Preston vs Vauxhall (Championship)
Venue: Deepdale
Attendance: 11,043
Starting line up: Dean Bouzanis — Ken Harris, Sashi Chalwe, Mervin Simon, Grant Baddeley — Carlos Chavez, Mark Brown, Suso, Keith Higgs — Andrés, Ibrahima MBow
Team Talk: You can win today!
I was counting on a win against fellow newly-promoted side Preston although they were having a decent season and were in 18th place before the game. We were the better side though and we managed to capitalize on our domination in the 33rd minute when Ibrahima MBow fired home. The French striker could have scored one more but I was satisfied with the display.
Half time score: 0-1
Half time team talk: Pleased.
Half time substitutions: Daniel Toribio for Suso, Graeme Owens for Higgs
Preston‘s hopes of a fightback were extremely short-lived as Spanish striker Andrés scored a great goal just 15 seconds after the re-start! Five minutes later a corner kick header from Mervin Simon deflected off a defender and went in, it was all over and my lads were allowed a good rest on the pitch until the final whistle.
Full time team talk: Well done!
Man of the match: Sashi Chalwe
Flop of the match: Keith Higgs
Match Stats
Video Highlights
Click here to watch the match highlights.
Vauxhall vs Norwich (Championship)
Venue: Rivacre Park
Attendance: 3,000 (capacity crowd)
Starting line up: Dean Bouzanis — Ken Harris, Sashi Chalwe, Mervin Simon, James Campbell — Carlos Chavez, Mark Brown, Suso, Keith Higgs — Andrés, Ibrahima MBow
Team Talk: You can win today!
This was expected to be a much tougher game, Norwich were aiming for promotion and they were just behind us in fourth place. The game was quite intense right from the start as the visitors took the lead after eight minutes as a result of a nicely crafted counter attack but we managed to peg them back just three minutes later courtesy of a Mervin Simon corner kick header. Then we took control of the match but we were denied by the opposition keeper on a couple of occasions before Norwich were awarded a rather harsh penalty two minutes before the break. The spot kick was converted and we were 2-1 down at the break despite playing pretty well.
Half time score: 1-2
Half time team talk: I want to see more from you!
Half time substitutions: Jason Banton for Higgs
The second half was all about great defending from Norwich and about a fantastic goalkeeper, he was unbeatable. I checked his profile after the game and learned that he was a 19-year old regen, I immediately added him to my shortlist. We lost the game and it wasn’t entirely because of their keeper, we should have created more chances given the amount of possession that we had but the players seemed to have problems in finding the right solutions at times. After the game centre back Carlos Santos came by the office and he started to complain about having problems with settling in England. He didn’t feature much in the first team although I still believe in his talent so I decided to give him a leave of absence hoping that he will return with his mind set on football after a month in Argentina.
Full time team talk: Good effort!
Man of the match: Mervin Simon
Flop of the match: Ibrahima MBow
Match Stats
Video Highlights
Click here to watch the match highlights.
Hull vs Vauxhall (Championship)
Venue: The Circle
Attendance: 17,034
Starting line up: Dean Bouzanis — Ken Harris, Sashi Chalwe, Mervin Simon, Grant Baddeley — Carlos Chavez, Mark Brown, Suso, Jason Banton — Andrés, Ibrahima MBow
Team Talk: Pressure is off!
We dropped into fifth place after the Norwich defeat and we were about to meet 6th placed Hull, not the best of opportunities to recover from a home defeat. I had the impression that my players were feeling the pressure of expectation after hanging into the playoff spots against all odds so I decided to remind them that we had nothing to lose, we just had to play our style of football and enjoy it. Our first half display was not bad, we managed to create one good chance but Hull had two clear ones on counter attacks. We had to do better but I was satisfied with the performance overall.
Half time score: 0-0
Half time team talk: Pleased.
Half time substitutions: Connor Newton for Brown, Daniel Toribio for Banton, Lenny Nangis for Andrés
Striker Lenny Nangis was sent in at half time for his first appearance since suffering an injury last month and he made an instant impact, he was held inside the penalty area and the referee had no other choice than to point to the spot. Ibrahima MBow was the man in charge of the spot kick this time and he powered it right in! The game was going our way but we failed to make the most out of the domination as we wasted two very good chances to double the lead. Things turned complicated two minutes from time when veteran centre back Sashi Chalwe got sent off for a professional foul, Hull started pouring forward in an attempt to rescue a point but goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis kept cool and made an important save seconds before the final whistle.
Full time team talk: Well done!
Man of the match: Mervin Simon
Flop of the match: Andrés
Match Stats
Video Highlights
Click here to watch the match highlights.
It was an action-packed month but it went well for us overall, we grabbed four wins and two draws out of seven games.
The good results leave us in third place at the end of the month, I guess I can say that we should be aiming for a playoff spot now. Burnley seem to be running away with the title and I wonder why they are having such good results since we beat them 4-0 last month…
Spanish striker Andrés was elected Player Of The Month and he surely deserved it. He made seven starting appearances out of seven and he scored five times, I don’t regret paying him the highest wage in the squad. :)
Next month will start with the special game at Old Trafford, I hope we won’t get beaten too heavily because we will have to keep some confidence for the tough league games. Fortunately we won’t be playing any of the top six teams next month but no game is already won at this level.
That’s how November was folks, it was quite pleasing to see my lads winning 7-1 at the start of it but I am more satisfied with the overall consistency as we proved to be a tough team to beat in the Championship. Thanks a lot for reading this long update, I hope that your eyes don’t hurt! ;)
Kevin
24 февраля, 2011 at 00:25
Hi Johnny
First off my eyes don’t hurt as the font looks bigger and I can read the post without my glasses. Have you changed something? It’s good anyway :)
On to the football then and quite a magical way to start the month with that thrashing over Bristol City. That must of got the old adrenaline pumping! Although a few points behind Burnley you have quite a good chance of making some ground up with next months schedule. Good luck at Old Trafford in The Carling Cup and thanks for a great update as always!!
Johnny Karp
24 февраля, 2011 at 09:45
Hey Kevin. I didn’t change anything about the fonts but I could try to make them bigger if you want. I don’t know if we can catch Burnley, that’s not my goal at the moment. I just want to escape Old Trafford with a narrow defeat and then consolidate this third place.
Lye Kuek Hin
24 февраля, 2011 at 00:39
Hi Johnny,
A big win against Bristol set you the way for this month. Another great month consolidate your position at the top, who knows Burnley will have a slip and you will have a chance to close in on them. Good to travel to Old Trafford, the stadium is big and your travelling fans must be cheering pretty loud. Good luck for next month.
Johnny Karp
24 февраля, 2011 at 09:46
Hi Lye and thanks for the good luck wish. I don’t think that we have too many fans that will travel to Old Trafford but I’m sure that the whole town will be watching the game on TV :)
hils
24 февраля, 2011 at 07:36
Hi Johnny,good month there!!!!!!!!!! Great 7-1 win!!!!!!!!!!! Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Johnny Karp
24 февраля, 2011 at 09:46
Thanks Hils!!! ;)
Albyedw
24 февраля, 2011 at 07:50
great win against bristol city johnny,
Andres is starting to bang them in now and completley deserved playyer of the month!
pleas check out my football and football manager blog at http://www.everythingfootballandotherstuff.blogspot.com
thanks and good luck at old trafford!
Johnny Karp
24 февраля, 2011 at 09:47
Thanks mate, Andrés is starting to show me the kind of stuff I’m paying him for but I believe that he can do even better.
Sayam Khan
24 февраля, 2011 at 11:19
Perfect way to start the month Johnny! 7-1 is a great victory! I just looked at Andres’ attributes, and they are excellent. I think he coud be a good player in the Premiership, what do your coaches say? Also I think you can still win the title as there is long time left in the season! Good Luck!
Johnny Karp
24 февраля, 2011 at 16:01
Thanks Sayam but I’m not thinking about the title yet. Andres surely has the talent to play in the Premier League, the coaches agree with that.
Vaibhav C.
24 февраля, 2011 at 11:28
Hey Johnny,
Great month and it started really well as well, 7-1! I thought you could win against Cardiff but I was wrong, you drew 1-1. I can’t wait for the United game, I am really looking forward to it!
Johnny Karp
24 февраля, 2011 at 16:02
Yeah, I was expecting a win at Cardiff as well but they played really well so I guess a draw was a good result considering the strength that the opponents have shown.
warren
24 февраля, 2011 at 11:53
Well done Johnny
NIce to see that your challenging well in the league but its an added bonus that you are in the League Cup quarter finals. It should be an exciting game at Old Trafford. Sorry I havent commented for a while but I have been busy lately on work etc.
Good luck for the rest of the season.
Johnny Karp
24 февраля, 2011 at 16:03
Thanks for the comment Warren, the Carling Cup run is a blessing for the club’s finances to be honest.
Laxeyman
24 февраля, 2011 at 11:56
Good month again Johnny, the 7-1 win over Bristol City must have been extremley satisfying. It looks like you’re in a good position to challenge for an automatic promotion place, and maybe even Burnley if they slip up. It would be very funny if you beat Man Utd, I really hope you do it :) Good luck!
Johnny Karp
24 февраля, 2011 at 16:05
It would be quite funny to beat Man United, I agree. But it seems nearly impossible as they are the current Premier League leaders and also the title holders! I just hope to score a goal there…
Ana Garcia
24 февраля, 2011 at 16:29
Well done on the 7-1!
Andres seems like a real star in the making I hope you can keep hold of him or at least get a big money offer for him when the time comes.
So far so good and into the playoff’s plus with the tie against Manchester United you have nothing to lose so might aswell have a real go!
Good luck Johnny. :)
Johnny Karp
24 февраля, 2011 at 16:35
Thanks Ana. There is some interest for Andres from a couple of small Spanish clubs, Levante and Las Palmas, but I guess he will remain with us until the end of the season. Then a big club might snap him up but there’s a lot that can happen until then.
Darren Smith
24 февраля, 2011 at 20:55
Well done Johnny, what a fantastic run. You are starting to show the competition how serious Vauxhall are about promotion. Andres looks fantastic and your up and coming fixtures leave the door right open for the top two. I can’t wait for the Man Utd tie…thats going to be a real great watch. :)
Johnny Karp
25 февраля, 2011 at 06:33
Thanks Darren, I hope we’ll survive the trip to Old Trafford somehow and then keep getting some points in the league.
Sears
25 февраля, 2011 at 15:06
Your team have found some consistency now and good luck against Man Utd. It would be fantastic if you beat them! Andres is a great prospect, he’ll defiantly turn into a great player!
Johnny Karp
25 февраля, 2011 at 18:03
Thanks Sears. Beating Manchester United would be a huge upset but I guess we have our chance. Andrés surely has enough talent but he has to keep working hard if he wants to become a star.
Markota
27 февраля, 2011 at 18:18
Hi Johnny, congratulations on your impressive work with Vauxhall, it is magic… Can you tell me what match options you using? I meen do you watching full match or just key or extended? I know that my English is not the best but I hope that you understand my question. :))
Johnny Karp
27 февраля, 2011 at 20:43
Hi Markota. I always prefer to watch the extended highlights but I did use full match for a while when I needed to see how the tactic works in more detail. And don’t worry about your English, it’s more than OK.
Jack
27 февраля, 2011 at 19:22
Come on Johnny! When’s this next post? :)
Johnny Karp
27 февраля, 2011 at 20:44
I’m sorry Jack, I think you will have to wait for a few more days… I’m on a field trip at the moment so there is no time for FM or writing for now. So I guess that the next post should be published next Tuesday or Wednesday…