Hi all and welcome to the next instalment of my Hartlepool United side. After the ins and outs of the transfer market it was now time to see which teams would float and which teams would sink in the first two months of the season. I would have a total of 12 games in the first two months and I was hoping to hit the ground running as soon as the first game of the season kicks off.
August
V Cardiff
The season kicks off with a game against Cardiff at Victoria Park. It was the first championship game this club have ever seen and I was hoping to make it memorable. I feared for the worst when Cardiff took an early lead and I thought that this was the start of what is going to be a long, hard season. The goal seemed to galvanise my players and we dominated proceedings and we got an equaliser just before half time from debutant Lee Mair. We ended up winning the game when Joe Keenan scored from the edge of the box to make the game 2-1. This is how the game finished and I was ecstatic and thrilled with the performance.
V Morecombe
A slightly weakened side was put out against League 2 Morecombe and it was enough to ensure a 3-1 victory with goals coming from Henaini and a brace from Brown. We were in the next round were we will play recently promoted Middlesbrough in what is sort of a local derby.
V Reading
In our second league game of the season we were facing another team that was looking for a promotion spot by the end of the season so I was anxious to see how well we could play against team. I shouldn’t have worried and we brilliantly won our second game of the season thanks to a first goal in the blue and white for Luke Moore.
V Watford
We were having a good start to the season but I knew we would have to keep this going for as long as possible. Next up was another former premier league side in Watford and against I was favourites to lose this game and for a third game running I proved the bookies wrong. A goal from Henaini was the difference this time and I couldn’t believe what I was seeing a team this is favourites to be relegated and have maximum points out of the first three games.
V Middlesbrough
We were unsurprisingly knocked out of the 2nd round of the league cup by a superior Middlesbrough side but I was pleased in the way my team acquitted themselves against a side that had more talent. I would now have to concentrate on the league until the FA Cup comes round in January.
V Millwall
I came crashing down to earth with a massive bump and we were thrashed 5-0 by Millwall with a hat-trick from Steve Morrison. It was a painful loss especially with the start that I had made to the season. It was a game Millwall dominated from start to finish and deserved to win.
V QPR
The final game of August saw us face QPR who are in real life currently top of the Championship table. Adel Taarabt gave QPR the lead but we hit back start away and Eyeman Henaini scored it stay like that till half time and we took the lead early in the second when Henaini got his second of the match. Unfortunately we couldn’t hold on for a win but got a well-deserved point after Kaspers Gorkss scored from a header from a Taarabt corner.
Performance of the month
v Cardiff
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9kHhmIKGt4
September
v Sheff Utd
The first game of the month saw another tricky match against Sheff United how are managed by former Newcastle hero Gary Speed. It was game where we were going to have to fight for every ball and win every tackle. It was an inspired performance and it was a well deserved 2-0 win and the unexpected results just kept on coming. Goals from Evans and Henaini settled the win for the Pools.
v Bristol City
A disappointing 1-0 loss against Bristol City and it seemed that the inconsistency that had nearly cost me a place in this league last season was starting to make its return. I was wishing that this wasn’t going to be the case.
v Leicester
Next up was Leicester and by the end of the game I definitely felt that this game was one point gained as we they were the better side for large periods of the match and deserved the three points but Henaini made sure that I could add another point to my tally for the fight against relegation.
v Southampton
Southampton were the next team to visit Victoria Park and they wanted revenge for my Hartlepool team getting their final promotion spot on the last day of the season. The revenge would have to wait for another day as I got all three points from the Saints. The goals came from Brown and Silerbauer.
v Blackpool
The final match in this post features a game against a side that was recently relegated from the premier league. This would be a tough game but when has that stopped me so far this season. It was certainly an enjoyable match with Blackpool winning the game by the odd goal in five. They took a 3-1 lead going into half-time but we threatened a comeback but it was all in vain as the game finished 3-2 Blackpool.
Performance of the month
V Sheff Utd
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3h_1MSYf4us
Aug+Sep Results
I had an excellent start to the season and if we continue this we should have absolutely no worries in surviving in this division. I was hoping for more of the same from the next few months.
Table
A total of 17 points had been taken from the first 10 games of the season we were already 9 points away from the relegation places and I was just hoping that this form could continue for the rest of the season.
Thanks for reading
Warren
Boris
7 декабря, 2010 at 11:59
A good start to the season and you should have no trouble staying in the championship, even having a crack at the play off places. Heniani looks to be a good buy as well.
warren
7 декабря, 2010 at 13:30
Yer I feel that if you hit the ground running at the start of the season they you should be able to achieve what you set out to achieve in my case thats avoiding relegation and finishing mid-table are. I am also pleased with the way Henaini has settled into the English game so quickly and I hope he can improve.
Sears
7 декабря, 2010 at 17:57
That’s a good start Warren. If you maintain this form there’s no way you can get relegated!
warren
8 декабря, 2010 at 14:56
Thanks Sears and I hope that the start of the season can spur on the players to avoid the relegation places.
Darren Smith
7 декабря, 2010 at 18:25
Hey Warren, what a brilliant start to the season. Beating both Sheffield Utd and Cardiff proves your credentials in this league. Im standing by my play-off prediction but a mid-table finish would even be amazing. Googluck mate.
ps great find in henaini, he’s scoring well.
warren
8 декабря, 2010 at 14:58
I am really pleased with the start that we had and the teams that we beat along the way. I think a mid-table finish is the most realistic finish I could wish for. I am very excited in the way Henaini has started and hope he can continue this form
Darren Smith
7 декабря, 2010 at 18:48
ps I added the youtube videos for you Warren.
warren
8 декабря, 2010 at 14:58
Thanks
Johnny Karp
7 декабря, 2010 at 19:05
That’s a very good start Warren, the Championship always is a big step forward and your team proved to be strong enough to make an instant impact. Now let’s see some more good form, good luck! :)
warren
8 декабря, 2010 at 15:00
Yer the team showed that they will be no pushovers this season and that it will take a good team to beat us. I hope I can just build on this and I really will have a fantastic season.
Ana Garcia
8 декабря, 2010 at 00:37
A very solid start and its nice that you have enjoyed some wins. A long way to go but if you can continue to compete like you have been you should have no problems in staying up, and even upset a few team along the way!
Good luck on the rest of your season. :)
warren
8 декабря, 2010 at 15:01
I agree there is still a really long way to go to the end of the season and it will be a long and hard journey but I wish we can make it enjoyable for the fans and get as many points as possible.
kevin
8 декабря, 2010 at 09:31
Hi Warren
You got off to a great start but then that Middlesboro result sort of upset things. Still it’s early days and you are in a decent league position already so all in all not bad at all. Well done!!
warren
8 декабря, 2010 at 15:03
I wasn’t that too disheartened with the Middlesbrough result but the Millwall game afterwards really knocked the wind out of my players and I hope that we will not see a similar result this season.
Lye Kuek Hin
9 декабря, 2010 at 00:47
Hi Warren,
Great start. No problem in surviving. I think you can aim for a play-off spot if you can perform well. Good luck,.
warren
9 декабря, 2010 at 17:25
Hi Lye
I agree I definatly have a good enough squad to stay in the league but whether or not they could get a play-off place is a different matter and one that you’ll have to wait and find out about.
Laxeyman
9 декабря, 2010 at 11:25
Well done Warren, a good start, and it looks like your side can cope with life in the Championship, so you should have no worries at the moment. Hopefully you can keep up this form and you might sneak a play off place at the end of the season. Good luck!
warren
9 декабря, 2010 at 17:27
Thanks Laxeyman, yer i certainly think that I have enough to stay in the Championship and I hope to sneak into the play-off places but i think that is more of a realistic target for next season.