Hey guys and welcome back to my Ultimate European Challenge story. During my last post you saw me splash the cash with Bordeaux. After a very bad start to life in France , reinforcements were needed. We signed some great prospects and pace was the theme, hopefully my latest acquisitions are good enough to mount a title challenge. Today I will reveal the results up until December, so lets see how I got on. But first I want to show you an important loan signing. After paying £10 million for Vidal, I felt we still needed a good backup striker. Then I noticed Van Stokkom (click name to view profile) available on loan from West Ham. The Dutch 26 year old has attributes in the right areas and should suit my poacher role well.
Ligue 1 and Coupe De La Ligue results — August to September
One word sums my side up, inconsistent. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve witnessed an incredible improvement from last season but this still isn’t title winning form. My first four matches went well as Bordeaux beat Stade Caen, Monaco, Saint-Etienne and Sochaux. Then it all came caving in as we looked the lesser side in a 1-1 away draw to Auxerre. Playing Lille wasn’t a walk in the park either as they held us to a 2-2 draw. My defence was in need of reinforcements, but with no money I need to work a way around the leak. This was only highlighted further as we lost 4-1 to Valenciennes and crashed out of the Coupe De La Ligue. Only a scrappy performance at the end of September saved my blushes. We travelled to Toulouse and rather fortunately won 2-1. One big positive was San Roman’s form, the Argentine winger had become our best player and showed signs of genius so far.
Ligue 1 results — October
What an annoying month, the trees are losing their leaves and the air is starting to chill…all the while Bordeaux continue to frustrate me. We beat Le Mans 4-0, Stade Rennais 3-0 and GF 38 3-1. All excellent and title winning form, but my boys threw it all away by losing the matches that really matter. Both Marseille and Lyon dominated against us as we lost 1-0. My two closest title rivals had taken six points away from me and gained an extra three for themselves. Losing matches like this could cost me top spot and maybe even Champions League. I honestly could not see a way through the French giants, as they both have an incredible back four. I guess the main positive is Vidal, my Argentine striker has scored 10 goals from 12 games already and seems to like the French opposition.
Ligue 1 results — November to December
Its getting real cold now as the winter frost settles in, and my defence seemed almost frozen early on in November. After thrashing Aries-Avignon 4-1, I was shocked to just draw 2-2 vs PSG. Then a very lucky 3-2 victory over Nice was followed by another disappointing draw against Valenciennes. Thankfully this poor run was followed by three victories, we seem less like title challengers with every month that passes. On a more positive note, Vidal scored during every single game and Olivier Le Gac was proving more than worth his £1.2 million fee. A real coup chipping in with 8 assists.
Below are highlights from my 4-0 victory over Havre FC. You see just how amazing Vidal has been for me. His dribbling and pace cause mayhem, while his finishing has led to a hat full of goals.
Ligue 1 table — title challenge over already??
No where near over mathematically. There are so many points to play for and Bordeaux are just six points behind top with a game in hand. However, my worry comes in the form of my defence. We are leaking too many goals and have no money to strengthen. This is hindering us against Marseille and Lyon because my attackers get few chances while the defence endures an onslaught. If I can work out a way of beating those two, the title is mine. If not, I’ll have to settle for third.
Squad stats
Before I do the run down of my best players, CsAtlantis requested Missilou’s profile. So here it is mate, just click on the players name. He has featured from the bench this year and that shows how bad my team was last season, as he was the best player. Anyway, back to this season and my best players. Vidal has been phenomenal, scoring 21 goals from 19 starts. My left winger, San Roman has also featured with 9 goals and 3 assists. From my cheap signings, central midfielder, Testa stands out with 11 assists and 3 goals. The Italian was bought from Man City for just £2.7 million. While Bergkamp shows a lot of promise and has done well, the Dutch winger has been inconsistent. I expected more than 4 goals and 6 assists, plus his average rating of 7.03 suggests there’s a lot more to come.
Second half of the season — fixtures
My title challenge is far from dead, but bad results against Marseille and Lyon will surely end it. My poor form away from home could also hinder the challenge, so I guess you could say I’m not optimistic. The lads really must perform better during our second half of the season. I just hope the defensive errors will stop been so persistent.
Well that is all for today’s update. I hope you enjoyed the read and thanks for stopping by. If you have any questions, just ask below and I look forward to your comments as always.
CsAtlantis
23 апреля, 2011 at 12:13
Missilou’s a decent player but you’ve bought better ones
Ah Thomas Vermaelen must be a veteran player now, is he your left back?
Good to see that the players you splashed out on big transfers have done well for you though, if you can secure a Champions League spot and get the money you’ll be well on your way to winning the league at least
Your players might play even better during the second half, they should have developed a better level of understanding, you still have until March to play Lyon, without participating in European competition (for one season only anyway :P) your team should be more rested than Lyon and Marseille, unless they’ve gotten knocked out already :D
Good luck Darren, you’re on course to a Champions League spot at least, just have to keep an eye on Lille, who are only 3 points behind you
Darren Smith
23 апреля, 2011 at 13:09
Yeh Vermaelen is the only left back I have now. I was forced to sell my number one on deadline day and got no money from the transfer as my board accepted just £2m grrr!! He’s incredibly slow, old and its causing no end of problems. I too am relieved to see the new boys perform well…without them we’d struggle to get top three. I just hope OL and OM struggle with the clustered fixtures like you predict. I need them to screw up because I know we’ll make mistakes still.
Sayam Khan
23 апреля, 2011 at 12:19
That is quiet a good start, there is only 6 points between you and the top with a game in hand for yourself and with plenty of games left! Vidal is amazing. Good Luck!
Darren Smith
23 апреля, 2011 at 13:10
Thanks Sayam, we need to hit some amazing form and hope OM along with OL screw up. Fingers crossed.
Sears
23 апреля, 2011 at 16:45
Hey Darren,
Decent start there, hopefully you’re defense will sort themselves out soon as it’s normally water tight! Good luck :-)
Darren Smith
23 апреля, 2011 at 17:45
Thanks Sears, I am taking another look at my tactics. Will keep the general feel but may change to shorter passing etc…it just isn’t working right.
Johnny Karp
23 апреля, 2011 at 17:51
Well, you did concede a few but not that many in my view and you scored plenty so far. I agree that it might not be enough for a successful title challenge but I think that it will go down to the wire, Lyon and Marseille will surely have bad days and hopefully you will be able to take advantage. Vidal is absolutely awesome by the way :)
Darren Smith
23 апреля, 2011 at 19:16
Thanks Johnny, I agree the goals conceded don’t look too bad. But its more about the way we’ve defended in general, the full backs just don’t play my way and I only have Romero to call a good defender. Hopefully they will prove me wrong. Vidal is immense!!! :)
Kevin
23 апреля, 2011 at 19:40
Hi Darren
I would say that’s a very solid season thus far and you are certainly a title challenger for sure. If Vidal keeps up that kind of scoring form, I’d be a worried manager if I was in charge at Lyon or OM. Great job!!
Darren Smith
23 апреля, 2011 at 22:46
Hey Kevin
It was a great start by most standards…but I’m worried this league may take a lot more than the usual to win. OM and OL are dominating like Real and Barca within Spain in real life. A nightmare in the making, but I do like challenges so. :)
vaibhavc
23 апреля, 2011 at 20:31
Hey Darren
How much you must hate France right now! Vidal seems to be a great signing and is doing really well for you, lets hope he continues this. And you have only lost two, its not too many to be too worried about. We all have faith in your management!
Darren Smith
23 апреля, 2011 at 22:44
I REALLY REALLY hate France. While most clubs are easy to beat…this just makes it easier for OM and OL. They look unstoppable and it’ll take a small miracle to win the league. Thanks for the faith Vaibhavc.
hils
23 апреля, 2011 at 20:40
Hi Darren,Good months there!!!!!!!! Vidal looks in great form!!!!!!!! Good luck!!!!!!!!
Darren Smith
23 апреля, 2011 at 22:43
Thanks Hils, Vidal is my best player!
Lye
24 апреля, 2011 at 01:29
Hi Darren,
That’s not a bad position after all. You have a real good chance to fight for the title. You have a world class striker. The defenders have to work better. OM and Lyon will surely drop points and i think you can overtake OM. Good luck.
Darren Smith
24 апреля, 2011 at 09:08
Thanks Lye, I really hope Lyon and Marseille start dropping points because I know I will.
Alex
24 апреля, 2011 at 03:05
Hey Darren,
Firstly, Vidal is awesome! Scoring more goals than games is a brilliant achievement and no doubt he is your best player. You still have a chance to fight for the title, you’re only 3 points behind Lyon if you win your game in hand. I think 2nd is possible, if I were you I would focus on the French Cup more than the league. Good luck for the second half of the season :)
Darren Smith
24 апреля, 2011 at 09:07
Thanks Alex, Vidal really is something else. I believe we can get a big points total…only problem is Lyon and Marseille look like winning every game, its so frustrating :)
Excessive
24 апреля, 2011 at 17:57
Darren, you shouldnt rule yourself out this early. There is a huge way to go and although your lads are looking a little shaky, im sure they will pick themselves up through the season and put together a good run of wins that should see you there, or there abouts come the final charge. Just be patient, it will inevitably come :).
Anyway, just looked back at your signings. One thing that you dont lack is quality and im sure that this will start to show as the season progresses. Bit of a shame your out of the cup though? :(
Good luck mate!