Hello dear friends, thanks for coming back to read another episode of the Notts County Football Manager 2010 Story. Things were going alright for my Magpies, we were still top of the table at the end of November with Manchester City three points behind us in 2nd spot. We were already qualified for the first knockout round of the Champions League and also to the quarter finals of the Carling Cup. Let’s see if we managed to keep the unbeaten record in December.
The first game of the month was at home with 9th placed Sunderland, a tricky opponent. The day before the game came with some concerning news for me, centre back Havard Nordtveit got injured in training and he was going to be out of action for a whole month. Back to the game then, Sunderland began with a very aggressive approach and they were difficult to break down. It took something special to do that but my Brazilians are fully capable of doing such things: Guilherme dribbled past two opponents and squared it for Sobis, an easy finish and we were 1-0 up. A few minutes later Rafael Sobis doubled the lead with one of his trademark powerful shots from the edge of the area. We were safely in control of the game but it wasn’t over for Rafael Sobis, he banged one in from 20 yards out to earn his personal hat-trick and the three points for the team.
The next game was a less important one, the last Champions League group match. We had to travel to Denmark to meet Brondby but we have nothing more left to play for, we were already qualified. A draw would have secured the first place in the group table though and I was quite confident about getting it. I chose to rest a few first team players and sent in the backups. We were in control of the first half but failed to create any chances to score. We were more convincing in the second half and Zlatan Ibrahimovic did his job again, he scored the only goal of the match. On the other hand left winger Agnaldo picked up a second yellow after a totally useless foul in midifeld.
Not bad for a first time Champions League journey, we finished first in the group and I was hoping for a decent opponent in the next round.
The draw could have gone a lot better though, we were pitched against strong French side Girondins Bordeaux. I would have preferred Twente or Rangers but I guess Atletico Madrid would have been even worse.
Back to the Premier League, we had a tough game coming up, away at 7th placed Burnley. They exceeded the expectations so far and I remember that we had a tough time beating them in the Carling Cup in October, we got a scrappy 2-1 win. This time my lads seemed to be determined to get it over with quickly, we had three corner kicks in the first five minutes. And the third one brought us the opening goal, Bonetti was the quickest to react in the scuffle and coolly placed it home. Rafael Sobis continued his good form and he rounded up two nice team moves to give us a solid three goal lead at the break. The second half was fairly quiet, we were just waiting to get back home with the three points in the bag. There was a bad side to it though, Simon Kjaer picked up a knock and he was going to miss the most important game of the month.
That game was away at 2nd placed Manchester City, they were 5 points behind us before that game and I was hoping at least to keep that gap. I was quite concerned though as my two best centre backs were injured, so I had to start the game with Caceres and Muniesa in the middle of the defense. Manchester City were on a 12 match unbeaten run, I expected a tough night. It began perfectly for us though, Guilherme served Sobis with a slicing through ball, Rafael just had to push it past the keeper. Manchester City reacted furiously, they were dominating the game and Ochoa was forced to show a couple of fantastic saves to stop Luis Suarez and Adebayor. We were 1-0 up at the interval and we continued to defend well into the second half although the pressure was rising. The Citizens got the equalizer eventually, Marc Muniesa lost Adebayor somehow and the striker was left with an easy header. The other centre back had to make a decisive error too, Caceres brought down Robinho into the box with a wild tackle, the penalty kick was converted and we lost the game. It was our first defeat of the season and I was quite disappointed about it. I can say though that we wouldn’t have lost it with Nordtveit and Kjaer in the middle of the defense… Go to the next page to read the rest of the story.
Go to the next page to read the rest of the story.
Sears
March 3, 2010 at 00:12
Some good victories there Johnny even tough you suffered a disappointing loss to Man City but other than that you had a solid month.You should overcome Bordeaux in the Champions League even though they will be determaind and a 100% focused.Keep up the good work!
TheZiggy
March 3, 2010 at 01:05
Other than the disappointment of losing to Man City, it was very solid. The injury problems are unfortunate, especially Biglia’s broken foot.
Hopefully you can overcome Bordeaux, but can understand why you’d have preferred Rangers or FC Twente. I still think your team has enough to see them off as long as they continue to play well.
Kevin
March 3, 2010 at 01:27
Hi Johnny
Excellent month there and congratulations in reaching the next round of the Champions League. Too bad about key defensive injuires and that seemed to be the difference against Man City. Your “Boys from Brazil” are just outstanding and are scoring freely. A most satisfying win against Nott’m Forest I would imagine!
Lye
March 3, 2010 at 02:29
Hi mate, i think its just bad luck that your first choice central defendsive partnership are out injured for the match against Man City. Your decision to bring in another central defender is correct as your backups don’t seem to perform at the same level as your first team players. Overall it was a good month and you really gave your fans something to cheer about when you put 6 past your derby rivals.
Bordeaux poses much a bigger challenge but i believe you will be able to get past them. Good luck.
FootballManagerGuru
March 3, 2010 at 03:23
Hey there Johnny, what an away win against Brondby! You must have been proud. Pity against Man City though, if you had your 1st choice center backs, things might have been different. Congrats on being first, who knows you might be a serious title contender this year (:
Johnny Karp
March 3, 2010 at 08:25
@FMGuru
Thanks mate, I have to defend last season’s title so we are expected to be contenders although we are not the favorites to win it.
@Lye
Thanks for the comment Lye, I hope to find a good centre back within the 10 mil price range.
@Kevin
Thanks, I guess the derby win saved our month and boosted the morale. I hope that the Brazilian strikers won’t have any bad injuries, that could make an anonymous team out of us.
@TheZiggy
Thanks for the comment, I hope there won’t be any more broken feet in my team until the end of the season.
@Sears
Thanks mate, we’ll have a lot to worry about until the Bordeaux games but I hope we’ll be ready when the time comes.
Martin
March 3, 2010 at 18:27
Well Done Johnny On A Solid Month Except For A Few Hiccups.
Beating Your Rivals Is Satisfying But Humiliating Them Must Be Amazing For The Virtual Fans :P
Maybe Smallwood Could Fill In For Biglia If You Haven’t Got The Funds For A New Midfielder.
I Suggest Rafael Toloi For The Centre Back Position But I Paid £16.5m For Him On My Game!
The Brazilians Are Playing Well, Just Like The 2nd Goal Against Ireland Yesterday! It Was Brilliant!
Laxeyman
March 3, 2010 at 19:43
Good month there Johnny, well done. Don’t worry about the loss to Man City, you are still top, and City aren’t so that’s the main thing. I hope you can find a good centre back, it will really help your team. Good luck against Bordeaux, they are quite good but I think your team are better.
Johnny Karp
March 3, 2010 at 21:43
@Laxeyman
Thanks mate. I’m having a lot of trouble in finding a good centre back so I might give up on that idea.
@Martin
Thanks for the comments and for the suggestions. I think that I’ll rather employ Hinshelwood as a playmaker and keep Smallwood as a backup. The Brazilians always know how to put up a nice show, whenever you say “spectacular football” you have to think about Brazil.
Laxeyman
March 3, 2010 at 22:54
Hi Johnny, it seems that centre backs have higher values in the game compared to other positions than they do in real life. In real life if a defender of certain ability costs £15m, a striker if similair ability would probably cost about £22-25m but in FM it’s not like that. I had problems buying a good centre back as well, it is frustrating.
Johnny Karp
March 4, 2010 at 09:32
@Laxeyman
I didn’t make this comparison but I guess you’re right.
ravenie
March 4, 2010 at 18:02
Johnny I started a game wth QPR and it went GREAT. I won the Chmpionship with a 32 match unbeaten run with 29 wins and 3 draws. I was manager of the year and my playerof the year was my £2m striker Marcus Bent. I got 21.5 million and I spent it on Danny Simpson, Songo’o, Guilherme, Shorey, Kristiansen, Loovens, Gabilondo and my Marquee £2m signing (even though guilherme was worth 11m) Sergio Canales! I got him on a steal it was great. My first win was my first game 4-3 at ome to Man Utd. Things couldn’t be going better, Guilhermes only played 4 games but has hit the net 6 times. I thank you Johnny for your excellent blogging skills and for buying Guilherme
Johnny Karp
March 4, 2010 at 18:20
@Ravenie
Well done mate, Guilherme will score at least 20-25 goals for you if he doesn’t get injured. Canales for 2 mil is a steal indeed, I never had him in my team but his stats look impressive. Good luck in the Premier League, keep up the good work!
Andries
April 13, 2010 at 13:12
I can’t believe you sold Romero! I can’t even count the number of time you praised his performances. I love your blog, i read every post you made! Keep up the good work.
Johnny Karp
April 13, 2010 at 13:53
@Andries
Thanks a lot for the kind words and for reading the story. About Romero, it was not an easy decision but I think it was good business. Sometimes you have to overlook the feelings and see the business side of managing a club.
hils
August 20, 2010 at 10:07
well done johnny! i am a new commenter on here!!!!!!!!! i had to try 3 computers to see if it would work and with the last computer IT WORKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i’m playing as Arsenal and we have won this pre-season tournament in monterry.
Johnny Karp
August 20, 2010 at 10:24
Thanks for the comment, I appreciate it. But did you really had to try to post the comment on three computers? Anyway, good luck with Arsenal, they’re my favourite team :)
hils
August 20, 2010 at 10:33
no johnny i have football manager on one computer but i use my main computer for comments by the way good luck with dorchester!!!!!
Johnny Karp
August 20, 2010 at 10:45
I understand now. Thanks for the good luck wish :)