Hello fellow Football Manager fanatics, welcome back to the Notts County story! The Magpies continued the unbeaten run in October, we were top of the table at the end of the month with a rising gap over the chasing pack. We were right on track in the Champions League too after beating Atletico Madrid 3-2 at Meadow Lane.
We didn’t afford any mishaps though, we had to stay focused in order to continue our march towards glory. The first game of November saw us traveling to Bratislava to meet Slovan in the Champions League group. We beat them 3-0 at home despite employing a few youngsters from the reserves so I expected another win. Strikers Chris Gadi and Rafael Sobis made it easy for us, the Brazilian netted a hat-trick while Gadi scored a goal and made an assist. Slovan played pretty well in the second half though and they deservedly scored the consolation goal. The best news came after the game, Atletico beat Lyon 2-1 so we only needed one more point out of the last two games to qualify.
Back to the Premier League, we had an away game coming up against struggling 17th placed Middlesbrough. I admit that I expected to win the game but what happened on the pitch surpassed any dreams that I might have had. We were all over them right from the start of the game and by half time it was pretty clear that Boro were in for a torrid afternoon. There’s not much to be said, Rafael Sobis netted another hat-trick, Romano got one for himself too and centre backs Cristian Zapata and Simon Kjaer scored freely by taking advantage of the poor aerial ability in Boro‘s defense.
The next game was supposed to against Arsenal but it got postponed due to international fixtures so we moved on to the next match, away at Sheffield United. They were the surprise package of the Premier League, sitting in 7th place after a great run in the first months of the season. I understood why after the first half, they defended extremely well and gave us no clear chances to score. Cristian Zapata came to the rescue once again after the break but maybe we were too confident and our opponents punished us on a counter attack and then parked the bus, we were unable to beat their defense until the final whistle. We should have won this one but I guess Sheffield United deserved the draw, they worked hard and never looked like giving up.
Next up, the most difficult game of the month: at home with Lyon in the Champions League. As I said earlier we only needed one more point to qualify but I certainly wanted to beat Lyon and claim the top spot in the group table. The away game ended 1-1 and it was mostly due to Hugo Lloris‘ fantastic goalkeeping. Things went along the same lines again, Lloris saved two certain goals in the first half. After the interval frustration kicked in, we were trying to shoot from all over the place and we were largely wasteful. Lyon were defending well and even had a good chance of winning the game on a late counter attack. Well, we are through to the next round but we will have to beat Atletico Madrid in the last game to get that first spot.
The last game of the month was at home with 10th placed Wolves, we had to wrap up the month with a good performance in front of our fantastic fans. Ashley Young opened the show with a fine goal eight minutes into the game, he cut inside from the left flank and unleashed a fierce shot from 25 yards out, in off the upright! Jonjo Shelvey might have been a little jealous so a few minutes later he hit the back of the net with a missile shot from distance. Wolves reacted surprisingly well and Igor Akinfeev was forced to show some of his skills to keep a clean sheet. We scored again before the break, Andrea Romano skipped past a couple of defenders and unselfishly set up Rafael Sobis for an easy finish. He did that again just after the interval, Sobis had to thank Romano for his 10th goal of the season. Andrea Romano deserved to score one himself and he did it eventually, a wonder goal after skinning three shocked defenders.
We were still top of the table but the gap remained unchanged, six points.
We’ll be extremely busy in December, no less than 9 games to play. And there will be quite a few difficult tests: Chelsea (twice!), Atletico Madrid away, Tottenham, Manchester United, Liverpool…
If we will manage to stay unbeaten until the end of the year then it would be quite difficult for any team to steal the title from us. December will be a big test for the team’s strength and depth but I can say that I’m fairly confident. Thanks for reading my friends, please share your thoughts in the comments.
P.S.: I will be away on a field trip starting tomorrow morning and I will probably be back on Saturday. So there will be no more posts from me until then, take care, enjoy the other stories and your own FM games!
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Lye
22 марта, 2010 at 17:04
Hi mate, your team totally ran rout in that Boro game. Think thats the biggest win of your Notts County team? Everything is right on track and looking forward to some big games over at next month. I have confidence in your team too. Probably the only concern is the mental strength of your players facing tough teams in a row.
Have a safe trip tomorrow and i will see you back on Sat. Take care.
sam warren
22 марта, 2010 at 17:16
Excellent win against Boro there Johnny. Some big games next month against Liverpool, Man U and Chelsea in a row. Hopefully your players would get too tired with the fixture pile-up.
Have a nice time on your trip. See you on Saturday.
P.S. I am really progressing well with my Newcastle story and are challenging for a europa league place in my first premiership season.
warren
Johnny Karp
22 марта, 2010 at 17:33
@Lye
Thanks mate, I think it was the biggest win I ever had with Notts County.
@Sam Warren
Hey mate, thanks a lot for the comment. I’m sorry for not coming over to check your progress, I was a bit busy and didn’t find the time and peace of mind to do that.
Jaffa
22 марта, 2010 at 17:56
Very good month-especially the win over Boro. What skin are you using? Thanks
ravenie
22 марта, 2010 at 18:14
I think the Boro fans would have been devastated by half time. Its good to see that your side managed to take most of their chances. I am about to start life in the Premier League Southampton vs Burnley may the best team win.
Laxeyman
22 марта, 2010 at 18:23
Hi Johnny, another great month, your defence are incredible! Only 4 league goals conceded! Andrea Romano looks like a brilliant signing, he will carry your team for years, I’m sure! Next month looks tough but I’m sure you’ll do well, the league title should be yours this season.
Johnny Karp
22 марта, 2010 at 19:53
@Jaffa
Thanks. The skin is called Vitreous, you can check it out and download here.
@Ravenie
I guess most of them went home at half time :) Good luck in the Premier League!
@Lexeyman
The defense is doing very well indeed, I think that Zapata played an important role in tightening it up. I am extremely pleased with Romano he is incredibly talented and, very important, he is not selfish at all. I just hope I won’t meet Italy at the European Championship :)
Rob
22 марта, 2010 at 19:54
Hi, great month ecspecially the boro and wolves games and thanks for the help about my game that wouldn’t load last post.
Kevin Mayo
22 марта, 2010 at 21:07
Hi Johnny
Great results again. I think 9-0 is the highest I’ve ever seen anywhere outside of a pre-season game and to add another five against Wolves is just outstanding. I little more of a challange for
December but your team is up for it I’m sure.
Have a safe trip.
Johnny Karp
22 марта, 2010 at 22:24
@Kevin
Thanks, I hope to stay unbeaten until the end of the year, then we might have a less «entertaining» schedule in January.
@Rob
Thanks mate and no problem, you can always come here if you need help and we’ll always try to assist you if we can.
Sears
23 марта, 2010 at 22:18
Johnny,what a win against Middlesbourgh!Im currently playing L.M.A manager 2007 on my playstation 2 tring to keep busy without my Fm 10!Anyway,game is obviously old,im Juventus,there in seria ‘b’ after the match fixing scandel! Changed to a 4-3-3 tactic after a few games and won first game 9-1!I dunno why I said that but anyway,great month again,keep up the good work.
Sonny
27 марта, 2010 at 21:45
Just how many goals has Sobis scored this season?
Johnny Karp
27 марта, 2010 at 22:23
@Sonny
I don’t have the game open right now to check but I guess he scored around 12 or 13 goals so far.
Martin
30 марта, 2010 at 23:51
Long Time No Comment.:P
Some Good Results Especially The Emphatic Win Over Middlesbrough.
Then Suddenly Drew With Sheff Utd Which Is Considerably Less Brilliant, But Not Worrying:P
Btw, I’ve Started A New Game As Genoa Because I Am Pretty Tired Of Always Being 2nd Best In England Mainly Due To The Fact That Arsenal Bought Cristiano Ronaldo For £38m A Few Seasons Ago, Scoring 60+ Goals In His 1st Season.
But As A BIG Consolation, We Won The Champions League, Beating Bayern Munich 3-2 In The Final
Johnny Karp
31 марта, 2010 at 13:11
@Martin
Thanks for the comment mate, we’ve missed you! :) Winning the Champions League is more than a consolation prize but I understand your frustration. Good luck with Genoa!
Martin
31 марта, 2010 at 15:40
Thanks Johnny, Btw, I’m Still Going To Keep The Notts Co Save But I’ll See How This Genoa Game Goes First:)