Back at Rivacre Park for the next game, promotion contenders Grimsby were coming in town. They were predicted to finish third but they really didn’t show too much of their potential in the first half: it was pretty boring but it was saved by a sensational goal from Omar Koroma, a great long range drive. Our opponents were showing more after the break but goalkeeper Adam Street pulled off a string of good saves to keep us in the lead. Then Shane Williams stepped into the spotlight and he scored a great first goal of the season. Grimsby were still trying to get back into the game but a quick breakaway sealed the win, Koroma squared it for Danny Uchechi and the striker made no mistake. The game ended with another fine goal from us, Williams burst into the area and set up Koroma‘s second goal of the game.
The last game of the month was away at in-form Cambridge, they were top of the table before that match. They were dominating the game and we did well to hold out until Chris Pendleton‘s dismissal on 37 minutes, he got two yellows in just three minutes… We were unable to cope with our opponents, they scored twice but could have added a lot more on the scoreboard in a game that they dominated from start to finish. The red card can’t be an excuse for the poor performance, we were brushed aside by what appeared to be a much better opponent.
We are in 9th place after six games but that’s not really relevant. We conceded a bit too many goals despite some good performances from goalkeeper Adam Street and that was my main concern.
I made another three free transfers during this month, let me introduce the new faces:
First I felt that I needed another good centre back and after evaluating a few targets I decided to bring in Spanish defender Sergio Sanchez, a player that was released by West Ham. He is quick enough to play in my high defensive line and I also like his determination and work rate.
You already know that I was looking for a new right winger and in the end I brought in two of them, a young prospect and a player that should make it into the first eleven right away. The young prospect is 18-year old William Mellors-Blair, a quick winger that appears to have good potential.
The other right winger was recommended by Vinners, thanks mate! :) His name is Albert Owusu-Ansah and he’s a versatile and skillful midfielder, not very quick but he could be a great asset because of his technical skills.
Three players left the club, including long-time favourite Ryan Carolan (he doesn’t seem to be as good as he was in FM 10)
Our most impressive player this month was Omar Koroma, he bagged two doubles in four games and I expect even better things from him in the future.
We had mixed results and performances this month, the players are still working to adapt to my playing style, but the great thing is that we didn’t have any bad injuries until now. I don’t know where we’ll end up this season but I hope to see more consistency from the team in the following months. Thanks a lot for reading, I hope you have enjoyed the update and the video highlights. By the way, do you like the highlights better with the «TV view» camera or with the «zoomed vertical scrolling» camera that I have used for this post?
mark
25 ноября, 2010 at 16:00
no way, 5-0 which you beat derby county fill with the likes of miles addison and kris commons??
what the heck, that is impressive and the manager of derby county team say that you can do better, what , is he on crack? anyway, may you show me the info screenshot of that match
Johnny Karp
25 ноября, 2010 at 16:05
The match info screen and the highlights of that game are in the previous post: https://www.footballmanagerstory.com/2010/11/vauxhall-motors-fc-blue-square-premier-pre-season/2/
I don’t think that he was on crack but it surely was a pretty shocking statement :)
Laxeyman
25 ноября, 2010 at 16:24
Hi Johnny, that’s a pretty decent start, it’s good to see your side banging in the goals. Hopefully you can sure up the defence with the new centre back, and the two wingers look good as well. Good luck next month.
Johnny Karp
25 ноября, 2010 at 17:22
Thanks Laxeyman, I hope we’ll continue to score and maybe concede just a few less…
dami
25 ноября, 2010 at 17:14
decent start to the season…hope you can keep up the form next month.
Though it’s sad to see carolan leave…
dami
25 ноября, 2010 at 17:15
btw-I prefer the zoomed vertical scrolling view…
Johnny Karp
25 ноября, 2010 at 17:23
Thanks for the feedback Dami. Selling Carolan was a sad moment but I can’t pay his wage just because he was good in FM 2010… He did well in Blue Square North but I’m afraid that’s his maximum in FM 2011.
Sears
25 ноября, 2010 at 17:43
That’s a good start Johnny. You made some decent signings too, I think you’ll battle for a play off spot at least. Good luck!
Johnny Karp
25 ноября, 2010 at 18:16
Thanks for the confidence Sears, you’re quite optimistic :)
Vinners
25 ноября, 2010 at 17:54
Haha a good start to the season! Albert is pretty good for me and scores a couple which makes me happy as well :) Well done and good luck for next month!
Johnny Karp
25 ноября, 2010 at 18:17
Thanks Vinners, you’re my unofficial scout :)
JonnySniper
25 ноября, 2010 at 18:34
Good start Johnny, Keep up that kind of form and you’ll be pushing the top half if not play-offs. Good luck fella.
Johnny Karp
25 ноября, 2010 at 19:54
Thanks Jonny, I hope to see even better form ;)
Chris @ Chester
25 ноября, 2010 at 18:36
Good start to the season Johnny, just like last season , I would bet on a straight promotion. The strikers look good too, shame about Carolan though, I think he was my favourite player from your Dorchester game,
Good luck for the rest of the season mate
Johnny Karp
25 ноября, 2010 at 19:52
Thanks Chris. You didn’t reply to my last email, did you receive the FM 2011 DVD?
Chris @ Chester
28 ноября, 2010 at 00:27
Didn’t I? Yes I received the game but I’m not happy as I’m now having problems with ,my laptop, it cuts out after a while and this has corrupted my saved game. Still, no complaints from me so far, my tactics seem to work brilliantly, :-)
Johnny Karp
28 ноября, 2010 at 00:57
Well, the next World Cup Predictions contest might have a laptop as the big prize :) Sorry to hear about your problems, back up the saved games in the future ;)
warren
25 ноября, 2010 at 18:41
Decent start to the season and Im sure that you will get better and start to move up the league table soon. Good luck for the rest of the season and hope you achieve the best you can.
Johnny Karp
25 ноября, 2010 at 19:54
Thanks Warren, I hope that we can only do better from this point on.
Darren Smith
25 ноября, 2010 at 18:49
Hey Johnny, you have enjoyed some decent results so far so well done. I still think you’ll be pushing for the top five. You have signed a lot of new players and they need time to settle. Besides I feel like Im getting a feel for your managing style now and if Im wrong correct me but you seem to improve as the season goes on…so top five for me mate.
ps I have finally managed to sort out the Football Manager rankings table. Take a look at let me know if you’d like to be entered.
Johnny Karp
25 ноября, 2010 at 19:57
I guess you are right Darren, my teams seem to build up form as the season progresses. I’ve seen the FM rankings table but I don’t think that I’ll remember to send you an email after each season… I guess you can enter me though and I’ll do my best to keep up.
Darren Smith
26 ноября, 2010 at 13:54
Thats the beauty of having your own blog mate, Ill do the updates for you. I read your stories and never miss a post anyway, so Ill make sure to update your points as and when you win stuff. After your heroics last season you are already top mate.
Johnny Karp
26 ноября, 2010 at 14:26
Thanks a lot Darren, I’ll follow the rankings closely from now on :)
Kevin
25 ноября, 2010 at 19:54
Hi Johnny
Not a bad start and it seems that you have the perfect partnership in Koroma and Uchechi up front. Sad to see Carolan go as he’s been a long time favorite but if he’s not as good then….he’s gotta go.
Sergio Sanchez should help you with your defence though.
Johnny Karp
25 ноября, 2010 at 19:59
Thanks Kevin. Uchechi and Koroma are doing well but I’m expecting more from the other two, Asante and Ricketts. Sanchez is better than Carolan so I had to let him go although I would have liked to get him to the Premier League with us.
Arjuna
26 ноября, 2010 at 02:02
Hey Johnny,
You’ve made a good start to a new challenge!! I agree that talking to the press can be irritating, especially when you are just asked the same questions over and over again!!! You should do very well this year.
Arjuna
Johnny Karp
26 ноября, 2010 at 06:49
Thanks Arjuna. I would have expected silly questions from the press but I was surprised to see such a statement from a fellow manager like the Derby County one.
Lye
26 ноября, 2010 at 02:24
Hi Johnny,
Not a bad start in my opinion. I agree with Darren, your team will just get better. Once the strikers start scoring, you will be in for a smooth ride. Good luck.
Johnny Karp
26 ноября, 2010 at 06:50
Thanks Lye. The goal scoring went pretty well although we missed quite a few easy chances, it’s the defense that needs to do better.
hils
26 ноября, 2010 at 07:39
Hi Johnny,a not bad start there!!!!!!!!!! I still cant belive that rant!!!!!!!!! Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!=D
Johnny Karp
26 ноября, 2010 at 09:19
Thanks Hils!
paine
26 ноября, 2010 at 07:46
I saw you have Omar Koroma, I loved this little player in FM 10, an excellent back-up.
A bit downgraded from last year though.
Johnny Karp
26 ноября, 2010 at 09:18
I had Koroma in FM 2010 as well and I agree that he seemed a bit better in the previous version. I just realized that you started a new blog, I’ll add it to the links page right away! :)
Paine
26 ноября, 2010 at 21:27
No problem mate, thanks.
Sayam Khan
26 ноября, 2010 at 12:16
Hi Johnny
Same problem as me! conceding! However it is a pretty decent start and your new recruits look really good.
1 word to describe that statement: SHOCKING
Good Luck :-)
Johnny Karp
26 ноября, 2010 at 14:27
Thanks Sayam, I’ve already noticed some improvements in the defense after playing a couple of games in September.
Ana Garcia
26 ноября, 2010 at 14:32
Ha!
That manager having a go at you and he has only won 15% of his games! :D
Similar thing happened to me, where a manager said the reason his team lost was because of the state of our pitch, when we played them at their home ground. Wierd I guess!
Good signings as always! Nice to see another Spaniard, I will be cheering for both ;)
As always best of luck on a very long season.
Johnny Karp
26 ноября, 2010 at 16:48
Thanks for the good wishes Ana. I agree that some of these manager statements are ridiculous, I don’t even bother to read most of them but this one got my attention :)
Laxeyman
27 ноября, 2010 at 13:14
Hi Johnny, I was just wondering what role you play Danny Uchechi? I also have him and I was wondering how to get the best out of him. Cheers.
Johnny Karp
27 ноября, 2010 at 14:45
Most times I employ him in the defensive forward role but he played a few good matches as a complete forward as well.
Laxeyman
27 ноября, 2010 at 15:05
Ah right, thanks :)