We were back at the Avenue Stadium for the next game, 15th placed Gateshead were coming to pay us a visit. I was hoping to win the game but the first half was disappointing and Gateshead could have even taken the lead but they struck the crossbar with a corner kick header. We played a bit better after the break but our shooting was incredibly wasteful: only one shot on target out of eleven and none of those shots were from distance! My strikers looked like they were getting a bit complacent and I told them that I’m not going to tolerate such dismal performances.
The last game of the season was away at fellow newly promoted side Newport Co, they were sitting 16th in the table. We got off to a fairly poor start again but this time striker Marius Dabu found the target with his first attempt, that’s what I expect from him. We doubled the lead seven minutes before the break thanks to a very good team move that was started and finished by the same player, Marius Dabu. I guess my harsh words after the Gateshead game motivated him to do better. Newport reacted well though and they clawed one back right away thanks to a good quick move. The first half wasn’t over yet though, we pushed forward again and the referee awarded us a dubious penalty during injury time. Jivan said thanks and banged it home, the victory seemed to be ours. Newport got back into the game after half time though, we gave the ball away easily in midfield and the counter attack was quick and merciless. We did close the game 10 minutes later, captain Ryan Carolan was back on the pitch after the injury and he was keen on leaving a mark. This time he didn’t score through a corner kick header, a free kick cross found him at the far post and he fired in a splendid left footed half volley to bring us the three points.
We were still top of the table but our six point cushion was reduced to five points, we can’t afford any more slip-ups if we want to stay top.
I would like to spend a few words on centre back Ryan Carolan, one of my favorite players. I brought him in on a free transfer last season and he established himself immediately as an important first team player. I chose to sign him because of his very good pace, that’s essential in my tactical set up since the defensive line pushes high up the pitch and also employs the offside trap. The lad did very well during the first season and in July I decided to reward him by handing him the captain’s armband at the age of 21. He didn’t let me down, he has been extremely reliable so far and he also fired in three goals to help our cause. If he keeps going on like this he will surely become a club legend.
December will see up playing only four games, including the FA Trophy clash with Ebbsfleet. I hope to get revenge for that league defeat…
That’s about it my friends, we managed to hang in there and hang on to the 1st place but the season will become more and more difficult if we’ll keep having injuries plaguing our players. I might try again to get some players on loan and maybe persuade the board to finally find us a parent club. Stay tuned to find out what will happen. ;)
Ana Garcia
26 июня, 2010 at 14:48
Yay Carlisle!
My local team :)
Plus I work about 10 mins from the ground! Have met a lot of the players too!
Barrow is also local-ish too where I live, but again you are doing so well!
You are is prime postion for another promotion and just seem to get the best out of your players!
Good luck Johnny!
Sears
26 июня, 2010 at 14:50
Thats a relatively satisfactory month there Johnny, dispite those two losses and harsh injurys to your players. You shouldn’t be too pessimistic, you still have a five advantage at the top. Ryan Carolan appears to be a resplendent player for you and he’s Irish! I’m hoping you’ll get your vengeance on Ebbsfleet, goodluck!
Laxeyman
26 июня, 2010 at 14:58
Not a great month Johnny, but you’re still top, which is the most important thing. Hopefully you can return to your dominating ways soon, good luck!
Johnny Karp
26 июня, 2010 at 17:01
@Ana
Thanks for the kind words and good wishes. Nice to see that you found a connection to your day to day life in the story.
@Sears
Carolan is a great player at this level, I warmly recommend signing him. Thanks for the good luck wish.
@Laxeyman
Thanks. It will be difficult to sustain the pace if we continue to see such injuries but I hope we’ll hang in there.
Sears
26 июня, 2010 at 19:31
I searched for Carolan, but he doesn’t excist in my game. I have a large datebase but maybe he’s not in it because I never added any lower league english league.
Johnny Karp
26 июня, 2010 at 22:40
@Sears
That should be the reason, the English lower leagues.
Kevin Mayo
27 июня, 2010 at 09:36
Hello Johnny
That turned out to be quite a different month for you which seemed to be centred around the FA cup defeat and Carolan’s injury. You are still top though and had a big win at the end of the month. Good luck against Ebbsfleet.
Johnny Karp
27 июня, 2010 at 11:01
@Kevin
Thanks. Carolan is back on the pitch now, things should get better.
burak_gs
28 июня, 2010 at 14:40
i think one of the worst months is November at least for me.because you have been pushing your players, cant rest them properly and then almost the final FA round which a BSP or lower league team can succeed appears so lethal injuries can occur easily etc..
so my point is after this hoodoo-voodoo month i am sure things will get better with the help of December signings and those wont be much of a problem.
congrats for winning the BSP already and promotion ofcourse :)