Get Ready For The Jacks!
As I settled down in my hotel room I thought about the great deal of pressure I'd be feeling over the coming year. I needed to talk to someone so I phoned Emma, who had decided to stay in England until I found a place in Dublin as she wasn't too keen on staying round John's.
"Hello?" Emma asked as she answered the phone.
"Hey babe. It's me."
"Look Peter, I told you. I'm coming to see you tomorrow. We've got plenty of time to see each other whilst Stephen's in Ireland." My heart froze. I thought I was gonna cry. Then a wave of anger sweeped over me until Emma started speaking again. "Did I worry you Stephen?" She started to laugh uncontrollably.
"That wasn't funny. I thought you were cheating on me!" I was slightly shouting down the phone at this point.
"Why would I wanna cheat on Irish football's next big manager?"
"Yeah okay. Anyway, have a guess where I am for a pre-season friendly!"
She paused for a moment before saying, "Barcelona?"
"No, Swansea."
"Swansea?" She repeated.
"Yeah, Swansea."
"I thought friendlies were supposed to be played out of the country."
I just laughed at Emma naivity and explained that it was a huge test for the team to be playing Swansea at their ground.
As we chatted together, the hours seemed to roll by. I didn't actually realise how much I missed the old ball and chain when I was in Ireland. It's only been a few days and yet it felt like a year. Something had to be done.
"When are you coming over Emma?" I asked. "John's already said that you can stay. So can Ozzy if my parents won't look after him."
"Look, it's nothing personal to John," Emma said after sighing, "it's just that he hasn't got a lot of space. With you, me and Ozzy, it's gonna be a tight squeeze."
"Okay, look I better go to bed. I've got a match tomorrow."
"You're not mad at me are you?" Emma said with some uncertainty.
"No. I just wish you could come over to Ireland, that's all."
"I know sweetheart." She tried to reassure me. "Look, get some sleep and I'll call you after the game tomorrow."
I said goodnight, hung up the phone and rolled over to sleep.
With just an hour before kickoff the following day, Trevor came up to me and handed the team sheet. The team was as followed; Barry Ryan, Stephen Brennan, Dave Rogers, Joe O'Cearuill, Stephen Paisley, Ryan Guy, Michael Keane, Joseph Ndo, Keith Fahey, Gary O'Neill and Mark Quigley.
I turned to Trevor, "You sure this is the best team that's available?"
"Yes boss." Trevor replied. "With the exception of Gary Dempsey, this is the best squad we've got."
"Good, because I wanna see what this team is made of."
Swansea City 2 - St. Patrick's Athletic 1.
Allen (75), Duffy (79) - Lawrence OG (32)
I was pleased with my team's efforts in my first game in charge. It was merely a friendly but I told the players that it was an important exercise in team work. The team immediately took to the new tactics and work ethic by pinning Swansea back in their own half and it wasn't long until someone made a mistake. Step forward Dennis Lawrence as he over hits his back pass, past Dorus De Vries. The team kept their own for the first half, maintaining that 1-0 lead. They kept it throughout most of the 2nd half as well. That was until Barry Ryan suddenly remembered he was playing for the underdogs and proceeded to lose confidence and lose two goals. His rating dropped from an 8 to a 5 in those four crazy minutes. We lost the game but I went round and gave a smile and a pat on the back to every player that performed. Including Barry who was sitting in the corner looking glum.
"What's the matter son?" I said as I sat next to him.
"It's my fault we lost that game boss." His eyes were still glued to the floor.
"Don't you worry about that mate. It's only pre-season. Just make sure you get them out of your system before the season starts."
He nodded and I gave him a pat on the shoulder before walking off. Suddenly a young bloke walked in the dressing room. I cut him off as he made a bee line for the players.
"Can I help you mate?" I asked.
"Yes my name is John Harcourt. I'm a reporter for the club's website. I was just wondering if I could get an interview with Barry Ryan after his two mistakes today." The bloke seemed very aggitated. Moving about a lot.
"Come to the stadium tomorrow and I'll give you an interview with me. I've been turning the interview down from other reporters from your website, but I reckon I could speak to you. How about that for a deal?"
John's eye's lit up. He shook my hand vigorously and said his thanks before leaving the room. I smiled to myself as I watched the young lad leave.
Last edited by liveru; 13-04-08 at 02:25 AM. | 
