Hi everyone, so quite a big post coming as I combine both the results in March and April in our quest for league glory! I’m afraid I couldnt get any highlights for my March games as I kept getting a error which is a shame but I couldnt help it so lets look through the past two months!
We began with an away game at Deportivo B, with the worst possible start as a mistake at the back allowed Richi to score after only two minutes. My side didnt panic and we were back level on 40 minutes when a Jacobo corner was headed in by Raul Sanchez. Second half was poor but Manu produced the only piece of quality finishing from close range to seal the win.
Next up was Rayo B at home and we had to thank the referee for giving us some very generous decisions. The first came on 43 minutes when Raul Snachez was apparently halted from a corner and we were awarded a penalty that Carlos scored. On 63 minutes Carlos this time was tripped and the referee gave a second penalty and Carlos stepped up again to score. In form Manu added a third on 75 minutes to coninue his fine form, whilst Rayo pulled one back late into injury time.
Atletico B next and the finest comeback we have ever had! We began poorly and were behind after 15 minutes when Baljic scored, 10 minutes later Fuseini made it two and the game looked gone. However a late fightback led by Zurbano, he flicked a headed onto Pacciardi who scored a rare goal from midfield on 82 minutes. Then on 85 minutes a fantastic cross from Carlos was met by Zurbano and we were level and I couldnt believe it!
However I couldnt believe what happened next when again Carlos went wide and provided another fantastic fizzing cross to Zurbano who rose highest to power his header past the keeper and give us the most unlikely of wins!
I even got all the credit for this result!
Our final game came against Leganes and I was expecting a high scoring game, which happened however we were on the wrong end of it! Things started badly and just got worse and worse as Zazo lashed home a 25 yard strike then added his second on 28 minutes. Nakor and Chupe both added goals and at half time we were 4-0 down!
We pulled something back on 74 minutes when Santi Dominguez scored but late on Sanchez fouled in the area and Zazo stepped up to inflict our biggest defeat of the season!
April
So April began and confidence took a major hit after the Leganes game, first match was away at Extremadura. I was looking for positive reaction but we were behind after 59 minutes when a long ball wasnt dealt with and they made us pay. We were level when Borja found Zurbano, but again we faltered as they re-took the lead. But 5 minutes level we were level when Borja pounced on a mix up in the defence, all square.
Next up was Lugo and again we played pretty badly, the game just didnt happen for us and we were beaten again at home when Gonzalez struck the winner. We hardly tested their keeper which was very dissapointing.
Next up was Universidad and again an we let ourselves down when we let them score after only three minutes another game where we created very little and we seem to be struggling a little at the moment, Antunez did equalise but I dont think we really deserved it. Sanchez was red carded and we just about held on to the win!
Last game of the month came against Guadalajara and we made a return to winning ways but after a couple of early scares including them hitting our post. We took the lead when Zurbano met a Germinale cross on 27 minutes. We had a chance to double our lead but Germinale missed from the penalty spot after Borja was fouled, however he made up far that miss with a fine goal three minutes later. We held on to grab a win this month!
So a couple of bad results and a couple of hapless performances has me worried, the confidence we have built up all season is starting to drop and fatigue and injuries are starting to take their toll on my tiny squad. Despite that we remain top of the league and have secured a playoff place, however we must improve otherwise we will be easily beaten at the moment.
So with only three games of the season remaining we have made sure that we will be challenging from promotion when we enter the playoffs! We have almost secured the league needing only a win to seal it. Defence has fallen to pieces over the past few games, but my attack has been very reliable with 69 goals. Hopefully we can improve in our final fixtures :
So we should be able to get the points we need from our remaining games to seal the league and enter the playoffs for promotion but I must admit confidence is down a little after some dissapointing games, sorry again for no highlights but nothing I can do!
So thats it! Next post should wrap up the season and bring those crucial playoff games in which we will see if I can win promotion or not! I must admit I am not looking forward to them as we by right should been given automatic for winning the league, also I will bring the results of the May games.
So until then bye bye and happy reading!! :)
Frank
19 ноября, 2010 at 07:56
Hi Ana,
you looked in good form and then those loses really got you down but im sure your last game will guve your team something to smile about. It’s unfair that even the winners have to compete in the playoffs good luck :)
afootballgaffer.blogspot.com
Ana Garcia
19 ноября, 2010 at 13:10
Hi Frank,
Agreed the bad result came from no where! But am hopeful we can finish on a high, yeah its very unfair but thats the rules so nothing I can do! Just have to try and win the playoffs and thanks for the luck as I never seem to get any luck in them!
:)
Johnny Karp
19 ноября, 2010 at 09:18
I guess it might be due to fatigue but once you’ll secure the top spot you could give some of the players a well deserved rest before the crucial play off games. Good luck!
Ana Garcia
19 ноября, 2010 at 13:12
Thanks Johnny,
Yeah fatigue is hurting my players, I have to send them out at 85% or lower at times as I have no real squad depth. We should get a few days off before the playoffs and if we manage to win the league we will also play less playoff games!
Again thanks for luck, I think I will need it!
Sayam Khan
19 ноября, 2010 at 10:07
Hi Ana,
March was perfect! You made an excellent comeback also. April was a bit bad, maybe the players got overconfident? :-)
Good Luck.
Ana Garcia
19 ноября, 2010 at 13:14
Hi Sayam,
Maybe! But it was more that we just didnt play and to be fair they were excellent, and looked like they would score every attack!
Hopefully it was a blip rather than overconfidence as I dont have enough time to get my side refocused before the playoffs!
Kevin
19 ноября, 2010 at 10:28
Ola Ana
That 5-1 defeat sure changed the complextion of your side. However given your managerial skills I think you will still become champions by winning your last three games. Viva Coruxo!!
Ana Garcia
19 ноября, 2010 at 13:16
Hello!!
Thanks, our run out isnt the most difficult but the Leganes game did hurt my sides confidence.
I should be able to get the points I need, but in football you never know what might happen!
Phil Wilkinson
19 ноября, 2010 at 12:14
Hi Ana
I’m sure that as long as you get some positive results in the last 3 games that confidence will pick up and you will go into the playoff games with a real purpose. I’m currently managing SV Sandhausen in the German League and we just got promoted from the 3rd Division in a similar way. We had to play the 16th team in the Second Division to get promoted and we came through with 2 great wins. I’m sure your little Coruxo side will come through. Another highlight was beating Bayern Munich on penalties in the cup. Was one hell of a season :D.
Good Luck
Ana Garcia
19 ноября, 2010 at 13:20
Hi Phil,
Nice to hear that you are having some success! Playoffs are a bit unfair in my opinion and I am not a fan, but I guess it adds excitement to those who are watching!
Beating Bayern must have been great to watch! I didnt even qualify to play in the first round of the Spanish cup! :(
Thanks for the luck and hopefully I can gain the same playoff results that you have gained!!
Jack
19 ноября, 2010 at 13:56
Well done Ana! Is it true then that even if you win the league you will still be in the play-offs? I’m sure your team will pull through though. Good luck!
Ana Garcia
20 ноября, 2010 at 00:36
Thanks Jack,
Yeah its true the top four winners in each group go into a playoff with each other, if you win you get promotion and go into the final to play for the cup. If you lose you drop into the games against the sides that finish 2nd, 3rd and 4th.
A bit confusing I know! But winning the league will not mean promotion!
hils
19 ноября, 2010 at 17:44
Hi Ana,your team are again on great form!!!!!!!!!!! If Carlos keeps banging in those goals you should cruise!!!!!!!!!! Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ana Garcia
20 ноября, 2010 at 00:39
Thanks hils,
We need to re-find our form a little with the playoffs coming up, Carlos has been amazing but I think we are relying on him too much we need some other players to step up and help take the pressure of him!
Sears
19 ноября, 2010 at 17:55
Well done Ana,
despite some bad form you managed to change your side fortunes around. I’m sure you will win the play off. Good luck!
Ana Garcia
20 ноября, 2010 at 00:41
Thanks Sears,
It will be tough we will meet a very good side if we win the league but at least we will have a chance of promotion!
Stupid playoff, we should been promoted if we win the the league!! :)
Darren Smith
19 ноября, 2010 at 19:21
Hey Ana, you suffered a very minor dint to your form but that will be forgotten when you guide Coruxo to a massive achievement, Well done, can’t wait to see what you have in store for us next season as I am sure you’ll win the league now. Well done Ana!!
Ana Garcia
20 ноября, 2010 at 00:43
Thankyou!
Yeah the title is very close just need to seal it and think about the playoffs, my side have been fantastic so am confident of a win albeit against a very good side from the other divisions.
As always I will do my best!! :)
Lye
20 ноября, 2010 at 05:48
Hi Ana,
Even though you suffer a dip in form but you are seven points ahead of 2nd place Pontevedra. Just one more win will see you winning the title. I believe it’s just a matter of time. Good luck.