Northernpilgrim Posted May 22, 2020 Author Share Posted May 22, 2020 I won't be joining Bournemouth Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 23, 2020 Author Share Posted May 23, 2020 A couple of really good wins in December, but the shine was taken off a little bit with a home defeat to relegation threatened Bournemouth, who we led 2-1 after 70 minutes, and away at Norwich, which was a terrible performance and with one game to go to the halfway point of the season, we're already on 25 points. 40 looks doable from here, and hopefully survival will take less than that anyway. I think 35 points will be enough this season. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 23, 2020 Author Share Posted May 23, 2020 I was offered a job interview in January. I applied because, despite them being in the Premier League relegation zone, I thought they would have ambitions to push on and justify their fans' belief that they are a 'big club'. I'm going to attend the interview, but with what the board are saying, I have doubts as to whether I'll actually take the job if I'm offered it Incidentally, when I read the invite, I assumed Mike Ashley was still the owner, but it seems that he sold to a consortium headed by Simon Corney (currently owner of Oldham Athletic IRL) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 23, 2020 Author Share Posted May 23, 2020 Three more wins in the league in January, but we got done over twice by Wolves in the first and last games So we end the month 8th, on 34 points. Probably safe before the start of February, but one more win would make absolutely sure Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 23, 2020 Author Share Posted May 23, 2020 Three January signings, and four departures Max Clark is our new first choice left back Ryan Giles adds depth at left wing and Pereira was supposed to be the new first choice keeper, but he had a horror show on dsebut against Wolves in our last match Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 23, 2020 Author Share Posted May 23, 2020 Maybe Newcastle knew I didn't want the job, as despite being quoted as 1-5 favourite on the morning the new manager was announced, they went for Sean Dyche instead Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 24, 2020 Author Share Posted May 24, 2020 Only three games in February, but no wins. Only one defeat though, which is good and that leaves us 9th, on 36 points. I think I can say with confidence that we'll be a Premier League team next season, if I'm still here Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 24, 2020 Author Share Posted May 24, 2020 March was terrible and we're down to 14th, but 12 points clear of relegation, with only 7 games left. We should be fine Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 24, 2020 Author Share Posted May 24, 2020 March also saw Northern Ireland in playoff action, and we made it through to the playoff final Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 24, 2020 Author Share Posted May 24, 2020 Five days later and it's time for the playoff final. Lose, and our Euros are over before they've begun. Win, and we go to the tournament proper. We're off to Germany for the Euros! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 25, 2020 Author Share Posted May 25, 2020 The draw for Euro 24 has been made. I don't know if we have a chance to progress or not, but we'll find out in the summer Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobby_McDonald Posted May 25, 2020 Share Posted May 25, 2020 Rapid progress Pilgrim. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 25, 2020 Author Share Posted May 25, 2020 Only 1 win for Coventry in a torrid April and despite the fact we've not reached 40 points yet, we are mathematically safe. Mission accomplished. I will be leaving at the end of my contract in June Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 25, 2020 Author Share Posted May 25, 2020 1 hour ago, Nobby_McDonald said: Rapid progress Pilgrim. Think you spoke too soon Nobby Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 26, 2020 Author Share Posted May 26, 2020 A great end to the season, unbeaten in May, 7 points out of 9 and that sees us finish in a really pleasing 12th place Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 26, 2020 Author Share Posted May 26, 2020 Time for our club awards night, and the winners are and the stats behind a really pleasing second season at Coventry The review of a rollercoaster season. Some incredible highs, and some lows too Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 26, 2020 Author Share Posted May 26, 2020 The only player to feature in the Premier League awards shortlist was Ben Ward, who was runner up for the Golden Boot Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 26, 2020 Author Share Posted May 26, 2020 We played two friendlies ahead of the Euros, and came away with two wins, including against Russia, despite playing half an hour with 10 men Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 26, 2020 Author Share Posted May 26, 2020 During the group stages of the Euros, with days left on my Coventry contract, I've been offered an interview Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 26, 2020 Author Share Posted May 26, 2020 We had Czech Republic, Wales and Portugal to face in the group stage of the Euros, and the IFA don't expect us to progress. Did we? A fabulous victory over the Czech Republic was a great start, and we backed that up by roaring into a 2 goal lead against Wales. We held on, despite conceding with time to play, meaning we were qualified regardless of the result against Portugal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 26, 2020 Author Share Posted May 26, 2020 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 26, 2020 Author Share Posted May 26, 2020 On the day I left Coventry, Northern Ireland faced Ukraine in the second round of the Euros. How did we do? and I thought that was a little harsh, but we've done really well just to get here, and we haven't disgraced ourselves Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 26, 2020 Author Share Posted May 26, 2020 I didn't get the Leicester job, so for now my focus is solely on Northern Ireland Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 26, 2020 Author Share Posted May 26, 2020 In July, an interview with a Championship club Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 26, 2020 Author Share Posted May 26, 2020 I didn't get it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 26, 2020 Author Share Posted May 26, 2020 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 26, 2020 Author Share Posted May 26, 2020 They said no Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 26, 2020 Author Share Posted May 26, 2020 The next challenge for Northern Ireland was the Nations League. We got off to a cracking start, winning both matches in September Leaving us top of the table, with home games against Estonia and Gibraltar next up in October Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 26, 2020 Author Share Posted May 26, 2020 We won both games in October leaving us five points clear, two games to go. We will win the group as long as we don't lose both November away games in Estonia and Bulgaria. One solitary point will be enough. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 27, 2020 Author Share Posted May 27, 2020 At the start of November, I had another interview and a few days later, was offered the job Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 27, 2020 Author Share Posted May 27, 2020 I accepted and this is my squad Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 27, 2020 Author Share Posted May 27, 2020 Northern Ireland returned to action in November, with a friendly against New Zealand, plus the final two Nations League games. We won the lot Earning promotion to League B. Delighted, as it was not expected or demanded by the IFA. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 27, 2020 Author Share Posted May 27, 2020 I've included all of November's matches in Millwall's update, but I wasn't in charge for the Cardiff game, and only actually joined Millwall on the day of the Bristol City game. I think we deserved to win against Bristol City and were utterly mugged by Crystal Palace and we have dropped out of the playoffs. The board are only asking for mid-table, but I'm hoping to gatecrash the top six in what looks a tight division this season Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 28, 2020 Author Share Posted May 28, 2020 Northern Ireland have been handed a tough qualifying draw for the World Cup. Almost no chance of a top two finish Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 28, 2020 Author Share Posted May 28, 2020 December was a tough month, but we ended it with two successive wins and that was enough to climb back into the top 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 28, 2020 Author Share Posted May 28, 2020 An unbeaten, but not perfect, January leaves us in the playoffs, and up to 5th. The top two are uncatchable Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 28, 2020 Author Share Posted May 28, 2020 No signings in January as such, gutted to lose Jack Roles after his release fee was triggered. Will Vaulks loan deal will become permanent in the summer due to a clause in his loan contract, but I might not be around to see it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 28, 2020 Author Share Posted May 28, 2020 February would have been a great month if we hadn't lost to Forest, and there were no complaints about either game we dropped points in which left us still in the top 6. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 28, 2020 Author Share Posted May 28, 2020 An unbeaten March in the league, our only defeat coming in the FA Cup against my old club and that sees us hit the 70 point barrier, 6 games to go. I think 80 will see us hit the playoffs Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 28, 2020 Author Share Posted May 28, 2020 Northern Ireland were also back in action in March, we won a friendly against Ghana, but fell apart when it mattered and it's going to take a miracle for us to qualify already Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 29, 2020 Author Share Posted May 29, 2020 We faced four of the top six in April, and it was a horror show meaning that we head into the last game with a playoff place still not assured Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 29, 2020 Author Share Posted May 29, 2020 We failed to win our final game of the regular season but qualified for the playoffs, where we will face West Brom Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 29, 2020 Author Share Posted May 29, 2020 We managed to qualify for the final, despite only drawing the first leg at home Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 29, 2020 Author Share Posted May 29, 2020 We were beaten in the playoff final and even the staunchest Millwall fan would struggle to argue that we deserved anything out of the game. We didn't, we were second best from start to finish Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 29, 2020 Author Share Posted May 29, 2020 Time to review the season, beginning with the club awards club stats and review of the season Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 29, 2020 Author Share Posted May 29, 2020 Northern Ireland were in qualifiers action in June and that left us bottom of the group. I will see out the qualifiers unless they sack me, but this will be my last campaign with the Northern Ireland team Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 29, 2020 Author Share Posted May 29, 2020 Despite playing some tough preseason fixtures, results were generally good Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 29, 2020 Author Share Posted May 29, 2020 The following players were released when their contracts expired Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 29, 2020 Author Share Posted May 29, 2020 We made 10 signings in the summer, with five more players shipped out Will Vaulks joins permanently from Cardiff Centre back Charlie Wiggett joins from Coventry Versatile midfielder Vigen's loan from Middlesbrough becomes permanent Defensive midfielder Silva was signed on a free Likewise centre back Jordan Willis He is joined in central defence by another free transfer in Duffy Gudelj is another free transfer, as competition at DM for Silva Krmencik comes in on a free and is a striker James is a young striker, brought in on loan as a backup and finally Rousset. A young striker, but ready for the first team already Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 29, 2020 Author Share Posted May 29, 2020 Which leaves the squad looking like this, with just a couple of days until our opening Championship fixture, and the transfer window already closed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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