Thurrock-April 2010 End of season

Hello friends, in my last post i mentioned that we were in 11th place four points of the last play-off spot. So can my Thurrock team make it to the last play-off spot? No, we could not make it. We only managed 2 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses. Here is the results..

vs Hampton & Richmond 2-1
They are 3rd place at the moment and many places above us, that’s why i opt for a counter-attacking tactics to hit them on a break. They did not create much and it is my team who took the lead first. David Bryant scored the first goal in close range through a corner. But before my happiness settled, they made the score level just two minutes. Both team played a very cautious game and the score stayed until the break. Not much chances was created and it was quite a boring game. Not until 64th minute, a nice cross from my left full-back Phil Anderson found Matt Bodkin, my right winger and he smashed the ball in from a acute angle. I think their morale is affected a bit and never really come back strongly against us. So three points was in the bag. After this game, we climbed up one place to 10th. This showed that other team above us is also winning, not a good sign to us.

vs Bishop’s Stortford 0-1
They were a very strong side currently occupying 6th place with an eye for the last play-off spot. I opt with a counter attacking tactic too for this match but they were too strong for us. From start of whistle, they keep coming at us and was rewarded a goal as early as in the 9th minute. A goal headed in from a cross by their full -back, i noticed that we had conceded these type of goals quite often. I think i need to source for a good central defender with good jumping and heading ability for next season. That was the only goal scored for the whole game, actually i thought my defender play pretty well in this game. It is my midfield and striker whom let the whole team down. With this loss, my hope of grabbing a play-off spot is definitely lost as the other teams results doesn’t go our way. The gap now is seven points different with three games left.

vs Basingstoke 0-0
Mathematically we still have a slight chance of catching up so i ask my boys to try to win the game. But Basingstoke has nothing to play for and they played very defensively, keeping very tight at the back and end up we have to settle for a draw. That’s it, we can only aim for the promotion next season.

vs Staines 4-0
Next game was up against Staines, though for the last two matches, we are playing for pride, but never did i know that we will win the games by four goals. I think this is the best away performance by my team all season. Lewis Walker, gave us the lead from a corner in the 18th minute. Lewis Walker is my new signing, he is a central defender, i signed him to replace Nathan Bunce who is 34 years old, he has been performing very well for my team but his stamina and pace is dropping. Therefore i need someone who is younger and faster to deal with pacey strikers. Seems like i have already started the rebuilding process for next season. Back to the game, it was one nil till the break. We did not let our performance drop in the second half, my team wanted more and second goal came in the courtesy of David King, my loan signing. I may consider signing him as a back-up player if he agrees to join us. David Bryant score the third goal in the 77th minute and with two minutes left, my veteran midfielder Alex Smith completed the rout. This was a wonderful performance which give the fans something to cheer about.

vs Bromley 0-1
Finally we have reached the last game of the season and that was against Bromley, the current leader. They only need to get a draw from us to become champions. We matched them for large periods, only a wonder goal by their midfielder inflict the loss to us. My defenders put up a very good performance, again it is the midfield and the strikers who never put up a good fight. This gives me an idea of the areas to strengthen and the players to let go for next season.

After the last game against Bromley, we conclude the season by lying in 11th position out of 22 teams. This is the final table position…

Bromley and Lewes, the two best team in Blue Square South both are promoted to the Blue Square Premier. Though my team has not gain promotion but the final position has already exceed the media and the board expectation. That’s why the board is delighted with my performance.

I am very concerned with our financial problem, seems like our revenue is unable to cover our expenses. I predict that there is no funds available for me to purchase any players, the only way is to look for players who is unattached. In order to do so, i need to release players for bigger wage budget so that i can sign some good players. I have set myself a few targets for the next season.
1. To sign players whom can help us to achieve promotion.
2. To reduce the financial problem.
3. To increase fans attendance.
4. To look for a parent club.
The first 3 targets will go along in line, as good results will bring us more fans and revenue will also be increased. This should be done in the first season but most of the players do not want to join us as we seem doom for the relegation. I hope this season will be different as our performance really shows that we are ambitious and wants to be successful. I will spend sometime for some heavy scouting hoping i can find some good players, dear readers, please wait for my next post regarding the pre-season transfer activities and friendlies. See you soon…