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Post by Sonic on Mar 24, 2006 2:07:03 GMT
Ok, my just to stop going into others threads and hijiacking them so often, I'll open my own. Now I'm in Spain with Lorca which is supposed to be somewhere near the cost. At least that was what the travel agent in Prague said. Grr. At least I'm not too far away I think. I'm having trouble speaking, as Polish, English and my rudimentary Czech isn't helping much at all but the fans and board seem extact to have me on board. I almost had a heart attack when I saw the state of the club. It was worse than when I took over the Piast Polish club, what with about 3-4M pounds debt and all the top players leaving on mass. The training pitch is average and the stadium capacity holds just under 9000 people I think. Surprisingly for the amount of debt the club has, I've been given 800k to spend. I'm on 1800 pounds. There was another upheavil at the same time as I left Slavia Prague, I jumped from Nigeria to Argentina. The next couple of games are against Uruguay and Brazil, both in Argentina. The first thing I do is shift through the squad, and get rid of all the useless tossers in the youth set-up. It was more of a picnic team. A lot of free transfers there. Three I think. Possibly. I'll have to check. The players off on transfers were all shunted to the reserve team, and the free transfer pile was sifted through and resulted in a GK being offered a job. I also offered a bunch of oldies who still have good stats and could fill a role for a season. Only a couple of youngsters were offered contracts as most were shite. It should also be noted that I’m still a this point in the previous season, before updates occurred. It also should be mentioned that the rearranging of friendlies only took place after the season fixtures were released. During this time, I arranged the sale of a GK, MC, some other players from the reserves and tried to get rid of some players taking up wages that needn’t be. Plus they were crap. I also signed up a good looking DMC who was released from Juv, a position I really needed someone for, an very good Aftrican striker from PSV(a coupe in my eyes) and saw come in a few other players on frees that were already aranged. I tried to hire some backroom staff, and only succeed in getting one good coach. Derlei is my Ass Man at the moment, with ordinary stats and an exorpanant 1k pounds per week wage. I ended up mutually terminating him, though that came later, for the cost of 190K, instead of the 300K or so it would have taken to straight sack him. Someone stupidly had signed him on until 2017! I got some interesting youngsters in too, on not bad looking 15yr SC. I’ve got this good Nigerian striker coming in who looks good too. The Transfer Window opened and the debt was whipped to -800K and then they gave us 1.8M for TV writes pushing the balance into the black. I then went crazy and revamped the backroom staff and now have 4* and 5* coaches for all my positions, and some how ended up with two Ass Mans, one who is shit hot. The Physio’s got a caineing and revamping too. The scouts just didn’t want to come, those who knew better that is. I then had to wait a few more days, which drove the bank balance back into the red, for the sale of another player, who then drove the bank balance over a mililion. I promptly asked for a training upgrade, which was agreed upon :checkit: While all this was happening, I was also on the look out for an Ass Man for my Argie side. No-one wanted to do it, until I came across an ok Argie manager who wasn’t in a job and had an obscure rep. I promptly gave him the role of the youth teams and the arranging of friendlies ![:D](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/grin.png) Anyhoo, I’m up to this stage, and got still days to go before the friendlies kick in. The league runs later than the other two I previously managed in. If I do well on the South American continent, I could go to a World Class rep. The team only has aspirations of fighting bravely against relegation, but I think I’ve sufficiently upgraded them that they should finish a little bit higher than that. I think I’m going to play a 442, though I’ve got room to be flexible and might play with wing-forwards seeing as I’ve signed some forwards who can go that. Should I bother knicking the players? That’s were this is at :cab: I'll make my other updates a bit smaller :humb:
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Post by coffers on Mar 24, 2006 8:24:56 GMT
Should I bother knicking the players? Only the one's you trust who would do a job and only if you can get them for a 'bargain price'. ![:D](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/grin.png) .
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Post by Sonic on Mar 27, 2006 0:16:14 GMT
I had a bid of 1.5M pounds + 25% sell on clause accepted only for hte transfer not to go through due to the club not having hte funds. He's wanting to leave and not wanting to leave at the same time :moop:
I'm upto the first friendly game, have had a recently signed coach poached(luckily he wasn't too crucial to replace), and have signed a DC and a DMC.
I'm considered relegation material, and I think I've done well to get the club out of the red so quickly. It does help when a bunch of transfers were already set up for a bit of money. I'm over my wage budget by about 15K. I'll only knock that down if they start saying something, or some of the useless tossers at the club are able to be offloaded.
I'm having trouble getting a GK on loan, but might have managed to sign a Uruguian with a Spanish second nationality for about 6k which will be good.
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Post by Sonic on Mar 27, 2006 21:56:56 GMT
Ok, friendlies commence and I've discovered that the tactic I'm to use lacks a few positions, namely an AMR, another stirker who can finish and is a donkey to boot, maybe another DC. I fixed the GK position with a 6K purchase and got one of AMRs required, with some clubs not wanting to get rid of players and some players not wanting more money. The AMR is a good one, and fits perfectly in.
The friendlies go well, with 4 played, one in Jupitor in fact, and one having to be re-arranged due to girls getting involved. The results were 3-0, 4-0, 3-0 and 3-0 with the next game being the 1st round in the Girly Cup, with Lorca drawing Malaga at home. This were I've saved the game, and I'm looking forward to seeing how good the tactic is.
The bookie's have us at 40-1, thinking Lorca will achieve a safe mid-table position. I'm hoping that the team performs like it does in the friendlies as they've been absolutely dominating the opposition. I don't know how some efforts were saved.
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Post by Sonic on Apr 6, 2006 23:37:49 GMT
Lorca’s first real test and mine was Malaga in the first round of the Copa del Ray, and as I was playing a different tactic again, was interested in how it was going. I was optimistic ahead of this game, just because of the comprehensive displays in the friendlies(which were against Écija, Almansa, Peralta and Júpitor), I thought this season could be better than I expected. I was already hopeful just because of the changes to the club I’d made.
Malaga in the Copa del Ray was an exhibition of how to dominate a team and not put the ball in the back of the net. Thankfully this didn’t backfire, as a penalty won was converted by player/coach Lauren in the 41st minute, who will be retiring at the end of the season. Amazingly he has great stats at the age of 35, though his speed around the ground is sadly lacking. It turned out that his goal was the difference, as Malaga only managed one shot on of 5 in their 45% of possession, and it was saved well. Their DC got MoM. I was pleased that the tactic worked as well as it did.
I then had International duties, which took me to Argentina to face Uruguay. I settled on a 352 tactic, which wasn’t easy, as there is so much talent up front and in the midfield. The lead was taken in the 18th minute thanks to Chelsea’s Tevez and this was taken into the break. It goes without saying that after the break and a dominant half that an equalizer is found 5 minutes after the break. By this stage I’d changed the tactic to a 343 as in the 24th minute, I had to make a change and brought on a target man. I let the team paly as they were, and a penalty was won and converted in the 59th minute. Another goal by the same player was converted two minutes later killing off the tie. The game was iced in the 90th minute with a freak cross going in almost on the by line. The media seen this as a confident performance.
I signed what looked a remarkable DC at 20 in a wild transfer, £100K + £2.5M after 20 internationals + £2.5M after 50 league appearances. I think he’ll be worth it, but only after for some reason noticed that his preferred position is an unconvincing DC. That’s his only position!
Ciudad Murcia became my first first league game of the season, and it was at home. 506 fans turned up in a stadium that holds just over 8000 people. Those 506 fans went on to witness one of the worst halves I’ve seen so far in this particular game, culminating in a goal going in for Murcia in the 39th minute after a counter that should never have lead to a goal. I sent a rocket into them, and it wasn’t until I made a substitution in the 68th minute that anything of real not happened. Lorca were a completely new side after that as want away but doesn’t want to leave sub bagged 2 goals after being on the pitch 10 minutes to guve us the lead, one in 71 and the other 78. After the first goal, I’d made my last substitution and he promptly scored in the 80th minute, and to make it a hat-trick of goal scoring substitutions, my 17yr Greek superstar added the 4th in the 82nd to hand Lorca’s 506 a thrilling win. We were comprehensive.
I was approached about said DC about his horror debut. I gave him packing saying that many players have had a bad start and ended up stars, and he ended up thinking I’m putting pressure on him to perform, which went away the soon after.
The 2nd Round of the Copa del Ray was away against Eibar. We were favourites and took the lead in the 11th minute thanks to a freekick by Ono. That lead should have been at least tripled by the time the second goal went in in the 41st minute. The match was already wrapped up by the time the 3rd goal went in in the 69th minute from a headed goal at the near post from a corner. Another away fixture ensues after this result, heading off to play Cueta.
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Post by coffers on Apr 7, 2006 7:52:36 GMT
That look's to be a fine start. It will be interesting to see how your wild signing develops.
KUTGW! :thumb:
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Post by Moo on Apr 7, 2006 8:20:12 GMT
That's a hell of a fee. KUTGW!
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Post by Sonic on Apr 10, 2006 5:30:28 GMT
I'll post a screenie of him if you want.
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Post by Moo on Apr 10, 2006 10:31:14 GMT
Aye go on, it would be interesting to see how he compares to my star DC in Hungary, Elderly Blue.
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Post by Sonic on Apr 11, 2006 1:08:53 GMT
International duties then took over, with two games within 4 days, home to Brazil and then away to Columbia. Argentina got off to a fantastic start against Brazil, Tevez scoring in the 2nd minute. Brazil hit back straight away, a 4th minute goal by Adriano. The team then started to really get a grip of the game, and then in the 37th minute, Brazil went down a player, with a second rash challenge and a second yellow flashed. Somehow Brazil kept Argentina out until the break, and then had an injury right on half time. We changed tactics, became more attacking, later threw on another striker, and then another, and also an attacking midfield but still couldn’t break through. 18 with 10 on and no winner :moop: Columbia 4 days later, and I was hoping to put the bitter taste of Brazil out of my mouth. Nope, one nil down in the 16th minute. A quick reshuffle, and into the break we go still a goal down. I was hoping for a better display in the second, and kind of got it. A 53rd minute equalizer proved that some of the team was listening, and the fact that Columbia never threatened again was another reason for me to think this. I thought a second was going to come, but nada thing came. Not happy, I was.
It was a Cup game after the disappointing nil all draw that should never have been, and it was Cueta that felt the wrath of Lorca, coping a 3-0 loss, with an own goal in the 21st minute opening the proceedings. Goals by Cisse in the 48th, and Lopez in the 87th made sure of the progression.
A home game against Salamanca was next, and it was again a decent performance, with once again a 3-0 scoreline. Goal by Cisse in the 35th and 49th minutes where split by MoM Peligrini in the 47th minute. The fans are really starting to come out and support us now.
It was a cup game against Celta, Primera Division, and I thought we could take them, we who are in Segunda Divison A. We were hammering them, and duely took the lead in the 27th minute, Cisse the scorer. A bullshit marking freekick goal was conceded, when my centrebacks didn’t do anything, which is not right. This happened right on the break. The scores somehow stayed this way until the next break too. It stands to reason that I’m going to be screwed in extra time, and surprise, surprise, it happens, and not in the way you’re going to expect. Your GK gets injured. Oh, he did?. And you’ve used up all your subs. How did you guess? And your going to let in a soft goal. Noo. Yes. :moop:
An away game to Recreativo was going to be a dangerous game after the last screw jobbie, and it was sneaked, with goals in the 43rd, and a sealer in the 90th. It did help that they had a player sent off for a second yellow in the 71st minute. I think my team was marginally better, and produced the better chances, which were taken.
Racing weren’t doing well, and they tried to play on the counter, invariably killing any attempt to have an entertaining game. Snores were the loudest sound heard in the first half. The team got a bollocking, and it produced the only goal of the game in the 50th minute, thank Christ. They had a man sent off in the 54th minute. This then really killed of the game.
Tenerife played a tougher game than I expected. Lorca just couldn’t get ahold of the ball at times, and were constantly chasing the ball. Thankfully in the 31st minute, Cisse popped up and got the only goal of the game. It was hard on Tenerife, but I’ll take it. I will say that this is the 4th game in a row that a fullback has got MoM, with my left back one getting 3 of them, and makes the 5 consecutive MoM by a Lorca defender.
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Post by Sonic on Apr 11, 2006 1:09:37 GMT
Burgos were the next opponent, and a Lauren goal in the 34th minute, opened the scoring, a headed corner. An absolutely diabolical match then proceeded the goal, and it wasn’t until the 74th minute that any real thrill happened in the match. Deck Chair MKII lit up the game with his 15 or so minutes of play, culminating in a wonderful goal in the 77th minute, a curling effort, that put the game beyond a doubt, and won him a MoM, all within the minutes after the 74th
The international window opens again, and it is a friendly against South Korea. The first half was dire, and culminated in a penalty in the 37th minute to South Korea. I made the 45min subs that needed to be, and a bunch of fringe players got a chance. An equalizer was found in the 53rd minute, Gioda knocking in a header from a corner that came off the bar. The game went on, and the icy conditions in Korea finally were over come late in the game, when a couple of the subs grabbed goals, Lazzevi(who is at Newcastle) scored the second in 84th, and River player Farios sealing the result in Argentina’s favour in the 87th. I hate friendlies.
This next game, against Albacete, was a tough one. They opened the scoring in the 22nd and took this into the break. The second half exploded into life as Lorca, reacting after the half time talk, equalized in the 48th minute. Albacete retook the lead in the 51st minute, only to see it pegged back in the 52nd minute. A third by Lorca gave them the lead, and another twist was added to the match. It turned out to be the last one, as neither team could find another goal, even despite Albacete grabbing more possession and applying pressure on Lorca.
Argentina again, and this one’s a qualifier away in Paraguay. The game started badly, as we’re down a goal in the first minute. Thankfully we level in the 3rd minute, and then start taking the game, finding a reward in the 25th minute, a with Delgado getting his second. Paraguay had a man sent off in the 30th minute for a second yellow again on Tevez, making my job slightly easier. This was taken advantage off, as a third was dispatched in the 40th. Things seemed to be going completely off the rails, as another Paraguay player was carded, Cambiasso getting pushed in the box, gifting Delgado his hat-trick. The second half was a bore-a-thon, with Tevez the only one wanting something, a goal, which he got in the 65th minute rounding off a rather nice 5-1 win.
Rayo, a penalty for them in the 17th, cancelled in the 45th minute, just when I was despairing that a gaol for Lorca was coming. The second somehow didn’t and their GK got MoM :moop:
A magnificent performance against Castilla, Real Madrids second side. Ok, ‘second’ side. Lorca opened the scoring in the 20th minute, and then the game became the Cisse show. He opened his game account in the 39th minute, then found the second in the 50th, and sealed his hattrick in the 62nd minute. If he gets a hat-trick against Real Madrid, I think he completes a unique double here.
Murcia, a disappointing game, as they took the lead in the 7th minute, an undeserved goal. It took until the 60th minute to equalize. My 17yro Greek took the MoM award.
Hercules were next, and even though a good start to the game occurred in the 9th minute thanks to Cisse, another undeserved draw occurred, with the goal coming in the 52nd minute, thanks once again to the AI for messing with my defensive line that should never move.
Cordoba then coped a game that was on because of the last one, with a stunning first 20 minutes. An 8th minute goal to by Benjaro, an Lauren penalty in the 11th, and a Cisse goal in the 19th. They coped an injury in the 24th, and then a red in the 30th. I then copped an injury in 30th minute too. Gallardo made it 4 for Lorca in the 57th minute.
Malaga, and a tough game was had, with no goals, not much goal mouth action, and Malaga dictating more of the game than Lorca did. Viera, Lorca’s GK was MoM. And I took the point gladly on this occasion.
Badajova were up next, and they didn’t prove that difficult, which made a change. Cisse hitting in goals in the 21st and 23rd minute to take the game in a dominant display.
After this game, Monaco offered me a position, which I saved as another save game and probably won’t ever get too. Nantes offered me a position after I rejected Monaco. They were given the same answer. Of the two, I’d have taken the Monaco one, which did look interesting.
Somewhere in the last two updates, I had a media article about the team, saying that there was a mean defense in there, and that the team was built on this base. Basically the same thing that Coffs said in his story. Probably after the Tenerife game.
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Post by coffers on Apr 11, 2006 8:52:07 GMT
There seems to be a fair few disappointments in those updates, mainly drawy typee disappointments. Sometimes this game is so fustrating. I find that especially so when you are hammering a team, they have a player or two sent off and your own team stop scoring as if they feel sorry for the opposition.
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Post by Moo on Apr 11, 2006 9:11:47 GMT
I'd agree with Coffers on that one.
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Post by Sonic on Apr 11, 2006 23:25:01 GMT
Those draws are a pain to watch, especially the way some of them go. I'm generally taking a team apart and they get the goal out of nowhere, like my players have decided it's time for a beer/coffee/water/orange break. That or sympathy :moop: Here's that 'interesting transfer chappy' for you to peruse: ![](http://img326.imageshack.us/img326/451/crazybid0hq.th.jpg)
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Post by Sonic on Apr 11, 2006 23:32:26 GMT
Elche were the next team to face Lorca. Cisse opened the proceedings in the 18th minute, only to go off in the 36th minute with an injury. Now, I was a bit worried here. A rejig took place and this lead was taken into the half. I further jigged the tictac, only to see another player kicked out of the game in the 47th minute. Further jigging finally resulted in what I was after, a meat pie. No, a beer, served by a beer whench. The Chairman was enthralled, and with all the jigging too, which peaked in the 52nd minute and then once again in the 66th minute. I had a go at the Elche manager saying I wasn’t sure of him after the match. I was more annoyed that what I wanted to say, kicking my players out of the game wasn’t there.
There was worse news, Cisse was out for about 2 months :moop:
I scrambled for a another striker, as I sold one who could kind of do a job for more than he was worth, £2.6M. Eventually I settled on bringing in a 33yr Anelka for £675K. Some players also came into the club, while a few others went out.
A match fitness lacking Anelka was thrown straight in to face Lledia, a televised game. Lorca came out in a battering mood, but found getting the ball in the back of the net difficult. This was exacerbated in the second half when a silly penalty was given away in the 58th minute. Not only had we dominated, we were down, and through wild transfer bought defender, who never recovered his confidence or form in the game. Thankfully, it was Anelka who came to the rescue, getting a goal. Finally. Not that he’d been wasteful or anything. To be fair, he hadn’t played much lately. Some how this game was drawn, Lleida using their 41% of possession ‘wisely’.
Captain and right fullback Lauren decided that he was going to retire half way through the season. I new he was going to retire, but couldn’t you wait until the end of the season? I scramble to find a replacement, and eventually got in a decisive fullback for about £650K. This teams starting to come together a little bit.
Valladolid are coming second, and I was fully expecting a tough match on their turf. I got it. Anelka decided to show that I am a transfer genious by opening the scoring in the 18th minute. We then scrambled well, and into the second half. I was in the process of trying to really kill the game when we were sucker punched in the 79th minute. Fair play, they deserved it, but we were so close. Fuentes, that wild transfer had a completely different match than the last, getting MoM.
Right, a win was needed, an I was hoping a struggling Sporting Gijon would be the providers of this. Thankfully they were, with a 29th minute goal to Anelka getting the points. Sporting didn’t play bad, just could only manage 1 shot of 10 on target as obbosed to my teams effort of 7 of 11 on.
Levante were up next, and an eventful match culminated in no goals, though chances were available but not taken by both sides. I had 4 players kicked out of this match, 2 with rib injuries. Elbows anyone? They’re GK was MoM . I told the opps manager that I was unsure of him.
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Post by Sonic on Apr 11, 2006 23:32:49 GMT
Argentina time again, and it’s a friendly against Switzerland in Buenos Aires. They open the scoring in the 13th minute. This goal was cancelled out in the 21st minute by Tevez. Delgado found another in the 36th minute. An own goal gifted Lorca a third goal in the 46th minute. This goal was reciprocated a minute later, Cambiasso the generous benefactor. Cambiasso came off about in the 64th minute with Ledesma his sub. He then went on to rib Switzerland a new arsehole, with a stunning 73rd minute banana shot from 30 yards out. He put he game beyond a doubt in the 89th minute thanks to a defensive lob and the GK being out of position, all from 35 yards.
Murcia away, and even with a player going off to them in the 59th minute, Lorca still couldn’t fashion anything from this match. A truly woeful performance, and I let the team know, saying I was disappointing. I also said that the Murcia boss was going good things a Murcia, and he said he was unsure of me? What the Fuck!?! I should have said that he was a dick.
Cisse returns from injury, but is still lacking fitness.
We had been missing Cisse, but he wasn’t ready yet to come back, so I named him on the bench on a game I really wanted to win, seeings as the record was now 1 win in the last 5 matches. It was Alicante that came to town, and then promptly wished they hadn’t. Even though no goals were scored in the first half, I was given hope that last games poor performance was behind most of the team. The strikers couldn’t hit a barn door, or even the wheat crop near the barn. Eventually a break through was found, a 49th minute goal to new signing Debris, from a corner. The game was eventually sealed in the 85th minute.
Once again I started Cisse on the bench, Numancia being the next opponent. Goals in the 19th minute to Ono and another to Anelka in the 29th minute but Lorca in a strong position. Numancia pulled one back in the 41st minute to set up an interesting half. I juggled with the tactic and was rewarded with a goal, eventually, to Anelka in the 67th minute. This hurt Numancia as they lost the fight to get another goal.
Fuentes picks up an injury and will be out for a while. I have a whining Argentinean player to test out.
Finally, Cisse was fit enough to be selected, and I decided to be sneaky, changing the tactic to a 442 just before kicking off to incorporate both Anelka and Cisse in the match against Racing. It proved a master stroke as Anelka opened the scoring in the 15ht minute. Even though an equalizer was found in the 16th, Anelka regained the lead in the 25th minute. Cisse in his first start after injury showed that he still new where the back of the net was, with goals in the 33rd minute and the 48th minute, before he was substituted in the 83rd minute. This was a nice win, though was hoping either Anelka or Cisse would get their hat-trick. Oh well.
I find Tenerife hard, but his game didn’t reflect this. Anelka showed that he hasn’t lost it at 33 with a pair of goals, the first in the 12th and the second right on half time. For some reason, Anelka didn’t take the penalty that earnt Lorca it’s 3rd goal, but instead saw said Argie defender in the last game. My GK got MoM for some reason.
Salamanca were up next, and this game played like I was expecting Tenerife to play like. They opened the scoring in the 16th minute through a penalty. This set the trend as Lorca equalized with on as well, in the 26th minute. Anelka then missed another penalty in the 64th minute, even with a penalty rating of 20, squandering 2 points. A fair reflection in the end.
The next game against Recreativo saw a comprehensive display in the first half, with Pappas, my now 18yo Greek opening the scoring in the 10th minute. Anelka extended the lead in the 41st minute from the penalty spot while Cisse closed the half with a goal. This effectively killed the second half, gaining three points, and making the gap up the top of the table now 12.
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Post by coffers on Apr 11, 2006 23:59:26 GMT
It started not to well with more draws but things seemed to get better by the end, wins however they come are to be fully applauded. I hate Anelka and Cisse in my game, they always rip the pantfish off us.
KUTGW :thumb:
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Post by Sonic on Apr 12, 2006 2:12:30 GMT
This is a different Cisse, and the annoying thing about hims is that his stats fluctuate so much. He recently lost half his physical stats and some of his mental ones after the injury. I think, at least I'm hoping that this will change when the training facillities are greatly improved. They are shocking :moop:
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Post by Moo on Apr 12, 2006 10:39:57 GMT
That's a cracking yougster there, much better than my effort. I'll be quiet from now on. ![:D](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/grin.png) KUTGW! :thumb:
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Post by Sonic on Apr 17, 2006 23:25:51 GMT
:checkit:
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Post by Sonic on Apr 17, 2006 23:26:44 GMT
Away to Burgos next, and this game didn’t go as well as I wanted. The problem being in the finishing. Again. In games recently, well since Cisse returned from injury, I’ve been entering the fixture with a tactic of 41221, or 451 with AML and AMR’s and then changing to a 442, having both Anelka and Cisse on the pitch. It’s been going well recently. This game went not differently, and a goal was eventually found in the 21st minute, Anelka pulled down in the area, and Fuentes(the crazy bidded for player) stepping up to convert it. The game was leveled, ridiculously, in the 45th minute, with a ‘weak’ back header by Fuentes getting picked up by their quick forward and converted easily. Their first of the game if memory serves me well, especially as I remember the goal. Lopez had been running the game, and things hadn’t changed in the second half. It took a while to get our just deserts, but they came, in the 74th minute from a good move, culminating with Lopez giving a great ball to Feindouno to put away with aplomb. We held on easily after that, especially as a tactical change occurred soon after, and then again late in the game.
A home fixture was next, and it was Albacete that was faced. The game ended at nil all, but don’t ask me how, as Lorca should have lost. I told the players that I was disappointed in the effort proved both at half and full time. Why is playing at home harder than away?
Another home game, and it’s against Castilla, Real Madrid’s reserve side, or B side, whatever they are called. Ok, Castilla. You couldn’t have asked for such a different game than that seen against Albacete. Total domination, and a penalty in the 19th minute converted by Luque kick got the rewarding process starting. It should be noted that this game saw a 451 lined up too. Lorca some how went into the half with only one goal scored. It took less than a minute to rectify this, with Feindouno giving Lorca a second. Our job was made easier with a second yellow in the 53rd minute to a Castilla defender playing as a DMC. My Greek Adonis, Fotis Pappas then did some wonderful leaping at corners, scoring two in the same fashion at the far post, in the 60th, and 66th minutes, both delivered by Ono, who ended the game with 3 assists. 11 of 17 on target, coupled with 80% passing and 62% of possession make for wonderful reading.
Lorca travel away to Rayo in the next fixture. I wasn’t expecting as good a display as the last, but we did play more in their half than ours. Pappas extended his goal scoring streak with a goal in the 22nd minute, another Ono-Pappas show at the far post. Feindouno but the game beyond a doubt, also continuing his good goal-scoring form in the 67th minute. The game effectively was handed to Lorca when a straight red was handed to a Rayo defender, Fuentes’s great long ball was picked up by Feindouno leaving him with a direct run into the box, but getting chopped before he went in. It was easy after this, as I eased the peddle up.
Ateltico Madrid defeat Real Madrid in the Copa Del Ray 2-1.
My Ass Man sets up some friendliess against Hungry for both the A squad and the under 21’s.
Next up were Murcia, and I really wanted to win this game. So it figures that Lorca go a goal down on the 10th minute from some sluggish play in the midfield, defense and the GK. The match was tight but a good chance from a nice move down the left was converted by Feindouno getting forward and into the box from his farrowed AMR position. The game went into the break like this. The game stayed like this, and I began to throw more men forward, taking off defenders for more attacking players and this finally paid off in the 80th minute. A corner swung in by Ono saw a header on by Grougi which Obuki knocked in. Nice, especially as their GK had come off injured in the 74th minute. That goal was assisted to Ono, and also turned out to be enough. Yes! The press said it was also Murcia’s poor performance that contributed to their loss, though they wondered how Lorca only won 2-1.
After this game, I criticized Cisse to the press, and the media said I was proving to be a hard task master. Cisse responded with intimating he was disappointed with his recent performances but remains optimistic that he can get back on track. He also said that the fans have seen how effective he has been, and promised to continue trying to reproduce the quality he showed in the early stages of the competition.
I also said to the Murcia boss that the defeat would prove damaging to his promotion bid. It threw up an odd news article, and I quote: With the season almost over, Youth pointed out that even though Quico Ramirez’s men could still mathematically finish in a promotion spot, the defeat could still prove damaging to the Lorca squad’s morale. Lorca squad’s morale? Hmmm, another bug.
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Post by Sonic on Apr 17, 2006 23:26:59 GMT
Hercules at home, and a fantastic start was had. Fuentes converting a Cisse won penalty. For all the dominance of possession, an equalizer was found in the 32nd minute, where somehow my defenders let a ball trickle past them, which allowed for the opps striker to sneak in. ‘Sneak’ ![](http://www.geocities.com/jacquesdebohun/smilies/moop.gif) We weren’t scoring after this, even with 60% of possession and the game played more in their half, and very attacking. How this game was lost, ok, drawn, I don’t know. I think I told them how disappointed I was about not winning. Malaga are next, and it’s away. Surprisingly Malaga are made favourites, 6/4 to 13/8 with a draw 2/1. A good start was given to us by Anelka in the 11th minute, Ono picking up a cleared Malaga clearance, sending the ball back down the left flank to Luque to cross beautifully to Anelka to do his stuff. For some reason who couldn’t keep possession, and when it was ours, it was given away cheaply. They equalized in the 30th minute but again Anelka was around to put Lorca back into the lead 5 minutes later, the keeper coming out of his area to head the ball forward to one of his DC’s, except Anelka got in first and put it over him Why he didn’t wait until it got into his area and pick it up, I don’t know. Cisse gave us a 2 goal lead on half time, robbing the goalkeeper of the ball and tucking it away. Malaga never recovered from their calamitous half, and Lorca ran out with the 3 points. Anelka was ruled out for upto 2 months after a late tackle in the Malaga match, with broken ribs ![](http://www.geocities.com/jacquesdebohun/smilies/moop.gif) Those three points proved important, as they confirmed Lorca’s promotion spot of three. The fans were ecstatic, about the promotion. One fan’s spokesman was heard to remark that Youth had performed wonders with the resources at this disposal and that a manager of Youth’s caliber would be coveted by a lot of higher profile clubs. The Board also praise the ‘unbelievable’ promotion considering the skepticism at the beginning of the season. They hope I’ll be a success for the club in future years too. Fuentes also heaped praise on me, and said I a lot of the credit should go my way. Also, my reputation went form Continental to World Class. The media also wanted a bit of me, asking about my squad, and whether they were good enough for next season. I congratulated the players, and said I need to build on this for next season. I decided now was as good a time as any, and offered one a few players around, one being a DC who’s been a main stay of this season, but at 31 and with interest in him, offered him around. I got a reply and accepted, and now it’s in his hands and considering he took it as a personal affront me offering him around, he should accept. Winging Argie also was offered and he’s going too. Most others were not interesting enough. It should be noted that I’m miffed to be losing a 17yr Italian AMRC/FC who looks very promising to Deportivo La Coruna, because I stuffed up his years when giving him a new contract which meant he could leave the club at the end of the year ![](http://www.geocities.com/jacquesdebohun/smilies/moop.gif) In other news, I’ve a replacement for Ono coming in at the end of the season. The only problem is that he is foreign, a Canadian MC who should do a job. The 30yr Industrious Midfielder is coming in from Palermo on a free. I’ve also an Italian DMLC and an Spanish AML coming in too.
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Post by Sonic on Apr 17, 2006 23:31:19 GMT
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Post by Sonic on Apr 17, 2006 23:32:52 GMT
Cordoba, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. I decide that an 18yr striker could take Anelka’s spot on the bench considering he’s scored 35 in 24 in the under 18’s. A good start was given to Lorca when Ono sent over an indirect freekick for Debris to head in on 7 minutes. A move that I thought was going to be a goal turned out to be one, which was especially galling as my tall right back, Debris, was headed over in the 36th minute. Pelegri didn’t stay with him either, and he is the one I’ve offered and waiting for him to say he’s leaving. In the second half, Pappas could have easily set up Cisse for a tap in but elected to blast over or wide. It didn’t matter which as both are misses. It took until the 90th minute to actually get the right result in this game, Ono winning a penalty, Fuentes stepping up and converting. I told all but Debris, Luque, Cisse and Bejarano that I was happy with the performance and the rest I was disappointed. Ono was MoM, and he rated 7, like all the other happy with performers, and much of Cordoba’s squad.
Pappas and Bejarano are both ruled out injured after this game, a month and two weeks respectively.
Lorca win the title. Lorca beat the odds once more because of this, and the media ask me about next season, to which I reply that I’ll be looking to take this form into next season. The fans say that although they didn’t have high hopes for Segunda Division A, there weren’t many holding out for this outcome and it’s all thanks to Sonic Youth and the group of players he has shaped into an outstanding team. They went onto say that I should be proud of this achievement and that they hoped I stayed for some time to come.
The Board said that this was a ‘momentous occasion’ and that they were delighted I’d brought home this trophy. They went on to say that with Youth at the helm, anything was possible and that they were delighted with the success he had brought them.
Fuentes also weighed in, saying he was overjoyed with this success, directing most of the kudos my way. He felt it was my leadership qualities that proved the catalyst during the season behind the title success.
My comments also bring confidence to the squad, with some saying they are delighted with my confidence in the squad and the future of the team.
Pelegri decides to reject Numancia because he doesn’t want to risk moving to a lower division while he is a fixture in the first team. Grr.
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Post by Sonic on Apr 17, 2006 23:33:16 GMT
Someone wants to see Lorca on the box, and away against Badajoz. It’s a game late for that. Anyway. A first half that was dominated by Lorca, producing not much action on goal or at goal either, but did produce a red card. It fell to a Badajoz player. I sympathized with the team, and in the second half we eventually took the game, and started to create a bunch of pressure on Badajoz’s goal. It fell to an indirect freekick, with Ono stepping up to lob a little ball over for an alert Cisse to head in. Finally was my feeling, and the other was a quick reshuffle to quell any feelings 10 men want to try and grab a point. They even through their GK up for multiple corners, which we couldn’t take advantage of. Cisse belted the ball forward but not at goal, with Lopez getting to the ball before it went over the back line, with only a corner to see for all of that. Eventually a second goal of the game came, and it was again Cisse we got it, a nice move down the left seeing Pereyra giving a nice ball forward for the goal to seal the match in injury time. The pundits thought that the match could have gone either way on another day. If it wasn’t for the bus, I’d have slaughtered them.
Luque came off injured in the Badajoz’s match, and he’ll be out for 2 to 3 months. Looks like an injury sees out his career.
Another injury, Feindouno, for a month with a thigh strain in training.
Ajax defeat Atletico Madrid on penalties 5-4 after a 1-1 draw.
Elche, like a belch is passing wind, turned out to be. Ono turned our early dominance into a 4th minute lead with a hit in freekick from directly in front won by Cisse. I received a shock in the 29th minute, when I found out that angrily kicking someone only earns a yellow! It took until the right on half-time for the rest of the dominate half to garner a second, Cisse bagging it, knocking in a near post freekick from Ono. I sent the players out with a pleased message, and Cisse extended this with his second goal of the game in the 50th minute, beating the ‘keeper to a Bejarano cross into the penalty box. Though no more goals were scored in the rest of the match, an easy rest of the game was experienced. Elche never threatened the Lorca stick bag. Cisse’s contribution in all the goals made him the obvious choice of MoM.
It was a big game in the second last match of the game, and Valladolid must have been miffed that I’d joined the league since I’d throttled it. A tight tussle was expected and it took place at my place, Francisco Artés Carrasco, Lorca. As if you didn’t know that. A tight game was seen, and a blow to Lorca was seeing a bad tackle take out Cisse without any punishment. He was subbed in the 28th moment for Felix Obuke. He went on to have a great half, and capped it with a goal. Lopez broke up a move, knocked it to Gallardo who gave a ball into space for Obuke to run onto. Valladolid’s GK came out and tried to narrow the angle, drawing Obuke wide to the right. He was to clever and chipped him to score in the 42nd minute. A lead Lorca took into the break. I was pleased. It lasted until the 69th minute, when my defence let a ball drift over their head for the on rushing winger to arrive in an knock in at the far post. I was annoyed, but I do have to say, they did deserve this lead. That’s how the game ended with both teams in the end settling for it. A match that guaranteed Valladolid came second.
Lleida were the last team to face for the season, and it was at their place. They had nothing but pride to play for, and we had nothing at all but an unbeaten run to maintain. They look the least interest in an uninteresting second half that Lorca dominated, though chances were at a premium. I sympathized, and the guys went out and did what was needed. Cisse kick started proceeding in the 56th minute, losing his markers at the near right post to head in a marvelous Debris cross in from deep. Okuke settled proceedings in the 75th minute, knocking in a clever through ball from Pereyra. A good 2-0 win, a nice way to end the season. For some reason, Viera earnt MoM honours.
After the Lleida match, Cisse scores a 10% increase of his wages due to promotion. Some how I’d overlooked this clause.
A Lorca club record was also set for the season, finishing 1st was a new record high. I’m guessing that this could be the a common trend at this club.
The players go on holiday. I ask the board about the new training facilities and they politely remind me that I’ve already asked them for this. Good, it is going ahead.
And then we move onto awards. Cisse wins top goalscorer, finishing with 29 goals in 32(1), only getting top by doing it in 7 games less to get it. Viera won GK of the year. There doesn’t appear to be a team of the year award. Or a manager one either.
I sign another player on a Bosman, a chap by the name of Cavenaghi, of Argentinean decent, and who is 29, but looks good for years if given the right treatment.
I’m also approached by Arsenal. I’m tempted, but also not interested at the same time, considering that they’ve recently sold the players that would interest me to in taking them over. They have offered me 57M pounds to spend, and a wage of 26k a year for 2 years. It’s become another save I’m probably not going to come back too :checkit:
Oh, and Liverpool won the league, Newcastle came second by one point on 69 points, Chelsea(67) and then Man Utd(66) followed by Arsenal(65). Middlesbrough came 16th on 38.
Valencia win the Segunda, beating Real Madrid, Real Sociedad and then Barcelona.
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