Mark Cooper was sacked after some unsatisfactory results. Some problems were identified when I analysed the club as a whole (including the first team squad) and it certainly needs addressing.
1) No assistant manager. My predecessor took the assistant manager with him. I would require one for handling some of the media to handle some of those annoying reporters/journalists/critics. Quickly employed Johnny Quinton.
2) Training staff were generally poor. I mutually terminated 1 Coach and 1 Physio. Moved to employ a fitness coach David Peachey.
3) Only1 true first team goalie Sam Russel was injured leaving the last line of defense to 17 year old teenager Jordan Nixon. Hope to find a good goalie on a free.
4) Too few wingers/inside forwards. There are only 3 wingers (1 of them is on the youth team). The formation I use heavily relies on wingers/inside forwards to complement the forward to get those vital goals.
5) Graeme Lee, a central defender highly paid but already 33. Tried to mutually terminate his contract but he was pissed off, so I simply transfer-listed him.
6) Cash flow problems. I am almost at my wage budget. Have to clear some players and staff to be able to bring in good quality players.
7) Squad morale is low, team meeting was organised to increase morale. Just look at the above results, it makes Darlington look like relegation candidates instead of promotion chasers.
I have some short term objectives worked out which I feel is a must should Darlington improve their club stature.
1) Get a parent club of good reputation, that will be able to provide us with some cash and we could also loan some good youngsters.
2) Improve the playing staff, and adequate squad depth.
3) Improve results so as to get the fan's trust back. Right now only 2k fans at our 20k seater. This has to improve.
Now lets get to the playing staff. The previous manager has actually signed some promising loanees. I wonder how did he manage get sacked.
Daniel Philliskrik
The former Chelsea youth team player. Although Chelsea's youth team was not famous or anything, he will definitely inject some quality to our play. I intend to use him in the first team as a deep lying playmaker.
Smaji Suljevic
A Swedish sensation from Stoke! Smaji joined on loan from Stoke and can play as a defensive midfielder, striker or attacking midfielder besides his natural position of central midfielder. But I will place him along with Daniel Philliskrik in the middle of the park.
Chris Atkinson
Yet another central midfielder. Chris heralds from Huddersfield. Will probably be backup unless i play Smaji as a anchor. The training staff seems to have high hopes for him giving him 5 stars for potential.
Jake Fowler
Fowler is from the famed Middlesbrough youth academy. He is able to play on both wings or as a striker. Has good pace and acceleration. I hope he can do 1/2 of what his namestake Robbie did for Liverpool. Will use him as one of the winger/inside forward.
Arsensio Halfhuid became my first signing. This youngster from Holland is a central defender who can also play on the right. He has good heading, tackling and workrate (could you ask for more?) and he's only 19! Arsensio was originally signed by Cooper on trial but I took the chance to sign him for Darlington. He is currently the 2nd highest paid player in the squad so I am expecting loads from this kid. High hopes that he will be a rock in our defense.
Below are some notable players which I think will also form the spine of the team this season.
First up is the ever impressive Left back Jonathan from Spain. He has very good stats and he's young at 21 only!
Our main goal getter will be Liam Hatch. He's currently injured at the moment. I probably will hunt for someone when the winter transfer open, but for now he will be top dog. Meantime I will be relying on John Campbell and Ryan Bowman on for goals.
I held a team meeting to boost morale. I told them passionately that things have not been going our way recently, but its time to change. Team capt Ian Miller rallied on. The team seem to agree and morale was raised. Good!
Now on with the debut match. The match was against Gateshead at home. The media was predicting a draw between Darlington and Gateshead. I answered most of the questions from the media in a calm tone, and predicted Lincon to win the league to take the pressure off our guys. Our first choice goalie Russel was going to recover in time for the match so phew!
I had to play some reserves as some of the first choice were injured. Smaji was unfit so he had to sit out. Chris Atkinson was on the bench. I put my trust in the original squad members with better stats - Marc Bridge-Wilkinson with Daniel Philliskirk in the center and transfer-listed Michael Brough as a anchor. Arsensio was still on trial so I had Ian Miller and Adam Quinn in the center of defense. Jonathan was on the left back while aging Paul Arnison was right back. Fowler and Adam Rundle will attack from the flanks. John Campbell to spearhead the attack in the 4-1-2-2-1 formation.
19th minute, Gateshead defender took the legs off Rundle after a good pass from Jonathan inside the box and we were awarded a penalty! Borough took it and scored! Is he trying to prove a point? Later on, more cause for celebration when right back Arnison crossed low for Bridge-Wilkinson to score our second, 2-0! During half-time I told the lads I was pleased with their performance so far, shouldn't have done that because the 2nd half would be a more tense affair, with several chances going for Gateshead. Then the inevitable happened, Gateshead got a goal with a piledriver of a shot.
Another goal was required to calm the Darlington faithful, so I told the lads to exploit the flanks as my wingers and wing backs were performing well. I also brought on Atkinson and Bowman for Bridge-Wilkinson and Campbell. Bowman immediately repaid me with the 3rd clincher goal after some fine counter attacking. See it here!
So 3-1, MOM Paul Arnsion our rightback. We did not exactly dominate the match but our finishing proved superior. We created more chances and deserved to win the game. The fans were able to go home happy and i praised my team. Morale was slowly but surely recovering! Will update again after i play 5-10 matches and the much awaited Jan transfer window reopens!
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