Firstly ICYMI here is Season 1 Part 1 which I’d recommend reading before reading this: https://controlthetempo.com/?p=1156
January transfer window rebuild?
I left the last article with my job on the line and a January transfer window to fix things. Did I pull off the rebuild? in frustrating style – no!
I was so optimistic going into the transfer window, but I had severely underestimated how hard it is to sell players in January especially, considering how awful they have all been. I continuously transfer listed over 10 players every day for 30 days straight. I got a grand total of one offer and just my luck the player rejected the move away. An absolute nightmare.
I was very desperate at this point and went to the youth team and started trying to clear it out to build up the wage budget, so I could get a free agent in.
I managed to get one player in through the door. Sadly, it wasn’t the left winger I desperately needed but it was an experienced CB I felt could offer some added stability to a wounded defence.
The player I signed was ex-Reading captain Liam Moore. At 30 he fitted the bill in terms of adding aggression, leadership and bravery. I chose him over Adan Flint.
Results on the pitch
As previously stated, I had the month of January to save my job and a strong month of form was non negotiable. I somehow kept my job with a mixed run of two wins, two draws and two losses.
Nolan affair
The win against Coventry was particularly crucial. Kevin Nolan was running his mouth before the game and this wound me and the players up.
This inserted fire in our bellies are we humbled Nolan and taught him to put some respect on my name with a massive 2-0 win. My first league win in 3 months so as you can tell I was quite excited!
Even sweeter, a couple of months later, Nolan got sacked which bought a warm smile to my face.
Constant pressure on my job
Having kept my job by the skin of my teeth I thought maybe I’d be let off the hook for a bit. However, I was very wrong. Before every game a random source would say ‘Osborn is on the verge of sack’ which was not filling me with confidence that the project will continue for the long haul.
Also, club legends such Tim Cahill and Neil Harris were relentless in demanding more from a different player every week. I’m fairly certain they made their way through the whole squad!
The first Dockers derby
I was buzzing to draw West Ham for a rare East London derby day in the fourth round of the FA cup at the Den. A lot of history between both sides and the game I wanted to win the most this season.
However, we didn’t turn up on the day despite our somewhat improved league form. We were dominated from start to finish and that bit of Premier League extra quality from West Ham really showed.
We characteristically went down to nine men which I don’t mind as it brought out some much needed passion from the boys as they showed their frustration to lose the derby. A bad day at the office as we bowed out of the FA cup.
A sense of deja vu
A horrific February, five defeats in six, meant that I was straight back into a meeting with the board about my job. I was convinced that I was gone, but yet again I somehow negotiated another month to save myself. Something clicked and once again I managed to slog the month out and keep my job!
Xisco Affair
Here we go again! Another manager running his mouth. You’d think after what happened to Kevin Nolan they would have learned their lesson. This time it was Xisco a manager who is a fraud on FM and in real life.
The daily ‘sack looms Osborn’ inbox item. However, this one I was seriously fearing my job and after two straight losses, and with a month to save the job, I had to pull something huge out of the bag.
The players again understood the assignment as we picked up a potential job-saving late goal against the run of play to humble Xisco. This helped push us just away from a relegation dog fight.
Two managers have chatted about me pre-game so far this season and both managers have lost their jobs. Just a little bit concerning seeing those very high odds on my name!
Youth intake
The first youth intake of the save was slightly disappointing. The only noteworthy talent was this Ugandan CM Mandela. He looks like a gem with some nice current ability, good physicals and mentals. The 5* potential is always what you look for as well!
Defensively still abysmal
Despite the addition of Liam Moore, we were still shipping in goals for fun and we somehow might have even got worse defensively. Here you can see that we were statistically ranked the worst defence, which is very concerning.
Embarrassing defeats
Once we managed to confirm our championship safety, the boys essentially gave up and stopped playing. Two catastrophic defeats, the fourth time this season we have been hit for over six goals which is just embarrasing.
League table
So we finished in 19th position, which is really poor and the board are fuming as they wanted me to finish in mid-table. The main problem was the defence as we conceded the second highest goals with 90.
Not how I planned my first season to go and I am looking to build virtually an entire new starting eleven this summer with a monster rebuild as we look to bounce back next season.
