Under Pressure 2022/23

Post Match Press Conference [Harrogate 0 - 1 Southend]

Reporter 1: Rodrigo, a solid away win. Will that help put to bed some of the rumours surrounding your job safety?

de la Vega: I think the fact we've got 8 wins, 2 draws and 23 goals in 14 games should put those rumours to bed.

Reporter 1: But the club are only 11th, surely the board demand more?

de la Vega: I demand more, the fans demand more, and so do the board. Nobody wants to be 11th but we're still in a recovery process. When I arrived the club had started poorly and were 17th after 11 games. If the season had started over when I arrived then on our current form we'd be much higher.

Reporter 1: And does that...

de la Vega: And let me just point out, we're only 3 points away from the playoffs. It's a tight table. We'll be up where we belong soon but it's going to take a few games for us to break away from the pack.

Reporter 2: Chairman Mike Ashley has been reported as saying he's not pleased with the lack of attacking football on display.

de la Vega: [nods] That sounds about right. Hah, look at your faces. You were expecting me to squirm my way out of that one. Let me explain.When I arrived both I and Mike agreed we wanted to play entertaining, attacking football. I just think that now, in practise, our definitions have differed slightly. I would still maintain that we are meeting that promise.

Reporter 2: Really?

de la Vega: [shrugs] Well look at the stats to begin with. Before I arrived the club had scored 11 goals. Averaging 1 a game. We now score just over double that. So I've certainly delivered more goals.

Reporter 1: But the team isn't known for taking a lot of shots, and you're not exactly playing possession football...

de la Vega: The shots we take are good ones. That's why we're scoring more. You think attacking football is defined by the number of shots you have? I think it's defined by the number of successful shots you have. If you don't make the keeper work you might as well not shoot. It's just an area we'll have to disagree on. No more questions, thank you.

Southend Start 2022/23

Today (19th Sept. 2022) Southend chairman Mike Ashley announced the arrival of Rodrigo de la Vega as manager of the struggling BSP club. Despite plans for promotion after 11 games the club were languishing near the relegation zone, and the former manager sacked. de la Vega was brought in quickly, and not just as a short term solution. The mexican manager is rumoured to have signed at least a 2 year contract.


"Delighted to be here. There's a good core squad here, and the club has a real history - one that rightly suggests we should be higher than the BSP. The fans want league football again and that's what we're going to try and deliver."

de la Vega may have to move fast to make any major changes to the team as the season is already well underway. In fact his first game, against Port Vale, takes place in a little over 24 hours. He also has to compete with the transfer legacy of the previous manager.

"I'm not planning on making a huge number of signings or changes. We've got some good players here. We're a little light in certain positions and we're at our loan limit but hopefully we just need one or two faces, and a tactical tweak."

The new manager has apparently also promised to bring attacking football to Roots Hall, and to build for the future.

"Yes that's right. The fans deserve to be entertained, and the club should be thinking about the long term rather than just the short. All very sensible I think and something I'm in complete agreement with the chairman over."

End of an Era: Press Conference 2021/22

de la Vega to announce resignation:

Newforge Lane - 7th May, 2022

Rodrigo de la Vega: [clears throat] Ahem, thank you for attending today. After an in-depth discussion with the board I have decided to hand in my resignation. I have spent many productive years here at the club and as such it is not a decision I have made lightly. I feel it is time for me to move on. I would like to thank the fans, and the players, for everything they have done over the past 5 years. I will now take questions."

Reporter 1: Rodrigo, does this have anything to do with the change in chairman?

de la Vega: Not at all. When Grant came in he secured a loan for the club to keep it going and has been nothing but supportive of the team.

Reporter 1: Then what has prompted this move?

de la Vega: [slight shrug] It's no one thing. I've enjoyed my time here and we've achieved a lot but I feel we are set to struggle without significant investment. Youth facilities for example, we're the only top flight team without a set up and it hurts us every year. Likewise with recruitment, we have a small budget and people know that so we struggle to fill the gaps and flesh out the squad.

Reporter 2: Is this why you were looking to jump ship for Glentoran?

de la Vega: [frown] I've not jumped ship. I've left the club in  a much better state than I found. I just don't feel able to continue that tradition of success I've established at PSNI without further investment. That's not coming so I am leaving to allow someone else a chance to succeed in my place.

Reporter 1: Do you have any plans for where you manage next? You've already experienced Portugal, will you be heading back there, or maybe staying in Northern Ireland?

de la Vega: [smiles] No set plans. I'll see what comes my way. I'd be quite happy to stay here but I'm open to whatever is out there.

Reporter 2: Rodrigo, how do you resp...

de la Vega: Mister de la Vega...

Reporter 2: [rolls eyes] Mister de la Vega, how do you respond to rumours that you have only resigned to improve your chances of getting one of the open positions at Portadown or Distillery?

de la Vega: [tuts] I'm not. This conference is over, thank you very much everyone.


[End of Press Conference]

Just... 2021/22

With the relegation playoffs looming de la Vega made some tactical changes, returning to a formation closer to the traditional 4-4-2.

The first leg was played at PSNI but they were unable to use the home advantage. Further tactical tweaking was performed for the away leg, and there was a pay off...

PSNI won 4-1, and could have grabbed more goals. PSNI survive and de la Vega ensures a 3rd season of NIP football for the minnows.

"I'm relieved... I can't really celebrate it as we were in a relegation playoff. A spot no one wants. But I'm relieved."

By a thread 2021/22

With PSNI unable to put together the performances needed they finish the regular season in the playoff place.

Still better than expected at the start of the season for the cash-strapped minnows but not what de la Vega wanted.

They will face Loughall in the relegation playoff.

The end is near? 2021/22

With the normal stage of the league played PSNI are 11th with 28 points. At the moment the club occupy the relegation play-off spot. At the start of the season many in the media were expecting PSNI to be firmly rooted to the bottom of the table so 11th place is something of a sucess in comparison.

This view is something that de la Vega is keen to dispell:

"We want safety. Guarenteed. Anything can happen in a playoff so we want it sown up by the end of the season. Whether we can do our not now is down to the players. We need to take our changes and tighten up defensively."

Boardroom antics, applications and apologies 2021/22

As we approach the end of the season things have been getting hectic, and worrying, for fans of PSNI.

First of all rumblings from the boardroom have now led to an active take over bid. The process remains unresolved but the club have been placed under a transfer embargo. It is assumed that if successful the new chairman will wipe out the clubs debt.

Normally such a process would be enough to distract the fans but they've had the added concern that de la Vega may be leaving. Papers reported that de la Vega had thrown his hat into the ring for the open position at fellow NIP team Glentoran.

Such news was partially confirmed when de la Vega apologised to the board and the fans over the matter. Though he refused to be drawn on confirming whether an application had been made.

"I was asked....by one of you media types, if the Glentoran job was the type of thing I'd find tempting. And of course is it. That's not the same as me applying for that exact job though now is it?"

A section of the fanbase was so disappointed by the news that they immediately called for de la Vega's resignation. Some even claiming that they would be better off without de la Vega.

de la Vega's reponse was predicatbly spikey. He was quick to remind the fans exactly what the club had achieved under his management.

Note:

Unfortunately I didn't get the job :( Nice to be wanted though.

5 years at PSNI 2021/22

With the start of the new year comes the celebration of de la Vega's 5th year at PSNI. Though the Northen Irish leagues might not have the same hectic rotating door of manager employment some leagues have it is still an impressive stat.

"It's been great. We've had success and we've achieved a fantastic amount for a club our size. We're in the top flight and although things are tough we are enjoying it. I've really appreciated my time here so far, and the opportunity. The fans were rightly dubious of my appointment initially, coming so soon after the erm...relegation incident with Banbridge, but I like to think I've won them over now."

When de la Vega took over PSNI (2017) were languishing in the second division, and were in relegation form. The Mexican manager turned them around and by the end of the season had kept them safe.

The following season (2017/18) de la Vega led the team to a comfortable mid-table place and the Intermediate cup.

In the 2018/19 season the team grabbed the title, and promotion to the first division.

A double followed in 2019/20 as the team secture the title, back to back promotions, and the Steel and Sons Cup. The title win also saw the club promoted to the premier division for the first time in their history.

Despite some ups and downs the team finished a safe 7th place in their debut NIP season.

Fans remain hopefully that de la Vega will steer them to safety once again.
 

Rocky Start 2021/22

"I did say it wasn't going to be easy. The teams know us now and we've still got a small squad."

After 18 games PSNI are 11th, with 15 points. Performances have been patchy and as a result de la Vega was forced into making tactical changes.

"Lining up in a standard 4-4-2 worked last season but we've needed to work for space more this year. So I swapped to a 4-5-1 essentially. One defensive midfielder, two central, to advanced wingers and a striker. We started playing better football immediately. Not perfect but better."

The first match with the new formation ended in a shock 2-0 win in the cup over Linfield. Though fans were happy to be through, and after such a performance, many remain worried. Some fans have stated to question the performances of the back four, and keeper, as PSNI continue to let leads slip.

There seems to be little de la Vega can do though as reports suggest the club is once again sliding towards financial trouble, despite a reduce wage bill.

"Not only do we have less in the budget than last year but we're also using less as well. I think that paints a good picture of where we are financially."

Safety! 2020/21

Against the odds PSNI fans have been able to celebrate survival. In their NIP debut season the team managed to earn 44 points and secure 7th place.

The team hit a worrying slump towards the end of the season but after some impressive and hard fought performances they were able to scrape together enough points.

"Couldn't be happier at the moment. We had some tough moments but the team came together and did exactly what was needed. We're going to enjoy ourselves now and then come back and get ready for it all over again."

When pressed on the plans for next season de la Vega seemed a little less excited.

"It's going to be tough. We don't have the resources to make all the changes we'd like, or to address some of the issues with depth we've had this year. I've already spoken to the board about setting up a youth program but we just don't have the funds."

Some fans are worried that the lack of progress from the board will force de la Vega elsewhere but he has firmly refuted the rumours.

"No I'll be staying. I've just signed a new contract and I think we can move forward. It might be slow and steady but I want to establish the team in the NIP. Surviving is only part of the battle."

Slipping down the table 2020/21

Despite some strong performances PSNI have slowly started to slip down the table. Whilst 30 points seems a respectable total the cushion they had at the halfway point between themselves and the danger of relegation has shrunk dramatically.

This drop can be put down to a horrible slump in form that see's PSNI without a win in 11 league games.

"It's easy to see the issue when you look at our physio room. 5 key or squad players out, and about another 6 struggling for fitness because of the strain and lack of depth. So...maybe 11 players we could use either out of action or below their best. A squad's worth. This is what happens when you're a small club."

When pushed de la Vega added, "We're a club running on a budget smaller than most division 1 sides. The average wage here in the NIP is about £200. Ours is £65. Teams like Linfield can offer one player our entire weekly wage budget. We can't recruit from our youth team either because...we don't have one. No academy, no recruitment, so we can't fill the squad internally."

Frank McAree 2020/21

Frank McAree already something of an Icon at PSNI made further inroads towards establishing legendary status with a special 100th league appearance for the club. In a tightly fought 2-2 draw with Glenavon McAree bagged a brilliant brace.

His first season in the NIP with PSNI has been blighted by injury but despite this he has still contributed 4 goals and 2 assists.

"He's a fantastic player. An integral part of the club, both our promotions and hopefully survival."

Happy Halfway 2020/21

With 19 games played PSNI have reached the halfway point in the NIP season. They do so quite happily as they stand  7th with 26 points.

Importantly they are 15 points above the relegation place, and 11 above the relegation playoff place. There form has been inconsistent but over the 19 games they have managed to take quite a few scalps.

"Our form is what you'd expect from a newly promoted team I think. Part of the fluctuation is down to us getting used to the league, and part of it is down to the rest of the division getting used to us! If we can keep it up though and, importantly, keep our players fit then I'm optimistic."

"40 points is the target really for survival and I think we can do it."

Some fans worry that a downturn is just around the corner but for the moment the majority are happy to enjoy the football being played. Perhaps something more worrying than the potential downturn is the rumour that de la Vega may leave at the end of the season. Sources claim that the manager has had many meetings with the board recently over the running of the club and has left each one of them with a face of thunder.

When pressed de la Vega gave this terse comment;

"Obviously the future of the club is something we all worry about. I have taken my suggestions and request about facillities and youth recruitment to the board."

Bright Start 2020/21

After 10 games PSNI are perched above the relegation zone. Though performances have been patchy the team have battled to some big wins and gathered 13 points.

The fans aren't getting carried away as things could change drastically but they currently seem quietly confient of survival.

"Things are looking good at the moment but we've got a long way to go. A long way with a small squad. We don't have a great deal of depth. We brought in 2 midfielders and a striker but we also lost 3 players over the summer as well. If we get hit by injuries we will suffer."

When pressed about recruitment de la Vega indicated the financial troubles that have dogged the team for seasons.

"We don't have the financial clout. We spoke to some players who were interested but we couldn't afford their wages. In fact our budget has gone down since last season."

Back to Back! 2019/20

Goals from Griffin and Doherty against Chimney Corner secure the points needed for promotion, and the Division 1 title. PSNI have 'done the double' by winning the title and the Steel & Sons Cup, and in doing so have secured back to back promotion to the Northern Irish Premiership.

In the process PSNI racked up 50 points and Frank McAree, despite his injury 4 games from the end of the season, broke the league goalscoring record.

"Like I said we made it difficult for ourselves with our end of season form but we pulled it together for the final game. I'm absolutely over the moon. We've come such a long way since the 2nd division. The players have done fantasticaly well and the fans have supported us every step of the way."

The title is de la Vega's 4th piece of silverware in just under 4 years at PSNI. Fan were previously just pleased that de la Vega had returned the club to Division 1 but now can celebrate the fact they will be playing top flight football next season.

"Our aim next season is to just survive. All celebrations from the title win aside we're a small club, financially we're struggling. We are going to be a very small fish in the NIP. Next season is going to be a struggle but one we're looking forward to."

Getting Close ..... 2019/20

It all hangs in the balance with 1 game to go.

PSNI have already got a guarenteed promotion playoff place but the team and the fans will be wanting the title and the only guarenteed promotion place.

"So close, we're almost there. We just have to wrap up this final game. We could have managed it much earlier really. We've had some poor league form recently, especially the last 3 or 4 games where we only managed to get the 1 point."

With PSNI 2 points ahead a draw would potentially see them win the title on goal difference. It would however all hinge on Dongeal's result. However a win would secure the title regardless of whatever Donegal managed.

Steel-ing Silverware .......... 2019/20

There'll be some sore heads tomorrow as PSNI grafted their way to a good 2-1 win over the Linfield Swifts in the Steel & Sons Cup Final.

"The players have done well. We were missing one or two like McAree unfortuantely but the rest of the team came together and got a really good win. We're proud to be champions!"

Once the players and fans finish celebrating it will be back to focussing on the league. After 15 games PSNI are still 2nd with 34 points, only 1 behind current leaders Donegal.

Early days 2019/20

After 10 leagues games PSNI find themselves supringsly in 2nd place with 21 points.

A series of strong league performances sees them comfortably keeping pace with some of the bigger names in the league. The fans are trying not to get carried away but the standard of football from PSNI is promising.

"No...don't mention the T-word yet. Or the P. Long long way to go. We're just pleased we're playing so well. Every point we have gotten so far we've deserved. We've worked hard and played well and we're reaping the rewards at the moment. We have to keep that up to ensure we don't slip down the table."

Just as exciting as the league form is PSNI cup performance.

The team reached the Semi-Finals of the County Antrim Shield before being knocked out by a strong Ballymena Utd. However in the Steel and Sons Cup PSNI have managed to book a place in the final against Linfield Swifts.

"I know it's not the biggest cup in the world but everyone wants to win silverware. It doesn't really matter what it is. We're looking forward to the match and the chance to add to the club's history."

Survival Aim..... 2019/20

After struggling through financial issues and grabbing promotion PSNI now have a potentially difficult season ahead of them in the N.I. division 1. The team are finally back in the 1st division, where they fell from grace several seasons before, but their limited resources mean they may not recruit much. Instead they will be rely heavily on the team that gained them promotion, in particular Frank McAree.

"Survival is what we're aiming for. I think we have the team for it as well. We took a lot of scalps in the cups and have punched above our weight. Now the team is a little older, a little wiser and we can continue. I don't think it will be easier, but I think we can do it."

The fan would probably have liked to see more recruitment but will have to make do with the good news that McAree has signed a new contract.

Title Time! 2018/19

Despite the troubling financial situation PSNI and de la Vega managed to persevere.With 2 games to go PSNI ensured promotion, and in the penultimate game of the season they managed to grab the title. After years of playing at level deemed below them fan were able to celebrate and look forward to better times.

Solid form in the league, and no distraction from the cups, meant PSNI finished 1st with 66pts.

"Fantastic. Absolutely fantastic. We pretty much made 1st place our own from the very start of the season but with everything happening off the pitch we just couldn't relax. Now we can!"

 "Definitely the player of the season for me, McAree. He broke our goalscoring record, 20 league goals. We just need to get him to stay now."

Despite the title win several key players are still not on new contracts. The financial situation seems to be limiting the club.

"Yes it's a finance issue. They want to stay, we want them to stay. But they need to get paid. We'll have to see what happens."


The NI2 is de la Vega's second piece of silverware at PSNI, and in his career.

Back in black, sort of (2018/19)

After several attempts to restructure the debt, and a CVA to deal with what is still owed PSNI finally move out of administration.

"Financially things are still precarious but at least now, in the short term, we can concentrate on our title fight."

After 26 games PSNI sit 1st. Fans will be relieved that the run in to the end of the season won't be complicated by docked points.

Police Admin (2018/19)

Worrying times ahead for PSNI as the club enters Administration. The warning signs had been there for some time but the club was unable to pull out of the financial nose dive.

"It's depressing. We're top of the table but we're in trouble. All we can do is try and push on for promotion. The financial reward isn't great but it's our only hope if we are wanting some form of stability."

When pushed about what this meant for the players a despondent de la Vega had this to say;

"We want them all to stay but we have to accept offers now. But to be frank player sales aren't the way out of this. We're not sitting on any £500k players so all selling would do is destroy any chance of promotion. As for the wage bill we can't make any cuts. We were already working well below the budget and have been for almost two seasons now."

"What does this mean for next season? Well we can't offer reasonable contracts to about 5 of our key players. Even we go up we might not be able to keep them. There's also issue with our promotion push as well...if we're docked points it could knock us out of the running."

Note:

Never been in this situation on FM before. It's kind of awesome.

Promotion Push (2018/19)

The start of the season saw little activity as the club concentrated on replacing backroom staff rather than players. It wasn't until a week before the season opener that PSNI managed to find a suitable assistant manager. As a result fans were left without any major signings.

Despite the relative lack of recruitment PSNI found themselves performing well. After 17 games the club top the table.

"We've had a great start to the season but nothing is wrapped up yet. We have to make sure we don't slip."

Last year some fans felt the distraction of the cups, though pleasant, cost the club a promotion place. This season there will be no such excuse as the team have exited every cup competition. All that remain are the 13 league games.

Success...of sorts (2017/18)

"A good season but we're going to keep the celebrations low key."

de la Vega's first full season in charge has left PSNI fans with something to celebrate. Fantastic cup runs results in their first Intermediate Cup win since 1987, and an impressive semi-final appearance in the Irish Cup.

"We gave the fans a lot to cheer about in the cup, and the final was spectacular. I'm very proud of the cup and scalps we took in the process. We can't get carried away though, a cup win isn't the same as promotion and that has to be our aim."

In the league PSNI seemed close to mounting a promotion challenge and were in the mix up until the last 5 games. However poor form saw them drop away from the pack and finish in 6th place with 43 points.

"A place and a point better than last year. Not quite the progress we were hoping for but still a good showing considering our financial situation. We managed this gradual improvement and cup win on a wage budget half the size of last year."

Half way through the season the PSNI board announced a 50% slash in the wage budget.

"We were already below our cap but it didn't and still doesn't give us room to work with. Even I've taken a wage reduction with my new contract of around the same margin. Next season will be interesting. We had good performances from McAree, Monteiro and Browne but we need to keep building."

"Aims for next season? I want to say promotion but we'll have to keep an eye on the finances and recruitment."