Gillingham vs Vauxhall (League 1)
Venue: Priestfield
Attendance: 4,468
Starting line up: Martin Hansen — Ken Harris, Daniel Pappoe, Mervin Simon, Grant Baddeley — Carlos Bogado, Matthew Ball, Graham Howson, Jason Banton — Omar Koroma, Mark Cullen
Team Talk: You can win today!
Gillingham were in 18th place before the game so I was hoping for a win to wash down the bitter taste of that home defeat against Q.P.R. Things got off to a good start as Mark Cullen slotted home on 18 minutes to put us ahead. We were safely in control of the game and could easily have doubled the lead before the break.
Half time score: 0-1
Half time team talk: Encourage.
Half time substitutions: Peter Leven for Howson, Keith Higgs for Banton
The second half was pleasantly quiet, we were controlling the game and finally killed it off 17 minutes from time when Cullen made the most out of a good pass from Omar Koroma. It wasn’t spectacular but unfortunately you don’t get more points for winning 9-1 :)
Full time team talk: Well done!
Man of the match: Mark Cullen
Flop of the match: Jason Banton
Match Stats
Video Highlights
Click here to watch the highlights.
Notts County vs Vauxhall (League 1)
Venue: Meadow Lane
Attendance: 3,885
Starting line up: Martin Hansen — Ken Harris, Daniel Pappoe, Mervin Simon, Alex Billington — Jacob Hronec, Mark Brown, Graham Howson, Jason Banton — Darryl Duffy, Mark Cullen
Team Talk: You can win today!
Back to Meadow Lane after just eight days, I bet the Notts County fans were not happy to see us again so soon. The Magpies were having a troubled league campaign, they were in 15th place before the game but I was expecting them to be keen on getting revenge after the JPT defeat. We started the game with great enthusiasm and Mark Cullen wasted a huge chance inside the first minute of play! We continued to pile on the pressure but the lads were quite wasteful, I was beginning to worry. Fortunately Notts County conceded a penalty kick a couple of minutes before the break and Graham Howson coolly converted from the spot.
Half time score: 0-1
Half time team talk: Pleased.
Half time substitutions: Derrick Williams for Billington, Omar Koroma for Cullen
The home side tried to get back into the game after the break but they were lacking the firepower to do that. Their chances of a fightback were shattered 20 minutes before half time when one of their strikers got sent off for a wild tackle and from that point on we took control and fired in two more goals through Darryl Duffy and Jacob Hronec (his first of the season).
Full time team talk: Well done!
Man of the match: Darryl Duffy
Flop of the match: Omar Koroma
Match Stats
Video Highlights
Click here to watch the highlights.
So, it was an almost perfect month but I guess fatigue took its toll on the players during that game against Q.P.R.
The even better news is that most of the title contenders did worse than us so our lead increased to 10 points! I guess we have a couple of fingers on the title, we just have to stay focused and put both hands on it sooner or later.
Before wrapping up the post I’m happy to announce that we had some transfer activity during the January window, three players joined the club for a total of 120,000 pounds!
But where did I get all that money? Well, if you remember I told you that centre back Oliver Nicholas wanted to leave the club and he didn’t change his mind although I tried hard to persuade him to stay. I decided to let him go for 425,000 pounds to Norwegian club Lillehammer, it’s a step back in his career if you ask me but he didn’t want to listen to my advice. He enjoyed the best years of his careers at Vauxhall Motors and I was quite sad to see him out the door.
I had to be safe before selling Nicholas, I wouldn’t have sold him without having a replacement ready. Fortunately I found that replacement in Zambian international Sashi Chalwe, an experienced player with very good attributes at this level. I tried to get him during the summer transfer window as well but he wasn’t given a work permit back then. He should provide great cover for at least another season I guess.
Next up, a player for the future: 18-year old South African left back Lucky Sibiya. We already have two good left backs but I felt that paying only 30K for this lad to Ajax Cape Town would be a good piece of business for the club. He will probably be loaned out until the end of the season, then we’ll evaluate him again and maybe sell him for profit ;)
Lat but not least, another player that was spotted by my scouts in Africa: 18-year old Senegalese striker Ibrahima M’Bow. He also has French citizenship so he didn’t need a work permit, I paid 120K for him to Senegalese club Jeanne D’Arc. He is a skillful and hard working lad and he will be given some first team football right away.
February will start with another FA Cup battle as we’re going to meet Championship side Burnley in the 4th round. We’ll also have the second leg of the JPT North final and five league games, another busy month ahead of us…
That’s about it my friends, thanks a lot for reading this update and I’m looking forward to reading your opinions.
James
27 января, 2011 at 17:10
9-1!!! wow lol, well done Johnny! I think your definitely going to get promotion now! good luck mate!
Johnny Karp
27 января, 2011 at 20:15
Thanks James, that 9-1 win was a nice bonus :)
warren
27 января, 2011 at 17:13
Nice to see that you have started to put some distance between yourself and the nearest rivals. The signings of M’Bow and Chalwe are particularly impressive and you will surely be on your way to other succesive promotion and playing in the Championship next season.
good luck
Johnny Karp
27 января, 2011 at 20:15
Thanks Warren, I have high hopes for M’Bow and Chalwe should be a reliable backup even next season.
Sears
27 января, 2011 at 17:22
Unreal, 9-1?!?!?!? Fantastic month and the title is yours to lose. Btw, you made some terrific signings as well! Well done mate!
Johnny Karp
27 января, 2011 at 20:16
Thanks Sears, it’s ours to lose and I hope we won’t this time (like we did in League 2…)
Vinners
27 января, 2011 at 17:55
Wow, 9-1 is insane! I think I beat them 1-0 a couple of game back on my game. Good signings as well! Err in reply to the other post: Did you put the request through? And no money has been taken out of my balance so I wonder if I haven’t got enough money if they cancel it? I dunno, all I can do is try.
Johnny Karp
27 января, 2011 at 20:17
Thanks Vinners. I think I’ll wait until March to make that request, promotion might be secured then and the board might be a bit more open to such initiatives :) Did your board say how much it would cost?
Vinners
27 января, 2011 at 22:52
Nope it’s still in planning and is just under half complete. I may end up doing the same as I doubt I have enough money. I managed to beat Portsmouth away in the 3rd round of the FA cup in a televised game which got me about 300k but I think that’ll just keep me in the positive for the rest of the year. No money for a stadium so we’ll see what happens. All i know at the moment is that it’s still be planned with like 4 months left :/
Vaibhav C.
27 января, 2011 at 18:25
Hey Johnny,
You had a great month except for that loss against QPR. The best victory was the 9-1, that was amazing. I can’t wait for the second leg of the final, I was hoping that it was this month so I wouldn’t have to wait. Your signings were really good, I think if they constantly play well, you can win League 1.
Johnny Karp
27 января, 2011 at 20:19
Thanks mate, I would have liked the second leg to be in January as well. We have a good advantage considering that we scored one away from home, I guess we should make it through.
Darren Smith
27 января, 2011 at 18:41
There’s not much to say Jonny…great form, great league position and great signings. They will definitely help your title challenge, although I think that is wrapped up anyway. Your demolishan of Charlton just summed up the month. Great work mate.
Johnny Karp
27 января, 2011 at 20:19
Thanks Darren, it would be great to get more than three points for such big wins, wouldn’t it? :)
Sayam Khan
27 января, 2011 at 20:21
Hi Johnny,
I’d like to start this comment off by saying, you are very luck to have Graham Howson. He is one hell of a player and you very lucky to have him! I was wondering if there is any big clubs interested in him? I suggest you renew his contract for now ;-)
Also great form there and at least you can breath now with a 10 point gap at the top.
Personally, I think it is good business selling Oliver Nicholas. I feel you got better players and a better replacement.
Good Luck!
Johnny Karp
28 января, 2011 at 06:34
Thanks Sayam. Howson is on loan from Manchester United until the end of the season but I will surely try to get another loan deal for him next season or maybe even buy him from the Red Devils if we’ll have enough money.
Kevin
28 января, 2011 at 08:32
Hello Johnny
You’ve really established a firm lead now and a good February could almost see the title coming your way. Well done on an almost perfect month and the incredible 9-1 over Charlton. I think you have a decent shot at making the 5th Round of the Cup too!
Johnny Karp
28 января, 2011 at 09:51
Thanks Kevin, it would be nice to repeat last season’s FA Cup run.
Lye
28 января, 2011 at 13:57
Hi Johnny,
What a great month! You have established a good lead and i don’t see how you can lose that gap. No doubt it’s going to be another promotion for your team. The two youngsters look very good signing. Another piece of fine business.
Johnny Karp
29 января, 2011 at 09:33
Thanks Lye, I hope we won’t throw away the lead.
hils
28 января, 2011 at 15:28
Hi Johnny,great month!!!!!!!!! Great 9-1 win!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good luck!!!!!!!!!!
Johnny Karp
29 января, 2011 at 09:33
Thanks Hils, I’m sure you enjoyed that 9-1! :)
Laxeyman
28 января, 2011 at 16:03
The month you won the league Johnny, I’m sure of that. Great month, especially the 9-1 win, unbelievable! You should get promoted now, good luck :)
Johnny Karp
29 января, 2011 at 09:34
Thanks Laxeyman. I agree that this month made a big difference.
Iain
29 января, 2011 at 19:03
hi, you have done really well this month, winning 9-1 is almost unbelievable. i was wondering if you could give me a bit of advice on my game. In my save i am Guiseley town who are in the premier north division and i had been with them 2 seasons and had got them promoted both seasons into the league 2, but my computer broke and my save got deleted and every time i try to start a new save with them i get annoyed at playing in a lower division and give up after about 2 months, if you could give me some advice on what you think i should do it would be very appreciated.
Johnny Karp
30 января, 2011 at 08:16
Thanks Iain. I don’t know what advice to give you but usually a good bet would be to manage your favorite team, have you tried that?
iain
30 января, 2011 at 15:32
i have tried managing my favourite team however it is Celtic and they are one of the best teams in Scotland and it doesn’t really pose much of a challenge. i have gone Guiseley again and decided to sign completley different players than last time, hopefully it will prove challenging enough.
Johnny Karp
30 января, 2011 at 19:35
I understand. I wish you good luck and I hope you will have more fun this time.
Nick
30 января, 2011 at 20:09
A great month Johnny. I’d be very surprised if you didn’t get promotion! 9-1 is unbelievable, my highest ever FM score was 9-0 but it doesn’t really count when you’re the Manchester United first team and you’re playing against a non-league side in a meaningless friendly! Good luck in the coming months!
Johnny Karp
31 января, 2011 at 06:36
Thanks Nick, that 9-1 win was quite surprising but quite pleasing as well :)