Mid-season report

With a new management team at the helm, the season started with fresh optimism. We have become a strong unit with the majority of players committed to the cause. Over the previous couple of seasons we lacked the battle on the pitch and shipped goals for fun. This season we are far more resolute but with the majority of players retained from the last two years. The players have grown in confidence and this season has seen us play some superb football at times. The promotion push is most definitely on, we have had a couple more defeats than we would have liked, but generally the performances are consistent and that is all we can ask for.
Player selection is always the stumbling block, everyone could probably pick a team and you would have varying team sheets, but you have to way up putting out your best team, whilst also ensuring fairness. One or two players on ability, would be starters every week, but when the majority of the squad is punctual and who's attitudes are right, you can't drop them to favour the ones that aren't. I think we have found the right balance, the ability in the squad doesn't vary too much and most players are adaptable to different positions.
The number 1 jersey has been the biggest problem this season. We started with two 'keepers and the competition was healthy, however Rich unfortunately broke his leg and is out for the season and Shaun has become unavailable for selection. Any other position on the pitch has adequate cover, but to lose two goalkeepers in the same season has made things tough. Ultimately I see this as the biggest threat to our bid for the title and promotion.
The new players we brought in at the start have been exceptional. Shaun, until being unavailable, was extremely competent between the sticks. Jim has been a rock at the heart of the defence and Karl alongside him, has also been superb when he's played. Liam has come in at full-back and is reliable in every match he plays. Brixy is tenacious and robust in everything he does, his displays both at full back and in central midfield have been crucial for us. Toopy has an air of class about what he does, his range of passing and reading of the game is superb, indeed our formation is built around him.
Of the existing members, everyone has upped their game, Silva-Payne and Murphy have both been prolific in front of goal so far, Targett and Davies have proved their versatility, adopting numerous positions to good effect. The competition for full back is immense and Frosty has been given headaches in selecting from Newland, Pryer, Targett, Davies, Jones and Brix. Webbo is back to his best and has taken on the Captaincy role, he's the most natural choice and his performances have been top drawer. Fosty has been his same all-action self and adapts well to swapping from a centre half to a central midfielder and back again.
In the Cups, we haven't had much luck, we lost to higher division teams in both local cups and were booted out of the Hampshire Cup after walloping our Portsmouth opponents 6-1, due to an administration mix-up after have plenty of reason to feel aggrieved about it, looking at the run that FC Boca have had since their reinstatement, we could have been playing in the quarter finals now.
We are well and truly at the business end of the season now and this will see whether we can get promoted at the first time of asking. I believe we can, and if we win 5 of our last 7 matches, we should do it. The title would be nice though, but it is a tough ask now, the boys will give it everything though.
Off the pitch we have made a lot of progress, we are just about making profit now and when the bills come through at the end of the season, we should have more than enough to take us in to next season, without asking players to put their hands in their pockets to cover other debts.