Hello folks and welcome back to Ellesmere Port for another episode of the (hopefully) exciting Vauxhall Motors Football Manager 2011 story! As you already know we have won everything that was up for grabs this season (Community Shield, UEFA Super Cup, Club World Championship, Carling Cup and Premier League) and we also had the chance to win the two remaining trophies: FA Cup and Champions League. I know that you are curious to see how those two finals unfolded so let’s cut the introduction and go straight to the real deal!
The first challenge was the FA Cup final against Tottenham, the team that we have frustrated so much this season as they finished second in the Premier League, lost the Community Shield to us and also got knocked out by yours truly from the Carling Cup and Champions League! We had a massive seven games against them this season and I’m happy to report that we only lost one of those, the Spurs surely hated our guts before the big showdown at Wembley :)
The Spurs had a pretty good team, it’s not by chance that they amassed 90 plus points in the Premier League. Their strikers are very good but they also have a phenomenal goalkeeper in David De Gea. As for us, we had only one absence from the standard eleven as I chose to send in backup goalkeeper Cristiano instead of Franck Gnahoua who wasn’t fully fit after recovering from a slight injury.
Vauxhall vs Tottenham (FA Cup Final)
Venue: Wembley
Attendance: 90,000
Starting line up: Cristiano — Gary Warner, Gerhard Heinrich, Danny Wilson, Pierre Touya — Da Silva, Indio, — Gilson, Tiago — Zé Carlos, Parana
Team Talk: For the fans!
The referee blows his whistle, the game kicks off! Let’s see what happened in the most important moments of the game:
2nd minute — Spurs striker Barreto curls one from 30 yards… it thunders off the crossbar! What a shot!
5th minute — Gilson steps up to take a free kick from the edge of the area… the ball goes past the wall… but great save from De Gea!
15th minute — Spurs right back Aurier crosses into the box… no, who’s marking that lad? It’s a goal, left winger Belhanda was totally unmarked and fired home… (click here to watch the goal)
21st minute — Barreto skips past Danny Wilson, enters the penalty area… shoots… into the side netting!
27th minute — Zé Carlos has the ball in the opposition half, he runs straight at the defence, darts past a defender… enters the box and shoots hard and low… get in! Well done! It’s 1-1, we’re back in! (click here to watch the goal)
40th minute — Da Silva is brought down inside the Spurs penalty area! The referee blows his whistle… but what’s he doing??? Yellow card for my midfielder, the ref says that he dived…
Half time score: 1-1
Half time team talk: For the fans!
Half time substitutions: Javier Godoy for Warner, Phil Jones for Heinrich
Half time stats
53rd minute — Tiago bends in a wicked cross… Gilson pops up from behind a defender and heads home! Yes, we’re in the lead! (click here to watch the goal)
59th minute — Gilson makes a sizzling counter attack run down the right flank, cuts inside… and squares it for Zé Carlos at the edge of the area… The Brazilian shoots first time… Wow, what a goal! In off the crossbar! (click here to watch the goal)
63rd minute — Ze Carlos shoots again from the edge of the area… saved easily.
64th minute — Gilson‘s pressing pays off, he intercepts the ball 20 yards out and passes into the box for Ze Carlos who turns and shoots… brilliant save from De Gea!
67th minute — Good counter attack for the Spurs, Belhanda is clean through… but his shot from inside the area is weak and Cristiano saves.
72nd minute — Substitution for the Motormen, Lucas Cuello for Zé Carlos who gets a standing ovation!
81st minute — Another good counter attack for the Spurs, striker Joaozinho is one on one with our keeper… but blasts it wide!
82nd minute — Substitute Cuello plays a lovely through ball inside the penalty area for Parana… he rounds the keeper… and powers it home! Get in, the FA Cup is ours! (click here to watch the goal)
86th minute — Huge chance for the Spurs, substitute Muniain is clean through inside the penalty area but fires just wide!
91 minutes and 33 seconds — The referee blows his whistle and it’s official, we won the FA Cup!
Full time team talk: Congratulations!
Man of the match: Zé Carlos
Flop of the match: Gerhard Heinrich
Match Stats
So, we had won six trophies out of six, now we had to add the seventh to wrap up a perfect season. We were going to meet four-time winners Porto in the final, a team that had a pretty easy run until the semi final where they pulled off a major upset by defeating Manchester City.
I had a look at their squad and it looked solid overall with one player clearly standing out though: Brazilian midfielder Ricardo. Just have a look at his profile, absolutely stunning player! I can tell you that he was on my shortlist for quite some time but between high price tags and other targets I always avoided making an offer for him. Well, I guess I was wrong :)
Our line up had two modifications compared to the FA Cup final: Gnahoua was back between the sticks while Phil Jones was preferred to Heinrich alongside Wilson at the heart of our defence. Porto opted for a very defensive formation with star player Ricardo in the middle of the pitch. I guess they were afraid of the Bulldozer tactic :)
Vauxhall vs FC Porto (Champions League Final)
Venue: St. James’ Park
Attendance: 52,387
Starting line up: Franck Gnahoua — Gary Warner, Danny Wilson, Phil Jones, Pierre Touya — Da Silva, Indio, — Gilson, Tiago — Zé Carlos, Parana
Team Talk: For the fans!
3rd minute — Gilson unleashes a shot from the edge of the area… saved!
8th minute — Ricardo powers a thundering shot from 25 yards… Franck Gnahoua stretches and tips it over the bar! What a shot that was, well done goalie!
34th minute — Finally, a coherent move in our attack! There is panic inside the Porto area, Zé Carlos gets hold of the ball and strikes it low… yes! It’s in the back of the net, his 50th goal of the season! (click here to watch the goal)
39th minute — Gilson bends in a free kick cross… Wilson header from inside the area… cleared off the line! Wait, the ball bounces back to Gilson who crosses towards the far post… Tiago jumps and heads home! 2-0! (click here to watch the goal)
Half time score: 2-0
Half time team talk: Pleased.
Half time substitutions: You’ve got one hand on the cup, lads!
Half time stats
47th minute — good team move from my lads, the ball gets to Zé Carlos inside the area… shoots… the goalkeeper turns it behind!
48th minute — Velasco bends in the corner kick, Wilson heads it… but the goalie tips it over!
49th minute — corner kick again, Wilson gets in another header… just over!
70th minute — Zé Carlos tries his luck from the edge of the area… saved!
90th minute + 2 — Tiago gets a second yellow card for diving!
93 minutes and 21 seconds — the referee blows his whistle, the Champions League is ours for the third time in a row!
Full time team talk: Congratulations!
Man of the match: Tiago
Flop of the match: Robert Ackermann
Match Stats
There you go, a perfect season for the Motormen! It also was a perfect season for Zé Carlos, he scored 50 goals in 50 appearances and that makes him a legend for the club! Parana bagged 28 goals, not a bad sum by any means, but he just can’t compare with his team mate this season.
We had a perfect season and that’s exactly what I wanted, a clean sweep. Now I don’t really know if I want to continue this story or not because I have already won everything with the Motormen but I can tell you that the story will go on for at least one more post because I have to play at the World Cup with Argentina. Strangely enough the FA arranged a friendly against Romania, I felt a bit sorry for my fellow countrymen but we did allow them two goals :)
We will have one more friendly before the World Cup, I will use it to test the squad but I hope there won’t be any injuries because I really don’t have too many good players to choose from. But you’ll know more about that in the next post, that’s all for now! :) Thanks a lot for reading and for supporting the Motormen through this fabulous season, our very best season yet! I’m looking forward to your comments and maybe you could include suggestions for a quick career before FM 2012 ;)
Laxeyman
30 августа, 2011 at 20:16
Congratulations Johnny, what a season for you! Well done mate, you’ve built an incredible team at Vauxhall, surely the best in the world :) Ze Carlos is amazing, as is the whole team. Good luck in the World Cup with Argentina as well, hopefully you can bring home yet another trophy :) Good luck!
Johnny Karp
30 августа, 2011 at 21:44
Thanks mate, I agree that we are the best team in the world :) That might not be true for Argentina though but I’ll do my best ;)
Darren Smith
30 августа, 2011 at 20:43
Wow Johnny, that was too easy mate and you finally dominated a season with Vauxhall. To do this so fast is just incredible and your team is nothing short of phenomenal. Your only mistake so far has been missing out on Ricardo who looks like one of the best players I’ve ever seen on FM 2011…but there’s still time to make a move :) Good luck fort he World Cup.
Johnny Karp
30 августа, 2011 at 21:46
Thanks Darren. Indeed, I felt that the two finals were a bit too easy although I did have some thoughts when Tottenham scored the opener in the FA Cup :) About Ricardo, he’s a bit too old at 28, I know some younger lads that might be just as good ;)
Sayam Khan
30 августа, 2011 at 21:44
Well you completed your goal, and it seems it was quiet easy aswell. Your team is great and it’s brilliant the way you have goals all over your team. I look at the stats and your two back up strikers scored almost 30 goals for you. You’ve built an excellent team with Vauxhall. I’d prefer you to carry on playing the vauxhall career, all the way untill FM2012 comes out.
Johnny Karp
30 августа, 2011 at 21:47
Thanks Sayam, it was an unbelievable season. You are right about the players, I have a balanced squad and the backups can always step up and deliver the goods when needed.
Excessive
31 августа, 2011 at 01:11
It’s been a fabulous story from the midst of the BSN to pretty much the ultimate side in world football so a massive congratulations for that Johnny :)
As for the new story, I have no idea.. Could try one of the many challenges out there like the Pentagon, or Darrens UEC?
Anyway, good luck with the world cup mate.. would be a great send off for you :)
Johnny Karp
31 августа, 2011 at 06:13
Thanks Jake, it was quite entertaining :) The story might continue, I will have to think about it. But the Pentagon is out of the question, it would take too long and I wouldn’t be able to complete it before FM 2012.
Lye
31 августа, 2011 at 07:37
Hi Johnny,
Well done yet again. A clean sweep. That’s what the motormen capable of. Since FM12 is coming soon, it will be great to see you continuing. I don’t see the purpose to manage another league club if you quit. Maybe you can try your hands on the Romanian national team?
Johnny Karp
31 августа, 2011 at 09:28
Hey Lye, thanks for the comment. It would be interesting to manage to Romanian national team but I’m afraid I will fail, there are not enough quality players available. I’ll think about it.
Bhargav
31 августа, 2011 at 10:13
Hi Johnny,
Great to finally see you truly dominate the World with the Motormen. For a new challenge, why not try to make the Motormen the new invincibles in the upcoming premier league season ;-)
I am sure with the quality you have it should be a little easier, especially if you focus solely on the EPL. Apart from that, the only challenge left for you are the World Cup and Copa America.
I have a quick request, if you don’t mind. Could you tell me how Wayne Rooney is these days? He should be about 36, so there is a chance he hasn’t retired yet. If he has left Man Utd could I see his History?
Thanks mate!
Johnny Karp
31 августа, 2011 at 12:39
Thanks mate, I guess I’d like to go unbeaten for a whole season with Vauxhall, good idea :) About Argentina, we have already won the Copa America so that can be taken off the list. About Rooney, he is 36 indeed and he is still playing at Manchester United! Moreover, he had no less than 24 league apps last season but only managed to score once and had an average rating of 6.64. His career stats are impressive though, 586 league apps and 291 goals plus 141 caps and 76 goals for England! He says that he is considering management once his playing days are over :)
Kevin
31 августа, 2011 at 10:31
Hi Johnny
This is the post I’ve been waiting for over the last couple of months — the perfect season. You finally did it and in quite some style too! The team you have absembled is absolutely magnificent and you have guided the club brilliantly sice the Blue Square days.Vauxhall are truely unstoppable and your tenacity, skill and keen eye for players and tactics have ensured you have blown away yet another version of Football Manager. Absolutely brilliant!!
As for a new story what about a small Italian team with the objective of reaching Seria A?
Johnny Karp
31 августа, 2011 at 12:40
Thanks Kevin, you are too kind with the compliments, as always. Thanks for the Italian idea, I will consider it.
Jack
31 августа, 2011 at 10:47
Hey Johnny,
Great story, and you finally managed to complete that perfect season, a great achievement. I agree that there isn’t really any point carrying on the Vauxhall story, after all you have won everything. Unless, of course, you did something drastic like selling all but your English players and then trying to win the league :P I do think though that you should start a universitatea craiova story :) They did finish second in the vote after all ;)
Johnny Karp
31 августа, 2011 at 12:41
Thanks Jack. Craiova would be nice but it would also be quite weird since the club doesn’t exist any more… Then again, I might go for the third placed in the vote :)
Jakefog
31 августа, 2011 at 11:56
Wow! What a season and 50 goals in 50?!?!? That’s just incredible!
Anyway, i’d love to see you do a story with a team in Greece :D
Jakefog
31 августа, 2011 at 12:02
Or you could do the fallen giants that are Leeds United!
Tough team to manage as the squad isn’t huge and Ken Bates the tight fisted chairman gives you a budget of nothing!
Johnny Karp
31 августа, 2011 at 12:42
Thanks for the ideas mate. Indeed, 50 goals in 50 apps is totally out of this world :)
Sears
31 августа, 2011 at 16:33
Congrats Johnny, great season! I’m sure your ext story will be even better ;)
Johnny Karp
31 августа, 2011 at 17:38
Thanks Sears.
Aaron
31 августа, 2011 at 17:38
Why don’t you quit as manager of Vauxhall and take over another team in that game and try and improve them? Would save time as you don’t have to start from stratch?
Johnny Karp
31 августа, 2011 at 17:39
Thanks for the idea, it would be difficult to beat Vauxhall now though :) But it’s nice as I like difficult challenges.
cak
31 августа, 2011 at 21:25
Hey Johnny
Congrats on the perfect season, as well as beating spurs again lol. 50 goals for zé carlos is also amazing, also good luck with Argentina at the world cup. Now i have a couple of suggestions as for what you could do next, one could be that you could try again next season to win every possible game or you could try and take the motormen to the top of the rich list, but I’m looking forward to reading about what you decided to do.
Johnny Karp
1 сентября, 2011 at 10:16
Thanks Christopher, it was a very satisfying season indeed. Thanks for the suggestions as well.
vaibhavc
1 сентября, 2011 at 16:36
Hey Johnny
Well done! It is simply too easy for you! You have achieved so much in this save, its just outstanding. As a team, maybe you could get the summer update and then get Sampdoria into the Serie A.
Johnny Karp
1 сентября, 2011 at 18:29
Thanks mate! It wasn’t too easy, at least in the first half of the season. Then it was a bit easy, I admit :)
workoutdude
16 сентября, 2011 at 04:21
Hi Johnny, can you show us where you are on the rich list and if you could show your financials for motormen.
Myself being an accountant, I like looking at these sort of things…
If you could show the same at the end of each of your years in management, it would be interesting to see the progress….. :)
(I know, it sounds nerdy, but hey…..)
Workout dude out…..