retired_darom

Thanks for the positive response fellas.

retired_embartl

Excellent start so far, Jim and a fine win at Brechin - liking the style too, Diary formats always seem to go down well - good luck in the run in

mrsevans7177

This is a quality read tbh :thup:

retired_darom

Saturday 15th April, 2006
Pre-Match
We put Kristoffer Weckström through a last minute fitness test before making the journey to New Broomfield for our match with Airdrie this afternoon. He passed fit easily enough so we’re going to go into the game with the same 4-1-3-2 line-up as in the past three games:

Bald – Sangster – Greacen – McCluskey – McQuilken – Bannerman – Millar – McGuire – Weckström – Weatherson – Williams

Post Match – Away @ Airdrie United: Win 2-0
Made the early running yet again as Weatherson lashed in a 30 yard effort as we countered an opposition attack straight from the kick-off. They were reeling for the rest of the half as we made a number of clear-cut chances, but failed to build on our early lead. It was the failure of the midfielders to convert their chances that had me riled the most, and after Sandy Stewart’s men almost got lucky from a corner five minutes from the end of the half, I realised that we needed to change something. Without a second goal for security, an important victory could turn into an unpalatable draw with one mistake. And we needed this win.

Now, I’m not usually a fan of altering my team setup mid-match unless injury or tiredness are involved, and it’s a very seldom occasion that I make a point of changing the balance of attack and defence in my team – but this was one of those occasions where it was absolutely necessary. With McGuire getting a slight knock in the first half which was affecting his mobility, I decided to switch Chris Millar to the centre of the park and replace Kieran with Andy Driver on the right. Its not his preferred position as he’s a left footer, but since I was urging my players to press for a second goal I felt that having two natural wingers on the pitch instead of one would help us fulfil that objective.

The second half brought more of the same with my boys dominating and Airdrie just holding on. I was sure that we were denied a penalty after Millar was fouled on the edge of the box, but referee John Gilmour saw it as just outside, so Alex Williams stepped up and hit it just over. With ten minutes to go and the score still at 1-0, I thought we we’re never going to seal the win, but I needn’t have worried. Not only had Airdrie failed to get the ball out of their own half for the majority of the game, but in the 86th minute Pete Weatherson capped a fine team move to send us back to Greenock happy. McQuilken had found Weatherson with a long through-ball from the left, and Pete proceeded to play a one-two with Kris Weckström, who dinked the ball right into Peter’s path for him to score at the near post. It was pure magic to watch some really neat one-touch passing going on and I think it shows that we’re doing something right here. Kristoffer earned another MOM award by playing a part in both of the goals – definitely the best £2,000 I’ve ever parted with!

As we filed into the dressing room in a jubilant mood, one of the local reporters stuck his head in and gave us some great news. It had finished 1-1 between Brechin and St. Johnstone which means that we’re top on goal difference and in championship form going into the match with St. Johnstone at Cappielow Park next week, so I couldn’t be happier.

retired_darom

Wednesday 19th April, 2006
Bad news in training today as Stuart McCluskey was hurt in a challenge with Jason Walker during a corner routine. Both went up for a header, collided and Stuart fell on his side with Jason on top of him. We sent him for an x-ray straight away but we won’t know the results until this afternoon. Paul Kelly, our physio, was almost certain that he’d broken his ribs but we needed confirmation on our captain.

After training I was in my office catching up on some paperwork with Sky Sports News on in the background while I waited for the results on McCluskey’s scan. I was only paying minor attention to the TV until I heard Jim White announce that Peter Taylor had just been appointed as the new Rangers boss after only eleven months down at The Valley with Charlton. He’s left them sitting 3rd in the English Championship which means that they are well placed for a play-off spot, and while I’m sure that they’re annoyed about his move so close to the end of the season, when the blue (or green) half of Glasgow calls, few refuse.

The doctor treating Stuart called at 4:30pm to confirm Paul’s diagnosis. Our captain has broken his ribs and will be out of action for a month, which is a big blow given that he’s an integral part of not just our defence, but the team as a whole. We now have a serious problem and it’s going to require some thought. It’s the wrong injury, to the wrong player, at the wrong time.

Friday 21st April, 2006
If I was surprised about Peter Taylor’s move north on Wednesday, I was even more surprised to hear about Dick Campbell’s move south to manage Nottingham Forest this afternoon after the departure of Joe Kinnear.

I don’t know what this means for the title race.

His former charges are still very much in the running for the title and promotion, and with the untimely nature of McCluskey’s injury there is a chance, however reluctant I am to acknowledge it, that we could slip in his absence. He’s left his assistant Iain Campbell in charge in his wake, but its hard to see how this could have a galvanising effect on their performances since Dick was one of the major reasons for their success. I’ve mentioned previously that I expected him to go onto bigger things in the future, but now? I only hope that my players aren’t fooled into seeing this as a sign of submission on Brechin’s part, the same players are still there and they know what is at stake, so we can’t ease up.

In fact that’s the first thing I’m going to say to them tomorrow.

retired_jgirl87

Top notch start here, Jimlad. :thup:

I find it easy to read and your style is very pleasing. KUTGW.

retired_darom

Saturday 22nd April, 2006
Pre-Match
Its first verses third today, and our main problem since Wednesday has been deciding upon Stuart McClusky’s replacement for the remainder of the season. Both Alexandre Jeannin and Dean Keenan were in the running, but in the end my staff and I felt that David McGregor’s presence would be of the most benefit to the team. He and Stewart Greacen are quite good mates off the pitch anyway so I can’t see either of them letting the other down. Greacen will also be captain in the absence of Stuart, who’s at home nursing his broken ribs – or rather his wife is. She’s a big fan of that natural herbal remedy stuff and probably has his chest coated in some green paste made from oregano, salamander skin and eye of newt…

Seriously though, he’s pretty down at the thought of missing the rest of the season but as soon as he’s well enough he wants to join us in the dugout on match days to give the players his support, which shows the character of the man and why he’s my captain.

John Connolly’s men have drawn an amazing eight games on the bounce, including the result that helped us so much last week against Brechin, and since its two victories to one in St. Johnstone’s favour in the league this season, I want to avoid a stalemate and make sure its honours even between us this campaign. It’ll be interesting to see how Brechin react without Dick Campbell at the helm today, but assuming we do our job it doesn’t matter what goes on elsewhere and I think the players understand that.

Post Match – St. Johnstone @ Home: Win 3-0
I think that this is the day I can finally believe that promotion is an unexpected, but very real possibility. Clear skies, bright sunshine (not really that warm mind you, this is Greenock), and a special kind of buzz in the air – one of those feelings that’s almost beyond definition. The near certainty that it’s going to be your day…and how it was. We enjoyed a comprehensive win, inspired once again by Kris Weckström.

McGuire opened the scoring after 8 minutes with a strike into the roof of the net from the edge of the 18-yard box. Soon after Weatherson was fouled in the area, giving Alex Williams the opportunity to increase his haul for the season from the penalty spot, a chance he duly converted. The end of the half was capped by an opportunist Peter Weatherson nipping in front of his marker at the near post to flick in a Kris Weckström cross from the left. With the form we were in today St. Johnstone never had a chance, and we didn’t even have to get out of second gear in the second half. McGregor did well alongside Greacen, and Bald was only called into action to deal with a couple of long range efforts that never really got close.

More good news followed as Brechin drew their second successive game, this time against relegation threatened Dunfirmline, who have kept their survival hopes alive with this result. It also means that we’re two points clear with two games left.

retired_darom

Sunday 23rd April, 2006
Well, it seems some comments I made to the media about our game yesterday have been taken the wrong way by John Connolly. Apparently in stating to the associated press that we were the better team yesterday and that we tactically nullified St. Johnstone, a fact that anyone who watched the game can attest to, he thinks that I’m trying to goad him into a verbal joust of some description. After yesterday’s result I’m not sure how he can believe that St. Johnstone even figure in my thinking between now and the rest of the season. They can’t catch us, and since they’ve played their last game with Brechin already they can’t influence who wins the First Division either. And, since I don’t care, I’ll just let it slide. If we end up in the same division next season though, they’d better watch out.

It’s a funny game football. Last season we had a good lead on Brechin at about the same time as they were seven points clear in this campaign, and we proceeded to slip up just as Brechin kept winning. And yet despite the fact that we’re in a higher division it’s the same battle all over again, only with the role’s reversed. I can only hope that after this two-week break in the fixture list (which we are in the midst of as I write) we can pick up where we left off in our last two games in early May. All we can do as managers is keep the players ticking over in training and hope that no injuries occur.

So until next month, by which time our fate will have been decided, look out for our results and I hope your respective clubs achieve something by seasons end. Unless you support Brechin that is…

retired_darom

Once again, the support really is appreciated.

To be honest, I’m surprised that it’s been well received/noticed at all amongst all the other stories that are out there, but as a personal exercise I’m quite happy with it myself. Apart from the odd grammatical errors that have popped up that is…lackadaisical proofreading is to blame.

I’m also slightly concerned that its taken four days to get through writing the intro and an article related to one game month, but I’ve chosen the writing style so I’m going to stick with it. I only hope the lack of update pace isn’t diminishing anyone’s enjoyment.

Thanks for reading.

retired_darom

The Manager’s Diary – May 2006 by James MacGregor

Well, May has arrived and it certainly is end game now for my Greenock Morton team. After our scintillating form in April we have two games left to play in the league, where we’re two points ahead of our nearest challengers, the still managerless Brechin City, with an ever-increasing goal difference in our favour. As things stand we look good bets for promotion. But things can change quickly in football, and even if my team is denied promotion to the SPL by some unforeseen disaster, our meteoric rise through the ranks in the past 24 months is still something to be very proud of. Its time to see if my team can cope with the pressure.

Monday 1st May, May 2006
Sean Kilgannon of Ross County has been voted First Division Player of the Month, just shading our own Kris Weckström. Stuart Sangster who always does the simple things well in defence did us proud by getting Young Player of the Month, with Kieran McGuire placed in third. The good form of my players also meant that I was bestowed with the Manager of the Month Award for April. I can only hope that I avoid the infamous curse that such awards bring.

Wednesday 3rd May, 2006
Second legs of the Champions League semi finals ended in glory for Liverpool, and disappointment for Manchester United. The red half of Merseyside celebrated a 3-1 victory over Bayern Munich at Anfield, with Rafael van der Vaart impressively creating two of the goals. Their Mancunian rivals however suffered once again from poor defending as PSG managed a goal at Old Trafford to put them through to the final via the away goals rule. Not for the first time when I’ve watched them this season, Roy Keane was once again imperious in the middle of the park, with two late goals putting them in touching distance of European club football’s premier showpiece event.

I’ve got a feeling that Liverpool may just have enough to beat PSG in a one off game. They defended well against Bayern over the two legs, and in van der Vaart and Djibril Cisse they have two very potent threats.