Salford City

Brilliant story so far, 2 promotions in 2 seasons is brilliant. Hopefully you can strengthen enough to keep yourself in this division, which hopefully give you the platform to build on to start rising up the league.

Keep up the good work with the layout as well!
 
PatrickLFC said:
In for a tough season, but at least the board have got their priorities right with spending :P
Click to expand...

Looks like it mate! I know right haha, may as well install a big screen while they're at it.

JCGooner said:
Brilliant story so far, 2 promotions in 2 seasons is brilliant. Hopefully you can strengthen enough to keep yourself in this division, which hopefully give you the platform to build on to start rising up the league.

Keep up the good work with the layout as well!
Click to expand...

Thanks man :) we seriously need to strengthen but if we can survive then we're not far away from league two :)
 
View attachment 174507



PERSISTENCE PAYS OFF



So then, holidays out the way now as we look to strengthen the side to try and keep us competitve in this division.

The first target is one we've tried to bring in a couple of times ...


View attachment 174492


And finally we manage to get him!

He turned us down 3 times last year after having loan offers accepted from Port Vale. His contract's now expired though so we jumped at the chance to sign him on a free for £400 per week.

He's fairly quick with good determination and looks to be fairly good in the air. The technical side of his game probably lets him down a little though.

My main concern however is that he's only managed 6 games in the last 2 years!



Following Hooper through the door is another striker ...


View attachment 174506


Another lad who's decent in the air and has a fair bit of pace as well.

He signs on loan from AFC Wimbledon and gives us more options up top.

I've really struggled to bring in strikers this pre-season with the players who look good not interested in joining us, and the ones who are interested don't look good enough!

With these two being the only strikers joining the club and Danny Webber retiring, we still have to rely on Gareth Seddon for some game time again this season.



Unfortunately, our left winger from last season, David Fitzpatrick was only on loan ... a deal which expired at the end of last season which means we have to look for his replacement ...

View attachment 174505


And boy have we found it!

Febian Brandy joins after spending the whole of last season in the job center. He left Crewe the season before and wasn't able to find a club since.

He looks brilliant for this level though! Pace galore with good dribbling and technique.

Similarly to JJ Hooper, Brandy is seriously lacking fitness and moral due to his lack of game time over the last year or so.

He favours the right hand side which means he'll battle James Poole for the starting spot. Poole has been good for us but has missed a lot of football with 2 serious injuries and now only has a 2-star current ability.



With Brandy much preferring the right hand side, it still left us short on the left ...


View attachment 174504


A totally different prospect to Brandy here as Gary McSheffrey is the latest player to join.

His mental and technical stats are brilliant, however ... his physicals are ****!

The only saving grace is his natural fitness which at 34 years old isn't too bad.

I'm still trying to sign David Fitzpatrick from last season as he's now a free agent, however he isn't interested in joining! I'll keep trying in the hope this someday changes.



The final two players to join are both defenders. I didn't really want to disrupt this too much. However the full backs were still pretty poor and needed addressing.


View attachment 174503


Liam Hogan is a player who can play either full back or center back and looks equally decent in either position.

He's decent pace and generally looks pretty steady defensively.



So this sorts the right hand side out, it just left the left hand side ...

View attachment 174500


Christian Hill is a big risk!

He probably looks better going forward than he does defensively. My full backs have always been pretty defensive so it's a gamble playing Hill.

He also has very little experience and has never played at this level before.

​


So, there we have it!

That'll be our squad for the season as we try and not embarrass ourselves.


The fixture list hasn't been too kind to us either ...

View attachment 174495


We kick things off with a home game against last season's losing play off finalists! Well ... at least it's at home!

The other standout games in the first month are the back-to-back away trips to Wrexham and Bristol Rovers, both of which are predicted top 6 finished!


We'll have to hit the ground running to get much out of the opening 6 games.​
 
View attachment 174486


OPENING GAME


Here we go! All the preparations are done, all the signings have been made and we're ready for the start of the season.

This is the tactic we'll be using, to start with anyway ...


View attachment 174482


We stick with the same formation that served us so well towards the end of last season.

JAY VAUGHAN - Starts in goal and replaces last season's number one, Ian Ormson. Ormson didn't really do anything wrong but never really impressed either. Vaughan is still only 18 but looks to have overtaken his more experienced team-mate.

LUKE HOGAN - We've already mentioned after signing in the summer but is an improvement on the young Elliot Kebbie who drops down to the bench.

SCOTT GARNER - Our captain of last season keeps his place after some seriously impressive displays towards the end of last season, including a man of the match performance in the play off final.

ROD MCDONALD - Partners Garner just as he did last season. Our results this season really could rely on this center back pairing.

CHRISTIAN HILL - Another newbie coming in at full back. I just hope his defensive ability shines through and he's not too hung-ho.

ANTHONY GRIFFITH - Will be really important for us this season in a otherwise very attacking midfield. He'll need to shield the defence and at times will be the only one who will.

FEBIAN BRANDY - Given a free license on this right hand side to make things happen and run at the defence. He beat James Poole to the starting place but needs to impress to keep it.

KELVIN DOUGLAS - A star from last season but this is a big jump for him. Never played at this level but he was quality last season.

JACK BLAKE - Can't really say much more about this lad. He'll no doubt be our best player once again this season and will be the more attacking midfielder out of him and Douglas.

GARY MCSHEFFREY - The left hand side I really worry about. I'm asking him to sit a little deeper as he hasn't got the legs get up and down anymore. Also needs to help out Christian Hill where he can.

JJ HOOPER - Leads the line on his own. He looks too far away from the midfield but when they break they should hopefully break in numbers. He has the ability to hold the ball if needs be also.

​


So, lets see if this tough pre-season will pay off ...


View attachment 174480

A very decent draw opens our account in the Vanarama National on the opening day.

Grimsby took the lead after some dodgey goalkeeping saw a weak effort beat him at the near post. A

sending off to George Glendon reduced Grimsby to 10 men gave us hope.

Kelvin Douglas got a late leveller with a great finish from the edge of the box. It was a great performance from Douglas as him and Blake ran the midfield just like last season.​
 
View attachment 174452



AUGUST 2017


With a good draw against Grimsby on the opening day I was a lot more confident going into the next 5 games ...

View attachment 174450


Totally outclassed here against a team predicted to finish in the top 10 this season.

Another goalkeeping mistake allowed Forest Green to open the scoring, we just fell apart after going 1 down and allowed the floodgates to open.

This result just goes to show how far behind we still are, Forest Green were only predicted to finish 10th this season but we miles better than us here!



View attachment 174444

Much better here as we claim our first win of the season!

A much improved performance from goalkeeper Jay Vaughan helped us take all 3 points here. JJ Hooper got his first goal for the club to open the scoring.

We were then pegged back before Fabien Brandy grabbed the winner with a finish at the far post after he had terrorised their defence all afternoon.


View attachment 174443


Performances are definitely improving as we claim a draw against another side predicted to finish towards the top.

It was a brilliant fightback which earns us a deserved draw.

We went 2-0 down early on as the game looked to be gone.

Febian Brandy gave me some hope before half time though with his second goal in as many games pulled one back.

We were much better in the second half and looked better playing a more attacking style. JJ Hooper drew us level with a brilliant finish from the left hand side of the penalty box.


View attachment 174442


Despite the defeat here I’m still happy with the performance and looked the best we’ve done all season.

We took a shock lead against one of the promotion favourites as Jack Blake scored his first of the season from the edge of the box.

Shortly after this JJ Hooper went through on goal but hit the bar, had he scored then the game could have been totally different.

Instead we threw away our lead and allowed Rovers to grab the winner late on.



View attachment 174441


A great win here to wrap up the month.

Most pleasingly was our first really good defensive display of the season.

James Poole came off the bench at half time to net the only goal of the game with a great finish. Febian Brandy won man of the match here but he was actually guilty of missing a number of chances.


​


View attachment 174440


We've got to be pleased with our start to the season.

We picked up 8 points from the opening 6 games which is certainly respectable given the tough fixtures and all the media predictions we've had.

My worry is our away form as we've only picked up 1 point in the 3 games. In contrast we're unbeaten at home with 7 points from 3 games!

This certainly gives me hope going forward!


Early days I know but ...

View attachment 174436

We find ourselves in 12th place!!

We're having nose bleeds this high up!

I know we've only played 6 games but I couldn't have really asked for a better start. We're already 4 clear of the relegation zone.

​


PLAYER OF THE MONTH:

View attachment 174435

JACK BLAKE

It was a brilliant start to the season for Blake as he takes to the Vanarama National like duck to water.

I was torn whether to choose him or Brandy but I just felt Brandy could have done more with him missing a number of good chances already.

Blake and Douglas have continued their good form and are continuing to run the midfield.​
 
View attachment 174232



HELP IS AT HAND



Despite our good start to the season, I still feel we can do more as the teams we've placed haven't been as good as I thought they would be (Forest Green apart).

So, I decided to bring in a couple of new faces to give this division a real go ...


View attachment 174223

I was worried about our lack of defenders.

The defenders in the starting 11 are good but if any get injured or suspended then we're struggling!

So, Reece Ford comes in on loan from Coventry.

He's still only a young lad but can play either center half or right back. He doesn't look to dissimilar to Liam Hogan who's claimed the right back slot to start with.



We had the same problem in midfield so, again, we brought another body in ...

View attachment 174220

Former Sheffield United youngster, Elliot Whitehouse joins the club on a free transfer.

He looks quality with brilliant mental stats and at only 23, he has the potential to improve as well.

Even though he looks brilliant, he'll have a job on to get into our midfield with Jack Blake and Kelvin Douglas starting this season just as they'd finished last season!



And then the big one ...

View attachment 174216

Davdid Fitzpatrick eventually caved in after turning us down numerous times in the summer.

His stats don't blow you away but his performances last season were really good!

He gives us a totally different option to Danny Schofield though as Fitzpatrick is still able to run, unlike Schofield.

With the budget pretty much gone, I imagine these will be the last transfers for us!​
 
View attachment 174213



SEPTEMBER 2017


View attachment 174212


A tough game here and a deserved defeat.

Febian Brandy missed out due to international duty (yes international duty … playing for St Kitts & Nevis!!).

Anthony Griffin was beaten at the near post for the opener after just 2 minutes. JJ Hooper brought us level with a good finish but we, by a distance, were second best here and didn’t deserve anything as we collapsed and allowed them to score 2 very simple goals.


View attachment 174211


Another really disappointing defeat here.

We have to put some of the blame onto Rod McDonald who saw red after 14 minutes and made it nearly impossible for us.

We were already 1-0 up thanks to Jack Blake with his second of the month before McDonald received his march orders.

We just couldn’t hold on with 10 men for 75 minutes as we slumped to a second consecutive defeat.



View attachment 174206


Not a bad draw here, especially being 1-0 down and reduced to 10 men.

Gateshead were much the better side today but our chances weren’t helped when Luke Giverin was shown his second yellow just after half time.

Gateshead took the lead with just over 20 minutes but their lead didn’t last long as JJ Hooper equalised 10 minutes later.

Gateshead are challenging for the play offs so this can be classed as a decent draw but we can't keep getting players sent off!



View attachment 174203


Our second draw in a week here in a very dull game.

In truth, neither side deserved the win here with us only having one shot on target all game! This is the first time we haven't scored in a game for 7 matches.



View attachment 174200

A brilliant win here, our first of the month!

This performance brought me back to last season with the quality football we played.

David Fitzpatrick and Elliott Whitehouse both made their debuts here with great performances. Whitehouse especially who scored a worldie for our 3rd.

It was Brandy who opened the scoring though with a close range finish before JJ Hooper doubled our lead after brilliant play from Jack Blake.



View attachment 174199


This was a game I’d earmarked as a win so a draw here is a little disappointing.

Dover took the lead but couldn’t even hold on to it for a minute. Gareth Seddon grabbed the equaliser after being on the pitch for 20 seconds with his first of the season.


​


View attachment 174198


A terrible start to the month saw us lose the opening two games but a strong end to the month brought us some respect back.

The 3 draws though was our problem this month, if we could turn those into wins then it'll be a totally different picture.

Elliot Whitehouse made his debut this month and looked a class above! It's going to be really interested to see if he can take the shirt off Kelvin Douglas!



View attachment 174197

We drop down considerably in the league this month and are now just a single point clear of the drop zone!

We were 4 point clear at the start of the month so we really need to pick up some form or we'll continue to drop like a stone.

​


With the new signings we've made this month, I thought I'd show you how we line up now ...


View attachment 174195


It's very much the same in terms of formation with us settling on the 4-1-4-1 formation which we've used for the last 4 to 5 months now.

Reece Ford came into the side towards the end of the month and looked really good! I'm sure we'll keep changing him and Hogan as both have impressed at right back this season.

The only other change is Elliot Whitehouse coming into midfield and replacing, fan favourite, Kelvin Douglas. It's a really hard decision who to pick as both have looked brilliant. I think Whitehouse just wins it though as he looks better on the ball. Douglas offers more athleticism but doesn't create as much as Whitehouse.

other than that it's pretty much the same as we started the season.


​

PLAYER OF THE MONTH

View attachment 174196

JACK BLAKE


This is the second month in a row he's won this award after the step up in opposition.

He really is brilliant and probably our best player! Even with the competition we have in midfield, his place is never in doubt. The other two have to compete with each other to see who gets to partner Blake.​
 
View attachment 174100


OCTOBER 2017


We had a decent end to last month but still found ourselves just 1 point above the relegation zone going into October, our form has to pick up otherwise I can see us dropping either further down ...


View attachment 174097


What a comeback this was! 2-0 down to 3-2 winners!

We started terribly as Maindehead took the lead and missed an early penalty which was well saved by Vaughan.

They then went 2-0 before half time as the game looked dead.

The second half was totally different though as we looked a different animal.

JJ Hooper got one back before David Fitzpatrick brought us level. The momentum just didn’t stop though as Hooper grabbed the 3rd​ and winning goal. This means were now unbeaten in 5 as well.



View attachment 174096


A much more rounded performance here, it has to be our best of the season!

Braintree aren’t a bad side with them still in a play off spot which makes this win even more impressive.

David Fitzpatrick got the opener with his second goal in as many games after only recently signing.

JJ Hooper seems to have found some form as he doubled our lead, scoring his 4th​ in 4 games in the process. Jack Blake continued to be our best player and he capped off his performance with the 3rd​ and final goal.



View attachment 174095


A disappointing defeat here which brings an end to our good run. The game was really even and I still think we’re really unlucky to get nothing here.



View attachment 174094


We were totally outclassed here in a game I’d signalled out for us to win.

We were never really in the game in truth and Altrincham fully deserved the win.



View attachment 174092


Back to winning ways here in the FA Cup against a side 3 divisions below us.

I played a really strong line up here in the hope of making it through to the 1st​ round proper for the first time.

Brandy put in his best performance for us as he scored 2 goals. Gary McSheffrey then scored his first for the club to make it 3-0.

We were drawn against League 2 side, Woking who are struggling towards the bottom. Certainly a winnable tie.



View attachment 174091


Another good win here in a brilliant defensive display.

JJ Hooper got the only goal of the game but it was Jack Blake who once again stole the show in a man of the match performance.



View attachment 174090


We end the month in really good form with 3 wins in a row and 2 straight clean sheets. Fabien Brandy got the only goal of the game within 40 seconds as he continued his good form.


​


View attachment 174089

A brilliant month and just what we needed!

3 clean sheets during the month is pretty impressive as well.

The only really disappointing result was the 3-0 defeat against Altrincham as we were poor from start to finish and totally deserved to lose.


View attachment 174086

The league table looks a **** of a lot better now as we up to the dizzying hights of 11th place and 7 points clear of the relegation zone now.

​


PLAYER OF THE MONTH:

View attachment 174088

FEBIAN BRANDY


Really good form from the winger this month with 3 goals and 2 assists.

He’s really proved to be one of the star players for us with his pace scaring defenders to death.

A special mention has to go with the defence though during this period with 3 clean sheets and some really impressive displays.
​
 
View attachment 174080


NOVEMBER 2017


After a cracking October we just asked for more of the same from the lads.


View attachment 174079


A solid draw against a League 2 side. I think we probably just edged it but a draw was probably fair. I really fancy our chances in the home replay anyway.



View attachment 174078


We’ve done it, we’ve made it to the second round!

JJ Hooper with the only goal of the game and yet another clean sheet for us. It’s now 4 straight clean sheets for us as we set up a glamour tie (of sorts) against Millwall.


View attachment 174076


Millwall are back in League One after one season in the Championship. They're currently in the top 6 but as we know it's still early days.


View attachment 174077


Really a game we should have won!

We took control of the game when Elliot Whitehouse smashed home a penalty right down the middle.

Rod McDonald then got caught in possession just outside his own area which Liam O'Neill seased upon and netted the equaliser.

Then the game completely turned when Luke Giverin was shown his second yellow card and his marching orders. Southport capitalised on this really well and used the extra man to find the winner late on. We were much the better side right up until the sending off.


View attachment 174075

Another defeat here against a very good side at this level who should probably be doing more. We had a few chances to get back into the game but we showed some really poor finishing.



View attachment 174074


A brilliant comeback and not really one I expected.

Cody McDonald opened the scoring early on for Stevenage but after this we became the dominant side and deserved the win.

Fabien Brandy drew us level with his 7th​ of the season only minutes after going a goal down. Our star man, Jack Blake then got the important goal with a brilliant volley from 12 yards out to seal a 2-1 win.



View attachment 174072

A drab 0-0 to finish the month! We bossed the game but just couldn't find a breakthrough, JJ Hooper and Febian Brandy were guilty of missing several chances.


​


View attachment 174071

A real mixed month here with our league form dropping like a stone.

Thankfully we made it through in the FA Cup but we couldn't recapture this form in the league.


View attachment 174070


As you'd expect, the drop down the league after only winning one game this month.

We only drop to 13th though and remain 7 points clear of the relegation zone.

So far it's going far better than I'd ever imagined.


​


PLAYER OF THE MONTH:

View attachment 174069

ELLIOT WHITEHOUSE


A really impressive period for the new signing.

He recorded an average rating of 8.26 and capped this off with our only goal against Southport.

He’s struck a great partnership with Jack Blake and both are right up there with the best players in the division.
​
 
View attachment 174067


FA CUP 2ND ROUND


View attachment 174064

Here we go then, the 1st​ round proper of the FA Cup after failing in the competition in the last 2 years.

I didn’t really know what to expect here as Millwall are a totally different proposition to my other opponents in the Vanarama North.

They’re currently 8th​ placed in League One after only being relegated from the Championship last season.


View attachment 174063


This is a pretty strong side from Millwall. It looks to be their strongest side which is a bit of a shame, I’d hoped they would rest a few of the main players but sadly not.

Ashley Barnes stands out as the main dangerman although he’s only got 5 goals this season so far. He only joined Millwall in the summer on a free transfer and is now valued at over £6 million!

We’ve obviously put out our strongest side and plan to sit back and soak up the majority of pressure. A draw here would be a brilliant result and enable us to take them back to Moor Lane.



View attachment 174062


Pretty **** happy with that! We matched Millwall and looked really good.

Millwall were just about the better side but we showed our own class and could well have won it ourselves.
Millwall took the lead quite late on but that lead only lasted 5 minutes as JJ Hooper grabbed the equaliser with a great headed goal.

I honestly think we’ve got a great chance at Moor Lane!

So we go and do it all again in a weeks time.
​
 
View attachment 174061


FA CUP 2ND ROUND - REPLAY


View attachment 174059


Here we go again then, a 1-1 draw last time out means we’re back to do it all again …. Only this time at Moor Lane.


View attachment 174058


It’s the same line up for us after an impressive display last time out.

Millwall make only one change with Mark Beevers coming in at center half to replace Sid Nelson. We seemed to have a lot of joy down the wide areas in the last game so we’ll try and exploit this once again.



View attachment 174057



Brilliant!

What a win, surely the best of my short managerial career!

Millwall took the lead after 10 minutes as it looked to be a straight forward afternoon for them.

We equalised just 4 minutes later though after my plan of exploiting the wing area worked. David Fitzpatrick made a great run and put in a low cross for JJ Hooper to finish well.

David Fitzpatrick was at the heart of things again less than 10 minutes later, he put in another great cross for Fabien Brandy to head home unmarked at the far post.

With a record crowd of nearly 3000 behind us, Louie Theophanous came off the bench to make it 3-1 and finish the game off. We hit Millwall on the break with Theophanous showing great pace with only one defender and the keeper to beat … which he did with ease.


This puts us through to the 3rd​ round for the first time in the clubs history!
​
 
View attachment 174056


DECEMBER 2017


After the brilliant cup win over Millwall we were in good spirits for the remainder of the month.


View attachment 174055


We went straight from the FA Cup to the FA Trophy.

A good win here albeit it against a much weaker side.

We made a whole host of changes and still got the job done. Elliot Whitehouse got the only goal of the game after Rushall failed to clear a cross, the ball fell to Whitehouse who finished well. We now face Grimsby in the second round.



View attachment 174054


Bit disappointing here although Grimsby are going for a play off spot.

I think the cup runs must have gone to our heads a little as we were way off our best here! The fact that Grimsby’s ‘keeper got man of the match though showed we weren’t totally out of it.



View attachment 174053


What a performance!

Everything just seemed to go our way here as we thrashed a decent Lincoln side.

We only had 7 shots on target and 6 of them went in! JJ Hooper scored a cracking hattrick as he put in his best performance for us.

Fabien Brandy wasn’t far behind him with 2 goals as we totally dominated a very good Lincoln side. Gareth Seddon came off the bench to give me a reminder he’s still here by grabbing the 6th​ and final goal.



View attachment 174052


A good win here against second placed Forest Green.

This win takes us to within 3 points of the play off spots. Elliot Whitehouse scored his 4th​ of the season to open the scoring from the penalty spot JJ Hooper was carried off on a stretcher which means Gareth Seddon came off the bench and netted his second in a week as we claim all 3 points.



View attachment 174051


How we didn’t win this I’ll never know!

Sutton went 1-0 up with their first shot before Fabien Brandy drew us level with his 11th​ of the season. JJ Hooper was ruled out injured for this game so Gareth Seddon led the line, sadly he was unbelievably wasteful infront of goal.



View attachment 174050


We end the month in disappointing fashion with us throwing away a 1 goal lead. Fabien Brandy with our goal as he showed great pace and beat the keeper after being 1v1.

​


View attachment 174049


Another good month including our best performance of the season in the 6-2 win over Lincoln.

It was a busy month with us playing 8 games so only one defeat in that period is really pleasing.


The worse news this month was without doubt the injury picked up by striker and top goalscorer, JJ Hooper

View attachment 174042

The most impressive win however was the cup win over Millwall which see's us take on Championship side Aston Villa in the 3rd round.


View attachment 174048


View attachment 174047

Back to the league though and we move back up to 11th.

We're now a huge 10 points clear of the relegation zone, we're closer to the play offs than we are relegation zone! Didn' think I'd ever be saying that!

​


PLAYER OF THE MONTH:

View attachment 174046

FABIEN BRNADY

Wins the award yet again after another seriously impressive display.

He scored 5 goals in a really productive month for the lad. It was close between him and JJ Hooper, who got 5 goals himself, but the performances against Millwall sealed it for Brandy who was superb.
​
 
Really enjoying this, congrats on beating Milwall, maybe you will beat Villa, I hope so.

How are you doing this, do you sim/instant result the matches or actually play them through? Just curious :)

Anyway, keep it up, maybe you will be in League 2 next season? :)
 
Dalace said:
Really enjoying this, congrats on beating Milwall, maybe you will beat Villa, I hope so.

How are you doing this, do you sim/instant result the matches or actually play them through? Just curious :)

Anyway, keep it up, maybe you will be in League 2 next season? :)
Click to expand...


Thanks mate :) I know, didn't see that one coming myself!

No i play the games, I find that I lose all the time if I use the instant result haha!

I wouldn't go that far mate, 3 promotions in a row would be quite something :)
 
View attachment 173476



FA CUP 3RD ROUND


View attachment 1027683
View attachment 173475


The toughest test of my managerial career here as we take on a very good Aston Villa side, relegated from the Premier League last season.

After being relegated last season, they now find themselves 9th in the Championship but still have some very capable players, most of which are earning in excess of £50 per week!


View attachment 173474


Jonathan De Guzman, Carlos Gill and Adama Traore look to be the biggest threats from this Villa side today.

We on the other hand, have lost our top goalscorer and main striker to injury which means Gareth Seddon has to come in for a start, despite being 37 years old.

If we have any chance of getting anything from today then we must target the wings, especially the right hand side with Febian Brandy in brilliant form.


Let's see how we get on then and hope it isn't too embarrassing for us ...


View attachment 173473


As daft as it sounds, I’m not too disappointing with this result against far superior opponents.

We started quite brightly and took the game to Villa.

Eventually though their quality shone though and they broke the deadlock through Thievy Bifouma who they recently signed from Granada.

After going 1-0 up Villa then took control and restricted us to very little.

Villa were the better side here but we still looked dangerous on the break.

Our problem was that every attack me made fell down when it reached Gareth Seddon. We eventually took him off and put Fabien Brandy up-front and looked a lot more dangerous.

I was hoping to keep it goalless as long as possible in the hope that Villa took more chances therefore leaving gaps at the back, sadly though this never happened with them taking the lead inside the first half hour.


View attachment 173472​
 
View attachment 173055



JANUARY 2018


We needed to put the cup run behind us now with some important league fixtures coming up.

A good month here and we can start looking up at the play off spots, A bad period though and we'll be staring at a relegation battle!



View attachment 173054

A really impressive win against a struggling Kidderminster side.

Gareth Seddon continued his good form and filled in for JJ Hooper well by scoring his 3rd goal in the last 5 games.

Elliot Whitehouse then doubled the lead with a great strike late on, his 5th of the campaign.

​


Before the next game we brought in another forward player to help out the strikers ...


View attachment 173052

After the poor performance Gareth Seddon put in vs Villa, I was desperate to bring a replacement in.

Formerly of Wigan but failed to make a single appearance. He looks decent and should fill the void that Hooper has left since his injury.

​



View attachment 173053


I can’t work out how we didn’t win this one!

Sam Cosgrove scored on his debut from a David Fitzpatrick cross.

Rod McDonald then played a short backpass to the ‘keeper which Wes Burns latched onto to level things up. David Fitzpatrick then scored a really good strike to put us back infront.

We then totally fell apart and looked poor defensively for one of the first times this season to throw away our lead!

​


We made yet another signing mid month here, this time a defender to help strengthen the back line ...

View attachment 173050


Signs after an unsuccessful stay at Fleetwood.

I was getting worried about the lack of decent defenders we have in the squad and their deteriorating fitness. Garner and McDonald have been decent but if either pick up an injury or suspension then we don't really have any cover.

Looking at Nirennold though, it probably looks as though he'll replace McDonald and partner Scott Garner at the heart of defence.


​


View attachment 173051


A really disappointing draw in a game we should have won.

The only excuse I can think of are the recent cup games we’ve had have taken it out of the lads recently. We never really threatened their goal and a draw was probably a fair result.




View attachment 173049


Another clean sheet here and a decent point against one of the best sides in the division.

Victor Nirennold and Scott Garner seem to have struck up a good partnership with 2 clean sheets out of 2.



View attachment 173048



A really good win here which was much needed.

New signing Sam Cosgrove opened the scoring when he chased down the ‘keeper and forced him into a mistake. The ‘keeper’s clearace hitting Cosgrove and finding its way into the back of the net.

Gateshead equalised from a corner but Cosgrove grabbed his second with a header after Fabien Brandy put in a good cross.



View attachment 173047


We finished the month against table toppers Boreham Wood.

We weren’t bad here in a very even game. Fabien Brandy should have won the game for us but his late strike was ruled out for offside.



​



View attachment 173046

A decent month which is just what we needed.

The two defeats we suffered were both cup games so the league form stayed pretty strong with 2 wins and 3 draws in an unbeaten month.

I was really disappointed with the FA Trophy defeat but it may come as a blessing in disguise if we can now concentrate on the league.


View attachment 173045


A good month is just what we needed as we now start looking at the play off spots as a genuine target.

We're only a point off 5th place with plenty of games to go. The big question will be whether our form can continue.


We did have some bad news this month though ...


View attachment 173043

He's only been here a few weeks and will now face 7 weeks in the treatment room.

He's had a decent impact since joining, scoring 3 goals in 5 games. His injury now makes it 6 first teamers out injured!


​


PLAYER OF THE MONTH:

View attachment 173044

Victor Nirennold


Both Elliot Whitehouse and Jack Blake had higher average ratings this month but neither had the impact of Nirennold who’s come into the side and immediately racked up 3 clean sheets in 4 games.

I initially signed him as cover for Garner and McDonald but he forced his way into the side and his performances have made him one of the first names on the teamsheet.
​
 
A couple of handy new signings there, a shame about Cosgrove's injury though :/
 
PatrickLFC said:
A couple of handy new signings there, a shame about Cosgrove's injury though :/
Click to expand...

Tell me about it mate, really struggling upfront now! Looks like we'll have to play Gareth Seddon until we can get some fitness back :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

FMBase

Beta

Resources

Back
Top