Manchester City vs Vauxhall (Carling Cup semi final leg 2)
Venue: The City Of Manchester Stadium
Attendance: 46,872
Starting line up: Dean Bouzanis — Julian Marino, Thiago, Mervin Simon, Jelle Van Damme — David Gonzalez, Radek Vecera, Graham Howson, Andrew Driver — Parana, Andrés
Team Talk: Pressure is off.
We had nothing left to lose after getting beaten 3-2 in the first leg so I chose to send in young centre back Thiago to test his skills as I was still negotiating for a new centre back. The move was not very inspired as the Citizens scored on their very first attack and then made it 2-0 following a corner kick. We did have a chance between those two goals but Andrés wasted it so our hopes of qualifying were all gone at half time. We played pretty well during the first half though, I couldn’t have asked for more from my players.
Half time score: 2-0
Half time team talk: Sympathise.
Half time substitutions: Bryan Purdrue for Thiago, Stephan El Shaarawy for Gonzalez, Mark Brown for Vecera
The second half was not as entertaining but we did manage to score a consolation goal on 74 minutes and it was a nice one as right back Julian Marino rifled a great shot from 20 yards out. Man City made it 3-1 with a late counter attack and our nice Carling Cup adventure was over, we came close to the final but the Citizens proved to be too good for us.
Full time team talk: Good effort!
Man of the match: Julian Marino
Flop of the match: Andrés
Match Stats
Video Highlights
Click here to watch the highlights.
Mansfield vs Vauxhall (FA Cup 4th rnd)
Venue: Field Mill
Attendance: 9,295
Starting line up: Tim Howard — Kaka, Bryan Purdrue, Thiago, Grant Baddeley — Stephan El Shaarawy, Inigo Perez, Shyamdew Weibolt, Wayne Routledge — Connor Wickham, Ibrahima MBow
Team Talk: You can win today!
The last game of the month was expected to be an easy one for us as we were meeting Blue Square North side Mansfield in the FA Cup. However, a frozen pitch and an overcrowded lower league defense made it quite tough for us. We also were hit by an injury 10 minutes before the break, Connor Wickham left the pitch and I sent in Parana to replace him. The Brazilian striker could have made an instant impact but he squandered a great chance just before the break.
Half time score: 0-0
Half time team talk: You’re outplaying them everywhere!
Half time substitutions: Mark Brown for Perez, David Gonzalez for Routledge
The second half seemed to be following a similar scenario, we were pouring forward but Mansfield were hanging in there. We finally managed to break the deadlock seven minutes from time when Parana powered one in from inside the penalty area. Then Ibrahima MBow lost his nerve and made a horrible tackle that earned him a red card but we secured the result on the stroke of full time when Stephan El Shaarawy headed home a good cross from David Gonzalez.
Full time team talk: none
Man of the match: Stephan El Shaarawy
Flop of the match: Ibrahima MBow
Match Stats
Video Highlights
Click here to watch the highlights.
So, we enjoyed a couple of pleasant rounds against lower league sides in the FA Cup but got demolished by Manchester City in the Carling Cup semi final. The league games didn’t go too well as we recorded two defeats, one draw and just one win in four Premier League fixtures.
Despite the poor results we still dominated the Young Player of the Month rankings with Parana taking the honors on his debut month and Grant Baddeley and Mervin Simon coming behind him in second and third.
The quest for a new centre back went on until transfer deadline day when I finally received the good news: the Argentine defender that I was chasing finally agreed to sign a contract and we had to pay his club 4 million pounds. He is better than Lindsay so I was quite excited but, unfortunately, he still needed a work permit. The decision was made that very same day due to the deadline but the work permit was denied without the right to appeal! The transfer window slammed shut and that means what we will have to rely on our current central defenders: Mervin Simon, Louis Laing, Bryan Purdrue and young Thiago. The assistant believes that we are weakest in defense and I agree with him but unfortunately there’s nothing we can do anymore. However, I’m pleased to see that he sees Parana as our best player at the moment.
We’ll have just four games next month but one more might be added in the FA Cup where we are going to meet either Nottingham Forest or Fulham in the fifth round. The league matches will see us starting against mid-table rivals Aston Villa and Everton and then moving on to «easier» encounters against relegation candidates Newcastle and Burnley.
That’s how it was my friends, I don’t think that this month could have gone much worse. However, we managed to bring in some good new players but they will probably need some more time to adjust. And we don’t have too much time, that’s certain… Our defense is weaker now without Lindsay but I hope that Laing will fill that void at least in the league games. Thanks a lot for reading and please don’t forget to cast your votes in the Goal of the Month competition ;)
Darren Smith
16 апреля, 2011 at 20:42
Wow, that was an action packed post Johnny. Such a shame to lose Lindsay, but in my opinion £7.5 million is a good deal for him. Just crappy your left without a real quality CB…oh well hopefully you’ll see some of that cash next season. I think the top ten is secure and hopefully you can improve on that with a late run of form. Goodluck
Johnny Karp
17 апреля, 2011 at 09:19
Thanks Darren. I would have wanted more for Lindsay, I paid 5 mil for him after all and 2.5 mill is not a good profit in my view for such a good player. Anyway, I hope that Laing will do well.
Sayam Khan
16 апреля, 2011 at 20:46
Don’t worry Johnny, these type of months happen for new teams. Considering all the transfer activity going around your club, it wasn’t that bad! 10th place is a very respectable position for your first season in the premier league, so you should be satisfied so far.
David Gonzalez looks a really good player!
Good Luck!
Johnny Karp
17 апреля, 2011 at 09:20
Thanks for the confidence Sayam. I agree about Gonzalez, I will try to get him on a permanent basis someday.
Kevin
16 апреля, 2011 at 21:29
Hi Johnny
That’s too bad about losing Lindsay but hopefully some of those funds will be available during the summer. I’m happy to see that Parana got off to a good start and I’ve decided he’s the player I’ll be following for the rest of this story. With a lighter schedule next month perhaps you can pick up soem valuable points to consolidate your league position. Godd luck in the FA Cup too!
Johnny Karp
17 апреля, 2011 at 09:20
Thanks Kevin, just don’t put too much pressure on Parana, he’s still very young :)
Mariano
16 апреля, 2011 at 23:05
Hi Johnny,
Nice you got back Howson!
Did you try setting the asking price of players you don´t want to receive offer for very high?
I always do this so I don´t receive offers for players that might unsettle them, or offers that the chairman would accept.
Cheers
Johnny Karp
17 апреля, 2011 at 09:21
Hey Mariano! I did set higher prices for a couple of players but not for Lindsay, there were no previous offers or rumors regarding his transfer and the 7.5 mil offer caught me by surprise…
Erick Wolf
17 апреля, 2011 at 00:14
I feel like you could have come back on the second leg of the Carling Cup, but you didn’t believe in your players :(
Good run though.
I hope Laing the Wolves-man is good enough to replace Lindsay!
Johnny Karp
17 апреля, 2011 at 09:23
You might be right about the Carling Cup but I still believe that we had no chance of pulling that off. Laing surely has some good attributes but he might need some time to learn how my defensive system works, especially the offside trap.
Alex
17 апреля, 2011 at 02:42
Hey Johnny,
If you went to the transfer centre when Lindsay was being sold, you could’ve rejected it. It’s a neat trick and you could still have him. 7.5m is a great price for him though and the financial benefits are worthy of losing him. 10th is a respectable position to be in for your 1st season, the best I have managed when promoted to the Premier League is 8th, so you are doing well compared to me! Good luck, hopefully you can pick up some valuable points next month.
Johnny Karp
17 апреля, 2011 at 09:24
Really? I didn’t know about that transfer centre trick… Well, I’ll remember it for next time, thanks.
hils
17 апреля, 2011 at 07:47
Hi Johnny,good month there!!!!!!!!!! Shame to lose Lindsay because of that stupid chairman!!!!! Good luck!!!!!!!
Johnny Karp
17 апреля, 2011 at 09:24
Thanks for the good luck wish Hils.
Bain
17 апреля, 2011 at 09:31
Well, can’t say the chairman is stupid…
It may be a good deal after all, who knows? It’s up to you to make it a loss or an opportunity to build a better team. There’re many players around and you could always find better ones.
It’s still a small club and you can’t really blame the boss for making money. It’s part of the game and it’s why it’s fun to play this game.
Johnny Karp
17 апреля, 2011 at 09:42
I guess it was a good deal for the club but I still believe that we could have gotten more for Lindsay, at least 10 mil in my view.
Bain
17 апреля, 2011 at 09:19
Try your luck on Free Transfer then… you got a chance to pick up some promising young centre backs or at least get a veteran to play until the end of the season.
Johnny Karp
17 апреля, 2011 at 09:41
I already have a promising youngster, Thiago, so I decided to give him a chance. I did have a look on the free transfer market but I didn’t find any players that would be good enough to add quality to the team.
Nigel
17 апреля, 2011 at 12:03
Great run so far. I’m new on the site but I’ve read your stories dating back from the BSN days and it’s awesome. Inspired by your success, I’ve started my campaign with Harrogate Town of BSN as well and so far I’m in the championship, However unlike your story, I’m facing relegation in my first season. I’ve compared my players to yours and they seem decent enough, but they just can’t seem to string any results together and after 15 games I’ve only won 2. Do you have any advice or tips that can help me?
Johnny Karp
17 апреля, 2011 at 16:01
Thanks Nigel, I’m happy that you liked the story. About your team, maybe you are not using the right tactic for the players that you have, I don’t know. It’s difficult to give suggestions because I don’t know your squad.
Nigel
18 апреля, 2011 at 06:30
Hi Johnny, thanks for the reply. I have uploaded my current squad and their stats in my first post on the forum, and I would appreciate it if you could give it a look and see what’s wrong. Thanks
Nigel
18 апреля, 2011 at 07:33
Sorry for another reply, my name in the forum is TribalFlames.
Johnny Karp
18 апреля, 2011 at 08:01
Got it, reply posted in the forum.
vaibhavc
17 апреля, 2011 at 13:26
Hey Johnny
It was an ok month, I guess. To make the Carling Cup semi-final was outstanding for you, I really hoped you could win it. Parana seems to be doing well for you, I am glad he is performing. Can you post the Premier League table?
P.S. I am so annoyed about how Manchester United lost yesterday. Comedy of errors.
Johnny Karp
17 апреля, 2011 at 16:01
Thanks Vaibhav. The table is posted though, just scroll up :)
Sears
17 апреля, 2011 at 15:19
Good set of results Johnny, although it’s a tragedy that your outstanding center back left for Getafe. Your team did extremely well against Man City but at least your still in the FA Cup. Parana is incredible and good luck next month :-)
Johnny Karp
17 апреля, 2011 at 16:03
Thanks Sears, I always hate it when I lose a player like that. Anyway, I hope we’ll get by without him.
Lye
18 апреля, 2011 at 01:54
Hi Johnny,
It’s always frustrating to know your chairman has taken things in his own hands. The money is great but it has put you in a difficult situation in the defensive area.
I believe there is time and chance left to finish with a Europa league spot. You have some fantastic attacking players, just have to tighten up the defence a bit and you will be fine. Good luck.
Johnny Karp
18 апреля, 2011 at 08:01
Thanks Lye. I don’t know how I could tighten up the defense now since it’s weaker after Lindsay’s departure.
CsAtlantis
18 апреля, 2011 at 02:06
Hi Johnny, i agree with your decision to replace chavez with laing as chavez will only get worse from 31 years old onward while laing can still improve at 22 years old, shame that your chairman had to accept the offer for Lindsay without your input in the matter, hopefully you can hang on and keep a top half finish
Do you think Laing will get a start soon? The month of February seems pretty light fixture wise so maybe you can get in a friendly or two and see how Laing fits into your team
Keep up the good work, Driver, Gonzalez and El Shaarawy(could use a bit more speed though) are good players
Johnny Karp
18 апреля, 2011 at 08:04
Thanks for the comment CS. Laing will be a starter, I think that he’s the best replacement I have for Lindsay. He would have been a backup but now he has a chance to play courtesy of the chairman :) I don’t like playing friendlies in the middle of the season, I don’t think that such games can be useful and I could end up with a few injured players as well.
CsAtlantis
18 апреля, 2011 at 12:28
Yea you’re right Johnny, I don’t get too many injuries from friendlies but it is annoying when it happens
Matt
18 апреля, 2011 at 12:35
Hey Johnny, your doing wonders with vauxhall this season, keep it up! Also pleasing to see you’ve signed Louis Laing, hes a good friend of mine and a very good footballer for his age, he should serve you well! Anyways, good look with the rest of the season!
Johnny Karp
18 апреля, 2011 at 20:45
Hey Matt, thanks a lot for your comment. Do you really know Laing personally? Does he play FM 2011? :)
Ana Garcia
18 апреля, 2011 at 21:34
I also bought Cameron Lindsay I now regret selling him for the price I did after reading this! :(
It seems he was a big player for you so hopefully you can replace him, but you did get a very good price.
As always the best of luck Johnny your still doing really well as this is a big step up for your team.
P.S. Pretty decent result in El Clasico so Barca are one step closer to retaining la liga!! :D