Who!? The Rhys Burnett Story

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November Roundup
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Season 2 Game 20 – FA Cup 1st​ round, Blackpool (h)

Our first of two consecutive, difficult looking, cup games saw us take on Blackpool at home. Blackpool were sitting in 5th​ spot in League 1 so we were expecting a very tough match. The match itself was very even, we managed to go into the break one up thanks to Gary Dicker’s thunderbolt on 31 minutes. After the break we got a good slice of luck when Connor Oliver was sent off for his second yellow.

From there we looked the better side and most likely to win and when Callum Roberts sent us 2 ahead after a neat turn and volley 82nd​ minute it looked in the bag. Blackpool, to their credit, never gave up and gave us a scare scoring in the 87th​ minute through Orlandi but it would end up being only a consolation goal. We progress and hopefully the draw will be kind to us.

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Season 2 Game 21 – Johnstone’s Paint Trophy North Qtr final, Sheffeld Utd (h)

Next up was the Blades who were sitting 15th​ in League 1. Unfortunately due to international duty we would be without Kemen and Mbabu for this one. It showed early as we went a goal down when McNulty got in front at a free kick and turned the ball in at the near post. We were soon level though as Potts got on the end of a Henshall cross and slammed home.

From there we played each other to a stalemate. The game went to penalties where it was Sheffield who were victorious. Dicker was the unfortunate one to miss his pen. No harsh words though, again we had been more than a match for a team in a league above us.

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Season 2 Game 22 – League 2, York (h)
York were hovering just above the relegation in 20th​ so I was expecting a win here and let the team know. It had the desired effect as Amoo headed us in front on 10 minutes and we were on cloud nine when Henshall put us two to the good minutes later.

After the break we took the opportunity to give Good and McFadden some game time as they were returning from some niggling injuries and although we continued to look like the most likely to score there was no more goals forthcoming in this one. Still, a solid result.

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Season 2 Game 23 – League 2, Gateshead (a)

Wow, Gateshead came out fired up and put us under pressure from the first minute. In order to combat this I had the team sit off a little more than usual. This worked ok and we got a goal in the 19th​ minute as Dempsey fired home from the edge of the area.

Gateshead kept coming at us and the match became an absolute arm wrestle. This is the first time I’ve felt this season that the other team was more than our match. Even in the games we lost I felt we were the better side. My boys appear to be made of stern stuff though and had no problems holding them out to win ugly here. We are now unbeaten in 10 games in the league.

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Season 2 Game 24 – League 2, Gillingham (h)

Prior to this one the Board came to me asking if I would consider sitting down and looking at a new contract. They were a bit taken back when I said no but at this stage I just want to concentrate on the season, who am I kidding, that may have been what I told them but really I want to see if any offers come in late in the season. Also lets be real, I am going to meet their expectations with ease this season so it is not as if I won’t be able to sign with Carlisle later in the season if I wish.

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To the game at hand though. We were 4 up and cruising after 25 minutes. They would pull one back just before half time but in all honesty this was domination. We now have a four point gap and an 11 point gap in the race for automatic promotion. We are going along great guns right now.

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I also picked up another Manager of the Month award – I’m liking anything that will help boost my profile and get another job.

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Dominating League 2 mate, nice win over Blackpool too!

Think your delaying strategy is bound to pay off towards the end of the year!
 
Lippo255 said:
Dominating League 2 mate, nice win over Blackpool too!

Think your delaying strategy is bound to pay off towards the end of the year!
Click to expand...

I have really surprised at how well we have done generally this season against teams from leagues above us. The Villa game especially.

The way I look at it, at the very least, I should be able to re-sign with Carlisle right up until the end of the season so there is no sense in doing it anytime before I absolutely have to.
 
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December Roundup


Season 2 Game 25 – FA Cup rd 2, Cambridge (a)

We were expecting this tie to be relatively easy given our respective positions in League 2 but it didn’t play out that way. It was reasonably tight all game and we only took the lead in the 71st​ minute though loanee Roberts. To be fair to Cambridge they deserved at least a draw and only a highlight reel save from Gillespie in the 89th​ minute saved us from a replay.

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Season 2 Game 26 – League 2, Portsmouth (h)

This was a really important game for us, Portsmouth were sitting 4th​ coming into this one so if we win here we stretch our lead in the race for auto-promotion even further. Last time we had come up against Pompey we lost so I played the revenge card prior to the match. The first half was very cagey with no real chances of note.

After the break we slowly began to gain the ascendency and just after the hour our goal came from an unlikely source. Curtis Good rising highest to score only his second goal since arriving on loan. After that we dropped off and shut up shop and although Pompey continued to press we managed to hold the lead until the final whistle. Another good win against one of our title rivals.

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Season 2 Game 27 – League 2, Crewe (h)

We welcomed Crewe to Brunton Park for this one. I’ve always had huge admiration for Crewe as I look at them as a club who does things “the right way”, having said that we wouldn’t be looking to do them any favors as they chased a playoff spot. Symington got us on the board in the 12th​ minute with another long range thunderbolt free kick. He actually isn’t our best right back but the dager he poses from set pieces makes him impossible to leave out of the squad.

Amoo gave us a two goal lead when a deflected shot feel to him and he side-foot volleyed it into the top corner, fantastic technique from the former Liverpool man on that one. Kearns then gave us a 3 goal cushion when he slotted home in the 76th​ minute, from there we were never headed and ran out easy 3 nil winners.

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Season 2 Game 28 – League 2, Mansfield (a)

Our Boxing Day fixture was on the road at Mansfield. We had to make a couple of enforced changes due to injury and it showed as we were sluggish in the first half. We did take the lead in the 41st​ minute thanks to Henshall but really we were probably lucky to be ahead.

The second was much the same, both side weren’t really at their best and the game wasn’t much of a spectacle. We labored to a 1 nil away win though and credit to the guys, the best teams find ways to win when they aren’t at their best.

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Season 2 Game 29 – Wycome (a)

The schedule makers weren’t very kind to us here and only 46 hours after full time at Mansfield we were due to kick off at High Wycombe, cheers. We carried over our sluggish form into this game and were 2 down after 16 minutes thanks to a David Mooney double. I wasn’t happy at all and I don’t think there was a soul in the stadium who didn’t hear me say it.

Thankfully the bollocking got the boys to pull the proverbial out and we were level only 18 minutes later thanks to goals from the two Robertses. We only know one way to play at the moment so we attacked and pushed on for a winner but this left us exposed at the back and we paid the price in injury time as McClure score what would be the winner for Wycombe. I’ve slashed the squad this season to fit in the wage budget and it is times like this that it hurts us. I feel with even 1 or 2 more fresh players this would have been a win for us.

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Our lead at the top is now 4 and we are 14 points clear of Burton in 4th​, the highest placed non-automatic qualifying spot.

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Cruising mate, unlucky in the Wycombe match. 90th minute winner! :S
 
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January Roundup
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Season 2 Game 30 – FA Cup 3rd​ rd, Walsall (a)

We were looking to keep our FA cup run going away at Walsall here. The elements were definitely against us though and we struggle to play our natural passing game. Walsall were quickly 2 clear as first Cooper and then Kinsella scored for Walsall.

We got one back through Meppen-Walter almost straight away and then attempted level the game but in truth Walsall were always the better side and they looked more likely to extend their lead than we ever did of catching them. That’s us done for the cup competitions so now the focus can be solely on the league.

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Season 2 Game 31 – League 2, Morecambe (h)

A few changes for this one as there was a lot of tired legs in the side. In came Roberts and Roberts for Amoo and Kemen. And it was Dan Roberts who got us on our way inside a minute racing on to a Callum Roberts through ball. They aren’t brothers, but sometimes you’d think they were.

We went two ahead just inside 20 minutes and it was D. Roberts again scoring from a tight angle. From there we were never in trouble. In fact, Morecambe could only muster a single shot for the entire game. Great defensive performance.

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Season 2 Game 32 – League 2, Luton (a)

We travelled to 6th​ placed Luton for this one and got off to a reasonable start. Amoo would give us the lead just after the half hour and it seemed like it was our game one nil up at half time.

Atfer the break though Luton really came at us and equalized on the hour mark through Ruddock. From there we pushed for a winner and were unlucky not to be awarded not one, but two penalties in the dying stages. I doubt I will get asked about them after the game though as they seem to know I will speak my mind…

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Season 2 Game 33 – League 3, Chesterfield (a)

We started this one off well even though we are still missing a number of players from our first team squad through injury. I have made a few enquiries in the loan market so we may be seeing some reinforcements before the close of the window but we can’t afford anyone’s wages so it will be tough to bring anyone of real quality in.

For this one Potts got us off the mark in the 22nd minute after a nice cutback by Henshall. From there we went two up in after 77 when Dan Roberts continued his fine run of scoring when he hit a nice half volley in the area after controlling a hard hit cross. Akpom would hit back immediately for Chesterfield and it was apparent they weren’t going down without a fight but we started dropping off and we caught them on the counter with a flowing, length of the field move that ended with Henshall breaking through before sliding under the Chesterfield keeper.

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Season 2 Game 34 – League 2, Dagenham and Redbridge (h)

Prior to this game Sam Byrne joined on loan for the rest of the season from Everton. The current Ireland U/21 international is adept at playing the false 9 position and we need cover there as McFadden has struggled to stay fit and on the field since joining so I am pretty chuffed with this pickup. The first half was very cagey with no real chances of note.

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The second half continued in much the same way with neither team able to really test the opposition goalie until the 58th​ minute when Symington’s cracking free kick could only be parried directly into the path of the onrushing Henshall who made no mistake from inside the 6 yard box.

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Season 2 game 35 – League 2, Torquay (a)

We started off a bit slow in this one as Torquay looked the more dangerous of the side for the first quarter hour. From then we started to assert ourselves on the game and took the lead when Meppen-Walker headed in from a corner. We were soon two up when new boy Byrne scored in the 28th​ minute. We went to sleep a little bit after that and let Torquay back into the game and then pulled a goal back after 37.

At half time I told the guys to make sure they didn’t get complacent after their performances in the last 15 mins of the first half but for some reason Meppen-Walker didn’t react like I was hoping. On the hour mark I still wasn’t happy with our defensive shape so I subbed off both my central defenders in Meppen-Walker and Mbabu for Grainger and Archibald-Henville. From there we picked up and Byrne had his second after scoring first time from a cross in the 69th​ minute. In the 77th​ minute the 3 points were wrapped up when Byrne completed his hat trick firing in off the post from just inside the 18. Great result to end a very, very good month.

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We are currently 12 points clear of 2nd​ placed Tranmere but they have 2 games in hand so conceivably that could come back to a 6 point gap. Still that’s a nice 2 game cushion to have at this point of the season, very pleased with how we are travelling. We also now have a full 18 point gap to Burton in 4th​ so 6 games in hand in the race for automatic promotion.

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I was also extremely happy to see Dan Roberts win player of the month for January. He’s been scoring for fun from central midfield so he most definitely deserves it. Also I am pleased to have won my third Manager of the Month award for this season.

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February Roundup
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Season 2 game 36 – League 2, Stevenage (h)

We started off ok in this one but Stevenage weren’t going t give up without a fight. We battled for almost the entire first half before we went ahead through McFadden in the 42nd​ minute in his first start after injury.

We had a 2 goal lead after Kearns sent in an unstoppable free kick that cannoned off the underside of the bar before bouncing over the line. Our job got a whole lot tougher shortly after when Griffith was sent off for his second yellow in the 70th​ minute but we held on really with ease to record a solid 2 nil win.

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Season 2 Game 37 – League 2, Burton (a)

Burton came into this one sitting 4th​ so we knew a win here would put us even further ahead in the race for automatic promotion. After another cagey opening Amoo put us in the lead after racing onto a Potts throughball and finishing between McLaughlin’s legs.

We were two to the good in the 66th​ minute when Kearns received the ball after some relentless chasing down from Amoo and fired home. Kearns got his second and out third in the 71st​ when he got on the end of a Henshall cross and headed back across McLaughlin to nestle the ball in the far corner. From there we shut up shop and ran out easy 3 nil winners - another good result on a tough away ground.

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Season 2 Game 38 – League 2, Port Vale (h)

Sam Byrne returned for this game after missing the Burton game with a dead leg. Our main keeper Gillespie, who had been a mainstay all season strained his wrist at training and will have to sit out a few weeks so in came backup Hanford, lets hope he is up the task. It was terrible conditions for this one so I wasn’t as positive as the first half commenced and it soon became apparent that Port Vale had come to sit deep and defend – they were really interested in playing football.

Thankfully the deadlock was broken in the 43rd minute when Kearns was brought down in the area earning us a penalty. Up stepped Henshall to score it with ease to send us into the break 1 up. We had our second when Good headed in a Kearns corner and then we dropped off ourselves to see out the game. We didn’t do so without incident though as Port scored in the 87th​ minute but we would score another in the 90th​ through Potts to seal the game.

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Season 2 Game 39 – League 2, Southend (a)

We started this match off in a similar way to that which we have most games this season getting on the front foot early. Kearns gave us the lead when he collected his on rebounded shot and scored from close range. We went into the break one up and then were seemingly on our way to yet another victory when Kearns got another in the 69th​ minute.

For some reason that was the point as which we feel asleep and no more than 4 minutes later it was 2 all. Ridiculous defending, despite bashing away for the remainder of the game it finished 2 all. I let the guys know how thoroughly unimpressed I was with their lapse in concentration.

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Season 2 Game 40 – League 2, Exeter (h)

We started this one like a house on fire. Henshall converting the penalty won when Tattum brought down Byrne in the area. From there though we stopped playing. It seemed no matter what I said the boys just weren’t interested.

I was worried that even with my ranting and raving we were going to drop points against a side who really should have no business taking any from Brunton Park but thankfully we held on and got away here with a one nil victory.

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This month has been stupendous for us. We now sit 15 points clear at the top and we are 22 points clear of 4th​. Realistically only a catastrophe would stop us getting promotion from here and we really should have no problem winning the league from here with 13 games to go either.

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The turning point here has been Tranmere’s poor form. Had they won their games this month they would have been less than 6 point behind us but they lost three on the trot in early Feb whilst we are in the midst of a 10 game unbeaten streak.

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Another month another Manager of the Month award. I am enjoying picking these up very much. I was also glad to see Kearns get rewarded for his good month as he has been one of our better players all season.

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15 points clear at the top!!! League 1, here come Carlisle!
 
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March Roundup
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Season 2 Game 41 – League 2, Wimbeldon (a)

We started off well in this one but had to wait until the 40th minute to break the deadlock. Dempsey getting the all important goal after good lead up work by Byrne.

Wimbeldon changed things up after the half looking to get something out of the game but it backfired as they had two players go down with injury after they had made all three subs. We closed up and saw out the game with ease. 7 wins is now the magic number from the 12 games remaining.

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Season 2 Game 42 – League 2, Tranmere (h)

We were presented with another opportunity to extend our lead at the top of the table with the visit of 2nd​ placed Tranmere. They were on a terrible run of form only winning 3 games in their last ten and we were certainly wanting to make it 3 in 11.

We started like we meant it too as Byrne put us ahead with a nice finish from a tight angle in the 10th​ minute and we were soon 2 up as we were awarded a penalty kick in the 18th​ minute when Kearns was tripped up by Mustoe, Henshall making no mistake from the spot. We were three up in the 80th​ minute when Holmes handled in the area and we were awarded a 2nd​ penalty that Amoo converted this time. From there we ran out the game finishing easy 3 nil winners. Big win that now means is 5 wins from the last 11 games.

This result meant the least we can do this year is make the playoffs, so we are already guaranteed of finishing above our Board’s expectations. Micky Adams though was less than complimentary after the game. Really Micky? You’re amazed the side that is now sitting 20 points clear at the top of the table beat you?? Its times like this that I get confidence that I too can manage at the highest level – I mean this joker was a Premier League manager once upon a time!!

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Season 2 Game 43 – League 2, Cambridge (a)

Cracking start to this one, Byrne firing us ahead after just 14 seconds which is the fastest ever goal scored for Carlisle!! From there we dominated – 14 shots to 1 in the first half but we couldn’t extend our lead. After half time we appeared to be coasting but Cambridge wasn’t about to lets us have it all our own way scoring an equalizer though Modal in the 74th​ minute.

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I wasn’t happy and demanded the team show me some passion and they duly responded in the 84th​ minute when Byrne bundled in after the Cambridge goalie couldn’t handle a Kearns shot. It finished 2-1 and although I felt we could have played a lot better at this stage of the season all I care about are results. 4 wins from our last ten now.

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Season 2 Game 44 – League 2, Newport Co (h)

Newport were languishing in 18th​ coming into this one. I told the team we should be winning this no worries. They seemed to agree as Henshall sent us ahead in the 4th​ minute blasting home a Byrne lay off. Symington smashed in another of his trademark free kicks in the 9th​ minute and my work for the day was pretty much done!

There was time for Chapman to get himself sent off for Newport – I’m sure their manager is going to be real happy about that seeing as they are in a relegation dogfight… We then scored our 3rd​ goal in the 90th​ minute – Amoo couldn’t miss after picking up a rebound from a Brough shot that hit the post. Brough himself then got out 4th​ and final goal on the stroke of full time, side footing a Symington cross in. Tranmere drew at Torquay a the same time we played Newport so now all we need is two wins from our last 9 games to clinch the title.

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Season 2 Game 45 – League 2, Accrington (a)

I was asked before the game what I thought of Accrington’s chances of winning were. I responded with the slightly more diplomatic version of what I think which is “we should be smashing these fools.” We took the lead in the 34th​ minute in this one. A counter attack lead to the ball being played through to Kearns whose first time cross ran to the back stick evading everyone for Henshall to pass into an empty net.

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Our lead though didn’t last long as McCartan capitalized on some lazy marking to find a pocket of space in the box and his turn and shot evaded Gillespie, 1 all. Some harsh words were exchanged at half time although the only effect they seemed to have was to turn Potts into a brainless thug and get himself sent off… Accrington then took advantage of the extra man and went ahead in the 89th​ minute through Gray, a lead which they held until the final whistle. Not happy but we’ve earned the right to a few WTF games. Tranmere could only draw at home to Stevenage meaning we have now secured promotion to League 1. A win in our next game should seal the title.

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Season 2 Game 46 – League 2, Northampton (h)

We didn’t start off so well at home here and were two down thanks to two Islam Feruz goals by the 25th​ minute. Thankfully though we managed to get our way back into the game first through Grainger from the penalty spot and then from Roberts.

We had been the better side and I told the boys to keep it up and the win would come. I lied though. Northampton had a third just after the hour mark and although again we were the better side we couldn’t get the goal our play deserved. Disappointing loss. Tranmere had yet another draw so we are not quite champions yet.

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Season 2 Game 47 – League 2, York (a)

We never looked in the hunt here. York jumped out to a 3 goal lead in the first half thank to goals from Hyde, Flectcher and a Curtis Good own goal. At half time the boys copped it. It was the full hairdryer treatment. I wasn’t happy and I wouldn’t be surprised if the whole stadium knew it.

The second half our pain continued. Goals from Hyde and Fletcher again completed the 5 nil rout. This is 3 losses on the trot now. I’m not saying we should have won this but we had 58% possession and 14 shots to their 16. Obviously more of theirs were on target but it doesn’t feel like a game that should have finished 5 nil.

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In other new Tranmere could only draw yet again. Despite our best efforts to take this one down to the wire it seems our opposition is intent on giving us the title early. It feels somewhat hollow but we are now officially the League 2 champions.

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I haven’t told the Board yet but I don’t even know if I will be here next season. I will be looking for new jobs off the back of this triumph as they have already set my budgets for next year at a 0 pound transfer budget and only a 40k a week wage budget. I know they are still in financial trouble but really that is a hiding to nothing. I will only be re-signing with Carlisle if I have no other more attractive options.

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April Roundup
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Well that is that. The last month, with the title in the bag, was very up and down as we struggled for motivation. I really couldn’t be too disappointed as my mind has been elsewhere during this period as well. Having said that we had a decent month, winning 4, drawing 1 and losing the final game of the season.

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The one thing I was most pleased about was that we ended up with the most ever points in League 2.

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I’ve now started in earnest my search for a new job. I would dearly love to manage on the continent but I am cognizant that my profile is largest in the UK.

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Congrats on winning the title by such a comfortable margin.

It'll be interesting to see where you head next, if you do so.
 
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Offseason Roundup
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On the quiet I had asked my agent to keep an ear out for any openings that might be available. Whilst there were tonnes of jobs coming up in May and June there wasn't any that either interested me or that I would be considered for. Late in June I was offered an interview with League 1's Bury but to be honest the situation there doesn't appear to be much better than Carlisle so there was no sense in jumping ship for them. After than there was a lot of chatter in the media linking me with the open Plymouth job in league 1. This was a job that interested me but by the time I submitted my CV they were in the process of appointing Ian Baraclough.

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Shortly after I received the Manager of the Year award for League 2 and that seemed to help boost my profile. My agent called me to let me know that there was a club in the Jupiler League in Holland that was interested in my services. I said that I was interested in the new challenge and after a brief interview where the Chairman and I agreed on just about everything I signed on the dotted line with FC Oss. It's another one year contract as my hope here is to get a foothold in a top league in Europe which I didn't think was going to happen for a lot longer if I had stayed at Carlisle.

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What a season! Interesting to see you leave England, FC Oss should be an interesting challenge. Any Carlisle players coming over the waters with you?
 
To be honest all my best players at Carlisle were loanees!!

If the fianancial situation at Carlisle hadnt been so dire i would have stuck around another season but I was getting sick of mot even being able to go on the national A coaching license course...
 
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