CHAPTER 3: Friendlies
I set off for the stadium just before noon, ready to meet the lads ahead of our second pre-season friendly. We hosted League 2 outfit Oxford United, a team who were expected to batter us even though the contest is only a run-out.
Already waiting at the doors were captain Jay Hughes, a couple of my coaches and the kitman, Filby. He was actually a player for the team before severely damaging his knee a few years ago. He's a big man, actually more of a kid; He's only 25. Man does he wish he paid more attention at school, because besides being the kitman, he's also a cashier at McDonald's and apparently occasionally works as the driver in get-away vans during robberies. Don't tell anyone I told you.
The rest of the team filed in over time, and once everybody had arrived, we made our way to the changing rooms. I told them all that they shouldn't feel pressurised into getting a result, as the whole purpose of this match is mainly just to assess fitness and the like. They all nodded their heads and set out onto the pitch, where we were greeted by the travelling Oxford players.
I was damn chuffed with the guys with how they played, even though I was really only looking to see how fit they were. It could have really gone either way, and we did miss a few great chances. We could have lasted right until the final whistle, but a late goal which stunned literally everybody laid the match to rest. Luckily, none of us took the result badly, with many players feeling delighted with their performance.
Later that night, I managed to complete my first signing for Cromer. It's something that had been in the works since before I came here, but initially seemed on the rocks. The caretaker had seemed unwilling to give him a full-time contract, and it seemed like the transfer wouldn't go through at all. Luckily, I came in with different ideas, and completed the paperwork with him. All I needed was confirmation, which I got when I got home.
After he became an official Crab, I received an invite via fax to something called an "England Trial Day". Apparently, young players who had failed to win a contract at their parent club are gathered up and thrown into a temporary team in hope that a manager out there will snap them up. After a quick Google search of the players, I accepted the invitation and marked the match on my calender.
After attending the match, which ended 1-0 in favour of the England Trialists playing in navy, I approached one youngster who had particularly impressed me. Jake Marsh is what people call him, but I quickly branded him Marshy.
Anyway, I talked to him for a little bit about his career prospects and whether he'd like to join a club like Cromer, one who's looking to build and establish himself. He seemed a little unsure, so I didn't immediately smack a contract underneath him. No, I kindly offered him a two-week test run, just to see if he can settle in amongst the players. This he seemed to be more open to, and he agreed with little hesitance.
The rest of the day was largely uneventful, with many of the older team members going out for a drink at the local pub. I told Hughes to stop any of them from getting too rowdy, with the Lydney Town match the day after. He assured me that none of the guys would be a problem, and after that, I packed it in for the night. Y'know, after catching up with the new 'Two and a Half Men' episodes that I had yet to see. I can't believe what happened to Charlie! Sad news, bro. Sad news.
So, next morning, we all turned up for the match with relatively no problems. Bert had a hangover and Jonny still had etching of permanent marker on his face (drawn on penises are apparently funny to mid-20s men). Regardless, we went to the changing rooms again and pretty much did the same old routine. This time, it's more of a "No need to over-exert yourself, we can smash these guys any day of the week" kind of thing. Still, I'm just looking at the player's fitness and everything.
Sure, a 3-0 victory is a good result, but in all truth we were lucky not to concede at all. They had spells where they looked certain to smash the ball in, and really their only troubles were their shaky defence. I didn't erupt at the team after the match, because I wasn't looking for a cricket scoreline, a basketball scoreline or even a rugby scoreline. I was looking for players who deserved a spot in the team, one's who looked like they can keep a good condition for the entire season.
I think I've nearly formulated a good first 11 for the upcoming season, with only a couple more friendlies to really establish it completely.
Edited by Canary4life, 08 February 2012 - 06:03 PM.
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