In the first of the “Countdown to 2012″ features, the Old Carey SC caught up with Senior Coach Bill Kotsabouikis to get his thoughts on the Seniors 2011 season

OC: Bill, firstly congratulations on what can only be described as a successful season. Is that how you view the season – successful?
BK:  The boys have worked very hard this year which has shown in our results.  I am extremely happy we finished 3rd this year. The Club has been very successful this year but on a personal note, we didn’t win promotion this year.

OC: It seems a hell of a long time ago when the season started up at Monbulk, but an eternity back to the start of pre-season. Did you expect this team to be pushing for promotion back in January?
BK: I had my doubts at the beginning of pre-season as the friendly games results where shocking. It’s always difficult to settle when you have a new coach,  a new style of play and tactics come into play.  It does take a team a while to take it on board, I would have settled for a finish in 8th spot.

OC: How have you found your first season at Old Carey? I can only imagine that it would have been markedly different to anything you had experienced before?
BK:  Overall my experience at Old Carey has been a positive one. I don’t think there are many clubs out there that I would say are as good as Old Carey, our facilities are 2nd to none.  The clubs positive and can-do attitude is a breath of fresh air. I have enjoyed my time so far at Old Carey, I am sure it can only get better next year.

OC: The playing group, and some of the characters within it, can only be described as a one of a kind. How have you found the playing group?
BK: I was pleased that they worked hard and took up the challenges that I threw at them the entire season. They are a positive and determined bunch of guys which I thoroughly enjoyed coaching.  I wouldn’t change them for any other group.

OC: You would have to be pleased with what you got out of the squad this year. A jump from 10th to 3rd in one season – what do you put that down to?
BK: A great coach LOL,  In all seriousness the boys put in a huge amount of hard work and effort this year. They took all the advice on board and played with heart. I am very proud of these boys performance this year but next year I am looking forward to winning promotion.

OC: For all the positives to take from the season, there were some shortcomings which ultimately saw OCSC fall out of the promotion race. What do you put that down to?
BK:  Our shortcomings were injuries, and a few players out due to holidays etc.  I think the boys had just forgotten how to win. They weren’t accustomed to being on top of the ladder and pushing for promotion, I think the pressure of being in that position was too much for them. Now that they have had a taste of it I’m sure we wont fail at that hurdle again.

OC: The additions of players such as Guy de Vos, Monty Mehdi and Diego Lorenzo certainly had a massively positive effect on the squad, how did you see the ‘new boys’ first season with OCSC?
BK: Well being my 1st season they were all new boys to me. They might have been new boys to the senior team for 2011 but they fitted in as if they were playing with the team for a few seasons. I was very pleased to see the new signings gel so quickly and effortlessly.

OC: Turning very briefly towards season 2012 – have you begun preparation as yet, and what should the players expect for preseason 2012?
BK:  Season 2012 will pretty much be the same as we left off 2011. There will be plenty of hard work, plenty of challenges and obstacles to over come. It will definitely be a challenging year and I know the boys will be up for it. We will strive towards finishing on a higher note in 2012, now that we have set the bar in 2011.

Preparation began as soon as the final whistle was blown for season 2011 to come to an end. All will be revealed in 2012 pre-season.

See you then.

OC: Bill, congratulations again to you and your squad on a fantastic season.