The last challenge of the month was the double encounter with Standard Liege in the Europa League. Their team looked quite solid with some very good players like Witsel in midfield or Mbokani upfront. Last but not least, their manager was a fellow Romanian, Laszlo Boloni, one of the best Romanian managers ever. He also was a legendary player with more than 100 caps for the national team.
The first leg was away from home, that always is a slight advantage. We started the game quite well and Agnaldo hit the crossbar with a point blank range header only 10 minutes into the game. We were dominating and the result finally came before the break, Agnaldo swept in a fine cross and Demba Ba finished it off with a powerful header. Just before going back to the dressing room Standard tried to react, their striker unleashed a terrific long shot, it went past Romero but hit the post! Standard continued to push forward after the break but Romero was in form, he saved a couple of good chances. I replaced Demba Ba with Moreno somewhere around the 60th minute and the Bolivian made me happy right away, he finished a counter attack with a perfectly placed shot. Six minutes later, the same drill: Moreno beat the offside trap and placed it past the keeper, we were 3-0 up! It was a massive result that gave us a huge chance to qualify for the next round.
We still had to be careful in the home leg though, we had to avoid conceding an early goal. The team looked quite determined and they did even more, Guilherme shattered Standard‘s dreams right away. We were in control of the game as Standard‘s players looked bereft of confidence. Their keeper gave us a nice present just before the break, things were looking nice. The second half was an entertaining show, we put another two goals past them and played very well. We were through to then next round where we’re going to meet Italian side Lazio, they just knocked out PSV Eindhoven.
While we were defending England’s honor in Europe the Premier League didn’t stop, another match day was played and I am pleased to say that Manchester United finally dropped some points, they lost 2-0 at Chelsea! So now we are two points ahead of them with a game in hand!
Sam Hinshelwood was elected Premier League Young Player of the Month again, too bad he got injured…
We’ll be quite busy in March, eight games to play… We’ll start with an easier one but then we’ll have back to back games with Manchester City and Lazio.
That’s how it was folks, the race between us and Manchester United is still close but I must say that I’m quite impressed with their form. I bet they won’t drop too many points until the end of the season, it will all depend on us and our capacity to win games. The European dream goes on too, we have a chance against Lazio although they have great players in attack. We also have an opportunity to get to the semi finals of the FA Cup but I don’t know if the squad will be able to handle all the three challenges, we’ll have to play the games and see.
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Kevin Mayo
14 февраля, 2010 at 14:13
Hi Johnny
Two points clear and still a game in hand,well done! A massive result in the Europa League against a fellow Romanian manager so perhaps now you will be the new legend in Romanian football? Too bad about the injury to my favorite player Hinshelwood as he’s always exciting to read about.I think you have a great chance in all three competitions.Great month though!
Johnny Karp
14 февраля, 2010 at 14:29
Hi Kevin and thanks for the comment. I guess I’ll be a legend in virtual Romanian football :)
Laxeyman
14 февраля, 2010 at 14:54
Well done Johnny, another great month for you there! Great victory over Standard Leige, I am sure the title race will be close, but I feel you hold a slight advantage and hopefully it will still be that way at the end of the season!
Bilal Ahmad
14 февраля, 2010 at 15:03
Good month Johnny, by the way you post too fast lol. You still got a game in hand and about 11 games left in the Premiership, you should be able to win the Premiership with ease but upsets do happen and United are still quite close. Also good results in the Europa League, however Lazio very hard team to beat but still confident you will be able to defeat them
Johnny Karp
14 февраля, 2010 at 15:27
@Bilal
Thanks for the comment mate, I’m trying to take advantage of the spare time that I have this week end.
@Laxeyman
Thanks for the comment. We’ll have the direct encounter with Man United in May, the penultimate game of the Premier League season, I hope to have a few points ahead before that game.
Martin
14 февраля, 2010 at 15:26
Great Month Johnny And You Smashe Standard To Pieces! :P
I Was Trying To Think Who That Guy Was, Mbokani, I Could Remember His Face But Not His Name, So, Thanks!
If
Martin
14 февраля, 2010 at 15:27
I Was Meant To Say If I Reach The Premiership I’m Gonna Try To Get Him And Hoarau:P LOL
Johnny Karp
14 февраля, 2010 at 15:33
@Martin
Mbokani is a great striker, you should try to get him but it won’t be easy. You can also take a look at Witsel, he’s a great midfielder.
Ravenie
14 февраля, 2010 at 15:45
I read a football magazine that linked Mbokani and Hoarau with Blackburn Rovers. But anyway I was manager of Hull when I started my new game, I got sacked because they weren’t willing to give me funds. Then a few months later I was given the job as Nottingham Forest Manager. I’ve lost 3/4 I think and I have to say I’ve been rather unlucky. Went so close againt swansea 2 nil down 2-2 and lee trundle offside fouling the keeper put it in. :(. But I won my last game convincingly 2-0. I’m managing the rivals :). Your tactics quite good and I used it
Johnny Karp
14 февраля, 2010 at 16:10
@Ravenie
Thanks for the comment, I’m happy that the tactics work even with our rivals :) Good luck with Forest!
Lye
14 февраля, 2010 at 17:08
Hi mate, you are leading Man Utd 2 points and 1 game in hand. Thats a comfortable cushion to have and the race will go down to the wire. I believe your team has the quality to get pass Lazio and win the europa league. Good luck.
Martin
14 февраля, 2010 at 18:06
Yeah I’ve Heard Of Witsel.
I Kinda ‘Group’ Him With Defour And Per Cilijan Skjelbred Because Their Pretty Simlar To Me :P
Johnny Karp
14 февраля, 2010 at 18:38
@Lye
Thanks mate. I’m playing March right now and I can say that it’s more than thrilling…
@Martin
They are quite similar indeed, all of them are hard working and pretty creative too.
Calum
14 февраля, 2010 at 20:10
Well done on another great month. I am looking forward to reading about March! :D
Johnny Karp
14 февраля, 2010 at 20:44
Thanks Calum, from what I’ve seen so far it will be an interesting post ;)
Martin
14 февраля, 2010 at 21:07
I Won The Johnstones Paint Trophy And Just Gained Promotion After 40 Games.
I Don’t Know Why I Keep Coming Onto Your Blog To Tell People, Maybe I Miss Blogging :P
Hmm…
Johnny Karp
14 февраля, 2010 at 21:12
Well done Martin, that’s great news! I’m happy as long as you keep us updated on your progress, on this blog or on your own :)
Martin
14 февраля, 2010 at 22:30
Thanks Johnny! :P
Sears
15 февраля, 2010 at 01:30
Your doing very good!i am also notts county…currently in the championship after back to back league wins..finished my first season 7th in championship due to lack of goals.. recommend any player’s?
Johnny Karp
15 февраля, 2010 at 08:25
@Sears
Thanks for the comment and congratulations on your back to back league wins. My top goalscorers in the Champiosnhip were Tomas Pekhart and Adam Szalai, I recommend both of them. You can also try Denis Alibec, I had him on loan from Internazionale Milano.
Martin
15 февраля, 2010 at 12:44
Sears, You Should Also Take A Look At Levan Mchedlidze, He Scored 31 Goals For Me In League 1. Also, Berat Sadik, He Scored 39 Goals In League 1
Sears
15 февраля, 2010 at 20:05
Johnny,thanks for your recommendation’s but i signed both andy carrol and ched evans on a free transfer..also i’v jelle vossen!..latley i’v been trying to put the proper kits,logos and facepacks in to the game but i don’t know how..i’v the kits downloaded but don’t know how to put them in to the game? it would be great help if you told me how.
Johnny Karp
15 февраля, 2010 at 20:16
@Sears
Evans will do great for you, he’s a very good striker. There are detailed instructions on how to install the kits in this post here, check them out and also the comments, there are a lot of answers to questions there.
Sears
15 февраля, 2010 at 20:41
johnny,its ok i got them!and sorry for posting the comment so much.. went through computer diffitculty.and is it the same fot the logo’s facepack etc..been trying to download them on to game for the past week! yes evans is very good.. 3 goals in 4 games as i put him to poacher role.
Sears
15 февраля, 2010 at 20:59
Martin,thanks for your recommendation’s but Levan Mchedlidze is not interested in joining my club..not to worry ched evans has signed for me!