Hello folks and welcome to a new episode of the Vauxhall Motors Football Manager 2011 story! As you already know our League One campaign didn’t start too well: we won just one out of four league games and also got beaten quite heavily by Newcastle in the Carling Cup. We had five games coming up in the next month and I was expecting better results in September, let’s see whether our results improved or not.
Vauxhall vs Stockport (Johnstone’s Paint Trophy N 1st round)
Venue: Rivacre Park
Attendance: 707
Starting line up: Martin Hansen — Ken Harris, Daniel Pappoe, Oliver Nicholas, Grant Baddeley — Darren King, Matthew Ball, Graham Howson, Keith Higgs — Mark Cullen, Dale Hills
Team Talk: You can win today!
We had the chance to start the month with an easier game, the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy first round match against League Two side Stockport. However, our opponents were the favorites according to the bookmakers so we had to play well if we wanted to win. In fact, we started the game with a positive attitude and hit the crossbar before Darren King tapped in an Oliver Nicholas free kick header. We could have scored at least one more goal before the break but I was satisfied with the display.
Half time score: 1-0
Half time team talk: Pleased.
Half time substitutions: Peter Leven for Matthew Ball, Jacob Walcott for Keith Higgs, Derrick Williams for Oliver Nicholas
I had to make three changes at half time due to fitness problems and the team wasn’t playing as well as they did in the first half. We were under a bit of pressure after the break and Stockport netted the equalizer on 63 minutes, a gift from left back Baddeley who provided a perfect assist for the opposition striker. We resumed our attacking display after that goal but we only clinched the game during the final 10 minutes from two dead ball situations. First Daniel Pappoe powered in a corner kick header and then Graham Howson found the back of the net again with a perfectly taken free kick from the edge of the area. We’re through to the next round but I was hoping to see a more convincing display.
Full time team talk: Well done!
Man of the match: Daniel Pappoe
Flop of the match: Grant Baddeley
Match Stats
Video Highlights
Vauxhall vs Gillingham (League 1)
Venue: Rivacre Park
Attendance: 2,500 (capacity crowd)
Starting line up: Martin Hansen — Jacob Hronec, Daniel Pappoe, Oliver Nicholas, Grant Baddeley — Darren King, Mark Brown, Graham Howson, Jason Banton — Mark Cullen, Dale Hills
Team Talk: You can win today!
We had another good opportunity to win since the opponents were on a poor run of five matches without a win, I was expecting to grab the three points even if we were the underdogs. The first half was not very pleasing, we dominated the game but we only managed to create one clear cut chance. It was quite a big one though, Mark Cullen failed to score from seven yards with an empty net in front of him!
Half time score: 0-0
Half time team talk: You can win today!
Half time substitutions: Carlos Bogado for Darren King, Jacob Walcott for Jason Banton
I changed both wingers at half time and the move seemed to work, we were piling on the pressure and Dale Hills hit the post five minutes after the re-start. The young striker finally repaid my confidence on 65 minutes when he netted his first goal for the club, I was sure of the three points! We were in control of the game but somehow we were caught napping on a counter attack and Gillingham leveled the game 11 minutes from time! I was quite upset to see that and even more furious when Jacob Hronec got sent off five minutes from time! I wanted the win no matter what so I decided to play with only three defenders for the closing minutes of the game, I didn’t want to settle for a draw! The risk paid dividends two minutes from time when Mark Cullen was brought down inside the penalty area and Graham Howson confidently converted from the spot, we deserved to win this game!
Full time team talk: Well done!
Man of the match: Graham Howson
Flop of the match: Darren King
Match Stats
Video Highlights
Q.P.R. vs Vauxhall (League 1)
Venue: Loftus Road
Attendance: 9,001
Starting line up: Martin Hansen — Ken Harris, Daniel Pappoe, Oliver Nicholas, Alex Billington — Carlos Bogado, Matthew Ball, Graham Howson, Jason Banton — Mark Cullen, Darryl Duffy
Team Talk: You can win today!
It was the first tough match of the month, Q.P.R. were in third place and they also were on a five-match unbeaten run. I was quite curious to see my lads in action against such opposition but my curiosity turned to sorrow just 11 minutes into the game, the home side scored moments after we had missed a very good chance. The team was not very affected by that goal and we went on to miss another opportunity before our opponents hit the crossbar from distance. The game moved to a new perspective on the half hour mark when one of Q.P.R.‘s centre backs deservedly got sent off for a second bookable offense, now we had a better chance. It took my lads just one minute to level the game after the sending off, a good flowing team move was rounded off by Mark Cullen who bundled in from close range. We could have taken the lead moments later but another good chance went begging and we were punished for it on 36 minutes when the home side took the lead thanks to a very nice goal. Despite the scoreline, I was happy with the first half display.
Half time score: 2-1
Half time team talk: Pleased.
Half time substitutions: Dale Hills for Mark Cullen, Keith Higgs for Carlos Bogado
We were pouring forward like crazy after the break, Q.P.R. were under loads of pressure but we were wasting so many chances that I stopped counting them at some point. We had even more chances after I changed Graham Howson with Nathan Rooney but the good assists were constantly followed by dismal finishes… Luckily Daniel Pappoe hit the target again from a corner kick to rescue a point for us but we definitely could have won this game. The performance was very good though, everything worked pretty well except the finishing.
Full time team talk: Good result.
Man of the match: Nathan Rooney
Flop of the match: Keith Higgs
Match Stats
Video Highlights
Vauxhall vs Hartlepool (League 1)
Venue: Rivacre Park
Attendance: 2,354
Starting line up: Martin Hansen — Jacob Hronec, Daniel Pappoe, Derrick Williams, Grant Baddeley — Darren King, Mark Brown, Graham Howson, Keith Higgs — Mark Cullen, Dale Hills
Team Talk: You can win today!
It was supposed to be another easier game since Hartlepool were bottom of the table on an eight games without a win streak. Centre back Derrick Williams put us ahead before half time with a corner kick header, his first goal of the season, but our nearly total domination didn’t result in any more goals.
Half time score: 1-0
Half time team talk: Encourage.
Half time substitutions: Jacob Walcott for Keith Higgs
The second half started very well and Graham Howson converted another penalty kick, the foul was on left back Baddeley who made a surprising run inside the box. The game was ours, we were in full control but I was a bit disappointed to see my strikers being quite wasteful again. I couldn’t really congratulate the team after such a win, the opponent was much too weak, so I chose to ignore the players at the end of the game.
Full time team talk: none
Man of the match: Derrick Williams
Flop of the match: Keith Higgs
Match Stats
Video Highlights
Vauxhall vs Derby (League 1)
Venue: Rivacre Park
Attendance: 2,500 (capacity crowd)
Starting line up: Martin Hansen — Ken Harris, Daniel Pappoe, Oliver Nicholas, Grant Baddeley — Carlos Bogado, Mark Brown, Graham Howson, Jason Banton — Mark Cullen, Darryl Duffy
Team Talk: You can win today!
The final game of the month, a difficult one against 13th placed Derby. The team seemed to be playing pretty well again and we took the lead on 20 minutes when a very good team move was finished off by Graham Howson who found the back of the net with a fierce shot from inside the penalty area. That was his fifth goal of the season, he’s our top goalscorer! Another fine team move brought us the second goal before the break, this time Darryl Duffy provided the finish with a good half-volley. Derby had no less than seven players booked before half time, I was quite sure that we were going to have a numerical advantage in the second half.
Half time score: 2-0
Half time team talk: Pleased.
Half time substitutions: Nathan Rooney for Mark Brown, Dale Hills for Darryl Duffy, Jacob Walcott for Jason Banton
I decided to replace the most tired players at half time and the red card that I was expecting came in the 58th minute, one of their centre backs was sent off for a late tackle. We were in control but some sloppy defending allowed Derby to pull one back on 62 minutes. My boys were playing too well though, we were constantly creating chances and we finally converted one five minutes from time when a superb play from Carlos Bogado allowed Dale Hills to kill off the game. Bogado had a very good game as he also provided the assist for the second goal.
Full time team talk: Well done!
Man of the match: Carlos Bogado
Flop of the match: Jacob Walcott
Match Stats
Video Highlights
September Results
So, we went through September unbeaten and that lifted us into seventh place. Preston seem to be running away with the title but the battle for the playoff spots seems to be very tight.
October will have a few tough matches for us, we’ll meet 4th placed Shrewsbury and 6th placed Brighton.
That’s about it for now, things seem to be back on track but we played just one away game in September and most of the other games were against struggling opponents. I hope that my strikers will find their scoring boots soon, otherwise we might be in for a very frustrating ride this season. Thanks a lot for reading and don’t forget to enter the Goal Of The Month Competition, submissions for January will be closed in three days!
warren
12 января, 2011 at 12:12
Hi Johnny
A much better month here and hopefully the up and coming months will match September’s results and not match August’s results. Keep this up and Im sure you’ll be at least challenging for the play-offs.
Johnny Karp
12 января, 2011 at 18:23
Thanks Warren, I hope we will confirm this good run in the next months.
James
12 января, 2011 at 16:14
Very good season John, I think promotion is in you sights! Good luck Johnny :)
Johnny Karp
12 января, 2011 at 18:23
Thanks James but the season has just started, there’s an awfully long way to go from here.
James
12 января, 2011 at 18:46
Yea but, your JOHNNY, you won the champions league with BLYTH, There is no way your not gonna get promoted!
Johnny Karp
12 января, 2011 at 20:20
Those are just memories James, in this business you have to prove yourself every single day! :) Roy Hodgson nearly won the Europa League with Fulham and then we all know what happened at Liverpool…
Laxeyman
12 января, 2011 at 16:15
Well done Johnny, a good month and good to get some wins on the board. It seems like there are some strong teams in League 1, particularly QPR and Preston, so for you to be up around the play offs is a good achievement. Good luck for next month!
Johnny Karp
12 января, 2011 at 18:26
Thanks Laxeyman, I guess we were lucky to have that numerical advantage in the QPR game. We could have made the most of the opportunity though :)
Cal
12 января, 2011 at 16:26
I knew your team could get some form!! Looks like you have a strong team now they have geled( i think thats the spelling) together i hope you have a good successful season
Johnny Karp
12 января, 2011 at 18:27
Thanks for the confidence Cal. I don’t think that they have gelled so fast, maybe they just got a bit more confidence after the first two wins and the draw at QPR.
hils
12 января, 2011 at 16:38
Hi Johnny,good month there!!!!!!!!! Hopefully you will continue your form!!!!!!! Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!
Johnny Karp
12 января, 2011 at 18:27
Thanks Hils.
Kevin
12 января, 2011 at 17:35
Hello Johnny
Nice to see your team return to form with that unbeaten run. Howson is doing very well for you so I hope he keeps it up. I just played a match in which Darryl Duffy was on the opposing team. He ran the full lenght of the field and almsot scored!
Anyway good luck with those key games next month
Johnny Karp
12 января, 2011 at 18:28
Thanks Kevin. Duffy does such things for my team too but lately he seems to do that «almost scored» part a bit too often :)
dami
12 января, 2011 at 19:09
Good to see your team pick up some valuable points, hope the form continues next month.
dami
12 января, 2011 at 19:21
also I like the new format, though it means shorter updates and longer time to go through the season…
Johnny Karp
12 января, 2011 at 20:21
Indeed, it does need longer time to go through the season but we’re in no hurry :)
Johnny Karp
12 января, 2011 at 20:20
Thanks Dami, I hope so too.
Darren Smith
12 января, 2011 at 19:53
Well done Johnny, that was a fantastic month and has seen your side firmly back on track. Next month could be tough but you have some momentum now. To take the worst side in England all the way to League One already is amazing but I think this glass isn’t even half full yet. Goodluck mate.
Johnny Karp
12 января, 2011 at 20:22
Thanks mate, I hope this is only the beginning :)
garryduncan
12 января, 2011 at 21:02
wow that was an amazing run of results after a tough first month..lets hope ur forwards start scoring..well done
Johnny Karp
13 января, 2011 at 06:49
Thanks Garry. I surely hope that the strikers will start scoring like they’re supposed to.
Sears
12 января, 2011 at 21:46
Great month Johnny, a few more like this would defiantly see you challenge for the title!
Johnny Karp
13 января, 2011 at 06:49
Thanks Sears, I guess we’d need another four or five months like this :)
Lye
13 января, 2011 at 14:17
Hi Johnny,
Your players have shown some fantastic form this month. Looking forward to them performing the same for the rest of the season. I believe we will have something to cheer about. Good luck.
Johnny Karp
13 января, 2011 at 16:09
Thanks Lye, I hope we will keep it up for a while.
JeanPaul Borg
13 января, 2011 at 15:31
Hey Johnny. I am currently managing FC Juventus Bucuresti. We are nearing the end of the season and I want to ensure that my team survives the drop as they got promoted only last season and they are predicted to finish 15th from a total of 16 teams. I need to strengthen my defense and the midfield. Can you suggest a player please? Please do remember that we are a low reputation team and not much good players will agree to join.
However the board was taken over and the current directors are satisfied with my work. A lot of other managers (in the game) have told me that they wouldn’t like to be in my position, and know I understand how hard it is to lead a low club to glory. Well done mate.
Johnny Karp
13 января, 2011 at 16:12
Hi Jean Paul, glad to see you’re managing a Romanian club. You seem to have a pretty tough task there and I’m afraid I can’t help you with player suggestions because I don’t know which players would be interested in joining your club. My suggestion is to use your scouts to the maximum and also the assistant manager. However, I remember that there is an experienced defender that is unemployed, his name is Sorin Iodi. You could also try Marius Sava for the midfield but again, I’m not sure that these players would agree to join your club. Do you have a parent club from the first division?
JeanPaul Borg
13 января, 2011 at 23:19
Hi again. I finished the 1st season and we managed to survive with an amazing 8-1 victory over CS Opoteni. I hope the team will perform more like that. I have a lot of hard work coming up in the off season.
I will now be looking to get some better players into the club and hopefully get a parent club as the board doesn’t feel it is necessary to be the minor party. I will be looking to sell some of the current players as some of them are not happy with the club or want more first-team football.
How do you post a screen-shot from a laptop?
Johnny Karp
14 января, 2011 at 06:39
It’s good to know that you have survived the drop, well done. About the screen shot, it doesn’t matter if you’re on a laptop or desktop, it’s the same thing.
JeanPaul Borg
14 января, 2011 at 10:53
Thanks man. We managed to get a parent club and a serious one at that. Steaua announced the link! They also sent a player on loan to my club and he is not that bad for our stature! Hopefully we will gain more over the years from this partnership.
Johnny Karp
14 января, 2011 at 11:05
That’s a very good link, Steaua have quite a few youngsters that you can take on loan.
plobdork
13 января, 2011 at 16:58
Well done johnny great month jw how to vote goal of the month because i really like vauxhalls first goal against qpr strange qpr are relegated
Johnny Karp
14 января, 2011 at 06:37
Thanks mate. The voting for the goal of the month will start tomorrow but I don’t think that goal will be in the competition.
Ana Garcia
13 января, 2011 at 17:28
It looks like you have turned the corner! A much improved month and more importantly you are starting to win games.
I guess its still to early to say where you may end up but hopefully you can gain survival as soon as you can and push on from there!
Good luck! :)
Johnny Karp
14 января, 2011 at 06:37
Thanks Ana. I’m not worried about survival though, I promised the board a top half finish!
Sayam Khan
13 января, 2011 at 21:52
The team has gelled really quickly. An unbeaten month is excellent. Well done!
Johnny Karp
14 января, 2011 at 06:38
Thanks Sayam. I don’t think it was a squad gelling problem though, it should have continued if it was.