The Evolution of a Philosophy

[William Spector]

"I'm not going to make a grand entrance of spouting how sh*t you've been so far this season because you can read enough of that nonsense in the media if you're able to stand it. I'm more excited than you can imagine to be here and over the next few weeks there may be changes in the staff as I try to find what works best for both you and me."

It's my first time meeting the players at my first club. Admittedly I'm a little nervous, but nerves are good.

"I'm told that at the beginning of the season, we were expected to finish within the play-offs. If I hadn't of been told that, I wouldn't have guessed because we're sitting fifth from bottom averaging less than a point a game. Before arriving today, I studied recordings of the league matches played so far and I couldn't believe how unorganised the previous management was. In the sixteen league games this season, you were made to play five completely different formations."

"What I'm aiming to bring to you lot is an identity. A way of playing football that you all believe in, understand and equally contribute to throughout the course of ninety minutes. Today we start a clean slate in the history of this football club. The fans pay very good money to come and watch and we will make them proud. Everybody in this room knows that relegation isn't an option."

"This week has already been confusing enough for everybody involved so it's important we get onto the training field and right our wrongs. Anything anybody wants to add?" A sea of shaking heads faced me. "Good. Get yourselves changed and see me on the training field in ten minutes."

 

[William Spector]

Today I'm meeting Chairman and majority shareholder Darragh MacAnthony for the first time. The entire recruitment process was handled by two of the clubs directors, Bob Symns and Sarah O'Callaghan, which I found a little unusual. I suppose I may have gotten off lightly after the much-publicised antics of MacAnthony in the boardroom.

Despite the Irishman publicly declaring to the media that anybody daring enough to anger him would be punished, I wasn't as fearful as I was initially expecting. The story which he sold to the press of him sending an upsetting employee abroad from his family for fifteen months does sound a little heartless, admittedly.

"Take a seat," said a smiling Darragh, offering a handshake. "It's great to finally meet the man that has been entrusted with looking after my beloved."

"Mr. MacAnthony," I replied, "it's a pleasure. I'm excited to finally get things under way after a stressful week."

"Ah, Bob and Sarah have kept me informed throughout the whole process."

"Then I'm sure you'll know I'm here today with a few requests," I announced.

"Go ahead." Darragh smiled.

"I want to remove fifty percent of the staff currently employed, including some of the most vauled," I paused a moment before I lay the big blow, "including Barry Fry, Mr. MacAnthony."

He looked at me in despair, "Barry has been one of the clubs biggest contributors since the nineties."

"He might have overseen a lot in his time, but it's time the club move in a different direction," I continued, "and just one more thing."

Darragh's eyes widened in disbelief.

"I want to increase the number of staff. Currently employed, including myself, there are eleven people on the pay roll. We should increase that to nineteen. We have no defensive or offensive coaches for the first team," I added, "and we don't employ a single person to focus on the youngsters. Through the recruitment process it was apparent that youth is important to the club - so why not give them the training they deserve?"

"You have some balls to come in here and demand so much from me, kid. I'll warn you that if you're waging war against Barry then you're on your own." He paused in consideration. "I grant you everything we've spoken about with one condition."

"Go on."

"We're in the Championship by the end of next season," He replied.

"Did you expect anything else?" I smiled.

Darragh stared me in the eye. "One f*ck up and you're gone." He warned.

"Winners don't f*ck up, Mr. MacAnthony."

Sometimes you have to meet fire with fire.

 

[DWrongAnswer]

Great start, can't wait for more

 

[William Spector]

Great start, can't wait for more

Thank you!

 

[William Spector]

Saturday the 8th of November, 2014
FA Cup First Round: Barnsley vs. Peterborough United

We had barely two days of training following my whirlwind arrival. Less than half of the staff I asked for had actually signed for the club at this point. The trip north-west to Barnsley took little over two hours, and it rained the entire trip. On paper, we were far from prepared.

Yet things didn't quite feel that way. All of the players at my disposal trained well and grasped the basic principles of what I was asking them to do. The youngsters in the squad worked their ***** off and they were duly rewarded. Just four players in the starting eleven were over the age of twenty-two.

Luke James, at the tender age of twenty, led the line alone. He impressed me more than anybody in training. He scored with his right, his left, his head and I'm sure I saw him cushion the ball home with his chest once or twice.

Barnsley were 10th in the league, yet hadn't won in their last four. They last kept a clean sheet almost two months ago, but it was around the same time they were last shut out themselves.

"This is your last chance to prove something in the cup this season," I told the lads before kick-off. "The loss to Palace in the League Cup was to be expected and you were embarrassed by a good Bristol City side in the Paint Trophy. Barnsley are the ones under pressure and are playing 4-4-2 which means we'll have plenty of space to work in with our pace and energy. There's an opportunity here for you all to prove to me why I should value your place in the team."

We got off to a better start than I could possibly have asked for.

Joe Newell, Kenneth McEvoy and Luke James all combined well with some slick passing which resulted in James' shot being turned around the post by the Barnsley 'keeper. Jon Taylor whipped the ball out to James who was unmarked on the edge of the area. The youngster dipped his shoulder, beating two defenders, and curled the ball into the top corner to give us the lead.

Barnsley responded well and the game became very opened. Dale Jennings, formerly of Bayern Munich, beat three of our defenders before Ben Alnwick raced from his line and smothered the ball.

McEvoy and James posed a constant threat at the other end as Barnsley struggled to cope with their energy.

After some intense pressure around the half hour mark, Barnsley found their equaliser. A long punt forward by Martin Cranie found the racing Keith Treacy whose dangerous cross was nodded in by Sam Winnall.

During the break, I made no changes and urged them to continue their passing game. It had been a fairly even game up until this point but it was clear to see that the win was their for the taking.

Our hosts started the second half the better team, yet after around 10 minutes they began to tire and drop deeper. As they invited us on, I urged our midfield to press higher up the field which allowed our wing backs to advance.

Just before we hit the 60th minute, we regained the lead. Our box-to-box midfielder and captain, Jack Payne, found the feet of McEvoy who flicked it through with his first touch to James. With his back to goal, the youngster took two touches and struck the ball beyond the goalkeeper from 25 yards out.

Luke James doubled our lead less than ten minutes later. Taylor's low cross from the right bobbled around inside the crowded box as Barnsley struggled to clear before James fired home to secure his hat-trick.

Barnsley struggled to garner any response as the final minutes wore down. Conor Washington had a brief seven minute cameo as my only substitute after he replaced Newell who had began to slow towards the end.

All in all, it was a fantastic first game in charge of The Posh. We led in terms of shots and possession, whilst we were fouled almost three times as much as we committed a foul.

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