Tottenham vs Vauxhall (FA Cup 5th Rnd)
Venue: White Hart Lane
Attendance: 38,136
Starting line up: Dean Bouzanis — Julian Marino, Julian Bazzi, Louis Laing, Grant Baddeley — Leandro Velasco, Radek Vecera, Mark Brown, Andrew Driver — Pavol Vesely, Ibrahima MBow
Team Talk: You can win today!
I was hoping to pull off an upset and qualify for the quarter finals especially since the winner of the fifth round tie was going to meet Championship side Bolton in the next round! The game seemed to be equally important for both sides, Tottenham were dominating like they often do at home but there were no clear chances until the last minute before the break. That’s when goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis pulled off a miracle to keep the score level as he made a double save on Iker Muniain who was clean through on goal.
Half time score: 0-0
Half time team talk: Pleased.
Half time substitutions: Stephan El Shaarawy for Velasco, Shyamdew Weibolt for Brown, Andrew Surman for Driver
I was hoping to keep the defense tight throughout the last 45 minutes and maybe score on a counter attack but my plans were undone just a few seconds after the re-start when Louis Laing made a terrible gaffe, the ball got stolen from him inside our penalty area and the Spurs took the lead. We had to attack at that point but my lads were unable to break the very well-organized Tottenham defense while the home side had several opportunities to kill the game off on counter attacks. Ibrahima MBow had a good chance to make it all square on 70 minutes, then Tottenham hit the crossbar twice before we finally found the equalizer in a rather fortuitous fashion. There were just two more minutes of play when the Tottenham defense was unable to clear a free kick cross and Andrew Surman fired home from inside the penalty area! We were quite lucky in this game to be honest, Tottenham had another chance to win it in injury time but we were saved once again by the woodwork! We earned the right to a replay at home, I was quite pleased with that although we didn’t really deserve the result.
Full time team talk: Good result!
Man of the match: Andrew Surman
Flop of the match: Pavol Vesely
Match Stats
Video Highlights
Click here to watch the highlights.
Vauxhall vs Tottenham (FA Cup 5th Rnd replay)
Venue: Rivacre Park
Attendance: 10,266 (sold out)
Starting line up: Dean Bouzanis — Kwabena Quartey, Louis Laing, Mervin Simon, Javier Godoy — Leandro Velasco, Mark Brown, Shyamdew Weibolt, Andrew Surman — Parana, Ibrahima MBow
Team Talk: For the fans!
The replay was played just three days later so our league game against Manchester United was postponed for the end of the month. I was hoping to see a much better display from my lads especially since we had something to celebrate: Parana was back in the team! He wasn’t fully fit yet but I was sure that he was good enough to play for at least 45 minutes. Tottenham got off to a better start though but our friendship with the crossbar continued as the Spurs tested the carpentry with a shot from distance after just two minutes! The visitors were the better team for around half an hour and they even managed to create two clear cut chances but Dean Bouzanis did a very good job again on both occasions. We had our own good moments in the last 15 minutes of the half but we squandered a good chance.
Half time score: 0-0
Half time team talk: Pleased.
Half time substitutions: Elias Kost for Brown, Kai Kramer for Surman, Wellington Paulista for Parana
The two teams were looking more and more tired after the break so the second half was fairly even with both sides trying their best but not being able to do much. The game was heading towards a goalless draw when my defense screwed up nine minutes from time: some sloppy defending from Javier Godoy and Louis Laing left Higuain with an easy chance and the striker made no mistake. I wasn’t hoping for much at that point but my lads proved their fighting spirit again as we pulled level five minutes later when a long pass from Shyamdew Weibolt found Ibrahima MBow behind the defense and the French striker powered home. I was already making plans for extra time but I didn’t have too much time as Tottenham restored the lead with a great goal moments later. Our FA Cup run was over, we gave Tottenham a good run for their money but not really good enough.
Full time team talk: Good effort!
Man of the match: Shyamdew Weibolt
Flop of the match: Leandro Velasco
Match Stats
Video Highlights
Click here to watch the highlights.
PSG vs Vauxhall (Europa League 2nd Rnd leg 1)
Venue: Parc des Princes
Attendance: 26,665
Starting line up: Dean Bouzanis — Julian Marino, Javier Godoy, Mervin Simon, Grant Baddeley — Leandro Velasco, Radek Vecera, Mark Brown, Andrew Surman — Parana, Ibrahima MBow
Team Talk: You can win today!
Paris is a great city but I told my players that it’s dramatically overrated, they had to focus on the game! :) And it seemed that they were, Mervin Simon hit the crossbar five minutes into the game but then found the back of the net on a free kick seven minutes later! We scored a very important away goal but the game was far from over as PSG pulled level on 21 minutes courtesy of an awesome shot from distance. We were playing pretty well though and we managed to get back in the lead after seven minutes when Ibrahima MBow fired home his 20th goal of the season after collecting a loose ball off the keeper’s gloves as the goalie had stopped a fierce shot from Parana. Things got a lot better just five minutes later when we scored an all-Argentinian goal: defender Javier Godoy played a pinpoint long ball for Leandro Velasco and the right winger scored his 10th goal of the season. Our amazing first half was complete three minutes before the break when Parana made a good move and squared it for Ibrahima MBow who coolly slotted home.
Half time score: 1-4
Half time team talk: Pleased.
Half time substitutions: Stephan El Shaarawy for Velasco, Andrew Driver for Surman, Pavol Vesely for Parana
We were thinking about the next round at that point but it was a bit too early, PSG played a pretty good second half and managed to pull two goals back. However, the second one came as a result of a mix-up between left back Grant Baddeley and centre back Mervin Simon, they really should have shown better concentration there. Complacency had cost us two goals but with a 4-3 away win we were almost certain of making it to the quarter finals. The usual injury report showed that we were going to miss striker Pavol Vesely for a month.
Full time team talk: Well done!
Man of the match: Ibrahima MBow
Flop of the match: Andrew Driver
Match Stats
Video Highlights
Click here to watch the highlights.
The second leg against PSG was quite entertaining as well, it ended 3-2 but we had always been in control as we led 1-0 and 2-1. Wellington Paulista and Shyamdew Weibolt managed to score their first goals for the club in that game, I was very happy for them. Zé Carlos made a triumphant return in the league game against Everton, he bagged a brace in a game that we should have won quite comfortably. We were leading 4-0 after 48 minutes but then Everton pulled off an amazing comeback and made it 4-4 in the 74th minute! We finally managed to grab the three points six minutes from time through Ibrahima MBow but I was a bit concerned, the team was getting complacent quite easily. The game against West Ham was totally different as we had to deal with a crowded defense but the lads did a good professional job to put three goals past them.
Meanwhile we had witnessed the Europa League quarter final draw and I have to say that we were quite lucky to avoid the likes of Dortmund and Juventus. We are going to meet Spanish side Zaragoza who had knocked out Roma earlier in the competition, and if we manage to get past them we will meet either Juventus or Olympiakos in the semi final. The Greek side pulled off an upset in the previous round as they knocked out cup holders Arsenal!
Back to the Premier League for the last game of the month, a very important one considering the table situation. Our good run of late saw us climbing into 5th place, 3 points behind 4th placed Manchester United! So you can understand that it was a crucial game in the battle for a Champions League spot, a defeat would have virtually taken us out of the contest.
Vauxhall vs Manchester United (Premier League)
Venue: Rivacre Park
Attendance: 10,266 (sold out)
Starting line up: Dean Bouzanis — Julian Marino, Julian Bazzi, Mervin Simon, Javier Godoy — Leandro Velasco, Radek Vecera, Mark Brown, Ibrahima MBow — Parana, Zé Carlos
Team Talk: You can win today!
I was finally able to field the Brazilian duo upfront again and I chose to send in Ibrahima MBow as a left winger to get the most out of his great recent form. My plans seemed to be a bit too optimistic though, Manchester United took the lead after just 50 seconds and then hit the crossbar from distance two minutes later! It seemed that the Red Devils were taking no prisoners on that Saturday evening but we had our own good chance to make it all square on 10 minutes when Leandro Velasco was denied by the goalkeeper. The remaining minutes until the break saw a fairly even game, Manchester United seemed to be happy to control the match while we were unable to find a breakthrough. But we did! First we found the equalizer four minutes from time when a low cross from MBow found Zé Carlos inside the box and he scored by blocking the defender’s clearance and then we scored the second goal just two minutes later! That goal was a nice one too, it all started from MBow again who passed to Ze Carlos who passed further to Parana who fired into the bottom corner of the net! Get in!
Half time score: 2-1
Half time team talk: Pleased.
Half time substitutions: Louis Laing for Simon, Stephan El Shaarawy for Velasco
I was sure that the Red Devils were going to react and they did: Chicharito hit the post on 51 minutes! My Brazilians were better than their Mexican though and we scored again on 55 minutes! Zé Carlos was in charge of the assist again, a great pass for Parana who powered it in from the edge of the area! We were leading 3-1 but our joy didn’t last too long, Manchester United were trying a number of shots from distance and one of those went in on 62 minutes. The game was wide open again and United came close to making it all square on 72 minutes when Wayne Rooney wasted a glorious chance. We had a great chance ourselves through Ze Carlos, the Brazilian missed it but then made amends as he scored our fourth goal on a counter attack eight minutes from time! The three points were secured, it was time for entertainment! Parana earned his hat-trick with a great strike on 87 minutes, then Rooney hit the post on the stroke of full time and last but not least Zé Carlos scored his third goal of the game during injury time! A double hat-trick for my Brazilians and a 6-2 win against Man United, now that’s a great evening in Ellesmere Port! Saaaambaaaaa do Brasil! :)
Full time team talk: Well done!
Man of the match: Zé Carlos and Parana
Flop of the match: Radek Vecera
Match Stats
Video Highlights
Click here to watch the highlights.
The fabulous victory against United pushed us into 4th place but the battle isn’t over, Aston Villa and Arsenal are still very close and we will have to play very well if we want to keep that fourth spot. The title battle seems to be between Man City, Chelsea and holders Tottenham, we’ll be in for an exciting season finale!
The top five sees the two Brazilians back in top shape although Ibrahima MBow is our new top goalscorer with his 23 goals. The three central defenders continue to hold impressive average ratings and also quite a few goals to their names.
I was given my second Manager of the Month award of the season, I guess that the 6-2 beating of Man United impressed the jury :)
We have seven more games to play in the league and I am happy to report that we seem to have a rather easy run until the end of April. That’s when two crucial games will be played as we will meet 7th placed Aston Villa in the last game of April and then 6th placed Arsenal in the first game of May. The fixtures might be rearranged at some point if we get past Zaragoza and I surely hope we will.
That’s how these two months were my friends, a rather disappointing March in the Premier League, then a painful FA Cup exit before the grand finale with the historic win against Manchester United. I guess we have a pretty good chance of finishing fourth but the most important thing will be to get the points in the matches against the weaker sides, that might give us a cushion before the decisive battles against Aston Villa and Arsenal. I don’t know what to expect from Zaragoza, they seem to have a weaker squad than Dynamo Kyiv but you can’t expect easy matches at this stage of an European c0mpetition. Thanks a lot for reading and I’m looking forward to your comments, as always. I would also like to remind you that the voting has started for this month’s best Football Manager 2011 goal, express your opinion by clicking here!
Sears
5 мая, 2011 at 17:58
That was an action packed post Johnny, full of goals! Brilliant win against Utd, you trashed them! I’m anticipating Champions League football next season ;-)
Johnny Karp
5 мая, 2011 at 18:07
Thanks Sears, we did score a few I guess :) I hope that your prediction will be right, it would be great to play in the CL next season and get all that UEFA money :)
Sibo
5 мая, 2011 at 18:28
Well done Johnny!
I think you can win the EC this season, but you should really be looking forward to some ECC action next season!
Also, you seem to be scoring incredible amounts, and playing good football too probably! That’s what I like to see! :D
Johnny Karp
5 мая, 2011 at 20:20
Thanks Sibo. I like good football as well, that’s what I’m trying to build at Vauxhall: a team that wins by playing good attacking football. We do concede a lot of goals in the process at the moment but things can only get better :)
vaibhavc
5 мая, 2011 at 19:04
Hey johnny
That was a great two months and that 6-2 win against United sums it up. What a great win! That Everton game must have been annoying for you, with them coming from 4 goals down. Hopefully you can get a Champions League spot.
Johnny Karp
5 мая, 2011 at 20:21
Hi Vaibhav. I wouldn’t say that the game against Everton was annoying, it was quite shocking! We conceded 4 goals in 30 minutes but thankfully we managed to get the late winning goal.
Jack
5 мая, 2011 at 19:39
Brilliant Johnny! If you manage to get 4th place, that will be an awesome achievement. Some great results in the europa league too :) I think with the Brazilians back your team are really in the ascendency. That was a great decision to play MBow on the left! Keep up the good work! Also I would like to know if Parana and Ze Carlos have reached their full potentials?
Johnny Karp
5 мая, 2011 at 20:23
Thanks Jack. Parana and Zé Carlos still have some potential to grow according to my assistant manager, only time will tell. About M’Bow, I guess I was quite inspired to send him in on the left flank in that game as he created quite a few dangerous attacks with his pace and strength.
The Green Army
5 мая, 2011 at 19:39
That was great few months for you and 6-2 win over united sums up the brilliant performance by your players. Also the your only 7 points away from 1st and you have some easy fixtures apart from Aston Villa and Arsenal so not only a champions league place by the title could be obtainable.
Johnny Karp
5 мая, 2011 at 20:24
Thanks mate. I don’t know about the title, I really don’t think that both Man City and Chelsea will be dropping more than seven points in seven games.
Darren Smith
5 мая, 2011 at 19:59
Well done Johnny! the two Brazilians are back, you thrashed Utd, got to the quarter-final of the Europa League and have an excellent chance for 4th. Amazing stuff and I think you’ll get that Champions League spot unless complacency creeps in. Good luck mate
Johnny Karp
5 мая, 2011 at 20:25
Thanks Darren, I am a lot more optimistic now that the two Brazilians are back in business :)
vikingmarius
5 мая, 2011 at 20:06
Wow you had a fantastic run at the end there including that amazing win over United, Ze carlos is officially back. You are also doing quite well in the europa league, you are doing very well but you seem to let in a lot of goals, but I guess that will gt better the older your defenders get :)
Johnny Karp
5 мая, 2011 at 20:26
Thanks Marius. We conceded quite a few goals in the league as well, we will need to improve there. But I always prefer winning 5-4 to winning 1-0 :)
Joe lance
5 мая, 2011 at 23:25
Business end of the league and you’re doing so well. 6-2 against Man Utd, that was fantastic. Even Barca will be proud of that. Do you ever tell your team their performance was sensational? That kind of result, i’d be telling them sensational or fantastic, not welldone.
I really hope you win the Europa League. It will be awesome. A champions league spot or maybe a late tittle challenge won’t hurt either.
Johnny Karp
6 мая, 2011 at 04:09
Thanks Joe. I think that beating Man United 6-0 would have been sensational, 6-2 is just good :)
CsAtlantis
6 мая, 2011 at 00:08
Ah Shearer’s managing Tottenham, great result against Man Utd, and I think you stand a good chance against Zaragoza, just take it one game at a time, you’re also in the running for a Champions League spot Johnny, good luck! Your Brazilian pairing up front are doing very well together with M’Bow
Johnny Karp
6 мая, 2011 at 04:10
Thanks CS, the Champions League spot is ours to lose now and I hope we will hang in there.
Excessive
6 мая, 2011 at 00:16
Well done mate that was a great update! The win against United was the obvious highlight, and its nice to see the Brazilian pair back in action :).
All sets up for a thrilling finale to the season though, a great chance in the Europa League with an equally good battle for 4th.
Cant wait :)
Johnny Karp
6 мая, 2011 at 04:10
Thanks Jake, I can’t wait to play it! :)
Stromson
6 мая, 2011 at 01:00
I can’t help but wonder if we’re on the verge of witnessing some Europa glory! That was a great run of results, and it’s amazing how solid Tottenham is in FM11. It’ll be a tight race, but hopefully you can secure that final CL spot.
Johnny Karp
6 мая, 2011 at 04:11
Thanks Stromson. Tottenham are very good and they have also bought quite a few very good players like Higuain or Iker Muniain.
Erick Wolf
6 мая, 2011 at 01:19
Well, that was certainly a thriller!
Your defense seems to be leaking goals though.
I don’t think you’ve gotten too many clean sheets lately.
You’re also getting lots of injuries! Quite worrying!
Johnny Karp
6 мая, 2011 at 04:13
Thanks Erick. You are right about the defense, I can’t even remember the last clean sheet! As for the injuries, we did get quite a few of those this season but I’m afraid that there’s nothing I can do about that.
Erick Wolf
7 мая, 2011 at 18:25
Do you think it has anything to do with training?
Johnny Karp
7 мая, 2011 at 18:46
No, I don’t think so. Take Parana for instance, his foot got broken following a tackle and that surely has nothing to do with his training. Plus, I have been using the same training schedules and workloads as in the last six seasons and I never had so many injuries.
Erick Wolf
7 мая, 2011 at 23:56
Good point mate. Just bad luck it is then!
Lye
6 мая, 2011 at 01:37
Hi Johnny,
I have confidence in your team since the the samba players came back once again. Look at what they have done to Man Utd. You will surely finish in a champions league spot.It’s a good draw against Zaragoza. You have a great chance of reaching the Europa final. Good luck.
Johnny Karp
6 мая, 2011 at 04:13
Hey Lye, I think I share your optimism now that the Brazilians are back in action. It would have been great to have Howson in full fitness as well but I guess you can’t have it all…
kevin
6 мая, 2011 at 12:42
Hi Johnny
6-2 win over United. What a win which all of a sudden arguably now puts you in with a shot at the title and definitly a Champions League spot. Very unlucky in the FA Cup but now you have the Samba rhythm going on up front again you have a great chance at winning the Europa league too!
Johnny Karp
6 мая, 2011 at 13:06
Hey Kevin, I hope that there are no hard feelings after that good beating of Man United :) I don’t think that we can challenge for the title because the top teams might not drop so many points in just seven games but we surely have a good chance of finishing in the top 4. The Europa League would be a great bonus but we still have to get past two opponents before the final.
Ana Garcia
6 мая, 2011 at 16:33
Great post!
Lots of action am not sure where to start!
Well done on beating Real Madrid’s record! And for reaching the latter stages, Zaragoza are beat-able especially with your fantastic Brazilian duo!
League form is going well and you could push for a champions league place and hopefully you can keep hold of Ze Carlos I see he is wanted!
Good going Johnny and really good luck!!
:)
Johnny Karp
6 мая, 2011 at 20:29
Thanks Ana. First of all we won’t have the Brazilian duo in the Europa league because Zé Carlos is ineligible this season, but we did well without him so far. Quite a few of my players are wanted, I guess I’ll have some fighting to do come July :)
hils
6 мая, 2011 at 19:54
Hi Johnny,great 2 months there!!!!!!!!!! Great 6-2 win vs united!!!!!!!!!! Good luck!!!!!!!!!!
Johnny Karp
6 мая, 2011 at 20:30
Thanks Hils!
Sayam Khan
6 мая, 2011 at 22:13
You seemed to be best equipped in the position where I am not! Up front, great to have a striker that can bang in 20+ goals a season despite not being first choice. You must be embarrased to leave him out when the two Brazilians are fit!
I love the victory against United, both strikers scoring hat tricks is more than satisfying for a manager! I predict you should get to the semi in europa. Great season so far, good luck!
Johnny Karp
7 мая, 2011 at 09:48
Thanks Sayam. I didn’t expect M’Bow to do so well to be honest and you are right, I am a bit embarrassed to leave him on the bench now. But he’s pretty useful as a left winger as well so he might get a few more starts in that position.
Alex
7 мая, 2011 at 09:44
Hey Johnny,
Your strikers are brilliant, you are going to finish 3rd this season and secure a group stage position in the Champions League.
What a victory over Man U! That was so surprising, but in a good way :). You will get to the semis of the Europa League, but Juve might be too tough to handle, although beating United in such a manner means anything is possible! Good luck, I look forward to the next post.
Johnny Karp
7 мая, 2011 at 09:49
Hi Alex, I hope that your prediction will be proven right, I’d be very happy to finish 3rd. I think you are right about Juventus, they seem to be the best team in the competition at the moment but we proved that we can beat anybody. We’ll have to get to the semi final first though.