Hello folks, welcome back to my Football Manager 2010 story! My Notts County were full of confidence at the end of March after lifting the Carling Cup for the first time in the club’s history. We also were top of the table with Manchester City trailing 10 points behind us. Manchester City were also in our way in the Champions League quarter final but we took a nice advantage by beating them 2-0 at Meadow Lane in the first leg. But before continuing with Notts County‘s quest for glory I had a challenging international friendly to play, France vs England. Let’s see how it went.
I had quite a few important injuries to worry about, so the eleven that I chose to field at Stade de France was not the best by any means. On the other hand the French team looked pretty strong with world class players all around (including my own Chris Gadi)
The first half didn’t show anything special but France looked like the better side, we were forced to defend for most of the first 45 minutes. I had quite a few tired players at half time so I chose to make five substitutions of the total six that I had available. One of the substitutes, Kieran Gibbs, played a pinpoint through ball for Welbeck and the striker gave us the lead with a cool placed finish. Unfortunately Gibbs got injured a few minutes later so I was forced to send Walcott in on the left wing. The team looked a bit confused and France took advantage, striker Chris Gadi scored a sensational goal on a counter attack. France were pushing forward but we had two huge chances on counter attacks. Unfortunately Nathan Delfouneso missed both of them and, as it often happens in football, France scored. It was another fine move from Gadi, he did all the work and then set up Gomis for an easy finish. Delfouneso had another immense chance to score before the final whistle but he blew that too. It was a good effort from the team considering the important absences but we could have walked away with a draw. I had a reason to be happy though, Notts County‘s Chris Gadi was the man of the match, I guess he wanted to prove that he deserved more attention at the club.
Back to Meadow Lane then, we had a home game coming up in the Premier League, struggling 19th placed Ipswich were the visitors. We received some good news before the game, Manchester City lost 3-1 away at Arsenal, so we had a chance to open up a 13 point gap. Despite that I chose to rest most of the first team regulars for the next game, the second leg of the Champions League quarter final, I was quite confident that the backup players could overcome Ipswich. Ibrahimovic proved me right early in the game, he scored after dribbling past two defenders. Tinga doubled our lead only a few minutes later with a placed shot from the edge of the area, the three points were safe. Chris Gadi continued his good form in the second half, he made it 3-0 with a first time finish. There were bad news too, midfielder Kevin Thomson got injured again, he was going to be out for two weeks and that was added to the 3 months that he already spent with the doctors this season. Anyway, we were 13 points ahead of Man City with 6 more games to be played.
The next game was the very important second leg of the Champions League quarter final and I was pleased to begin the game with the 2-0 lead that we took in the home match. We got off to a great start, we took the lead only three minutes in the game through Rafael Sobis, he picked up a through ball from Sam Hinshelwood and rifled it home. Manchester City were unable to react, we were in control of the game and Rafael Sobis doubled the lead in the 18th minute. The Brazilian was in great shape and he created the third goal by running with the ball on the left flank and serving Bonetti with a perfect low cross. Tevez clawed one back just before the break but the game was as good as over. We controlled play in the second half too, my lads were moving the ball around beautifully. A team move led to our fourth goal, it was a beauty: quick first time passes between Young, Sobis and Guilherme left Manchester City’s defense in awe and Guilherme executed the keeper with a perfectly placed shot. Ashley Young gave Sobis the chance to complete his hat-trick, a perfect assist that the Brazilian couldn’t refuse. We totally outclassed Manchester City on their home ground, I was thrilled. Go to the next page to read the rest of the story.
Go to the next page to read the rest of the story.
sam warren
11 марта, 2010 at 21:02
Well done with retaining the Premier League title but that was unfortunate that you didn’t win the Champions League. Hopefully you will have a better stab at it next season. Carlos Abad looks like one hell of a signing and one that could be amazing in the future.
I am undecided with my blog wether to keep on going month by month or just wait a few days to post the rest of the season. This is because I think more people will be interested in seeing me play in the Premiersip than in the Championship.
Keep up the good work
warren
Laxeyman
11 марта, 2010 at 21:09
Well done on retaining the title, Johnny. Unlucky in the Champions League, but your guys tried their best. You may not need Shelvey though, that regen looks amazing! I am looking forward to reading about your transfers, and well done for another successfull season.
Kevin Mayo
11 марта, 2010 at 21:26
Hi Johnny
Congratulaitons on winning the league for a second time. I was convinced you would win the Champions League as well though better luck next season. Your regen signing looks immense.
Johnny Karp
11 марта, 2010 at 21:28
@Sam Warren
Thanks for the comment mate. About your blog, you should go for the setup you feel more comfortable with. I went for the month by month thing because I wanted to give the readers a more detailed account of what’s happening with the story but I used a two posts per season setup in the early days.
@Laxeyman
Thanks. The Spanish kid looks good indeed but I need two good CMs alongside Biglia and Defour, I feel that I need great backup to challenge for both title and Champions League next season.
Johnny Karp
11 марта, 2010 at 21:29
@Kevin
Thanks for the comment, I was unsure about the Champions League and eventually Juventus proved that we were not ready for that yet. I’ll try to make it next season.
Calum
11 марта, 2010 at 21:39
Unlucky Johnny in the Champions League. I hope you can lift it for the first time next year.
Good Luck! :D
ravenie
11 марта, 2010 at 22:08
I started with Southampton and I realised that my strikers are awful compared to yours, I have 2 on loan strikers Papa Waigo and the legendary Maceo Rigters :| and Lambert and Saganowski. Its going to be a long way to even get promoted with -7 points and 3 games played.
Johnny Karp
11 марта, 2010 at 22:43
@Calum
Thanks mate. I forgot to add that Juventus won the Champions league by beating Chelsea in the final.
@Ravenie
You have a tough challenge ahead of you but you also have good players to work with. Papa Waigo is a good prospect and I think he will bang in a few goals for you.
Lye
12 марта, 2010 at 03:18
Well done mate, good job on retaining the title. Your team will rule the premier league, guess your transfer dealing will focus on bringing players who can help you quest the champions league trophy.
As usual i will be anticipating your transfer new as the players you brought in always excite us.I already excited by your capture of Carlos Abad :)
Johnny Karp
12 марта, 2010 at 10:00
Thanks Lye, I hope to have a good transfer budget because the players I want to bring are quite expensive.
Sears
12 марта, 2010 at 20:32
Well done Johnny.Yet another succesfull season!Looking forward to your summer transfer’s…They’ll be vital for next season’s Champions League if you are to win it!Hope you you have a good transfer budget to work yet.Good luck!
Johnny Karp
12 марта, 2010 at 21:58
Thanks Sears. I just got the transfer budget for the new season, it’s quite hefty: 77 million pounds. I think I’ll be able to bring in a few quality players for that money.
cory berman
13 марта, 2010 at 21:49
may i make some transfer suggestions? that super star striker: 1. alberto paloshi 2. segio aguero 3. yannis tafer 4. edin dzeko all world class stikers espicially aguero. although you have ur sights set on shelvey maybe you could upgrade that to Diego. You have to have someone special and experienced in your team that has what it takes to win the champions league and he did last year. anyway hope you make some good investments for your team and good luck for a surely succesful year next year. spend that 77 million plus money from selling players wisel!.(Ps please make a gig money world class signing!!!!!!!!!!)
Johnny Karp
13 марта, 2010 at 22:11
@Cory
Thanks for all the suggestions mate. Those four strikers are on my shortlist, I’m currently trying to push for Dezko but his club doesn’t want to let him go. Paloschi didn’t work either, Milan want a whole lot for him. About Diego, I admire his abilities a lot but I’m afraid he won’t fit into my system, I don’t employ an attacking midfielder (his favorite role) and I doubt that he can sustain the workload my CMs have to do each game. I’m looking for hard working midfielders with high team work and creativity. I’m also trying to make a surprise move for Rooney, the chances aren’t too big but it’s worth a try.
cory berman
14 марта, 2010 at 12:00
rooney sounds very exciting yet he is gonna cost an awful lot of money. sorry about diego another suggestion for your system maybe jack rodwell a hard working mid fielder who will surely fit into ur system at a not to hefty price tag. thanks for listening to my suggestions
Johnny Karp
14 марта, 2010 at 12:17
Thanks Cory. Rodwell is one of the midfielders that I employ in the England squad, I like him a lot. He’s not for sale though, I tried :) Anyway, it’s all over now, I’m currently writing the new post about the transfers, should be published in a half hour or so.
cory berman
14 марта, 2010 at 19:08
cool