Then we had to meet Manchester United again, this time in the FA Cup. The game was not as important as the league one but I surely wanted another win. My dynamic duo upfront were looking ready to strike and they did that 13 minutes into the game: Aguero played a through ball for Romano and Italian rounded the keeper and passed it into the back of the net. Then things took a sad turn, both strikers got injured before half time and I had to change the tactical set up because I was left with only one striker. Manchester United took advantage of that and dominated the second half. We defended well though and even had a few chances to strike on counter attacks. Anyway, I wasn’t thinking about the game anymore, I wanted it to end so that I could read the physio report on my strikers. Well, it could have been worse: Romano was going to be out for a week while Aguero had to be away for 4 weeks.
Back to the Premier League for a difficult away game at 4th placed Aston Villa. Without my two star strikers I had to send in Rafael Sobis and Guilherme upfront but I was fairly confident before the start of the game. My mood changed a bit during the first 45 minutes and despite a pretty harsh half time team talk the team failed to react. We played a modest game, below average, and Aston Villa ran us ragged on counter attacks. It was our first league defeat of the season and I was quite bitter especially because I couldn’t understand why the team played so badly.
The last game of the month was at home with struggling 19th placed Stoke. We had to get a comprehensive win to shake off the disappointment of the defeat at Villa Park. Andrea Romano was recovered from his injury and he immediately contributed with a goal. Then Rafael Sobis banged in a quickfire double to settle things before half time. I took out Romano at half time to protect him from an eventual recurring injury and his replacement, Guilherme, played a fine assist for right winger Nicola Bonetti. We could have scored a few more but I was satisfied with the performance.
I protected Romano but that didn’t do too much good, he got injured in training a few days after the game and this time he will be out for around three weeks. Anyway, we were 7 points clear of Chelsea with one game in hand.
February will start with a couple of easy games but it will get tougher towards the end of the month when we’ll have to play the Nottingham Derby, the first leg of the Champions League tie with Celtic and last but not least, the League Cup final against Arsenal.
That’s how it was my friends, thanks for reading. A quick update on the «Which Should Be My Next Team» poll, Dorchester Town is still leading with 35 out of 96 votes but things can still change until Sunday, please cast your vote if you didn’t already do that!
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Lye
28 апреля, 2010 at 15:03
Hi mate, well done on yet another month but unlucky on the injuries on Romano and Aguero.Hope doesn’t affect you too much.
warren
28 апреля, 2010 at 17:23
Hi Johnny
again a very good month with just a few setback the injuries must be a real pain at this time in the season and you were unlucky against Villa.
warren
Laxeyman
28 апреля, 2010 at 18:34
Hi Johnny, another good month, I think the league is pretty much all over now. Unlucky with the injuries to Aguero and Romano, but hopefully Guilherme and Sobis can fire you to even greater heights.
Micheal
28 апреля, 2010 at 19:05
Hi jonny
You must be really annoyed with your strikers getting injured. 7 points clear at the top aint to bad. Good luck 4 your next post. :)
Johnny Karp
28 апреля, 2010 at 19:16
@Lye
Thanks. Judging by the Aston Villa game those two injuries can affect us quite terribly. I hope Sobis and Guilherme will start playing well together like they used to a couple of seasons ago.
@Warren
Thanks for the comment. I disagree about the Villa game, we were not unlucky at all, just played poorly.
@Laxeyman
Thanks mate. I hope Sobis and Guilherme will stay clear of injuries until the other two recover, otherwise we would be in a very difficult position.
@Micheal
Thanks for the good luck wish. I am a bit annoyed but that’s football, bones get broken in the process sometimes.
Ana Garcia
28 апреля, 2010 at 19:22
Still going strong, even with the injuries.
So annoying when you do lose players, but like you have said it happens!
Just hope it wont ruin your season, good luck!
Johnny Karp
28 апреля, 2010 at 19:39
Thanks Ana. I hope that Aguero and Romano will recover and stay fit for the final months, we’ll get by without them until then somehow.
Kevin Mayo
28 апреля, 2010 at 22:16
Hi Johnny
Well the month started great with scoring six against City but ended on a sour note by losing your top strikers. Still, great results as usual and an entertaining read as well. I think next month will be «interesting» to see how those injuries effect the squad. Nonetheless well done!
Johnny Karp
28 апреля, 2010 at 22:44
Thanks Kevin. Aguero and Romano should recover just in time for the Carling Cup final, I guess we can manage without them until then. What is «interesting» is that last season I managed to get 99 points in the Premier League, 6 draws and 1 loss. Now I already have 5 draws and 1 loss even if it seems that we are playing a lot better than we did last season.
Rob
29 апреля, 2010 at 23:00
Hi Johnny great month again well done :) shame about the injuries. Sure your team can manage though.
Johnny Karp
29 апреля, 2010 at 23:34
Thanks Rob. We should manage, otherwise they shouldn’t call us champions anymore :)