1 Jan 2018 - review of the first half of the season
It's bright and early on the first of January, and unlike most of the nation we arent in bed recovering from New Year's Eve. No rest for football managers apparently, and I have assembled the whole management team to reflect on our performance so far this season.
"I'm not going to shock anyone by saying I'm very happy with our performances so far this season", I begin, scanning the room for responses. "We had a minor hiccough with those two tough games in early December, but we've recovered well since and the team is playing beautiful football."
Sounds of general agreement carry through the room. Dave Watson, my assistant manager, chimes in. "Totally, we're playing better than anyone expected us to including ourselves!". A few polite laughs but he has misread the room. Head of youth development Phil Cannon responds "well not me - I've been at this level before and I can tell you that with the quality in this squad, and the professional approach to the backroom, we're performing just as I expected." Steve Coppell, Director of Football backs him up. "Definitely Phil. Back in 2006 I got a Manager of the Year award with a squad only half this good." *groan* could we hear any more about that ****** award? Ah, he's a good guy and a Tranmere boy at heart, we all know he means well. It's a sign of respect that noone mentions that he managed Reading to relegation back to the Championship just 2 seasons later.
I can't argue with either points. Yes we're doing well, but I didnt think we'd do this well either. The first half of the season has finished on a high, with Tranmere well on top in the league despite slipping up at home to Palace. We are 11 points ahead of Palace who has climbed over Norwich by a point.
View attachment 326474
The general mood is positive, so I move them along. "Let's think about the players themselves. Dave, what's your take?". Watson pulls out his ipad to check out the stats.
View attachment 326473
"Well, our midfield is a well oiled machine. Our passing is crisp and accurate, and we can hold possession against any team. The trio of Galloway, Towell and Billing are all averaging over 7 points. Galloway is in prime goalscoring form as well which is a bonus. Our backup options are also very strong - Nathan Ake has played half the season in DM and half in DL, and has excelled in both positions. Da Silva hasnt played much with 13 games including 8 as a reserve, but has been excellent when he has played to average 7.53. I think you should give him some more game time in this half of the season. Some credit has to go to Mark for giving the lads great discipline on the ball this season."
Mark Dempsey, our ball control coach, accepts the thanks but shifts uncomfortably in his chair. "Boss, I agree these players are going well. But two of that midfield trio are loan players. Shouldn't we be putting more effort into our own players? I think it's time to start blooding the midfield talents we've picked up. Da Silva has been excellent in training and deserves a shot at first pick. Young Denis Mezzetti could be a star and some game time would really bring him on. Check out this comparison with Towell - in the important stats, he's not that far behind already, and he's only just 17. Phil, don't you agree?"
View attachment 326472
Cannon ponders a response. "Well, you're bang on the money with Mezzetti, that lad is going to be great. I don't know about dropping Galloway though - even though he is a loan player, he's the best MC in the club by a mile. No offence to Richie of course, who is also playing brilliantly, but Brendan is Premier League quality and we should use him while we can. You never know, the boss has a knack for extending loans to the end of player contracts and nabbing them. He could become a Tranmere man yet. Same for Billing, this is his third season with us, clearly he loves the club and us. Well he loves the boss anyway, we all know that, it's pretty much hero worship at this point. His contract is up in June - he'll be here right to the end of it. We'll be competing with Huddersfield to sign him then, and I am pretty confident he'll choose us. I think it's worth keeping him in the team over Marco at this stage, he's the bigger talent and keeping him happy will give us a better chance of signing him on a free. So I say keep the first choice three as is, bring Mezzetti in as the main sub for the MCs and leave Da Silva as backup DM."
I tend to agree with Phil here, although it's a risky ploy. I'm pretty confident of picking up Billing, I mean in a choice between us and Huddersfield I'm pretty sure he'll choose us. Galloway though, Everton would be crazy to let him go for free without offering a renewal. His contract doesnt end for another 18 months either, and if we make it through to the Premiership they'll be a lot less friendly - they might be affectionate big brothers now when the power balance is so one sided, but if we're actually competing for the same prize they'll get serious. I don't fancy our chances at keeping the loan next season, and we won't be able to afford a transfer.
I leave the conversation there. "How about the front three - thoughts Wayne?" I run the attacking training myself, but Wayne Gray helps out. "No secret we are totally dependent on Stockton for our front man. He has played well overall up front, 11 goals from 21 games is decent. Our next best is Calero, but he's not close in ability at this stage. The freebies you have offered trials to are decent options for the future, but noone can replace him right now. We might struggle up front for the next month until Cole returns from injury. In terms of youngsters coming through in training, we don't have anyone I'd say is a star in waiting." No-one dissents, everyone knows we need a talented striker in the youth team. Gray continues. "Out wide, Kent is playing brilliantly, 8 goals and 10 assists from 21 games and an average rating in the high 7s. On the other side Teixeira has not found his form from last year, although still averaging over 7. We know Torrano will be great in the future, but he's only been ok so far this season with 1 goal and 7 assists from 12 games. Neither of them are speedsters like Kent though. I'd like to see Dan Cotterill get some more game time, but his injury hasnt helped. That Brazilian guy you've signed for a trial this week actually looks to be pretty good for a future winger as well". I'm not convinced about Brinquedo, another trialist we got through an agent offer. Cannon seems to think he has potential but in a big squad I dont know that we can squeeze him in.
"OK, sounds like we are pretty solid for now in the front half of the field. What about our defence Julian". Julian Bennett is the defensive master in the backroom. "Ok boss. I'm happy with the performance of our central defenders. Daniels, Ake and Donacien look good. Sweeney has made some big mistakes but he'll come back, and getting that work permit for Haroyan will mean we have 5 viable centre halves. Fullbacks are also looking good. We all noticed Barbosa responded superbly to your gee-up in early December and put in a series of solid games. He is a real creator out wide, a speedy full back. We should try to get him at the end of this loan if possible. I'm happy with Donacien's progress as a fullback too, he is showing promise on the right. Danny Holmes is playing respectably but he knows he's not the best Championship fullback."
"OK guys, sounds like we're all pretty happy with the shape of the team at the moment, and the players are both training and playing well. Any qualms about our tactics? Joe what do you think?" Joe McLaughlin is ok in the tactical department and I respect his opinion. "Well boss, you've implemented an effective set of tactics again this season. It's not as effective in scoring as last year, but I think that's more down to the quality of the opposition than our players. I thought it was a good idea to push the centre forward up though - Stockton couldnt make the false nine role work, and it meant the front three were all looking to support each other rather than actually scoring. As an advanced forward there is a focus to attacks, but he's still looking to create."
I've been experimenting with this role. At the moment the AF role is working better for my lineup than a F9, but I can see the benefit in the latter - with the front players roaming there are often overlaps and big space. I'll accept the advice, but I don't think the experiment is at an end.