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Greyfriars Bobby · 01-24-2020, 02:01 PM

17 December 2015

2015/16 Midland Football League Premier Division: First Half Results

Two days after our first match of the season, Michael Skubala left for a paid position with Kettering Town. We were without any scouting services for three weeks or so, until we hired Frank Sharps and Martin Pike.

Despite this slight handicap, we began our season in fine form, and I earned the league's Manager of the Month award for August. We could have gone top of the league with a result at Stourport Swifts on 8 September, but we instead absorbed our first loss in league play. We haven't been so close to the lead since.

That dour performance caused me to put the 4-4-2 on the shelf. We've been using the 4-1-2-2-1 (or 4-3-3) since then, with a few tweaks designed to take advantage of the particular strengths of my team as it stands at the time.

Injuries have taken their toll on our season, as several key players have been sidelined at one time or another. Wide man Sheridan Rodgers tore a calf muscle in mid-September. Three weeks later, goalkeeper and captain Connor O'Keefe hurt his wrist in a FA Vase tie against Boleshall. Derrick Otim finished the match in goal, and O'Keefe was absent for nearly two months.

The worst blow fell on 24 October, when striker George Conway tore the cruciate ligaments in his knee. He won't be back on the pitch until next fall. By that time he will be approaching his 22nd birthday, so he might never play for us again. George had been leading the line with flair, firing in seven goals before he went down.

Not surprisingly, we struggled to find consistency and quality. A streak of five league games without a victory was finally broken with a 2-0 victory over Dunkirk. Conway's replacement, Derrick Otim, took full advantage of his chance. The Ugandan forward leads the team with 11 goals in all competitions.

Otim's timely goal scoring form was a key factor in our October resurgence, which led to a run of nine games without a loss in all competitions. The highlight was a 2-1 victory over runaway league leader Hereford, the first loss the Bulls had suffered in league play.

Another reason for our improved play might be found in our increasing knowledge of our tactic. An amateur side like us can only train once a week, so it takes a while for the players to learn what to do. In late September, I began asking the team to play a more vibrant, forceful style of football--setting a slightly higher defensive line and closing down more when we're out of possession; seeking to control the game and playing out of the back when we have the ball. Our passing accuracy and average possession are both second in the league, and while I don't appreciate possession for possession's sake, we are playing some attractive football. Teams are starting to play deeper against us, and I'm working on ways to unlock these more closely packed teams.

Here's my managerial avatar, rocking the 'stache for Movember. It's easy to smile when your side is playing well.

So far, it's worked well. It's carried us to sixth place, which I think is a fair piece of work for a team predicted to finish in the middle of the table. We also have at least one game in hand against each of the teams ahead of us on points.

Goodbye
The following players have left the club since the season began:
DR Liam Darville
MC Stephan Hamilton-Forbes
MC Charlie Musselwhite
DL Theo Brown
D/ML Oliver Davies
DL Tom Gilbey

All these lads, except Musselwhite, were released because they turned 22 years old.

Darville never saw the pitch for us; he was already 24 when the season began. Hamilton-Forbes started our first five matches and played well for us in the middle of the park. Brown gave me some problems with his attitude, so I wasn't too sorry when his birthday rolled around.

Davies was a valuable asset while we had him, appearing in nine matches, four as a starter, all along the left side of our formation. Gilbey was the biggest loss. He won the left back job and became an everpresent starter. Tom played to a solid 6.91 rating and helped solidify our back line.

Most of these players have signed with other clubs, usually on a non-contract deal that pays them when they play. Brown moved up a level to sign for Winchester City. Davies did the same thing, advancing to Step 4 with Potters Bar Town. The day after I released him, Gilbey signed with Highgate United, which means we'll have to play against him.

Darville and Hamilton-Forbes are still amateurs, playing for Corinthians and Ashford(Middlesex) respectively. Musselwhite, the only lad I released for any reason other than his age, is still looking for a new club.

Hello
I brought in a number of new players, either to replace guys who aged out of our club, to cover for players who were seriously injured, or to provide depth.

MC Luke Wright
MC Ben Grant
AMR/ST Jimmy Warnett
DR/C Kellen Daly
GK Melvin Minter
MC/DM Connor Purdue
D/ML Sidney Adams
DL Dale Minor

Wright and Grant are now two-thirds of my starting midfield. Wright, a former Port Vale man, is a more attacking player, while Grant, released by Oldham Athletic, is a box-to-box runner. Purdue gives us additional depth and some old-fashioned bite in the midfield.

Warnett is a versatile forward who is also a regular starter. So is Minor, whom I brought in to replace Gilbey.

Adams took Davies' roster spot, while Daly gives us much-needed cover along the back line. I signed Minter, a clever sweeper keeper, to back up Harry Waldram when Connor O'Keefe got hurt, but Melvin ended up earning his fair share of the work between the posts in the captain's absence.

I convinced chairman John Steele to allow me to bring in another coach. I signed Ross Preston, a fitness specialist who was previously at Rochdale. I'm proud to say that we have the best coaching staff in the division.

01-24-2020, 02:01 PM	#4
Greyfriars Bobby College Prospect Join Date: Sep 2013	17 December 2015 2015/16 Midland Football League Premier Division: First Half Results Two days after our first match of the season, Michael Skubala left for a paid position with Kettering Town. We were without any scouting services for three weeks or so, until we hired Frank Sharps and Martin Pike. Despite this slight handicap, we began our season in fine form, and I earned the league's Manager of the Month award for August. We could have gone top of the league with a result at Stourport Swifts on 8 September, but we instead absorbed our first loss in league play. We haven't been so close to the lead since. That dour performance caused me to put the 4-4-2 on the shelf. We've been using the 4-1-2-2-1 (or 4-3-3) since then, with a few tweaks designed to take advantage of the particular strengths of my team as it stands at the time. Injuries have taken their toll on our season, as several key players have been sidelined at one time or another. Wide man Sheridan Rodgers tore a calf muscle in mid-September. Three weeks later, goalkeeper and captain Connor O'Keefe hurt his wrist in a FA Vase tie against Boleshall. Derrick Otim finished the match in goal, and O'Keefe was absent for nearly two months. The worst blow fell on 24 October, when striker George Conway tore the cruciate ligaments in his knee. He won't be back on the pitch until next fall. By that time he will be approaching his 22nd birthday, so he might never play for us again. George had been leading the line with flair, firing in seven goals before he went down. Not surprisingly, we struggled to find consistency and quality. A streak of five league games without a victory was finally broken with a 2-0 victory over Dunkirk. Conway's replacement, Derrick Otim, took full advantage of his chance. The Ugandan forward leads the team with 11 goals in all competitions. Otim's timely goal scoring form was a key factor in our October resurgence, which led to a run of nine games without a loss in all competitions. The highlight was a 2-1 victory over runaway league leader Hereford, the first loss the Bulls had suffered in league play. Another reason for our improved play might be found in our increasing knowledge of our tactic. An amateur side like us can only train once a week, so it takes a while for the players to learn what to do. In late September, I began asking the team to play a more vibrant, forceful style of football--setting a slightly higher defensive line and closing down more when we're out of possession; seeking to control the game and playing out of the back when we have the ball. Our passing accuracy and average possession are both second in the league, and while I don't appreciate possession for possession's sake, we are playing some attractive football. Teams are starting to play deeper against us, and I'm working on ways to unlock these more closely packed teams. Here's my managerial avatar, rocking the 'stache for Movember. It's easy to smile when your side is playing well. So far, it's worked well. It's carried us to sixth place, which I think is a fair piece of work for a team predicted to finish in the middle of the table. We also have at least one game in hand against each of the teams ahead of us on points. Goodbye The following players have left the club since the season began: DR Liam Darville MC Stephan Hamilton-Forbes MC Charlie Musselwhite DL Theo Brown D/ML Oliver Davies DL Tom Gilbey All these lads, except Musselwhite, were released because they turned 22 years old. Darville never saw the pitch for us; he was already 24 when the season began. Hamilton-Forbes started our first five matches and played well for us in the middle of the park. Brown gave me some problems with his attitude, so I wasn't too sorry when his birthday rolled around. Davies was a valuable asset while we had him, appearing in nine matches, four as a starter, all along the left side of our formation. Gilbey was the biggest loss. He won the left back job and became an everpresent starter. Tom played to a solid 6.91 rating and helped solidify our back line. Most of these players have signed with other clubs, usually on a non-contract deal that pays them when they play. Brown moved up a level to sign for Winchester City. Davies did the same thing, advancing to Step 4 with Potters Bar Town. The day after I released him, Gilbey signed with Highgate United, which means we'll have to play against him. Darville and Hamilton-Forbes are still amateurs, playing for Corinthians and Ashford(Middlesex) respectively. Musselwhite, the only lad I released for any reason other than his age, is still looking for a new club. Hello I brought in a number of new players, either to replace guys who aged out of our club, to cover for players who were seriously injured, or to provide depth. MC Luke Wright MC Ben Grant AMR/ST Jimmy Warnett DR/C Kellen Daly GK Melvin Minter MC/DM Connor Purdue D/ML Sidney Adams DL Dale Minor Wright and Grant are now two-thirds of my starting midfield. Wright, a former Port Vale man, is a more attacking player, while Grant, released by Oldham Athletic, is a box-to-box runner. Purdue gives us additional depth and some old-fashioned bite in the midfield. Warnett is a versatile forward who is also a regular starter. So is Minor, whom I brought in to replace Gilbey. Adams took Davies' roster spot, while Daly gives us much-needed cover along the back line. I signed Minter, a clever sweeper keeper, to back up Harry Waldram when Connor O'Keefe got hurt, but Melvin ended up earning his fair share of the work between the posts in the captain's absence. I convinced chairman John Steele to allow me to bring in another coach. I signed Ross Preston, a fitness specialist who was previously at Rochdale. I'm proud to say that we have the best coaching staff in the division. Last edited by Greyfriars Bobby : 01-25-2020 at 07:39 PM.