Townsends Thoughtful Thoughts
So less than 6 months ago, I was released by ITV, now I find myself thrust into the life of a football manager. I'm one month into my reign as Derry City manager, I've lost 3 games and won 2. Two of my defeats have been in Europe, one in the league. I've evaluated my squad and realised my preferred method of playing just doesn't suit the players I've got at my disposal. I've been able to improve the Left wing and AMC positions and just hope my defence holds out or I can out score other teams.
I previously told the board I could get mid table, I'm hoping to get further than that. I'm still in two domestic cups and 4th in the League. If we win, I could leave Ireland. If not, I'm not sure.
All I know is, this is my chance to restore my reputation.
August.
Sligo Rovers (5th) v Derry City (4th) - Irish Premier League.
Into my 3rd league match we travel to Sligo Rovers. We start well picking up an early lead thanks to a 25 yard screamer from Lowry in the 7th minute, then in the 43rd minute, some sloppy defending allows Sligo back in and Morten Nielsen makes it 1-1. In the second half Nielsen grabs a 2nd in the 53rd minute and then Dinny Corcoran scores with Raffaele Cretaro adding another in the 82nd minute making it 4-1 Sligo. We're sinking with out a trace, I change to overload instructions and through on another striker, in the 85th minute Ryan Curran makes it 4-2 with Peter McMahon scoring again to make it 4-3 and the come back is on. Then in the 92nd minute, all hopes of a draw are lost as Cretaro scores again. Final Score 5-3 Sligo.
Longford v Derry City - Irish League Cup - Semi Final
We take a break from league action to travel to division 1 Longford in the Semi-Final, a fixture against either St Pats or League leaders Cork City awaits us in the final, which is where I want to be. I send the team out to attack. We go a goal down in the 12th minute having let Ger Pender walk through our defense. In the 44th minute we get back on a level footing thanks to a scrambled goal from Cillian Morrison on the stroke of half time. In the 79th minute, Pender scores again and thats how it stays. 2-1 Longford and we're out of the cup. Bollocks.
This match highlights to me the need to get the defense sorted. It's all very well scoring a goal, but we can't keep hoping our attack bails us out. I spend the week working on a new very defense orientated tactic, with the aim of turning us into the Irish Stoke City.
Dundalk (2nd) v Derry City (5th) - Irish Premier League
We're overwhelming underdogs for this game, I only hope my new defensive plans work, if not then its back to the drawing board. We start well, defending and countering when the opportunity arises. Peter McMahon scores a penalty in the 21st minute. Then a minute later we concede to a Daryl Horgan goal. We then concede another from Darren Meenan. Half time 2-1 Dundalk. The match finishes 2-1. I'm not too disappointed. Yes we lost, but to a team challanging for the title and only by a goal, away from home. On our first use of the new tactic. I have hope. We drop to 6th. But Peter McMahon has been revelation since joining with 3 goals in 4 games
