Hello friends and welcome back to Wales as I bring you the pre-season report on my Wrexham side as we prepare for life in League 2.
After the euphoria of winning the Blue Square Premier title we came crashing back to earth as the financial situation was very desperate so from the end of the season until mid June things were very quiet at The Racecourse Ground. My scout was scouting and providing some reports and I made a couple of offers but the board always put in some restrictions to prevent the signing.
Things improved slightly after a new shirt sponsorship deal but when it came to setting out the season expectations survival was the name of the game. No transfer budget and I was way too high in salaries both of which would restrict getting any better players.
Here’s a quick look at the financial report. Glum.
As a budget manager in real life I knew this had to be turned around and quickly too. So then began the attempt to off load some players especially the high earners and bring in some bargain players to fill the holes. Aside from my players my coaches with contracts expiring had to go as well and I will be replacing those people with one’s whose attributes will not likely be as good.
There was some good news in that the board finally recognized the need for a parent club and so they put pen to paper with Premier League side Fulham. The downside of course was that the better reserve players didn’t want to come to Wales.
I did manage to secure a couple of players from them, goalkeeper Bettenelli and left midfielder Alex Smith
As my assistant manger had left the club I did my own assessment and noted that the right side of my 4-4-2 formation was an area that needed attention. In the RB position I secured Billy Clifford on loan from Chelsea and for the MR slot Nzuzi and Da Silva to help out Francis Laurant. My central defenders were getting quite old so I picked up Lee McArlde who was formerly with Leicester and Everton. One player I was very excited about was Nathaniel Jarvis who was released by Cardiff and will battle Baheng for a spot up front so I will start with his profile.
At the time of publishing I’m still looking for a new Assistant Manager as well as a Physio and another scout wouldn’t hurt either. Despite all these troubles the bookmakers have given us an outside chance of promotion which was rather surprising.
Pre-Season Results
Fixtures
We start the season off with two difficult away games before facing Bournemouth in our home opener.
Here’s the upload of my final pre-season game against MK Dons which was quite the game and I hope you enjoy the highlights.
Thanks for reading!!
Ana Garcia
12 декабря, 2010 at 12:27
Your in the same financial state as me!
Your new signings look good, and you had an ok pre season in terms of results too. Hopefully your new players can settle quickly, wierd that you are newly promoted yet you have a chance at promotion I guess your club is in good hands! ;)
Good luck on the new season!
Kevin
13 декабря, 2010 at 08:58
Hi Ana
The bank account is really bad.Thanks for the well wishes.
Frank
12 декабря, 2010 at 12:34
Hi Kevin,
Well done on getting promotion and you made some good signings Alex Smith will be good. Shame about the wage budget that really restricted you. Good luck :)
In my blog i am a second division dutch side and i need some experienced players. If you know any good centre backs then it would be appreciated. thanks my blog is
thefootballgaffer.blogspot.com
Kevin
13 декабря, 2010 at 09:00
Hi Frank
Yes, I lkie Alex Smith too. Good attributes all round. I’m not sure of any CB’s that would suit a Dutch team. Do you have a parent club you can go to?
Frank
13 декабря, 2010 at 20:26
T=Yes my parent club is Ajax if you have any recommendations could you post them on my blog
thefootballgaffer.blogspot.com
Johnny Karp
12 декабря, 2010 at 13:25
Despite the difficult financial situation you managed to bring in some very good players, especially the two Welsh ones. I guess the bookmakers know their business, looking forward to a promotion push! Good luck!
Kevin
13 декабря, 2010 at 09:02
Hi Johnny
I was trying to keep some Welsh flavour to the team and those two aren’t bad at all.
Darren Smith
12 декабря, 2010 at 13:48
The finances look rough mate and that has effected your budget, but I think you have bought well considering. We’ll soon see how quickly they settle and I think we may be looking at a top seven finish. Goodluck mate
Kevin
13 декабря, 2010 at 09:03
Hi Darren
Yes, it was a difficult off season so I’d be delighted with a top half finish.
Laxeyman
12 декабря, 2010 at 14:53
You’ve managed to bring in some good players despite the fianancial situation you’re in. Hopefully the bookies are right and you can reach a play off spot at least, good luck!
Kevin
13 декабря, 2010 at 09:04
Hi Laxeyman
Thanks mate. A play off spot would be nice indeed!!
Arjuna
12 декабря, 2010 at 15:43
Hey Kevin,
You should at least get top-half finish, but I have a feeling you’ll get promoted again.
Arjuna
Kevin
13 декабря, 2010 at 09:05
Hi Arjuna
I hope you are right with that prediction :)
Sears
12 декабря, 2010 at 15:44
Despite the poor financial position of the club you signed some decent players. Good luck for the new season Kevin!
Kevin
13 декабря, 2010 at 09:06
Thanks Sears!!
I thought those players were pretty good too. We’ll see what happens :)
Lye
13 декабря, 2010 at 09:42
Hi Kevin,
Some difficult circumstances but you have bought well. The loanee Alex Smith should be able to do well for you. Hope to see you having a good start. Good luck.
Kevin
14 декабря, 2010 at 00:44
Thanks Lye
I’m quite happy with my «imports» considering everything
hils
13 декабря, 2010 at 19:31
Hi Kevin,good signing in Alex Smith!!!!!!!!!!! Hopefully you will have a good start!!!!!!!!! Good luck!!!!!!!!!!
Kevin
14 декабря, 2010 at 00:45
Hi hils
Glad you like Alex Smith!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:)
warren
16 декабря, 2010 at 08:51
Hi Kevin
Sorry for the delay in posting a comment but I have been busy over the last couple of days and not got round to doing this.
I find it hard bringing in quality player into a lower league team and it gets harder when your financial situation isn’t the best but you should be pleased with the signings that you have made and it certainly helped that you were able to get a parent link with Fulham and I hope that you have a successful season
good luck
Sayam Khan
16 декабря, 2010 at 13:48
Hi kevin,
Well it’s a simply equation: No budget + No wage budget = No players.
Anyway i think you were lucky to find a parent club.
Also to be forced to sell players and release staff isn’t the best option but there isn’t another way around it.
Anyway you have managed to sign good players despite all this.
Good Luck!
Jake
19 декабря, 2010 at 13:19
Hi Kevin ,
i signed jarvis for my blyth team when i won promotion into league 2 , very good prospect but released him the next summer , he wil score goals for you though .