We had another cup game coming up, the FA Trophy 3rd qualifying game against our fierce rivals Weymouth. It was an important game for the fans so I asked the players to forget about the fatigue and give their best on the pitch. Our attacks were still unconvincing, we were losing the ball just before entering the opposition penalty area. We wasted quite a few good attacks but we finally took the lead six minutes after the break thanks to a header from substitute left winger Kevin Hill. That goal was enough to win the game, we kept things under control easily until the final whistle.
The morale was good after the win against our rivals but the fitness problems were still there. The two central midfielders loaned from Southampton refused to extend their stay at Dorchester and they left just before the next game, away at 11th placed Woking. We played a bit better than we did in the last few games, dominated the first half but were not incisive enough to put a goal on the scoreboard. We continued to push forward after half time but Woking punished us on a counter attack a few minutes into the second half. The team reacted well, we were piling on the pressure but missed a couple of great chances, those were easier to convert than to miss… My players seemed to have some confidence problems but the game gave me hope for the future, the team played quite well.
The poor run of results saw us dropping to second place, two points behind Dover. We had a game in hand though but that wasn’t important, we had to shake off the bitterness and disappointment and start playing well again.
Ryan Carolan‘s absence surely was a big blow for the team. I signed him on a free this summer and he has been extremely reliable in defense, both as a centre back and as a left back. He came out through the youth ranks at Crystal Palace but never had the chance to play in a competitive game during the four seasons he spent there. I gave him first team football and he surely proved that he deserved the chance. He has just recovered from the injury and that will surely improve our chances of getting back on track in December.
We’ll have quite a few tough games in December and I will be looking to get back on the transfer market and see if I can bring in a player or two.
Thanks a lot for reading but unfortunately the December update will come later than expected. I will leave on a rather long road trip tomorrow, all around Romania, then off to Italy and back. I will be back during the first week of June, just in time for the World Cup. That means I might not be able to reply to your emails and comments in a timely fashion but I promise I’ll do my best. I will surely miss all of you a lot during these three weeks, I wouldn’t have left if I had a choice. But I’ll be back! :) Until my return back home, take care and keep on playing Football Manager 2010!
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Kevin
14 мая, 2010 at 11:26
Hi Johnny
Firstly, safe journey on your rather long road trip and I hope that all goes well and we will certainly miss you being around but your return looks to be perfectly timed.:)
Onto your update and that was a different kind of month for you than normal but reading through fitness and injuries really tell the whole story. Fortunately you remain near the top despite some negative results and I’m sure normal service will return soon.
All the best.
Majk
14 мая, 2010 at 11:39
Hi Johnny! A similar slump to mine really. The Injuries hits hard as you depend on a few players to carry the team like your central defender there (and ‘you’ meaning all of us playing with lower division teams). I’m sure however that you’re on your way back as your still playing good football.
I’m actually quite glad that you’re not dominating the league already! It seems more real this way :) Still number one If we count the game in hand.
/Majk
Johnny Karp
14 мая, 2010 at 11:42
@Kevin
Thanks, I’ll do my best to come back in one piece :) Here’s a map of the journey I’ll have to make: link
@Majk
Thanks mate, lower league football is always difficult and fitness is the biggest problem of them all. Anything can happen but I’m quite confident that we will recover.
Lye
14 мая, 2010 at 12:43
Thats a very long trip mate. Travelling few thousands kilometers. Take care and have a safe trip.
The injuries had definitely hit the team hard else i can’t see your team suffering more than 1 defeat in a month. Like what Kevin said, you are still on top and a game in hand. So things are still looking good at the moment.
dami
14 мая, 2010 at 13:14
thats a rather long trip…have a safe drive…I’m sure your team will bounce back in december and possibly push for the play-offs…
Have a safe trip
Johnny Karp
14 мая, 2010 at 13:22
@Dami & Lye
Thanks a lot my friends. I’ll have plenty of time to think about how to improve the team’s form :)
Majk
14 мая, 2010 at 13:28
I’ll play on another save until your safe return then Johnny. I’d like to stay close to your game.
I’m jealous! I’d love a road trip through Europe, especially through Italy. Such a beautiful country! So enjoy and make sure you have some stories to share when you get back.
Majk
Johnny Karp
14 мая, 2010 at 13:33
@Majk
You can continue your game mate, we’ll find a way to catch up after I’ll get back. I’m not sure there will be much to enjoy during the trip because I’ll have lots of work to do but I’ll try at least to make some pictures to share when I get back.
Ana Garcia
14 мая, 2010 at 18:51
A difficult month, but am sure once your players return from injury you can recapture some lost momentum.
Your still well placed in second so their is still hope of promotion!
Have a good trip (Dont work too hard! :D) and return safe to us!
Johnny Karp
14 мая, 2010 at 23:04
Thanks Ana, I hope the team will recover and I’m quite confident that they will unless we’ll have another bunch of injuries. I’ll try not to work too hard and save some energy for the World Cup :)
Sears
14 мая, 2010 at 23:11
Johnny,don’t been to be rude are anything,judt coriously asking,what job do you have?Just you deem to go ona lot of trips etc.You don’t have to answer the question if you don’t wish to do,I understand.Have a safe trip!
Anyway,back to do game,your side have suffered lately,but they’ll start playing well again soon.I’m sure of it!
Goodluck and have a nice,safe peaceful trip.
Johnny Karp
14 мая, 2010 at 23:16
@Sears
Don’t worry mate, it’s not a secret. I have two jobs actually but the one with the most and longest trips is the second. Well, it’s not a regular job, more of a freelance thing: this trip is part of an effort to make a documentary film. Back to the game, we did suffer a bit but I hope we’ll get back in shape sooner rather than later.
Laxeyman
15 мая, 2010 at 00:39
Hi Johhny, that was a tough month, but that’s mainly because of injuries. Hopefully once all your players return you’ll regain top spot, you’re still in with a great chance. Good luck and have a safe trip, that really is a long journey you’ll have to make.
Martin
15 мая, 2010 at 17:32
Not Too Great A Month, But I’m Sure Your Players Can Pick It Up Soon!
Btw, In The Sidebar Thingy It Still Says That You Manage Notts Co/England And You Haven’t Added Deano :P
Sears
15 мая, 2010 at 23:26
Johnny,thanks for sharing it with me.Just I’m thinking of what I want to do when I’m so I’m keeping my options open and finding out about things.
Ya I hope you do.Have a nice trip and goodluck with the documentary film.
Krishn
16 мая, 2010 at 14:39
Great entertaining blog ive been following your blog from Notts co but this is the first time ive commented
Johnny Karp
18 мая, 2010 at 15:19
@Laxeyman
Thanks for the good wishes mate and sorry for the rather late reply.
@Martin
Thanks for the heads up, I will make the necessary modifications after I’l get back at home, I’m a bit short on time during the road trip.
@Sears
Thanks a lot mate, I’m surely going to need some more good luck. The first days were not so good, raining ceaselessly… I hope to have some sunshine tomorrow and get more stuff done.
@Krishn
Thanks for your kind words and for your first comment. Now that you broke the ice I’ll be looking forward to your next comments if you want to share your opinions :)
Mariano Vagator
11 июня, 2010 at 10:19
Hope your trip went very good!
well done 1-1 against Stockport,it´s very impressive!