Hello friends and welcome back to my Cambridge story and I apologize for the long wait but so many circumstances have prevented me from bringing this to you which I’ll expalin at the end. For now on to the football…
December 2012
We started the new month of with a trip to Cumbria to take on Barrow in the second round of The FA Cup. A fairly one sided affair saw young Italian Davide Petrucci pick up a brace before half time with Conor Newton adding a third late in the game for a comfortable 3-0 win. In the third round We have been drawn at hone to Alan Shearer’s Leeds United!
After the cup victory speculation began to mount on a move to Bristol City but I remained quiet on the matter as its one team I wouldn’t mind going to if the offer is right.
Our first league game of the month was away to Plymouth Argyle which we lost 1-0 as a slip by DC Scott Wootten was enough for Plymouth to snatch the only goal of the game.
Next up was a crucial game with Colchester and a packed Abbey Stadium saw us take the lead through an own goal after 20 minutes which was quickly doubled by a powerful strike by Rasmus Falk that sent the Cambridge faithful delirious. Colchester headed in a goal just before time and for the second game in a row Scott Wootten made another error that allowed the visitors to equalize from the spot. Just when I thought we would at least get a point Colchester came up with a 35 yard effort for the winning goal that left me, the team and the fans totally deflated.
Our poor form continued on as we suffered our third defeat in a row away to MK Dons which left us nine points adrift of an automatic promotion spot.
Desperate for a win we entertained Walsall next at The Abbey Stadium with Will Keane putting us ahead after 30 minutes pouncing onto a ball that the Walsall keeper dropped from a corner kick. Walsall took advantage of poor marking to produce an equalizer just after the hour mark but Keane restored our lead some by chipping the keeper following a long clearance by GK Martin Hansen. Walsall poured forward looking for a point but got caught on the counter attack with Rasmus Falk firing home a third and finally breaking this losing streak.
Next up we faced Dagenham and although we dominated proceedings it was goalless after 45 minutes. An intelligent through ball by Will Keane created the opening goal for Polish winger Szczpaniak with Petrucci adding a second with a clinical drive into the bottom corner of the net which was set up by Shane Williams. Dagenham pulled one back minutes later then Will Keane for the second time in a row lobbed a keeper to make it 3-1 but the home side caught us off guard to make in 3-2 but thankfully we held out to take all the points in this Boxing Day encounter.
The final game of 2012 was at home to Scunthorpe and a lack lustre performance didn’t leave the fans anything to celebrate going into the New Year.
Here’s a look at the top 6 before we enter 2013 and it’s still Colchester and Brentford battling it out at the top and we surely need to put in some more consistent performances to be able to mount a serious automatic promotion spot.
To my surprise after being linked to Newcastle by the media a job offer came from St James Park which I rejected. As I mentioned before I would leave Cambridge for the right offer and this was it so why did I turn it down? Well see below the screen shot.
Here at FMS we already have a fantastic Newcastle story brought to us by Darren so out of respect for him and the readers I felt two Newcastle stories were unnecessary. Besides Darren is tons better than me at FM so I didn’t want to humiliate his team or get the sack either!
January 2013
We started off the New Year with a trip to a cold and snowy Carlisle but we quickly heated up the game with goals from Newton and Keane in the opening 25 minutes and held that lead comfortably until half time. After the interval we decided to throw away all our good work allowing Carlisle back into the game and we were lucky to come away with a point.
The game was also marred by injuries to strikers Will Keane and Rasmus Falk which leaves us very short handed up front and lessens our chance of a cup upset over Leeds United.
With very little to choose from up front I had to go with a 4-5-1 formation for the visit of Leeds United in our 3rd round FA Cup tie. In front of a packed Abbey Stadium Leeds took the lead after 24 minutes but we didn’t fall apart and played with steel and determination especially Conor Newton who was outstanding down the right flank and was well deserving of his equalizing goal on the stroke of half time. We dominated the second half with a hat-full on chances but Leeds keeper Schmeichel was in incredible form and denied us the victory so it’s back to Elland Road for the replay.
The following game was away to Yeovil in which we were comfortable 2-1 winners with goals from Williams and DC Ryhs Bennett. It was as similar story at home to Notts County though this time we managed to keep a clean sheet whilst at the other end Bennett scored again with the other coming from Conor Newton.
It was time for our FA Cup replay and a trip to Elland Road with at stake a home tie against Everton in the Fourth Round. We started brightly but once more Schmeichel was in superb form pulling off a string of saves and we were unlucky that it was the woodwork that prevented Newton opening the scoring which shortly after he went off injured. Goalless at the half both ourselves and Leeds were unable to produce any real chances and the game ended 0-0 and so into extra time which also failed to produce any goals. Totally exhausted, we barely had the energy to take the penalty kicks and in the end it was Leeds who scraped on through wining the shoot out by 3-2.
With injuries beginning to mount I was forced to bring in three new players on short term loans. Two new wingers in Nuno Santos from Aston Villa, Paul – Jose M’Poku from Bolton and up front Bahrudin Atajic who was with us last season from Blackburn.
** Paul – Jose M’Poku got injured straight away and went back to Bolton
After the titanic tussle with Leeds it was back to The Abbey Stadium to take on title challengers Brentford who had slipped a couple of spots but were still a serious threat. Brentford completely dominated the first half keeping possession of the ball but were unable to convert. Against the run of play Nuno Santos gave us the lead after Brentford failed to deal with a corner and the youngster was on hand to strike the ball into the corner of the net and so we held the lead at the interal. The second half was very much like the first and a stray pass from Will Packwood allowed the visitors to create the equalizing goal and so we had to settle for a point.
Our final game of the month was away to Bournemouth. We took the lead relatively early on through a goal by loan striker Atajic who was with us last season for a short spell, but then that was it. We dominated possession, created more chances but couldn’t hit the back of the net which Bournemouth managed to after the hour mark. The game fizzled out to another draw being the fourth this month.
Results Summary
League Table
Though having a very mixed bag of results over the last couple of months we are still hanging on to a play off spot which is good news but any aspirations of winning the title are surely fading away.
Fixtures
So that completes this report but before I finish I just want to quickly mention my «circumstances» which I alluded to at the start. There are some wonderful stories on this site but I am struggling between reading / commenting and actually playing FM. I generally have about one hour free time a day and that’s usually between 4:00am and 5:00am…that’s right AM! By the time I’ve done online banking , caught up with email and all these fabulous updates on FMS my one hour has gone. Aside from all this I have four relatives who are seriously ill and three out of my six staff have relatives with cancer. It’s a lot to deal with on top of a 45 hour work week.
So I hope you don’t mind if I occasionally not comment on other stories in an effort to selfishly keep my own going as this game is a true escape from life’s burdens and helps to find a balance in one’s day. I trust you understand and are not too judgemental of me.
Have a great weekend!
Kevin.
vaibhavc
4 июня, 2011 at 12:47
Hey Kevin
I think your team is drawing too many games. They just look a little inconsistent, but I am sure you can turn it around. I cannot believe that your only time is between 4-5, don’t you ever sleep?
Kevin
4 июня, 2011 at 13:49
Hi vaibhave
Hopefully some players coming back from injury will produce better results. I sleep between 11:00pm and 4:00am :)
Sibo
4 июня, 2011 at 12:57
Wow! It’s amazing you are even able to play FM at all let alone blog on it (sorry if this has been said I opened this up ages ago but only just read it now). These kinds of things really put everything in perspective for people, I just hope that everyone in your family gets better soon and I also extend my best wishes to your staff members with ill relatives.
On the FM note, which seems trivial in comparison, you have done well, despite some shaky results Cambridge are still battling away at the top, and looking at the current playoff contenders I would say you have a good chance of making the Championship this season.
Good luck with FM and good luck with life Kevin! :D
Kevin
4 июня, 2011 at 13:50
Hi Sibo
Thanks for those kind words — much appreciated. I’m hoping we can squeeze into the Championship via the play offs
Darren Smith
4 июня, 2011 at 13:24
Hey Kevin, I’ll start with your game. You may have dropped a little form but injuries are also in play, so hopefully once they clear up things will get better. However, despite a tough run you have managed well and not fallen too far off the pace. While promotion may be tough I think a play-off spot is still very much in the picture.
Now to what really matters, real life. We’ve already discussed this privately but I’d like to reiterate my well wishes to your family and work colleagues. Times really are tough and FM does help offer that little release sometimes. Therefore I fully support you not commenting. In fact, if I see you comment on my story again we’ll be having words…only kidding, but seriously mate you shouldn’t feel any pressure as your personal time is ridiculously limited.
Kevin
4 июня, 2011 at 13:53
Hi Darren
Yeah, the injuries have played big factor in performance so hopefully that will change soon. My personal time is eaten into by a 2.5 hour commute each day so that doesn’t help either.
Johnny Karp
4 июня, 2011 at 13:33
Kevin, you will still be my friend even if you would publish one update per year and never comment so don’t worry, we’re by your side in both worlds. By the way, I think that you still have a chance to win the title.
Kevin
4 июня, 2011 at 13:58
Thanks Johnny
That really means a lot to me. My garden is now in full swing too and you’ve seen how big that is!
A chance to win the title? That is encouraging :)
Daniel
4 июня, 2011 at 14:33
Hi Kevin,
It’s amazing yo are able to play FM with little time you have, i hope your family members recover soon. I also like to wish your staffs relatives to also recover.
The footballing side —
I agree with Johnny above^^ you can win the title, but you can’t afford any slip ups. Injuries have gone against you.. im sure you will get promoted one way or another..
Daniel :D
Kevin
4 июня, 2011 at 19:04
Hi Daniel
Thanks for the well wishes. I hope you and Johnny are right about the title…I’d be happy just getting into the play offs.
Lye
4 июня, 2011 at 16:31
Hi Kevin,
That was really an inconsistent run but you are holding on to a play-off spot. I believe you are in with a chance at the top as there are still a lot of games to fight for.
No worries about not commenting and updating. We understand there are more important things to take care in real life. In fact thanks for bringing another update despite your hectic schedule. Most importantly is to take care of yourself Kevin. All the best for everything.
Kevin
4 июня, 2011 at 19:06
Hello Lye
My form has been all over the place the whole season really and thanks for your support with my personal life.
Ana Garcia
4 июня, 2011 at 17:26
I will start with your story and what a packed post! Full of incidents and goals!
But your still top four so promotion is still on the cards, hopefully you enjoyed your two trips to Cumbria! :)
It seems you defence is a little leaky at the moment but at least you have continued to attack and score goals. Hopefully you can re-disover your form and start to win on a consistent basis.
On to you personal life and of course that takes priority over anything else. I am so sorry to hear about your relatives and your staff your head must be all over the place at the moment so I pray that things will improve.
If you need to talk, chat or anything you know where I am.
Kevin
4 июня, 2011 at 19:22
Hi Ana
Glad you like this update it was quite a filled one for sure. The weather was horrible in both games up North. Thanks for your support on the personal stuff, some days I don’t know if I’m coming or going?
Laxeyman
4 июня, 2011 at 18:40
Decent results Kevin, and like others have said you’ve still got a chance of the title, although you will have to go on an amazing run of form. Hopefully you can, good luck!
Also, you obviously have a ridiculously small amount of personal time, and with the family illnesses as well, no one can blame you if you can’t comment on some posts. Hope things get better mate.
Kevin
4 июня, 2011 at 19:23
Hey Laxeyman
I’m happy to hear your optimism about my title chance…that feels good!
I appreciate your understanding about other posts on FMS.
The Green Army
4 июня, 2011 at 19:47
Argyle top of the league AND you lost to them. You have made my day Kevin, Thank you. Maybe you can get that second spot and I hope you do but Argyle are on their way back to the Championship.
We want the Green Army!!!
Kevin
5 июня, 2011 at 09:25
I’m happy you are enjoying this Plymouth story :)
Stromson
4 июня, 2011 at 19:47
Some great results there Kevin, though I was bummed by the Dons loss (the jerks turned down my job application). When I first read through your fixture list I was forgetting how far into the season it was and thought «Oh crap, he’s going to be in the lower half the table», but I was glad to be reminded that wasn’t the case. :)
Like others have said before me, I’m impressed/amazed that you’ve been able to find enough time to both play FM AND write a story about it. I’m sorry to hear that you’re dealing with so much illness in your life, and we’ll be here to support you regardless of your posting frequency. I promise I’ll only be a little bit offended if you don’t find the time to comment on my posts. ;-)
Kevin
5 июня, 2011 at 09:28
Hi Stromson
Thanks for your support both on the game and the personal matter. I also have a 2.5 hour round trip commute from the «burbs» each day so as you live in Washington you might be able to relate to that :)
Sears
6 июня, 2011 at 02:35
Hey Kevin…
Like you, I’ve suffered with family illness’s which have unfortunately resulted in two deaths… It sucks seeing the people close to you been taking away. I really hope that things improve, and I’m just an email away if you ever want to talk.
Regarding your story, I really think you can win the title. Your a proven lower league manager so with you at the helm, Cambridge can achieve anything!
All the best, mate.
CsAtlantis
7 июня, 2011 at 00:01
You’re looking good for a playoff spot Kevin, I think Atajic is pretty good, but he kept getting injured in my save, good luck in the league, and hopefully your real life situation improves