This has to be one of my most hated conversations in FM. A player who wants to consider their options at the end of their contract. I hate it because I feel like it gives me a false sense of hope that they’ll decide to stay when it almost always ends up with that player walking out the door.
Within weeks of the season started I was met with this notification from no fewer than three first team players. So from the off, it was a matter of planning ahead and looking at replacements.
SUMMER 2023
The only summer outgoings were loans for Rhys Annett and Aodhan Doherty to a third tier Northern Irish side Warrenpoint. The only aim was to ensure they got consistent senior appearances.
Coming in, I spotted Ryan Astley available on loan from Everton with no wages or loan fee to be paid. He’s more than capable of that Libero role at this level and for zero financial impact it was worth the move. I also couldn’t resist the temptation to bring Callum Marshall back in on loan from West Ham, though he would set us back £800 per week in wages (when used).
The cups were not kind to us this season, starting as ever with Europe. Thanks to UEFA’s efforts to try and kill off the smaller nations in Europe, 2nd place in the league was only good enough to have Linfield playing Europa Conference League football.
It started with an 8-1 demolition of Montenegrin side Arsenal (not to be confused with that other lot from Woolwich). A 9-3 win over Hungary’s Kecskeméti followed but Gent was a step too far and the European Adventure ended at the Third Qualifying Round.
It’s always a good sign when the screen is not wide enough to fit all the goalscorers on in full!
We were stopped in the first round of the SPFL Trust Trophy (Scottish Challenge Cup) on penalties by Inverness. It was also penalties that ended our County Antrim Shield run in the Quarter Final thanks to Cliftonville. We went one better in the League Cup but were beaten 2-1 by Championship side Ballinamallard despite taking the lead just 2 minutes in.
Four competitions down, no joy.
JANUARY 2024
A few more loans out in January with senior fringe players Jordan Stewart, Kirk Millar (both Cove Rangers) and Matthew Fitzpatrick (Crusaders) heading out in the hopes of earning a permanent move away.
The League of Ireland operating a summer football schedule means they are always a happy hunting ground for free transfers come January. Alfie Lewis comes on board after leaving Dundalk while experienced defender Roberto Lopes leaves Shamrock Rovers for Windsor Park. The last signing of the season is to bring young Patrick Kelly back to the Irish League for 6 months on a loan from West Ham - costing the princely sum of £50 per week.
The aim this year was simply to enjoy some attacking football. It might be an absolute horror show for some but this is what I’ve landed on.
The Libero and Wing Back (left) pushing forward in attack while the Inverted Full Back (right) tucks in to join the Central Defender.
The Trequartista simply there to be an absolute genius in attack while very little is expected of him when we are without the ball. Every team needs someone like this.
The league was an undeniable success. Last season Larne broke a four year run of League titles for Linfield as they won their first ever NIFL Premiership title. This year, we blew the rest of the challengers away from early on.
Never falling lower than 4th place, we regained top spot on Matchday 12 and could not be dislodged for the remainder of the season - breaking records in the process. Highest points tally and most league wins in a season.
All but two of our outfield players (Ryan McKay - LB, Max Haygarth - AMC) bagged themselves a goal at some point. Chris McKee led the scoring charts with 32 goals in 45 appearances (all competitions) from the striker position. Trequartista Joel Cooper (23), Right Winger Stephen Fallon (20) and Inside Forwards Callum Marshall (14) and Darragh McBrien (13) were next in the list.
Stephen Fallon was the lead in assists (23) with Joel Cooper not far behind (20). B2B midfielder Alfie Lewis (9) was next with his assists mostly from corners and Ryan McKay (7) just behind despite 21 of his 40 appearances being from the bench.
Goalkeeper Chris Johns made 48 appearances, conceding 50 goals and keeping 21 clean sheets. Back up David Walsh had 6 appearances with 11 goals conceded and 1 clean sheet.
With 43 goal contributions, it’s no surprise that Stephen Fallon was the highest rated player (7.62) though Joel Cooper (7.49) and Chris McKee (7.26) weren’t far behind.
LOOKING AHEAD
With Champions League football secured (Qualifying Stages) thanks to the league win, we should look forward to a significant financial windfall. Our transfer budget is currently £67k with the wage budget £22.9k per week (we have currently committed to spending £16k per week so plenty of room to manoeuvre).
The signings of Roberto Lopes and Alfie Lewis already sew up two key positions ahead of next season. With Goalkeeper Chris Johns and top scorer Chris McKee already looking to run out their contracts at the end of the season, we will need to work quickly to secure replacements there.
The loans of Paddy Kelly, Ryan Astley and Callum Marshall currently look set to end as West Ham and Everton are keen to test them in a different environment.
Aims for next season - retaining the league is an absolute must. A strong challenge in the Irish Cup would be a personal requirement but I’ll again be using the County Antrim and League Cup to give minutes to younger/fringe players.
I’m still not quite sure I’m comfortable referring to Linfield as “we” but the save continues for now…
