The Rise of Wales - Carmarthen Town

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That's an impressive defensive record. Only conceding 9 goals is a great achievement.

I know! It has been a massive improvement from last season, although we are also scoring less goals at the same time - So am still trying to find the right balance.
 
February

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Another unbeaten month for us as we remain level with TNS at the top of the table after holding each other to a draw. This is a better result for us as we will have home advantage for our final meeting of the season. Unfortunately we have an inferior goal difference, which is unlikely to change in the remaining 5 matches, we are therefore going to have to better TNS on points.

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3 wins and 2 draws only gets me 3rd place in the Manager of Month Award.

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I decided to contact the board over a new contract, in an attempt to stop the influx of job interviews. They swiftly accepted and locked me down for next season. Hopefully we can continue to build on our successes this season and go one step further in Europe!


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Steve Morrison is set to miss the best part of 2 months after seeing a specialist for shin splints. Hopefully he will return to help win the Premier League, to end his playing career on a high.

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Just 3 games in March, as we look to remain on course for the domestic treble.
 
March

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As expected we cruised through March with a 100% win record. TNS slipped up in the title race, putting us 3 points clear with just 3 games to go. We have also progressed to the Semi-Final of the JD Welsh Cup and looking in prime position to achieve the domestic treble. We are on a 24 game unbeaten run at the moment and will be looking to hit 29 at the end of the season.


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I wasn't the only manager to win both games in March, but our comfortable back to back 3-1 victories did enough to earn me Manager of the Month.


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Unfortunately we picked up 2 injuries in the JD Welsh Cup tie, losing Abbotts for the remainder of the season and Edwards for a month

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The season run in ends with a home fixture against TNS - We need to see off both Airbus and Llandudno to ensure that a draw is enough to win us the title!
 
March/April European Qualifiers

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We opened our European Qualifying campaign with a draw at home to England. I was a little disappointed not to take the lead in the first half, as we really dominated the game and created some decent chances. In the end a draw wasn't a bad result as England really stepped up there game in the second half and we needed Gareth Bale to save the day once again! A steady start to qualifying.


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I made a number of changes for the match against Liechtenstein, as the match was played 3 days later and included the return of Captain Ashley Williams from suspension. I had anticipated the game to be a bit of a walkover, but to there credit Liechtenstein really made us work for the win. We missed a lot of chances going forward which didn't help, but got the all important win in the end.


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So after the first round of fixtures we are joint top with England on 4 points. There is still along way to go and need to be weary of Iceland, who will be eyeing up a top 2 finish after the success they had in reaching Euro 2016.

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We have started to slip down the World Rankings, as we haven't played any international fixtures for a few months. Some decent results in qualifying will surely get us back into the top 30.
 
Season Finale

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WE DID IT!!!

A flawless run in at the end of the season secures us top spot by a comfortable 8 points. We had already secured the league title before our match against TNS, although was a relief to finally get the better of them in the League. It has been a terrific season for us and am delighted to have tied down my entire starting line up for next season, except for the retiring Steve Morison.


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TNS are finally getting some competition as the top team in Wales, as we get our name on the Welsh Premier League trophy for the 2nd time in the clubs history.

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We have now gone a staggering 30 matches unbeaten across all competitions and 24 in the Premier League.

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We will meet TNS in the final of the JD Welsh Cup as we look to achieve the domestic treble! We are the bookies favourites going into the game but know it is going to be a tough match.

 
Congrats on the title mate! Keen to see what next season brings for you :)
 
End of Season Awards

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Unsurprisingly David Edwards was named the fans player of the season, as he went from strength to strength in his newly adopted position of shadow striker. Rhoys Wiggins was another player to really stand out in his debut season as he set a new club record for assists, which actually ended on 13.

I was a little surprised that the best XI was lined up in a 4-4-2 formation as we definitely had more success in the latter half of the season playing under a 4-3-1-2 (narrow).


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Despite winning the League (and theWord Cup and JD Welsh Cup) no Carmarthen players won individual accolades, which highlights the team performance all season. I did however win Manager of the Year for a third time which wasn't really a surprise after such an incredible season.

I have also achieved my highest coaching qualification, which should be a major boost on the training pitch for both club and country.


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Despite not winning any individual awards, we had the majority of player in team of the year with a total of 5.

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The season review makes a very pleasant viewing (except for the 3-1 defeat to TNS). The only way to top this season on the domestic front would be to go undefeated all season and create a Carmarthen version of "The Invincibles".

The main target for next season will therefore be to get one step further in Europe and reach the 3rd Qualifying Round for the Champions League. If we get knocked out there I believe we then have a shot of making the Europa Group Stages.



 
Glad you started using Edwards as a Shadow Striker that was a brilliant decision!
 
Congrats mate! Great season!

I know is going to be hard to top next season on the domestic front! haha

Glad you started using Edwards as a Shadow Striker that was a brilliant decision!

Yeah I tried to stick with a 4-4-2 but Edwards wasn't having much impact. Then as soon as he played in his natural Shadow Striker role he became unstoppable! Took me a season and a half to figure that out!
 
Euro 2020 Qualifying

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A massive victory over Iceland, in the race for qualification. Bale got us off to a flyer scoring within the 1st minute of the game before George Williams sealed the 3 points early in the 2nd half. Iceland failed to really impose themselves on the game and never cause us a problem at the back. We should perhaps have won by another goal or 2 but am just happy to get the win.


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Despite the victory, it was a disappointing performance away to Lithuania. We should be winning by a comfortable 3 or 4 goal margin, especially when playing against 10 men for a quarter of the match. Our finishing was woeful and against stronger opposition would have been punished for not taking our chances.

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We are currently sitting at the top of the table but have played an extra match. I cant really see us not making the top 2 in all honesty, but will be aiming to beat England to that top spot!

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We have started to climb back up the rankings, with the return of International fixtures. My next target will be reaching the top 20.
 
You are doing wonderful job with the Wales squad man keep it up !!
 
You are doing wonderful job with the Wales squad man keep it up !!

Thanks mate. Will be looking forward to reaching my first major international tournament (providing nothing terrible goes wrong in qualifying).
 
Rankings

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Despite winning the domestic treble, we are still sat behind TNS as the most reputable club in Wales. Our stature has improved significantly but, will be tough to overtake them whilst we are still a Semi-Pro team.

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Our progress in the European Club rankings continues to rise as we have nearly entered the top 400 teams in Europe. Success in the Champions/Europa League is the only way to really make any significant progress in the rankings.

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The Welsh Premier League has made some good progress in the European Competition Rankings, mainly down to TNS's success in the Champions League last season (reaching 3rd qualifying round).

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For the first time we have moved up the European Coefficients table in my career! This means the winner of the Welsh Premier League will enter the Champions League at the 2nd qualifying phase next season.


 
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