Hello dear friends and welcome to the latest episode of my Football Manager 2011 story! The last installment left us in 7th place at the end of September, we went unbeaten the whole month and managed to climb up the table after an unconvincing start in August. Now we had to confirm that good run in October and maybe climb further up the ladder, let’s see what we were able to do.
Shrewsbury vs Vauxhall (League 1)
Venue: Greenhous Meadow
Attendance: 5,260
Starting line up: Martin Hansen — Ken Harris, Daniel Pappoe, Oliver Nicholas, Alex Billington — Jacob Hronec, Matthew Ball, Mark Brown, Keith Higgs — Darryl Duffy, Dale Hills
Team Talk: You can win today!
This was expected to be a very tough match since Shrewsbury were in 4th place before the game. Fortunately we got off to a flying start as Oliver Nicholas netted his first goal of the season just four minutes into the game when he powered in a corner kick header. We played very well after the goal but wasted three big chances before the interval, we could have killed off the game during the first 45 minutes.
Half time score: 0-1
Half time team talk: Pleased
Half time substitutions: Jason Banton for Harris, Peter Leven for Brown
The home side nearly punished us for the wasteful finishing five minutes after the re-start when they hit the crossbar from distance and I was forced to make the third substitution on 54 minutes when injured Hills was replaced by Luke Williams. We doubled the lead four minutes later thanks to the other centre back, Daniel Pappoe smashed in a corner kick header. We were under loads of pressure though and Shrewsbury deservedly pulled one back after a fine move in the 65th minute. We restored the two-goal lead just four minutes later when Jason Banton bagged his first goal for the club and then there was no looking back: Banton provided an assist for Peter Leven after a superb play and then Daniel Pappoe completed his first ever hat-trick for the club and probably the first hat-trick of his career! We won the game 6-1 but four of our goals were scored by the centre backs, that’s not exactly what I would want but it’s good enough at this stage.
Full time team talk: Well done!
Man of the match: Daniel Pappoe
Flop of the match: Dale Hills
Match Stats
Video Highlights
Plymouth vs Vauxhall (League 1)
Venue: Home Park
Attendance: 7,541
Starting line up: Martin Hansen — Ken Harris, Daniel Pappoe, Oliver Nicholas, Grant Baddeley — Carlos Bogado, Mark Brown, Graham Howson, Jason Banton — Darryl Duffy, Mark Cullen
Team Talk: You can win today!
Plymouth were in 16th place before the game so I was hoping for another positive result. We did some damage right away, Jason Banton received a gift on 10 minutes when he intercepted a poor pass and he coolly slotted home. Our lead was doubled midway through the first half when Mark Brown played a perfect through ball for Mark Cullen and then, just two minutes later, Banton added another goal to his tally when he headed home a good cross from Carlos Bogado. We could have scored even more before half time but Plymouth had a pair of good chances as well.
Half time score: 0-3
Half time team talk: Pleased
Half time substitutions: Keith Higgs for Bogado, Omar Koroma for Duffy
The second half was pure entertainment but both teams proved to be rather wasteful. Only one more goal was scored, Graham Howson converted a penalty kick with two minutes remaining. This probably was our best performance of the season so far and Banton was absolutely unstoppable.
Full time team talk: Well done!
Man of the match: Jason Banton
Flop of the match: Omar Koroma
Match Stats
Video Highlights
Vauxhall vs Tranmere (Johnstone’s Paint Trophy North 2nd round)
Venue: Rivacre Park
Attendance: 1,027
Starting line up: James Dunn — Jacob Hronec, Derrick Williams, Elton Monteiro, Alex Billington — Darren King, Nathan Rooney, Peter Leven, Jacob Walcott — Omar Koroma, Luke Williams
Team Talk: You can win today! («No pressure» for Monteiro as this was his debut game)
Tranmere were sitting third in League Two before the match and they were the favorites despite being in a lower league. I was quite confident that we were going to win though and I chose to rest my first team regulars. Things seemed to go the right way as we took the lead just five minutes into the game when a corner kick header from Elton Monteiro went in off an opponent. We had a decent first half overall, the game seemed to be under our control.
Half time score: 1-0
Half time team talk: Pleased.
Half time substitutions: Daniel Pappoe for Monteiro, Darryl Duffy for Koroma
Things changed after half time, Tranmere were determined to come back into the game and they did that on 69 minutes. My lads woke up and started pushing forward but they missed a few good chances and the match went to penalties. We won the lottery this time, I was relieved to see my side progress to the next round. We should have won the game though, some of my backup players didn’t prove that they deserve more chances to play.
Full time team talk: Sympathise.
Man of the match: Derrick Williams
Flop of the match: Omar Koroma
Match Stats
Video Highlights
Vauxhall vs Brighton (League 1)
Venue: Rivacre Park
Attendance: 2,500 (capacity crowd)
Starting line up: Martin Hansen — Ken Harris, Daniel Pappoe, Oliver Nicholas, Grant Baddeley — Jacob Hronec, Mark Brown, Graham Howson, Jason Banton — Darryl Duffy, Mark Cullen
Team Talk: You can win today!
Brighton were in 6th place before the match so it was another tough promotion battle. The first half was very entertaining, Brighton hit the woodwork twice while we had one shot thundering off the crossbar. Luckily we made the difference deep into stoppage time when Graham Howson‘s cross from the byline was volleyed home by Mark Cullen. We didn’t really deserve to be in the lead at the break but I was happy that we were!
Half time score: 1-0
Half time team talk: Encourage.
Half time substitutions: Keith Higgs for Hronec, Jacob Walcott for Banton
Things got even better after the break, Daniel Pappoe had a corner kick header going in off the crossbar and then we took control of the game. Winger Keith Higgs made it 3-0 at the hour mark by taking advantage of a defensive error and although Brighton pulled one back minutes later the three points were safely in our bag.
Full time team talk: Well done!
Man of the match: Daniel Pappoe
Flop of the match: Darryl Duffy
Match Stats
Video Highlights
Go to the next page to read the rest of the story.
Kevin
15 января, 2011 at 12:53
Hi Johnny
What an excellent month for you. Started off with no less than 10 goals away from home but interestingly enough only 1,000 fans showed up for the first home game. I guess because it was a JPT match. Anyway,you’ve put the team in a good position now and hopefully can mount a strong title challenge. Well done!!
Johnny Karp
16 января, 2011 at 10:10
Thanks Kevin. I’m quite satisfied with the home attendances so far, most league games are sold out!
Sears
15 января, 2011 at 13:02
Wonderful month Johnny, your young team remind me of Blackpool. Exciting attacking football which results in tons of goals :-D Especially away from home! Well done.
Johnny Karp
16 января, 2011 at 10:10
Thanks Sears. I’m waiting to see more from my strikers though, we can’t rely on the centre backs for goals if we want to get promoted.
Laxeyman
15 января, 2011 at 13:12
Great month Johnny, your side are scoring goals for fun and dominating away from home too, which is fantastic. Hopefully you can keep it up in November, it seems like you’ve got quite a packed schedule, good luck!
Johnny Karp
16 января, 2011 at 10:11
Thanks Laxeyman. The schedule is quite unattractive to say the least but I think we have enough squad depth to cope with that.
Darren Smith
15 января, 2011 at 19:35
Well done Johnny, that was an amazing month. To win all your league games must really sound a promotion cry. It will be a long season but I think you’ll be there or thereabouts come the seasons end. Well done mate.
Johnny Karp
16 января, 2011 at 10:13
Thanks Darren. I guess we can have promotion hopes after such a run but we’ll have to be consistent for a while.
Lye
16 января, 2011 at 05:17
Hi Johnny, you are making those teams which have a higher reputation a joke. Not only did you win, but you won some of the games in high scoring fashion. Well done. Looks good at the moment and it seems you team has settled down. Hopefully this will trigger a good run to the end. Good luck.
Johnny Karp
16 января, 2011 at 10:14
Thanks Lye. The end of the season is too far away though, we’ll have to win a lot more games if we want to get promotion.
hils
16 января, 2011 at 07:28
Hi Johnny,Good month there!!!!!!!!!!!! Hopefully you will continue your form!!!!!!!!!! Good luck!!!!!
Johnny Karp
16 января, 2011 at 10:14
Thanks Hils.
plobdork
16 января, 2011 at 10:33
hello johnny congrats promotion for sure btw do u know where i can find a full kit pack and a facepck torrent :)
Johnny Karp
16 января, 2011 at 11:05
It’s too early to say that we’d get promoted. About your requests, I can’t help you with either of them. By the way, what do you mean by a «full kit pack»?
plobdork
16 января, 2011 at 21:10
i mean blue square premier and premier league
Johnny Karp
17 января, 2011 at 07:26
I’ll have a look around mate and I’ll let you know if I find any.
Ana Garcia
16 января, 2011 at 12:23
As others have said a great month and your team look full of confidence.
Back up at the top of the league after a shakey start but still a long way to go. Good luck on the the rest of your season and please keep your attacking style!
:)
Johnny Karp
16 января, 2011 at 19:40
Thanks Ana, I’ll always keep the attacking style, don’t worry! :) Of course it depends on the players too, they have to be capable of playing the way I want them to…
JeanPaul Borg
16 января, 2011 at 18:34
You have really got corners working out perfectly. Amazing job mate. I have almost finished my 2nd season with FC JUVENTUS BUCURESTI. I’ll show you a screenshot on your facebook page. I have improved the team a lot.
Johnny Karp
16 января, 2011 at 19:42
Thanks mate, looking forward to that screen shot.
Sayam Khan
16 января, 2011 at 19:00
Hey Johnny, thats a brilliant month there. Confirms you as one of the top teams in league 1! Your attences are very good compared to mine! Well done and good luck!
warren
17 января, 2011 at 17:33
A exciting month it seems but its a shame that more of your fans could enjoy it with the more exciting games being away from home. Well done and I hope that you will soon be seeing you at the summit
John
18 января, 2011 at 18:12
Well done Johnny brilliant as per, I was just wondering though if anyone has got any advice for me. I’m currently playing as Dover Athletic in my 3rd season, have won back to back promotions and find myself in league 2. I have this youth player Craig Webb ST, and if I tell you he is awesome that is an understatement!! His 1st season stats stood at this, 46(5) apps, 55 goals, 1 pen taken and scored, 23assists and 17 MoM awards. His 2nd season so far 10 apps 23 goals, 4 assists and 7 MoM awards. He’s only worth 350k at the moment and all the big clubs want him, my scout says he is already a good prem player!!!!
Now heres the thing, I want to give him a new contract as his ends end of next season, but he won’t discuss terms with me and his agent hates me! He’s ambitious, volatile and confrontational so I am crapping myself when he eventually says he wants to leave for a bigger club. How do I keep hold of my star???
Johnny Karp
19 января, 2011 at 06:54
Thanks for compliment John. About your problem, I think the odds are against you on that one. If the player doesn’t want to discuss a new contract then there’s little that can be done other than selling him to the highest bidder. However, the new player interaction module in FM 2011 gives you a chance to talk about things with your players so you have a chance of persuading him to stay at the club once he’ll say that he wants to move to a bigger club. Good luck!