Hello folks, I’m happy to bring you my very first FMS Patriots update. As you know Jake is on a well-deserved vacation so he handed me the job until his return. I hope that we’ll work together at least as nicely as you did with Jake, I’ll do my best to grant your requests and lead this team to victory. I have to admit that the first month was quite surprising for me, I didn’t know the squad in detail but I can say that all our players have great potential and this team will have a bright future. Now let’s see what I managed to do in January.
Before going to the actual matches, just a few quick statements:
— I didn’t change the tactics, I kept using Jake‘s 4-2-2-2 as I didn’t want to change something that was working well.
— Since I didn’t know the squad too well I spent some time to study the assistant reports and each player profile. As I said, all the players have great potential but I picked to play only the best and fittest of the bunch.
Now let’s finally see how it went…
FMS vs Barnsley (Championship)
My first test was at home against 11th placed Barnsley and I really didn’t know what to expect. But the team eased my fears quickly, centre back Sears played a pinpoint long pass for Matt and the striker fired home! It was his first goal for the club and that came on his very first appearance in the starting eleven, way to go! The team was playing very well and the second goal was the natural outcome of that, Adam Johnson fired into the bottom corner from inside the penalty area. We could have made it 3-0 before half time but Bushy was quite unlucky to hit the crossbar. The second half started with Sears in the spotlight again, Plobdork whipped in a corner kick cross and our ruthless centre back nodded home. We kept piling on the pressure and Rodrigo managed to score the fourth goal with a cold-blooded finish. Bushy‘s bad luck continued as he was denied by the woodwork again but fortunately the ball bounced into Matt‘s path and he scored his second goal of the game. Matt‘s special afternoon ended with a hat-trick, he received a clever pass from McLean and slotted home. Matt was the man of the match but Sears also had an impressive game. (Click here to watch the highlights.)
Leeds vs FMS (Championship)
Leeds were down in 19th place before the match but I was quite confident as the game was just two days after the previous one and we had a big fitness advantage because of our huge squad. I changed most of the starting eleven and the move really paid off as we totally outplayed our opponents and created an impressive amount of chances. Now let me give you a quick recap of the goals, we scored no less than eight of them! :) The first goal was scored by Darren Smith but credit must go to Jon Crosby for setting it up and then Crosby did it again but this time Pepper was at the receiving end of a perfect assist. Then Smith went on to complete a hat-trick, first he fired one in from an impossible angle and then tucked away a fine assist from Pepper. The next goal was on a set piece, G bent in a good free kick cross from deep and MRNDRA pushed it in and then managed to double his tally on a pinpoint Jon Crosby cross. Smith wasn’t too happy with a hat-trick so he went on to score a fourth, a beautiful goal as he weaved past two defenders before powering in. The last goal of the match was scored by Pepper on a counter attack, he made an awesome run and ended it with a perfect finish. I was shocked by my start in charge of the Patriots, 14 goals scored and none conceded in the first two games! As you can see from the stats, Darren Smith was close to a perfect 10 rating this time! (Click here to watch the highlights.)
FMS vs Swansea (Championship)
Promotion contenders Swansea were in 7th place before the match so we needed a good result against them to boost our chances of going up. Things started out nicely with Darren Smith and Rodrigo working well together to produce the first goal, the Argentine forward slotted home to give us the lead. Then Sears stepped up again, Dami bent in an inviting free kick cross and our captain made no mistake with his header. The team was playing beautifully again and we managed to increase the lead on a counter attack, McLean‘s shot was parried but Adam Johnson slotted home on the rebound. Compacency kicked in at half time and we conceded two minutes after the interval but that was just a minor setback as Rodrigo restored the three-goal lead with his 10th goal of the season, a powerful shot from inside the penalty area. Last but not least substitute Johnny Karp volleyed home his first ever goal of the season after receiving a clever cross from McLean. Rodrigo was the man of the match this time but the whole team played extremely well again. (Click here to watch the highlights.)
Preston vs FMS (Championship)
The last game of the month was at last placed Preston, I was looking forward to watching a number of goals again! :) This time Dezmo opened the scoring on a counter attack after receiving a perfect pass from Pepper and then he returned the favor on the second goal, Dezmo crossed and Pepper volleyed home. Some rather poor defending from G allowed the hoem side to pull one back but we had nothing to worry about as Dezmo restored our two-goal lead with a clinical finish on a counter attack. Then Dezmo continued his impressive display with an assist for Darren Smith who managed to score again minutes later but that time it was after a fine through ball from McLean. McLean scored one himself later on but the assist came from Dezmo again, a fine cross and a beautiful half-volley. We had two players ready for a hat-trick on that afternoon but just one of them managed to pull it off as Dezmo was denied by the goalkeeper but the rebound fell to Smith who put it away. Darren was the man of the match again ;) (Click here to watch the highlights.)
The good run gives us some breathing room at the top of the table, we’re five points clear of Ipswich and I will surely do my best to make that margin even bigger at the end of February.
Although our strikers had a fabulous month it was our right back who claimed the honors at the end of January, Jagginman was elected Championship Player of the Month! He surely deserved it though, a very consistent performer and already one of my favourite players.
February will be a bit more crowded, we’ll have six games to play including a tough last one against second placed Ipswich.
We could seal our promotion next month but until then please move on to the next page to see how our reserves and under 18s did this month. There are some transfer news as well, so it’s well worth a click ;)
Go to the next page to read the rest of the story.
Billy
22 июня, 2011 at 17:03
Amazing Month All Round, With Results Like This It’ll Be Hard Not To Gain Promotion
Well Done
Johnny Karp
22 июня, 2011 at 17:37
Thanks Billy, I wasn’t expecting the team to play so well.
Nick
22 июня, 2011 at 17:42
Good results, if you don’t get promotion ill be amazed! :-D
btw, how am I doing at Huddersfield? Thanks!
Johnny Karp
22 июня, 2011 at 18:33
Thanks, I’d be quite amazed too. Now about you, things are going nicely at Huddersfield: 30 apps, 1 goal, 1 assist, 3 man of the match, average rating 7.36.
Nick
22 июня, 2011 at 18:43
Thanks, seems like I’m doing very nicely and it seems like going through the Man-U youth system and then getting first team football on loan is pretty good! Would like to go back to the Patriots as soon as possible though! :-D
jagginman
22 июня, 2011 at 17:51
alright that’s one award in the bag already :D and lots more to come I’m sure ;)
AND one of your favourite players… AWESOME!!!!
On a serious note I looked pretty good, and am I playing at RB or RM?
jagginman
22 июня, 2011 at 17:52
edit: just seen that I am playing at right back.
Johnny Karp
22 июня, 2011 at 18:34
My first choice right back! :)
jagginman
22 июня, 2011 at 19:36
that’s what I like to hear ;)
Srujun Gupta
22 июня, 2011 at 18:18
Nice update Manager! The first team is playing very well. We should get promoted without problem! I want to see how the Patriots challenge the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.
As for me… Only one game this month coming on as a substitute. I hope I perform as well as the previous months in the coming games.
Johnny Karp
22 июня, 2011 at 18:36
Yeah, I’m quite curious to see this team against the big boys. Now about your player, the potential is there but there still is a lot of work to be done in order to improve.
Sears
22 июня, 2011 at 19:25
Ha, go me :-)
Were scoring an incredible amount of goals, promotion is really inevitable. Well done Johnny Karp snr :-D
Johnny Karp
22 июня, 2011 at 21:00
Thanks Sears, you surely are a valuable player :)
Desmo Wenning
22 июня, 2011 at 19:31
Amazing month with a lot of high scores! I played 1 awesome match :D :D Hope I’ll continue with this!
Johnny Karp
22 июня, 2011 at 21:00
Yeah, it was quite a pleasing run :)
martinm
22 июня, 2011 at 19:33
Good first post with you in charge boss! How have you managed to get the best out of me, my best month in the first team by far :)
Great high scores in our games and we should seal our promotion soon :)
Can’t wait for the next update.
Johnny Karp
22 июня, 2011 at 21:01
Thanks Martin. I played you as a winger if I remember correctly and you did very well.
vaibhavc
22 июня, 2011 at 19:39
Hey Johnny
You are doing so great that you are a better manager than Excessive (Jake)! You win each match comprehensively. By the way, since when was I vice-captain? I was captain against Leeds.
Johnny Karp
22 июня, 2011 at 21:02
Thanks Vaibhav but credit must go to Jake since I didn’t change much in the tactics. I don’t know about the vice-captain thing.
Darren Smith
22 июня, 2011 at 19:39
You legend!! Look at those scorelines and you’ve certainly got the best out of me!! Promotion is a must and its cool to think we’ll be playing the top dogs next season. :)
Johnny Karp
22 июня, 2011 at 21:03
Well done Smith, I predict you’ll be a national team striker someday :)
Jenko
22 июня, 2011 at 20:25
I was drunk when that happened. You should give me more football though!
Johnny Karp
22 июня, 2011 at 21:03
You won’t see any first team football if you get drunk :P
plobdork
22 июня, 2011 at 20:33
«Plobdork whipped in a corner kick cross and our ruthless centre back nodded home»
loved every word off that but 2 be honest johnny i thought i might get some more games so i have a small request next couple of games you play me and see how well i do if i do rubbish carry on the way you do but if i do good i shud get more games. :)
but yh its completely up to and great results 7.1 5.1 and 8.0 just brilliant:) great job still i miss excessive bein our coach. :(
Johnny Karp
22 июня, 2011 at 21:04
I miss Jake too :) You will surely get more chances to play, don’t worry.
Skip
22 июня, 2011 at 20:58
Really need some 1st team football gaffer, is a loan deal possible? Or has January already come and gone?
Skip
Johnny Karp
22 июня, 2011 at 21:04
January is over but the loan deadline is in March if I’m not mistaken so I will try to find a loan deal for you.
Ana Garcia
22 июня, 2011 at 21:50
LoL! I knew you would bring the best out of my fella!
I dont think he scored whan Jake was in charge and now he has two and counting!
He has also performed pretty well in every game so hopefully he can keep it up.
Johnny Karp
23 июня, 2011 at 07:50
Your fella did pretty well, he was a solid presence in midfield throughout the month. I think he had scored before though, I’ll have to check.
Johnny Karp
23 июня, 2011 at 09:54
You are right, those were the first two goals for Adam.
Excessive
23 июня, 2011 at 00:01
Haha, I suck :(
Well done Johnny mate, your really smashing up the Championship and managing the team really well. Keep up the good work :)
Johnny Karp
23 июня, 2011 at 07:51
No way, I used your tactics and your squad so credit must go to you for the results.
liam101
23 июня, 2011 at 05:04
great update johnny. Glad to see that i am scoring a lot and that all of the teams are dominating. I played my first game for the reserves. thanks for the oppotunitie.
Cant wait for the next one. i’m sure jake will be very happy with the results
Johnny Karp
23 июня, 2011 at 07:52
Thanks Liam. The assistant takes charge of the reserves and under18s games so you should thank him :)
CsAtlantis
23 июня, 2011 at 07:42
The team is performing well, how am I doing at St.Andrews? I am hoping that I don’t lose any stats from being tutored by Jiranek :P
Johnny Karp
23 июня, 2011 at 09:53
Thanks CS. You are in the reserves, listed for loan, but you did manage an appearance as a substitute in the Premier League.
joe lance
23 июня, 2011 at 08:46
Great form from the Patriots. Wondering how Darren didnt win player of the month. Good to see there’s quality all over squad, not only upfront.
How am I (joshy) doing at Liverpool though? Any first team appearances? Ratings? International appearances?
Johnny Karp
23 июня, 2011 at 09:51
Thanks Joe. You are currently in the reserves, listed for loan, but you did manage 14 apps for the first team with an average rating of 6.67. You have two caps for Nigeria, no goals.
Matt
23 июня, 2011 at 10:25
Wow! What an awesome first start I had! The match ball is takign pride of place on my mantlepiece! Well done Johnny! I think we’ll be promoted by mid-March.
Johnny Karp
23 июня, 2011 at 10:41
Thanks Matt, you did have a great game and I’ll be trying to give you more chances to play in the future.
nielsneutron
23 июня, 2011 at 17:34
Nice to get on a loan and to Bolton no less. I can’t possible get any first team experience there though. Oh well I like to travel about.
Johnny Karp
23 июня, 2011 at 18:07
There was another offer from a Danish club but I thought that the one from Bolton was better. If you don’t get too many chances there I’ll try to recall you from loan if that is alright with you.
nielsneutron
23 июня, 2011 at 18:22
What leagues is the game with anyway?
Na I guess the facilities is better overthere so I will give a chance and prove myself worthy.
Johnny Karp
24 июня, 2011 at 10:35
I don’t know about the leagues, I’ll have to check which ones Jake decided to load.
Sibo
23 июня, 2011 at 17:55
«Top work with the first team boss! Glad to see I have been doing well in the U-18s too! Keep it up and I’m sure we’ll be going up at the end of the season!»
:D
Johnny Karp
23 июня, 2011 at 18:08
Thanks Sibo, we’ll surely go up!
Sam Pettitt
23 июня, 2011 at 20:29
some awesomee results there!
good management i suppose! :)
Johnny Karp
24 июня, 2011 at 10:35
Thanks, we have great players!
Erick Wolf
24 июня, 2011 at 00:12
I’m glad to be the Reserve Team captain. If you find it necessary for my development to say there, I’ll be happy to play there until ready boss!
Johnny Karp
24 июня, 2011 at 10:36
The competition for a first team spot is fierce Erick, even the reserves spots are not too easy to get. So keep working hard and you’ll become a better footballer! :)
Wilfred Von Karma
25 июня, 2011 at 09:00
Hmm… Looks like I has a wonderful run with reserves and u18s. Getting 9.0 and more 3 times is not an easy feat… Great thing I have finally seen some matches without getting injured again and hope I will see the first team and Darren Smith,the new Pele, again soon enough. Boss, if you feel that I’m not good enough, you can loan me out but I don’t want to go anywhere lower than the championship. If I have to go overseas to be loaned, I want to go to a loaded league and no where lower than the top leagues there. Sounds a bit demanding but that’s what I think is beneficial for me.
Johnny Karp
25 июня, 2011 at 09:11
I think that you’re not too far away from a few first team games but I will list you for loan just in case a good offer comes along.
Wilfred Von Karma
25 июня, 2011 at 10:35
If I get in the first team then please delist me. I don’t want to get loaned out when I finally get back into the first team. Thanks. But keep me on the loan list for now. Thanks.
Johnny Karp
25 июня, 2011 at 10:43
OK.
Ross Gilchrist
27 июня, 2011 at 02:55
I scored 4 goals in 2 games for the reserves this month :) Not bad at all, any thoughts on my player? Oh and don’t sell me to Sunderland please, that would be a betrayal…..