Second 3+ month injury for the youngster! Gutted for him.
Hate seeing injuries hit youngsters, makes development tough as not only does it ruin 3 months of development and football there's the whole idea of returning.
After only just sneaking by against Portsmouth it was clear the foot had been taken off the gas and we were seemingly becoming complacent, it had been a long season but we could still drop away and find ourselves in the play-offs. I'd be confident, sure, but anything can happen in the play-offs.
We then had to travel to Rochdale, they were, like Portsmouth, in the heat of a relegation battle. I was actually almost worried, they were desperate for points while we were dilly-dallying in an attempt to get over the line into the Championship, we had to play our game. Should be enough, right?
Dominated. 30 shots to 2 and they scored 50% of their shots after Jukti found his way behind our defense and Joronen was cold in the sticks. Couldn't finish. Where is Watt!?
Anyway, moving on - we had to keep going as we had another side in the battle at the bottom of the league. Scunthorpe. This time at home and we still were without a defeat at such a place. A quick assertive word with Watt and a few others should get their heads back on as Wolves and Fulham tried to push us.
Watt arrives as we get a big win, it is now incredibly unlikely that Wolves will catch us and drop us to 3rd. 3 points at Luton would secure Championship football. Forde and Fosu performed admirably again while Brown will miss 2/3 weeks. I didn't risk the injection as we should be fine without him.
Mid table Luton, who had just dropped down from the Championship puckered up for us as they aimed to halt any celebrations. Promotion or play off chances for themselves weren't likely so pride came into it. No Brown, while Fosu and a few other names were rested with the game coming only a few days after a hard fought 2-0.
**** sake! 3 points and we were destined for the Championship, celebrations and a whole lot of drinking would have to wait for us. Their pitch is tiny and in a dire state, we couldn't play our football and McGugan wasn't missed. Poor peno to give away. Fosu should be out for the rest of the season but some painkillers will get him through one more - hopefully a win - then he can party and rest.
"Right boys, so without over-complicating anything - it's fairly simple today. Alright?" I said, smiling across the room at the eager faces. A few smiles at the daftness of my words.
"How many of you have touched the Championship? Probably a few of you, sure. ****** ****, Rafael blooming Van Der f'n Vaart has played for Real Madrid, World Cup finals. Tony Watt has scored at the Nou Camp to secure a win for Celtic. Lets create some moments together and play for yourselves, for each other and the fans who pay your wages. Simple." and with that a few cheers and the players stomped out the changing room and up to the tunnel.
Rotherham at home, they had an outside chance of the play offs but needed 3 wins from 3 to even have a shout. We played our usual selves. Fosu returned, as did Ray. Kavanagh came in for a fresh pair at left back. Tootle remained at right back ahead of loanee Clarke.
The game started off well, we were looking strong and had a few chances. We managed to score first after a Joe Dudgeon error gave Forde a few yards. He laid it off for Tony Watt who had his shot saved into Fosu - Goal!
Unfortunately Tootle hurt himself as he made a darting run up the right and had to be replaced by Clarke late in the first half, Clarke had been our number 1 there and was good but was a shame for Tootle nonetheless as the ex-captain forced his way back into the first team.
Half time arrived. We were stronger and Rotherham only had 1 real effort and it came from a poor mistake from Ray and an awful finish meant we kept our lead. No changes.
The second half withered on, Van Der Vaart came on for Lawrence just for a fresh, creative head and it worked. He instantly got involved in a well-worked Crewe move that the majority of the country was accustomed too now. Forde found himself in space wide and a drilled ball across the box found Tony Watt for his third in three. Only 3 from 40 now. 2-0 with 15 to go..
And then a few tough tackles came in. One, from Dudgeon, who was having a shocker against Forde, ended Forde's game 5 minutes early. Looked nasty, hopefully nothing too bad. Twardzik replaced.
And Joronen claims and with his big boot we are promoted! I grabbed a few hands and was on the pitch to celebrate with the lads, we had done it! Bookies said we would be a decent shout for the play offs, I had also apparently lost it after a collapse but I was back and stronger than ever, as were my players.
After the on pitch celebrations (which I insisted had to be at a minimum as the league was still to play for) we went to the dressing rooms to get right on it before I made it clear we still had business to do.
Plus, Tootle would actually be out for 3 months. Fosu for 1.
"Well done, well ****** done!" Roche screamed, clutching me into a hug. He shared a few laughs with the boys and told me he'd email me about a meeting as we prepared for the next steps, I was then grabbed by Emma from PR who had all these things lined up but with all the respect I have for her I gave her a quick statement and was back off the dressing room!
"Bossman?! I'm in Heathrow. Landon! You promoted, I hear correct?!" The excited, bellowing voice of Monday was something I hadn't heard in some time. It was half 6 on Tuesday morning, we won promotion on Saturday and I was just in the door; pizza in hand and ready to sleep. I hadn't really stopped since promotion, the majority had dropped off. Irish goalkeeping coach Richard Fitzgibbon was still drinking away while Rafael Van Der Vaart was on my shoulder ready to drop in my small apartment.
"Monday Magadbasdasd.." I stumbled, as Rafael dropped to my couch.
"Oh hoho, you been drinking, huh bossman? I hope you no stop, we must drink! Now, where is Crewe from this uh Heathrow?"
We had Doncaster.. I think, on Saturday. A win would win us the league and I was almost ready to return to training. I can't stop now that Monday is here..
But then again, maybe I should stop the whole drinking thing. But that is no fun, is it? Media hadn't caught wind yet, few concerned texts from players but they're all fine.
"Ey, boss man. You no look too good, nor does your buddy here.. Maybe sleep?" Monday joked, as he woke me up. He made it. It was now almost 12. I hauled myself to my feet, I was on the floor by the couch. I gave Rafael a shout, he was the 18s manager and I wanted everyone back in on the Tuesday but he wasn't moving any time soon.
"Fancy, uh seeing you Monday." my words just fell out my mouth as I staggered towards my bathroom, heart still racing from jaegarbombs and antics of the night.. well, nights prior.
"Santos, boss. They a little bit of mess, and I thought you needed a visit!" he dropped his bags and slipped into a seat, shoveling away the pizza crumbs.
"Yeah, good stuff." I said, getting my mind straight. I glanced back out the bathroom at Rafael. "Yeah, you busy Monday? Take the 18s today would you?" Monday then glanced at Rafael and nodded his head reluctantly.
"You have much to tell me!"
"It will need to wait, just do the usual ***** with them. Don't overwork them, you have staff they'll keep you right. Big game this weekend, win it and we have the title!" I boasted as I ran the shower and hopped in.
And then eventually, after another night of drinking and training we arrived at Doncaster. Monday traveled with us, he was away on Monday - as in the day - so he was clinging to me and did some 18s work. His life in South Africa had got messy. His wife had fallen ill and an evil in-law had taken the kids as he had football duties and spent a lot of time out with friends.
"Again, lads. We have done something magnificent in promotion automatically, now lets get a league winners medal with it, yeah? Sure a few of you are reeling from this last week but lets perform big time for the fans out there. For yourselves."
Let's goooooooooooooo! A repeat of last week, last match means nothing but I should probably show some professionalism. Look like a footballer with no professional nature about them right now I think..
1 to go, v Plymouth. They'll rest for the play offs and we'll probably be hungover! Hope Watt grabs 1 for his 40th though.
After a comfortable final day victory we were soon hit with some more good news with the U21 Euro Championship approaching.
Both will be seen as important features next season, Kavanagh is 19 while Jones is almost 23! Awesome news and excited for the both of them. Great experience.
Also looks like 22 year old Rossiter will join in the Summer while I got linked to the Swansea job in the Premier League and
highest earner who didn't kick a ball also made his ex-club some cash for watching his team mates carry him to the Championship, 15 days before we can reapply.
Always love the awards night, drinks and winnings! No bother, however, every awards night seems to have me getting linked elsewhere. In Ireland it was at the awards night that I would say good bye and now I was heavily linked with a move to Swansea and Huw Jenkins had spoken to my agent who said that I was honoured to have been discussed but had no thoughts on the move as of right now.
League One Player of the Year..
Tony Watt! Deserves it, started 44 of the games and managed to score 38 in the league with 11 assists.
So of course with this..
League One Top Goalscorer Award goes to..
Tony Watt with an impressive 38 goals in 44 starts.
From here, we heard about the goal of the season and some more boring bits and pieces before..
And the League One manager of the year..
Leading Crewe to an impressive promotion and trophy! Bow down.. I joke!
Anyway, we have the team award night still to come and probably job interviews in between now and then. Interest in me is pretty high and who wouldn't want a 35 year old who had all this success who fought back from a surprise collapse to win that promotion with Crewe?!
"Hey boss.." Tony Watt knocked and entered my office, weird as only a few players were in and around the club for use of facilities and Tony wasn't set to be one of them. He entered and took a seat.
"What's up?" I asked, shuffling uncomfortably in my seat.
"There's rumours that Nottingham, eh, Forest are after me. The contract they'd be able to offer and of course the history.. I'd like permission to talk to them." The words hit home hard, but we had money?
"Yeah, you gotta make a living and with promotion we can match what they can off.." I was cut short.
"With all due respect, no way can Crewe match their spending power." Because he knows our ins and outs? He knows the finances of this club?
"What? Play that card then. You have a contract here, see it out." I rose to my feet and paced it towards some shelves, no real reason. Just anger. I heard Tony get to his feet.
"You might be making a mistake here, boss. The lads have reacted awkward to such a situation before.."
"Thought you had changed. Really had, no wonder Neil shipped you off to f'n Belgium and you choked at Charlton. Get out my office, I don't even want you at this club." His head dropped as he headed the short few steps towards the door. Sick and tired of being held at a ransom by money greedy players who feel they can work me. Need real cash for him or he's going no where.
Clearly didn't take Celtic legend, Lennon's advice.
"Mr McKenzie.. " one of the clubs admin staff entered my office. I glanced up and knew it was to do with Wilfrid Kaptoum who was soon turning into one of the stories of the year. Top earner, Cameroon International who can't even play for his club.
"It was rejected." she added, placing the paper down in front me me. I slapped the desk and pushed my chair back, I was clearly unhappy as I had scouted the guy out - he was a Barcelona academy product and he would add so much to the way we are trying to play.
"Can you contact his agent then and let him know the situation. We'll have to loan him out." I said, sitting back down and sipping at water. The young woman just stared blankly back at me. She had no idea who he was, she must have been new. I searched through my drawers before handing over the details.
Speaking of lads coming through from Spain, we had been tracking Raul De Tomas. Real Madrid. He had played for the first team but prior to that he refused a move to Crewe. After our promotion, though, and a very good year for himself at Castilla he is interested.
He netted 20 in 36 for them last season in the third tier. He is technical and has a great mind on his shoulders after working with top coaches and players. £7000 per week would do him - well, he wanted £14,000 and has taken a cut to come here..
