute lead.

Shortly afterwards, I switched from the flat 442 formation to the attacking version. This seemed to do the trick. On the stroke of half-time, midfielder Rhys McCabe won a penalty, and Quivi Fowler made no mistake from the spot to equalise.

We started the second half brightly, and in the 50th minute midfielder George Maris searched out Elias Sörensen. The striker chested it down, went past a defender and beat opposition keeper Andy Fisher with a lovely strike.

That proved to be the winning goal, but unfortunately Sörensen picked up an injury that will keep him out for most of, if not all of the remainder of the season.

Summary

Fifteen points from nine games is reasonable with the squad that I've inherited. I'm still very much in the process of finding out who I can and can't rely on.

We're up three places to 14th.

The playoffs look out of the question. The current top six are all showing title winning form. Points wise, we're closer to the relegation zone.

My feeling is that we will be okay, and that our current trajectory suggests that we are heading for a top half finish. The 1.67 points per game we've been averaging would see us finish with 65 points if we continue our current form. I'm hoping to see us average at least 2 points per game though, after my transfer business. That would see us finish with 70 points, which seems like a realistic target. Charlton finished 9th last season with 69 points.

If we go into decline, and go back to averaging the 1.1 points per game that was happening under my predecessor John Coleman, we would still finish with 56 points. Crewe finished fifth from bottom last season with 50 points. I'll be surprised if any of the bottom four finish with much more than 45 points.

Forthcoming Fixtures, Team News & Next Update Details

These are our remaining fixtures. My next update will be at the end of the season, as it seems that we're just heading for a mid table finish. I'll put the detailed match reports on hold.

I'll be able to provide analysis of how we do in general, and give an indication of what our promotion prospects next season will be like. I've already lined up nine Bosman deals for the summer, and there could be at least a couple more to add to that.

In the meantime, our next game is a trip to Rochdale. This will be my side.

Five of my new signings will be making their debuts. There are only two players from the John Coleman era in that starting line-up, Chris Maxwell and Tin Stimac.

Here2Win79 · Post by **Here2Win79** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 2:00 pm

Hard to know if Sorensen is a big loss or not. 3 in 5 is a good return but his shot target and average rating were unimpressive. I guess he was not match fit for most of the games though.
Is Delfounesco not useful, I’d have thought he would have been decent for this level?
Good to see some old faces return, squad looking strong for the remainder of the season and then some bosmans to come to position you for the title in your first full season.

Libertine73 · Post by **Libertine73** » Sun Mar 19, 2023 1:07 pm

Here2Win79 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 18, 2023 2:00 pm Hard to know if Sorensen is a big loss or not. 3 in 5 is a good return but his shot target and average rating were unimpressive. I guess he was not match fit for most of the games though.
Is Delfounesco not useful, I’d have thought he would have been decent for this level?
Good to see some old faces return, squad looking strong for the remainder of the season and then some bosmans to come to position you for the title in your first full season.

He has 10 goals from 18 starts this season, so a decent return. At this stage, I prefer Cheikh Diaby or Andy Dallas to partner my target man though.

Redknapp69 · Post by **Redknapp69** » Sun Mar 19, 2023 10:10 pm

• Very good results overall
• 5 departures doesn’t feel great
• 11 arrivals? – thought you already had a squad of 46?! Ah – looks like some veto deals and jiggery-pokery!
• Sorenson looks a belter
• Croatian is a cracker!
• Maatsen looks very handy!
• Nelson experienced solid quality defender!
• Oooof – Diaby with a lot of interesting attts!
• Feck – bad injury to Sorensen!
• Far enough away from relegation now I’d say so all about building – wouldn’t worry too much about going flat out for minimal chance of playoff!

Libertine73 · Post by **Libertine73** » Mon Mar 20, 2023 6:38 pm

February

Results

We came under the cosh early on against Rochdale, so I switched to the flat 442 formation. This paid dividends. Man of the Match Rhys Hunt got his first goals for the club, and strike partner Cheikh Diaby got a debut goal. Assists were provided by Martin Vukorepa, Nick Freeman and Jack Burroughs.

~~~

The opening twenty-five minutes were fairly even, so once again I switched to the flat 442 formation. This had the desired effect of us taking control, and giving us a two-goal lead by half-time. The dying stages of the game were a bit nervy, but we held on for a deserved win.

Left midfielder Jack Payne provided two assists to earn the Man of the Match award.

~~~

This was a scrappy game in an energy-sapping encounter at snowy Peterborough. My side showed that they had the toughness to handle a cold February night, with my back four winning 26 tackles between them.

Both of my strikers had run themselves into the ground, so I took them off just after the hour. One of the substitutes, young Jonathan Roberts, got on the end of a cross by right back Daryl Lupo, to score the only goal of the game after we adopted an attacking mentality for the final twenty minutes.

Centre back Dalian Maatsen won ten tackles, and was named Man of the Match.

~~~

After making nine changes for this game, a solid win showed the depth that we now have in the squad. Wide midfielders Nick Freeman and Quivi Fowler provided the assists, and teenage striker Jonathan Roberts justified my decision to give him a starting place, by opening the scoring in a Man of the Match winning performance that included him winning twelve of his eighteen aerial duels.

~~~

Our five game winning run came to an end with this 0-1 defeat. We weren't at our best, but a Man of the Match winning performance from the opposition keeper prevented us from getting what would have been a deserved point.

~~~

We move up another three places to 11th.

March

A disappointing defeat at home to struggling Exeter. We controlled the game in the first half, but were wasteful in front of goal. We were poor in the second half. We created very little, and didn't defend well for the goal.

~~~

We bounced back from those two defeats with a stunning and eventful victory at promotion contenders Crewe. It was a a bad day for central defender Martin Vukorepa. He was outjumped for the opening goal, and was sent off for a second bookable offence just before half-time.

Prior to the dismissal, we'd turned the game on it's head, but card happy ref Dan Quatrale sent midfielder Aaron Bolger off for a second bookable offence early in the second half.

Chris Maxwell made a number of saves to prevent what would have been a deserved equaliser, but Man of the Match Rhys Hunt scored his second of the game to kill the game off.

Assists were provided by Hunt's strike partner Cheikh Diaby, left midfielder Wai-Tsun Dai and substitute Tin Stimac.

I'm pleased to see that my players have responded to my hard-tackling approach.

~~~

I returned to the attacking 442 formation after our previous home game ended with defeat. The first half was scrappy, but we dominated the second half. Man of the Match Cheikh Diaby provided the assist for the first goal, then linked up well with strike partner Rhys Hunt for the second.

~~~

This was a below par performance, though on the balance of play I felt that we were unlucky not to get something from the game.

~~~

We wasn't at our best today. The visitors had too many chances for my liking, but they were wasteful thankfully. Cheikh Diaby won the penalty, and central defender Curtis Nelson fired in his first goal for the club. We were hanging on a bit in the end.

We remain in 11th place. With six games to go, it's highly unlikely that we'll finish any higher. It's possible that we won't be able to move up or down the table with a few games to spare. If this happens, I'll put out experimental sides until the season finishes.

April/May

Late drama at The Memorial Stadium meant that we twice blew a chance to leave Bristol with all three points.

Midfielder Aaron Bolger set up striker Adrian Urbanski to give us a deserved lead, but we failed to kill the game off, and conceded an 87th minute equaliser.

Man of the Match Curtis Nelson got what I thought was a late winner, when he lashed home a loose ball in the box following a corner, but we failed to contain the hosts again and conceded an injury-time equaliser.

Frustrated that we couldn't create that two-goal margin with all of our efforts on target.

~~~

This was a more exciting game than the scoreline suggests. We had to rely on captain for the day, Chris Maxwell, to make some important saves. This time, we were the side that was lucky to get a point.

~~~

Another 0-0 draw, but a good display over 2nd place Forest Green. The visitors had their keeper to thank for preventing us from scoring. His performance earned him the Man of the Match award.

~~~

We kept a third consecutive clean sheet in this solid 2-0 win at playoff contenders Fleetwood, which my substitutes were instrumental in.

We started the game well, and had three good chances to take the lead, but were thwarted each time by opposition keeper Dimitar Evtimov.

In the second half, the hosts were getting on top. Just after the hour I took off left back Vashon Neufville and striker Adrian Urbanski, and replaced them with young Tin Stimac and fit-again Elias Sörensen. Six minutes later, left midfielder Jack Payne went off injured and was replaced by Quivi Fowler.

This turned things back in our favour. Sörensen collected the ball from right midfielder Scott Fraser, then blasted a shot into the top corner to give us a 1-0 lead. We made sure of the points when Cheikh Diaby headed in a cross by Fowler.

I was also pleased with the performance of Daryl Lupo. The right back won four key tackles, and made four successful dribbles.

~~~

Our good form continued with a nice victory over playoff contenders Sheffield Wednesday. On-loan striker Cheikh Diaby was the hero of the day. For the second successive game, he headed in a cross by Quivi Fowler, then a minute later Diaby was first to a loose ball after the opposition keeper failed to hold a headed effort by Elias Sörensen.

We had to rely on Chris Maxwell to go in with a clean sheet at half-time, as the visitors had made a game of it after falling two goals behind.

We were in complete control in the second-half. We contained our opponents superbly, and a quickly taken free kick by midfielder Wai-Tsun Dai found Diaby. The Frenchman moved forward, went past two opponents then struck a fierce shot to make it 3-0. This completed his hat-trick, and the scoring.

~~~

Having secured 11th place in our previous game, I left several key players out of the starting line-up for this trip to bottom club Grimsby.

It showed.

The first half was very open, with chances for both sides. We were failing to test the opposition keeper though, and paid the price when we fell behind just before half-time.

There didn't seem to be much improvement in the second half. I didn't want to lose the game, so just after the hour, made a double substitution. Off went right back Lee Hodson, and on came Nick Freeman. Daryl Lupo moved from right midfield to right back. I also replaced Jonathan Roberts with Elias Sörensen.

You can see from the image above, the difference this made. Elias scored three virtually identical goals. The kind that Gary Lineker scored in the 1986 World Cup. Low crosses into the six yard box, and Man of the Match Elias Sörensen was in the right place to apply the finishing touches. The assists were provided by left back Randy Onuoha, left midfielder Scott Fraser and substitute Nick Freeman playing at right midfield.

It looked as though we'd take all three points, but the midfield didn't do enough to protect our defence, and we sloppily allowed the hosts to score twice.

A draw was a fair result, and I'm delighted that Elias Sörensen has shown what he's capable of.

Summary of the Season

It's been a funny old twelve months. After winning League One with Coventry, then having to resign in disgrace after my embarrassing behaviour at the end of season party, myself and the lovely Mrs Bassett went on what turned out to be a twelve week holiday in sunny Spain.

This was just what I needed, a chance to recharge my batteries. With no League One jobs coming up in the summer though, I needed something to do. Low and behold, Sky Sports offered me the chance to provide expert analysis of their League One coverage.

That was enjoyable, but I was itching to get back in the dugout. A job eventually came up just before Christmas. Accrington. A small club, but some money in the bank after a recent takeover. They accepted my application, and I was back.

The club were languishing in 17th place, just four places above the relegation zone. I was confident that the club would survive, but we had no realistic chance of making the playoffs.

With this in mind, my personal goal was to get the club into the top half of the table, and lay the foundations for a promotion challenge next season.

Initial form was indifferent. We W3 D3 L2 of our first eight games. By the end of January though, I'd made several new signings, and got the squad looking much more like I wanted it to.

Between the end of January and the end of April, we W10 D3 L3. Title challenging form. That run saw us climb up to 11th, which is where we have finished.

Next Season

Having successfully achieved my goal of a top half finish, I now think that the club are in a position to challenge for the title/automatic promotion next season, despite the club's dire financial position.

All of the money that the chairman invested is now gone. Accrington are punching well above their weight by being in League One. The average attendance of 4082 is the lowest in the division, whilst our current wage bill is higher than what Coventry were paying out in my final season there.

The club are losing around £800-900K per month. We're going to need regular bailouts by the chairman.

Back to out prospects for next season, I have no fewer than fourteen players scheduled to arrive on free transfers this summer. I'll provide more details when they go through, but I am hopeful that I will solve the problem we have with our midfield not doing enough to protect my back four.

I'll be looking to clear out any players that I don't feel can hack it at this level, and will continue to strengthen where possible. I hope to assemble a squad that is comparable to the ones I had at Hartlepool and Coventry.

Next Update

I'll provide details of the key players amongst my new arrivals.