Vauxhall vs Brentford (League 1)
Venue: Rivacre Park
Attendance: 2,439
Starting line up: Martin Hansen — Ken Harris, Sashi Chalwe, Mervin Simon, Lucky Sibiya — Carlos Bogado, Mark Brown, Graham Howson, Jason Banton — Mark Cullen, Ibrahima M’Bow
Team Talk: You can win today! («no pressure» for M’Bow)
It was a crucial game and I decided to field the best eleven that I could find at the moment but I was undecided whether to have M’Bow upfront alongside Cullen or to go for experienced Duffy. I chose to give M’Bow a vote of confidence even though he was still chasing his first goal for the club. I decided to have a separate talk with him before the game and I told him that he shouldn’t feel any pressure, just go out there and enjoy football! Well, it worked! Mark Cullen played a perfect through ball 10 minutes into the game and Ibrahima M’Bow powered it in from inside the penalty area, perfect timing for his first goal for the club! That goal gave the team even more confidence, we were dominating but Cullen wasted two big chances before the break while Brentford came close to punishing us on a counter attack.
Half time score: 1-0
Half time team talk: Encourage.
Half time substitutions: Derrick Williams for Sibiya, Jacob Walcott for Banton
The second half proved to be a lot easier than I would have expected, Brentford were unable to cause problems and we doubled the lead after the hour mark when substitute Jacob Walcott applied a sliding finish to a Mark Cullen cross. We secured a massive result that gave us a seven-point advantage on Preston and an eight-point cushion on Brentford.
Full time team talk: Well done!
Man of the match: Mark Cullen
Flop of the match: Lucky Sibiya
Match Stats
Video Highlights
Click here to watch the highlights.
Preston vs Vauxhall (League 1)
Venue: Deepdale
Attendance: 9,594
Starting line up: Martin Hansen — Ken Harris, Daniel Pappoe, Mervin Simon, Lucky Sibiya — Carlos Bogado, Mark Brown, Graham Howson, Jason Banton — Mark Cullen, Dale Hills
Team Talk: You can win today!
The last game of the month and also the toughest, Preston had the chance to cut their deficit to just four points. I was hoping to keep a clean sheet for as long as possible but my defense was totally outplayed six minutes into the game and Preston took the lead with a wonderfully crafted team effort. My boys reacted well, I was proud of them, but we were denied by some very good goalkeeping on several occasions. Our persistence paid off two minutes into stoppage time, Mark Cullen assisted Dale Hills and the young striker slotted home.
Half time score: 1-1
Half time team talk: Pleased.
Half time substitutions: Derrick Williams for Pappoe, Matthew Ball for Brown
The second half was more balanced, the game was played at a frantic pace and it was anybody’s guess how it was going to finish. No more goals were scored though so it ended all square. Looking back at the first half I could say that we should have won the game, we had much more clear chances, but in the end I was happy to grab a point and keep Preston seven points behind us.
Full time team talk: Good result!
Man of the match: Dale Hills
Flop of the match: Darryl Duffy
Match Stats
Video Highlights
Click here to watch the highlights.
The month went well overall, we would have been better off without that unlucky defeat at MK Dons but it turned out pretty well in the end.
So, we’re six points clear of Brentford and seven points clear of Preston, the title is ours to lose! We secured a playoff spot but I don’t care about that, it would be a disaster to go to the playoffs after holding such a lead.
We have six more games to play and we need four wins to secure the title. That is entirely possible but we’ll also have the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final to worry about, I am determined to win that trophy! I am still thinking about sending the backups in the game against Hereford in order to avoid injuries and fatigue before the final, I’ll have to decide soon.
That’s how it was folks, we’re in pole position and I hope we won’t run out of fuel during the last lap! Thanks a lot for reading and don’t forget to submit your entries in the February Goal Of The Month Competition!
Laxeyman
4 февраля, 2011 at 18:50
Another really good month Johnny, promotion is surely in the bag and the title will be soon too, I’m sure. Hopefully you can win the JPT, that would cap a remarkable season. I would suggest resting players against Hereford, even if you lose that you should comfortably get promoted. Good luck!
Johnny Karp
4 февраля, 2011 at 22:32
Thanks for the suggestion Laxeyman, I will have to think about it but right now I am inclined towards fielding a weakened side against Hereford.
Darren Smith
4 февраля, 2011 at 19:00
Hey Johnny, some great form there and you look set for promotion along with Kevin. Could be interesting to see how your JPT final compares to Kevins too.
One things for sure your working your lower league magic yet again on FM…well done mate.
Johnny Karp
4 февраля, 2011 at 22:34
Thanks for the kind words Darren, I hope that both me and Kevin will clinch the JPT.
Vaibhav C.
4 февраля, 2011 at 19:09
You had a pretty good month except for the loss against MK Dons. If you could win the cup and then win the league, you could consider yourself a legend! Vauxhall should be winning the league unless something bad happens. Good luck on your final.
Johnny Karp
4 февраля, 2011 at 22:36
Thanks mate but I don’t agree with calling me a legend, Sir Alex Ferguson is a legend! You see, winning the Champions League makes you a legend, winning the JPT makes you a probable future legend :)
Sears
4 февраля, 2011 at 19:29
Another promotion secured Johnny. You’ve really worked wonders with Vauxhall. Your a true FM lower league legend! U must be a god in Vuaxhall now :-p
Johnny Karp
4 февраля, 2011 at 22:38
Thanks Sears, you are too kind. Actually the home town of Vauxhall Motors FC is called Ellesmere Port and it’s population is around 64,000 people so I guess everybody in town should know me by now :) I guess I’m entitled to free beers at the local pub :)
Kevin
4 февраля, 2011 at 19:43
Hi Johnny
Yet another great month and all the best for the JPT Final. I would rest at least some of your better players against Hereford. I think winning the league is more than achieveable now. Well done!!
Johnny Karp
4 февраля, 2011 at 22:38
Thanks Kevin, your suggestion is noted and much appreciated :)
Iain
4 февраля, 2011 at 21:53
hi, quite a good month there. i am sure that you will win the league. i would suggest resting some players for the Hereford game just in case. can’t wait for your next post !
Good Luck !!
Johnny Karp
4 февраля, 2011 at 22:41
Thanks Iain, I guess you are right about resting some players but I will have to check the fixtures once again and make sure that we have a good chance of grabbing the needed points in the other games.
hils
5 февраля, 2011 at 07:00
Hi Johnny,good month there!!!!!!!!! I hope you can win the league!!!!!!!! Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Johnny Karp
5 февраля, 2011 at 11:11
Thanks Hils, I hope so too.
Lye
5 февраля, 2011 at 07:50
Hi Johnny,
Two good results against Brentford and Preston saw you in the pole position to claim that title and promotion. I don’t have any worries about you losing on the title. You just need to concentrate on the selection to win the double. I know you can do it. Good luck.
Johnny Karp
5 февраля, 2011 at 11:11
Thanks for the confidence Lye, a double would be nice :)
Ana Garcia
6 февраля, 2011 at 12:05
Once again you have done wonders with your team and are again on the verge of another promotion, well done!
Am hoping you can win the league and that trophy, so good luck Johnny!
Johnny Karp
6 февраля, 2011 at 12:51
Thanks a lot Ana, I’ve been missing your encouragements :)
Sayam Khan
6 февраля, 2011 at 13:03
Great month Johnny, I’m confident you will win the title and i’m backing you to win the JPT trophy. Good Luck. :-)
Johnny Karp
6 февраля, 2011 at 14:02
Thanks for the confidence Sayam, that’s encouraging :)