Brandon M

Mark was deep in concentration looking at a list of players he had identified for a future scouting mission.
From the division two sides he was going to have another look at Torquay’s prolific scorer Craig Reid although the rumours suggested that Aston Villa were now watching him. Chesterfield’s central defender Aaron Downes who was setting the heather alight in the division was someone else he was keen to look at further.

Two strikers in the division were puzzling him and although there was no doubt over their ability as they were a class above most. To boot regular goalscorers but despite almost daily reports of them moving to bigger and better things still they remained at their clubs. Caleb Folan at Chesterfield and Iszale Mcleod at MK Dons. They were both scoring for fun and the fees involved at 250-350k not outrageous compared to the rumours surrounding Torquay’s Reid at ½ a million. Mark was sure that they would demand higher fees but at least he would satisfy his curiousness by having a look.

In addition he had already trawled through a list of the previous season’s offerings most of who had either been signed to WSM or deemed to expensive. Adam le Fondre stuck out like a sore thumb and he would have the Stockport lad watched again.
Danny Jenkins WSM’s scout had been used sparingly since joining the club in the summer but would between October and the spring he would be a busy man. One area of the team Mark was concerned about and keen to strengthen was right side of midfield. Owen Story was at present a definite starter but with several options failing to impress when he wasn’t available to play, doubts had been raised in his mind as to adequate cover. Story when on fire had no equal and one of his coveted players but equally he could be anonymous when things weren’t going his way. Mark recognised that the player signed for negligible money from Nuneaton would need protecting longer term to ensure that WSM continued to get the best from him but having a ‘star’ back up would increase the pressure on Story to perform at the highest level.
Of the players scouted from the previous season Lee Houghton had been his scout.
Mark read the comments attached to each one and he could envisage Houghton getting animated about the ones he really rated. Houghton had left close season to move onto Cardiff. With the club progressing and Houghton being linked to finds such as Benyon and Story it was no real surprise that Houghton became a flavour of the month. Mark had been extremely disappointed by the loss of someone he had worked so closely with especially as they had developed an almost uncanny knack of knowing each others thoughts.
Jenkins was still not on Mark’s wavelength but Mark remained confident that the young scout would soon get with the programme.....

As he mused his detailed list the phone rang. Without looking away from his notes he answered the phone and heard the club secretary announce Lee Houghton was on the phone. Talk of the devil and he shall appear.

‘Lee, your ears must be burning’
A tentative Houghton responded clearly unsure of the reception he was going to get...
‘Hi boss, how are things going, I see the table’s looking good and nice to see the hard work from last year coming good.’
The two casually chatted and the rapport from the season before although gone the friendship and respect clearly remained.
‘Boss’ continued Houghton, ‘I wanted to let you know that I’m going to be scouting WSM for the next few weeks. Me misses is delighted as I’ll be home every night, but you can’t have everything....’
Mark couldn’t have actually stopped Houghton even if he wanted to but appreciated the courtesy call even though it was pretty much unheard of across the game. Scouts were at lots of games over a season and most times club managers would know nothing until bids were received.
The courtesy was nice, if unusual but Mark was curious and guessed that behind Houghton’s call was perhaps a question of finding out player availability or perhaps giving Mark due warning that bids could duly follow.

‘Who are you looking at Lee?’

Mark expected to hear a couple of his recent acquisitions and the clubs best assets especially as Houghton had been involved in the scouting of many of the WSM squad. But the list of players reeled off by Houghton included names that were periphery to the first team. As Mark talked he clicked on the BBC website on his pc and searched for Cardiff’s league placing. They were bottom of the Championship and but for Sunderland having an equally bad season they would have been well adrift of safety. Sunderland were improving although a lowly 18th the highest placing they would achieve all season. At least they would end up being safe.
Cardiff were a different story however and doomed to relegation despite well over half of the season to play. An age old story of a club selling the silver and the replacements not being of a high enough quality and failing to make the same impact, but what did the club expect. Hamstrung with little or no money to spend Houghton’s appointment to their scouting team now made perfect sense.
Houghton was now tasked to unearth the bargains using his lower league / non league background. WSM were an obvious starting point especially as he had found or been involved in finding the current crop of players. Story, Evans, Sharps, Bates, Gibson and Olaoye tripped off the Cardiff scouts tongue. There was no mention of the players Mark had been expecting to hear. Perhaps this showed the severity of the problems at the ‘big’ Welsh club. He had expected to hear Benyon, Newbold, Walker, Kerr and McCann but was pretty much silenced by the lesser names. The five players even in a sellers market probably worth a three figure sum. Bates the only player to be close to anything like a big fee and even that would be around 50k. Houghton knew how much Mark coveted Story but with a value of 5k Mark knew that the club would accept an offer way in excess of that amount. Mark could demand high prices for players he didn't want to sell but a three figure sum would easily grab a player or two. Houghton was obviously trying to tell Mark that clubs were sniffing around his squad. The big name players at WSm would always be watched that went with the turf. The players that Mark considered critical and perhaps without value were now on clubs radar.

Once the phone call was over Mark dialed Jenkins and put him in the picture and set the hare running. A right sided midfielder might now be an urgent requirement. Next a phone call through to Plymouth and a cheeky request for tickets to watch Argyle take on ‘dirty’ Leeds.
Mark would take advantage of the local game to catch up with Ian Holloway, old friends Wise, Poyet and of course Ken Bates.....

Brandon M

Anyone fancy a samba?

Mark signed autographs for fans crowded around the players / directors entrance as he entered the Home Park ground. He was still surprised by the number of people keen to get his paw print and in no particular hurry was happy to sign as many as possible. He entered the foyer area and was welcomed by the Plymouth reception staff. With a couple of hours still to kick Ian Holloway had left a message for him on his arrival to pop down to his office. Mark was escorted around the warren of corridors before finding himself in the player’s tunnel leading to the pitch where the two Premier League managers were chatting amiably.

Ian Holloway saw Mark approaching and in his broad West Country burr announced his arrival loudly to Dennis Wise.
‘Look out Wisey, here comes that new manager on the block, the new chosen one, the one that’s after our jobs according to the papers...’
Wise turned and saw his old friend and politely welcomed Mark with a colloquial greeting, ‘Fat Boy, come to watch some proper football?’
Mark laughed and shook hands with both.

Mark joined in with their conversations about life in the Premier League and how their season was progressing. This time around both clubs were struggling. Leeds hadn’t yet returned to their former glories and were rubbing along with Plymouth at the wrong end of the table. Plymouth were bottom and suffering from the second season syndrome now that teams knew their style of play they had found wins hard to come by. The surprise element had gone. Talk turned to WSM and both conceded that from what they had seen, WSM were doing well and that maybe just maybe Mark knew what he was actually doing.....
Mark enjoyed their company and although both had preparations for the game they seemed happy to chat and not in a particular hurry to get away. The coming transfer window became the next big topic of debate and with both clubs scratching for loan deals and bargain buys names were mentioned that Mark recognised and even one or two that had even made it to his scouting list.

Wise broached the transfer subject ‘So Fat Boy you got a fiver to spend this January? Or are you saving it all for the Summer sales?’
Mark smiled sweetly before sticking out his tongue and replied ‘Small Boy, I have some pocket money and I am looking to find a right sided midfielder with pace to burn and a decent right foot for crossing. Have either of you got anyone on the books that I could charm away from you for less than a fiver? Or perhaps seen someone on your travels going cheap......’
Mark didn’t expect much of a response as the player he was chasing really was from the bargain basement and despite their troubles Plymouth and Leeds wouldn’t be looking that far down the chain. He was therefore surprised when both Premier League managers furnished him with names.

Holloway was the first with a definite name from his squad and that the player would be available for a small fee. ‘Cherno Samba’
Samba was a name Mark had heard of. He was the boy wonder that Liverpool baulked at playing £1.5 million for at 15 from Millwall who had then gone on a downward spiral before being offered a chance at Plymouth. He hadn’t taken his chance but Holloway was fairly confident that Samba was a player Mark should definitely consider. Samba was someone who could do a decent job on the right hand side.
Holloway waved two fingers at him and whilst Mark was ready to wave two back he understood this to mean 20k for the lad.
20k seemed a snip from his relative high price of 7 or 8 years previous.
Samba could be used as a midfielder or striker and therefore could be a useful asset to Mark’s squad and he would check the lad out.
‘Small boy’ couldn’t be left out of the conversation and chipped in with a player deemed as surplus to requirements at Leeds.
Wise had decided to move the player on during the summer but under contract and no interest had been shown apart from a short term loan deal to Nottingham Forest and old mate Nigel Clough. Clough had already extended the deal by a further three months but Kevin McBride would be available for a fee around the 150k mark but Wise reckoned he could potentially be worth over a million if someone could get the best out of him. The time had run out at Leeds despite obvious player potential and McBride hadn’t settled to life in the fast lane.
Wise was convinced that Mark could get more out of the player especially as WSM was no where near the profile of Leeds.
Wise grinned and more the London wide boy than ever said ‘I’ll do ya a swap for the youngster Benyon.....’. Wise was told where he could stick that idea. At Forest Kevin McBride was doing very well but Forest would be reluctant to spend that kind of money for him as they continued to struggle with financial problems as they continued to remain in the lower levels of the football league. Clough of course remained hopeful that Leeds would eventually release him and then he could sign the player on a bosman but wiley old Bates would not allow anyone to go for nothing....

It was time for the two managers to crack on with their pre match prep. Mark said his goodbyes and the three agreed to catch up post match.
Mark hadn’t seen Gus Poyet and Wise promised that he would drag him along for a quick drink after the 90 minutes.
Mark alone made his way back to the main foyer and was directed to the director’s area where he located a cheerful Ken Bates and joined him for the remainder of the evening. Leeds proved a difficult opposition and ran out 3:1 winners and whilst Holloway was gutted at the result he still met up with Mark and the Leeds management duo. Mark had watched with envy the array of talent on display and recognised that the gap between the Premier and the lower reaches of the league was incredible. The pace of the game somehow seemed even quicker than the lower league despite its frenetic nature but with a huge step up in individual talent on the ball. Leeds were ready for home just after 11pm and Mark took advantage of their departure to head for home himself. Two more potential scouting targets had been identified for Danny Jenkins to run the rule over. As he drove home he listened to the latest football results and smiled ruefully. H
e was relaxed and had enjoyed a cracking night but in reflective mood felt that no matter what he achieved in management he would always miss the closeness of the player grouping. His role at WSM would always leave him looking on from the sidelines..............

Brandon M

Mark’s time at the training ground had been sparse in the build up to the Rochdale home game which would be their last league game of the month. When he returned for the Thursday and Friday sessions he wished he had stayed well away. With the team progressing well he saw no reason to make changes unless his hand was forced by injury.

In just two mornings the ripple effect of injury would impact on Saturday’s team sheet.
Brains had been training with Baronowski along with the other keepers when he fell awkwardly and jarred his hand on the ground as he hit the deck. The swelling suggested a break that could only be confirmed by x ray. A broken hand that would rule Brains out for several weeks was soon identified at the hospital. Ryan Northmore WSM’s ever present keeper from the conference season would now start. Northmore who had warmed the bench since losing his place was delighted to reclaim the number one shirt but his joy was extremely short-lived. Just 24 four hours after the Brains injury Northmore tore a hamstring.
Northmore was involved in a training session with the starting eleven and somehow lost his footing when simply kicking the ball. He fell as if shot by a sniper and the scream echoed around the misty training ground. There was no way he could play even with heavy strapping in place just 24 hours later and therefore Mark now turned to youngster Mark Crossley.

Crossley had been one of the survivors of the reserve team clear out. Potentially he had all of the attributes to make the grade and this alone had seen him survive the summer cull. In the new look reserve side he had been a regular fixture in the side that had made significant progress year on year. They had actually won games which was a start and with a back up squad stiffened with a mixture of experienced and hungry players the young keeper had grown in confidence and had looked secure at the back. Mind you not conceding goals by the bucket load in every game was always going to have an impact.
Crossley couldn’t believe his luck and with the cards falling his way he was dealt the best hand he could ever of hoped for despite his concerns for his injured colleagues.....

2904 was still a decent crowd but Mark was still surprised that a sellout hadn’t been achieved especially after their recent run and the fact that Rochdale were also a top 6 club. Steve Parkin’s side was hard to beat either at home or on the rode and likely to be there or there abouts come May. Scoring goals remained their major concern but as a squad of players one of the best in the league. Half term holidays though had impacted the crowd and as WSM had pretty much closed down until the Turkey and Tinsel season commenced many locals had taken the chance of getting away.

Whether it be the opposition, team concerns about the untried Crossley or over simply confidence WSM struggled to get into the game despite home turf advantage. The Rochdale side were one of the few sides who actually nullified Kerr and McCann and their 5 man midfield pretty much locked up everything and excerpted greater control as the match progressed. Mark from as early as 10 minutes had made changes to the formation. Sam Bailey moved into midfield leaving three at the back. Bailey was their to even up the numbers in the midfield battle but despite the change the gaps at the back allowed Rochdale space to use and they cranked up the pressure further and began to assail the WSM goal. WSM looked unbalanced at the back and the tactic change tended to be used when WSM were searching to get something from a game. Wide open spaces appeared at the back and Rochdale looked to take advantage. Crossley though despite early panic and nerves obvious to all watching from the sidelines settled down and with Steve Evans on his way to the man of the match award vocally keeping Crossley alive the back line stood firm.

Finally after a spell of unending pressure from the blue shirts of Rochdale, WSM got themselves into the game and from 30 minutes the balance of power swung back towards the West Country side. As the whistle blew for half time the sides were now pretty much equal and the initial Rochdale superiority had disappeared. That said WSM had not managed one decent strike on the opposition goal and but for a couple of set play’s had barely ruffled the Rochdale keepers area.

Mark had much to think about and despite the success of Bailey in midfield had long decided to revert to 4-4-2 and allow Rochdale advantage in the centre of the park. Changes would be made to tactics as he would ask Kerr and McCann to both drop deeper than normal and hope that this would give them time to sling the right ball into the channels for either the strikers or wide men to chase. Put simply the formation would alien to his WSM side but Kerr and McCann would be asked to both play a holding role and curtail their attacking thoughts. Chances would be few and far between but now was the time for the front pair to weave their magic.
The second half changes wrong footed Rochdale and it gave them plenty to think about. WSM had now started to use their front line pace and launch direct balls from much deeper. Despite both space and numbers to their disadvantage WSM began to pepper the Rochdale goal. Benyon guilty alone for blasting two decent chances straight at the keeper when the goal looked wide open but at least WSM were creating something in front of goal.

The game now resembled something akin to American Football. Kerr and McCann playing as quarterbacks dropping back into the shotgun coverage until they could see the wide open receiver and then launching a ball 30 plus yards into space. Walker and Story were pushing forward as Mark tried to increase the pressure on the Rochdale defence. WSM finally dominated possession and with the crowd noise rising as the home fans saw WSM take control finally the scoreline changed on 57 minutes.
Rochdale pushing forward fell into the trap that had been set for them. McCann playing a role that clearly frustrated his all round marauding style picked up a Crossley throw and hit a peach of a pass 45 yards asking Newbold to get on the end of the ball delivered. Newbold was equally matched with his marker and just as he looked to be marginally winning the chase he was unceremoniously nudged out of the way and dramatically hit the deck. The referee gave the free kick but despite the marker being clearly the last man the ref would not listen to WSM requests for a red card.
Newbold and Walker each picked up a yellow card for their unsporting demands.

Walker or McCann? Who would take the kick the question of debate amongst the home crowd and one that was quickly answered? No dummy, no special tricks, Walker just stepped up and cannoned the ball towards goal but failed to clear the jumping wall. The ball smacked a defence full on the face and felled the defender who would remember very little about it. The ricochet bounced kindly for WSM. The Rochdale defence had lined up to face the free kick and fully expecting a shot had failed to man mark all of the men in white. Kerr unmarked and 30 yards from goal volleyed the ball, catching it perfectly. The Rochdale keeper with a clear view, saw it early and simply had to either catch the ball or push it over the bar. He did neither and somehow the ball found its way through him. Kerr didn’t care that his goal had come about following a clear error and celebrated the goal wheeling his arm in a big circle as he was chased up the pitch by his colleagues.
Mick Channon would have been impressed with his celebration.....

The goal riled Rochdale. Parkin’s rang the changes and the formation and Rochdale searched for an equalizer. Crossley now came to the fore and saved everything thrown at him. Evans and McKeown were nothing short of magnificent but in fairness the WSM eleven all did their part. Mark reluctant to change too much threw on Bates and Olaoye for the last 10 minutes to offer fresh legs up front and Buchanan on for Story wide right. With the clock counting down to the final whistle the game entered injury time and Rochdale finally clawed level. Rochdale had nothing to lose and from the final kick of the match scored. Parkin even sent the keeper up for the corner. Crossley had pushed another shot just past the post and conceded a last chance corner. Could WSM hang on as Rochdale threw the dice for the last time?
A groan from the home crowd erupted as soon as the ball hit the net. The corner found a Rochdale head and for once Crossley had been beaten and he didn’t deserve to be after a performance that belied his experience. His only mistake, coming enthusiastically for the ball and not making had left an unguarded net.
Mark couldn’t grumble at the score line. WSM hadn’t been good enough for the three points and yet hadn’t deserved to get beaten. It had been a tactical match that in the end had ended all square.

WSM, Torquay and Rochdale now remained in 4,5 and 6th places in the league as the season now entered November and closed on the half way point.

Rochdale – home
1:1

Brandon M

October had flown bye especially with the number of games played in 31 days but one still remained and it gave Mark much food for thought.
In terms of priority order it was lower than painting the fence or mowing the grass at his Exeter home compared to everyday bread and butter of the league. He therefore had all but made up his mind to field a predominantly reserve side against Brighton in the Johnson’s paint Trophy 2nd round game. He would have no choice in fielding keeper Mark Crossley as he was now the only recognised fit keeper at the club but for the ‘schoolboy’ keeping for the under 18’s.
Brighton would take advantage of any weakness and throwing an inexperienced youngster into the lions den not fair on the young player.

Mark was comfortable with his decision in truth made weeks before until Chairman and owner Paul Bliss popped into his office early on the Monday morning.

‘Hi Sparky, just wanted to let you know that ticket sales are going well for Wednesday night and it looks already as if we will be well over 2500 for a crowd which is fantastic for a cup game. Who knows if the weathers good we may be close to sell out?’

Paul Bliss more than ever was delighted with club progress and had the look of a small child in awe after a visit from Father Christmas.
You couldn’t blame him as everything Bliss touched seemed to turn to gold. Purchasing a non league club at a nominal cost, seeing the investment grow dramatically, appoint an unknown managerial quantity and see the move work, finances at the club leaping above all forecasting models and improvements on the pitch being matched by dramatic changes off of it. Bliss had managed to reduce his hands on approach to the club and shift responsibility elsewhere which in turn allowed him to become strategic and looking at the bigger picture. His latest wheeze to link a price reduction for the Brighton cup game to season ticket holders and fans paying at the gate for the previous home game in addition to the kid for a quid night if they dressed in a Halloween costume.
Spooky stuff but the golden touch was working........................

Back to back promotions were stuff of the wildest dreams and now the doubts of an instant return to the non league football already looking to be disappearing faster than Mark’s Porsche on the motorway the growing belief that WSM could go further and challenge the promotion pack in division two very much coming alive. A long way to go but the halfway mark in the season was nearly upon the club and they were in the play off chasing pack.

With a game close to sellout he could no longer short change the WSM fans and recognised that he would have to pick a side capable of winning. Fortunately he hadn’t informed the players of his initial team selection and as he trudged across the windswept and very damp training ground the team sheet in his pocket was a carbon copy of the previous game.
Supporters would expect a show and WSM would now have to deliver the ‘ghouls’ to win the game.

Brandon M

WSM keeper makes a Crossley mistake!

Brighton after being highly fancied as a promotion destined side had slumped. Despite a squad envied by many Dean Wilkins had struggled to get his side to perform consistently. When they were good they were probably the best team in the league. But those good days were few and far between as November fast approached. Wilkins side appropriate for the time of year were very much a Jekyll and Hyde team and when things were going badly stuff of the worst nightmare. Wilkins was beginning to feel the heat from the fans as the performances stuttered and questions about his longevity at the club were being asked.
Things had been markedly different just weeks before when Brighton had last played WSM. The game played at Woodspring Park had been at that time when Brighton had been coming to the boil nicely and were handily placed in the league. In contrast WSM were in the midst of a losing run that seemed never ending but a decent performance from WSM had done enough to nick a point. However as the game closed WSM had dominated and in hindsight should have taken all three points.

For Brighton the cup game was a well timed diversion from the hassles of the league.
Mark looked around the ground prior to the whistle being blown. The ground was short of being full but 2700 fans had turned up for the game. Bliss’s activity to drum up crowds had worked a treat now it was time for WSM to trick Brighton and move into the third round. Mark strangely prior to a game lacked the usual nervous anxiety of match jitters and almost serenely observed the action from the bench.
Ten minutes had been played before the serenity rapidly cleared and Mark returned to type and began growling up and down the touchline area. Despite selecting the best side available WSM were two goals down and staring longingly at defeat.

The goals had all been self inflicted and WSM keeper Mark Crossley to blame for both. After coming through the previous game with much praise heaped his way especially for an assured second half performance, Crossley undid all of his good work with two errors and gifted Brighton a dream start. On two minutes a Brighton attack had been stubbed out with relative ease and Sam Bailey at right back knocked a ball to Crossley to give the keeper a first touch. Crossley stepped up the ball, controlled it and looked to get something moving in front of him and under no pressure spooned his kick out straight to a Brighton forward who simply lobbed the WSM keeper from 30 plus yards and despite Crossley’s best efforts to get the ball both slid into the net almost in unison.
Brighton who had done nothing in the opening minutes celebrated as if they had won the cup final.
Mark sent the physio round to the goal area to pass some calming words to the distraught Crossley.

Brighton still struggling for cohesion sat back on their lead and demanded WSM break them down. Mark still relatively calm now expected his WSM side to take advantage of the invitation granted and the space given to them and look to get into the game. What happened 3 minutes later changed the mood completely and again lax play the cause of WSM’s downfall.
Brighton hit a direct ball into the channel and Gillan wary of a Brighton player close by chose to knock the ball out for a throw in. He could have passed to Crossley but after the incident just minutes before decided to take the pressure off of the WSM keeper. Brighton were now within reach of the WSM area and a long throw into the box should have been meat and drink to Evans and McKeown but Crossley looking to make amends for his early mistake came to get the ball and instead of catching it punched it. 9 times out of ten the punch would have gone to safety. Tonight it flew straight into the net and Brighton almost astonished at receiving a second gift celebrated their second goal with much embarrassment. The few traveling fans sang with joy ‘Easy, Easy, Easy’ and with Brighton yet to really mount a serious attack on the WSM goal and yet be two goals in front there was no wonder the chant echoed around the quiet ground. WSM fans including youngsters who had probably never been to a match before were almost silent at the unfolding nightmare.

Close to Halloween and WSM had been kicked in the ghoulies not once but twice......
Mark’s voice cut through the night as he began to challenge the players to get something from the game and his best efforts kick started WSM into life. There remained over 80 minutes of football to play and Mark demanded that WSM put things right.....
Finally as a unit WSM took control and Brighton still playing the football that had seen them stutter in the league were confidently pushed back as Kerr and McCann in particular put their foot in, got hold of the game by the scruff of it’s neck and started to carve holes into the Brighton side. Walker and Story willing workers wide left and right created the space for Benyon and Newbold to hunt for the ball and like menacing sharks hunting off the Cornish coastline the two harried the defensive back line and created regular panic.
Brighton were now left for the remainder of the half playing counter attacking football but despite chances falling their way on regular intervals for both sides as the sides walked off the pitch at half time the score line remained the same. Mark hadn’t heard boos at Woodspring Park on many occasions but if he had been a fan he would have joined in.

Guy Fawkes came early to WSM. A rocket went up from the minute the changing room door closed.
Crossley was shot and Mark recognised that he needed protection and sent Ian Atkins and Crossley back to the pitch for a half time work out. The plan was to take Crossley’s mind off of the game and the two mistakes made. For the rest of the WSM team a hair dryer blasted full on as Mark questioned their desire to get something back for the paying public.
Second half and finally a break through and something for the home fans to celebrate as early as the 47 minute mark. Kerr and Walker combined just inside the WSM half and released a ball in behind the Brighton centre half pairing and looking to release Newbold. Newbold was unmarked and after making his run ended up 3 yards clear after the initial delightful triangle had been played and just onside. His pace would see him burst in the box and lash a shot into the bottom left hand corner. His early shot caught the Brighton keeper out and the goal gave the home support heart. The noise levels cranked up from off to full on!
40 odd minutes remained to get another goal. Brighton were not to be denied and despite Benyon, Walker and Newbold all having further chances the game stood at 1:2 as full time fast approached.
Mark threw on three attacking options on 72 minutes and went for a final onslaught but with WSM desperately searching for an equalizer in the dying minutes Brighton broke clear.
Bailey tried to get a tackle in but mistimed his last lunge allowing the Brighton man through one on one with Crossley.
Crossley was dragged across the box as the strikers run tried to get past him and with the goal now gaping wide a shot headed towards the net. Crossley stuck out a leg connected with the ball and denied the chance. To be fair to the WSM supporters despite the scoreline they cheered the save as if it had been of some meaning. Crossley would hopefully remember the cheers not the fears of the night.
WSM were out of the cup and it had all been their fault caused by two Crossley mistakes. Three ghouls on the night and all scored by WSM....

Brighton – home Johnsons Paint Trophy / 2nd Round
1:2

Brandon M

Some you win some you lose and some despite a 1:0 score line you get absolutely thrashed.....

The Weston Mercury headline read ‘WSM away day blues’ which was a nice way of putting the facts.
WSM had been played off the park by a decent side and deserving nothing from the game, actually got nothing from the game.
Mark was actually fairly good humoured post match as he recognised that Northampton should have thumped a cricket score past WSM and coming away with a 1 goal defeat meant his side wouldn’t suffer a significant wobble in confidence. Coming away with 6 or 7 goals conceded would have really hurt and perhaps thrown WSM off track. Therefore despite doom and gloom from the local press he remained very positive.

WSM still remained in 4th place. Despite the loss no one had made a major move up the table and with WSM now close to the ½ way point of the season and close enough to an automatic promotion spot and certainly another promotion run via the play offs life was looking good for the South West side. Agreed there was a long way to go but Mark had now seen and played most of the sides in the league and whilst WSM had been weighed and measured as of early November they not really been found wanting. WSM were not going to win every game and would likely pick up a couple of thrashings before the season was over but Mark’s side now had the tenacity to recover from such set backs. Midfielders McCann, Kerr and Walker would not allow their team to roll over. The character of the side was dramatically different to previous season’s makeup and one that would drive on until the last minute of the very last game.
It was a team that was closing on Mark’s very own character.
Importantly WSM were able to beat the sides around them not just the sides from the wrong end of the table as from the Conference league season twelve months before. As of November the 1st WSM had picked up 9 wins and three draws from their league games amassing 30 points along the way. 50 something points would see WSM safe and that first challenge looked well within their grasp. Much therefore to be positive about and the theme of Mark’s comments to the press during the post match interviews.

Only one drama for Mark to really be concerned by and that surrounded injuries to key players.
Crossley was still the only fit keeper although both Brains and Northmore were closing on a return to training.
Crossley would be required to keep goal for at least another couple of games. Fortunately next up was the first round of the FA Cup and a fixture against Farnborough and hopefully Crossley’s confidence would be further restored following his Brighton mess.
The two weeks would give the back room boys time to get the team fit as he would definitely play his reserve players in the cup match regardless of player availability. Crossley to be fair had recovered well from his Brighton shambles and back to his old self. Against Northampton he had done more than play his part and with McKeown and Evans in front of him they kept him bright and alert. Owen Story had now picked up a knock and prognosis wasn’t good. Dave Buchanan had been introduced on the right side of midfield from the 20th minute during the Northampton game. Out of position and not fit enough he had struggled but when he had the ball at his feet understood the role he had to play. Mark had seen enough to select him in that position against Farnborough.
Buchanan wouldn’t like being played out of position but was wise enough to see a chance to play and maybe force the WSM boss to keep him in the side.

Northampton had a striker of real class in the midst. Andy Kirk was a player of significant talent and a full international with Northern Ireland and a player that WSM had been warned about. He was a real handful and from the first whistle put himself about. Evans was assigned to mark the Northampton player but frequently needed to be bailed out by McKeown. WSM were ineffectual for the majority of the first half and but for the odd free kick or set play had barely set foot in opposition territory. Story pulled up after trying to dribble his way out of the WSM half and was quickly replaced by Buchanan. With traffic one way Mark even dragged off Elliot Benyon on 32 minutes.
He had seen enough and wanted to change the play by moving to 5 across midfield. Michael Charles was on and directed to play an attacking role from the centre of midfield.

Surprisingly despite Northampton having 70% procession and creating chance after chance the scoreline remained level after 45 minutes.
Newbold was a passenger in the game and Mark played his last card. Guy Bates asked to add some spice upfront and perhaps offer something different to the WSM side. Despite another change to tactics with Charles moving further forward as WSM moved to 4-4-1-1 the flow of the tide remained unchanged. WSM were running in treacle and going nowhere.

WSM defending if anything was becoming more and more desperate and but for a flag happy linesman should have been one down from 50 minutes.
Kirk was on fire and WSM pretty much had two men on him for most of the second half despite the space it created for other Northampton players. Despite the close marking Kirk finally scored. 67 minutes and after evading Evans’s desperate tackle he bamboozled McKeown and then with Evans trying to have another go at getting the ball calmly slotted past Crossley. A clinical and calculated strike from a master craftsman at work. At the final whistle Kirk should have had at least a hatrick but missed two goal opportunities from the penalty spot.
Two penalties were awarded the first for handball on 78 minutes and the second on 91 minutes for a nasty tackle on a Northampton midfielder. Mark laughed at the first decision as it was a joke. Sam Bailey literally got in the way of the ball from 5 yards. But fortunately Kirk stepped up and smacked the ball 3 feet over the bar. WSM hadn’t even recorded one strike on goal as the game came to a close. With the game over bar the shouting and well past 90 minutes the second penalty was awarded.
Evans frustrated with his day’s work was determined to get the ball and clear the lines. He did but not after taking the legs away from the Northampton ball carrier. The foul just inside the box left the Northampton man in a heap and stretchered off. The crowd silenced as Kirk stepped up to the ball. A shot placed in the bottom right hand corner saw Crossley going the right way and able to get a hand onto the ball and push it wide. The WSM team jumped on Crossley in celebration. It had been a good save but still meant nothing in terms of the end result. At least it was a confidence booster for the young keeper.

Mark would also have a detailed look at Kirk. He looked a real talent but probably came with a hefty price tag.

Northampton – away
0:1

Brandon M

Paul Bliss and Frank Gregan sat opposite Mark in the boardroom as the WSM boss began a review of the November programme.
For once the meeting was a brisk and fairly non confrontational affair. Gregan was too busy looking to improve the club profile elsewhere and having little to do with the day to football. Youth development and work being done to attract young players to the club pretty much the only time the two even came close to talking. They did the talking that was necessary but life at WSM for all involved was bouncing along nicely and no one wanted to be responsible for rocking the boat.

In terms of November WSM had already completed one fixture and suffered a loss at the hands of Northampton.
November lacked the number of games compared to the previous months and the fixtures could be even quieter depending on the clubs FA Cup performance in the first round.
WSM had only ever made progress to the second round once before in 2003/4 and the likelihood that the club would and should beat Farnborough, they were clear favourites and that meant that WSM could expect to make it to this sacred ground once more. Gregan shook his head but said nothing when Mark indicated the reserve team would play against Farnborough.
Mark out of the corner of his eye saw the head movement but simply quelled it by saying ‘we have a squad and I will use it to its full...’
The line up for November would see WSM almost reach the half way point of the season still coming up against teams that they had yet had to face, Wycombe away and Port Vale at home.
Three league games one already played and potentially two cup games. (Or one cup game and a week’s holiday for the WSM boss if things went pear shape at Farnborough...)

Mark’s mystic meg view on November was for WSM to pick up two league wins, making life harder for himself especially as they had lost to Northampton, and of course to progress into the second round of the FA Cup. Wycombe and Port Vale were both beatable but would offer WSM a stiff challenge but WSM would need to get something from the two games to ensure they remained close enough to the play off group.
No voices of discontent raised at the club fortune predictor so the next topic up for discussion transfer monies and player targets....

Gregan cleared his throat and started to talk numbers ‘through astute fiscal control we will be able to release a limited sum of money for the January transfer window and depending on the clubs league position a sliding scale of money will be released as appropriate for performance.’
Mark just started blankly at Gregan ‘so money is available in January, more in the summer depending on end position. How much Frank?’
A silence as Frank Gregan rustled his papers and located the figures. ‘200k will be made available in January and a maximum of 400k for promotion but finishing in the bottom half of the league will limit you to 100k in the summer.’
Mark considered the figures and on the face of it recognised that the budget sounded fairly hefty compared to previous transfer budgets.
But one thing puzzled him and that was the sale of Madjo and the funds generated.
‘If Madjo signs for Sunderland permanently then that money is in addition?’
Gregan nearly fainted at that thought ‘we have taken those figures into account as the deal has been agreed for Jan 1st’
Mark stood up and helped himself to a glass of water, drank some and then said ‘astute fiscal control means that a player gets sold and I get to keep the money generated plus 100k....’
Gregan blustered and faffed about but finally had to agree with Mark’s précis of the scenario. Mark didn’t see the point to add comment to the discussion.
Paul Bliss was trying hard not to laugh. Gregan was a help to the WSM chairman that much was obvious especially due to Gregan’s local knowledge and contacts. For Mark though Gregan always seemed to over complicate things. Why use seven words when one will do.....

Regardless of where the money came from a budget ranging between 300-600k was potentially a tidy sum and as they concluded discussions it was confirmed by Paul Bliss that any other player sales would go straight into the transfer pot. A top half finish would offer 300k to the WSM manager. 300k might just allow him some maneuverability in the market place anything above that ‘happy days’.
Some of the names on his scouting list would be way out of reach to him but others definite targets.
Despite money being available in January Mark couldn’t really see himself moving into the transfer market at that point. Long term injuries to key players may yet change his mind but he was delighted with the overall squad and as of the first week of November he was happy to save the money until the summer. Right side midfield would remain an issue but Buchanan had offered him an option he hadn’t previously considered.
Arjen Robben he certainly wasn’t but with a sweet left foot and a range of passes that mirrored Scott Walker, Buchanan could do more than just keep the right side of midfield warm for Owen Story’s return.
300k was a lot when you were looking to add to the side rather than make wholesale changes....

Mark stood up collected all of his stuff together believing the meeting was over but Bliss indicated to mark to sit down and asked Gregan to turn the lights out.
Bliss’s laptop beamed a presentation onto the large projector screen.
The presentation highlighted WSM’s recent history, ground changes and the potential for the club.
Bliss spoke over the presentation. ‘We have achieved my initial goal of reaching the Football league as that was my ambition for the town and all of this was achieved ahead of my timescale.
Stability is the key but it is clear that we have outgrown the current Woodspring Park and whilst we have the backing of the supporters locally we need to grow to further this club. We must therefore be brave, believe in what we are creating here and look firmly to the future. We need to think longer term and therefore I want to divulge my ambitious plan with you both.
Woodspring Park will expand if we are promoted to a capacity of close to 9000. If we are not promoted, Bliss paused to add to the moment then we will expand the ground to close to 9000.’
As the PowerPoint screen changed a fantastic view of the Woodspring Park emerged. New stands appeared at each mouse click until the ground was surrounded on four sides. Mark sat with his mouth open at the sight before him. Incredible and even though the ex Chelsea player had seen many grounds improved and new stands built over his playing career this time it was personal.
‘Fantastic Paul, absolutely fantastic’ was all he needed to say.
There would be huge hurdles along the crowd development route not least with local planners but Paul Bliss had the foresight to build the future.

The future is bright and the future is all white...

Brandon M

Mark had barely seen or spoken to his agent Carolyn Smith for several weeks. They still talked almost daily but with their workloads it was like two ships passing in the night. They had met up earlier in the season and spent time together but Carolyn had found now herself bogged down in her entertainment side of her client’s work. Three of them being involved in the latest I’m a celebrity get me out of here in Australia she had flown down under to manage their pr. Carolyn’s business was booming and with the coup of snaring one of America’s music industry legends and them being signed up to the reality TV show her world had gone mad.
Mark had heard of the artist but in truth the droning on of P Did or PD or Puff D or whatever he was now calling himself bypassed him completely. But he was a star and a demanding one that meant stellar paydays for Carolyn and her growing business.
His music regularly played in the training ground changing area but to Mark all of his songs sounded the same and he was getting old... and and it was never going to match his music favourite Rick Springfield.

He had just emerged from the board room when Paul Bliss’s secretary told him that Carolyn was on the line from Australia.
‘Hi Carolyn, how’s the weather in Oz today?
‘Hot and I’m bothered and missing you...fancy a trip to see me?’ came her sexy voice in reply
Mark laughed at the invite ‘Carolyn if things go wrong and we lose to Farnborough on Saturday then I’ll be out at the weekend...’
After the conversation wound through its normal route and they caught up with latest events Carolyn’s long distance call turned to a question.

‘Mark, I’ve had two or three phone calls from middlemen asking about your availability. I can’t meet up with them at the moment and I wanted to know your thoughts before trying to organise things from over here and as you know I won’t fly back for ‘just’ anyone sweetie. Sunderland are definitely back on the scene, you know my thoughts about them and the position there but Niall Quinn obviously thinks a lot of you and is trying to build bridges and repair the damage from the summer. Peter Taylor is not working out despite a recent improvement in results but they will not pull the trigger until they know the right man has agreed to come on board. I am hearing silence down the line so I will take that as a no...’ Carolyn shouted to someone to get her a glass of water before moving onto the second option supposedly becoming available, ‘Mark I can’t quite get to the bottom of this one but I’ve done some digging and one of those European super agents Peter Swarovski is behind the request. He is working for several clubs across Europe and is the new flavour of the month with the major money men and it points to possibilities at potentially Tottenham, Watford and Middlesborough. The last two I think make more sense as they have just fallen into the hands of foreign owners and have loads of money to flash about. So I guess Peter’s involvement all adds up especially as Middlesborough have a transfer budget of £35 million according to the rumours I have picked up since getting the initial contact. So I guess my question is do you want me to listen, find out more and make it ‘crystal’ clear or simply ring someone’s bell and move on from there?’

Mark stroked his stubbly chin and thought. There was some pause before Carolyn’s voice came back down the line. ‘You there........’
‘I’m here Carolyn and actually struggling what to say in response. Sunderland is a definite no. I like Niall Quinn and have a lot of time for what he is doing in the North East but I’m uncomfortable with the set up there especially after our previous dealings. I agree with you on that score and let’s close that door once and for all; I’ll leave the words to you.
Explore the options I guess is my initial thought but don’t fly home unless you think it completely necessary.
London would be great but let’s be honest Middlesborough and having £35 million to spend would be incredible..............’

20 minutes later and Mark put the phone down. After learning of his future transfer kitty at WSM and then shortly afterwards hearing that someone might well have £35 million to spend his mind was racing. Whoever landed the Teesside job would be a lucky man.... and be like a kid in a sweetshop not knowing what to buy first. Mark drove to the training ground for the afternoon session and as he drove mentally spent £35 million quid. Craig Gordon, Jermaine Defoe, Morten Gamst Pederson, Carlton Cole or perhaps Nathan Ellington would blow a huge hole in £35 million quid but good money well spent. Monopoly money really and all soon forgotten when Mark joined in the 5 aside session on a dry and sunny Autumnal afternoon. For a Monday there was a lot to take in but the everyday enjoyment of kicking a ball around soon cleared Mark’s mind of money, transfer targets and new stands at Woodspring Park.

Brandon M

I used to be a wolf but I’m alright nowwwwwwwwwwww!

Hours before kick off in the FA Cup first round game against conference south side Farnborough, Mark discovered that Carolyn’s information was slightly off track with the thought that Watford were interested in him. Watford actually turned out to be a Wolverhampton Wanderers who themselves were falling like a stone in the Championship division and heading for the relegation zone.

Mick McCarthy had paid the price of a demanding owner expecting to see his club winning every game they played. Cardiff, Wolverhampton and Sunderland were all fighting for their lives at the wrong end of the table. Big clubs with big reputations all falling perilously close to the trap door of division one football.
Clubs like Nott’s Forest had never come to terms with relegation to division one and still years after the event found themselves struggling in amongst the lesser names of the Football League and seemingly unable to get out of the mire. It was no wonder Wolves had called time on McCarthy.

According to the Saturday morning papers the choice of new manager was a relatively easy one for the new money men at Wolves. Wolves were another club that had fallen into the hands of foreign investors. It was a growing trend amongst the big name clubs that seemed if anything to be happening at a rapidly increasing pace.
It was a straight fight between the inexperienced but growing reputation of Mark versus the much more experienced and available Bryan Robson. Whether any of that was actually close to being true was a mute point but Robson and Mark’s name appeared on every back page of the tabloids.
It made the coach trip to Farnborough an interesting one and the banter aimed in his direction from the players was more humorous than normal as they tried to get anything associated to a wolf into the conversation. If there were any pre match tensions they quickly disappeared on the journey.

Carolyn never heard back from her contact and the jobless Robson swooped into post promising a return to the good times and a message that Wolves would soon be back in their rightful place.
Time would tell if Robson delivered on his promises but Mark, someone who found Robson as annoying as a wasp at a barbeque, November the 5th, Bonfire Night was the day of Robson’s official appointment which would either herald a damp squib or provide a rocket to launch Wolves Championship survival plan. In theory Wolves could with a decent run even get back into the promotion race as could any of the sides fighting at the bottom of the league. Robson had arrived at a club with money to spend and surely this time he couldn’t fail. Mark as he heard news of the appointment thought that Wolves deserved better but then he and Robson would never see eye to eye.....

Robson’s arrival failed to spark Wolverhampton into the self-proclaimed ‘glorious’ drive up the table and after an initial honeymoon period with Wolves winning three games in succession and looking as if they had the ability to get out of trouble the club went into a spectacular freefall that they never recovered from and ended the season relegated to division 1. Robson covered himself in tefal ensuring that the blame for relegation never stuck to him and that he would start as manager of the club in the following season and spend major money in the summer.

Brandon M

Farnborough Town two seasons earlier had been a side Mark had genuinely considered as a promotion winning team. They had a magnificent run that pushed them close to the play offs but ultimately a couple of points short. However but for the impact of a 10 point reduction for entering administration they would have been amongst the end of season mix and who knows could have been joining WSM in the Conference.
Farnborough were certainly better equipped to survive in the higher league than Eastbourne who went up via the play offs.
WSM player Michael Charles had recently signed from them and had been despite his tender age the man behind their drive for success.
His prolific goal scoring and ability to pass the ball effortlessly had soon brought him to most scouts attention but Lee Houghton had run the rule over the player early and Mark snapped the player up whilst the other interested teams considered their options. Charles’ was like Lee Sawyer a long term investment and a player for the future but in the FA Cup 1st round he would be given his chance to show the Farnborough Town just what a talent he was.

With a crowd of just over 400 Mark’s voice boomed across the lush turf. He was at his most vocal for some time offering advice, observations and perhaps despite a much changed side determined that they would play well. The WSM side Crossley, Wilce, Stewart, Sharps, Somner across the back, Buchanan, Kirk, Charles, Gibson, in the midfield and upfront Bates and Olaoye had enough about it to win but with a side made up of reserves perhaps one that Farnborough Town considered beatable. Despite a bright start from the home side any remote chance of a win was snuffed out by half time although for Mark his side hadn’t done enough and he would continue to harangue his side for the majority of the game.

The scoring opened as soon as the 10th minute. Farnborough had taken advantage of unfamiliarity at the back but despite a couple of half chances emerged from a decent period of play without claiming a goal they probably on balance deserved. Kirk industrious in midfield soon began to pull the WSM strings and with Charles looking to mark his return home with a decent performance the two began to emerge from the WSM mediocrity on display and deliver the goods required. Bates now that the ball was moving to the right end of the pitch smelled goals as any natural predator would and busied himself around anxious defenders. The first WSM goal came from a Kirk pass delivered diagonally towards the right hand touchline and just kept in by Bates. Bates shimmied past the closest defender and edged closer to the 18 yard line and as he looked for support a lunge from behind knocked him off his feet. Perhaps without the normal finesse at a free kick Kirk selected to take the kick himself and readied himself for a no nonsense blast at goal. He struck the ball well avoided the wall and as the ball looked to be heading into the net the Farnborough keeper pushed the ball on to the stanchion after making a great save. Charles had taken the gamble and followed the flight of the ball and was rewarded by a lucky bounce. There were claims that Charles had been offside but the referee was having none of it. Charles himself couldn’t miss and remembering his home ties to Farnborough barely celebrated the opener.

With league side WSM now controlling the game everyone including Mark himself expected a goal bonanza.
Chances were being created in front of the Farnborough goal but sterling rearguard action somehow kept them out. WSM became more and more desperate to score perhaps summed up by the wasteful Olaoye who seemed to spurn four or five sitters. Finally the second goal arrived on 42 minutes breaking the Farnborough Town support hearts and dreams of a cup upset evaporated.
A neat triangle of play allowed space to be created and Charles lobbed into space behind the last man a ball for Bates to chase. Bates with the ball at his feet took advantage of unwary defenders, stole the ball and still with a lot of work to do curled a shot into the top right hand corner from 25 yards. The net buldged and a handful of traveling support greeted an excellent goal. The goal arrived to late to influence the half time team talk that wasn’t far short of an ear bashing.

Not quick enough not determined enough, where is the passion lads.....
If the reserves wanted to make a claim for the first team they had 45 minutes left to do so.
With the recent team talk still resonating in ear drums saw a WSM team broach the second half in a whirlwind of activity. The tempo lifted significantly causing Farnborough to defend deeper and deeper which only allowed WSM to excerpt even greater territorial advantage. WSM cracked in a third on 47 minutes when Buchanan lifted a cross deep in the box after excellent work wide out on the left and Bates out jumped the closest marker and smacked his header through the arms of the keeper. The power of the header gave the keeper no chance.
With Farnborough Town making changes to both player and formation WSM scored a quick fourth goal.
Crossley in goal claimed an assist as his long ball started the move behind the goal. A long hoof from the back found the head of Olaoye who glanced the ball towards Buchanan. Buchanan after collecting the knock down went on a mesmerizing run which left the defender on his backside and finally he drove a shot under the dive of the advancing keeper. A lovely goal to open his goal scoring account with WSM.
52 minutes had been played, WSM were four up and despite the fairly decent weather Farnborough supporters now expected an avalanche.
Despite complete control over the game for WSM that was the lot.
By the end of the game Mark had already withdrawn the three players he felt had credited themselves well from the overall performance.
The remainder would here is voice for all of the 90.
Bates, Buchanan and Stewart received the crowd’s applause when withdrawn and replaced by Farrell, Rhodes and McMenamin and those three pressed their claims for a first team start.

In the end the win was classed as comfortable and an efficient display by a reserve WSM side.
The performance wasn’t good enough despite the 4:0 scoreline and the dressing room despite victory heard harsh words from their demanding boss. Olaoye in particular would be quick to knock on Mark’s door to understand where he would go from here....
WSM were through to the 2nd round of the FA Cup and would face Bournemouth away.
Farnborough Town – FA Cup 1st Round away
4:0