Rusty Chain

I feel sorry for any person who has to put up with Keiron Durkan.

retired_aurie

That's why he got sold in the first season. He was just too much of an inconsistent smegpot and wasted ball possession too often.

retired_jessicabraden

Looks like you need a drink to stop the off the pitch worry axeman. I'm sure Tonya will stagger home soon.

retired_aurie

Thanks Leo, I've been yelling myself hoarse over recent performances and I have the feeling that if I don't get some operatic vocal training, I'll be muted for life

retired_aurie

November 2006
Cefn Druids v. Connah's Quay Nomads Welsh Premier League
I don't know where to start. What a bunch of underachieving losers. We take the lead after some really nice work between Tom and Troy. The Nomads equalised in the 27th minute after some seriously poor defensive display and then Tom gives away a stupid penalty and costs us the game. For the rest of the game, we pounded their goalkeeper and almost made him man of the match. This means extended training and I'll be calling everybody in for extra training. This is totally unacceptable.
Final Score: 1-2
Goal: Troy Hayder (23)
Current League Position: 5th

It was only after 4 hours of me lecturing the team that I let them out after this game. Such horrible performance can't be justified by any means and the players weren't left in any doubt about that. I've officially declared an interest in a player for the midfield. I can't accept the poor performances by some of the players there and especially not the diabolical decisions they keep on making on the pitch.

No word has come back about the search for Tonya. It looks as if she's vanished into thin air, because the police haven't gotten any leads yet. This is not doing my mental health any good and I'm punishing my players for my poor mental state.

The injury jinx is hard at work now. Mark Hobson has gotten himself injured in training and so has Louis Mackin. A good thing I have players to take over from them, but this is highly annoying.

For the next game, I dropped Aaron Broaders and Aneurin Evans, due to their abysmal performances lately. I only hope this serves as a warning to the rest of the team, as I won't tolerate any below par performances from now on. I hope their replacements won't die of fright, because I'm not in the mood for any such problems now.

TNS v. Cefn Druids Welsh Cup
What a disgrace. A total annihilation in a game where we should have at least given them a run for their money. I told them how bloody useless they were and then went out and slammed the door. They're in for some serious overhaul in training for the next few days.
Final Score: 4-1
Goal: Troy Hayder (25)

I worked the lads really hard in training between the cup games, because I was fed up with the horrible attitude and lacklustre performances that were displayed in the last few games. Some day it will make a change, I only hope it won't be too late.

Newport County v. Cefn Druids FAW Premier Cup 2nd Round
What a change in performance. For the first part of the game, Newport were up for the game and caused us all sorts of problems. It wasn't until the 39th minute that we broke the ice through Troy Hayder. He then went on to add two more goals to wrap up his hattrick and then Alfie Carter put the game beyond doubt, when he score the fourth goal in the 78th minute.
Final Score: 0-4
Goals: Troy Hayder (39, 57, 65), Alfie Carter (78)
MOM: Troy Hayder

What a great change in their approach. After the game, I told the lads that this is the way I want them to play every week. For some reason they've started complaining that I'm not giving the team enough credit. What the hell do they want credit for?? Giving away needless goals at the end of games? Not being awake until it's too late to come back into a game?? I'm at a loss here. I just hope they will wake up and smell the roses, because I'm not going to take any whinging from them.

Yet another international break and we can only wait and train now. I would have preferred to have a game against somebody, if only to keep my lads sharp after that victory against Newport. All the motivation I can think of will probably be all for nought if we can't get some momentum going. Anyway, I'd love to see the WFA stop this nonsense with packing up back to back games at various times during the season. Those few times a season where this happens, will invariably cause most teams to lose one or more of their players to serious injuries. Now what's the number for my insurance agent.

Nick Benton was reported missing from training this week and I gave him an official warning for his unprofessional conduct. At least let us know if he needs to do something other than train. He acknowledged that his behaviour was unacceptable and he promised to improve his conduct in the future.

Wednesday 15th November 2006
I got terrible news. Tonya is in hospital, after being found at the side of the road in some side street in Swansea. She's in a critical condition and it's impossible to tell if she'll make it. She suffers from pneumonia and alcohol poisoning and it's going to take a long time for her to recover, if at all.

Saturday 18th November 2006
Tonya's health has deteriorated a lot lately and it looks like her body doesn't have the strength to keep fighting two nasty conditions at the same time. She's obviously lost a lot of weight, which is something she didn't need before, and she's pale beyond description. Brian is so worried about his daughter's well being, understandably. We're sitting next to her bed every day now, when we're not in demand from other duties.

Wednesday 22nd November 2006
Lee Philips skipped training without any explanation today, so I gave him a formal warning about his conduct. I also told him that if he does repeat this, I'll fine him a week's wages. Routledge ran to the press, demanding a place in the first team. I responded by telling him that I pick the team and if he isn't happy, then he can go and request a transfer. Then I fined him one week's wages for his troubles. Both of the lads have accepted the disciplinary actions I took and promised to improve their conduct in the future. I can only hope that they don't go back on their word.

Porthmadog v. Cefn Druids Welsh Premier League
A rout, plain and simple. The home team never stood a chance with the Ancients team running rampant all over the pitch. Troy Hayder started his scoring frenzy with a brilliant chip on 20 minutes and added another one in the 25th minute. In the second half he added two more goals and deservedly was chosen MOM.
Final Score: 4-0
Goals: Troy Hayder (20, 25, 63, 73)
MOM: Troy Hayder
Current League Position: 3rd

I kept the lads only for about 15 minutes after they'd showered and told them how great they played. Absolutely sensational performance and they should try to keep the momentum going for our next game. The next day is resting day, since we have a difficult game on the weekend.

Tonya has slipped even further and the doctor told us that they've done everything they can to save her life. Now all they can do is wait and see how strong she is. That wasn't exactly the news I was hoping to hear, but there's nothing more that I can do for her, except sitting next to her bed at night and talk to her. She's not responding in any way, but the doc told me that she hears what's going on and this should strengthen her resolve to keep on living. I haven't got anything to lose really, so I'm staying on and trying my best to help her cope.

Cefn Druids v. Cwmbran Welsh Premier League
Something's happened to the lads. Today's game was the 3rd one on the spin where we absolutely demolished the opposition defence with almost every forward move we made. Troy was in fine form, bagging his third hattrick on the trot. Marcus Taylor scored the final goal and my team captain was absolutely delighted with it. He doesn't score very often, but when he does it's usually something spectacular.
Final Score: 4-0
Goals: Troy Hayder (7, 33, 90), Marcus Taylor (25)
MOM: Troy Hayder
Current League Position: 3rd

When I got back home Brian was sitting on the steps sobbing. “Tonya passed away at halftime in today's game”, he said and started weeping really hard. I was stunned. How could that be? Only 2 months ago we were talking about the marriage and how she wanted the wedding to go. And now she's gone. I fell on the ground but I couldn't cry, I was absolutely dried up emotionally. I wanted to, but nothing would come out. I supported Brian to his own front door, helped him in and then sat down and talked to him and his wife for a long time. I told him that I'd keep on managing the team unless an offer from a huge club came along and then I'd help the club by purchasing at least one or two players for large amounts of money, compared to what they already have in their bank account. I also told him that if the offer was from Everton, ManUtd or Chelsea, I'd reject them out of hand. I have my principles and won't compromise on those. I don't see any big offers coming along though, so my fear of losing touch with the roots I've been developing here is not really that founded. I just had to make it clear to them, so I wouldn't be backstabbing them if the dream job came along.
So this is it for us then. Tonya is gone, I really don't give a hoot about much around me anymore. I'm going to drown myself in work and try my hardest to make the Druids successful.

Thursday 30th November 2006
The usual suspects were chosen for the Team of the Month for November. Troy, Mark and Owain were there as per subscription. Troy was then named Player of the Month with Alec Stacey coming second and James Macintosh (Airbus UK) coming third.

retired_aurie

With Tonya dead and soon out of the picture, I can start thinking of other women.
Maybe I'll start chasing the players' wifes or something distasteful like that.
"Apply yourselves or I'll sh@g your wifes,..... again!" is one phrase that's accredited to Notts County manager Gudjon Thordarson from the time when he was the head coach of ÍA Akranes here in Iceland many moons ago. On the occasion, it worked like a charm

retired_jessicabraden

Sorry to hear about Tonya, poor girl drank herself to death. Anyway good luck with the other birds and may you conquer on and off the pitch

retired_aurie

Cheers Leo. Women and football rarely mix so one has to make some melodrama from any scenes where they pop up

retired_aurie

December 2006
Caerleon v. Cefn Druids Welsh Premier League
An easy demolition of Caerleon's defence and yet another inept moment at the back of our own. Fortunately the attacking display set us up for 5 goals so we didn't lose points. I pointed out disappointing displays by two players after the game and the rest got a massive thumbs up from me. I hope they can carry this form over to the next few games.
Final Score: 2-5
Goals: Tom Ramasut (20), Troy Hayder (32, 36, 45), Alfie Carter (68)
MOM: Troy Hayder
Current League Position: 2nd

Special mention has to go out to journeyman Gary McSwegan who's playing up front for Caerleon. His two goals show that he's as dangerous as ever and I suppose that his continued good form will see many of our competitors suffer. I can't say that I disapprove of that though

Wednesday 6th December 2006
Chris Tom complained about not being picked for the first team today and I have to admit that it made my blood boil. I fined him a week's wages for his outburst but he started complaining right off again to the press. He then handed in a transfer request, which I granted and then told him that I'd fine him 2 weeks pay for taking everything to the press. Things like this ought to be handled in private, instead of washing the dirty laundry in public. To further show him that I mean business, he's been dropped to the reserves and put on the summer weight lifting and endurance training program. I'm going to offer him around tomorrow and will accept any offer of £3000 or better for him.

Friday 8th December 2006
I got an offer for Chris today, £3k from Salisbury, who are languishing somewhere in the lowest depths of Isthmian divisions. I hope he's going to take them up on their offer as I've got no use for a whining git who moans about every team selection.

Yet another international break hit us after our last game, so we could keep working on our deficiencies. It's especially at the back where we seem vulnerable and, to be honest, our backline is getting on a bit. Marvin, Mark and Aneurin are all in their 30s and I don't know how long we can rely on them to keep us safe. A good thing that I've signed quality young players to take over their duties after their playing days are over. What I'm hoping for though, is some of the older players taking on coaching duties, as they can help the youngsters immeasurably by giving them a few pointers on things.

Chris has accepted the offer from Salisbury, so he should be out on January 1st. So sod off you git and don't let the door slam you on your backside on your way out.

Back to the bread and butter stuff and a bit less vitriol towards ungrateful gits who call themselves players.

Cefn Druids v. Carmarthen Welsh Premier League
We took control of the game after about 15 minutes. Carmarthen were dangerous going forward at first, but when Troy punished them with 2 goals in 5 minutes, all their power was gone and we were coasting. Tom Ramasut added the third before halftime and in the second half Marcus Taylor, our team captain, went on a rampage and scored 2 goals, grabbed the MOM and inspired the lads to keep a clean sheet.
Final Score: 5-0
Goals: Troy Hayder (17, 21), Tom Ramasut (27), Marcus Taylor (53, 90)
MOM: Marcus Taylor
Current League Position: 2nd with a goal difference of 26 goals, 10 goals more than TNS, who occupy the top spot.

Absolutely brilliant performance and I told the lads that I was very proud of their play in this match. I also told them that they were all invited to the funeral the next day and I hoped to see all of them there, as Tonya would have wanted all her heroes to attend.

Some sections of the media have started singling us out as potential title winners, but I've told the lads not to bother with those stories. If the title is to come our way, then it will come. There's far to much left to play for this season, so we can't afford to let anything slip just yet.

Longford Town from the Irish Premier Division decided to test my resolve with a pathetic offer for Paul Mazzarella. I told Paul about it and told him that this offer was so poor that I'd throw the letter into the garbage bin without bothering to reply to them. I'm so full of contempt for this sort of cr@p. He just nodded but pointed out that he felt quite flattered by the interest that's being shown in him and I told him that if a good offer came in for him, I'd pass it on to him. But only if a good offer popped up. He thanked me for my honesty and went back to training.

Llanelli v. Cefn Druids Welsh Premier League
One of the most boring games in recent history. Nothing to get excited about and it petered out to a goalless draw. Neither team deserved anything from the game, so it was a just result.
Final Score: 0-0
MOM: Owain Whittaker
Current League Position: 2nd

Nothing much to say about this, though it's painful to watch TNS extending their lead to 6 points now. Of course they're reaping the rewards of the other contenders slipping up and it looks like they'll take this year's title like they did last year. I suppose that the result of this last game may be the byproduct of the lads coming to the funeral this week. Most of them were beside themselves with grief, especially those that have been here for a while. Tonya used to be the first one to pop up with a word of comfort and support when things were going wrong and the first to celebrate with the lads when they did well. She'll be sorely missed. I asked the guys what they thought and told them to take their time with it. Then Marcus came to me and said that the lads would love to have a big picture of her in the dressing room, to serve as a motivational factor for future matches. I told him that I'd do my best to acquire a picture like that. Later that day I went to see Brian and told him about this request by the lads. He was deeply touched and said that he'd make sure that this request was granted as soon as humanly possible.

Again we're insulted when it comes to offers for our players. Again Mazzarella is targeted and this time by Waterford United. If those teams think that I'm going to sell the player without getting a huge amount of money up front, then they're badly mistaken. Our resolve is stronger than that. Stephen Kelly came to me after I'd told Paul about the latest transfer offer. He told me that young Tom Matthews had been absent from training today and had failed to report it or explain why he was absent. I gave him a formal warning about his conduct and he has accepted that he deserved the warning and told me that this won't happen again. I certainly hope he's not lying, as I need him for the future.

A newspaper reported that Derry City would be willing to pay a half a million quid for the services of Paul Mazzarella. Now I know my club isn't the richest in the business and I called Paul to my office and told him about the speculation. I also told him that if I received an offer for him that we considered to be the “right price”, he'd be the first to know and he'd get the final say in whether he wanted to stay or go. He thanked me profusely and said that with the team doing so well, he'd have a hard time walking away, but if the offer was too good to be true, then he'd have to give it some serious thought. I told him that we'd cross that bridge when we come to it and then thanked him for coming in on such short notice.

Cefn Druids v. Airbus UK Welsh Premier League
What a first half performance. I didn't believe this was possible, but we were up by SEVEN goals at the half. I wonder what the Wingmakers thought of this trounce they were on the receiving end of. We eased off in the second half, but that was only to be expected after the great first half. Bring on the next opponents.
Final Score: 7-0
Goals: Tom Ramasut (3), Troy Hayder (5, 23, 37, 45), Stephen Kelly (pen 17), John Farel (45 og)
MOM: Troy Hayder
Current League Position: 2nd

I can't praise my lads enough. What a magnificent first half performance. Only one more game this year and we can then unwind a bit before hitting the next couple of games. I can't believe the intensity of the fixtures. 4 games in 8 days is a bit much for part timers.

Cefn Druids v. Haverfordwest
I'm so proud of the lads, I feel like I could explode really. With a performance like this, they might actually go a long way of getting a title for us. That of course will depend on TNS faltering at key moments in the run-in, but we can't start focusing on that now. We just have to think of our own performances. Mark Hobson was magnificent today and thoroughly deserved his MOM award.
Final Score: 5-0
Goals: Marcus Taylor (13), Troy Hayder (27), Tom Ramasut (35), Keith Graydon (59) and Aaron Broaders (85)
MOM: Mark Hobson
Current League Position: 2nd

This has been a brilliant run for the team. We're on an 8 match unbeaten run in league and cups and long may it continue. It seems that the large poster of Tonya has helped the lads focus in our dressing room. We have a portable frame with her image in it that we'll take with us to away games. I hope it will have the same effect as it does at home.

Now my players will start to get pestered with offers and annoying agents trying to disturb them in our drive for the title. The latest to be targeted is Aneurin Evans, who Longford tried to get for pittance. No chance gentlemen, you can shove that offer where the sun doesn't shine.

For this months Team of the Month, we had eight players selected!!
Aneurin Evans, Mark Hobson, Alec Stacey, Owain Whittaker, Tom Ramasut, Marcus Taylor, Troy Hayder and last but not least Stephen Kelly. Excellent to see their hard work awarded in this manner.
I was chosen Manager of the Month for December, Troy Hayder was chosen as Player of the Month, with Mark Hobson in second place and Peter Gilbert (TNS) in third.

This has been a great year for the team, though a sad one in some respects. Tonya was on everybody's mind and she seems to have inspired the team to play exceptionally well. The chairman is well happy with the team, but it will take him quite a while to get over the loss of his daughter. I'm basically sinking myself in work, to get over the loss of my fiancée and I hope I can learn to live with the pain.

retired_aurie

January 2007
Newtown v. Cefn Druids Welsh Premier League
It had to end one day and it took an injury to one of our players to break us down in the end. Aneurin Evans has strained his knee ligaments and will be out for a couple of days. The game was nothing to write home about, though we spurned a few half chances. In the end our luck ran out and we need to focus on our next game.
Final Score: 1-0
Current League Position: 2nd

TNS v. Cefn Druids Welsh Premier League
What a day to start playing like morons. The team at the top of the table, at their homecourt, we're like headless chicken in the match. There was no fight in the players and all of a sudden, we've gifted TNS the title on a silver platter. If they don't win it now, it's because they've collapsed completely. Nobody can come away from this game with any credit and I made sure the players knew that after the game. Bloody useless the lot of them.
Final Score: 1-0
Current League Position: 2nd on goal difference.

The lads weren't overly happy with me, but the hell with it. If they don't apply themselves, then they can't expect me to mollycoddle them. Either you work hard or you can take a hike, it's as simple as that.

Cefn Druids v. Aberystwyth Welsh Premier League
The guys bounced back from that poor performance against TNS in a resounding manner. We were aided by a heap of inept attackers in the Aberystwyth side, who would be hard pressed to hit the proverbial cow's @rse with a banjo. They tried 9 times, in some very decent positions, but couldn't hit the target once. I was quite pleased with that, though my strikers made sure that the opposition keeper earned his wages in the game. Troy and Paul hammered in a goal each but then Troy got himself injured and had to leave the pitch in the 69th minute. I was slightly afraid that this would cause a collapse of our game plan, but when Daniel Anthony Hill was shown a red card for a professional foul, my fears were eased and my players' nerves were soothed.
Final Score: 2-0
Goals: Troy Hayder (42), Paul Mazzarella (84)
MOM: Mark Hobson
Current League Position: 2nd

The biggest shock for us in the game, was the injury to Troy Hayder. He'll be out for a couple of weeks and could miss the FAW Premier Cup game against TNS. In any case, he deserves the rest, so we'll just shake his hand and wish him a speedy recovery on his way to the European Golden Boot award.

Nick Benton decided to go to the press and demand first team football, but I told him right back that he's backup to the first team and should be patient and wait for his chance with the first team. He was very angry about that and demanded transfer, which I promptly rejected. I need him around if Owain gets injured or too tired to keep on playing.

TNS v. Cefn Druids FAW Premier Cup Qtr Final
I expected us to have massive problems in the game, since TNS are a stronger team overall and should beat us at home. We started off strong though and grabbed the first goal of a very entertaining match on 12 minutes, courtesy of Eamonn Lindsay. It only took the home side 8 minutes to get back into the game and they equalised in the 20th minute and I had the horrible feeling that my lads were about to capitulate in the game. Fortunately, none of them were in the mood for that and Tom Ramasut scored our 2nd goal in the 31st minute and then Lindsay got a quickfire double that finished off his hattrick and sent us to halftime with a 4-1 lead away. TNS came out for the second half like crazy and bombarded us with deep crosses. I countered that by sending Routledge on for Marvin Arthur, due to him being 6 inches taller. That ended the aerial assault and our lads, despite my directions to only move up in numbers when we were on the counter attack, got a bit too cocky and decided to press upwards. TNS started by scoring from a deflected freekick and then took advantage of our players' overzealous pressing and hit us on the break for a 4-3 scoreline. Fortunately we didn't even have time to kick off again, as this turned out to be the last kick of the game.
Final Score: 3-4
Goals: Eamonn Lindsay (12, 41, 44), Tom Ramasut (31)
MOM: Eamonn Lindsay

I was absolutely ecstatic with the performance of the lads. I didn't care about the 3 goals conceded, since we had scored 4 of our own and TNS are certainly no pushovers. I picked out Eamonn especially for his excellent finishing and said that if he keeps on scoring like that, it would be quite hard for us to keep him on the bench. I gave him a thumbs up and told him to keep working on those predator skills, they'll come in handy in the future.
Unfortunately, Marcus Taylor and Aneurin Evans are both injured for some time, after being on the receiving end of some tough tackling. We'll have to make some of the other lads ready for future football, so I'll have to call them in for more playtime.

Wednesday 24th January 2007
The draw for the FAW Premier Cup Semi-Finals was made today. In one game, Cardiff will have to visit Swansea and in the other match we will face the winners from the bout between Haverfordwest and Wrexham. I'm not expecting too much from it, but it will be interesting to see how we'll fare against the big boys of Welsh football. Beforehand I'm not too optimistic, but I won't be saying a word to the lads about it, because I want them to believe we're invincible. That way we might cause an upset of gigantic proportions.

Welshpool v. Cefn Druids Welsh Premier League
Quite a poor performance by the lads today. It's one of the games that we have to win to stand a chance of gaining anything from TNS, should they slip up. But unfortunately they couldn't hack it and conceded two sloppy goals. Additionally Troy got injured again and could be out for up to two weeks with a bruised rib. If he's back in any sort of training before the next match, I'll take the chance of playing him. He's too valuable for us up front. Stephen's missed penalty was a shocker though. We've got to start converting penalties more regularly. We miss way too many of them and I don't know who to trust with them anymore.
Final Score: 2-2
Goals: Aaron Broaders (16, 68)
Missed Penalty: Stephen Kelly (45)
MOM: Mark Hobson
Current League Position: 2nd

I yelled at the lads for an hour after the match. They were so bloody clueless and compounded the idiocy by taking a freekick near the penalty area in the silliest manner. Who in his right mind would pass the ball all the way back to the goalkeeper when he's trying to win a football game?? There were a lot of pale faces after my tirade today and I made it clear that those who fail to perform will be dropped from the squad.

Monday 29th January 2007
I got some terrible news today. Poor Aaron Broaders was in the weight training room and suffered a slipped disc while training there. He's going to be out for up to 3 months and we have to find someone to fill in for him. I hope Davies is up to the job.

Wednesday 31st January 2007
Today we got it confirmed that we'll play against Wrexham in the FAW Premier Cup, after they rolled through Haverfordwest with ease today. The final score of 3-0 was what they deserved and we'll have our work cut out for us, getting past them. We'll give it our best shot, as we've got nothing to lose against them.

We had seven players in this month's TotM; Aneurin Evans, Mark Hobson, Owain Whittaker, Tom Ramasut, Troy Hayder, Marcus Taylor and Stephen Kelly.
Additionally, Mark Hobson was third in the PotM selection for the month of January.