An Attempt to Change Scottish Football

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Thirteenth Consecutive Title Secured

Ayr are now one short of the current all-time Scottish record for consecutive league title wins held by Celtic.

This year’s title was wrapped up much the same as last year, right at the end of gameweek 33 prior to the league split taking place.

Only the first dozen games saw a tight tussle for the top spot. But with Rangers dropping off quite rapidly and Celtic unable to keep pace with The Honest Men it was another comfortably title.

Only one league defeat all year, which came in the 3rd​ gameweek away to Hibs 2-1. But from then on the form was picking up nicely and Ayr ended the year with a 97 points total which was 21 points ahead of second placed Celtic, whom nowadays we are able to dominate in our fixtures quite considerably.

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Champions League / Barca get their Revenge...

We weren’t able to make it a hatrick of CL wins like Zinedine Zidane – Barcelona got their revenge in this year’s Semi Finals.

After comfortably qualifying through the group stages top with the highlight being a real hammering of FC Porto in front of the Ayr faithful 7-0, Ayr beat Lyon in the First Round Knockouts and then Man Utd in the Quarters to book their Semi Final place.

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But despite dominating the game in the home leg, Barcelona with three shots and three goals took an away 3-3 draw back to the Nou Camp which ended up being enough for them.

Despite Ayr again having the better of the play in Spain, with looking for a last gasp winner to put the Scottish side through Barcelona pounced with two very late goals to put gloss on the victory which really did not tell one bit of the story.

Barcelona then very fortunate to make the finals this year, and Ayr simply unlucky this time around.

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Domestic Treble Achieved

Betfred Cup Final – Ayr 2 – 0 Kilmarnock

It was Killie’s third final in a row in this competition – but unfortunately for them, their third defeat in a row to their arch rivals Ayr.

Bossing the game from start to finish, Killie never really looked like getting a look in. With the possession based and high pressing game now employed by Moss, teams rarely get a look in.

A professional performance then brought the cup home for an eleventh time.

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Scottish Cup Final – Ayr 1 – 0 Hearts

One goal was enough today to separate the two teams – and it went the way of The Honest Men.

Claus Borup scoring in the fifteenth minute with a nicely curled shot passed the keeper did the job. Now completing his eighth year at Ayr, he’s been a marvellous servant to the club and at 27 years of age still has a few years left in him.

Bossing the game with 73% possession, Hearts only managed a couple of shots on target all game, with mainly trying to foul the team from Ayrshire being their game plan which in the end ultimately failed.

Eleven Scottish titles now for Ayr under Moss, and the domestic treble was secured yet again.

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Five In All

European Super Cup – Sevilla 1 – 2 Ayr

The European Super Cup was contested by Spaniards Sevilla and Scottsmen Ayr. It was a clean performance from the Ayr outfit.

Going two goals up the game looked secured before the hour mark. However Sevilla did grab a late goal in the 82nd​ minute which gave the Spaniards a chance to try and bring the game into extra-time.

But Ayr kept organised and held on to lift the European Super Cup Trophy yet again.

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World Club Cup – Ayr 3 – 0 Boca

The perfect display which saw Ayr register 25 shots to Boca’s 0 saw Ayr take this one home 3-0.

Steve Pooler was at the double with the third coming late in via the help of an own goal.

A dominant performance and Ayr for the second year running were crowned World Club Champions and for the third time in all.

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Really happy we comfortably took the league title as my aim is to win the fifteen league titles in a row. We have players that can do that at their current ages providing they continue to perform well and we don’t suffer a number of serious injuries.

We were unlucky in the ECL this year, but that’s football it happens. But being able to have the better of the play over in Spain against Barcelona is what I have also aimed to do, and at times our football now is a real pleasure to watch with the players we have at the club.

Winning the Scottish Cup again is excellent as it’s not a bad competition to win from a financial perspective. However our bank balance really has dropped sharply this season despite the takeover giving us a large amount of money available for transfers.

The high wages must be taking it’s toll now, and so I think the club has now reached it’s limit for potential. Still maxing our gate receipts but no indication of any further expansion, it looks like I can now safely say – that this is Ayr at its best.

Key Men 2037/38

Now 32 years old, Mastrascusa still producing really high averages for us and was voted the fans player of the year yet again…

I have been trying to bring in our now 21 year old wonderkid Saidi in because he is the replacement for our Colombian.

I’ve decided to keep him for next year but he’ll be our bencher. He’s been a superb servant for the club and still has a lot to offer, and he probably is still good enough for the first team. But the kid needs to develop and he has performed well in the game he has come in for us.

Borup again scoring over 30 goals this season grabbing a total of 33. And it was Diego Carmona our assist king this year, so it was a good choice to keep him as our main man on the left flank.

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With our financial predicament, I think this year I’m going to keep what we have together in full. No one had their contracts expiring, and so ensuring we have as high a wage budget available as possible to renew any that will expire this coming year is important.

I feel the squad is good enough to take home a fourteenth title win in a row – so let’s try to equal Celtic’s record this year!

One aim now achieved is topping the Scottish Hall of Fame. Now ranked number 1, it leaves the league title triumphs as my one solo goal left in the save.

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Quiet Pre-Season

Not a lot of activity for us this Summer. With our bank balance a little over 20 million which is substantially lower compared to the last couple of seasons I didn’t intend to many any big signings.

Two players are out of contract and unfortunately both don’t want to renew. Phil Short who had several good years here in between the sticks is no longer content to being a backup.

The same with Bob Visser. Only first teamer for one full season he’s been backup to our world class playmaker Bruckner since.

Short’s Replacement Found

I was able to get rid of Short before the deadline and get in a replacement from PSG. Goran Krivokapic 24 years old has 55 caps for Serbia and will be an excellent backup sweeper keeper. He also is fully content with this role at the club and cost me 10.75mil.

I was able to get a 9.75 mil deal for Short so that’s not bad going to balance the books. Although only 20 mil or so is in the bank our board have given a transfer budget of over 50 million.

Visser Problem Remains

I may need to touch this if I can’t renew Visser’s contract or sell him and find a replacement during mid-season. But perhaps he may change his mind if he realises that he’s not good enough for our first XI.

Otherwise it’s really the same squad as last year. A bit risky not shaking things up more, but last season we had a loss of over 45 million so it’s wise not to go crazy this year.

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Board Objectives

These remain the same as last year. League, Scottish Cup and Quarters of the ECL. I think looking at last year’s performance we are almost established as a Quarter Finals side now.

Thumping Porto 7-0 is my indicator, as they’re a club that are in a similar position to us competing in a nation not considered a top league but are a big enough club whom you would expect to reach the Quarters more often than not.

We also showed our capacity to beat a big club away from home in Man Utd last year 3-1.

But I hope we can make the top 4 clubs again like we did last season as that’s where we want to consistently be.

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Whats the plan from here mate? Sticking with Ayr till the end?
 
Whats the plan from here mate? Sticking with Ayr till the end?

Not sure mate. Love to hear any suggestions! I think having an English nationality has meant getting the Scottish job is a no-go...tempted to load up some other leagues and see whose been bossing things domestically there and choose from any jobs that become available from that. I've never had a save this long, would be good to try and hit 30 years of management if I can.
 
Clean Sweep – All Square with The Bhoys

League Success with 108 points

Ayr recorded their 14th​ league title in a row to equal the record previously held solely by Celtic.

It was a really dominant year for The Honest Men. Remaining undefeated, scoring over 100 goals and conjuring up a record breaking 108 points total to surpass Celtic’s 106 point record in a season saw Moss’ squad this year make history.

Celtic came a clear second with 81 points ending up 27 points behind Ayr. Rangers however had a really poor season and were only able to finish in sixth spot.

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Betfred Cup – Ayr 3 – 0 Hearts

The first trophy of the year again went to the side from Ayrshire. However it wasn’t Killie the opposition this time around but it was Hearts.

A goal after 4 minutes set Ayr well on their way. Doubling the lead just after half-time meant Hearts desperately needed a goal to give them some hope to make a comeback.

But this never came, and the third was to be the final nail in the coffin came with 10 minutes to go. Borup with a double and Romario were the men on the scoresheet, both strikers doing their jobs well and landing another Betfred success for Ayr.

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Scottish Cup Final – Ayr 3 – 1 Celtic

Celtic lined up very defensively for this one in a 4411 formation. However it took only 6 minutes for their plans to be scuppered with Borup getting the first goal.

However there was fight from The Bhoys and in minute 33 the equaliser came. But the next dozen minutes changed the whole complexion of the game.

With a tight encounter in place, Carmona restored Ayr’s lead only 4 minutes later. But more critically right on half-time David Pugh for Celtic earned his second bookable offence that resulted in a red-card. Going against Ayr with 10 men for the second-half would now be extremely difficult.

In full-control of the game, Ayr bided their time patiently waiting for an opportunity to present itself. Celtic to their credit were hanging in there, but the game was tied up a couple of minutes before the 90 when Bruckner grabbed the important third goal giving Ayr a two goal cushion which secured the game.

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Champions League – Football Wins

After topping the group grabbing 15 points from a possible 18, the road to the ECL final saw Ayr knockout the lights of Inter, Porto and Man City, to leave Man Utd as the final opponents.

United with better players would be expected to take this one home, but with Ayr having such a strong season confidence would be high and with this brings a dangerous animal to the table.

Ayr's Midfield King

Some of the football on display this year has been excellent. With the midfield area perhaps the strongest area of the pitch, no doubt Ayr would look to boss the game from here and hope this would lay the foundation for another Champions League success.

United had their moments in this one, with some last ditch tackles and some safe goalkeeping keeping the Red Devils at bay.

Defensively United weren’t giving much away at all. Playing their 433 formation despite Ayr having all the possession and creating some decent opportunities, Stephens in goal was there to keep the ball out of the net.

With Ayr playing well and controlling the middle-third playing some neat intricate football having nearly 70% of the ball, the game looked like it would either be Ayr making the breakthrough, or United catch Ayr off-guard…

Decisive moment Arrives

With 14 corners to United’s 3, it was clear which team was looking to win this game…and the deadlock was finally broken just before the 70 minute mark.

Continuing to probe the United back-line, it took a burst of pace from Pinholt to cause some space in the United defence. Laying the ball to Bruckner he continued to make a run into the box. Bruckner then found Pinholt with a nicely weighted pass allowing Pinholt to set himself to get a quick shot away which he did…..and passed the United keeper into the back of the net. 1-0 Ayr and the breakthrough was made.

United showed more urgency the later the game was getting to the 90th​ minute. But with the Ayr midfield maestro’s showing great confidence on the ball, Ayr were able to control any pressure United were trying to build with some composed possession to stifle the United charge and all the way to the full-time whistle. Ayr then Champions League Winners 2038/39!

Best Performance Yet

This was perhaps the most pleasing performance I’ve had from my side. The passing and moving with the patterns of our play was really how I envisioned my side playing the game and it was a pleasure just watching them play.

Mazicou took home the MOTM and it was fully deserved. He really did boss the game for us in the DLP position. But our whole backline played a good game keeping things tight, and the brilliance of Pinholt and Bruckner was enough to see us home today.

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[video=youtube;xTcG5hPRccI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTcG5hPRccI[/video]

Key Men 2038/39

Although not a hero in our ECL triumph, Carmona was mister consistent this year and took home the fans player of the year award. Averaging an excellent 7.79 and contributing 22 assists he was hugely important in our record breaking year in the league. He also was awarded best midfielder in the ECL this year.

Borup just about hit over the 30 goal mark this year. Still grabbing the goals he continues to perform exceptionally well at this later part of his career. Borup was awarded second place in the ECL award this season.

Allard secured the ECL goalkeeper of the year award. Safe between the sticks and playing the sweeper keeper role excellent, no wonder Moss has rejected all of Barcelona’s approaches for the 26 year old.

Milovan Jocic now having been a first team regular for a few years at Ayr now has secured his rise to being one of the best centre-backs in Europe. Winning the defender of the year award in the ECL he’s really matured fast and still has a near 7 years or so left in him.

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Profit on Visser

Other news this year saw Bob Visser sold to Beskitas just before the first window deadline for 31 million. Replacing him was Jason O’Hanton from Bournemouth costing 15.25 million buying out his release clause.

Only 23 with room for potential and on par with Visser skillwise, it was a good bit of business and the times he has come in he hasn’t let the team down in any way.

Legend Mastrascusa sold

The other huge news was the departure of the Colombian Mastrascusa. After spending 8 seasons at Ayr, he’s been one of the reasons for the huge increase of stature at the club.

Scoring 25 goals for Ayr and being a real menace at the back, he has been a fantastic servant and I can’t given any more praise to what he’s done and helped us achieve.

It was right to let him go as he wanted first team football. So Bordeaux came in with a 12.75million offer which I accepted. With no immediate replacement made, I hoped our squad would hold out for the year and fortunately no real serious injuries were suffered so it worked out well.

Next Year

No other concerns at the end of this season with contracts. And with that said, we’re in a great position to push for winning 15 titles in a row surpassing our joint record with Celtic.

I had agreed to bring in a centre-back in with only compensation due to be paid for the start of next season. He is only 18 and is effectively the replacement for Mastrascusa.

If a top class striker becomes available I could well decide to invest in one. Both Borup and Romario are now 28 so there’s no harm in planning at this stage.

The other guys a little older are Carmona and Bruckner both now at 29. They can still offer another good few years but they’re in the same boat. If I can find someone else at a reasonable price then selling these guys is an option.

However the likelihood is that I’m probably going to keep the squad as it is this year and give them a chance to make history at the club given the services they’ve all provided.
 
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15 titles in a row will certainly be mission accomplished mate. Cracking job
 
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