Northernpilgrim Posted March 6, 2020 Author Share Posted March 6, 2020 February started well, with two wins, but a sloppy performance against Frosinone helped them escape the relegation zone by beating us, and we were second best against a very good Zebre side and that leaves us just outside the bottom three. Not what was expected at all Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 6, 2020 Author Share Posted March 6, 2020 The revival didn't last, but there were some very tough fixtures, as starting with the Zebre game last month, we faced the top 4 at the time in successive games, beating Cosenza to knock them out of it, and we were a man down for more than an hour of the Cittadella game, but still managed to score a late equaliser All of which leaves relegation (and the sack) a very real possibility. I'm not sure which would come first, but I am sure I won't survive the season, given the lofty ambitions of the board (not matched by the squad it seems) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 7, 2020 Author Share Posted March 7, 2020 An unbeaten April, and it was so nearly a perfect month which has taken us from the brink of the relegation zone to safety. Won't be enough to save my job, but hopefully will give me a shot at getting back in quickly when the end does come Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 8, 2020 Author Share Posted March 8, 2020 I was only in charge for two more games as the board finally decided to sack me leaving Lecce 11th in the table, with two games to play Time to look for another club to win a league with and escape Italy. I did it in France, can lightning strike twice? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 8, 2020 Author Share Posted March 8, 2020 It took until October to even get my first interview Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 8, 2020 Author Share Posted March 8, 2020 I didn't get it, and remain unemployed. The search will resume tomorrow evening Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 8, 2020 Author Share Posted March 8, 2020 It was mid-December before my next interview Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 8, 2020 Author Share Posted March 8, 2020 I didn't get that either Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 8, 2020 Author Share Posted March 8, 2020 On Christmas Day, another interview Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 8, 2020 Author Share Posted March 8, 2020 But they said no too. Getting out of Italy isn't going to be easy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 8, 2020 Author Share Posted March 8, 2020 End of January, another interview Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 8, 2020 Author Share Posted March 8, 2020 Cremonese also said no Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 8, 2020 Author Share Posted March 8, 2020 It was early February before another interview opportunity arose Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 8, 2020 Author Share Posted March 8, 2020 I'm back Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 8, 2020 Author Share Posted March 8, 2020 This is the squad I inherited and there was a match the day I arrived, which we won which left the table looking like this Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 8, 2020 Author Share Posted March 8, 2020 Not a bad first month. I was not in charge for the Imolese game and we're very definitely looking up rather than down. I think a top 5/6 spot, rather than a top 10, should be the target for the season, giving us something to build on for next season, where I want to challenge at the top Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobby_McDonald Posted March 9, 2020 Share Posted March 9, 2020 Lecce didn't go well but a decent start at Rimini. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 9, 2020 Author Share Posted March 9, 2020 Disappointing in March, but we ended it with a win and we're all but certain of a playoff spot Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 9, 2020 Author Share Posted March 9, 2020 There were three more additions to the squad in March Wright, Cicciu and Peirano are all midfielders Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 9, 2020 Author Share Posted March 9, 2020 April was also underwhelming but we are assured of a playoff place Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 9, 2020 Author Share Posted March 9, 2020 We won our final game of the regular season meaning we end up in 9th place going into the playoffs. There will be updates after each playoff match Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 9, 2020 Author Share Posted March 9, 2020 The playoffs, for us, are over before they've really begun Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 9, 2020 Author Share Posted March 9, 2020 Just as the transfer window opens, I got bad news from the Chairman Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 10, 2020 Author Share Posted March 10, 2020 Preseason results were pretty good Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 10, 2020 Author Share Posted March 10, 2020 There were quite a few arrivals and departures too (and that doesn't include those released at the end of their contracts) Bernardi is a winger Zarpellon is a striker, and is the best we have now Vandeputte is a winger Ferrari, Rossi and Calicchio are all strikers, and will be backups to the main man and this is the squad as it stands going into the season. I'm hoping to find a free transfer goalkeeper to either come in as first choice, or to at least provide better cover for Rodegari, and I've not ruled out departures from the forward line either, as I don't see Pozzani as having a future here Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 10, 2020 Author Share Posted March 10, 2020 According to the season preview, we're going to have to significantly overachieve to win the league Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 10, 2020 Author Share Posted March 10, 2020 Not a great start to the season but the board are only expecting a playoff spot, so they're satisfied with the early league table but an early red card didn't help against Pisa and an away draw at one of the favourites for the title is a decent result Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 10, 2020 Author Share Posted March 10, 2020 (edited) I did manage to get a backup goalkeeper, signing this guy on loan Edited March 10, 2020 by Northernpilgrim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 10, 2020 Author Share Posted March 10, 2020 One match from perfection in September and we're up to fifth, three points behind the leaders Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 10, 2020 Author Share Posted March 10, 2020 October was a decent, but not perfect month and we could easily have had more against Ravenna and Sambenedettese Which leaves us third, two points off the lead Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 11, 2020 Author Share Posted March 11, 2020 November was perfect and we end the month 4 points clear, although one of our nearest rivals has a game in hand Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 11, 2020 Author Share Posted March 11, 2020 Our unbeaten run ended in December at the hands of our title rivals and I thought we were decent value for at least a point which has left us top, but only by 1 point, and the title race blown wide open Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 11, 2020 Author Share Posted March 11, 2020 Unbeaten, but not good in January, with only 1 win although that was still enough to stay top, just Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 11, 2020 Author Share Posted March 11, 2020 An unbeaten February, and a more pleasing month than January but the draw with Campobasso sees us knocked off top spot on goal difference. Failure to really punish teams we're dominating might prevent us winning the title and opening the next country up. I've no qualms with the Campobasso result, they deserved their point from an even game but how on earth did we only score once from 31 attempts (10 on target) at home to Avezzano? That's the sort of game we should be winning 3 or 4-0, and it's happened a lot this season. And of course we missed a penalty. Lost count of missed pens this season Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 11, 2020 Author Share Posted March 11, 2020 A really poor March but we missed another penalty against Sambenedettese, costing us 2 points another against Tuttocuoio, 2 more points gone so with three games to go, we're three points off the top, with a massively worse goal difference Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 11, 2020 Author Share Posted March 11, 2020 Before the end of the season, I've been offered a new contract. As we're very unlikely to win the league, I feel like I should sign it. I'm going to delay for a week and see whether the league picture is any clearer Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 11, 2020 Author Share Posted March 11, 2020 I've signed it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 11, 2020 Author Share Posted March 11, 2020 So, here are the final set of results but would it be enough? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 11, 2020 Author Share Posted March 11, 2020 YES!! AC Cesena took just 1 point from their last two games, giving us the chance to win the title, and boy did we take it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 11, 2020 Author Share Posted March 11, 2020 Winning the title qualified us for the round robin Serie C Super Cup and we won that too Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 11, 2020 Author Share Posted March 11, 2020 Time to round up the season, beginning with the Club Awards night The stats behind a brilliant season and the snapshot of the season Mignogna was runner up for Player of the Year, with Peirano third I won Manager of the Year and five of my players made Team of the Year and Mignogna and Zarpellon also won Serie C awards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 11, 2020 Author Share Posted March 11, 2020 Into July, and I've got an interview in Croatia Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 11, 2020 Author Share Posted March 11, 2020 The press seem to think I might get it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 11, 2020 Author Share Posted March 11, 2020 I got the job Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 11, 2020 Author Share Posted March 11, 2020 and this is the squad I've inherited. Where the hell are the right backs?? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 12, 2020 Author Share Posted March 12, 2020 Preseason was underway before I arrived, and the games I took charge of are highlighted I managed to add three players to the squad I inherited Velija and Dobric will fight it out for the right back slot and Zajc provides a bit of quality up front The media certainly don't expect my stay in Croatia to last just a single season, although they do expect me to meet our mid-table objective. It's a 30 game season in Croatia, so there isn't much room to get off to a slow start if you want to make an impression on the top end of the league Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andychar Posted March 12, 2020 Share Posted March 12, 2020 Great stuff in Italy! Good luck in Croatia! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 12, 2020 Author Share Posted March 12, 2020 A steady, but not spectacular, start to life in the Croatian League. I don't think I'll be leaving after just 1 season Which leaves us 8th in the table, in line with board and media expectations Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 12, 2020 Author Share Posted March 12, 2020 September was a good month too and we're up to fifth in the table, six points off the top Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 13, 2020 Author Share Posted March 13, 2020 October was just as good, the only setback coming against then second placed Slaven Belupo. Beating the then leaders NK Solin was particularly sweeet, as we shredded them in the first half, and then kept them out in the second. We were reduced to 10 men after 47 minutes due to an injury after I'd used my subs, the injured player having come on himself at half time. and we are just three points off the leaders. There will be no talk of the title though, we're nowhere near that level....yet. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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