Hello folks, the Notts County journey towards the Premier League continues with a new episode, probably the most important so far. We were back on track after a series of good results in February, we just had to keep winning in March to get closer to our promotion dream. We had some tough games to play though, I wasn’t expecting an easy run.
The first game of the month was away at 18th placed Leicester, they held us to a 1-1 draw at Meadow Lane back in October. The game turned out to be a crazy one, absolutely insane. Leicester scored an early goal and dominated the 1st half, despite having one man sent off in the 20th minute. We tried to make a comeback in the second half but we were punished on a counter attack. The man who did that was Uruguay‘s rising star, Gonzalo Barreto, on loan from Tottenham. I already gave him a few caps in the national team and it seems that gave him some confidence… Alibec clawed one back for us right away, Pekhart created an easy chance for him. A few minutes later right winger Kamil Grosicki broke through their defense and was fouled inside the box! Penalty kick and another red card! With a two men advantage we pushed forward with great determination and finally completed the comeback with a great header from Alibec! Tinga was sent off after that but it didn’t matter anymore.
After the good comeback in the Leicester game we had a huge challenge ahead of us, the Nottingham Derby at Meadow Lane. We won the City Ground game 3-1 in October, it was a huge result for our fans, they were delighted about that. We dominated the game, I was quite pleased with the performance, but unfortunately we lacked precision and creativity upfront. As it often happens, we got punished for that, Forest scored in the 80th minute after a lightning fast counter attack. We missed two golden opportunities to score in the last 10 minutes and that was it, we lost it… The fans were quite upset about that and I was too. We played well though…
We had to make the fans forget that game quickly, we had to win the next matches and give them something to cheer about. The next game was away at 13th placed Barnsley, a team that held us to a 0-0 draw in November. We played pretty well in the first half and could have scored at least three goals. My players seemed to lack confidence but luckily we did score before the break, Gergely Varga converted a penalty kick. Charlie Mulgrew scored his first goal of the season after the break, a fine free kick shot from 30 yards out. Barnsley dominated the second half quite clearly but we managed to survive by conceding only one goal and clinch the victory.
We had another difficult game coming up, away at 8th placed Southampton. We won the game 3-1 in November but it wasn’t easy at all, The Saints have a pretty solid team. Ben Amos was back between the posts after the injury and he had a spectacular first half, he kept a clean sheet with a few sensational saves. Our attacking players did quite well too, Szalai and Alibec made Southampton‘s defenders cry and ask for their mommies, they were absolutely unstoppable! We got a massive result but there were bad news with it, Alibec picked up a knock after scoring the hat trick, he’s going to be out for a whole month!
Go to the next page to read the rest of the story.
Martin
6 января, 2010 at 15:31
Two 5-0 Victories After The Nottingham Derby Defeat Shouls Have Got The Fans Feeling Better !
Remember When You Said You Were Thinking Of Telling Denis Alibec To ‘Pack His Bags And Go Back To Mr Mourinho’…Well, Imagins If You Did, All The Goals You Would’ve Missed Out On !
Lye
6 января, 2010 at 15:58
The premier league ‘BIG 4’ is definitely waiting for you, promotion should not pose a problem now. I don’t think the injuries will cause you any problem in the last month as you have sufficient backup. Hey mate from the progress that you are going, i worry that you may lay your hands on the premier league title very soon. The next version of football manager will be months away, so will you be continuing the story :}?
Johnny Karp
6 января, 2010 at 16:06
@Lye
Thanks mate, the Premier League title is still far away though. We’ll talk about the future once I’ll get my hands on that title, we’ll have a nice debate here about it as usual :)
@Martin
Indeed, sending Alibec back to Inter would have been a big mistake. I’ll see if Mourinho would agree to sell him, I think he might be useful in the future progress of my team.
James
6 января, 2010 at 17:25
Haha made the Southhampton defnders cry xD well done mate next season in the prem i think that you will finish 9th =D
Laxeyman
6 января, 2010 at 18:36
Well done Johnny. Doing a great job and I agree sending Albiec back to Inter would have been a mistake. The fans should definetly have forgetten the derby loss after those great victorys! Keep it up!
Johnny Karp
6 января, 2010 at 19:04
@James
Thanks mate, I would be quite pleased to finish 9th.
@Laxyeman
Thanks for the comment, I’ll do my best to keep the good results coming.
Kevin
6 января, 2010 at 20:22
Top of the table and a play off position secured. Absolutely fantastic. Too bad about the Nottingham «derby» game but otherwise another great month. I think you have one hand on the silverware already!
Johnny Karp
6 января, 2010 at 21:05
Thanks Kevin. I hope Forest will get promoted too, a Nottingham Derby in the Premier League would be fabulous for the fans.
Martin
7 января, 2010 at 00:42
New Post…
http://fm10charlton.blogspot.com/2010/01/february-march-april-may.html
Ash
8 января, 2010 at 08:52
Hi johnny,
I’m loving your Notts County story and several others youve done before like the Blyth Spartans one :) Any chance you could add my blog to your links?
http://thecareerofafootballmanager.blogspot.com
Johnny Karp
8 января, 2010 at 13:12
Thanks Ash, I will add your blog in the links page later today.
Martin
8 января, 2010 at 13:49
Johnny, Can You Add Mine Too
I Keep Coming On Saying ‘New Post’ Maybe Thats Illegal :P
http://fm10charlton.blogspot.com/
Johnny Karp
8 января, 2010 at 13:55
Sorry Martin, I should have added it a long time ago :) Will do that today.
Martin
8 января, 2010 at 14:10
Ok Thank You :)
eddie eddie
14 января, 2010 at 22:09
Good results for you there.