[FM18] Wick Face to Face with the Manager who Sold the Weans

[Wavelberry]

March 2019 Update

Youth is in so all that's left now is to get this sorry group to the end of the season...

Went massively attacking in the three loses and got defensively schooled. Went back to the 4-1-3-2 for the Buckie game and won. That goal against Strathspey was Gormley's first for the club bless him. I wonder if Michael Black feels like an arse yet?

If we get more than 4 points then ridiculously we'll have had a better season than last season. Nairn have got a big advantage over Brora with just three games left. It will be an intriguing run to the finish.

Last home game of the season against Fort William before a tough assignment against Inverurie and a last game as champions at home for Formartine who it's important to note haven't sacked their manager despite them being 12th. Not that I'm bitter...

[Wavelberry]

Meanwhile Order 67 continues to cause havoc...

[Wavelberry]

Not taken long to get here but a team full of youth are about to play the final game of the season.

[Wavelberry]

April 2019 Update

End of another season approaches then and it has been a season of upheaval at Harmsworth Park and it ain't over yet as far as the intrigue and Order 67 are concerned. The football is done though. How did it all end?

A competent display against Fort William was followed by a stunning comeback from 3-0 down against Inverurie. The youngsters all took to the field against Formartine and it wasn't stellar but it was notable for Dave Hay who scored his first two goals for the club. Four points from the final games means just one thing...

50 points again, 8th place again, 2 less goals scored, 5 less conceded but a very uncertain future coming. Meanwhile arch-rivals Brora won the league on goals scored. If you were Nairn you'd be absolutely gutted. As it is we're Wick and now we head into a Summer of pain...

[Deisler26]

[Wavelberry]

Wick Academy 2018/19 Season Review

A season that started with a chairman drunk on power ended with a power shift. Blind he is if the production of this youth army he cannot see. Anyways, more on that later. For now let us check how the season played out then...

Most players used which isn't a surprise given the upheaval. Personally the Inverurie win at home was the best moment while the defeat to Forres was our nadir. By the time we lost 3-0 to Brora nobody cared so meh... Not much difference from last season though aside from being a bit more defensively sound (would have probably had the best defence in the league if I'd stayed in charge all season).

Going forward this boy is going to be key so no surprise to see him clean up in the awards. Also mega lol at him only scoring one goal all season (all career) in a defeat and it being given goal of the season.  When the Youtube highlight thing works I'll add it below.

A good season for MacGregor in front of goal and his parternship with Davie Allan was pretty good. Eddie Wilson was the only player to get sent off this season and Gormely eased off the yellow cards. MacGregor might stay. Allan will not. Order 67 innit.

The Emperor surveys that which is beneath him and the lightsabers of doom are across the necks of all the top 4 (although Manson is retiring) along with Sam Mackay.

 

This is everyone who started more than 5 games with Hardwick getting more games than anyone this year. He might stay but if he displeases me he will be dispensed with too.

Some good youth performances and some decent development but there will be more of that from the Youth Review.

Meanwhile the board have no idea what is coming. Only once the Summer is at an end and Michael Black calls me into the boardroom will he realise as the Emperor reveals all...

 

 

[Wavelberry]

Mate you said this last year and said we were making £6k but now it was £5.5k and this year it will be £6k. 

Ever get the impression that this chairman hasn't got a ****ing clue?

 

Also.

 

GOOOOOOOOODDDD

[Wavelberry]

Around Scotland 2018/19

Brora were Champions of the Highlands but who would they be facing from the Lowlands?

Spartans soared to the title in the Lowlands with the relegated Edinburgh well behind them by 7 points and last season's runners up by a goal a point behind them in third. Whitehill Welfare dropped. No Welfare there. But who would be the victors of the play-off match?

Well quite obviously it would be the Lowland league side. As always. So Spartans had the joy of taking on Elgin who were bottom of League Two to possibly make it two new teams in the league in just two years...

Nope. Everyone stays where they are then. Elgin breathe a sigh of relief. Spartans may have missed their chance.

Into League Two then and Elgin were only just bottom as Berwick had been hanging around there all season. Stenny (who signed Michael Steven) sat below East Kilbride who would have been happy with their first season in League football. At the other end of the table Clyde stormed to the title while Annan pipped one relegated side to the play-offs and then beat the other relegated side to win promotion. Albion and Queen's Park will spend another season in the basement.

Joining them in the basement are Peterhead who just weren't good enough for the step up and East Fife who survived on 34 points last year but couldn't hit the mark this year and then lost in the play-offs. Montrose didn't do much better but at least the consolidated their position in the league along with everybody else as the two relegated Championship sides bounced straight back up. Dumbarton absolutely smashed the league while Brechin were strong as well and managed to stick the landing in the play-offs. 

The Championship was a bit more unpredicatble as the two promoted sides from last year Ayr and Raith settled in with relative ease. Dropping through the trap door instead were Livingston who had an absolute Weston Super and last season's runners-up Dunfermline in a proper shock. Kilmarnock bounced back to the Premiership as champions (and also won the Challenge Cup) but Motherwell couldn't make it happen for themselves in the play-offs so only one side goes up. Who would Kilmarnock be replacing?

Disaster for Partick who had no answer this year. Their absolutely terrible form meant that St Mirren and Queen of the South survived with comfort and didn't even have to worry about a relegation play-off. St Johnstone survived beating Falkirk so the Perth side live to fight another day. A much better season for Hamilton but a poor one for Hearts who ended up the wrong side of the split. 

In the top half Aberdeen, last season's surprise champions, could not follow up their brilliance from last year and in fact finished sixth. McInnes keeps his job for now but finishing below Ross County isn't a great look. Dundee also had a storming season and will play in the Europa League next year while Hibs were comfortably 3rd to take some European football and Edinburgh bragging rights. At the top the title race went to the last game of the season. Rangers were actually leading the league by two points until Hibs beat them in the 3rd to last game. The Old Firm game after was a draw and that was enough to see Celtic home and back on top as Champions. They sealed a double by winning the cup while Ross County managed to snag the League Cup again. It's their 3rd in 4 years.

Normality restored then in Scotland but at what cost?

 

[Wavelberry]

Youth Prospect Update Summer 2019

It's been a season of surprises and not just for the first team. Some kids kicked on and other's did not. How did it all pan out?

2017 Intake

Lewis Ross (YP 0.1): No games this year and not even the best goalkeeping prospect in the side. The departure of Sean McCarthy means brother Danny is number one so then reserve/cup keeper place is up for grabs. Will have to work hard to make it possible.

Eddie Wilson (YP 0.2):  Got some early cup games but seemed to be fourth choice until the upheaval. After Michael Steven left he got a run of games in a back three and had some storming games. Has a chance to be Hardwick's partner but will probably start off as first choice backup. Whether that changes will depend on how his development continues 

Aaron Mooney (YP 0.3): A mixed season for Aaron. Got a good run of games starting twenty-one and getting fourteen more appearances off the bench. Had a couple of runs in the first team but lacks the consistency thus far to really nail down a place as evidenced by his average overall ratings. Will certainly be a squad player next season and will have a chance to make one of the fullback roles his given the departures of Manson and Danny Mackay.

Fraser Connolly (YP 0.4): Probably the most interesting story of the season. Went on loan to Threave Rovers and didn't do too badly averaging 6.97. Came back in January and then once the upheaval happened managed to sneak into the side towards the end of the season. Got four starts and four sub appearances and has an opportunity now. I'm not certain it'll work out for him but he's in a good position to make things happen. We'll be watching his career with interest.

Danny Gormley (YP 0.5): What can you say about Danny? Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year, scored his first goal for the club and it was goal of the season... Thirty-three starts and three more sub appearances means he has played over seventy games for the club already. Going to be a key figure moving forward in the post Order 67 world.

Cameron Golabek (YP 0.6): A few cup starts but not much in the league and was often fifth in the CM pecking order. Been okay for the U20s and will get the first opportunity if there are any CM chances however if he doesn't take them he could find himself well down and out by the end of next year.

Robbie Munro (YP 0.7): Was in team before Venom Wavelberry was fired. Disappeared when the Emperor arrived. First victim of Order 67 or something more mysterious? Guess we'll never know. He's dead Jim.

Steve McGowan (YP 0.8): Only once the Emperor had dispensed with Andrew Mackay and Steven Anderson did he get a real chance and had a few games at the end of the season. Two goals and an assist in just four starts with two subs is pretty decent going and if the formation calls for a LW he will be first choice next year.

Sandy Campbell (YP 0.9): One game in the North of Scotland Cup and three sub appearances with not much to admire in them. Not really setting the world alight in the U20s either so it looks like he'll need a loan to prove himself. Without it or a spike in the U20s he could be gone very soon.

Dave Hay (YP 0.10): Seems to have had a sudden ability spike and looked much better when I looked at the U20s again. Got a start and a sub appearance in the North of Scotland cup when I didn't pick him but came on as sub and scored his first two goals for the club on the last day of the season. Has a real chance to kick on next season and will battle it out with James McIntyre for the back-up striker spot.

Grant Duncanson (YP 0.11): One sub appearance early on and then too many players ahead of him and when I ducked into the U20s towards the end of the season to see who was performing suddenly he was not. Having gone from looking better than Dave Hay to not looking good enough he has slipped down the pecking order and maybe needs a loan if he's going to do anything.

2018 Intake

Mark Sutherland (YP 1.1): Fourteen starts and thirteen sub appearances is pretty decent for Mark. Most of the sub appearances came early on and his starts came after Michael Steven was binned to Stenhousemuir. Performed very well when in the back three but less so in a two. Fairly steady season though and will battle with Eddie Wilson to be Andy Hardwick's partner next year.

Willie Nairn (YP 1.2): A bit of a mixed bag for Willie. Eleven starts with eleven more games coming off the bench. Only the one goal and two assists and he has yet to show anything particularly special. Was expecting a bit more from him given his set-piece ratings and will be expected to step into the breach left by Farqs and Sam Mackay's departures. A steady if unspectacular first season and a lot to prove next season.

James McIntyre (YP 1.3): Eight starts and seventeen appearances off the bench with six goal and six assists is a pretty decent return for the young striker. Struggled towards the end of the season but forged a bit of a promising partnership with MacGregor in the middle part. If he can continue his development he could become a key figure in the post Order 67 world.

Scott Candish (YP 1.4): Didn't get tagged last year but did this year with one cup starts and a couple of sub appearances. A bit of promise and has been decent in the U20s. A chance to shine if Cameron Golabek doesn't take his.

Jamie Ross (YP 1.5): Only got a go when I suffered a bit of a fullback crisis. Didn't do much and hasn't done much for the U20s either. Will have to go the Fraser Connolly route to have a chance.

Kevin Manson (YP 1.6): Only really came to my attention in the last month when coaches started to rave and actually looks pretty decent. Scored the first goal in the Inverurie comeback on debut which was pretty good but absolutely stunk the place out against Formartine. Definitely ahead of Sandy Campbell and will get more opportunities to develop next year.

Steven Buchan (YP 1.7): Tagged for promise more than anything else especially now given the dearth of LWs due to Order 67. First choice back up to McGowan next season is how he'll start.

Dale Fridge (YP 1.8): Looks a decent prospect but didn't have the most auspicious of debuts against Formartine. Will battle it out with Page to be the number two.

2019 Intake

Jack McMillan (YP 2.1): Only got a game because I was playing wingbacks during the 'all-out-attack' phase and everyone else was either pissed off or injured. Wasn't great and to be honest will more likely be a Jamie Ross than a Aaron Mooney.

Sean Parker (YP 2.2): The most eye-catching of the intake first up. Not rated but I just get a feeling like I did for Gormley. As the team develops with a 4-2-3-1 with DMs will get a chance alongisde Gormley and didn't disgrace himself in the last two games of the season.

Steven Ballantyne (YP 2.3): An interesting looking AM. Got a chance in the last game but came off injured and it was a knee-cap which is a bit worrying. Lack of AMs means as we evolve our tactics he'll get chances.

Verdict

All the experienced CMs are going so a real chance for some of those above to stake a claim to first team spots. Full-backs as well is an area where some of these could pop up. High hopes for Manson and Parker for next season but it could be a rocky one with all the experienced players being... well... indisposed... Gormley, Mooney, Nairn and McIntyre are the ones I'll be looking to step up.

 

[Wavelberry]

The best Pre-season competition around has the former Champions in it this year.

Makes the Emirates Cup look like the pile of **** it is.

[Wavelberry]

Pre-Season 2019

A tumultuous year for Wick has gone but there seems no sign of the storm easing. How did we find pre-season.

Some pretty decent performances especially the 1-0 sell-out against Aberdeen and a 1-1 draw away to Livingston. Aside from Morton beating us up the results were steady away with MacGregor looking key to anything we want to do.

How much difference does a year make? We're now predicted 12th by a mile at 70-1. Board expect top-half. Where were these expectations when Venom Wavelberry was here? Last season's runners-up are 75-1 FYI if you wanna make some money.

Order 67 has caused a lot of trouble. Sam Mackay is off next Summer having been bullied enough into thinking he needs a new challenge. Macadie is retiring so Marc MacGregor looks like being the most likely Darth Vader here. Macadie and Mackay have looked pretty shot pre-season as well so trouble may be ahead with those two sooner rather than later.

We start with a narrow formation to make the most of what we have. Mark Sutherland and Cameron Golabek are the two young 'uns to step up early on. Will be interesting to see how they get on.

A slightly tough start to the season as Turriff and Huntly are no slouches. Lossiemouth are a decent draw in the cup while we finish the month against two sides with much to prove. A brave new world for a brave new Wick...

[Wavelberry]

August 2019 Update

A tumultuous season last time out but could this new season bring stability and prosperity?

It all looked like it was starting so well. 2-0 up at home to Turriff with 5 minutes left. Then we let in two in injury time and that was it. Davie Allan got injured after the Lossiemouth game and I had a go at them in a team meeting after and morale tanked to red. After that we've played gamely but everything is already as **** sandwich. Gonna take a long time to put this back together I think.

Not bottom. Suck it Rothes.

Of course we're playing them next. Away. And another two away games as well. This could get very, very ugly. Like Jar Jar Binks ugly. Could we see the second sacking of this thread?

 

[Wavelberry]

September 2019 Update

All was looking grim. We needed a hero to stand up and be counted...

Cometh the hour cometh the Gorms. It was looking like one of the disastrous 0-0 draws against the bottom side when Danny stepped up and lashed a free-kick home in injury time away at Rothes and that stirred something in him as he quadrupled his career goal tally against Forres with 2 excellent goals. He seems to suit Segundo Volante and should have had a hattrick but he obviously missed the pelanty that would have done it. It could have cost us when Aaron Mooney got sent off and Forres got it back to 3-2 but we held out for another win. Then it was three out of three as we (well Mark MacGregor) smashed Nairn County. Of course we couldn't keep it going and got a really rubbish draw away at Preston Athletic in the cup but that was one hell of a month and one hell of a fillip for us. Viva beautiful Danny Gormley.

Back up in the top-half and that is much better. We can breathe a little easier now. At the top it's a five way fight for supremacy and then the rest of us.

A busy October. We should win the first two and see some progress in the cup before two midtable away games that might well tell us a lot about this season's incarnation of Wick. With Brora and high-flying Fraserburgh coming to Harmsworth at the end of the month we'll definitely be up against it but maybe, just maybe this side is up to it after all.

[Wavelberry]

Dunno what Gorms has been eating during the Summer but this seems very odd.

[Wavelberry]

October 2019 Update

A bumper October with 7 (seven) games and the possibilities of cup progress...

Well that was a decent month. Danny Gormley kicked us off with another goal to seal a simple 1-0 win against Fort William before I decided to prioritise the league and play the kids (well the kiddier kids) in the cup. It looked like we were going out as Preston went 1-0 up but two goals in the last 6 minutes saw us through to meet Stirling at the end of the month. We couldn't break through Clachnacuddin and we gave away the lead against Strathspey and then we kicked into overdrive.

Brora turned up with an unbeaten record against us and promptly went 1-0 up. We battled back to go 2-1 up through a Davidson OG and a Davie Allan effort but Brora leveled it again just before half-time. The second half was end to end but the match looked like it was petering out into a draw when young Sean Parker tried a 25 yarder. The Brora keeper could only parry it and there was Dave Hay back from injury to poke home and win us our first derby match and it got even better against Stirling. The League 2 side came to Harmsworth in a comfortable 7th place but offered absolutely nothing. Marc MacGregor scored and early pelanty and then we just kept them at arm's length for the rest of the game. MacGregor put the seal on it with a breakaway goal in the 87th minute and even had time to fluff his hattrick by missing a second pelanty in the 95th minute. Wasn't even a thang though as Wick, for the first time under my stewardship, were heading to the third round of the cup.

The month ended with a defeat to high-flying Fraserburgh. We were 2-0 down and battled back to 2-2 before Hardwick scored an OG five minutes from time. Our ten match unbeaten run had come to an end but considering where we were at the end of August this has been an excellent run. Let's hope we can keep the levels up.

The top 5 are still battling it out with only a point between them, then it's Nairn and then it's the rest of us down to Lossiemouth. I've seen enough to think we should at least get 50 points again and maybe, just maybe, get a few more. 8th at the moment though for what it is worth.

A slightly less busy month but still five games and three of them are on the road. Once we've entertained Lossiemouth we've got to head to Cove, Keith and Inverurie. Keith haven't been doing so well this season so I might not have a better chance to break my hoodoo against them while the Inverurie game might see a reserve side take to the pitch given the big cup match is 3 days later. 

Livingston will be the visitors to Harmsworth and the eagle-eyed among you will notice we managed a draw away there at pre-season. A possible glamour 4th round tie is in the offing...

[Wavelberry]

November 2019 Update

A cup game against Livingston was the on everybody's mind this month but there was still business to care of before hand.

Aye it's only one green but it's not been a bad month all told. We were pretty shocking against Lossiemouth and were 1-0 down at half-time but the old dressing-room rocket worked a treat as we hammered four past them in the second half with Gorms getting goals. Again. The Cove result was poor but at least we didn't lose to Keith with MacGregor at the double to prevent another defeat to those bastards. Still have never won against them. I changed the side up for the Inverurie trip and they performed quite admirably all told with Dave Hay continuing to make strides. He definitely likes to wallop the ball even if he's only two yards out. Emphatic finisher.

Unfortunately it wasn't to be agin Livingston. They got a second minute pelanty which McCarthy saved but a minute later they scored anyways. We battled gamely but the got a second nine minutes from time when we had to go on the attack. We weren't embarrassed or outclassed though so... y'know, steady away.

We've dropped back a bit and the title race has become slightly less close than it was. Buckie are in control at the moment but Inverurie look good and the two former champions are another three points behind. It's shaping up to be interesting.

A more chilled December but with some pretty tough games. We start against the leaders before a trick away trip to Turriff. We then entertain Huntly (who have stuck 5 past us each time in the last two fixtures) and Rothes. It's an important month here and key we don't lose the momentum we've built. Some of the senior players, mostly Danny Mackay and Colin Macrae at fullback are testing my patience with their below par performances and I might just chop them both now. Danny Mackay is definitely going but Macrae might just get a few match dropping. Whatever happens to them expectations are high that Wick get to 50 again this season. December needs to be solid.

[Wavelberry]

December 2019 Update

With the cup gone we had to decide how midtable we wanted to be...

This month was a strange one. We got a very creditable draw against Buckie at home and then threw away points against Turriff AGAIN. Twice this season we've given away 94th minute goals to those ****ers and they are now on MY LIST.

Huntly gave us their customary battering and then we struggled to beat Rothes but it was a key result and one we needed with Kevin Manson once again getting an important goal. Could have been more and could have been less. On reflection four points is about fair.

Where are we? Well we're in 9th where we always are. The title race has got interesting again with the top three level on points and Huntly just two behind. Brora have dropped a little bit though so LOL.

A tough run next month with only Devoronvale below us. We'll need some steel.

[Wavelberry]

January 2020 Update

Into the roaring 20s. What kind of Wick would the new decade see?

One that's steady at home it would appear with two very creditable home performances against sides who had been title chasing. Willie Nairn got his first goal for the club with an excellent free-kick and Dave Hay continued his Solskjaer tribute act by grabbing an equaliser against Deveronvale. The less said about the trip to Forres the better but seven points this month is not to be sniffed at.

We may not be doing much ourselves but we have pretty much ended Formartine' title hopes. Looks like it's between the top three as Huntly have gone on one of their manic runs again. We're still 9th. Of course.

Should be getting some major points this month but we have lost Hardwick for February so it will be an all youth backline which may cost us some consistency. We need 17 points from our last 10 games to get to the magic 50 point mark which seems doable and we should be looking to get 9 of them this month. We're also back with the Highland cup as Formartine will be looking for revenge.

[Wavelberry]

This is funny but also pretty damning for poor Grant.

5 times apparently. He's on loan atm.

[Wavelberry]

February 2020 Update

I had high expectations this month. You don't need to be a mind-reader or psychic to guess these expectations were not met...

Drawapoolaza then. We battered Clachnacuddin but couldn't get through, went behind to a set piece at Fort William before Dave Hay did his Solskjaer ting and then were battered by Brora but some how came away with a point thanks to an own goal. 

The Highland League Cup saw me play the reserves and they managed to do Formartine at home before going 2-0 down to Deveronvale at half-time. A rocket and Gorms pelanty made it 2-1 before young Craig Cowie snatched a goal to tie it up. As we attacked Deveronvale took full advantage and went through. Wasn't too bothered though as we needed a result against Strathspey more so saving the first team was the priority. Of course they got battered. Sigh.

Suddenly the top-half finish is in jeopardy. Could the Emperor be ditched before the end of the season? Formartine have got themselves back into the title race which is still close.

 

Massive game against Cove and then two big away trips. Gonna hope for some wonderkids in the intake...

 

[Wavelberry]

2020 Youth Candidates

Here we go. Let's see what we've got to play with.

Interesting. Alan McCulloch looks extremely promising and we get another fancied goalkeeper. Hoping we can get some goals from the excellently named Clark Park and maybe see some progress from Max Cunningham as well. Other than that maybe Kyle Gill.

The soon to be exiled Sandy Campbell scored the only goal and Stevie Irvine put in a decent performance. Jack McMillan was MotM playing at RB though which was interesting.

I'm being a bit more picky from now on so I've only signed Gill, Cunningham, Park, McCulloch and Irvine. The rest, are dust.

[Wavelberry]

March 2020 Update

Three more games then...

Not great. We were rubbish against Cove and got deservedly beaten, scored four at Fraserburgh but were never really in it and then came from 2-0 down against Lossiemouth to gain a draw. Am hoping that will signal a corner turned for the last three games and was pleased to see Park get his first goal for the club.

No 50 points for us this year and I don't think we're going to finish top half either. Will that spell the end of the Emperor? With just three games left I am ruling out Formartine from the title but any one of the other top 3 could do it.

Oh look, we're playing two of them. Am just going to go all out attack for these last three games because... well, we can't defend and why not eh?

[Wavelberry]

April 2020 Update

How low can we go?

Success. Finally I have beaten Keith. We went all out and it paid dividends as we smashed them 3-0 with Park doubling his career tally with an absolute pearler and McMillan getting his first ever goal. We then took on Buckie and gave a gutsy display but they wanted the title and won 1-0. Inverurie came to Harmsworth on a low for the last game of the season and we're nothing if not charitable. We took the lead and that was as good as it got. This has not been a classic season...

Ten points down on last season and the most goals we've conceded. It's not a surprise considering the callow nature of the squad and we did finish one place above where we were predicted so it's not so bad. The question is whether a 6-1 last day hammering and not finishing top half will be enough to see off the Emperor. 

 

 

[Wavelberry]

Wick Academy Season 2019/2020 Review

Not the most auspicious season ever but it was a season. Of that there can be no doubt.

I think we can all agree about the Inverurie result but the Forres win? Really? The Brora, Lossiemouth or Keith wins were all much better but what do I know? Well, I do know we've used the most players again. Go us.

Mentioning a Golden Generation is it? More like a Tin Generation at the moment but it is early days. Gorms was the most loved by a mile this year and why not but Sean Parker has been pretty impressive as well and deserves his recognition and his goal against Keith was a beauty.

MacGregor nabbed 17 goals which is okay but the fact that our best player averaged under 7 tells you all you need to know about how this season played out. Still relying heavily on Allan and MacGregor. Aaron Mooney deciding to be the dirtiest player of the year.

The team is about to lack some leaders with Macadie retiring and Sam Mackay about to depart. Hoping that Gorms will eventually step into the breach but the Emperor has been successful in ensuring the destruction of all senior players in the squad. It's quite impressive really.

Here is everyone who had five or more starts. Sean Parker ended up averaging 7.17 which is not too bad at all and there have been some very good performances from some of the youngsters. If we can plough through we might feel the benefit of this in five or so seasons time. If we're given the chance to.

Board are satisfied so no danger of being fired just yet. The GYAC philosophy has been clearly adhered to so no complaints on that score. Need to make us harder to beat and score against if anything. I have good tactics for games I should win but I've not found a way to add any steal yet. That is the priority for next season.

All in all a very transitory season and I don't think it will be the last one we have like it.

[Wavelberry]

GOOOOOOODDDD

And MacGregor knows not to mess with a Sith.

[Wavelberry]

Around Scotland 2019/2020

Buckie took the title in the highlands then to give us three different winners in three years but who would they be taking on in the play-offs?

Edinburgh, having dropped back into non-league, won the title by four points with Stirling Uni having their best season for a while pushing them close. Edusport were again in and around but last season's champions Spartans ended up in sixth position. Also wasn't expecting to see BSC Glasgow drop out of the league but when you have that bad a defense... Anyways onto the play-offs. 

And yes obviously Buckie got beaten but it was one hell of a beating. 5-1 on aggregate puts the whole of the Highlands to shame. With that kind of form you feared for the bottom side in League 2 who in this case were Berwick.

And they too were well beaten by the Edinburgh menace meaning the Capital's named side returns to League Two at the first attempt. Berwick drop into non-league. That's what you get for being fake Scottish...

Berwick were well last then but the top half of the table was very interesting with the top four all looking strong. Cowdenbeath followed up their second place from last year by going one better and winning the league and they will be joined in League One by East Kilbride who had no problems adapting to life in the fourth tier by coming second and winning the play-offs. East Fife and Peterhead found life back in the league tough though and will want to put this season behind them. They'll remain in the basement.

Arbroath will joining them having stayed up at their expense last season as will Clyde who couldn't cope with the step up in class after winning League Two last year. Annan finished fourth in League Two and went up via the play-offs last season but were easily able to keep their place and show Clyde how it is done while Dunfermline showed their bouncebackability by dominating the league and winning it by seven points. There was an even bigger gap between Montrose and Livingston in 2nd and 3rd and the same gap between Livi and Alloa in 4th but it was Alloa who shocked everyone by winning in the play-offs and getting promotion. They'll be favourites to go down next year for sure but they'll hope they can do what Annan did in this division this season. Livingston then are condemned to another season in the third tier.

Dumbarton won League One by twenty points last season and they were nearly twenty points off 8th this season as they crashed straight back through the trap door. Never seen quite a riches to rags tale as that one. Brechin will join them in returning to League One having lost out to Alloa but they'll take heart by the fact that they finished this season thirteen points ahead of their rivals for the title next year. Meanwhile at the top end of the table Partick Thistle absolutely blew it. They lead the league pretty much all season but with no win in their last five games they allowed Motherwell to pip them to the title by just a point. 'Well return to the Premiership after two seasons in this league and Partick will have a lot of soul searching to do. Falkirk had the shot at the play-off final but couldn't do it so only one team will be dropping down to join them.

St Mirren finished bottom by a point and thus their two season stay in the Premiership is at an end. Ross County narrowly avoided joining them and live to fight another day but will need big improvements to stay afloat next time. The rest of the bottom half were the same as last season aside from Hearts sneaking into the top six. Dundee continued their run of top half finishes while Aberdeen got back to European football by the skin of their teeth. The biggest story of the season was Kilmarnock though. Promoted from the Championship last season they had an absolute stormer and finished 3rd to bring European football to Rugby Park next season. At the top of the tree Rangers joined Partick as Glasgow's biggest chokers as again they threw away a ten point lead to hand their arch rivals to the east another title. They even led by two points with two games to go. That's two titles in two seasons Michael Laudrup has thrown away. He did win the Betfred cup though beating Kilmarnock to that particular title. Aberdeen claimed the FA Cup by beating Dundee.

Phew.

 

[Wavelberry]

Youth Prospect Update: Summer 2020

Comeback kids, some fulfilling their potential and some drifting away. How have the youth of Wick been doing?

2017 Intake

Lewis Ross (YP 0.1): No appearances for Lewis this year and is 3rd choice keeper. May get a loan deal next season and we'll see how his development goes from there.

Eddie Wilson (YP 0.2): A breakthrough season for Eddie as he got twenty-five games and came on as a sub seven times too. Pretty solid all told and was first choice for much of the year. Be interesting to see where his ceiling is as the coaches don't rate him as much as some of the other prospects but he did a steady job this season. Will definitely be a starter next year.

Aaron Mooney (YP 0.3):  Okay, but not great. Got games at both LB and RB and got more starts as the season wore on. Needs to step it up in terms of consistency or he will just end up being a sub due to his ability to play on both flanks. Eighteen starts and sixteen sub appearances tells its own story. Definitely has a chance though.

Fraser Connolly (YP 0.4):  Another class of 2017 member to make a breakthrough this season. Danny Mackay's consistent shiteness meant that Fraser ended up stepping into the breach and he did okay all things considered. Will have to keep improving to keep his place but seventeen starts is a good effort and something to build on. Has first crack at LB next season.

Danny Gormley (YP 0.5): He's POTY again and pretty consistent in a side that lacks consistency. Had a few more dud games than he has previously but I'm putting that down to the lack of top quality around him. Added goals to his game this year playing as a Segundo getting six of them in thirty-three appearances. Will break the hundred league game barrier early next season for the club. A great effort.

Cameron Golabek (YP 0.6): And another surprise package from the class of 2017. Cameron made the most of Farqs leaving and showed some excellent early season promise in the 4-1-3-2. He was unfortunately cut down in his prime with a broken foot that kept him out for around four months and wasn't the same when he returned. Will get another opportunity to add to his thirteen starts from this season though. 

Steve McGowan (YP 0.8): Just two starts and two sub appearances and not much else to write home about although he did get a goal. Has probably one more season to show if he can make it at the club. 

Sandy Campbell (YP 0.9): Has now left the club. Never really impressed when given a chance and with better prospects both a RW and up front fell down the pecking order. Will be interesting to see what kind of career he has post Wick but this will be the last time we'll talk of him. Made eleven appearances in total over three years and got an assist. 

Dave Hay (YP 0.10): A very decent season for Dave who had a knack of scoring vital late goals when coming on as a sub. Lacks the consistency at the moment but he does know where the goal is as his seven goals will attest to. Made eight starts and a further seventeen sub appearances is very much first choice reserve behind Allan and MacGregor. Also attracted the attention of Forfar in the Summer. Really hoping he continues to kick on. Also thwacks the ball really, really hard. Foot like a traction engine.

Grant Duncanson (YP 0.11): Grant's getting restless apparently. Went on loan Threave and got eight in nine but he's well down the pecking order here and I think this will be his last season at the club. Will either sell or loan again.

2018 Intake

Mark Sutherland (YP 1.1): Twenty-three starts and five sub appearances is pretty good but he lacked consistency and an early suspension and injury actually allowed Eddie Wilson to steal a march on him as first choice CB. Came back in towards the end of the season as Hardwick was injured though. Am worried by some of the drop offs in stats but still looks likely to feature heavily next season.

Willie Nairn (YP 1.2): Thirteen starts and five sub appearances ain't bad but I was expecting a little more from Willie to be honest. In retrospect not a bad season though and with Macadie retiring has a chance to take on the play-maker role which he has shown an ability for. Set-piece ratings make me all the more desperate for him to succeed.  

James McIntyre (YP 1.3): Not a great season for James. No goals and constant complaints about it in the media. However he is rated a highly as Dave Hay and has shown an ability to find the net. Maybe a full loan spell somewhere can help his get his groove back as he has no problem scoring for the U20s. Big season ahead for him.

Scott Candish (YP 1.4): Made seven sub appearances and did nothing. Not particularly certain he has a future but given he can play in a few key positions he'll still have a chance to impress.

Scott Park (YP 1.5): Big nah here. Unless there is a fullback crisis he'll be gone by next Summer. 

Kevin Manson (YP 1.6): Like Dave Hay came to my attention at the back end of last season and like Dave Hay has continued his development this year with some eye catching displays. Consistency, as always, is the key but five goals and five assists from RW in nineteen starts is pretty good going. Is first choice RW and am looking for him to keep developing.

Steven Buchan (YP 1.7): Nine starts and four sub appearances at LW due to MacGregor playing there quite a bit. Hit and miss but two goals is not a bad return and he'll get the chance to make the position his own. The battle between him and McGowan is a key one next year. 

Dale Fridge (YP 1.8): Another steady season of progress for Dale. Got four starts and didn't look out of his depth. A capable understudy for McCarthy and I'll be looking to continue his development with more game time next year.

Jordan King (YP 1.9): Jordan makes his first appearance here having broken into the team as DM back-up for the two DM formation. Has looked okay so far and will continue to be a back-up to Gorms and Parker for now.

2019 Intake

Jack McMillan (YP 2.1):  A quiet season for Jack until I went all attacking and needed a LWB and then he scored. May just get a chance with the new attack/defence plan next year that may well utilise as LWB. Has looked okay for the U20s too. An intriguing prospect.

Sean Parker (YP 2.2): The breakthrough success story of the season. Made eighteen starts and looked pretty decent as part of a DM 2 and by himself. An able back-up to Gorms and his ability to play in all three strata of midfield means he's got a bright future a Wick. Also scored the goal of the season.

Steven Ballantyne (YP 2.3): Seven starts and three sub appearances and a bit of a mixed bag. Looked pretty decent in the league but stunk the place out in the cups. Also seems a bit injury prone which is a shame but Macadie's retirement means he is the only pure AM left in the squad so a big chance to kick on next year if injuries stay away.

Craig Cowie (YP 2.4): The great CB exodus of last season meant that Craig got his chance to shine. Was very strong in the cups and a bit more meh in the league but has scored and assisted and looks like providing decent competition to the other two young 'uns.

David Mullen (YP 2.5): Got three games early on due to injuries and was a bit meh. His determination is obviously laudable but I'm not sure he has what it takes to get involved. May get a chance though if Connolly doesn't sustain his development.

2020 Intake

Alan McCulloch (YP 3.1): Top-rated CB in this year's intake but had a bit of a torrid time in the games he got involved in. Still Dale Fridge got battered in the last game of the season before 5-2 by Formartine and it didn't do him any harm. Will definitely be a player in the battle for CB supremacy.

Clark Park (YP 3.2): I love his name, I love his finishing and I like the look of him. With McIntyre continuing to struggle and only Dave Hay ahead of him a path to the first team looks open. Will get some opportunities to impress next year and has certainly started okay in the U20s

Verdict

With members of the class of 2017 stepping up to fill the void left by experienced players it's been a decent year for some of the Wick young 'uns. The battle to be the top two CBs looks very interesting with all four of the youth prospects looking like they could. Sean Parker has proved to be a cracking addition as has Manson and it'll be interesting to see if they can sustain their development. As they all start taking over though I'm expecting a few more seasons of inconsistency though. All a leaning curve right?

 

 

 

 

[Wavelberry]

Pre-Season 2020

Another season dawns on the north-east coast of Scotland. Come children, let us play football...

An up and down pre-season where my new defensive formation attempt ended up conceding three against Orkney after looking fairly decent against St Johnstone. At least the Pompeyboyz Cat Cup was on the TV. BBC Alba I reckon. Anways we struggled against ***** teams until the last game where I tweaked the 4-2-3-1 and I feel that's where we'll start the season. Shambolic defence definitely looks like a thing again this year though.

Predicted 13th this season. Apparently our quality has dropped off even more. They're probably not far wrong although I think we should at least get 42 points again and I'll be slightly put out if we don't. We're in the slow rebuild of the transition phase. Cove are rated again for some reason and Huntly are ranked to finish 15th despite being up the top for the last three seasons. I don't get these stupid odds.

Luckily the chairman seems to be realistic and only expects mid-table which basically means finishing where we're predicted. Good-o.

How the hierarchy has changed. Davie Allan is at the top of the tree but pre-season performances and some efforts last season lead me to believe he'll be phased out sooner rather than later. MacGregor will definitely continue and Macadie is still here despite retiring apparently. Ah well, we'll keep him around for experience. Wonder if any of the young 'uns will step up this year.

This is how we're gonna line up then. Gonna play a more defensive way at home as this created chances galore last year and it gets the best out of good players like Gormley, Parker and Manson but it gave away a lot of opportunities. The eagle-eyed among you will note that Eddie Wilson is not in the first team despite being in possession of the shirt. That's because he complained about my post-match teamtalk after I roasted the defence after the Orkney game. I told him I wasn't bothered and he had a go back so I told him to drop it our I'd transfer list him. He said he'd drop it but he reckoned I was bluffing because there was no way I'd transfer list someone over that...

You don't mess with me boy.

Some tough assignments first up then especially given what Inverurie did to us last time out. Can this young side hold their own or will I be yelling into my living room for nights on end?

[Wavelberry]

Did that thing where I post before I posted. Pff.

[Wavelberry]

August 2020 Update

Predicted to have our worst season ever having already fallen out with a first choice CB and returning to the scene of the 6-1 hammering we got at the end of last season in the second game. What could possibly go wrong?

Not much. I am completely unfamiliar with the type of thing I'm seeing. We were solid and clinical in the first game, took Inverurie apart in the second game, beat evil Keith with a reserve team and then took out Strathspey. Of course it came to a shuddering end late on against Forres but I'd have taken this start all day long if you'd offered it to me. Jordan Park has looked excellent and Dave Hay has started in cracking form. I imagine we'll probably go on a ***** run in September now such are vagaries of a youth career but not much to complain about so far.

Nosebleed territory. I wonder if we could get a top-half fin... Nah. Buckie have started well as they look for back-to-back titles with four from four.

Two trips to Fort William in ten days in Cup and league and we'll stay on the road for a difficult assignment in Huntly. Formartine look back to some title form so could be difficult house guests so succor against Deveronvale at the end of the month might be well received.

[Wavelberry]

September 2020 Update

Holy **** we're back after the Christmas rush...

An up and down kinda month. We were okay on the cup trip with the second XI to Fort William and managed to seal it in extra time but then absolutely shat the bed with the first XI on the league return. That annoyed me sufficiently to go proper park the bus against Huntly, a Huntly who have battered us throughout this save, but we managed to do them without even conceding for once. We had the better of a ridiculous goal scoring game against Formartine   before giving Leith a 45 minute seeing to after being pretty **** for the 1st half. We ended the month getting our own seeing to as the reserves got a beating off Buckie. Still, it could've all gone wrong after the Fort William league match and last season it would've so #progress.

We sit 3rd still and I'm beginning to think we could break our points record this year. We're not contenders in any way but these early points are very welcome. Dave Hay and Kevin Manson are proving to be the next generation of heroes up front and we'll see how we go. Not many will beat Buckie I reckon though...

Not much on in October. A chance to bury the Keith curse is followed by the derby, or alternatively, Keith could **** us over before the derby. The league matches aside from Brora are ones that will be good a judge of us though as all the teams are in and around where we should be. We also have a game against recently relegated Berwick in the cup who are mid-table in the early doors Lowland league.

[DazRTaylor]

Not just me who has an interesting time in the Scottish lower leagues then.  

[Wavelberry]

 

2 minutes ago, DazRTaylor said:

Not just me who has an interesting time in the Scottish lower leagues then.  

Interesting is one way to put it...

[Wavelberry]

October 2020 Update

A busy October awaits the Wick boys. Would the grind of the month start to see us wobble back towards mid-table?

Late goals were the theme of the month both for and against and we got out of it with just one defeat. We put Keith away despite conceding two late goals with Dave Hay coming to the fore. No-one could break down Brora but at least we didn't lose to them like we nearly did to Deveronvale who outplayed us. A quick change to some mega-attacking tactics in the last ten minutes though saw Hay and MacGregor claim a draw for us that we kind of didn't deserve but we got our just deserts against Clachnacuddin who gave us a lesson. Gorms did score what will probably be the goal of the season though so there is that.

The cup games against Berwick saw me demand a much better performance and when we went 4-0 up in the 59th minute I decided to take Hay and Gorms off to save them for the Lossiemouth game. Big mistake as the defence went to sleep and Berwick scored two quick ones to make it 4-2. McMillan then scored a classic FM cross goal from the lefthand side but our defence wasn't finished as the scored two more quick ones to end the game 5-4. Defence all got a mega-bollocking but we're in the hat for the next round and that's what counts.

After that the relative comfort of a clean sheet against Lossiemouth was very welcome as was Jordan King's late goal to give us the win. We keep going...

4th place we are and still doing pretty well. The defence suggests to me that we've got a bad run in us but I definitely now think this will be our best ever season and if Dave Hay continues his development into a Scottish Highland League Harry Kane I will be more than chuffed. I also got the Full Faith board achievement this month...

November is a little less mad although someone needs to have a word with the fixture compilers. The Turriff game was moved to November due to their cup replay against East Fife so we do have one home game but then we hit the road for some really difficult tests including the top two and then the aforementioned East Fife for our 3rd round cup tie. The mental toughness of the squad will be put to the test this month. 

[Wavelberry]

November 2020 Update

Four tough away games with a defence that concedes goals for fun. This could get messy...

It did get heller messy. It didn't help that we lost the Turriff game with a really sloppy mix up between defence and goalkeeper leaving McCarthy six miles out of his box and the ball at the feet of a Turriff player 25 yards out with no-one else in the way. The Cove game we just imploded conceding 3 goals in the first ten minutes but it was notable for Clark's first ever Wick goal. Buckie went 2-0 up and then scored 2 in 2nd half injury time as we chased the game before we went to 2nd place Fraserburgh. Dave Hay stopped his goal drought netting after just a minute but then we let in to quick goals within ten minutes to go 2-1 down. Hay got an equaliser to take us into half-time at 2-2 but it wasn't to be as they grabbed a winner 3 minutes from time. Probably not the best period to be heading to a higher league side in the cup but the fixture list must be sated. East Fife were 6th in League Two and were pretty comfortable. Sutherland got himself sent off and despite a decentish effort we were never really in it and the League Two side eased to victory. Thank **** that month is over...

Down the table we go to 8th place. Still reckon we could get more than 50 points but am not as certain as I was. Defensively we are a bit of a shambles and none of my fullback choices are proving to be any good and we're consistently playing with a weak link at LB. Am hoping for one in the intake. This has also highlighted how much we're relying on Dave Hay as well as the only game we were in was the game he scored in. Still, it's all about the journey isn't it?

A bevy of midtable clashes. Hoping we can get back to winning ways and it'll also be nice to have some games at Harmsworth too.

Also, news. 14k in and then spend some money on the facilitites mate. You know you want to.

 

[Wavelberry]

Takeover complete 

Removed GYAC though. Will have to get that back asap.

[Wavelberry]

December 2020 Update

What could be worse than having 5 defeats on the bounce? Losing your first choice goalkeeper for a month 2 minutes into the next game. Why? Why does the world hate me?

Well as poor as we were in November we stepped back into form in December showing some resilience. We went behind in every game this month and only against Strathspey did it prove fatal. Against Rothes we were poor in the first half as we lost McCarthy but once Hay got the equaliser there was only going to be one winner and Steve Buchan,who has been playing instead of the injured MacGregor, grabbed the winner. Nairn proved a tough assignment as I went defensive at first with a diamond but I change to the 4-1-3-2 in the second half and was awarded with Ballantyne's first ever goal and a winner for Clark. Then came the madness of Inverurie who had offered me a job interview just before the game. We went down early to a pelanty but struck back by winning 3 pelanties of our own. Gorms nailed every one to give us our third straight win but when we lost him to injury early in the Strathspey game it threw us for a loop and we were unable to get back into it. Still, given the previous month this was an excellent one.

Back up to fifth and more importantly just 13 more points needed to get us back to 50. Anything more would be a record for this Wick and we're still on for it. Injuries have hit us hard although McCarthy and MacGregor are just about to return. Losing Gorms for a month is a bit of a blow though and the first time in 3 and a half years he'll miss a run of games. 

A testing month ahead with games we should win against Fort William and Forres balanced out against battles against two of the top four and the derby.

McIntyre is the highest rated of Hay, Park and himself... Maybe he's just never going to score again. Luckily if a young tyro comes through the intake I'll have a chance to play them as the new board have re-agreed to GYAC. Onwards we march.

[Wavelberry]

January 2021 Update

Into the new year with a spring in our step. That's usually the time where you spring right into a bear trap...

A bit of a mixed bag but those are six big points we managed to get and make no mistake.  We seem to love conceding pelanties and gave two away this month to both Fort William and Formartine. The Fort William result was terrible and after ripping into the team for a **** performance we had a team meeting the day before Huntly and managed to put in two professional home displays against them and Brora with Marc MacGregor returning from injury and hitting form at just the right time. Formartine battered us as they play 4-3-3 and any team that plays that against me absolute bum me senseless. Still, I'd have taken 6/7 points before the month so it ain't bad.

Buckie are still out ahead and only Fraserburgh look like they can stop them. A top four place is within grasp and qualification for the league cups next season is a possibility but at this stage I still reckon breaking the 50 point barrier is the limit of our ambitions especially as we still need a LB and could do with a decent RB as well. Intake sort me please.

Two away games we should really be winning which spells doom as our away form is shocking. We've got Rothes in the Highland League Cup so should see progression there. 9 games left and if we can get 7 points from these 3 then we're well on track.

[Wavelberry]

Some moany bastards being let go...

[Wavelberry]

Two news items: one after the other...

What's he made of? Glass?

[Wavelberry]

February 2021 Update

Mark MacGregor can't stop being injured and we suffered a little mini injury crisis. How did it affect us?

We started with a dour draw against Deveronvale and it looked like more of the same against Keith until Sean Parker popped up to prod home in the 92nd minute. We then turned to the Highland League Cup where I played a reserve side. They were good against Rothes with Jimmy Fridge getting his first goal for the club and Clark getting back to scoring ways but they were absolutely awful against Clachancuddin. If I tell you that Steven Buchan's goal made it 3-1 you can see why. That's twice Clachnacuddin have done that to us this season. Revenge is needed.

We went into the Lossiemouth game a little bit deflated then but OMG

Scored the first goal and looked decent throughout. Is this the turning point? We did batter 'em with Dave Hay getting back to scoring ways after a lull. Hopefully he'll be able to push to 20 goals for the season before the end. He needs 3 more.

As good as the win was though we have to take the rough with the smooth. We're all obviously gutted...

Still in 5th and still in the hunt for League Cup qualificaiton. We'll need 6 points from the remaining 6 games to have had our best ever season. We *should* be able to manage that... You'd hope. Fraserburgh have the advantage over Buckie. It's just between they two now.

Oh dear. A month of bogey sides. Still we'll at least have a little light at the end of the tunnel with a YOUTH INTAKE YOOOO

[Wavelberry]

New contract in the bag early doors this year...

Tried to wrangle some improvements out of the board during negotiations but it wasn't happening. Will try again in a month or so...

Still happy to be here though. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

[Wavelberry]

2021 Youth Candidates

Right then. Some fullbacks please...

Hmmm. Best player has a 4 for determination and the RB doesn't look too good. Like the look of Bobby Henderson though. Let's see how the match plays out.

Interesting game. Paterson stunk the place out which is nice but Bobby Henderson had a good game considering who he was up against and Hoban played well too. Time to select the chosen.

These are the six then. Morton and Hoban will need some right tutoring and fast while Euan Grotin is going to be trained for RB as I reckon he'll be a better shout than Paterson. Mike Hunter is a pick given McGowan (YP 0.8) has gone and MacGregor can't seem to go five minutes being injured. I am also going to do a full U20 audit and get rid of some deadwood and see who the late bloomers are soon.

Here are my top 3 then:

[Wavelberry]

March 2021 Update

Bogeyteampalloza with the youth candidates joining up. What a merry time to be Wick.

Not a bad month really. The draw against Clachnacuddin we shaded but given how we'd conceded 6 goals in the first 10 minutes of the two matches we'd played previously I'll take it. Cove gave us a lesson and I slammed the team and they responded with a perfect away performance against Turriff. We weathered the early storm and scored a goal from a set-piece goalmouth scramble and then Clark put the seal on it four minutes from time. Three points more than I expected in all honesty.

The battle at the top continues as Buckie and Fraserburgh swap places again. Meanwhile we sit 5th and with a chance to break our points tally. Guaranteed we get one more point and finish 8th...

Oh look at those fixtures. That's exactly what is going to happen. The 50+ dream dies here doesn't it? 

Jack Hoban makes his debut and gets a record though.

[Wavelberry]

April 2021 Update

The end of another season is upon us. Can we break our points record and finish the season on a high or will we draw with Rothes and get beatings from the title-chasers to leave us on 50 points AGAIN for a third season out of four.

Well holy **** we did it. James McIntyre continued his strong end to the season by grabbing the brace that saw us come from behind to beat Rothes (I think I've finally found his position in the front two now) before we managed to take Buckie down at home. We were 1-0 down at half-time and then equalised with Mark Sutherland's pelanty before they went ahead again. That looked like it was it but I threw on Park and Nairn and the two of them blitzed Buckie to give us a famous win which was made all the sweeter by the relentless trash talking I'd had in the media from their manager.. We battled gamely in the final game of the season but couldn't break Fraserburgh down and TBH I wanted to give them every help they could have. Was it enough though?

Nope. Once again the Highland League is decided by goal difference as Buckie retain the title. We finish 7th with a record number of points. Turned out to be a fairly decent season in the end.

[Wavelberry]

Wick Academy Season 2020/21 Review

After last season's nadir the team has started to rebuild and exceeded my expectations.

A decent season all around then with seventh place and our highest points haul. I don't agree with either of the games picks this year. The 3-1 defeat to Fort William at home was an absolute abomination and much worse then getting beat 4 away at the Champions. Also beating the Champions at home 4-2 was pretty sweet  but the 1-0 win away to Huntley given they've put 5 past us nearly every time they play us is probably my pick. 31 players used keeps us top of that particular league while the cups were average although it was nice to get to the 3rd round of the FA Cup for the 2nd season running.

Gorms. Again. Not sure I would have given it to him this season with him having a few more average and stinky games. Dave Hay was exceptional for the first half of the season but couldn't keep it up while Sean Parker seemed to stand out more. The fans love him though and it's no surprise that the goal against Clachnacuddin was Goal of the Season. I called it at the time. Shame it was a consolation in a 3-1 defeat. Manson got YPotY and probably deserved it if we're not awarding it to Parker.

Team of the Year is pretty much my call although I'd probably pick Dave Mullen (YP 2.5) at LB instead of McMillan.

Hay was pretty good and it's a shame he tailed off coz he could have been better. Still, for his first full season playing up front that's pretty good going. Danny Gormley is our best passer while Mark Sutherland takes the crown as our dirtiest player.

Big gap appearing in the squad now and with Davie Allan leaving in the Summer only MacGregor is a leader. It's good to see Gorms stepping up as an influential player finally and I#d expected McCarthy and Sutherland and maybe Parker to start climbing soon too. Order 67 has left me supreme leader.

Board are happy as we over achieved. You may have noticed the criticism for *shock* signing someone but they were are Youth Candidate who I didn't ditch and actually wanted to sign and didn't realise until his trial ended and left the club so I pulled him back and he counts as a signing. Other than that I got rid of the old chairman too for sacking me (not me) and have now outlived him. Hopefully it will be the start of a brave new Wickian era and this season has been a decent start.

 

 

[Wavelberry]

As an addendum despite giving away a billion pelanties and despite the defence being a bit ****

He's good. He's real good.

[Wavelberry]

Around Scotland 2020/21

Buckie won the Highland League again. Would they make it 2nd time lucky in the play-offs? Well, it would depend on who they were playing I guess...

Edusport managed to grab the title by a point in the end condemning Berwick to another season in non-league. East Stirlingshire were a point further back in one of their best seasons in a while but I guess it helped with the league being so close given that 51 points last year would've seen you finish 5th. Edusport then off to take on Buckie in the play offs...

And they took them apart with ease really winning both home and away. The best the Highlands has to offer comes up short again. To the promotion game then against last season's play-off champions Edinburgh...

And the League Two side also found it all to easy. No change then and Edusport will have to console themselves with their big shiny Lowland League trophy.

To League Two then and Edinburgh finished bottom by a point in their first season back with Stenhousemuir escaping last place again although only by a point this time. Neither side relegated from League One were able to bounce straight back with Clyde finishing bang in mid-table and Arbroath being beaten to the title by Peterhead, who return to League One after a two year absence, and losing out in the play-offs. Elgin made no mistake though and will be joining Peterhead in League One next season.

East Kilbride's rapid rise up the leagues finally hit the buffers this season as they finished well bottom to fall back into League Two and they ended up so desperate even I was linked with the job a week or so ago. Annan couldn't follow up last year's consolidation and ended up well 9th and relegated too. Cowdenbeath managed to survive easily then but will be aware of how Annan fared after one season of comfort. Brechin and Dumbarton were relegated last year from the Championship and had a successful season as they both sealed instant returns, Brechin as Champions and Dumbarton through the play-offs. Livingston will be Lividstone as they finished 2nd but were again unable to get promotion.

Alloa finished 4th in League One last year so their relegation isn't really a surprise but they did manage to avoid automatic which can be considered a decent effort. Dunfermline then get a second season at this level managing just to consolidate and most of that was down to Morton whose mediocrity finally caught up with them and sent them down to the 3rd tier. Partick blew the title last year but were never going to be denied this season winning the league by 11 points from Dundee. St Mirren, who dropped into the league from the Premiership last season finished well back in 4th and will need an improvement to return to the top flight.

Queen of the South's stay in the league finally came to an end with a terrible split run and relegation by 7 points. Hamilton finished 10 points further back from St Jonhstone but the Lanarkshire team beat Inverness in the play-offs to retain their Premiership status for another season. Motherwell's return to the top flight saw them comfortable amongst the also-rans and well ahead of their neighbours. Hearts finished the wrong side of the split and of their Edinburgh rivals. Aberdeen got back to some form to finish a nice comfortable 3rd and close the gap between them and Rangers but the gap between Rangers and Celtic has grown again. The last two seasons have seen tight title races going down to the last two games but this season Celtic eased to the title with 4 games to go. Dundee finished 4th but were denied Europe by Kilmarnock who backed up last season's impressiveness with a 5th place and a Scottish cup win denying Celtic a double. Rangers did claim some silverware beating Hearts in the Betfred cup to retain so... y'know... some sunshine in Govan.

[Wavelberry]

Youth Prospect Update: Summer 2021

An intriguing season, Wick's best since I've been here. Some of the kids stepped up and surprised, some continued to perform well and others dropped right out. Let's check out the runners and riders in 2021.

2017 Intake

Lewis Ross (YP 0.1):  3rd choice goalkeeper still and I'll be honest I thought he'd go this summer but has signed a new contract. Could make it here depending on what happens with McCarthy, and to a lesser extent Fridge, but if he starts to cause trouble about lack of first team football he will be out the door. It all depends on what he wants from his career really. Should leave for the benefit of it but until he does I'm happy to hang on to him.

Eddie Wilson (YP 0.2): Oh Eddie. Oh, oh Eddie. You coulda been a contender mate. The world of Wick as at your feet but you chose, for some bizarre reason, to beef me about a teamtalk in a friendly when all the defence were **** and then you told me I wouldn't sell someone over something so trivial. Rotted in the U20s for the season and left at the end of his contract. Made 45 appearances during his time at the club and will probably now want vengeance on me wherever he rolls up next. Currently a free agent.

Aaron Mooney (YP 0.3): Eleven starts and five sub appearances point to a man who is definitely a back-up. Given the problems at LB it's a shame for him that he hasn't been able to nail down a starting roll but he is a very useful back-up and sub due to his ability to play either side. If he wants to be a contender he needs to take his chances and he hasn't so far. Just a back-up for now.

Fraser Connolly (YP 0.4): Young Fraser is at a crossroads. Performed well in the first few games but then got injured, annoyed when he didn't jump straight back in, fudged up the chance when he was given it again in the cup and then took Davie Allan's side in January when Dave couldn't sell himself and then got upset. Sent him out on loan and he was okay and now he is back and his contract has expired but he hasn't decided to leave yet. Could come back but will need to show some proper contrition to his emperor and starts as possible 3rd choice LB next season. A fall from grace.

Danny Gormley (YP 0.5): Thirty-six more games ticked off for Gorms who now has over a century and a quarter of appearances for the club. Didn't score as many goals this year aside from the Goal of the Season and the hattrick of pelanties against Inverurie and that's mostly to him sucking as a SV and shooting all the time so I dropped him back somewhat. Still managed to nail Player of the Year and the fans love him. Is also now influential. He is the heart of this club now.

Cameron Golabek (YP 0.6): Bit of a frustrating season for Cameron as he got injured early on and then couldn't break into the team. Got antsy and went on loan but was recalled when Gorms got injured and played a few games towards the end of the season. Average. Would like to see him step it up next season if he gets a run otherwise he might just be an also-ran.

Steven McGowan (YP 0.8): Another one to get gobby about a lack of opportunities and not show any reason why he should get them. Caused issues all season, didn't like me and was a gobby bastard. Glad to get rid of him and he was glad to leave. Another one to have me on his hate list.

Sandy Campbell (YP 0.9): Sandy is now playing in the juniors and got four goals in twenty-eight games. Good for him.

Dave Hay (YP 0.10): A pretty banging season for Dave Hay all told. Seventeen goals in thirty-two starts is pretty decent going but he did peter out towards the end of the season after a very fast start. It will remain to be seen whether he's been found out or not. Will he be a Harry Kane or what everyone expected Kane to be as a one season wonder? Established as first choice striker though so a decent year.

Grant Duncanson (YP 0.11): To think that Grant started off as possibly looking better than Dave four years ago. Where Dave got his head down though Grant moaned and whinged and never took his opportunities. Was released as he was paling around with that Steven McGowan and I always said that lad was trouble. No ill will towards him though and I reckon he'll do a decent job for someone somewhere.

2018 Intake

Mark Sutherland (YP 1.1): Bit of a curate's egg of a season for Mark or at least I thought it was but did get defensively more solid through the season and he was a big part of that. Got dropped a few times but thirty-three appearances and an average of 6.9 is pretty darn good. Got on the subs bench for the Highland League team of the year and is already vice-captain. Could be the roaring leader the team needs of he continues to kick on.

Willie Nairn (YP 1.2): His CM versatility means he's played quite a bit. Mostly in the 4-1-3-2 but has played AM and DM in the 4-2-3-1. Average is the best way to sum it up but with his set-piece ability he can be a bit rubbish and still turn a game for us. Will continue to play and be an important part of the squad next season. 

James McIntyre (YP 1.3): It was all looking grim for James with thirty games without a goal but he popped one in against Lossiemouth at the end of February and ended the season with three goals from seven starts. Seems to suit the False 9 roll really well in the 4-1-3-2 and if that's the case he might just have a future here after all. He is highly rated so it'd be great to see him kick on next year. Will definitely get starts in the front 2.

Scott Candlish (YP 1.4): Got some games when we had a bit of CM injury crisis but is very much a back-up squad player. Others have developed faster and better than him and I get the feeling he'll be heading towards the exit door sooner rather than later. Just the one assist to his name in the Highland League cup and a handful of games played.

Scott Park (YP 1.5): Thought he'd leave when his contract expired but is hanging around. Can he get a chance to impress. Probably not. Is out of my plans and it'll need a big old injury crisis at RB for him to get a go but you never know...

Kevin Manson (YP 1.6): Started the season with a bang along with Dave Hay but after an injury slowed down and ended the season a bit out of form. It was still enough to see him get Young Player of the Year with eighteen starts and six goals. Can't rest on his laurels though and will be replaced at RW if he starts next season as he finished the last...

Steven Buchan (YP 1.7): Second choice LW behind MacGregor and had a quiet season until MacGregor couldn't stop being injured. Pretty useful and scored two goals in his seven starts. Is first choice reserve and will get more opportunities to impress next year.

Dale Fridge (YP 1.8): Played the cup games and got a run of four games in the league when McCarthy got injured in February. Development has come on is very much the number 2 keeper at the club. Will look to push on in the cups again next season.

Jordan King (YP 1.9): Jordan continues to just go quietly about the squad and made seventeen starts this year. Has covered at DM when Gorms has been out and has played in CM well in the 4-1-2-3. Stepped above Nairn and Golabek as a name on the teamsheet and had a pretty decent season all told. Hoping he'll carry on next year.

2019 Intake

Jack McMillan (YP 2.1): Won the early battle to be LB and played okay but flaked out too often and was often at fault during our run of conceding pelanties every game. Will personally be happy with nineteen starts but is second choice LB now and will need to cut out the hair-tearing out mistakes if he's not going to suffer my wrath.

Sean Parker (YP 2.2): Another good solid season from Sean. Stepped into the SV role and made thirty-two starts for the club utilising his versatility in other formations playing well as an Advanced Playmaker too. I want goals from him though and that's what I'll be looking for next season but he has quickly become a key part of the team.

Steven Ballantyne (YP 2.3): Steven is a bit of a weird one. Played lots of games and was average as **** basically. 6.66 is as average as it gets. If he doesn't step it up next season he'll quickly fall away I think as he doesn't do enough in AM in terms of passing or goals to make him worth sticking with, one goal and one assist in twenty-two starts telling it's own story. Big season upcoming for him.

Craig Cowie (YP 2.4):  A solid season for Craig. Was the CB on the bench and never let anyone down. Is battling to be first reserve at the moment and has a chance although his determination and other mentals compared to the other two may spell reserve. Big season next year and needs to take his chance.

David Mullen (YP 2.5): David Mullen had a few games at the start when the great LB rotation happened and then stepped back in for the run-in and impressed doing a steady enough job. Will start next season as first choice LB and as long as he continues to let no-one down I will back him.

Jimmy Fridge (YP 2.6): Only tagged at the beginning of the season and stepped in as Davie Allan drifted to be second choice RW. Four starts, three sub appearances and a goal is not a bad way to introduce yourself. Will have a real chance to put pressure on Manson if the latter continues to be rubbish next season.

2020 Intake

Alan McCulloch (YP 3.1):  Started the season having a few games but was not prepared to be first choice CB as his average of 6.66 across his eighteen starts and three sub appearances shows. Still, he he is a talent and will get a chance to ease himself into a bit more next year. Ultimately he'll want to overtake Hardwick and Cowie but starts behind the pair.

Clark Park (YP 3.2): Six goals is a pretty decent return in his first full season at the club. Turned a few games for us including the Buckie match and is much more able to lead the line by himself than McIntyre which makes him first choice replacement for Hay. Did go on a bit of a barren run but it wasn't as long as McIntyre's and he's scored more this season than McIntyre did at the same time. Definite opportunities next season to kick on.

Graham Lawrie (YP 3.3): Tagged him because I expected Lewis Page to leave. If Page does flounce off will be 3rd choice keeper.

2021 Intake

Jack Hoban (YP 4.1):  We use a lot of midfielders and Hoban was the pick of his intake. His mentals worry me with no-one around to tutor but am hoping the squad will rub off some positivity. Will get chances next season and we will watch him with interest.

Euan Grotlin (YP 4.2):  Earmarked as a future RB his retraining has already begun. Will be first choice RB in cups and if impresses he will get a chance to go for it. I hope he takes it.

Bobby Henderson (YP 4.3): The pick of the players in the youth candidates game but struggled in his debut against Rothes and we didn't look good at the back at all until he was replaced. A long way from the first team at the moment but who knows what next season may bring. Will get some cup games anyways.

Mike Hunter (YP 4.4): The first of this intake to make his debut as MacGregor and Buchan were both out and did a bit meh. Played well in the candidates game though and will start the season as 3rd choice LW.

Verdict

We're starting to see the desperate picks of the first two years fall away while some of the class of 2019 have stepped up really well. The 2020 boys look like proper first teamers but am only putting money on Grotlin from the 2021 intake at the moment. We're quite well balanced now with talent across the park. Now it's just a question of them developing and consolidating our progress but we may have to go backwards to go forwards again. A big year ahead for Manson and Hay to prove they aren't one season wonders.

 

 

[Wavelberry]

Should really stop inviting Premiership teams to take part in the Cat Memorial Cup. I'll never win it.