Hello fellow FM 2010 fanatics and welcome to a new episode of the Dorchester Town Football Manager 2010 story! As you know we had a fantastic start of the season and we were sitting top of the Blue Square South table at the end of October, 8 points clear of the second placed team! It’s easy to get carried away after such a good start but I urged my players and staff to keep their feet on the ground, the season was not over and we had no time for celebrations!
The month began with another tough game, at home against 4th placed promotion contenders Eastleigh. My lads were extremely confident though and they laid siege on Eastleigh‘s penalty area right from the first minute of the game. Right winger Abu-Iebda scored the opening goal by finishing a good team move and then we doubled the lead from a penalty kick just before half time. We surely could have scored quite a few more goals but the team took the foot off the gas in the second half.
Next up, the FA Cup 1st round game away at League One side Stockport. We had to fight against the odds but I didn’t care too much about the result, I was just curious to see how the team would manage to play against much better opposition. I told the lads that they could win the game and didn’t make any changes to the tactic, we were going to play aggressive and attacking football. And I have to say that I was pleased with the first half display, the team was playing very well against the superior opponents. The game took its natural course under the circumstances and we deservedly took the lead: striker Sergiu Jivan played a fantastic through ball to pick McNish‘s surprising run off the ball and the loanee midfielder placed it home from inside the box! Then we found ourselves under pressure but managed to defend with great determination until half time. We kept things pretty quiet after the interval and even missed a good chance to double the lead on a counter attack. We were looking confident and the unlikely victory seemed to be close. Then it happened, a fabulous shot from long range gave Stockport the equalizer and things got even worse a few minutes later when one of my centre backs was forced to leave the pitch on a stretcher. We were down to 10 men and had to fight to survive the last minutes. We defended heroically and earned the right to have a replay but things were not looking good after the game, both injured players were going to be out for three long months!
Back to the league then for a tricky away game at 7th placed Havant & Waterlooville. The team looked a bit tired after the Stockport battle but the first half was fairly even, the hosts didn’t manage to create any chances and neither did we. Unfortunately another one of my centre backs got injured before the break and I was a bit out of options, I had to send in a right back to fill his place. The improvised defense couldn’t cope with the pressure and the fatal error came just after half time. We were unable to react, the hosts were controlling the game and banged in a last minute corner kick goal to seal the victory. Centre back Ryan Carolan was going to be out for three weeks, we were facing a pretty important injury crisis in defense.
The next game was three days later, at home with 16th placed Worcester. I was hoping to get a win and get things back on track but we got off to a bad start as our opponents scored an early corner kick goal. Our reaction was unconvincing so I made a few changes at half time. We pushed forward with a bit more passion in the second half but we didn’t play well enough. We missed a good chance but we could have been punished on a counter attack, it was a just defeat, our first home defeat of the season.
A big crowd came at the Avenue Stadium to see our next game, the replay of the FA Cup match with League One team Stockport. We produced a great display in the away game but now things seemed to be even more difficult due to the various injuries and fitness problems. We conceded an early game again and looked like an inferior team throughout the first half. I had no hopes for the last 45 minutes, Stockport scored again just after the break when a free kick got deflected past our keeper. We had some bad luck too but we had to admit that Stockport were the better team that day. I was still proud of the lads, they fought well against a superior side and they deserved to be applauded. Go to the next page to read the rest of the story.
Go to the next page to read the rest of the story.
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!