Season Review (Season 1)
Final Table |
Finances
After a 30 year barren spell, Worcester City F.C. were crowned champions of the Blue Square South. Our stay atop the table was never in doubt, as each match the players found a way to pull a win out. We dropped a few matches along the way, with Hampton & Richmond earning a clean sweep of us this season (although their second win against us was not the blowout the first victory was), but no one could stay level with us in the table. Bromley, for a while, was playing very well, and despite my best efforts, the gap between us stayed the same. Towards the end of the season, though, Bromley had a lapse in form and I was able to pull away, wrapping up the title at the end of March. Off to the Blue Square Premier we go!
My FA Cup run ended with a 3-0 defeat at home to English Premier side Sunderland. Sunderland thoroughly dominated the game, and we were lucky to get out of there with only three goals allowed. Still, I was very happy with our run this year in the Cup.
Where We Need to Improve
Our goalie, Colin Cassidy, struggled at times this season, and I'm going to look to bring in a replacement keeper for the upcoming season. The midfield is a little thin as well, as our highest earning midfielder, Mohamed Benyachou, found himself hurt multiple times throughout the season. Substitute middie Michael Wardle played pretty well in Benyachou's place, but I have doubts about his ability at the Premier level.
Other than those specific areas, I will be looking to strengthen the squad overall. Worcester dominated the Blue Square South, be we certainly were not invincible in league play. If we want a chance for a second straight promotion, we will have to make wholesale improvements.
As can be seen above, our finances are in dire straights right now. Although I stayed under the wage budget all season, we were still losing anywhere from 10-20k a month most months. I will definitely take a closer look at wages next season to try and get the team in the black.
Top Performers
Adam Maurer - The centerback played out of his shoes for the second half of the season, without a single performance rating less than seven for the last ten games. His average rating over the season was a 7.58, which was the highest average out of any player in the BSS this season.
Simon Kelly - Teamed up with Maurer and absolutely dominated in the right back position.
David Lee - Our top striker for the season, netting 26 goals in 47 appearances for the club. Out of those 26, 22 were scored in league play, making him the third highest goalscorer in the league.
Alan McDermott - Another centerback that helped Worcester to the second lowest goals allowed in the BSS. Averaged a rating of 7.22 over 37 appearances.
