Managing AFC Telford, starting in the Blue Square North.
Went out of both the FA Cup and Trophy in my first games, both of them in the qualifying round. Was ****** at that, but then I realised it will allow me to focus all my attention on promotion. I've set my target of two straight promotions, so I want League football by 2012/13 and Cups are not a priority. My board still do not pass up on the opportunity to tell me that they are not happy with my early Cup exits, but I could not be arsed. Do they want to make the First Round of the FA Cup, or earn promotion?
League started slowly, seeing as I am a promotion favourite, but it came right. Went on a 14-gam unbeaten run to find myself 2nd, but then played the league leaders and Telford's fierce rivals - Stafford Rangers - twice in 3 games and they beat me twice, home and away. Stafford are now cruising and I fear 12 points is too much to overturn in 15 games, unless they have a turgid run of form. Looks like I'll be heading to the playoffs.
After going through a merry-go-round process of finding a striking combination in the first few weeks, I have now settled on a combo that has combined for 25 league goals, with my main man James Lawrie (a Northern Irish international) leading the league charts with 16 goals in 21 league games. Picked up a number of youngsters that look like potential League Two quality as well; Tom Murray - CM and Sam Simmonds - CB. Board is also upset with me for selling Stuart Whitehead. He was the original captain and a club icon, but he is old, earned too much to be a reservist and is worse than the players I am using. I am hoping to expand my coaching staff next season and get the board to improve my youth facilities so I can improve focus on developing talent.