Hello friends and welcome back to this milestone post of my FMS. It’s now two years since Johnny invited me to this brilliant site as a guest writer featuring Swindon Town and since then it’s been a privilege to post stories here and more importantly develop friendships not only with Johnny but with so many people from different parts of the world. Actually it’s somewhat like living in Toronto!
Although my successes have been nowhere near those of Johnny and latterly Darren and Ana, I guess my proudest achievement was getting Cambridge to the FA Cup Final in FM 2011 (where we lost to Man Utd) and into the Europa League as a Championship side.
Thank you for your support and kindness over the last two years and I look forward to bringing you more FMS even though they may not be successful teams! Speaking of which, back to my current story :)
October 2014
We started off the month with a crucial bottom of the table clash away to Stoke where the home side dominated the entire first period as we were pinned back in our own end for 45 minutes with Stoke scoring just on the stroke of half time. The second period was much the same as we went on to concede another goal late in the game before netting a consolation goal before the whistle went.
The international break allowed for a friendly game to be organized against local side Dawlish just so we could remember what it felt like to be in the oppositions half which seemed to have been in another lifetime. No surprises here unlike the Newport game and we ran out the easy victors.
Next up was a derby game of sorts at home to Southampton and we got off to a fantastic start as Yu Hai’s corner was met by the head of Rodriguez who powered the ball into the back of the net — 1-0!!! With the defensive line playing higher up and two DM’s in front of them we suddenly looked a more organized unit. We had lots of chances but couldn’t turn them into goals but neither could Southampton which meant we won our first ever EPL game….at last.
**Authors Note**
Off to Tim Hortons to treat myself to an extra-large coffee and maybe a donut too!
After the euphoria of actually winning a game was over we travelled to London into the intensity of White Hart Lane and to face the skill of Gareth Bale. I made only one change bringing in Wallace for Jaguare and it was the left footed Yu Hai and not Bale who was the star of the first half setting up two great chances for Rodriguez which were dramatically saved by the Spurs keeper. Into the second half which was all about Spurs and with 65 minutes gone we conceded a corner which was cleared by Ekong to Yu Hai who sprinted the down the field with the ball, squared it to Rodriguez and…goal!!! Unbelievable we were in the lead. Of course it wouldn’t last and Spurs created an equalizer six minutes from then end but it was a great away point.
November 2014
We started the month off at home to Aston Villa but we seemed to lack the midfield spirit of our previous outings. More noticeably was the absence of Yu Hai who was away on international duty with China and that affected our attacking moves. Still, Villa couldn’t break us down and the game ended in a scoreless draw.
After a series of somewhat better results we were handed a harsh dose of reality at Anfield. Following an excellent 45 minutes where we had Liverpool pinned back in their own half they suddenly came alive scoring 4 unanswered goals before Javi Lopez headed in a late consolation goal.
We fared no better in our mid-week encounter at Home Park against Newcastle where our fans had to endure another defeat though Alexander Geynrikh finally scored his first goal of the season.
Next up was away to 15th place Blackburn where we couldn’t improve at all on our last two performances and in fact played worse allowing Blackburn 59% of the possession resulting in another crushing defeat which now meant we had conceded 11 goals in three games.
November came to an end with a home game against Chelsea and after falling behind with just 2 minutes on the clock I was expecting another tidal wave of goals. However a brilliant run by Jaguare from the kick off ended with his shot hitting the bar and that was encouraging. Minutes later Lopez’s cross from the right flank deflected off a Chelsea defender and it was 1-1. Rodriguez would go on to hit the post before the half time whistle and we seemed to have the game under control. Just after the hour Home Park erupted as Yu Hai’s corner was headed back across the box by Coady and an unmarked Ekong headed the ball across the line to make it 2-1! Chelsea poured forward and once more we threw away a lead late in the game as Chelsea came up with a very dubious looking equalizer that appeared to be offside but nonetheless this draw was a terrific morale booster.
League Table:
No change here, just look due south :)
Injuries:
Dramatic improvement here since moving the players into the default training regimes from one that I had downloaded and installed at the start of the season.
Super Sevens:
Well I didn’t think I would have any player to post here but I did find one at that was Yu Hai
Fixtures:
Nine games to look forward to plus an FA Cup tie at some point and we start December with a difficult away game at Old Trafford…sucks!
Well that’s it for this post and not very exciting I know but thanks for taking the time to read it.
TheZiggy
8 января, 2012 at 13:19
It’s an improvement over the previous post, but the situation looks pretty sorry at the moment. It was good to see you gain a first win, so hopefully the lads can find a few more to escape the nasty clutches of the relegation area.
Yu Hai definitely looks to be the key player for you. Good luck.
Kevin
8 января, 2012 at 17:27
Yep not much cheer here. I guess it was all used up at Christmas time :)
Alex
8 января, 2012 at 14:05
It’s always going to be tough in the Premier League when you been promoted successively from League 2. Perhaps you could try playing with a counter attacking strategy (if you aren’t already)?
Kevin
8 января, 2012 at 17:30
Hi Alex
Thanks for the tip but I’ve already tinkered with the tactics to try that with negative results but I appreciate your concern.
Darren Smith
8 января, 2012 at 14:34
Certainly an improvement but Plymouth need to make a big step up next month or risk passing the point of no return. There still seems to be a spark at times, maybe try holding a team meeting to tell them to keep their heads up (hopefully that will raise morale a little) but I honestly think you may need a change of tactic. The players are the main problem but when I fall into rough patches its usually a tactical change that wakes the players up.
Kevin
8 января, 2012 at 17:31
Hi Darren
I did hold a team meeting before the Chelsea game which did lift morale a bit. A tactic change as suggested is imminent.
Sears
8 января, 2012 at 15:39
You were unlucky in some games Kevin, it’s still extremely tight down at the bottom. If you have some money leftover, you could maybe try hold out until January and sign a few new guys, even on loan. I really do hope things improve for you Kevin, good luck mate.
Kevin
8 января, 2012 at 17:33
Thanks Sears
It seems whenver I get to the EPL I’m always struggling, but lets hoe January will bring some good fortune in terms of new players.
siavosh
8 января, 2012 at 15:41
hi kevin,
I think the only think you need is a little luck so GOOD LUCK
Kevin
8 января, 2012 at 17:34
Hi siavosh
Greetings from Canada and thanks for your comment — that was nice :)
Johnny Karp
8 января, 2012 at 15:53
Well, you have to look at the good side and I think there’s plenty to see there as your team pulled off some very good results. Those three straight defeats can be a bit disappointing but I think that the team has the strength to survive, I really believe that. Good luck Kevin!
P.S.: Happy anniversary! :)
Kevin
8 января, 2012 at 17:35
Thanks Johnny
I really appreciate your support and enthusiasm. I do have a good team I feel, but they are just not in sync anymore?
Laxeyman
8 января, 2012 at 15:57
Your Plymouth side is showing some potential Kevin, the results against Tottenham and Chelsea prove that. You seem to be playing well against the big sides, and just need to pick up a few more points against teams in the lower half of the table. If you can do that you’ll be fine :) Good luck!
Kevin
8 января, 2012 at 17:36
Hey Laxeyman
Thanks a lot mate. These guys do have potential but are finding the step up and faster pace hard to deal with.
nielsneutron
8 января, 2012 at 19:37
Just imagine if that game against Stoke had been in your favor.
Well you can’t dwell in the past. The table in the bottom is still rather tight and you do have a chance to stay up yet.
Don’t give up.
Kevin
8 января, 2012 at 22:26
Hi nielsneurtron
Long time no see! Yes there’s still much to play for so I haven’t lost hope yet.
nielsneutron
9 января, 2012 at 18:11
I have yet to miss any of your stories (or any other story on the fms).
I really enjoy your story.
Tazpafc
8 января, 2012 at 19:51
Good luck Kevin, GREEN ARMY
Kevin
8 января, 2012 at 22:26
Thanks Tazpafc
Ana Garcia
8 января, 2012 at 20:53
My biggest mistake at Real Union was constantly changing my tactics, but maybe just change your style a little.
Play more more players in midfield and try to contain teams trying to steal a one goal lead on the counter attack, that worked well for me when I tried that at the Black Aces.
Then just defend when you have the lead! At one point I had five in defence and a sweeper! It wasnt pretty football but it did work then I could buy better players to go out and try and win some games the following season.
Hopefully January you will be able to buy/loan some premier league level players, try to look at the reserves of the bigger clubs as you might be able to get them on loan.
As always the best of luck and happy anniversary!! :)
Kevin
8 января, 2012 at 22:28
Hi Ana
Thaks very much for the advice. My tactical chnage did involve loading the sentral midfield a bit more and thanks for the defensive tips — i’ll give that a go!!
Lye
9 января, 2012 at 00:54
Hi Kevin,
A great introduction, Happy Anniversary. To think that we have reading your stories and two years has passed. There is no way we can keep track of time :)
Thinks seem to improve with your first win and consecutive draws but the three losses after that is discouraging. There is still plenty of time for you to climb up the table, hopefully you will win some points over the weaker teams in coming games.
Kevin
9 января, 2012 at 12:49
Hello Lye
Yes, it is amazing how quickly the time has passed. i’ve enjoyed reading your stories back form the old Thurrock days :)
Hopefully Plymouth can improve in the second half of the season and avoid relegation.
Martin - F.M.J.S
9 января, 2012 at 13:35
Hi Kevin
I have been suffering with a flu this weekend so I have been out of action. I have just read both post you done so I will comment on both on this one. It’s been a hard start to the premier League but you have plenty of time to get some results go your way . I’m sure a few tweaks and changes you will be able to avoid relegation. Keep up the good work.
Happy anniversary keep the great stories coming :)
CsAtlantis
9 января, 2012 at 14:58
Kevin you are doing okay with your squad I think, it was probably a bit flimsy for Premier League football, you probably have to make a decision on whether to buy in players during the January window to improve your chances to survive or just try and grind through the season
Good luck, at least you are not bottom, but you definitely need to improve your results against the weaker teams, somehow your team steps up their game against bigger opposition!
vaibhavc
9 января, 2012 at 15:21
Well results have improved, and you have gotten two very good results, against Chelsea and Spurs. Your team has the potential to do well. Good luck!
Frank
9 января, 2012 at 16:34
Hi Kevin,
It was always going to be tough as you have gained promotion each season from league 2. We all know your a great manager and will be able to find the right style of play for your team, add a little bit of luck to that and Plymouth will stay up. Good luck :)
Martin Pickard
10 января, 2012 at 10:24
Hey Kevin…definitely an improvement from the last post, you’ve managed to get a win and a few other points. I cant really suggest much due to the fact that they’ve all be suggested above. Keep going and im sure that things will gel and you’ll be smiling at the end of the season. Good Luck…COME ONE PLYMOUTH!!!
Imp_88
11 января, 2012 at 12:32
Not boring at all I find the stories more interesting when the manager is struggling — been following the whole story and your doing really well. Injuries are so annoying I am in 2018 on my Lincoln game and won just 1 of my last 6 championship games (2nd season in championship) because of sheer injuries to the squad and ended up just 5 points of the play-offs. Oh well next season!
Kevin
12 января, 2012 at 00:32
Hi Imp_88
Greetings from Canada and thanks for your comment Tough luck with Lincoln though it seems you have developed the club nicely!