Hello folks and welcome to the Romanian Second Division for the first real episode of my Football Manager 2012 story. Our summer was not very spectacular, only three new players joined Viitorul Constanta and we also had a pretty poor run in the friendly games but now it was all behind us, we had to focus on the important league matches and try to get this club to the top flight.
But before moving on to the real action I can proudly present another new player, a 21-year old goalie that joined us on a free transfer. Alberto Cobrea is slightly better than the goalies I already had but he is younger than those so I decided to bring him in as part of the club policy of investing in youth.
And now… the real deal! September started with an easy Romanian Cup match against a non-league side, we thrashed them to advance to the sixth round and we also got around 2K in prize money ;) But then we had another disappointment in the first league match of the month, we recorded a frustrating 2-2 draw at CF Braila and we conceded both goals on set pieces. We recovered quickly though and battered Astra Giurgiu at home courtesy of five headers! It’s quite unusual to see five headed goals in a game and only one of them from set pieces, check out the video and you will understand: click here to watch the highlights
The next game saw us receiving the visit of local rivals Callatis, a team that was enjoying a perfect start to the league season with four wins out of four games. Things set out nicely for us after 21 minutes when one of the opposition players received his marching orders after a violent tackle and we made the numerical superiority count after a few minutes when midfielder Mihai Onicas blasted in a corner kick volley to record his first ever goal for the club. A good spell of domination followed but we were unable to add more goals mostly because of bad luck as we were denied by the woodwork on a couple of occasions. But I was still happy with how things were going but that only lasted until 10 minutes from time when our opponents found the back of the net with their only shot on target… That’s quite frustrating, believe me!
The next fixture was an exciting one but it had «mission impossible» written all over it: we were about to meet reigning Liga 1 champions Otelul Galati in the Romanian Cup! I was fearing the worst but my lads proved me wrong in the first half, they played brilliantly and even managed to take the lead after 25 minutes and create another couple of good chances before the break. I was quite happy at half time, I encouraged the players, but it seems that they didn’t really get the message. A shocking own goal (you have to watch the video!) made it all square and then a goalkeeper gaffe buried us… It was the first defeat of the season, an expected result, but a rather unfortunate one considering how we conceded the two goals (click here to watch the highlights)
That defeat was followed by an even more painful one, a 3-0 beating in the league at the hands of FCM Bacau. We did have an excuse though as we played most of the second half with only nine men on the pitch following a red card and an injury. That wrapped up the month of September, two wins, two draws and two losses…
Morale was not looking good but luckily we turned things around in October. The first game saw us welcoming league favourites Branesti and the lads really turned up for that game, we won it 3-1 but what was the most pleasing was that all our three goals were scored after nice team moves (click here to watch the highlights). That performance gave us a lot of confidence and we went on to win the following two games quite convincingly, I was starting to see the blossoms of what I hoped would become a strong team.
After those three consecutive wins we had a very big game coming up, the Constanta city derby against Farul (Hagi‘s first club as a player). Unfortunately we conceded an early goal but the team reacted well, we enjoyed a good spell of domination and finally made it all square on 37 minutes when central midfielder Romario Benzar (Romanian of Brazilian descent) rifled in a beautiful shot from 20 yards out. The good display continued after the break and we took the lead thanks to another special goal, a beautiful shot from distance by Mihai Onicas. The three points were ours, I was quite sure of that as Farul were not looking capable of a reaction. But we gave them a hand… It ended 2-2 because of a stupid injury-time own goal and Farul clinched a point at the end of a game in which they scored twice out of one shot on target! Grrrrrr! (click here to watch the highlights)
The month ended with a poor performance and a 1-1 home draw against CSMS Iasi but the record was better than September: three wins and two draws. We were sitting 5th in the league table at the end of October, not too bad but not really what the club is hoping for.
The opening match of November was a very tough one as we travelled to meet league leaders Dinamo 2, the second team of top-flight club Dinamo Bucharest (something like Barcelona B in Spain). We lost that game in a manner that we were starting to get used to: our opponents scored on their only shot on target! A sluggish performance in the following match gave us a 1-1 away draw but then we ended the month in style with two very good home wins.
The last game of the month was our best game of the season even though our opponents were not the best in the league. My boys really taught them a lesson of football as the match statistics show. (click here to watch the highlights)
It looked like the team was finally finding the right tempo but guess what? It was time for the winter break! So, we were third at the halfway point of the season but the good thing is that we were on a promotion spot because Dinamo 2 are not allowed to move up the ranks because, as previously mentioned, they are the second team of a top flight club. However, the league table is incredibly tight, I think that any of the top 11 teams are in with a chance of getting promoted.
My two centre backs are leading the ranks in the team statistics, they did pretty well so far along with striker Vlad Rusu who is the team’s top goal scorer with 8 goals. Striker Nicolae Hertu had a good start to the season but then got injured, he should be fine by March so I hope he will contribute to the cause.
Here is how our top goalscorer looks like: 21-year old Vlad Rusu. This lad was raised in the Steaua Bucharest academy but then failed to find his place in the first team.
That wraps up the first half of my season by the Black Sea, I’m not entirely happy so I think I will try to get rid of some of the players. Replacing them with new signings might not be an option because there’s no money left in the transfer budget and we’re already over the weekly wage budget but I think I have found a few worthy lads in the under 19s squad that might deserve a promotion to the first team. That’s about it for now, thanks for reading and if you have any thoughts to share or questions to ask you know where to write them ;)
vaibhavc
28 октября, 2011 at 16:31
Very, very frustrating for you Johnny! They score with the one shot on target that they have. Even in that game you won 3-1, their only shot was their only goal. And what type of own goals are you giving away? I think that guy needs to be shot for passing back.
Johnny Karp
28 октября, 2011 at 20:49
Yes, it was frustrating indeed on a few occasions. We gave away only two own goals, that one in the cup game and another one on a corner kick. As for the shooting, I’m against that :)
Dan
28 октября, 2011 at 16:34
Hey Johnny,
I think you’ve had a pretty good start and considering that you’re only 3 points from top spot then a good result or 2 could make the table look a lot more pleasing for you. Good luck.
Johnny Karp
28 октября, 2011 at 20:50
Thanks Dan, it wasn’t as good as I would have wanted but maybe the second half of the season will be better.
Stromson
28 октября, 2011 at 16:40
Wow, that is a ridiculously tight table! Any of the top 11 seem to have a legitimate shot at finishing in a promotion place, and hopefully you’ll be able to hold on in the second half of the season. As for the Gloria game, you do have to admire their finishing ability. ;-)
Johnny Karp
28 октября, 2011 at 20:51
It is amazingly tight, I don’t remember such a fierce competition in any of my previous careers. As for Gloria, most of our opponents found their clinical finishing against us so I wasn’t so surprised ;)
Laxeyman
28 октября, 2011 at 18:21
I don’t think you’ve done too badly there Johnny, it always takes time for the squad to get used to new tactics and playing with each other, and now that they are, I reckon your form will really pick up and hopefully you’ll get promotion :) Good luck!
Johnny Karp
28 октября, 2011 at 20:52
Thanks mate, I know that building a team takes time but I was hoping to have a few more points at this stage.
Darren Smith
28 октября, 2011 at 18:54
A mixed start there Johnny but successful on the whole considering you haven’t put your stamp on the squad yet. I think a little shuffle around could lead to a great season and promotion but that will come down to budgets I guess.
Johnny Karp
28 октября, 2011 at 20:52
Thanks mate. I doubt that we’ll manage any new signings because of the financial situation but maybe some fresh blood from the youth squad will make a difference.
paine
28 октября, 2011 at 19:56
I’m eagerly waiting for an exciting final showdown,with a table so close every little mistake could cost you the promotion.
You need all you managerial skills this time Johnny.
Best of luck to you!
Johnny Karp
28 октября, 2011 at 20:53
Thanks Paine, I guess I’ll need all that plus a bit of luck ;)
TheZiggy
28 октября, 2011 at 20:39
Think all of us know those frustrations all too well, with stupid mistakes leading to losses or draws that shouldn’t happen. However to be in 3rd at the break is okay. You gave a nice lesson in the last match, but see they scored from there only shot, which is a definite theme with your matches.
Hope you can pick up the form again after the winter break, and really push on to make sure that promotion does happen.
Johnny Karp
28 октября, 2011 at 20:54
Thanks mate. And yeah, it seems that most teams get really lucky against us but that can’t be just a coincidence, my defenders will have to do better.
Kevin
29 октября, 2011 at 00:34
Somebody had the day off work to get this far :) Seroiusly though very unlucky in the Cup against Otelul Galati but doing very nicely in the league I feel. Sorry, I’ve forgotten, if you come second behind Dinamo do you get promoted? Very nice GK you picked up there.
Johnny Karp
29 октября, 2011 at 09:59
Nah, I had completed this before the day off :) About promotion, if the table stays as it is we would get promoted together with the second placed team (top two get promoted).
Lye
29 октября, 2011 at 04:27
Hi Johnny,
It’s very tight on top and some of the results has not been in your favor but i believe you will triumph in the end. If Dynamo cannot go up, does it mean your team will get promoted if you finish 3rd?
Johnny Karp
29 октября, 2011 at 10:00
Hey Lye, that is correct: if the table stays as it is we would get promoted.
Calin
29 октября, 2011 at 07:50
You’re doing very well, Johnny and since you had no massive form drops, I am sure that you will be able to do even better in the second half of the season. Maybe play many games during the winter break to try and bring in some extra money and, well… hope for the best. It’s really anybody’s game, but the good thing for Viitorul C-ta is the fact that you are a really experienced manager and have what it takes to take the team up!
Johnny Karp
29 октября, 2011 at 10:01
Thanks for the confidence mate, I will surely play lots of friendlies during the winter break but I’m not sure that would mean a lot of money for the club.
Sears
29 октября, 2011 at 14:13
Decent start, though you always tend to play much better in the 2nd half of the campaign so I wouldn’t be to worried, though you will state otherwise :D Goodluck buddy!!
Johnny Karp
29 октября, 2011 at 19:47
Thanks mate, I used to do better in the second half of the season in FM 11, we’ll see if that’s the case in FM 12 :)
Joelance
29 октября, 2011 at 16:20
A mixed set of results, not too bad considering. You’re Johnny Karp, so i’m sure your team’s got the best! :)
Johnny Karp
29 октября, 2011 at 19:48
Thanks buddy, I don’t know if the players are too impressed with my name though :)
Erick Wolf
29 октября, 2011 at 17:39
A decent first half of the season Johnny!
I was thinking, if your opponents keep scoring on you with their only shots on goal, maybe it might be good to replace your keeper?
Maybe even talk to him privately or give him separate training?
Just a thought.
Johnny Karp
29 октября, 2011 at 19:49
Thanks for the comment Erick. I’ve tried three goalkeepers so far and nothing changed so I guess the problem isn’t between the sticks but a bit higher up the pitch. Or maybe in the dugout, who knows? :)
CsAtlantis
30 октября, 2011 at 04:12
Nothing to worry about Johnny, as long as you can stop this «conceding from only shot on target » thing you should be fine, even when you won 3-1 your team still did that
Good performance against Otelul Galati, was it their first team? Bodes well for the future, keep it up, you’re only 3 points behind the leaders
Johnny Karp
30 октября, 2011 at 07:58
Thanks for the encouragement mate. About Otelul, they did employ most of their first team players but even their bench-warmers are better than my lot.
Mariano
30 октября, 2011 at 11:27
Maybe you need to find the new Stelea Johnny!
Good luck during the winter, go play some friendlies to earn some $$$:)!
Cheers
Johnny Karp
30 октября, 2011 at 11:38
I do have a good young goalie in the under 19s squad but he needs some more time before becoming the new Stelea. As for the friendlies for cash, I think that policy doesn’t work in the new game… You do get some cash but not nearly as much as a team could get in FM 2011.
Martin Pickard
31 октября, 2011 at 17:47
Nice post Johnny…great to see you up there in the top 3 battling for promotion! The new addition look decent. Keep up the good start and hopefully it’ll bring you some succuss. As always…looking forward to your next update :)
Johnny Karp
31 октября, 2011 at 18:08
Thanks Martin, the new update is coming soon… Well, as soon as I get the time to write it…