The Football Managing Mercenary

[DerbyJack]

So here we stand at the final month of the season.

Its going to take one almighty push from a squad that quite frankly would gladly see me fail and to give them even more of a reason to drop me in it, I'm still yet to be offered a contract by the board.

All or nothing.


April 2017

1st April 2017
Vanarama National League

Maybe they do believe in me? Or maybe it has more to do with a reckless challenge, a red card and a gift of a penalty. Either way I'm going to carry on believing regardless. We're back on course.


8th April 2017
Vanarama National League

We continue to mount pressure on those in the playoff spots with an encouraging performance against Chester. The Viking continues to show strong signs at his early age with only late consolation goal being enough to take anything away from a superb display, however my day certainly took a turn after the game...

​

15th April 2017
Vanarama National League

So with my contract now very much up in the air with the current board and a new consortium ready and willing to bring in their own man, I needed a performance from the boys like never before. In what should have been expected fashion they let me down massively, collapsing against lowly Lincoln.


17th April 2017
Vanarama National League

Why couldn't they do this two days ago? A hard earned draw against table topping Hartlepool highlighted just what me and this team could do. Unfortunately with the both boards trying to drum up a deal behind the scenes, I doubt this result would make much of an impact.

22nd April 2017
Vanarama National League

With my days at Bristol now seemingly numbered, the new board looking on and my entire future potentially on the line, we crumbled to a complete defeat. Mid-tabled Ebbsfleet made us look amateur going on a rampant run int he final quarter of the game. Back to the job market?

29th April 2017
Vanarama National League

In what might be my final game as the head coach of Bristol Rovers we at least end on a high. My two mid-season signings, Edgar and Larusson at least ensure I have something to show in what is sure to be an awkward end of season meeting with my new employers.


April 2017
Vanarama National League

So that's it. My first entire season in charge of a football team and we fall well short of my pre-season target and a world away from my own personal target of smashing our way to my first title.

With no contract renewal on the horizon and Fleetwood manager, Russ Penn apparently packing his bags for a new life in Bristol, I best start gearing up for another spell on the sidelines should new chief Tony Bloom finally pull the trigger.​

 

[Seano]

Unlucky mate.
If they do sack you or let your contract run out i'm sure you'll pick up one of the jobs that come from the teams getting relegated from league 2.

 

[fishyfootball1]

It's been a great read so far mate keep up the good work! Unlucky with bristol

 

[DerbyJack]

Cheers Seano, I'm already eyeing up who might accept my appalling CV.

Thanks fishyfootball glad your enjoying it. I Appreciate it!

​

---

It was my first full season in charge of a football club and its fair to say it definitely didn't go to plan...again.

I't's certainly proving to be a very slow start to my supposed rapid rise to the top of the pile but fortunately for me this season for once has proven to break the trend of managerial swaps and the ends of eras as the top three earners in the world has a very familiar look.

​

[TABLE="class: cms_table, width: 800, align: center"]
[TR]
[TD="align: center"]

[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]

[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: center"]Pep Guardiola[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Jose Mourinhio[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Rafa Benitez[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: center"]Bayern Munich[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Chelsea[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Real Madrid[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: center"]£165,000 per week[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]£145,000 per week[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]£140,000 per week[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

All three hold on to their jobs, for another season with Rafa proving to be an absolute revelation at Real, guiding them to the BBVA title and taking the Galacticos to the Champions League trophy.

One thing in the top earners standings has changed however as our three elite managers have now built up one **** of a wage gap with their nearest rivals, earning nearly Fifty thousand more then new Barcelona manager Paco Jemez.

For me times are proving to be rough.

I'm running out of time to grab a contract with Bristol Rovers whilst the board are stalling on finally giving me the boot.
With time ticking down I opted to finally put this to rest.

Well that didn't quite go to plan.

The board palm me off with a weak excuse leaving me barreling towards the start of the new season with no fixed contract in place. Not a comfortable place to be.

​

[TABLE="class: cms_table, width: 265, align: center"]
[TR]
[TD="align: center"]

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: center"]Derby Jack[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: center"]Bristol Rovers[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: center"]£450 per week[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Well for the time being at least my wage remains locked at Four Hundred and Fifty pounds a week. A miserly wage for a manager and nearly a third of some of the top earners at Bristol Rovers. To say the board are not in a financial position to renew my contract is a joke.

Jose wouldn't stand for this.

​

 

[Weldred]

Thank you for the story mate. Im going to follow this fun struggle.

 

[DerbyJack]

No need to thank me, I really appreciate it though, glad to have you reading along.

---

Not going to lie, its rather hard to handle a transfer window when you have no idea if you'll actually be in charge of the players come the start of the season but non the less I got to work.

Eight players all left Bristol behind, six of them from the first team as we have a huge upheavel.

Sinclair, Lines and Bodin all stayed with the club despite placing transfer request at the start of my tenure but all chose to leave with the end of their contracts, with the only real departure of note being that of Australian youngster Peter Skapetis, the frustrated youngster heading over to the other side of the country to try his chances with Lincoln.

Despite having half an eye on leaving these players to sign with whichever club might pick me should Bristol eventually release me I went ahead and brought is some true talent to The Gas.

From: Out of Contract
Cost: Free

The kid clearly has a sensible head of his shoulders choosing to play for Japan over his native England but I fully expect the lad to still make an impact in his home country a solid midfielder with a level head on his shoulders. Should make a good addition to the centre of midfield.

From: Out of Contract
Cost: Free

The defence let me down last season and was definitely an area I wanted to improve on for the comings season, Finnish left back Joonas Sundman certainly isnt here to make an instant impact but the promising left back is certainly one for the future.

From: Out of Contract
Cost: Free

Another one to strengthen the defence comes in the shape of centre-back Kristof Polgar. Our team is becoming incredibly diverse but Polgar himself has spent five years within the ranks of Liverpool. We'll be looking to slowly introduce him to the starting line-up.

From: Out of Contract
Cost: Free

The lads older then Twenty. My bizarre transfer policy is ruined. Nabi has had nearly an entire season sat out of the game following his release from West Brom but the Pakistani International certainly has something to offer the game. He'll be out leading frontman for the season to come.

From: Out of Contract
Cost: Free

We had to bide our time for this one but we eventually land our man bringing in American prospect Kyle Scott. The lad certainly isn't going to develop into a Clint Dempsey but can look forward to a bright future in the English leagues we just hope he can be in a Bristol Rovers shirt when he does.




Yeah I know. Its a bunch of kids again.

I'm predictable. However I am confident these youngster are going to make an impact this season, we've managed to nip in in front of some of League Two's biggest sides to ****** up these players. lets hope they can take us back there.
​

 

[DerbyJack]

Preseason
2017/18

12th July 2017
Friendly

We made a point of destroying Youth teams last season, this year i upped the anti and we went up against some of the minor leagues finest. Staines were first to taste the wrath of a new and improved Bristol as we stormed to a five goal victory.


18th July 2017
Friendly

The boys look up for the season ahead already smashing six goals past a hapless Hednesford with left winger Edgar laying down a marker with a clinical hat-trick. The formation and tactics are finally providing goals...


22nd July 2017
Friendly

...or not. Lies all lies. Workington bring back a very stark reminder of what happened last season as they turn our pre-season upside down with a sneaky one goal victory. No real reason or rhyme for going from eleven goals in two games to a complete lock out in the next game but heck it is the preseason.



Despite being a very short pre-season it still felt like a relatively positive one. We finally found a way to get the boys firing and with a sense that perhaps last season was just a minor blip I really wanted to be leading The Gas in the season to come.

With the board still rejecting my requests for a new contract I opted to take things into my own hands in order to try and make sure I would be..

Well atleast with a points target that suggest I'm going to get the first month of the season at the helm atleast?

I learnt a valuable lesson.
Never speak to the press when your ****** off. It never goes well.

​

 

[Death Ball]

I'm not sure about that last sentence, let's wait five matches and see what happens. ****, I fear I've just jinxed your new contract chances.

Larusson, that sounds like a scandinavian emigrated to Japan who got kids and now one of the kids or further descendants have come to England.

 

[DerbyJack]

I sure hope not Death Ball! Although you do realise I will now be blaming you for any contract failures!
Making him Japlandic? Sure is a great name though!

Thanks for One hundred likes guys, very much appreciated. Once again sorry for the slow start!

​

---

Its my third season of the game and only my second full season in charge of a club but already I find myself in another perilous position.

With no fixed contract I'm now working on a month by month basis with the board making sure I earn back their loyalty with an ultimatum for my first month in charge.

Nine points in Five games or I'm out.​

August 2017

​

5th August 2017
Vanarama National League

We get things under way with a Larusson inspired victory over the recently relegated Dagenham & Redbridge. Having suffered the same fate themselves two seasons ago, The Gas gave them a warm welcome to the division to let them know what to expect, after the game however I received something I most definitely did not.
​

​

8th August 2017
Vanarama National League

No time to practice Interview techniques and iron the suit as I'm flung into the very next game which see's us pick up another impressive victory to get the season under way in fine style. With the Bristol board begrudgingly pleased to see me battling to match their target set in the pre-season, I quickly leave The Memorial ground to discuss terms with Cheltenham.


​

12th August 2017
Vanarama National League

Back to duty with Bristol and our winning start to the season comes to an abrupt end with a goalless draw in Kidderminster. The boys battled hard through-out the game and caused the Harriers all kinds of problems going forward but where unable to break the dead lock. A disappointing evening and not just for the boys...
​

​

19th August 2017
Vanarama National League

So its back to reality as a struggling Bristol Rovers manager for me but for once things are actually going just as planned. Two of our summer signings combine to send us comfortably past Hemel Hempstead and in doing so they help me smash the boards target with a game to spare.


​

22nd August 2017
Vanarama National League

The Board are slow to get back to me at first even when just three days later we destroy Welling infront of a thrilled home crowd, with the new striker Partnership of Nabi and Larusson continuing their blistering form. The Icelandic and Pakistani duo could well have saved my job. Time will tell.


​

26th August 2017
Vanarama National League

We round off a sensational month with another victory this time over a struggling Wrexham. The boys have done me proud this month, as the end of season rebellion last year seems all but forgotten. Just days after the game I'm greeted by yet more important news.​

August 2017
Vanarama National League

Its been an incredibly busy month both on and off the pitch as the season kicks off in a frantic fashion. The disappointment of missing out on the Cheltenham job is soon replaced by joy, following my improved contract and the all important feeling of being top of the table.
​

 

[Death Ball]

Yay, so I was right and in the end it worked out well. You've got what you wanted. Grats.

 

[DerbyJack]

Indeed Deathball! Thanks very much!

---

September 2017

9th September 2017
Vanarama National League

Having just signed the contract with the board I immediately rewarded their change of attitude with a convincing loss to Forest Green. The club based in the middle of no where certainly looked at home in the first half sending two well taken goals past our helpless defence.


12th September 2017
Vanarama National League

The boys seem a shadow of themselves from August as they struggle to a disappointing draw. Perhaps they were only performing because they thought I was leaving? Either way I'm not taking it personally its time to rally the boys and get them to believe in me again!

​

​

16th September 2017
Vanarama National League

Well at least they tried? The boys came out with the bit between their teeth but a late collapse in the defence allowed Woking an easy way back into the game as their lone striker Hazeldine humiliated the back four with a clinical hat-trick.


19th September 2017
Vanarama National League

We cant catch a break. Barrow might have opened the scoring but they never looked like winning the game with The Gas dominating the rest of play but our cutting edge in the final third was lacking, gifting them an undeserved point.


23rd September 2017
Vanarama National League

Our poor form culminates with a humiliating display against Cheltenham. Ever since my pen touched the paper of my new contract, things have fallen apart. I refuse to go through the same as last season. I'm not going to be forced out of Bristol by my own players.


26th September 2017
Vanarama National League

Laying down the law on the squad, I made it clear what I expected from them. The Board are probably already regretting giving me a contract but fortunately for me a three goal victory at least goes to show what we are capable of. Given our inconsistent form I'm not taking this as a return to winning ways.


30th September 2017
Vanarama National League

And here is why. Admittedly the boys are absolutely shattered following a packed fixture schedule but we again let points slip through our fingers. An end to end start of the game saw us take a narrow lead but some sloppy defending handed Gateshead a point as we struggled to build any kind of momentum.


September 2017
Vanarama National League

Following the start of our season I foolishly gained the impression that we might be actually title contenders, one month further in and I'm now realising that was a hasty reaction from a man desperate for a contract.​

 

[DerbyJack]

October 2017

3rd October 2017
Vanarama National League

We start the month off with yet another draw. These dropped points are definitely going to cost us at some point this season as we slowly drift away from the top spots. A return to winning ways is much needed.


14th October 2017
Vanarama National League

...And here it is. A very welcome three points comes from a thrilling game against Chester. They did their best to tie up the game but a determined Harry Charsley performance proved to be enough to eventually ****** the victory as head back to Bristol in hopefully resurgent form.

​

​

17th October 2017
Vanarama National League

Well that was short lived. We were at least going to go unbeaten until we completely and utterly imploded in the final five minutes, handing Braintree two easy goals. Inconsistent form is creeping back in again. A season of obscurity awaits!


21st October 2017
FA Cup - 4th Qualifying Round

Well I can take solace in the fact that we are once again on the cusp of a cup run. If there is one thing I've mastered in just three years of management its an FA Cup run. Lowly Chesham are the first to taste the wrath of a determined Bristol.


24th October 2017
Vanarama National League

A return to form for our strike partnership of Larusson and Nabi has us back up to standard with a three goal victory of Whitehawk. At least at this rate we're not going down but unless we can start stringing together the victories we aren't exactly going...anywhere.


28th October 2017
Vanarama National League

We make it two in a row. A rare appearance for Danish left-back Sundman is rewarded with a well taken goal, whilst Pakistani striker Nabi continues to impress from the front, leading not only the team but the goal-scoring charts in the league as well.


31st October 2017
Vanarama National League

Three in a row. This is the way it should be. Lincoln seem to be constant strugglers in this division and are once again put to the sword. The first half was a true borefest but once the second-half kicked off everything came to life with four goals in the first Twenty minutes.


October 2017
Vanarama National League

Thanks to the return to winning ways at the end of the month, October proved to be a rather fruitful one. We're sitting pretty in third place just two points behind the leading pair of Braintree and Woking. With more months like this we'll soon reclaim our rightful place at the top of the table.​

 

[DerbyJack]

November 2017

4th November 2017
FA Cup - 1st Round

FA Cup form is what IO specialise in and true to form we cruise into the next round with an impressive victory over League Two's Northampton. With displays like this its clear that we have what it takes to not only conquer this league but make an impact back in League Two.


18th November 2017
Vanarama National League

We continue our winning ways with a superb display against Halifax. Our Icelandic-Pakistani partnership continues to impress scoring all three goals in a fifteen minute spell before the first half break. Promotion form is underway.

​

​

21st November 2017
Vanarama National League

A bright start to the game saw both teams find the back of the net in the opening few minutes but neither could muster any more clear cut chances on goal eventually settling for a stale draw.


25th November 2017
Vanarama National League

We drop points again with another draw against Maidenhead this time with The Gas fortunate to even claim just the one point. Maidenhead controlled the majority of the game infront of a frustrated home crowd but the in-form Nabi once again saved the day with a goal ten minutes from the final whistle.


28th November 2017
Vanarama National League

Our form is taking an alarming nose dive as our two disappointing draws are rounded off with a resounding thrashing from Stockport. Given that County are a former Championship outfit the result normally wouldn't be too disheartening but they currently find themselves just out of the relegation zone, this result was totally unexpected.


November 2017
Vanarama National League

With just one solitary victory in the league we slide away from the automatic promotion race for now and are instead now faced with a fierce battle to just hold on to our spot in the playoff zone. The season is shaping up to be another inconsistent struggle. Joy.​

 

[mike887]

Really enjoying this mate keep at it

 

[DerbyJack]

Thanks Mike, I'll do my best!

---

December 2017

2nd December 2017
FA Cup - 2nd Round

Much like November we start the month with FA Cup action and the boys live up to their status of giant killers comfortably seeing off League One's Coventry with a sensational display in front of the Rovers faithful. We march on to the 3rd Round and a potential tie with a Premier League outfit as the lowest ranked team left in the competition..again.


5th December 2017
Vanarama National League

Despite beating a club two tiers above us we struggle against fellow play-off chasers. Dover. A thrilling game for the neutrals but neither team will want to focus too much on some appalling defending. We need to strengthen at the back four in the coming transfer window.

​

​

9th December 2017
FA Trophy South - 1st Round

Back to cup duty and we finally make an impact in the FA Trophy as we stroll into the next round following a comfortable victory over Thurrock. There is no reason why we can't push for the trophy in this competition. A trophy would certainly improve my value.


12th December 2017
Vanarama National League

Once again our cup form is a world away from our current form in the league. We managed to hold onto a more ridged defence but failed to capitalise on a number of clear cut chances with the Harriers proving to be the first and only side to break the deadlock.


19th December 2017
Vanarama National League

Former league two side Dagenham & Redbridge are struggling in the league but we proved to be generous to the fallen side, handing them a much needed point as we play out a lifeless draw at the Memorial Ground as our status as promotion contenders becomes increasingly laughable.


26th December 2017
Vanarama National League

Another draw but atleast we see a return to the score-sheet from our strikers. In truth the boys certainly deserved more from this game unfortunately the high number of games caught up with their legs towards the end of the game allowing Wrexham to ****** back a share of the spoils.


30th December 2017
Vanarama National League

A victory finally. The end of the year was heading towards being a complete disaster but a late victory over bottom of the table Welling atleast gave us something to hold on to as we head into 2018. Larusson and Nabi again combined well but it was want-away striker Ellis Harrison that smashed home the all important winner.


December 2017
Vanarama National League

Despite a disappointign month in the league we managed to hold on to our spot in the play-offs courtesy of that Welling victory. Its certainly getting close in the race for League Two with teams all the way down to tenth place well and truly in the race for the top five positions. Its going to be a bitter fight to the finish.​

 

[Seano]

Glad to see you're holding onto to the playoff spots!
Bristol also got relegated in my save.
The lower leagues are so wide open its unbelievable!

 

[PaperClipFMer]

Great win against Coventry mate

 

[DerbyJack]

Thanks Seano, not going to lie I'm finding it very hard even to cling on to them, let alone the automatic spots.

Thanks Paperclip, was pleasantly surprised myself!

---

Its a new year and with it comes an all important transfer window.

With things being inconstant in the league I opted to try and strengthen the squad in a last ditch bid to try and salvage our weak grip on the promotion spots.

Despite shelling out the majority of players that remained from The Gas's time in the Football League, I still have a number of players still clambering to escape life at the Memorial Ground however it seems their want-away desire doesn't match up to their talent.

Despite offering them all, no one took any interest....at all.

From: Out of Contract
Cost: Free

For some many games I sit on the side-lines watching as my midfield watches ideally by as the opposition calmly play it through them. Tom Burridge is here to put an end to that. The Twenty-One year old sure has the ability and aggression we will be keen to see in the middle of the park

From: Out of Contract
Cost: Free

One of those keen to leave the club is back-up goalkeeper Kieran Preston. At just Twenty-One he certainly has the potential to one day pull on the number one shirt at this level, the only trouble is new signing Hugo Keto is one year younger and a **** of a lot more capable between the sticks.

From: Out of Contract
Cost: Free

If there is one thing I have come to learn at Bristol Rovers it as that you can never trust defenders in the Vanarama National League. On top of that I probably should have learned that signing promising youngster doesn't bring about success but it seems I'm not quite that smart as I bring in former Chelsea product, Dion Conroy.




With three new addition and no departures from the team, we now have a squad bursting with potential.

With just four months of football remaining in the league its time to put these new signings to immediate use. The Gas are a football league outfit. We need to start playing like one.​

 

[DerbyJack]

January 2018

1st January 2018
Vanarama National League

The new year kicks-off with a whimper as our inability to finish off weaker teams strikers. Our third draw in four games see's Eastleigh ****** a point against the run of play. A lapse of concentration in our back four once again proved costly.


6th January 2018
FA Cup - 3rd Round

With fingers crossed for a third round tie against a Premier League giant we are instead paired up with League Two's Barnet. A disappointing tie but non the less the boys gave it all they had to try and keep the dream alive but the fortunate Bee's proved to have just enough in the tank to keep us at bay.

​

​

9th January 2018
Vanarama National League

The team seems to be adamant that the form book needs tearing up as they put on an efficient display against table topping Woking. I couldn't help but question why we couldn't do the same against the rest of the teams in the league but non the less the victory is what matters.


13th January 2018
FA Trophy - 2nd Round

We progress once more in the FA trophy as we charge towards what could be our only real shot at claiming some silverware this season. A superb display from the partnership of Nabi and Harrison made quick work of the fallen Pilgrims.


16th January 2018
Vanarama National League

Once again a lapse in concentration has us drop points, this time against fellow play-off chasers Boreham Wood. The boys where well in control of the game but a five minute spell saw Boreham smash home three quick fire goals and sent us back to Bristol with our tails between our legs.


20th January 2018
Vanarama National League

The last game might have been lost in just five minutes but this one was almost completely one-way traffic. A-side from an early equalizer we never truly managed to trouble Forest-Green gift wrapping them three points as we slowly slip out of the play-offs.


23rd January 2018
Vanarama National League

We cling on to a point against a struggling Hemel Hempstead as we desperately try to stop the slide down the table. An early goal from the ever impressive Nabi atleast gave us the perfect start but we failed to push on eventually settling for the draw.


27th January 2018
Vanarama National League

The slide is well and truly back on as a mid-table Barrow side smash us four-nil. Morale is rapidly spiraling down not only in the squad but also from myself. It seems these guys just don't want it as much as I do, fortunately for me after the devastating result there was some unexpected good news in my inbox.

January 2018
Vanarama National League

The league is so tight that every slip up is punished and following our horrific month we slip well and truly out of the play-off spots and now sit uncomfortably in mid-table. With League Two's Northampton Town showing some interest I'm seriously considering jumping ship as frustrations begin to boil over in Bristol.​

 

[DerbyJack]

February 2018

3rd February 2018
FA Trophy - 3rd Round

Kicking off what was to prove to be a very short month is another FA trophy tie against Vanarama South side Maidstone. The boys once again leave their best for the knock-out rounds putting on a solid performance to send us through to the 4th round. Still some hope for silverware.

​

​

10th February 2018
Vanarama National League

We welcomed the team that rejected me at the start of the season as we go up against Cheltenham. In a game that epitomized our current form in the league we are again force to settle for another sloppy draw. Having grown incredibly frustrated with the clubs inability to put down any form in the league I received some much needed good news.

February 2018
Vanarama National League

So that's it. I leave The Gas after nearly two seasons at the helm, having failed to make any real head-way with the team. Some silverware may have been on the horizon in the FA trophy but with the league form being so inconsistent, a board that never truly wanted me in charge and a squad that didn't have my back I am quick to pack my bags and leave the Memorial Ground.​