Season Review 2010/11
07 May 2011

Summary for the League season 2010/11

A Great Team with great support has led to great success and a great season. With Promotion guaranteed and the outside chance of a playoff game for 1st place and the Division title as this is written before the presentation night on May 7th.

The start of the season saw us return to pre-season with 1 player having left us but 2 new arrivals from the ‘old’ A team – Robbie and David, and we were very pleased to have them aboard, unfortunate as that was for Jack who had been with us from the very start but ultimately chose not to stay within the club with Ste Evans ‘new’ B team. This pre-season was different in that we focused on getting a baseline of fitness in alongside ball work, it served us well until the weather hit and the fixture disruption started. Next year we need to keep working in those enforced weather breaks, anyway back to September 2010, we got off to a flier after a nervy 1st game backed up with stronger wins in the next couple of weeks.

With a stronger squad we moved quickly to a new back 3 formation allowing us to field an extra striker and take the game to the opposition more often than not (3-4-3). That defensive 3, a core group with a good supporting cast, ended the season conceding barely more than a goal a game. On the flip side we scored more goals than before too (although we’d still have liked more converted from the many missed chances). Our 1st 20 goals + a season man with 2 more edging double figures all in the league through a regular front 3, again supported by guest appearances on occasion. The 2 ends of the field being well supported by a very busy midfield 4 asked to support both forwards and back, they certainly were a busy and industrious unit.
The squad all played their part at key times in an increasingly difficult team to earn and retain a starting place in.

So to the end of season squad report, a first this year, I hope it sums up the season fairly for the record. In squad order;

1) Robbie
The 1st of our new players, and what a welcome sight between the sticks, every good team needs a strong spine and Robbie certainly provided the starting point for that. A fine season with 7 clean sheets and even 1 assist on the record. A firm favourite already with his team mates and the touchline alike.
Played in all league and cup games and theonly player to have been on the pitch for every minute of the campaign. Previous honours with the old A team.

2) Ben

Started the season indifferently before regaining something like his true form in the run up to the seasons end. Key highlight of the year was undoubtedly recording not only his 1st ever league goal but the fact that that goal proved to be a late winner in a tough away game at Hurricanes left everyone elated for him after 7 years of trying. He alternated with JJ at Right back as part of the miserly back 3 and needs to start next season as he ends this to cement a regular starting place next season.
Played in 17/18 games missing out on 100% record as an unused sub in the away game at Read Park. Former most improved player award winner.

3) Sean

A key member of one of the meanest defences in the league, playing left back but also at centre-half on occasion. Possessor of a Rory Delap like throw in, an impressive year with improved distribution and support play up the field. Sean got in on the score sheet as well with 2 goals and 2 assists. Touchline MOTM on 3 occasions reward for his fine season which saw his pace at the back get Rovers out of trouble on several occasions.
Played 16/18 league games. Past winner of Managers Player of Year award.

4) Jake

Our left sided midfielder with pace to support the attack and cover in defence alike. Another player finishing the season in better form, after a period of niggly injuries interrupted his normal claim on an automatic starting place. Jake weighed in with 3 assists during the league season in which he played 15 of the 18 league games and in the last game of the season could have had a hat-trick of headers that would off rounded the season off in style. Former Players player award winner.

5) Mark

The second fixture member of the mean back 3, occupying the centre-half position at the heart of the unit. Grown in stature through the year and now looking to play the ball out of defence to start Rovers attacking moves. A big thank you needs to be recorded to the 15B squad and managers for making Mark welcome throughout Winter training when he joined their sessions as he was unable to make our own. As popular a player with them as us (indeed they wanted to try and sign him for next year – no chance, Boss). Mark is another who can reflect on yet another fine season in which he played in 14 of a possible 18 games.
Former Managers and Players Player award winner.

6) Chris

Our left sided defensive and midfield cover, played more often as Rovers have reverted to a back 4 once ahead in games. Improved his defensive heading abilities during the season significantly. Constantly eager in training and keeps those more regular starters honest to put in a full shift or risk losing their place.
Played in 16 of the 18 games with 1 unused sub game away at Read Park. 4 assists on the league season and 1 MOTM award from the touchline.

7) Danny

Our midfield stopper, favourite of the touchline taking 5 MOTM awards from parents. Unlucky this year with injuries (although he didn’t miss many games to the fixture disruption) to his wrist and knee (thanks to Gavin for sorting that 1 out for us). In these games we missed his calming presence in midfield, which saw us exit the cup and demonstrated his value to the team. A fair and competitive player with 4 assists, well regarded by his peers. Former Players Player award winner.

8) James

Hitting 20 league goals in the season at a rate of better than 1 per game is the headline figure, supported with a further 9 assists. (With plenty more chances gone begging too) He played at less than 100% fitness level in run in to the season due to a thigh strain that could have seen him exceed that haul further if he had remained fully fit. Yet he still remained a pivotal player for the team in those games. The forward edge of the team spine. Learned to control his frustrations as the season wore on despite taking a Messi like hammering from the opposition in most games. Never an easy player to pull off for a rest, opposing Managers regularly singled him out post game for special praise. A fine fine season playing in all 18 games and receiving just 1 MOTM touchline award. Can he repeat the feat a division up next season, let’s hope so.
Yet to receive end of season honours.

9) Liam

Another of the usual starting front 3 , centre or right sided player with 10 goals, 2 assists and 1 MOTM award to show for a solid season. Often a target for Sean’s long throws and Robbie’s clearances, with the ability to score good goals and provide deft flicks in setting up play. Like any good forward Liam has been on the receiving end of some heavy challenges (Culcheth away springs to mind) and can expect more in the season ahead. A good effort all year, playing in all the games.
Former Managers Player award winner

10) Ryan – Captain

Centre midfield, occasional centre-half and regular set piece taker. Scoring 5 times, twice from corners! with a further 3 assists and 3 MOTM awards from the parents. Leads by example on the field and right at the heart of the team spine, 1 of the 1st names on the team sheet. A consistent performer who has matured in his second full season in the midfield unit. Appeared in all the games and former Managers, Most Improved and Players Player award winner.

11) Joe

Right sided midfielder and defensive cover with the ability to deliver a key ball into the box, the Culcheth away game whipped cross for Davids crucial goal certainly stands out for me, that being 1 of 2 assists from his 15 league appearances where he also featured at times on the right hand side of the back line. Not called upon to keep goal this season after the arrival of Robbie into the team.
Another former award winner.

12) JJ

Mr. Flexible – JJ represents the very spine of the team, yet plays everywhere around the pitch except in goal, never giving less than 100% and always with a smile. His ability and commitment being a Managers dream and has allowed Carl and myself to rotate the team/squad more than we might have otherwise been able to do. He could rightly claim a starting place in 1 of a multitude of positions, as it is I will pin him down to say his regular place is at right back, where early season alongside Mark and Sean he showed his very best. Playing in all 18 games and with 2 MOTM awards, 4 assists and 7 goals support the claim that his great debut season of last year has been surpassed this time around.
Last years Managers Player award winner.

14) Luke

Flexible in or in front of the backline as a midfield sweeper when the need arose for an extra defensive / cover player. A good reader of the game with the ability to ease his way out of trouble or pick a pass. Looking for him to be challenging for a more regular starting place next year to benefit him and the team alike. Played 16 from 18 league games, hitting the bar on 3 occasions no less in his search for a crafted goal.

15) Jidge

1st full season with the team brought a nice balance to the right side of the midfield in his regular starting place. Linked up well ahead of JJ or Ben and in support of the forward line ahead of him. Full of running, strong in the tackle and another never happy to come off the pitch early. 4 goals, 4 assists, 1 MOTM award from the touchlines from his 18 appearances demonstrate his contribution to the team. A fine season from a now well established and integrated member of the busy midfield unit.

16) David

The second of our debutants this year. Left sided forward, fleet of foot, especially early season. Part of the attacking minded front 3 with a really nice touch, especially in bringing down Robbies clearances. Weighing in with 8 goals, with chances to have hit double figures easily, 8 assists and 1 MOTM touchline award. We’re looking for him to maintain his good form throughout next season at the higher level and earn his regular starting berth once more. A good debut season with new team mates.

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So looking ahead we hope to consolidate next year in Division 2 and try for that elusive cup run once more. A new face or 2 to keep all on their toes and support the squad at the higher level will be recruited if available and we will look to resolve playing time opportunities in the squad accordingly.
Finally a big thank you to all our team supporters and helpers – especially to Patrick/Scoop for his match reports that give us all a good read and record of the season. Hopefully the lad’s performances and results have made your commitment in supporting them worthwhile.
My personal thanks go to Carl for sharing the coaching role and the burden of those difficult starting role and substitution selection decisions.
Now to the award WINNERS.

Most Improved Player

Won by Ryan last year for his development into a new role, this year (in a first for this squad) sees an award going to 2 players and in this instance for quite different reason.
1st up is a player who allows Carl and I the maximum flexibility in team selection, strong in his main position but equally adept all-round the pitch where he now sits as though it was his main position, last year he won Mgr.’s Player of the Year, this year he receives the Most Improved award – its James JJ Johnston.
The award is shared with a more traditional nomination for a player who has added a nice balance to the team, tireless running, key goals and assists, combative tackling and now most definitely established in the squad, always playing with a great spirit pls give your recognition for George ‘Jidge’ Hynes.
Players Player

Arguably the major award, Peer recognition being a great accolade to achieve. 5 players got the majority of the early votes, this then narrowed down to 2 in a close run thing before the last couple of votes left us with a clear and very deserving winner. A key player in the squad, playing down the spine of the team, maintain the record of defensive players achieving major recognition in this squad, in his debut season they recognise ROBBIE Fox.

Managers Player of Year

With such a fine team effort all season this year’s awards have been the hardest to finalise in many respects, several fine players who could have won awards in other years are I’m afraid going home empty handed, such has been the progress in the squad. Yet in the end this award was probably the easiest decision to make for us both. An edgy competitive player, fast feet, strong tackler, pacy with a powerful shot (some glorious long range goals to behold the supporters this year) never short of an opinion, finally taking the step up from nearly man to award winner, most deserving of his round of applause, he’s ended the season playing as a #;10 but wears number 8, we recognise James Waight.

Comiserations to those just missing out on honours this year, Danny, Mark, Ryan and Sean who may all of expected to pick up one of the awards in any other year.

Thanks for your great support, it's a pleasure to coach you all
Peter and Carl.