Hello dear friends and welcome to the year 2014, a new year in our club’s history! As you already know my Dorchester Town enjoyed a fantastic December and managed to climb up the table, up to 7th spot just below the play-off positions. We had nothing to celebrate yet though, we still had months of hard work ahead of us and a pretty uncertain future in the Championship.
The first game of the new year was a special one, away at Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup. Chelsea obviously were strong favourites to win the game despite sending in quite a few backup youngsters along with star players like Frank Lampard or Joe Cole.
There’s not much to say about the actual game, it was a pretty one-sided affair but we defender with great passion but with some intelligence too. Chelsea dominated the game but we managed to restrict them to only one clear cut chance so we walked away with a draw from Stamford Bridge and earned the right to welcome Chelsea at Avenue Stadium for the replay!
The transfer window was open again and I already agreed to offload two players before the Chelsea game: left winger Jacob Lensky to FC Koln for 190,000 pounds and troublemaker striker Mark Simmons to Birmingham for 750 K. The wage budget was still in red so I was still trying to sell one more player. I didn’t want to sell the likes of Packie Doolin though, I think he’s a great prospect but the board decided to accept an offer from Sunderland!
I resorted to my only chance and offered young Packie a new contract with Dorchester and, to everybody’s surprise, he signed! He won’t be going to Sunderland this time!
I couldn’t afford to sign any new players but I did find a good one on loan. Actually I found him in the cup game against Chelsea, young full back Mark Parker. He played very well against us and I was pleased that he accepted to join Dorchester on loan as I think he will really improve our left flank in defense.
Our first league game of the new year was at home with 8th placed Fulham, a game that was expected to be quite tough. My boys started the game pretty well and found the breakthrough on 19 minutes when Mohammed Tchite showed great vision to pick Mancini‘s run with a good pass behind the defense and the Brazilian winger coolly slotted it home. We kept the game under control until half time but I admit that it was rather boring for the fans. Things were looking more lively after the break and we managed to double the lead nine minutes into the second half when centre back Stefan O’Brien powered in a corner kick header, his first goal of the season. The game was at our mercy but an error in defense let Fulham back in with 10 minutes on the clock. Luckily we managed to stand firm during the last minutes of the game and earned the three points.
I wasn’t in the mood to celebrate though as the board finally succeeded in selling a player against my will right after the game, Middlesbrough made an offer for our young striker Neil Hayter and I was unable to stop them… He was anything else than a first team regular but I was very fond of him because he was the only talented player that ever came through our youth setup since I took charge of the club… Go to the next page to read the rest of the story.
Go to the next page to read the rest of the story.
Vinners
10 сентября, 2010 at 20:01
Good Month Johnny! I cannot believe that my beloved Reading is in the relegation zone! But then I cannot believe you drew with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge! I believe you’ll get a play off place so keep it up!
Johnny Karp
10 сентября, 2010 at 22:48
Thanks Vinners. That draw at Stamford Bridge was quite pleasing even though we barely came out of our own half during the 90 minutes.
hils
10 сентября, 2010 at 20:39
Good month Johnny. Great draw against Chelsea! Do you mind posting a screenshot of the Premier League table so far? I am curious to find out because Reading our in the drop zone!!
Johnny Karp
10 сентября, 2010 at 22:49
Thanks Hils, I will post the Premier League table in the next update.
Ana Garcia
10 сентября, 2010 at 23:24
Well done Johnny!
Chelsea is my boyfriends team but looking at the stats of the home game against them you played really well!!
I mean you had 49% of the play created a few chances and they were hardly testing your keeper with only four shots on target! But they had that clinical edge.
League wise and you are definatly in the hunt for a playoff place it looks like the automatic places have maybe just eluded you, but a good run of form now and who knows!!
As always best of luck Johnny!!
Johnny Karp
11 сентября, 2010 at 09:42
Thanks a lot Ana. About the Chelsea game, they scored the opening goal early on and I guess that’s why they didn’t continue to push forward like they did in the first game.
Kevin Mayo
11 сентября, 2010 at 00:34
Hello Johnny
Firstly fantastic achievment in getting a draw at Stamford Bridge but too bad you couldn’t become a giant killer though the extra cash is nice. Considering the board is trying to sell players behing your back you are doing really well to move up into sixth place. Good luck next month!
Johnny Karp
11 сентября, 2010 at 09:43
Thanks Kevin. I guess I’ll continue the game until I’ll see this board leaving after a takeover :)
ravenie
11 сентября, 2010 at 12:04
I havent been able to play fm for ages. Not because I haven’t had the time but because Ive had so many problems just being able to play it. I’ve tried reinstalling and stuff but i NEED HELP :(
Johnny Karp
11 сентября, 2010 at 12:15
You can send me an email Ravenie and I’ll gladly help you if I can. Or you can post your problem details here and we’ll see what can be done.
Sears
11 сентября, 2010 at 12:21
Hi Johnny,
fantastic draw at Chelsea, the extra cash should come in handy. The play off spots seem to be very congested, a few wins next month may leave you in a more comfortable position. Goodluck!
Johnny Karp
11 сентября, 2010 at 12:41
Thanks for the good wishes Sears. You are right, the table is very tight and every point makes a big difference at this stage.
Laxeyman
11 сентября, 2010 at 13:01
Well done Johnny, that was a good month, despite the board not helping you by accepting offers for your players. Hopefully you can hang on to that play off spot, good luck!
Johnny Karp
11 сентября, 2010 at 14:54
Thanks for the good wishes Laxeyman!
Darren Smith
11 сентября, 2010 at 13:49
Hey Johnny, well done on another good month. Sixth place at this stage is amazing and if you can keep going who knows. Anything can happen in the play-offs as my Bury side showed. Goodluck mate and keep it up.
Johnny Karp
11 сентября, 2010 at 14:55
Thanks Darren, I hope we will hang in there among the top six.
Lye
11 сентября, 2010 at 16:46
Hi Johnny, you did well in Stamford Bridge but the quality of Chelsea is too much for you to handle at the moments. Nice job there holding a play-off spot. I think you can get it. Good luck.
Johnny Karp
11 сентября, 2010 at 16:58
Thanks for your kind words Lye.