Here we go, what did chilly February bring for my fabulous Blyth Spartans? Our fans could not believe what they were witnessing, their Spartans were the Premier League leaders at the end of January! Although I like to keep them optimistic I urged them not to get carried away, our goal was a Champions League place, not the title. I was a bit uncertain regarding the strength of my squad and I was a bit afraid of the tough matches that we had to play.
The first big test was at home with Liverpool. They were in 7th place but I couldn’t forget that they defeated us 1-0 back in October at Anfield Road. Fernando Torres was injured now, so we had a big chance to get a better result. The way my players fought was unbelievable, they played really well and pushed Liverpool back throughout the game. We were quite unlucky though, very unlucky. It ended 0-0 although we had huge chances to score… We should have won this and the two points that we lost could be costly.
Next up, the first leg of the Europa League first knockout round, away at Dinamo Zagreb. I received some bad news before the game, my centre back Tiberiu Radulescu got injured, he’ll be back in training after a month! That was a big blow, he played extremely well so far. We had to score at least one goal, that was what I was thinking before the game. My players did a lot better than that :) Cristian Suarez scored a quickfire double in the first half and then Mickey Wordsworth and Nicao scored another two in the second half, superb goals from both of them. There were also some bad news, left winger Tom Chapple got injured, he’ll be out for 5 weeks!
Our next game was surely not going to be as easy, we had to meet Arsenal… They were in 4th place and we didn’t win against them this season, we drew 1-1 in September and got beaten 3-1 in the Carling Cup quarter final in December. We didn’t beat them this time either, although we had a pretty good chance to do that. We were leading 2-1 at the break but my defenders had to work very hard in the first half to keep up with their amazing strike force. My fullbacks were pretty tired at half time but I was afraid to bring in the substitutes and maybe that was an error. I guess you’d better watch the highlights and judge that for yourselves.
Despite the two draws we were still the leaders, two points above Manchester City!
The last game of the month was the second leg of the Europa League tie, but the problem was already solved from the first leg. I had the chance to give the reserves and under 18 players an opportunity to prove themselves and they did pretty well. Midfileder Danny Osman (18 years old) and striker Jason Warren (21 years old) scored their first goals for the club, I guess the future looks good :)
We will play against Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in the next round, they knocked out Atletico Madrid! It won’t be easy but what will be even more challenging is the first game in March, away at 2nd placed Manchester City! Then we’ll have Chelsea coming at Croft Park, there will be great entertainment!
Now I have to think about a way to neutralize Vagner Love… Any ideas? :)
eddie eddie
1 сентября, 2009 at 18:23
Well I dont know how to stop vanger love because all I so is play the same way and hope for the best so I have no advice there but good form still.
JohnnyKarp
1 сентября, 2009 at 19:10
Thanks Eddie. Maybe he’ll get injured, who knows… :)
Michael Turner
2 сентября, 2009 at 12:38
you called me a good manager!! look at u mate. ur a gun. Blyth winning the league. You are a legend.
JohnnyKarp
2 сентября, 2009 at 12:45
Thanks Michael but slow down a bit, we didn’t win anything yet!
Michael Turner
2 сентября, 2009 at 13:05
true, but even though you havent won anything, u got from the Blue Square Premier league to the premier league, and europe. Maybe cristiano ronaldo could sport the Blyth jersey soon. I think you’ll be the next England manager soon. ever tried to ply your trade in real life?
JohnnyKarp
2 сентября, 2009 at 13:40
Nah, I don’t want Cristiano Ronaldo, he won’t fit in :) I thought about going to coach school once, there’s something like that at the Romanian FA, they give you a license and then you can go to clubs for a job. I gave up because they required you to be a former professional footballer and I wasn’t.
Michael Turner
3 сентября, 2009 at 10:00
ah kay lol.
aww that sucks no being a pro. here in aus we can be one as soon as we’re 18, but im not 18 yet, so it sucks. I would love to be a coach, to see if my FM formation works in real !!
JohnnyKarp
3 сентября, 2009 at 14:02
Well, go for it Michael! It’s too late for me, I’m 29 years old, but you could do it!
Michael Turner
3 сентября, 2009 at 14:34
I coulda been a pro player, maybe not too big, but i broke my leg when i was being discovered. I have never gone to that level again,but im working on it. maybe all hope isnt lost. Remember my name :P
nah i’d like to be a coach, or a referee, caus im a qualified one. coaching would be fun. I will take coachin and if i become successful, i will mention you at one of my press conferences.
JohnnyKarp
3 сентября, 2009 at 15:42
I’ll check out your press conferences once you become the new Arsene Wenger :) I wish you the best of luck and no more broken bones!