Luckily we had another home game coming up so we had a chance to bounce back. The game was quite difficult though, we were facing 5th placed Leeds (we were 4th before that game, one point ahead of Leeds). It was a direct battle for promotion so we had to give our best. We were under a bit of pressure during the initial minutes of the game but we managed to break through on a counter attack and that resulted in a penalty kick. Young striker Peter Singh coolly slotted the penalty and we were leading 1-0! We put on a solid display until half time and could really have scored one or two more. We found ourselves under fire after the interval, Leeds were driving forward and we defended very well and held on to get three very important points.
The next game was away at mid-table side Leicester, they were sitting 13th before the match. They took an early lead thanks to a good flowing team move but Omar Koroma pegged them back immediately and the score was level again in the 9th minute. We took control of the game and got rewarded for the good display just before half time when Graeme Owens rounded off a team move. Tings got even better a couple of minutes into the second half, Mohammed Tchite headed one in to double our lead. Unfortunately some poor defending gave Leicester a way back into the game on 55 minutes but Koroma fired in a volley nine minutes later to ease my concerns. My boys got a bit complacent though, they missed a few great chances to wrap up the game and Leicester scored again six minutes from time! I was fearing another injury time comeback but this time we managed to withstand the pressure and walk away with the three points.
The last game of the month was away at 8th placed Ipswich, another direct clash with a play-off contender. We got off to a poor start, our offside trap was beaten quite easily and Ipswich took the lead six minutes into the game. Our reaction was not very convincing and Ipswich made it 2-0 three minutes before half time when a fabulous 30 yard drive went past our keeper. We had to do better after the break and the boys understood that, our game improved in the second half and Omar Koroma missed two huge chances before Francesco Tosto clawed one back from a corner kick on 63 minutes. We had enough time to chase the equalizer but Koroma seemed to be in the most wasteful day of his career, he missed a sitter before Mohammed Tchite finally rounded off a team move to level the game 10 minutes from time.
We moved up one place since the start of the month, we are sitting 4th! We have eight points on the seventh placed team now, I guess the play-off spot is ours to lose.
Mohammed Tchite was very important during the last few games, he managed to end a goal drought that was going on for six or seven games. I guess that was all due to the transfer rumors that went on during January and February, he was unsettled by the media attention but hopefully he’s past all that now.
We have five more games to play and we need three wins to secure a play-off spot. Automatic promotion is eight points away so I guess only five consecutive wins would give us a chance to grab the second spot.
I don’t think we can get 15 points out of the last 5 games, especially because we are going to meet leaders Newcastle and 3rd placed Southampton. We should hold on to the play-off spot though, it would be a shame to lose it now… Thanks a lot for reading, it seems that we’ll be in for an exciting last episode this season :)
Sayam Khan
14 сентября, 2010 at 16:07
Good month Johnny, you should be able to get a play off spot.
Good luck :-)
Johnny Karp
14 сентября, 2010 at 20:15
Thanks Sayam, I guess we shouldn’t drop more than 8 points :)
Laxeyman
14 сентября, 2010 at 16:14
Well done Johnny, your team look set for a play off spot, I think an automatic place is unlikely. Good luck, I’m looking forward to seeing how you do in the play offs!
Johnny Karp
14 сентября, 2010 at 20:16
Thanks Laxeyman, we’ll need all the luck we can get in the play-offs.
hils
14 сентября, 2010 at 18:42
Well done Johnny. You have taught me to belive in miracles! Mohammed Tchite really is your main threat this season and next season he will be showered in offers!
Johnny Karp
14 сентября, 2010 at 20:20
Thanks Hils. I think I will sell Tchité at the end of the season, he’s 30 years old and I think I might find better and younger players.
Kevin Mayo
14 сентября, 2010 at 19:01
Hi Johnny
Well done, you are almost there. With that important win over Leeds a play off spot is almost assured now, but you still have a key game with Newcastle though I’m sure you can do it. Good luck with the end of season!!!
Johnny Karp
14 сентября, 2010 at 20:21
Thanks Kevin, that win over Leeds was essential indeed. I think that the most important game will be against Southampton, Newcastle are almost champions already.
Darren Smith
14 сентября, 2010 at 19:04
Great work Johnny! You have pulled off some right results there, 8 points clear of seventh offers lots of breathing space. I’m not too sure Dorchester will make the top two though as next month looks terribly tough. However, you never know given your current form. Well done mate and Im routing for a fifth consecutive promotion!
Johnny Karp
14 сентября, 2010 at 20:22
Thanks for your support Darren, a fifth consecutive promotion would be fantastic! I never managed five consecutive promotions or at least I can’t remember achieving something like that before.
Ana Garcia
14 сентября, 2010 at 20:03
Good going so far!!
Down to the nervy final few games!! You should hold onto your playoff place I think but the auto place may be just out of your grasp especially with that tricky run out.
Johnny Karp
14 сентября, 2010 at 20:23
Thanks Ana. I don’t think we can get that automatic promotion place simply because Bristol City are unlikely to drop more than 8 points in 5 games.
Lye
15 сентября, 2010 at 01:32
Hi Johnny, most likely the play-off spot is secured. However i think you will prevail and promote through the play-offs. Your team seem to have good record against the other play-off contenders. Good luck.
Johnny Karp
15 сентября, 2010 at 09:10
Thanks Lye. You are right, we have a good record against most of the contenders and that surely gives me and the players more confidence :)
rab carr
15 сентября, 2010 at 20:45
Alright Johnny,, your storey about your season with dorchester is nothing short of amazing you must be some manager , tactics, training, singing must be spot on well done man
Johnny Karp
15 сентября, 2010 at 22:01
Thanks for the compliment. You can see my approach to the game in detail here: https://www.footballmanagerstory.com/2010/07/football-manager-lower-league-management-guide/
Sears
15 сентября, 2010 at 21:08
Hi Johnny,
play off spot should be secured now, and like Lye said, your record against those around you is marvelous. I thought in FM09 you got Blyth promoted five times in a row? If I can do it with Chelmsford City, I’m sure you can do it too :-D Goodluck!
Johnny Karp
15 сентября, 2010 at 22:00
Thanks Sears. No, I didn’t get five promotions in a row with Blyth, only four… We stopped for a season in the Championship and then got promoted.