Hi everyone!
Well the snow/ice/cold has been so bad in my area that it has broke the heating system where I work, after a few days of phone calls trying to sort it out it the earliest they can fix it is after Christmas. Basically means I cant open up because its against health and safety until the problem is fixed, hopefully my insurance can cover it but it has been a nightmare few days.
So with a bit more free time I can bring you another post in my Coruxo season. This will be the conclusion to my second season in the race for a promotion place.
April
The month began away at Castilla, who if you remember had players like Royston Drenthe playing thankfully most had ben sold but it was still a very tricky away game. An early goal won it in the end, Alberto eventually scoring after a mix up in the Castilla defence.
Jerez were next up and again our excellent away form continued, we were without our first choice central defensive partnership due to injury and suspension so had Cameron Lindsay and Delcourt at the back. Jerez were reduced to 10 men but it took a second half blitz to get the win. First Alberto found Delcourt from a corner and he headed in his first for the club.
10 minutes later and Alberto again picking out an unmarked man, this time Lindsay from a free kick out wide and he doubled our lead. Carlos made and scored the third with a great run and an even better finish.
So with the title won and the promotion place in the bag we could relax a little towards the end of the season. We did relax too much with our home game against Ferrol and despite being a goal up, and a man up we let the lead slip losing two points. Carlos converted a penalty then Carletes was red carded, but they equalised on 59 minutes. Delcourt missed a late penalty and I have no idea why he stepped up to take it!
Final fixtures a dissapointing defeat away at Gimnastica followed a home win against bottom club Club Marino, we beat Numancia away before drawing 2-2 with Badajoz on the final game of the season.
So in the end we won the league by eight points, we scored 82 goals and my front three were outstanding all season we also had the best defence with 35 a difference of +47 and place in the promotion playoff’s. We would meet Jaen who themselves won there divison by a fair bit, so I was expecting a close game.
The first leg was at the O Vao and my stadium was sold out, but we have sold out every game this season so no surprise really! We were off to a perfect start when Pepe Aicart opened the scoring but an O.G by Bernando gave them a crucial away goal. However we added extra goals from Niang, Voavy and Saric to seal a fantastic 4-1 win. (Highlights below)
I wasnt sure what to do in the second leg, defend or play my normal tactic I opted for the latter defending isnt really my style! It seemed my gamble payed off as Zerbini scored after 9 mintues to make it 5-1 and give us an away goal. The second half is where the goals were scored, Jaen scoring through Fabios but Alberto made it 6-2 just three minutes later. Jean pulled another back to make it 2-2 on the day and 6-3 but we held them off to seal promotion and a playoff final against Barcelona Atletic!
So with promotion secured we went into the playoff final in high confidence, our promotion already confirmed this was for the divison trophy and one I wanted to win! The first leg was away and my side were so clinical with Zerbini scoring twice and Germinale adding the third (Highlights below).
In the home leg I decided to use my defensive tactic too see how it would work, and was delighted as it did its job perfectly! We won the game one zero with Carlos scoring on the counter attack to give us a total of a 4-0 win over Barcelona Atletic!
Amazingly that was my fouth trophy at Coruxo! I won my first by winning the league in my 1st season and again winning it for retaining it in my second. I got a trophy for winning the first playoff game against Jaen and another for winning the divison B title!
I cant believe how good my front three were, and Zerbini was a real star all season its no wonder clubs are after him! I also have to single out Alberto who was almost as fantastic as my front three and without his creativity we wouldnt have scored nearly as many.
Niang was a fantastic utility player who found himself a regular towards the end of the season, and Bernando was brilliant at the back. But was delighted with all my players and how they performed.
So next season will bring its own challeneges we need to sort out the finacial troubles that have plagued me and I will also need to stengthen for our survival bid next season. Money is going to be a major problem we did get a little for winning the league and promotion but no where close to clearing the debt we are in.
I will have to sell a few players but hopefully I can bring in one or two to help us next season, thanks for reading and bye for now! :)
Johnny Karp
8 декабря, 2010 at 14:41
Congratulations Ana, you really nailed those play-offs this time! I can’t really understand why there was a play-off final since promotion was already secured but I guess Spanish folks really like to celebrate stuff as often as possible :)
Ana Garcia
10 декабря, 2010 at 11:34
Thanks Johnny,
Yeah I think it was because you play for a trophy its quite confusing!
Am just really glad I made it!
warren
8 декабря, 2010 at 15:22
Well done Ana you have had a very good season but you should have been in the next division last season. Good luck for next season.
Ana Garcia
10 декабря, 2010 at 11:35
Thanks Warren,
Agreed but at least I am their now!
Thanks for the luck, I will need it.
hils
8 декабря, 2010 at 16:52
Hi Ana,at last you are promoted!!!!!!!!!! Hopefully you will carry on your form next season!!!!!!!!! Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ana Garcia
10 декабря, 2010 at 11:35
Thanks Hils! :)
Darren Smith
8 декабря, 2010 at 18:54
Nice one Ana, you simply brilliant this season, last year was very unlucky. You seem to have developed a strong squad with little resources but Im sure you’ll overcome the financial problems over the next two or so years. Well done again Ana,I have added your points to the managers rankings.
Ana Garcia
10 декабря, 2010 at 11:37
Thanks Darren,
Yeah we have a fairly good squad but I am going to have to sell a few players on higher wages to clear some the debt, just hoping I can bring in a few players for next year.
Sears
8 декабря, 2010 at 19:20
That’s excellent Ana! After failure to win the play offs last season it’s wonderful that you won them this time. I’m positive you can work your magic in the market again, good luck!
Ana Garcia
10 декабря, 2010 at 11:37
Thanks Sears,
Will definatly try my best! :)
Aguila
8 декабря, 2010 at 23:16
Hi Ana! CONGRATULATIONS!
Excellently done….
Hopefully you can sort out these financial crisis…. and build up on your success.
Keep my fingers crossed and look forward to see how it goes.
Cheers!
Ana Garcia
10 декабря, 2010 at 11:40
Hi Aguila,
Thank you! Agreed just need to sort out the financial mess we are in and the club should be good!
Keep them crossed for a rich owner to come in a wipe the debt!! ;)
Kevin
9 декабря, 2010 at 00:25
Ola Ana
Felicidades!!!!
I’m so happy that you won promotion this time around as you throughly deserved it after last seasons nonsense. Good luck as you build for the new season.
PS I hope your business being closed does not effect your bottom line too much. That’s really unfortunate and you have my sympathies.
Ana Garcia
10 декабря, 2010 at 11:46
Thanks Kevin,
New season will be tough if I cant wipe some of the debt but am hopeful I can sell a few players.
At the moment I believe that my insurance will cover the damage, thats was after about 5 hours of phone calls yesterday and to be honest am sick of dealing with it, its not like I deliberately made it snow so I could claim it on my insurance.
Thats how they talk to you though, its very patronising making you feel as if its your fault yet you pay them a set amount every month to cover situations like this.
Sorry, just annoyed! :)
Laxeyman
9 декабря, 2010 at 11:19
Well done Ana, bouncing back to get promotion like that is fantastic. Your front three have been amazing, and it seems that you play an attacking style of football, which is great. Hopefully you can add a few quality players to the squad for next season, good luck!
Ana Garcia
10 декабря, 2010 at 11:49
Thanks Laxeyman,
Yeah attacking is the way I play and I agree my front three have been fantastic, Zerbini was a real find by my scout!
Yeah will do my best, hopefully I can get a few more scouts in to help me strengthen for next season.
True Football Manager
9 декабря, 2010 at 11:28
Ana, thank you for such interesting FM story. Your contribution to Football Manager community is really appreciable.
Ana Garcia
10 декабря, 2010 at 11:52
Oh, thank you!
Am glad you are enjoying it! :)
FMStories2011
9 декабря, 2010 at 13:12
Hi Ana,
Very good job. Its a good thing that you got promoted. I hope your Coruxo team becomes as successful as your Real Union story.
Good Luck
fmstories2010.blogspot.com
Ana Garcia
10 декабря, 2010 at 11:55
Thanks!
Yeah my aim is to try to win as much as I did with Real Union!
Thanks for the comment and for the luck! :)
Lye
10 декабря, 2010 at 00:46
Hi Ana,
Congratulations on the promotion. Good job and looking forward to next season.
Ana Garcia
10 декабря, 2010 at 11:56
Thanks Lye! :)
Frank
11 декабря, 2010 at 15:49
Hi Ana,
Well done on promotion your team deserves it and your next season will be very challenging but fun at the same time. Good Luck :)
Also on my blog i am a Dutch second division side which is quite weaker than the spanish second division and i was wondering if you could give me some ideas on who to sign. It would be appreciated a lot thanks :)
http://thefootballgaffer.blogspot.com/
Ana Garcia
11 декабря, 2010 at 17:40
Hi Frank,
Yeah its always interesting how your side does in a better league, need to sell some players though!
Yeah no problem, which positions?
Frank
11 декабря, 2010 at 17:55
I need experienced
Right Back
Centre Back x 2
Centre Midfield
Striker
you can leave your ideas here or in the comments section on my blog thanks
http://thefootballgaffer.blogspot.com/
Sayam Khan
11 декабря, 2010 at 15:49
Hey Johnny
Sorry for missing your last few posts due to computer problems. Anyway after catching up on your story i must say well done! After missing out last year, you must be really happy winning the title this year. Well done and good luck for next season
Ana Garcia
11 декабря, 2010 at 17:47
Hi Sayam!
As much as I love Johnny I am not him! :D
But I guess you just miss-typed which is fine, am really pleased with how my team played this season and am looking forward to the next one. Hoping I can fix the financial troubles though!