TM Ireland - Trophymanager Ireland

The last, but of course not least, of the Season 26 interviews, LoI new entrant for season 27 - De Bowez...

A pretty exciting way to get to the top flight after a play-off, how did you rate your chances at the start of Season 26?

As I had made the playoffs in Season 25 I was fairly confident going into S26, even putting winning the league down in my sponsor goals. Turned into a great battle with ASS and Wolfie though, my lack of strength in depth really telling during any injury/suspension crisis.

You did 6 seasons in 2.1, is it the toughest Div 2 group?

It certainly was in the first couple of seasons there, there were only 14 points seperating 2nd and 13th in S21. I think with promotion/relegation and some teams strengthening better than others etc a gulf did start to emerge over the last few seasons though culminating in ASS finishing last season with a record 85 point haul.

You lucked out in a playoff in Season 25, did you do anything different this time round?

Relegation from the LoI (and other DB nightmares...)

Which of your players do you regard as irreplaceable?

C.Brennan, signed for 100m in S13s NT save he had 12k ASI, was a bit of a gamble as he had bloomed but turned out fantastically well 393 games played later for him, would say he was the main reason I was able to push on from 4.1 to 2.1 between seasons 17 and 21.

Your senior squad is a bit on the lean side (as is mine…!) will you be looking to beef it up or buy cover as we begin the new season?

Am selling a 4.5 star OMC to replace with a top quality centre half but will have to rely on selling bloomed youths to make any further signings infortunately. Will be relying on moving between 442 and 451 to get me through injuries and suspensions.

TM is all about the long haul, you’re in the game since season 11, did you think you’d still be playing all those years ago?

I remember reading in the forum way back then that YD/TG was probably a 2 year project but I jumped in and went for it, figured that I'd be able to just check in every now and then at least while the youths developed, mad how the time flies though.

What keeps you interested in TM?

The competition and constantly trying to improve my team, I can certainly understand how the likes of Crimson Kings would end up getting bored with the game. Reaching the LOI has obviously been the aim for a long time, there's still a hell of a lot to try to acheive now that I've gotten here, starting with avoiding relegation obviously.

How long have you had YD and training at 10?

Probably since S18 or S19 while still in 3.1 but badly needing to get promoted to keep it. Basically increased both the second building had been completed for the previous level till I hit level 10.

How lucky have you been with drafting quality youths?

Am fairly happy with how its gone. Only(?) 3 of my key players, Colhoune, O'Gorman and O'Connor have come through the youth system but T.Corr at ML to WAB and P.Corr to ASS at DL would have comfortably been still starting for De Bowez if Colhoune and O'Connor hadn't been blooming with better potential around that time. I have done very well of making money from very average youths in the past altho with the new star rating system I think the days of being able to make profit from youths rated at 10 in the old system are gone. Think the fact that I haven't made a loss in the transfer market since S16 justifies having both at Level 10.

Loads of changes to the game recently, how happy are you with the way it’s developing?

I don't like the star system, over simplifies things a lot, I also preferred the old layout of the site but if it brings more players in I'm sure I'll get over it. I also preferred the old way of watching the matches.

What would you change about TM tomorrow, if anything was possible?

Not much, maybe a mixture of some of the old site with some of the new site but I realise it's pointless to complain so I'll just get on with it and adapt where I can.

What did you make of the Stan and Cav unstoppable show last season?

Looks like fairly sensational stuff, being in mid table to promotion pushing in 2.1 seems like a lifetime away from the top of the Premier Division so haven't paid that much attention to it, especially as I had practically given up on the play/off spot going into the final day of S26.

Who do you most want to thrash in the LoI…?

The Fate of Sharky & Stan...?

And lastly (as per usual), give us your prediction – how will you do this season?

Would love to finish 12th but will be very happy with a 15th, I'd certainly expect to spend the season around that area of the table at least.

Cheers mate and good luck