Rick87 Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 Looks like your off to a good start. I like the way you do updates about Shetland as well. Keep it going 👌 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phnompenhandy Posted January 10 Author Share Posted January 10 11 minutes ago, Rick87 said: Looks like your off to a good start. I like the way you do updates about Shetland as well. Keep it going 👌 Cheers Rick, but bad timing - I'm just about to reveal how I lost my first game! This is the same career - I moved from Shetland to here in the close season. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phnompenhandy Posted January 10 Author Share Posted January 10 What's this? Inver Milan? I don't even know what that cat-thing is. Never mind, we play our own game. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phnompenhandy Posted January 10 Author Share Posted January 10 Oh Ouch! What happened? It's on me. I should have done my homework. They outsmarted me with this catennacio lark. We had the chances, we were up on xG, but Inver knew how to defend. They also knew how to run around our pair of reducers and expose our defence. I'm still befuddled - I just hope we don't meet any more catennacio-artists for a while. At least there are those most clueless than me: i'm not tinkering, pal - I'm managing my squad to ensure we stay the course and don't get burned out too soon. And that could be crucial because I don't see the chasing pack letting up - look: We've got our double-header against Portree United up now - couldn't come at a worse time. They're on a relentless run and Ullapool are on our tail. I'm even getting a bit nervous about those yuan-millionaires down at Kyle. We must not lose either of those games against neighbours and rivals Portree United - two draws would keep us 5 points ahead, but Ullapool would be away. Four points might knock us off the top, but right now I'd take that. The first match is nominally away, but I'll put out my strongest side - yes, the one that just lost to Inver and hope that when they cross the road to our place the following Wednesday, they're as fatigued as we'll be. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phnompenhandy Posted January 10 Author Share Posted January 10 The King George V Park pitch is proper grass and all, but if anything, it's more dangerous than the plastic we have to play on! Their tactics are standard for these parts, but with two wingbacks and a strong midfield. Gallacher starts in goal with Axelsson preferred to an off-form Sam Smith. Booby Booth is back; Bobby Smith and Wallace are nearing returns - hopefully for our home rematch on Wednesday. Leporatti deputises once more. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phnompenhandy Posted January 10 Author Share Posted January 10 (edited) I said I'd take 4 points from these 2 games and we're on course. In truth, we dominated them and should have won. I'm hoping the Bobbster's return on Wednesday will bring a return to our firepower of earlier days. Jordan Morton was anonymous - he was the chief factor in our dropping two points. I defended him in public and had a word in private. He of course blamed everyone else. I really do not like that man. Nevertheless, he has to start again - I'll just 'tweak' his role. Everyone's wrapped up in cotton wool ready to give their all in three days' time. Ullapool have knocked us off top spot. We'll be back. Edited January 10 by phnompenhandy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phnompenhandy Posted January 10 Author Share Posted January 10 (edited) We are back - just about The two Bobbys start; Tony's good for the bench. So we've got those 4 points off united and go back top although Ullapool can retake it with their game in hand. This was painful - we passed, we dominated, we needed our goalkeeper to save us. We're badly lacking that cutting edge we have. Tiredness? Undoubtably. Something more? Do'n know. But it will all be for naught if we don't win out next match in three days down at Oban with the bits and pieces that can still walk. On a separate note, Caitriona's shown her ruthless side. She decided our Head of youth Development was too lazy and replaced him. Danny didn't even get any compensation. Hello Gordon She tells me he understands youths and is keen to draw up a shortlist of likely lads for the December preview. Edited January 10 by phnompenhandy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phnompenhandy Posted January 10 Author Share Posted January 10 I never introduced Connor, our performance analyst He's responsible for all this stuff We can see Axel Axelsson, deputising for Kyle McAisland, is doing a terrific job down the right, while on the other flank Morton just doesn't want to know. It's a shame we have no backup for him, although Denholm gets a chance at Oban I'm not optimistic about this line-up, but we have no other fit and ready players. I'll probably switch to balanced mentality to prevent giving away a silly goal, given Saints' counter-attacking style. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phnompenhandy Posted January 10 Author Share Posted January 10 (edited) Awful. Yet another game where we dominated yet were lucky to come away with the points. Our defence held firm while our attack were quite without ideas. I don't recall Gus even touching the ball apart from missing a penalty. I just hope it's merely fatigue. We have a week to recuperate, then five weekend matches we must win. I just need to light that goal-scoring spark again. Edited January 10 by phnompenhandy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 Ouch! Those injuries are starting to pile up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phnompenhandy Posted January 10 Author Share Posted January 10 1 hour ago, Stuniverse said: Ouch! Those injuries are starting to pile up. I'm really trying to manage them this time. I consult my sports scientist every week and don't start players with a high risk of injury. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 (edited) On 10/01/2024 at 15:23, phnompenhandy said: I'm really trying to manage them this time. I consult my sports scientist every week and don't start players with a high risk of injury. Sounds like a good plan. Has it made a difference? Edited January 12 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamstock Posted January 19 Share Posted January 19 Has the save reached an early end? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phnompenhandy Posted January 20 Author Share Posted January 20 14 hours ago, Jamstock said: Has the save reached an early end? Sorry James, looks that way. I didn't think many people were following it, and I decided to get back into another project that requires total immersion (my semi-abandoned best-selling killer novel!) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted January 20 Share Posted January 20 2 hours ago, phnompenhandy said: Sorry James, looks that way. Oh no, sorry to hear that, @phnompenhandy 2 hours ago, phnompenhandy said: I decided to get back into another project that requires total immersion (my semi-abandoned best-selling killer novel!) Good luck with the project. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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