Hello friends and I’m delighted to bring you another update from the South — West of England as I continue with my first season in charge at Plymouth.
December 2011
To meet or not to meet that was the question and in the end I decided to go one more game before having a Team Meeting. What I did do was change the positions of a few of players to see if that had any positive effect. I moved Atkinson over to the right flank, pushed Bhasera forward to the left midfield position and have the two DC’s swap places.
A very frosty surface greeted Macclesfield as we got December underway at Home Park. The conditions though didn’t affect the players as we warmed up quickly and put an end to our bad run of form with a comprehensive 4-0 victory that saw us totally dominate the game with Bhasera putting in an excellent performance. I guess the changes in position worked then!
Next up was a critical encounter with up and coming Crawley and we took the lead after 23 minutes as striker Warren Feeney forced the ball home from a Bhasera cross. We doubled our talley early in the second half as Bhasera was first to react to a thunderous shot from Simon Walton that ricochet off the bar. Too see that goal and Asante’s brace in an unexpected 4-1 win click the camera below
Starting goalkeeper Romain Larrieu was injured in training and will be out for 5 weeks
Our Boxing Day game at Home Park offered a chance to make it three wins in a row as we entertained Oxford but we blew it with DC Curtis Nelson heading into his own net and RB Jordan Pearce conceding a penalty in a 2-1 defeat.
2011 finished off with the “Devon Derby” as we took on Torquay United in front of 9,000 fans on New Year’s Eve and the home crowd was left with much to celebrate long into the night as Asante hit another brace that marked his 20th goal of the season.
That victory meant at that half way mark we were back on top of the table one point ahead of Rotherham.
January 2012
With the transfer window open again I quickly made a move for a short term GK replacement and signed Rhys Taylor from Chelsea for three months.
Two days after beating Torquay we faced Dagenham at home and not surprisingly put in a very lethargic performance but nonetheless grabbed all three points with goals from Lecointe and substitute Mark Leech.
Yet another brace by Asante ensured it was three home wins in a row as we came from behind to beat Burton Albion 2-1.
Our first away game in quite some time saw Arsenal’s 18 year old Benik Afobe make the starting eleven joining us on loan as support for Asanate. We took the lead early on as MR Luke Daley headed in after 14 minutes but Aldershot pegged us back immediately a minute later. Daley would have a sensational first half tormenting the Aldershot left back and setting up a deflected shot by Afobe to add our second and another perfectly timed cross for Lecointe to tuck home to ensure the victory by half time.
Here’s Afobe’s profile:
Facing a two week break as our participation in the FA Cup was over I arranged a “fitness friendly” which we comfortably won 6-1 over Bottesford. Our next league game was at home to third place Swindon Town who were just four points behind us but on the day the only winner was the cold and frosty surface and so a bore draw (0-0) was inevitable.
The final game of the month was away to Northampton and we took an early lead as winger Will Atkinson tapped in the ball from close range to finish off a shot from Afobe after 2 minutes. It wasn’t long before the home side equalized though Atkinson again put us back in front with a sweeping shot from just inside the box. With the match seemingly in control one small mistake was enough for Northampton to create an equalizer on the stroke of half time. Atkinson though was playing a blinder and his cross met the head of striker Warren Feeney just before the hour mark for the go ahead goal. Lady luck was riding with us for the rest of the match and the score line remained unchanged as we snatched all three points.
Full Results:
League Table:
A very nice set ouf results in Janaury ensured that we stayed in pole position and have even established a six point lead over Rotherham.
Super Sevens!
No surprise to still see Asante leading the field though it is nice to see Luke Daley who plays on the right flank in second place simply because my tactic is left flank biased.
Rounding out this post is the fixtures for the next couple of months which will see difficult challenges against Port Vale, Shrewsbury and Bristol Rovers.
Thanks very much for taking the time to read this and if your heart directs you take a few moments this Friday 11-11-11 to remember those who sacrificed so much in the last century for the freedom we enjoy today.
Lye
10 ноября, 2011 at 01:01
Hi Kevin,
Great decision to switch the players around and it certainly paid off. After some poor performance in the previous game, you have got your team back to winning ways and to the top of the league. Promotion should not pose a problem and the title is getting closer. I hope your team can keep up the strong performance then we may hear the good news earlier from you. Good luck.
Kevin
10 ноября, 2011 at 17:36
Hello Lye
That switch around really did seem to do the trick and the whole team seemd to respond well to it. I’m starting to believe in promtion myself now :)
Stromson
10 ноября, 2011 at 03:10
I’m a horrible person — you said «11/11/11» and my thoughts immediately jumped to «Skyrim!». I totally agree with you though, and I’ll be taking some time out of that day to say a prayer for those who gave their lives so we can live.
On a less serious note, some seriously excellent results there my northerly compadre. You’re looking in excellent shape for automatic promotion, which is a truly impressive feat given the situation currently engulfing the real-life Plymouth.
Kevin
10 ноября, 2011 at 17:53
Thanks Stromson on both counts.
Really didn’t think I would have a chance at the beginning of the season but now….
George Dobson
10 ноября, 2011 at 08:28
good results there Kevin youve signed two god loanees and I think you should go up and I will be rembering those who lost their lives
Kevin
10 ноября, 2011 at 17:56
Cheers George.
I was very happy to acquire both those players not only to cover the injuries but will be invaluable for the run in.
Joelance
10 ноября, 2011 at 09:35
Good results Kelvin. Promotion is almost sure now. All the best.
Kevin
10 ноября, 2011 at 18:18
Thanks mate, appreciate your comment.
TheZiggy
10 ноября, 2011 at 12:15
A great run of results of results. You’ve given yourself an excellent chance to press on and take the title. I tried to get Benik Afobe on loan at the start of the season, but he wasn’t interested in coming to Torquay. Guess league position is a huge deciding factor. My assistant was drooling over him, so I expect him to do good things for you.
Kevin
10 ноября, 2011 at 18:32
Hey Ziggy
Afobe was one of my targets to back in July and I expereinced the same response. Funny how being top changes attitude!
Darren Smith
10 ноября, 2011 at 12:18
Excellent results Kevin and probably the turning point in your season me thinks! Asante has been phenomenal and keeping that up will be vital. I’m sure you’l go up next season and great to see some tactical genius spark the push for top spot. Well done.
Kevin
10 ноября, 2011 at 18:34
Cheers Darren
I was delighted that the switch around worked so well and I hope Asante keeps this incredible form going.
Johnny Karp
10 ноября, 2011 at 13:57
Superb for there Kevin, you nearly went through the tough couple of months unbeaten and that tells me that your squad is strong. Strong enough to win the title I mean, good luck! :)
Kevin
10 ноября, 2011 at 18:36
They are much stronger than I ever thought they would be which is quite a surprise!
Sears
10 ноября, 2011 at 17:06
Amazing few months you had Kevin. Judging by your recent form, promotion is all but secured. Your team are playing incredible football! KIU pal!
Kevin
10 ноября, 2011 at 18:44
Thanks Sears
They are playing well beyond what I expected for sure.
vaibhavc
10 ноября, 2011 at 18:10
Well done Kevin, that is pretty good for you. Continue that form and you will secure the title with ease.
Kevin
10 ноября, 2011 at 18:45
Hi vaibhavc
I think you maybe right…fingers crossed :)
Ana Garcia
10 ноября, 2011 at 21:08
Fantastic turn of form, I knew you could do it!
With a lead at the top its very much in your hands so hopefully you can keep on winning whilst others around you will drop some points.
Best of luck! :)
Kevin
10 ноября, 2011 at 23:48
I appreciate your confidence in me and I hope you are right about the others dropping points particulary Swindon.
Laxeyman
10 ноября, 2011 at 21:15
Excellent results Kevin, with the massive gap to 4th place I’m sure you’ll get promoted now, and you’ll probably win the league too :) Asante has been amazing, will you be trying to get him back again next season?
Kevin
11 ноября, 2011 at 00:12
Asante is THE MAN and is definitely top of next seasons wish list :)
Martin Pickard
11 ноября, 2011 at 10:59
Great results Kevin…some very convincing win also. I didnt realise the gap to 4th was so massive…had to have a second look lol. Your in a very comfortable positon and can only see you side getting better. Looking forward to the next instalment :)