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9 August 2014
Today is the first match day of the 2014/15 season in the South Midlands League's First Division. We had a fairly uneventful pre-season, playing decently against some bigger teams, and holding one of them--Oxford City Nomads--to a goalless draw. I'm ready for the matches to start counting.
I let my assistant, Kevin Mickelborough, handle the friendlies. Had I looked more closely at Kevin's ability before now, I would have sacked him and brought a new man in. Between us, that item is now at the top of my to-do list. I'm also going to hire a coach, and I've found the man I want already. His name is Denis Mark, and he's a Grenada international with 22 caps to his credit. Hopefully he'll agree to join our staff.
I've had the most success using a bog-standard 4-4-2. I'm starting to learn how the different roles and duties complement each other, so when things go wrong, I'm feeling more confident about making adjustments that might actually lead to better results. That's another reason why I went back to FM 15. I don't have that same level of confidence about my tactical understanding when I play the newer editions.
Dominic Cassidy will get the number one shirt to begin the season. He's a solid 'keeper, good in the air and comfortable enough on the ball to serve as a sweeper keeper. His backup is veteran Sam Smith. Both Cassidy and Smith are mentally tough and hard-working.
Left back Shaun Charles might be the best player in the team. Shaun has no glaring weaknesses, and he is willing to push forward and join the attack. Jordan Draper will start at right back. He's much the same kind of player as Charles, with a little more pace (even at age 33) and a little less technical skill.
Another veteran, Bobby Cresswell, brings strong positional awareness and a willingness to get stuck in to the center of our defense. His partner, teenager Ian Williams, earned the highest average rating on the team during the pre-season. Versatile Luke Knight provides cover across the back line.
Jamie Hackett missed half the pre-season with an injury, but when he's healthy, he is the best option on the left side of our midfield four. His versatility would make him an outstanding substitute, if we can bring in a better player at his position. Brian Street provides lots of pace and a bit of edge on the right wing. He can also play in the center of the park and on the left side. I can also use pacey Richard Williams on the right.
Club captain Max Wallace isn't fast, but he possesses the defensive chops I like to see in a holding midfielder. He also has a good first touch and makes good decisions. I signed Liam Barton after I spotted him at England Trial Day. He is an exceptionally hard-working player with decent pace, and he's fit well with Wallace in the central midfield. Nigel Bowen, an especially skilled passer, and cagey veteran Sam Edwards provide depth.
At this level, I've had some success using a traditional strike partnership: a big, physical target man paired with a nippy poacher. I was pleased to see a forward on my roster who can play either role: Craig Curtis. Craig is currently in fine form, with five goals in six appearances during pre-season. Flashy Liam Hayward was Craig's usual partner until I signed Mark Buzzeo, another player I watched on Trial Day. In lower league football, pace often kills--and "The Buzzer" has plenty of that. Buzzeo is also left-footed, unlike any of our other forwards. John Holyoak is a fox in the box, clever and skillful, and is more eager to track back and help defend than most other strikers.
Outlook
Neither the pundits nor the good people at Sky Bet fancy us much. The media pick us to finish 15th, and we are one of a large group of teams with 200:1 odds against us winning the league.
The board are asking for a top half finish, which I think is very reasonable.
Upside: Our back four, who are well-rounded footballers rather than specialist defenders, keep things tight in front of Cassidy while contributing to other phases of the game. Charles makes the league's First Eleven. I unearth a dynamic left winger who creates headaches for opposing coaches. Meanwhile, I can mix and match my central midfielders to create positive matchups. Curtis keeps firing in goals, and at least one other striker begins to find the range, too. We earn a spot in the Promotion Playoff, while making a decent run in the South East Counties Senior Cup and winning to matches in the FA Vase.
Downside: Pacey strikers slice through our defense, battering hapless Cassidy until he loses his nerve completely. Bigger clubs unsettle Charles and Wallace, forcing me to sell them in January. The youth intake is meh, offering no hope for a better tomorrow. Stony Stratford battle relegation, but I'm not there for the end of it, having been sent packing on a cold February day.
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