Hello friends and welcome back to to my Football Manager Story featuring Cambridge United. before I continue, many thanks for all the comments of support in my last post concerning my family back in UK who have critical illnesses. So, on to the reason why I’m here which is to bring you my next update.
On the heels of a massive home defeat to Morecambe came a top of the table clash with Colchester United who dominated the first 30 minutes and were rewarded with a goal for their efforts. We fought back with an equalizer by Will Keane before half time then two goals in the last 15 minutes by Fofana and CB Shimmin put us back to winning ways.
After a bye in the first round we were drawn at home to Plymouth in the JPT second round which produced an exciting opening 30 minutes that saw 4 goals but it was Plymouth who took the lead early in the second half and held onto it and so we were eliminated from the competition.
A trip to Hereford was up next and two early goals by Conor Newton and a first for Joan Angel Roman saw us take a 2-0 lead into the interval. We conceded yet another goal from a set piece which is something we have to work on, but the pace of N’Goma coming on as a sub was enough to rip apart the Hereford defence and supply Ciftci with an easy chance to make it 3-1 and finish off the game.
Back home at The Abbey Stadium we took on Stockport County in our next game which saw a sensational second half hat-trick by 19 year old Nadir Ciftci who has certainly now establishing himself as the first name on the team sheet. We stayed at home for the visit of Northampton who soon fell behind after Scott Wootten headed in a corner after 4 minutes. It wasn’t until the second half when we doubled our lead following a vicious shot by Fofana that bounced off the bar and was headed in by Ciftci. The visitors did pull one back before Shane Williams hit his first goal of the season to make it 3-1 and take all the points.
It was very much a lack lustre performance away to Crewe in the following game with substitute striker Will Keane forcing the ball over the line from a corner with minutes remaining on the clock to rescue a point for us.
October Results
November started with the visit of Bradford City to the Abbey Stadium and it was left midfielder Karl Moore who secured all three points for us with a beautifully struck goal off a precision pass from Shane Williams after 30 minutes. Moore then headed in his second of the game after the restart which was enough to deflate the visiting team and their supporters.
Having been already eliminated from two cup competitions we felt that we had a good chance of progressing in the FA Cup with the visit of BSP side Rushden in this first round tie. In the face of forty five minutes of pressure Rushden held firm and we were unable to break the deadlock going into the interval but soon afterwards Scott Wootten headed us in front from a corner. Nadir Ciftci got on the score sheet again some twenty minutes later that ensured we made it through to the second round. The victory came at a price with our American MC Will Packwood picking up a long term injury joining other MC Luke Berry in the treatment room.
So here’s how our injuries look and along with poor form of some of the other midfielders I’m left with little choice but to look for a short term loan player.
As with the Rushden game we dominated the opening 45 minutes away to Cheltenham in league action but failed to score which had a severe effect on morale in the second half with the home side taking advantage of their chances and dealing us a crushing 2-0 defeat. We struggled once more up front in the following game at home to 18th place Bury and could only muster a draw with MR Conor Newton grabbing the only goal for us in a frustrating afternoon at The Abbey Stadium.
In the final game of the month we travelled to Northampton next for our second round FA Cup tie and once more we had to rely on our right winger to grab a goal for us as Conor Newton was first to react to a thunderous shot by Fofana that hit the post to give us the lead just before half time. Northampton though came up with an equalizer just about on the hour and that was it for the rest of the game, so it’s a replay at The Abbey Stadium.
November Results
League Table
We have somehow remained top of the table even though my strikers have only produced one goal between them in our last six games. This is very worrying and is hopefully just a glitch as we have lots of games coming up over the next two months.
Fixtures
As mentioned earlier I went looking for a short term loan player to help bolster the midfield. It turned out to be a lot harder than I imagined and finally settled for this 17 year old from Chelsea.
To finish this update here’s look at our finances that continue to be quite strong.
Many thanks for reading and have a great Wednesday. I won’t be at a computer much today so may not read/respond to your comments until tomorrow.
Johnny Karp
4 мая, 2011 at 11:18
You’re doing just fine there Kevin, the team shows good consistency despite the injuries and I believe that you will hang on to that top spot until the end of the season. You also have a good chance of advancing in the FA Cup, maybe you’ll be given a chance of a «giant killing» later on.
Kevin
4 мая, 2011 at 22:29
I’d like a nice little FA Cup run as I really haven’t experienced that before
Alex
4 мая, 2011 at 12:26
Hi Kevin,
You’ve been doing well, you should keep your place at the top for the rest of the season. Hopefully you can get drawn against Man Utd later on :D. Good luck :)
Kevin
4 мая, 2011 at 22:30
Man United at home would be a dream cup tie for us :)
Darren Smith
4 мая, 2011 at 12:44
I agree with Johnny, despite your injuries Cambridge are managing fine. The form is still good and top spot looks secure for now. Hopefully the injury plague won’t spread, but I’m hoping for a prosperous season and great finances btw.
Kevin
4 мая, 2011 at 22:31
Injuries are always a worry and as you say I hope they don’t spread :)
vaibhavc
4 мая, 2011 at 13:37
Hey Kevin
You are doing what we expected you to be doing, being first! You have had a great set of months, hopefully you can continue it and win the title. Btw, sorry I forgot to wish your family a good recovery, it completely slipped my mind.
Kevin
4 мая, 2011 at 22:32
Hi vaibhavc
Thanks for your concern about my family. I hope I can win the title too but a long way to go yet :)
CsAtlantis
4 мая, 2011 at 15:12
Hello Kevin, doing well there, sitting top of the league, and the finances look good, hopefully you can get some players to cover for those long term injuries, that loanee you’ve gotten for midfield looks solid
Kevin
4 мая, 2011 at 22:33
I like the loanee too though he hasn’t started as well as expected.
hils
4 мая, 2011 at 15:30
Hi Kevin,good couple of months!!!!!!!!!! Hopefully you will win the league!!!!!!!!! Good luck!!!!!!!!!!
Kevin
4 мая, 2011 at 22:33
Thanks hils!!!
Lye
4 мая, 2011 at 15:45
Hi Kevin,
Your team is the favorite to lift the title now. Though there is some hiccups but you still manage to gain a lot of points to take the 1st place. Don’t think you will lose the top spot as you still have your injured players coming back.
Kevin
4 мая, 2011 at 22:34
Hi Lye
I appreciate your positive comments and trust they will come true!
The Green Army
4 мая, 2011 at 16:00
You’ve had a great start to the league and hope you stay top
But…
You lost to the green army!!! Thats really all I wanted to say
Kevin
4 мая, 2011 at 22:35
I was disappointed with that loss but they were the better team on the night
Laxeyman
4 мая, 2011 at 16:35
Hi Kevin, sorry to hear about the family illness, I hope things get better.
Anyway, you’re doing very well considering all the injuries you’ve had, and it looks like you’re on for promotion. I reckon you’ll do it, good luck!
Kevin
4 мая, 2011 at 22:36
Thanks Laeyman…on both counts!
Sayam Khan
4 мая, 2011 at 17:11
Your doing excellent Kevin, and have also done well despite your injuries. I predict another promotion! Good Luck!
Kevin
4 мая, 2011 at 22:38
Thanks Sayam….that would be nice!
Jonathan Downer
4 мая, 2011 at 21:11
Looking pretty solid Kevin, even with the current injury crisis. It’s a testament to your teams resolve that you’ve managed to remain top of the table despite the injuries and poor form from your strikers. Even if you slip in the title race, I have a hard time seeing you falling out of the automatic promotion spots. Keep up the good work!
Kevin
4 мая, 2011 at 22:40
Hi Jonathan
Greetings from Canada and thanks very much for your supportive comment. I’m happy too that goals are coming from other areas as the strikers hit a bad patch. This team really does pull together.
Excessive
4 мая, 2011 at 21:36
Excellent Kevin, well done.
I thought the injuries would hamper you, but you have shown you have strength in depth and that can only be a good thing! Hope you can hold onto that top spot and regain some of that dominant form your team has shown previously.
Good luck! :)
Kevin
4 мая, 2011 at 22:41
Thanks a lot. The team does seem to have coped well despite the injuries and poor form up front.
Ana Garcia
5 мая, 2011 at 12:32
You have coped really well during your injury crisis, and strikers not scoring really annoys me in this game!
Hopefully they will re-discover how to score to keep you on top of the league.
Good luck!!