Fulham vs Vauxhall (Premier League)
Venue: Craven Cottage
Attendance: 24,187
Starting line up: Dean Bouzanis — Kaka, Cameron Lindsay, Mervin Simon, Jelle Van Damme — Radek Vecera, Shyamdew Weibolt, Mark Brown, Ibrahima MBow — Connor Wickham, Andrés
Team Talk: You can win today!
Our first game of September was against another suffering team, Fulham were coming from three straight defeats just like us! They were predicted to finish 8th though and I was sure that we were going to have a tough match. The game was fairly even and quiet for almost 30 minutes, the two teams were looking quite nervy. Unfortunately it was the home side who broke the deadlock on 28 minutes and it was through a Romanian player too, I guess my fellow countryman had no sympathy for my struggles… Luckily we managed to bounce back just four minutes later when Radek Vecera (employed as a right midfielder on the occasion) curled in a good powerful cross and Andrés headed home for his first goal of the season.
Half time score: 1-1
Half time team talk: Pleased.
Half time substitutions: Grant Baddeley for Kaka
The second half was a totally different story, Fulham were pushing forward relentlessly and I have to admit that we were lucky to survive until the hour mark but we also had to thank goalie Dean Bouzanis for a string of good saves. And then we struck! Connor Wickham took advantage of some poor defending, passed through to Andrés and the Spaniard made no mistake! The siege continued after the goal, Fulham were attacking with even greater fury but we had a guardian angel between the sticks: Bouzanis. We clinched our very first three points in the Premier League but I have to admit that we didn’t deserve this win at all.
Full time team talk: Well done!
Man of the match: Andrés
Flop of the match: Shyamdew Weibolt
Match Stats
Video Highlights
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Vauxhall vs Birmingham (Premier League)
Venue: Halton Stadium
Attendance: 10,289
Starting line up: Dean Bouzanis — Kaka, Cameron Lindsay, Mervin Simon, Jelle Van Damme — Thorsten Schon, Radek Vecera, Mark Brown, Roni Porokara — Connor Wickham, Andrés
Team Talk: You can win today!
After recording the first league win of the season I was hoping to get the first win at home especially since we were meeting a troubled team: Birmingham were down in last place after suffering four consecutive defeats! The first half showed that we were still having the same problem as in the previous games: we had more than 60 percent possession but we rarely managed to create some real danger. Our opponents took the lead on counter attacks, they had two clear chances: one was saved by Bouzanis but the second one went in.
Half time score: 0-1
Half time team talk: I want to see more from you!
Half time substitutions: none
I was hoping to see a better display after half time but I was vastly disappointed, the team played even worse and Birmingham could easily have scored a couple more on counter attacks. Things were looking as bad as they could get and considering that we had a trip to Emirates Stadium coming up next you could say that I wasn’t too optimistic…
Full time team talk: Disappointing!
Man of the match: Kaka
Flop of the match: Thorsten Schon
Match Stats
Video Highlights
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Arsenal vs Vauxhall (Carling Cup 3rd rnd)
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 49,251
Starting line up: Tim Howard — Kaka, Cameron Lindsay, Mervin Simon, Jelle Van Damme — Radek Vecera, Shyamdew Weibolt, Mark Brown, Roni Porokara — Pavol Vesely, Ibrahima MBow
Team Talk: Pressure is off.
Some players were tired after the last league game, especially the two strikers, so I chose to replace them and I also decided to send in Tim Howard between the sticks because I felt that he deserved to be at least our cup goalie. It’s obvious that I didn’t have high hopes for this game since Arsenal were unbeaten since the start of the season and they also were the League Cup holders. However, my thoughts became a bit brighter six minutes into the game when we managed to silence the crowd by scoring the opening goal! Right back Kaka drilled a good cross, Arsenal‘s defenders spilled it, Ibrahima MBow pounced on the loose ball and struck it with power straight into the roof of the net! As expected, Arsenal reacted with fury but my lads did pretty well in defense and we were leading 1-0 at half time!
Half time score: 0-1
Half time team talk: Pleased.
Half time substitutions: Grant Baddeley for Van Damme, Inigo Perez for Brown, Wayne Routledge for Porokara
We continued to hang in there after the break, Arsenal were trying hard to level the match but we survived with a bit of luck when they hit the woodwork on one occasion. Things got a lot more complicated for us on 59 minutes when striker Pavol Vesely left the field on a stretcher, we were down to 10 men and that surely was not going to boost our chances. However, my lads started to show even more determination both in midfield and in defense and we survived for another 10 minutes. The pressure was getting too high and I chose to switch the strategy to counter 20 minutes from time. The move paid off, Arsenal were having more difficulties in breaking through our defense and we also managed to create a great chance on a counter attack on 75 minutes but substitute Wayne Routledge squandered it. Tim Howard was heroic between the sticks, he was saving anything that they were throwing at him and then it happened: five minutes from time, a great counter attack saw MBow breaking through, his shot was saved but the ball bounced into the path of Radek Vecera and the Czech midfielder found the back of the empty net! Our fans were ecstatic and so was I, we beat Arsenal 2-0 away from home!
Full time team talk: Well done!
Man of the match: Ibrahima MBow
Flop of the match: Pavol Vesely
Match Stats
Video Highlights
Click here to watch the match highlights.
Ipswich vs Vauxhall (Premier League)
Venue: Portman Road
Attendance: 20,105
Starting line up: Dean Bouzanis — Kaka, Cameron Lindsay, Mervin Simon, Jelle Van Damme — Thorsten Schon, Radek Vecera, Mark Brown, Roni Porokara — Connor Wickham, Andrés
Team Talk: You can win today!
The last match of the month was away at 14th placed Ipswich, I was hoping that the morale-boosting win against Arsenal would help my team to record another positive result. This time we got off to the worst possible start though, right back Kaka made a huge mistake inside our own area two minutes into the game and Ipswich took the lead. They could have made it 2-0 moments later with a free kick shot but we were saved by the crossbar, it seemed that we were in for another torrid afternoon. My lads recovered from that dismal start, they started to play better and we could have leveled the game when Andres had a good one on one chance with the opposition goalie but he was denied by a good save. Andrés made amends for that miss two minutes before the break though, he made a swift turn inside the penalty area and then fired it straight into the near top corner, great goal!
Half time score: 1-1
Half time team talk: You can win today!
Half time substitutions: Grant Baddeley for Kaka, Inigo Perez for Vecera, Ibrahima MBow for Andres
Things got a lot better seven minutes after the re-start, my lads crafted a good breakaway and substitute Ibrahima Mbow fired a superb diagonal shot into the bottom corner of the net. We were leading 2-1 after playing pretty well up to that point but I was fearing a comeback from Ipswich. That didn’t come though, my team finally produced a good defensive display, probably the best since the start of the season. We grabbed the three points and I was pleased to see some improvements in our overall performance.
Full time team talk: Well done!
Man of the match: Cameron Lindsay
Flop of the match: Kaka
Match Stats
Video Highlights
Click here to watch the match highlights.
September was much better than August in terms of results, we got six out of nine points in the league and we also caused a huge Carling Cup upset by beating holders Arsenal. This month gives us hope of a better future but there still is a lot of work to do because the team is not playing anywhere near what I would want them to play.
The league table is not necessarily relevant at this point but I couldn’t help noticing that fellow newly-promoted Burnley enjoyed a much better start than we did. On the other had Middlesbrough were doing much worse so I guess we could be satisfied with our start overall.
We won’t have any giants to meet next month so I guess we could amass a few more points, hopefully. We will also meet Championship side Portsmouth in the Carling Cup and I reckon we have a pretty good chance of advancing to the quarter finals there.
So, that’s how our first couple of months with the big boys went… I’m not happy but I’m not too disappointed either, my team has «work in progress» written all over it and I can only hope that my plan would prove to be successful in the end. Some of the players still lack the courage and strength to challenge their more illustrious opponents but I think that they will get used to it in the coming month and start showing the talent that I know they have. Thanks a lot for reading and please don’t forget to vote in the Goal Of The Month competition if you haven’t done that already!
Laxeyman
29 марта, 2011 at 19:00
Not a great start Johnny, but you’ve obviously got a lot of potential to improve, and I’m sure you will. I reckon you challenge for a top 8 finish once your team gels, I hope I’m right :) Good luck!
Johnny Karp
29 марта, 2011 at 19:42
Thanks Laxeyman, I hope you’re right too! :)
hils
29 марта, 2011 at 19:02
Hi Johnny,good 2 months there!!!!!!!!! Hopefully you will get better as the months get on!!!!!!!!!!!! Good luck!!!!!!!
Johnny Karp
29 марта, 2011 at 19:43
Thanks Hils, the two months were not that good but I think that we can do better in the future.
Ana Garcia
29 марта, 2011 at 19:29
We are in the same boat I think!
Its always tough early on and I felt like you did that you dont know whether to be happy or dissapointed but I guess come end of the season we will find out.
Still lots of points to play for and plenty of time to improve, beating Arsenal away was probably a better achievement than me beating Real Madrid at home! So really well done on that result.
As always best of luck on the rest of the season and I have my fingers crossed that you can survive.
:)
Johnny Karp
29 марта, 2011 at 19:45
Thanks Ana, I think that you are right in your assessment of the situation. It’s always difficult for a newly-promoted team during the early stages of the season but I hope that we’ll improve our game in the future.
MRDNRA
29 марта, 2011 at 19:54
Considering your stature in the Premier League, you could’ve done a lot worse. In my current Leicester game I also had Man U as my second game of the season, also away from home, and also lost 4-1! That was having lost 2-1 to Villa in the first match, but the following match I comfortably beat Bolton 2-0. I’ve not done anything since but it’s interesting to compare, especially given you’re probably much better at the game than I am.
Anyway, good luck, and looking forward to the next post.
Johnny Karp
29 марта, 2011 at 21:18
You are right, things could have gone a lot worse. I agree that it would be interesting to compare although I don’t necessarily agree that I’m a better manager. Anyway, thanks for the good luck wish, I’m sure we’re going to need some of that good fortune. :)
Darren Smith
29 марта, 2011 at 20:28
Hey Johnny, not the greatest start…but just look at your opponents during the first month. I think you should disregard it and look at the second month which was much improved. Andres is a great regen and I can see him becoming a legend with the Vauxhall fans. Good luck mate.
Johnny Karp
29 марта, 2011 at 21:19
Thanks Darren, I hope we’ll do even better in the next months. You are right about Andrés, he’s an exceptional player and I guess I was very lucky to be able to get him for free last season.
Alex
29 марта, 2011 at 23:37
Hi Johnny,
You were given a very cruel start to the season but your team did very well to put that behind them and have a much better September. Once your team properly gels I think you could be aiming for Europe as you have good players at your disposal. Good luck, hopefully October takes the same tone as September rather than August!
Johnny Karp
30 марта, 2011 at 08:44
Thanks Alex, I think that we’re on the right path but I’m not thinking about Europe yet, relegation is too close to aim that high at the moment.
Lye
30 марта, 2011 at 02:07
Hi Johnny,
I won’t be worrying too much about the results. There is gulf in quality between the Motormen and the big clubs but you have proved you can win against teams that are on par with you. The win against Arsenal showed nothing is impossible. Your guys have to show more confidence and courage for the coming games.
Johnny Karp
30 марта, 2011 at 08:44
Thanks Lye, I agree that more confidence and courage will give us better results.
CsAtlantis
30 марта, 2011 at 03:13
Johnny I think your team is not doing that badly, considering that your first month league fixtures were pretty hard to get anything out of, it’s just your first season so consolidation is more important, a safe mid table position seems possible with your squad, Wickham will be a key player for you
You’re doing well in the League Cup, keep up the good work
Johnny Karp
30 марта, 2011 at 08:45
Thanks mate, I hope to see more from Wickham in the coming months.
Liam101
30 марта, 2011 at 04:20
Hey Johnny. Not a great start but there some real toughies there. Has Wickham become world class? With your upcoming matches I can see some good results and a lengthy cup run on your hands.
Good luck
Johnny Karp
30 марта, 2011 at 08:46
Thanks for the good wishes Liam. About Wickham, I wouldn’t say that he’s world class since he has yet to score his first league goal for us. I believe that he has great potential though.
Kevin
30 марта, 2011 at 09:10
Hi Johnny
Well the first few games you had to experience some tough losses but perhaps that’s a good thing? So many promoted teams start well then slide down the table. Vauxhall on the other hand are now doing the opposite and are now moving up! September was a better month and after back to back wins especially over Arsenal can only bost morale and hopefully string together some great results in The Fall months.
Johnny Karp
30 марта, 2011 at 10:49
Hi Kevin, I was expecting a bumpy road in the first month but I guess we recovered pretty well in September (except that defeat against Birmingham). The following months will tell us more about our strength and about what we could achieve this season.
Excessive
30 марта, 2011 at 09:29
Absolutely agree with Kev, after the first month the results could only get better and you proved that your players have what it takes to succeed in this league by beating Arsenal. Hope you can go far in the carling cup and obtain a safe mid table place come the end of the season.
Be happy with what you have, you have a great base of players and coming into one of the best leagues in the world is tough as many have found out before in real life. It will take time but I know you can get there :)
Good luck!
Johnny Karp
30 марта, 2011 at 10:51
Thanks Jake. Your comment reminded me of an old Romanian saying that goes like this: «If you don’t have what you like, then you must like what you have!». ;)
Vaibhav C.
30 марта, 2011 at 09:43
Hey Johnny,
Not a great start I guess, but September was a good month for you, except for the loss. Boro are doing much worse.. Great win against Arsenal and I think that you can win against Portsmouth in the Carling Cup.
Btw-how come you are never at work? All your updates are always on weekdays :P
Johnny Karp
30 марта, 2011 at 10:53
Thanks for the encouragement Vaibhav. I do have a rather odd schedule at work, sometimes I work during the weekends, sometimes I get a day off in midweek, I guess that explains why my updates come during the weekdays at times. But not all of them really, most updates are published during the weekend. Btw, I am at work now :)
Sayam Khan
31 марта, 2011 at 16:57
Hi Johnny, first few months are always difficult as you don’t know what your best team is. If you get it correct then well done, but that isn’t the case most of the time. Great victory against Arsenal! By the way, are Arsenall successful in your game? In my game they only won 3 trophies up to now… (Europa League, League Cup and Premiership last season)
September was a good month and hopefully it will carry on that way!
Good Luck!
Sears
2 апреля, 2011 at 13:52
Sorry for the late replay but tremendous start buddy. Great win @ Arsenal!
Johnny Karp
3 апреля, 2011 at 08:33
Thanks Sears.