He doesn’t need much of an introduction... but just to refresh our memories:

5 Time League of Ireland winner, 4 time LoI runner-up and now 3 time Cup winner... ladies and gentlemen, Le Sharks.

• First off, congratulations on your 3rd LOI Cup win. You’ve also just become the first Irish team to retain the coveted title (in what was your 3rd final on the trot). How important is the cup to you?

From day one the cup has always been very important to me. It’s also one of the reasons we are as successful as we are today. The cup gives double fans for a win so it’s the single fastest way to grow your fan base. More fans = more money = better players = more wins = more fans…you get the point. I’ve never understood why teams (particularly the bigger ones…not pointing at anyone in particular Teabag) have not taken the cup seriously. I remember a discussion with a prominent LOI manager (and recently very successful in the Cup) about the Cup many moons ago – I’m sure if you search the forums you’ll find it.

• So what went wrong in the league? Teabag ended the season as a comfortable winner in the end. Was he really worth a 9 point lead though?

Ah he was I think. The two games against him were obviously crucial. Felt we were very unfortunate not to win the second game, but in fairness the whole season we were not playing well, struggling for wins. A lot of unconvincing wins along the way. Teabag was very consistent all season. I felt we had a chance as our run in appeared a lot easier but a couple of defeats on the bounce, in particular one against the mighty Biffdons (flattery will get you everywhere J) put paid to our chances. I’m not too miffed though (there’s a T-shirt there somewhere ‘I’ve been Biffed’). We’ve got a great squad for the future and as always a few plans on the horizon.

• Before its introduction, you made no secret of the fact that you were developing a squad with the new ME in mind. Cup winner and 2nd in the league, you’ve clearly done your homework. What are your thoughts about the new ME in general?

Obviously I like it. It’s not as skewed as I thought it would be. A lot of games were a lot closer than I thought they’d be. I’m guessing routine is rewarded quite highly but also high ASI players seem to put in more rounded performances. Am a little disillusioned by the defensive stats being awarded. Seems a little top heavy towards forward stats. To the extent that getting as many attacking players on the pitch as you can guaranteeing wins. I read recently that the ME is programmed for teams to concede a certain amount of goals, regardless of your quality in defense.

• Interesting... so that’s why my defence has turned to mush!! J So, you’ve pushed your Youth Development up to level 9 recently. Is youth the way to go with the new ME (particularly when you take into account the over inflated transfer market)?

I think the common answer to this is a mixture of both YD and buying players. Smaller teams should not stretch themselves too far with their YD. It can be very inconsistent – I couldn’t tell you the last really good youth I’ve pulled. Buying players can be a great way to get in quality players. Theres still bargains out there to be had. They don’t all have to be 20* for you to make money or even find first teamers. The best signing I’ve made all season has been my new GK S. Moreno who is a 17*, Late bloomer who has just started blooming with TI of 21. Think he cost 170 million or so but should benefit from my 99% GK coach. Whatever way you go coaches and TG are key if you plan to develop youths.

• Speaking of youth, you have so many top class players in your squad. Who are the stars of tomorrow at Galtymore?

Moreno will probably be our next first choice keeper. I think due to the age of our squad a lot of those stars are already starting – Connolly, O’Bannon, Cassidy. But future stars not quite there yet – Amadeo will be a monster. I reckon its possible he goes over 200K ASI. He’s not started blooming yet but is bounding along nicely with a current TI of 8/9. Tadhg McGann will be a future forward. Abbas - will be pretty good. Key stats are a bit rubbish even though we are focusing heavily on em in training. And of course theres a few others not in Galtymore yet. I may actually be having a fairly high profile sale soon to fund some shenanigans on the TL.

• Your 16th season in TM. What keeps you coming back for more?

That’s a good question actually. I’d been working these past few seasons to get what I thought was going to give me a great team for the future – and don’t get me wrong, it has. Our team is better equipped for the future than even I thought we could get it to. However, towards the start of this season, when I had the plan completed I found myself getting pretty bored, pretty quickly. I guess that’s when I realized I will never be done with the team. I enjoy the TL most I think. Finding players, scouting youths, negotiating through PM’s all that jazz. The plan now is to have replacements for players that are currently at their peak but won’t be in 3 or 4 seasons. Namely the Cat (Moreno), The Kid (Amadeo), Slicks and the Key. Also generating income to help with the next bout of regeneration.


• The B Sharps boss picked up the coveted TM Ireland Manager of the Year award this season. Lucky first season? Or should he be considered one of the dark horses for the title next year?

The B Sharps had a great season, but it doesn’t come as a large surprise. Whereas some managers have progressed quickly through the divisions to reach the LOI, Sharps has taken a more measured approach and I believe he is reaping the rewards of this now. Some managers who have gotten to the LOI will never win it. Maybe partly down to their success in getting there so quickly. The B Sharps could win it. In fact he’s one of only a handful of teams that could be considered potential LOI winners.

• And looking at the newly promoted LOI boys for Season 19, how do you rate their chances?

I guess I’ll have to start with Crusaders – good friend of mine IRL. We actually started the game round the same time but he had other ideas on what might bring success in the game – I guess the jury’s still out on which of us took the right path ;-) (He’ll not like that one). Seriously though I think he was very unlucky to be relegated last time out (this he had the highest pts total to even go down) and should be well equipped for mid table this season at the very least. Pushed us to extra time in the cup (last 16 I think) this season as well. As for the rest of the guys – they’re all good teams and have come up quite convincingly from what are tough divisions. Rage looks like he may struggle a bit and Athlone’s squad certainly on paper looks to be the best equipped to cope in the big time. Serenity has seen it all before and will have no fear in the top flight.

• Mike 'The Kid' Simpson picked up the Player Hall of Fame award this season. Your thoughts?

Kid’s a legend. Hall of famer at 28! Don’t tell him I said this but I actually don’t rate him as a ‘world class’ defender. Amadeo will hopefully be better.

• Certain posts on the forum suggest you are on the lookout to strengthen the squad over the sales? What areas are your squad are you looking to improve?

Bit disillusioned with the Sales. Prices are going up, quality going down. We’re getting to the stage now where we’ve got to prise top players from living people J Which is also much more fun of course. NT Sales actually might work in our favour this season as I reckon a lot of money left the game.

• As a former NT, what do you reckon our chances in the next World Cup are?

I’d love to see us win a major tourney. Think Ireland has the players to do it now as well. My only worry is CB will ignore players who haven’t played for him yet. If that happens it’ll be much harder to win it. On our squad alone Neill, Connolly and O’Bannon are surely certain NT starters. Whatever about the WC being on last season being too soon, they must be considered for this season. All the best to CB – I hope he fares better than I did in major tournaments.

• Just to have it on record, how much did it hurt losing 1-0 to my bunch of journey men? ;)

To reiterate ‘I’ve been Biffed’. Get someone to do up an image of that – better again a T-shirt. I’d wear one ;-) (Any takers.... Get designing, upload and PM the link to Biff on tm. A few Pro days for the best entry).

• Season 19 is just around the corner. Any predictions to share with us?

If someone other than Teabag or le Sharks wins the title – it’ll be Elland.