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Post by coffers on Apr 29, 2010 11:12:29 GMT
Into February and we were blessed by a visit from lowly Mantova, a fine headed goal by Don't Kiss Me opened the scoring on 2 minutes and Biblical Afterthought added a second on 8 with a 25 yard strike. That was it, thank goodness they were awful as we might have had problems against a better side. Won 2-0
By now Victorious Friend is complaining that he has been treated unfairly and that I don't value him as highly as I should, I've also reassessed some other players and they are joining the disgruntled queue.
Next on the agenda is a trip to Parma, not something to relish when the team is starting on a moan fest and when they went 1-0 up on 37 minutes I thought our goose was cooked. But we were retaining possession well and on 44 minutes God's beer thumped in an equaliser from a Calamari Cocktail long throw. I gave a rousing half-time talk and on 55 Stolen Book thumped in a 25 yard shot from a Finca Special free-kick. On 90 Calamari Cocktail split the Parma defence with a long through ball that Biblical Afterthought latched onto and smashed under the advancing keeper. Won 3-1
It all seems to be going well but it's noticeable that a number of players are having problems settling in after the revolving door policy since being promoted. One player that has got over that issue is Stolen Book and I'm hoping that he'll help fellow Englishman Don't Kiss Me blend into the squad a lot quicker than normal.
At home to Empoli we are expected to lose, they are riding high in the table and boy do they show it as the romp into a 3-0 half-time lead, the goals coming on 6, 18 and 45+3. The second half is almost a turnaround as Medusa reduces the deficit on 61 and Scirocco adds a second on 65. we have as many shots as them throughout the game but can't add to our total. Lost 3-2
A trip away to lowly Ancona for the last game in February should see us bounce back but it ends in a disappointing one goal defeat. The goal coming in the 19th minute. Former Alghero player, Lost Saint didn't get onto the pitch so we can't even say that he was up to make a difference in the game. Lost 1-0
Morale was heading in a downward spiral with moaning players not helping much, but we were still in a healthy mid table position.
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Post by Moo on Apr 29, 2010 11:29:39 GMT
Bit of a mixed bad there, Coffers and not an ideal situation with that stroppy fella. Couldn't you fine him for Unprofessional behaviour? That's normally what I do when players tell me I'm an idiot. It happens a lot, you'll be surprised to hear.
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Post by coffers on Apr 29, 2010 11:36:40 GMT
Bit of a mixed bad there, Coffers and not an ideal situation with that stroppy fella. Couldn't you fine him for Unprofessional behaviour? That's normally what I do when players tell me I'm an idiot. It happens a lot, you'll be surprised to hear. I looked for that option, ie discipline player, but there was nothing in the list where the options should be.
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Post by coffers on Apr 29, 2010 11:51:50 GMT
Onwards into March, Chievo visited and a breakaway goal by Biblical Afterthought on 11 minutes settled a game we were expected to hammered in. Chievo had a player sent off after 66 and Biblical Afterthought walked after 71 for unprofessional behaviour, for which he received a weeks fine. Won 1-0
Next up we traveled to 2nd placed Lecce and shocked them a little when on 18 Armore target pounced on a parried Kimono Dragon shot to give us the lead. That was as good as it got, Lecce came back with goals on 28 and 68 to consolidate their place in the top two. It's not as if it was unexpected. Lost 2-1
The board are making mutterings about the lack of harmony in the squad and the excessive salary budget, there is nothing I can do about the budget at this point in the season.
Modena came visiting expecting an easy game, they got one but not in the way the expected. It was easy alright, but it was easy for us not them. Goals from Biblical Afterthought (36), Lucky Franchise (50, he first for the club) and two from Armore Target on 59 and 85, eased to all three points. Won 4-0
Serial Bigamist and Victorious Friend are finding it hard to motivate themselves to play for me because: a) I don't have a high reputation in football and b) because of personal issues. They aren't settling well apparently, all the other foreigners aren't settling either. Plus those that aren't getting regular games are moaning too.
Away to top 4 placed Triestina looks a tough encounter and so it proves to be, but a Medusa goal 2 minutes from time flukes us all 3 points and we find ourselves 7th in the table. Won 1-0
The final game in March sees us away to Cremonese and a 77th minute goal settles it, unfortunately in their favour. Lost 1-0
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Post by coffers on Apr 29, 2010 12:57:55 GMT
The final run in is rapidly approaching as we enter April, our first game is at home to Vicenza and it's a fairly even affair even if Vicenza do seem to have most of the possession, the first half is goalless, but we step up a gear in the second period and Armore Target hits a double on 57 and 77 to take the Man Of The Match award and gives us all 3 points. Won 2-0There are all sorts of players by now moaning about the lack of harmony in the club I tell the press that it's good that they recognise this, now perhaps they'll get their bloody heads down and work together to sort it out. If they spent as much time training and sorting their heads out as they did moaning maybe there wouldn't be a lack of harmony. An away trip to Reggina proves to be a stunner of a match. Biblical Afterthought opens on 14 minutes, but Reggina equalise on 28, the first half ends in a draw. On 57 Serial Bigamist collects the ball about 45 yards out on the right touchline and hits a ball into the area, it floats over the keepers head and we have the lead again. On 68 Reggina have equalised again. The last 12 minutes are just mental, Reggina go ahead on 78 and add another on 82, with all seemingly lost Medusa pops up and ends his goal drought on 88 with an 18 yard shot. We press for an equaliser but their keeper is on form and keeps out 2 belting efforts that deserved to go in. Lost 4-3Piacenza at home follows and Kimono Dragon slams the opener from an angle after only 5 minutes. On 66 Piacenza head the equaliser from a corner. On 85 Kimono Dragon caps a fine game with a neat through ball to set Medusa up for the winner. Won 2-1Theme Park's Frosinone come to town and though he has a good game we have a better one. On 28 Fabulous Zannucci uses his pace to race away and score on the break. A 59th minute penalty by Stolen Book completes the scoring. Won 2-0Next up a trip to Arezzo who need a win to stand a chance of staying up, it's a dreadful game that ends in a 0-0 draw which isn't good enough to save Arezzo, they go down. This leaves us with 4 games to play, 3 at home and 2 of the games are against lowly teams. The first is at home to lowly but safe Sassuolo, they are for some reason expected to win easily, but don't, neither do we. It's another shocking 0-0 draw, we have a lot of possession but can't get near their goal, they break a lot and have a fair few shots but they can't score either. And so ends April with 3 games to play and here is the table: Uploaded with ImageShack.us
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Post by coffers on Apr 29, 2010 19:31:52 GMT
At this point I think we still have an outside chance of making the play-offs which would be an incredible achievement, but I wasn't holding out any hope. We're on the last stretch 3 games left in May, the first at home to Reggiana who occupy 3rd bottom, with two relegation places already decided, Reggiana need a win to have a chance of staying up, a defeat will leave them requiring two wins from their last two games, as long as Piacenza also lose their game today. Unfortunately for Reggiana it's Serial Bigamist who opens the scoring after 16 minutes with a superb curling 20 yard free-kick. On 32 Medusa turns up on the edge of the box to powerfully head in a Biblical Afterthought cross from the left. At that point Reggiana suddenly wake up to the predicament they are in and up their game. On 37 minutes Martin Columbo pulls one back with a 22 yard free kick from the edge of the D. The game remains on the edge for the rest of the game but following their goal Reggiana only manage one more on-target shot, which pretty much matches our efforts following our last goal. Won 2-1 Piacenza win 2-1 at home against Ravenna and confirm Reggiana's demise, all the relegation places are now confirmed. Gallipoli are now safe from relegation but if I expected an easy game I was in denial. Medusa opened after only 8 minutes, latching onto a Calamari Cocktail through ball, he dribbled around the keeper and slotted the ball into the empty net.Gallipoli didn't lie down and kept plugging away hoping for an equaliser. It came four minutes after the break, courtesy of a 30 yard pile-driver by Eliakwu. Both sides completed the game having 50% possession and pretty much the same number of on-target shots so a draw was a fair result. Drew 1-1The last game was at home to mid table Ravenna and we were still in 8th place at this point. I hadn't even looked at the table as I though it was a typical end of season none game. It turned out to be a game we dominated and Biblical Afterthought gave us the lead with a thunderous 25 yard drive on 28 minutes, in front of our largest attendance ever, a capacity crowd of 4000 fans. The stadium was filled to the gunnel's. Despite our dominance we didn't add to our tally until the 80th minute, Shaken Not Stirred heading in a God's Beer corner from 3 yards. Revenna pulled one back with 2 minutes left on the clock, when Ferrario headed in a corner from inside the box to make things interesting. Won 2-1As I got up to leave the pitch at the final whistle there was a mini pitch invasion which at first I couldn't understand, but news filtered through that our win meant we had finished in 6th place ahead of Cremonese and Modena who despite having the same number of points as us and us being only 2nd best in the goal difference stakes, somehow by some magical formula were deemed to be worse teams than us. I actually couldn't believe it. Of course the next step was to overcome a team who had beaten us 3-1 on our turf, but we had beaten 3-1 on their pitch...... Parma. I didn't hold out any hope whatsoever, we'd been quite lucky to win the last game against them and I couldn't see us doing it again. The Final 2011/2012 Table:
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Post by coffers on Apr 29, 2010 21:00:58 GMT
If you thought the season might bring a fairy tale ending by us beating Parma and going on to win promiotion, against all the odds, then you will be disappointed as we lost both legs by two goals to nil making for a 4-0 loss on aggregate. AT that pointt he wheeling and dealing all started again.
We had 3 new players on board before the end of June all freebies:
Bendy Wood a 29yo Antiguan DM/MC rated at 3.5 stars. This may prove to be a mistake as he's non-EU and I already have one non-EU player in the squad, I may have to sell one of them.
Jalapeno Shrimp a 19yo Italian DC rated at 3* potential. Super Glue a 20yo AMC from England rated at 2.5 stars by the AssMan butthe scouts reckon he's better than that. We'll see how he goes, he has some developing to do though.
In the meantime a lot of players will be moving out on 1st July but more of that later. I will need to make some shrewd moves in the transfer market this year.
Armore Target is voted the Fans Player of the Year which surprises me somewhat.
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Post by Moo on Apr 30, 2010 8:24:17 GMT
In all fairness, a playoff berth makes for an excellent season, so I wouldn't be too diheartened with a defeat by Parma. Quality stuff, sir! :thumb:
KUTGW!
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Post by coffers on Apr 30, 2010 8:28:46 GMT
Oh boy I think revolving doors are going to be the order of the day at this club. No one ever seems to want to sign a contract for more than 2 years and after one successful year at the club they won't extend the contracts wanting to see if bigger clubs come in for them no doubt. So this issue I think is going to force my hand to the extent that if I have a player worth decent money with 1 year left on his contract and the bugger won't extend, then no matter how good he is I think I'm going to try to cash ion on him and then go out and find a freebie replacement. There is no way I can compete for decent players who would cost me money.
We have become a wheeling dealing selling club, existing to develop players for bigger clubs. I think I've taken this club as far as I can take it. The stadium has a capacity of 4000 and the board won't improve it, nor will they improve youth or training facilities. The only way to do that is to sell players for big profits.
With that policy in place I can see that the Harmony at the club is always going to be a problem. I'll give it another season or two to see if things improve. We certainly aren't going to be able to exist in Serie A with that sort of business plan.
Oh and it seems we have become a feeder club for Ajax, they pay us £41k per year for the dubious benefit of them sending over youngsters who need developing on loan.
A lot of players have now left the club and some more names will follow in the coming weeks if they don't sign extensions to contracts with a year left on them, players have been recruited but my biggest problem at the moment is recruiting full backs, they are thin on the ground particularly left backs. I may have to rely on youngsters who need to be developed.
I can see this coming season being a struggle. Oh and for anyone interested Empoli beat Parma 3-1 on aggregate in the Play-off final.
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Post by Moo on Apr 30, 2010 8:58:14 GMT
So you now have the pleasure of Parma again next season. Enjoy!
I'd probably advise you to be patient, Coffers. I'm not sure how the ambition stats work, TBH, but it might be that you need the club to catch up to where you are before they commit to going for Serie A. Let's face it, you've had a hell of a progression in a short space of time. I know for an OAP like yourself, it's nothing new, but think of the chairman! And his wife, of course, who now has to piss higher than ever.
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Post by coffers on Apr 30, 2010 9:05:05 GMT
Hence I'll probably give it at least 2 seasons to see how things develop, to give the board their due they increased the wage budget by £15k per week to avoid relegation this season which for a club that at best can expect a max income of £60k from home matches is not bad. I know the club has to live on a shoe string so Ithink I'll have to help boost those finances by selling the players as described above, get waht I can out of them for as long as they are willing to stay and sell in the last 12 months if they won't sign up for an extension. I've lost too much in past saves letting contracts run down, then finding players move on via the Bosman route. Oh I have one other position where I really need to find a solid player, that is at goalkeeper, even teh assman thinks we are weak there. Just don't call me Harry Redknapp.
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Post by Moo on Apr 30, 2010 9:29:36 GMT
I only hope you're not as ugly as he is.
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Post by Sonic on Apr 30, 2010 14:15:29 GMT
What league are you in again Coffers? And you have a stadium of what size again? Is that allowed? Wouldn't this be a condition to be promoted into Serie A? I remember an article about a club in England's lower leagues sacking a manager who was too successful. They put the whole team on sale too, as the Chairman was not ready to be promoted. Which is what happened. The manager who was sacked went far and above what the Chairman wanted, and he wasn't happy, and so was given his P32. It would be interesting to see this brought into the game. I think it would be funny to see the forums after the first couple of weeks :cab:
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Post by Moo on Apr 30, 2010 14:51:46 GMT
I think a P32 might be an expense claim for misuse of tea making facilities, Sonic. You're on about a P45.
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Post by coffers on Apr 30, 2010 15:08:39 GMT
I'm in Italy Serie B, the stadium capacity is 4000 and was upgraded last season to meet Serie B requirements. I also have it on good authority that the Council will not allow anymore expansion due to the cramped nature of the site, the board told me that without even putting it to the council. So I'm stuffed, wheeling and dealing it will continue to be. They also told me the youth facilities don't need an upgrade but agreed the training facilities did. That's all after making a huge profit on selling disaffected players, players who weren't good enough and players who wouldn't extend their contracts. More on that later.
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Post by Sonic on Apr 30, 2010 15:13:13 GMT
It is? Oh. Though, it does sound like it contributes to the situation. I expect you need corgies to make it work though.
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Post by coffers on May 3, 2010 17:53:46 GMT
Moving into the new season 2012/213 sees a complete change in playing staff, not only am I removing players who will just not feature in the future but I'm taking the chance to cash in on decent players with one year left on their contract who won't renew plus I'm taking the chance to remove some moaning bostords with the hope of improving the squad harmony.
So out go: Gorgon Penna: a hope DC who Was only ever a backup and isn't going to see light of day in this team, he leaves for Serie C2 Valle Del Giovenco on a Bosman. Machete Movie: A DLC who moaned all last season about not getting a game, is likely to be moaning during the coming season so wasn't offered a contract extension, he goes on a Bosman to Serie B Frosinone. Fire Lighter A DMC who never pushed on from our season in C1 so I took the chance to offload him to Vicenza for £140k plus extras. Carpet Burns A MLR who doesn't really fit our tactics so he is allowed to move to Pro Vercelli for £30k plus extras. Fabulous Zannucci The ex Newcastle ST with a season left in him and he wasn't interested in signing for more, so time to cash in, he'd hardly set Alghera alight. He heads to recently relegated to Serie B, Padova for £180k plus extras. Mouth Hamster AMR/ST who spent last season out on loan when I couldn't sell him, he now heads for Catanzaro for £16k plus extras. Land Agent RB who also sent the last season on loan because we couldn't sell him. He now moves to Olbia for £20k plus extras. Lucky Franchise DLC and club captain, he's had his head turned by bigger clubs so won't sign a new contract, so it's time to cash in. He heads out to Betis for £1.4M plus extras. Finca Special AM/LC a half decent player on his day but gloriously inconsistent, he was also dismayed by the lack of harmony at the club. A constant target for co-ownership by other clubs. He heads out to Bari for £875k plus extras. Serial Bigamist DLR the first choice right back normally and also a player who finds it hard to motivate himself to play for me, because I don't have a high reputation in the game, plus he won't sign a contract extension. Bye bye, twat I hope you enjoy your next wife. Serie A Lecce pay £1.4M for him and agree to extras if they sell him on. Hard Pad First choice GK last season, I just feel he's weak and inconsistent, so he is sold to Lazio for £825k plus extras. Victorious Friend DMC and the one I blame as start of all the trouble last season, Despite him saying all differences are resolved I find that I didn't agree with that statement, so QPR can have him for £925k plus extras. Armore Target ST, last seasons Fans player of the year, I don't rate him and when Bellinzona agree to pay £1.3M plus extras for him, his days are decidedly numbered. Cast And Go AM/RC/ST Didn't take his rare chances last season and I can't see him getting any this season so I take £100k plus extras from Avellino. Full Charge DM/MC/AMC, by rights a guy with the stats he has should have walked int to team, but he didn't and when he did he was either up or more often than not down. Inconsistent is not the word. Murcia can have him for £650k plus extras. Plus his age was counting against him in the squad selection stakes. Scirocco is allowed to go to Salernitana for £140k plus extras.
Out of that lot six players could say they saw regular first team action.
I all we take £8M in transfer fees, which pays off a lot of debt and allows the board to indicate that training facilities will be improved. However when I ask for better youth facilities I'm turned down, which disappoints me, we've never seen anything better than a 1 star potential player come through the ranks. I also ask for a ground expansion, but the board claim the Council won't allow it in such a cramped residential area.
After all this activity the board indicate that I can have a transfer budget of £1.75M and a wage budget of £60k per week which is an improvement on last years £45k per week. However as I've been scouring the freebie markets I reduce the transfer budget to minimal in order to have a wage budget around the £100k per week mark. I might actually stay within those boundaries this season.
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Post by coffers on May 3, 2010 18:22:36 GMT
It's time to announce the replacements, they are all free.
Players coming into the club
Tubular Biros 29you Italian DM/MC, he's been with Genoa and Bari for the last 5 seasons, whilst he can't say he's seen regular action, he does have some decent experience and should prove a valuable Serie B squad member. Rated at 3 stars. Fetid Rambo 23yo Argentinian DM/MC, released by Udinese after years in their youth set-up, spent a lot of time on loan to Serie C1 clubs. Rated at 3 stars. Attack Sheep 27yo Italian AM/RLC/FC. This guy looks useful and is rated at 3.5 stars, he's spent years at Atalanta. Squeaky Voice 23you Italian AM/FC rated at 3 stars has spent time at Juventus and Empoli. Ninja Snail 23yo Spanish AM/RL/FC rated at 3 stars, spent the last 2 years at Valencia without breaking into the team. He previous had a few games for Rangers in 2008/2009 whilst on loan from. He, Attack Sheep and Medusa could well be the 3 strikers for the coming season. Frog Roast 25yo Spanish GK, rated at 2.5 stars his stats look more impressive than Hard Pad's I'm hoping he'll be the prime keeper until Areo Bubble develops into suitable first team material. Trial Genie 32 year old Malian DLC, currently rated at 3 stars, this was a belting signing for this league, an interesting pedigree including many years at Liverpool, then Charlton and Portsmouth before finally turning up at Monaco for 3 seasons. They decided not to renew his contract. I think he'll do a fine job replacing Lucky Franchise. Cinzano 23yo Italian D/WB/M/L, 2.5 star player who will act as a squad player. Rosetta Stone 27yo Italian D/LRC rated at 3.5 stars he'll be a more than adequate replacement for Serial Bigamist at Right back. Caramac Sundae 23yo, Italian ST, rated at 2.5 stars, came through the Fiorentina youth system, he has better composure and finishing skills than Fabulous Zannucci, so may well be a step up. Armoured Smurf 23yo Icelandic International AM/FC, rated at 3.5 stars I can see him pushing everyone for a place in the attack. There should be no room for slackers this year. If you blink you could end up out of the squad. There should be some real competition for a place in the attack this season. Last year there was no real competition for the 3 starters.
The one signing that I made that I think was a key is Medusa, this guy was almost out the door but decided to sign a contract extension at the last minute, it helped that I could increase his wages with the new budgets on offer and I think with a year at the club under his belt he's settled into the area now. I think we'll see him improve as the season goes on.
One interesting development is that after being turned own for multiple international managerships, I get offered the role of England's U21's manager. I snap it up. I don't really wnat it but it's time to boost my international rating within the game.
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Post by Moo on May 4, 2010 8:57:47 GMT
Being an U21 manager will improve your standing in the game, for sure, and allow you to get to a bigger club, or at the very least make the current club more attractive to better players. A hell of a staff turnaround there, I hope it doesn't disrupt things too much.
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Post by coffers on May 4, 2010 9:06:00 GMT
I think high turnover is something I'm going to have to live with here. As soon as a player improves here, he wants to move to a bigger club. To be honest this place isn't going to be able to afford bigger wages without constant selling to fund the wages. So it's improving youngsters and sell or get half decent freebies and sell. Either way we're a selling club. The finances are at least now secure. We've gone from owing over £1.5M to having over £4M in the club bank account. That will reduce over the season due to my wage bill. Then it will start all over again next year.
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Post by Sonic on May 4, 2010 10:24:19 GMT
And each season that this happens, the more money your club will have, and the better players your going to end up with. At least from what I can see so far.
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Post by coffers on May 5, 2010 22:39:31 GMT
The wheeling and dealing is over and it's time to get stuck in to some games.
The Friendlies
Barcelona (ESP) at home, we were overwhelmed but Barca only scored two in the first half to take the game. lost 0-2 Valle Del Giovenco (ITA) Away, we had 69 % possession and a shot count of 18/9, they scored first on 69 and we equalised in the 90th minute from Calamari Cocktail. Drew 1-1 Lemona (ESP) at home, this is more like it, Kimono Dragon opened on 5 and added a second on 56. Armoured Smurf hit our third on 62 and Medusa completed the rout on 87. They didn't have one on target shot in the game Won 4-0 Melfi (ITA) away, again the opposition were kept at bay with a 3/0 shot ration but Medusa was our only scorer this time with a goal on 16. Won 1-0
The Italian Cup 2nd Qualifying Round
Arezzo at home, they were relegated from Serie B last year but gave us a hard time when we met them last. They didn't this time, Attack Sheep opened on 18, but Arezzo leveled on 38. We didn't really get going until after the break but then Medusa ran riot with a hat-trick of goals on 52, 65 and 78. Won 4-1
That left us with an away trip to Lecce in the next round, not a trip to be relished as they did the double over us last season and knocked us out of the cup last year too. This year was no different but we did give them a fright. Calamity Pane opened the scoring on 14 minutes and we held the lead until 63 when Mesbah equalised. The game went to extra time and Lecce edged ahead on 101 only to see Biblical Afterthought blast an equaliser 2 minutes later. With a minute left to play it looked like penalties beckoned, but Lecce stole the match with what I thought was a dubious offside goal. We may have lost but we looked a better team than last season. Lost 3-2 AET
THE LEAGUE STARTS HERE
On to the first league game of the season and we traveled to Reggina a side that was about on a par with us last year. The game was quite an even affair but Medusa proved to be the difference between the two sides, scoring a brace on 27 and 88. Tubular Biros was injured during the game with 5 minutes remaining. Won 2-0
England U21 As the England U21 coach I took charge of the squad for the penultimate game of the Euro U21's Championship Qualifiers Grp 3 in a home game against the Czech Republic who had the temerity to take the lead on 9 minutes. Nimely-Tchuimeni equlaised for us on 38 and Adam Pepper gave is the lead just before the break. Delfouneso put us 3-1 up after 56 minutes but the Czechs made things interesting when they pulled a goal back on 72. It wasn't enough. Won 3-2 I was surprised to find out that the win had guaranteed that we would finish top of the group with one game to play, this meant we had a play-off place lined up to make it to the final stages.
That saw the transfer window close.
September opens and we start with an away trip to Bologna, they had all the shots (14/8) but we made our 4/4 ratio count for more. Ninja Snail opened on 24. Bologna turned up the heat and equalised on the hour mark, it wasn't enough though as Biblical Afterthought scored the winner on 77. Won 2-1
England U21 The final U21 game in the group was an away trip to Luxembourg and it proved a formality in more ways than one. We were 4-0 up by half time with goals form, Delfouneso on 5, 24 and 40, Nimely-Tchuimeni grabbed the other on 19. The second half got even better as Delfouneso added a fifth on 50. The rout was completed by Rob Stone (58 & 90), a Spogen OG on 68 and goal by Joe Power on 88. Won 9-0
We would meet Portugal in the two legged Play-off.
England U21 There followed an away trip for England U21's to Sweden for a U21 friendly and though the score suggests otherwise we ran out easy winners, Rob Stone opened on 45+3 and Adam Baker hit a second on 52. Their keeper played a blinder to keep a rampant attack at bay. Won 2-1
With Chievo visiting us in the next game it felt like we were having a tough start to the season but once again we rose to the occasion, Bendy wood hit a rising 35 yard drive after only 2 minutes to give us a shock lead. Attack Sheep repeated the feat on 58. on 76 the defence went to sleep and allowed De Falco a free shot from 22 yards to give Chievo some hope, but with 4 minutes remaining Ninja Snail killed off Chievo's slim hopes with a 20 yard strike in front of a capacity 4000 crowd. Won 3-1
Guess who is top at the moment?
Home against Mantova should have been a formality, it wasn't we dominated but couldn't score. Drew 0-0.
Another formality ended in disappointment, away to Albinoleffe Biblical Afterthought opened after 20 minutes, we couldn't add to the score and paid the price on 75 when they broke and equalised. Drew 1-1
I hoped a pattern wasn't emerging but it wasn't yet, newly promoted Legnano were our visitors and Medusa opened on 13 after Attack Sheep played him in. Biblical Afterthought claimed our second with a 20 yard strike on 85. It was a game short on excitement but we still headed the table. Won 2-0
The final game in September saw us host Brescia, God's Beer opened on 10 with a penalty but Brescia leveled within 2 minutes. Another penalty, this time by Don't Kiss Me on 61 gave us the lead again, but we threw that away with 4 minutes remaining. Drew 2-2
We end the month hanging onto top spot so I shouldn't complain too much.
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Post by coffers on May 5, 2010 23:08:53 GMT
We're now in October and the first game is the U21 play-off game:
England U21 We're at home to Portugal in the first leg and they must fancy their chance. unfortunately for them so do we, Adam baker opens on 28 and Steve Crane adds a second just before the break. The half isn't over when Delfouneso puts us 3 up a minute into injury time, we're looking good and nothing in the second period changes that. Nimely Tchuimeni hits our fourth on 67. Portugal plunder a consolation on Oliveira but still look shell-shocked at he end. Won 4-1
A quick dash back to Italy and an away trip to Padova awaits Alghero. Medusa opens the scoring on 8, but Padova are level on 10, we still remain suckers for the swift score on a restart. Never mind, Medusa restores the lead on 28 and Ninja Snail adds a 3rd on 32. We fall away a bit after the break but not enough for Padova to take advantage, though they do pull a goal back on 81. Won 3-2
An international intermission follows as we have a few call ups.
England U21 The second leg away to Portugal is a much harder fought affair but Adam baker gives us a sixth minute lead and Deloufoeso adds a second on 31 to make it 6-1 on aggregate. Portugal hit a consolation on 88 and it's way too little way too late. Won 2-1 on the night and 6-2 on aggregate
We are through to the final stages of the European U21's competition which will take place in 2013.
England U21 not quite content with having us play two competitive games close together this Fa add a 3rd and 4th, this time a friendlies, first up is a trip to Belarus and we run out easy winners with goals from Chris Halliday (15, 25 & 72), Adam Baker (52) and Rob Stone 67. Won 5-0
England U21 Back to the UK and we face a home game against Ukraine, we dominate yet again, Antony Farley opened on 13, Adam Baker adds a second on 56 and Rob Stone completes our scoring on 65. Ukraine hit one on 77 to complete the scoring. Won 3-1
It's time for the domestic stuff again and last years bogey team Parma visit us and we stun them with a 13th minute goal from Attack Sheep but we can't kick on, Parma dominate for long periods and finally equalise on 73, but we hold out for the rest of the game. Drew 1-1
We're starting to slide a little but are still unbeaten or we were until we traveled to Theme Park's Frosinone and got stuffed 2-0. Goals on 14 and 76 eased them to a victory that saw them leap-frog us in the league Lost 2-0
We had slipped to around 4th place at this point. or the final game in October we traveled to Cremonese and struggled yet again, Cremonese hit a 6th minute opener but we dominated the game without making the most of our multitude of chances. Finally Attack Sheep salvaged a point 2 minutes into injury time. Drew 1-1
More slippage we were down to 6th by the end of the month That said we were only 2 points away from the top place.
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Post by coffers on May 5, 2010 23:25:53 GMT
November arrives with the visit of Ravenna, we race into a 2-0 lead with 2 goals 3 minutes by Biblical Afterthought (28) and Bendy wood on 31, but throw it all away succumbing to goals on 42 and 84. Drew 2-2
A trip to lowly Taranto puts us back on the wining trail as Biblical Afterthought hits the only goal of the game on 71. We dominated possession but they should have won if based on chances they missed. Won 1-0
Our home form takes another hit as Modena hit us on the break on 25, Medusa fortunately hits an equaliser on the hour, Modena are reduced to 10 men on 69 but we don't take any advantage from the help the ref gave us. Drew 1-1
England U21's Having had a lot of players become ineligible over the last few weeks I take a opportunity to refresh the National Player list and the squad in general, introducing a lot of new and younger players. A friendly at home to Finland gives the new blood the chance to show what they can do and I'm impressed as we run up 8 goals with only one reply. Adam Baker (11), John Moore (21), Rob Stone (26, 29, 35, 40), Jonjo Shelvey (63pen) and Aaron Spear a Newcastle player hits the last on 67. Finland's sole goal came after 59 minutes. Won 8-1
The final game in November sees Alghero travel to Perugia, they are newly promoted but give us a hrd first half battle. A blank first period is not repeated in the second as we race away with it. Attack Sheep scores two on 29 and 58 and Medusa adds a thrid on 68 to give us an easy win Won 3-0
position wise we're hovering between 3rd and 6th in general.
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Post by coffers on May 5, 2010 23:44:41 GMT
December starts with the visit of Sassuolo who always seem to be hard to beat, it's no different this time but Medusa gives us the advantage and points on 28. Won 1-0Traveling to Vicenza the boot is on the other foot, Vicenza score on 22 and we can't get back into the game. They should have had a bagful and I don't know how they didn't Lost 1-0An interesting encounter against Gallipoli at home is next and we hit he lead after only a minute from a Fetid Rambo scorcher form 35 yards. Vara equalises for Gallipoli on 8. With 11 minutes of the game remaining Gallipoli go ahead and panic stations hits home. Kimono Dragon salvages a point with 3 minutes left on the clock. Drew 2-2A home game against Triestina is postponed to 2nd January due to a waterlogged pitch so our final December game is an away trip to Ancona who are red hot favourites to beat us. They race into a 2 goal lead with goals on 5 and 10 minutes, we look washed up. Calamity Pane pulls one back on 34 with a screamer. Sparks flew at half time and Biblical Afterthought equalises on 55. The bible basher then hits his second and our winner on 73. We have a total of 13 shots in this game all of them on target. Won 3-2. The last December game gets played on the 2nd day of January, at home to Triestina, it doesn't look good when after 5 minutes our keeper, Frog Roast, pushes the ball into his own net, but Medusa has the game leveled on 20 minutes. Attack Sheep gives us a deserved lead on 52 and we grimly hold on to it until the final whistle. Won 2-1The League TableUploaded with ImageShack.us
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