Vauxhall Motors Story: December 2013

Hello folks and welcome to another episode of the Motormen Football Manager 2011 story! It will be a rather long update since we had to play no less than 9 games in the last month of 2013. We managed to remain unbeaten through November but a few draws and a couple of postponed matches pushed us down in 3rd place. I was quite curious to see how my team would cope with the packed schedule and, assuming that you are curious as well, I guess we should start rolling the story…

Vauxhall vs Rotherham (Johnstone’s Paint Trophy North Semi Final)

Venue: Rivacre Park

Attendance: 2,169

Starting line up: Martin Hansen — Jacob Hronec, Daniel Pappoe, Mervin Simon, Grant Baddeley — Carlos Bogado, Mark Brown, Graham Howson, Jason Banton — Darryl Duffy, Mark Cullen

Team Talk: For the fans!

It was a very important match both for club and fans, it was an opportunity to reach the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy North final and I was extremely determined not to let it slip away. I tried to pass some of that determination to the players through the team talk but we started off on the wrong foot as a gaffe from Cullen gifted Rotherham the lead on 11 minutes. The lads reacted very well though, we were laying siege on their goal and finally managed to net the equalizer in the 31st minute. Everybody was expecting another goal from us but it came into the wrong net, Rotherham took the lead totally against the run of play. We dominated the first half but we were 2-1 down at the break, that was rather unfortunate.

Half time score: 1-2

Half time team talk: For the fans!

Half time substitutions: Peter Leven for Brown

My players came out of the dressing room with even more determination and we leveled the match again after just nine minutes when Mark Cullen fired in on the rebound after Carlos Bogado‘s shot had been parried. Four minutes later Cullen had another good chance, he was clean through inside the penalty area and a last ditch tackle from a defender sent the ball into the back of the net. We were in the lead and we had several other chances to score before Jason Banton finally put it beyond doubt with a cool finish.

Full time team talk: Congratulations!

Man of the match: Graham Howson

Flop of the match: Mark Brown

Match Stats

Video Highlights

Darlington vs Vauxhall (League 1)

Venue: Darlington Arena

Attendance: 2,785

Starting line up: Martin Hansen — Ken Harris, Oliver Nicholas, Daniel Pappoe, Alex Billington — Carlos Bogado, Mark Brown, Graham Howson, Keith Higgs — Omar Koroma, Darryl Duffy

Team Talk: You can win today!

First league game of the month and a good chance to grab the three points as we were meeting 20th placed Darlington. The difference between the two sides was made quite clear right from the start, we were piling on the pressure and finally broke the deadlock on 21 minutes through Omar Koroma. Omar could have doubled his tally a few minutes later but he only managed to hit the crossbar but it was a good first half.

Half time score: 0-1

Half time team talk: Encourage.

Half time substitutions: Matthew Ball for Howson, Jason Banton for Higgs, Mark Cullen for Koroma

Darlington started the second half with a different approach, they were trying hard to get back into the game but fortunately we closed that door in the 57th minute when Mark Brown found Cullen with a good pass and the striker powered home. Our opponents didn’t stop trying, they even had a couple of good chances, but Darryl Duffy put it beyond doubt seven minutes from time with a breakaway goal.

Full time team talk: Well done!

Man of the match: Mark Brown

Flop of the match: Carlos Bogado

Match Stats

Video Highlights

Vauxhall vs Preston (League 1)

Venue: Rivacre Park

Attendance: 2,500 (capacity crowd)

Starting line up: Martin Hansen — Jacob Hronec, Daniel Pappoe, Mervin Simon, Grant Baddeley — Darren King, Peter Leven, Graham Howson, Jason Banton — Darryl Duffy, Mark Cullen

Team Talk: You can win today!

Preston were the league leaders before the game, so it was a massive test for my team. We were three points behind them but with a game in hand so we had the chance to cancel the gap before playing that postponed match. The first half was played at a fierce tempo, both sides were playing their hearts out. We did seem to be slightly better though and could have made that count on the score board it we wouldn’t have wasted a pair of clear chances. Preston showed themselves in attack as well but centre backs Pappoe and Simon were having a great game.

Half time score: 0-0

Half time team talk: You can win today!

Half time substitutions: none

I was quite optimistic at the start of the second half  but Preston took the lead after four minutes thanks to a free kick header. We had it all to do at that point and I was satisfied with the players’ reaction, they pushed forward and tried to level the game but it just didn’t work. There was a feeling of frustration across the team and that probably pushed right back Jacob Hronec to make a horrendous tackle during stoppage time. He got sent off and he deserved it but we didn’t really deserve to lose this game. Preston were now six points clear at the top of the table and it appeared that our title chase suffered a major blow.

Full time team talk: Good effort!

Man of the match: Grant Baddeley

Flop of the match: Darren King

Match Stats

Hereford vs Vauxhall (League 1)

Venue: Edgar Street

Attendance: 3,067

Starting line up: Martin Hansen — Ken Harris, Daniel Pappoe, Mervin Simon, Alex Billington — Carlos Bogado, Mark Brown, Graham Howson, Jason Banton — Darryl Duffy, Dale Hills

Team Talk: You can win today!

Hereford were sitting in 20th place before the game so it was a good chance for us to bounce back after the bitter defeat against Preston. A great counter attack put us ahead after just eight minutes, it was Dale Hills who finished it with a fine strike. We dominated the game until half time and Carlos Bogado hit the crossbar with a great shot from inside the area.

Half time score: 1-0

Half time team talk: Encourage.

Half time substitutions: Derrick Williams for Billington, Omar Koroma for Hills, Matthew Ball for Brown

Our domination became even clearer four minutes after the break: one of Hereford‘s centre backs made a professional foul on Duffy and got sent off. My lads were quietly in control and Darryl Duffy pushed in the second goal after the opposition goalkeeper had fumbled a cross into his path. We won the game and we didn’t even had to try too hard.

Full time team talk: Well done!

Man of the match: Darryl Duffy

Flop of the match: Omar Koroma

Match Stats

Video Highlights

There were five more games to play before the end of the month, go to the next page to read all about them!

Go to the next page to read the rest of the story.

Vauxhall vs Barnsley (League 1)

Venue: Rivacre Park

Attendance: 2,500 (capacity crowd)

Starting line up: Martin Hansen — Ken Harris, Oliver Nicholas, Mervin Simon, Grant Baddeley — Darren King, Mark Brown, Nathan Rooney, Keith Higgs — Omar Koroma, Mark Cullen

Team Talk: You can win today!

I was expecting a rather quiet home game against 14th placed Barnsley and things were set right on track after just eight minutes when Omar Koroma beat the keeper to a Keith Higgs cross and headed the ball in. Unfortunately we conceded a rather embarrassing goal just two minutes later, the ball bounced back and forth inside our penalty area before being headed in. I was quite disappointed with my defenders on that occasion but the team wasn’t too affected, the lads regained control of the match and had a pair of chances to take the lead before half time.

Half time score: 1-1

Half time team talk: You can win today!

Half time substitutions: Derrick Williams for Harris

We resumed the attacks after the break but we were having no luck, the ball just wouldn’t go in. I decided to make the last two substitutions on the hour mark, Peter Leven for Brown and Jacob Walcott for Higgs. We went on to waste a few more chances before we finally netted the winning goal five minutes from time, it was a splendid move that the team created and Mark Cullen finished off. To my surprise this result pushed us to the top of the league table as Preston lost two consecutive games after beating us!

Full time team talk: none

Man of the match: Darren King

Flop of the match: Keith Harris

Match Stats

Video Highlights

Doncaster vs Vauxhall (League 1)

Venue: The Keepmoat Stadium

Attendance: 8,002

Starting line up: Martin Hansen — Ken Harris, Daniel Pappoe, Mervin Simon, Alex Billington — Carlos Bogado, Mark Brown, Graham Howson, Jason Banton — Darryl Duffy, Mark Cullen

Team Talk: You can win today!

This was a big game as Doncaster were in 3rd place, just two points behind us. They had been showing good form before that match and they were also having the support of 8,000 fans, much more than we ever had at Rivacre Park. We could have silenced the crowd right away as we had a huge chance inside the first minute but we wasted it. As it often happens we got punished for that a few minutes later, Doncaster took the lead and it seemed that we were heading for a forgettable afternoon. My lads were not ready to put down their weapons though, they fought back and Mervin Simon bagged a corner kick header minutes after hitting the crossbar on a free kick. It was his first goal for the club and I was very happy for the youngster especially because he had to overcome a nasty injury earlier in the season. We were back on level terms and the game literally exploded, both sides were playing at their best and the tempo was extraordinary. No more goals were scored before the break but Doncaster had three clear cut chances while we had four!

Half time score: 1-1

Half time team talk: Pleased.

Half time substitutions: Derrick Williams for Harris, Dale Hills for Cullen

The second half started perfectly for us, Darryl Duffy played a good low cross and Jason Banton smashed straight into the top corner! We were in the lead but the game was not slowing down at all. Doncaster hit the post two minutes later, then we missed a  good chance before the 65th minute when I had to make another change, Keith Higgs for Bogado. The fierce tempo was really draining the players but I’m proud to say that mine were looking more determined to prevail. We took control of the match during the final 20 minutes and created another pair of chances before the final whistle. It was by far the most entertaining match of the season and I was very happy to have won it.

Full time team talk: Well done!

Man of the match: Jason Banton

Flop of the match: Ken Harris

Match Stats

Video Highlights

Vauxhall vs Rotherham (League 1)

Venue: Rivacre Park

Attendance: 2,500 (capacity crowd)

Starting line up: Martin Hansen — Ken Harris, Daniel Pappoe, Mervin Simon, Grant Baddeley — Carlos Bogado, Matthew Ball, Graham Howson, Keith Higgs — Mark Cullen, Dale Hills

Team Talk: You can win today!

This was the Boxing Day fixture and I was hoping to give the fans a nice Christmas gift: a victory against 16th placed Rotherham, the team that we had already beaten in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy semi final. We got off to a great start and the game appeared to be as good as over after just 10 minutes. First Keith Higgs powered one in four minutes into the game and then Daniel Pappoe headed in a free kick cross six minutes later. Rotherham reacted pretty well though, they were pushing forward but we defended well and managed to force them to attempt several shots from way out.

Half time score: 2-0

Half time team talk: Encourage.

Half time substitutions: Jason Banton for Bogado, Jacob Walcott for Higgs

The second half continued in a similar fashion, a fairly even game, but Mervin Simon put it beyond doubt with a corner kick header. It wasn’t the best of performances but I was pleased with our defense.

Full time team talk: none

Man of the match: Daniel Pappoe

Flop of the match: Jacob Walcott

Match Stats

Video Highlights

Vauxhall vs Carlisle (League 1)

Venue: Rivacre Park

Attendance: 2,500 (capacity crowd)

Starting line up: Martin Hansen — Jacob Hronec, Oliver Nicholas, Derrick Williams, Alex Billington — Darren King, Mark Brown, Graham Howson, Jason Banton — Omar Koroma, Darryl Duffy

Team Talk: You can win today!

Carlisle were second to bottom but the game was played just two days after our previous one so I had to make a few changes in the starting eleven. That didn’t seem to affect our play, we created two very good chances early on but unfortunately we wasted them. Our tempo dropped a little in the last minutes before the interval and we could have paid the price for that as Carlisle had a pair of clear cut chances.

Half time score: 0-0

Half time team talk: We can win this!

Half time substitutions: Nathan Rooney for Howson, Jacob Walcott for Banton

We played a bit better in the second half but my players were much too wasteful. Not only that they missed another two great chances but most of them were not obeying my instructions: they were firing shots from all over the place despite my shouts that demanded them to work the ball into the box. We should have won this game but we dropped two points instead, I was quite disappointed.

Full time team talk: Not good enough!

Man of the match: Alex Billington

Flop of the match: Darryl Duffy

Match Stats

Bristol Rovers vs Vauxhall (League 1)

Venue: The Memorial Stadium

Attendance: 4,828

Starting line up: Martin Hansen — Ken Harris, Daniel Pappoe, Mervin Simon, Grant Baddeley — Carlos Bogado, Peter Leven, Graham Howson, Keith Higgs — Mark Cullen, Dale Hills

Team Talk: You can win today!

The last game of 2013, right on New Years Eve… Bristol Rovers were in 12th place, not the ideal opponent you would want to meet at the end of an exhausting month. We got off to a decent start, we appeared to be in control of the game but unfortunately our best chance was denied by the woodwork. Things got worse five minutes before the break, we were caught napping on a counter attack and the home side took the lead.

Half time score: 1-0

Half time team talk: I want to see more from you!

Half time substitutions: Jason Banton for Bogado, Darryl Duffy for Hills

The two changes and the half time team talk were not making much of a difference, we were looking unconvincing out there. I decided to make the final substitution on the hour mark, Matthew Ball for Howson. That did have some sort of an impact and 10 minutes later we managed to bang in the equalizer through Duffy who rounded off a good team move. We were trying to build up more pressure but our game wasn’t working, most of our attacks were shattered before having the chance to shoot. As if things were not bad enough already the hosts struck the fatal blow on another counter attack, two minutes into injury time! Hats off to them, they defended well, had two chances and scored two goals…

Full time team talk: Disappointing!

Man of the match: Darryl Duffy

Flop of the match: Mark Cullen

Match Stats

Video Highlights

The month’s games are finally over, now please go to the next page to see the league table and also some interesting statistics and transfer news!

Go to the next page to read the rest of the story.

So, we played nine games, lost two, drew one and won six. That’s not too bad but we dropped points quite easily towards the end of the month.

Luckily the other teams didn’t do much better so we are top of the table on 50 points, three points clear of second placed Preston! The race is tight though with both Doncaster and Shrewsbury looking as worthy candidates for promotion.

Centre back Mervin Simon was elected Young Player of the Month, he totally deserved it after recovering from an injury that kept him on the sideline for around three months. Our best players so far seem to be centre back Daniel Pappoe and midfielder Graham Howson but I’m pleased with around half of the squad or even more. There is one big disappointment and that is striker Dale Hills, he doesn’t seem to find his feet even if I gave him several chances to feature in the starting eleven. He is still very young though so I haven’t given up hope yet.

As you can see from the above screen shot several of my players are being targeted by other clubs, mostly Championship and Premier League sides. One of them has already cracked under the pressure of speculation: centre back Oliver Nicholas requested to leave the club and I failed to persuade him to stay. He still has a contract with us though, I have placed him on the transfer list but set a good asking price for him: 1.5 million pounds. I doubt that somebody would offer that much but I would settle for 1 million, not less! I hate to be forced into selling players so if the deal doesn’t work out he will have to act like a professional and play for us until the end of his contract.

But Nicholas is not my «most wanted» player, young left back Grant Baddeley is the one who deserves that title. He put in impressive performances so far and they didn’t go unnoticed: Arsenal and Chelsea are interested in him! I will try to offer him a new five-year contract, he’s the best prospect at the club.

Baddeley didn’t score any goals this season, nor did he make any assists. What he did was extremely useful though: lots of perfect tackles and a great number of interceptions. The interceptions are the part of his game that I like the most, he seems to read the game extremely well for his age and he is seldom beaten to the ball when he decides to go for it.

We’ll have two big cup games in January, the FA Cup match against Championship side Southampton and also the first leg of the JPT North final against Notts County.

We’ll also have five league games to worry about so there will be a lot of action. That’s about it for now my friends, thanks a lot for taking the time to read this rather long post. By the way, don’t forget to vote for the Goal Of The Month!