Hi everyone and welcome back to the north of England and to Hartlepool United. There was now only ten games left of the season and I was just outside the European places in 9th and just three points off 6th. It would be an important time for the club and one that could see Hartlepool’s first ever venture into a European Competition. I will apologise again for timing of post as I have been busy with work etc and have only just been about able to play it never mind write about it.
MARCH
V Wolves
The start of this final push for Europe started against Wolves at Victoria Park. In an exciting game in which my Hartlepool side were on top of a five goal thriller. It was a game full of excitement and I was glad that I was able to hold onto the lead and win the game that will hopefully give my players to continue this kind of performance until the end of the season.
V Chelsea
A tricky home game against Chelsea but I was thrilled with the way we played in a game that had a lot of chances for both sides to win the game. I just managed to take my chances better and took the three points in a 2-1 win. It was an unbeaten month (albeit with only two games to play) but it was a good start and I wanted to build on that.
APRIL
V Stoke
The first game in April saw us on the road to the Britannia Stadium and a journey I would rather forget about in the first 15 minutes of the match as we had conceded 2 goals thanks to some really sloppy defending. The pleasing thing about this game though was that I was able to claw my way back and went onto win the game 3-2 in what was another exciting game for the neutral but it was certainly nervous for me.
V West Ham
After seeing 13 goals being scored in the previous three games it was only fitting that neither side was able to find the net when I face West Ham at Victoria Park. In complete contrast there wasn’t much to talk about in this game other than Frazier Campbell will be out for 2-3 weeks with a hamstring strain which obviously game at such a bad time for me but I knew I would have to get over it.
V Arsenal
It was a disappointing loss against Arsenal though the fact of who we were playing and the other fact that we missed a penalty and the winning goal came though a Sean Morrison own goal. We defended really well and we got the reward of having the opportunity of getting a deserved draw but blew it on the usually reliable N’Diaye.
V Blackburn
Poor performance against an average Blackburn Rovers side. We deserved to lose but the way Blackburn played meant that it was really flattering for them to come away with a 3-0 victory. Morrison completed a poor week by being sent off before the end of the match just one game after we managed to score the winner for the opposing side.
MAY
V Birmingham
A return to winning ways with a thumping 4-0 victory against Birmingham City. Goals from Payet, own goal and a brace from Oscar Trejo was enough to see of the Blues at Victoria Park. With only three games left of the season it was getting real close for the European spots I was hoping for some good results against good opposition.
V Man Utd
A brilliant win and probably the performance of the season. Even though Manchester United aren’t having the best of season they still have a very good side it’s just that STEVE BRUCE is there manager. A goal apiece for Gardner, Adebayor and Campbell made sure we settle a 3-0 win over Man Utd.
V Liverpool
Another very good defensive performance surprised one of the title challenges and they were defeated 1-0 by my Hartlepool side who fought like beavers (famous Chris Kamara quote) in the second half to gain another valuable 3 points.
V Sunderland
The final game of the season against local rivals and my most hated club Sunderland. The visitors took the lead in the 9th minute through Tom De Sutter but like many games this season we managed to fight back and get the three points. Unsurprisingly Lee Cattermole was sent off in the second half but this was in injury time and it didn’t really affect the game. Now let’s see where we have ended up.
PERFORMANCE OF PART 4
V MAN UTD
Not just performance of the final few months but this was the performance of the season as it was a real high pressure game and my player excelled so brilliantly. Not enough words could describe the performance.
TABLE
We had done it but more to the point managed to finish 5th in the league which was a brilliant achievement since last season where we finished 3 points above the relegation places. We had managed to get a European place and it will be the first ever European competition that Hartlepool has ever played in their history and it will be exciting times for the people of Hartlepool. I simply cannot wait.
TOP SCORER
Frazier Campbell 22 in 30 PL games
ASSISTS
Frazier Campbell 14 in 34 PL games
TOP PERFORMER
Emmanuel Adebayor 7.31 in 32 PL games.
Thanks for reading
Warren
P.S Sorry this was quite a long post
Sears
28 февраля, 2011 at 22:18
Amazing, amazing, amazing!! You’ve improved hugely. To finish 17th one season and 5th the next, that’s just fantastic Warren. Your strike force of Campbell and Adebayor was phenomenal. Can’t wait for your next update :-)
warren
1 марта, 2011 at 16:32
Thanks Sears
I was thrilled with the progress I have made and if I can just get the right players in when the summer arrives I am hoping for a similar season next year. Campbell have been brilliant all season Campbell finished 4th in the league’s top scorer and Adebayor finished 5th.
Davewig1980
28 февраля, 2011 at 22:24
outstanding achievement! well done! and Cattermole should get sent off every game for ending Darren’s playing career! :P
warren
1 марта, 2011 at 16:34
Thanks Dave
It was a brilliant way to end the season by beating Sunderland and getting one over the mackems.
Lye Kuek Hin
1 марта, 2011 at 01:39
Hi Warren,
Your team has performed very well in the last 10 games beating the likes of Chelsea, Man Utd and Liverpool. You deserved the 5th place and a shot in Europe. Hopefully there is more money coming in and you can bring in better players to challenge for the title next season. Good luck.
warren
1 марта, 2011 at 16:36
It was a brilliant run in and it just showed that my players really want the opportunity to play in Europe. I hope that I can build on this and improve next season.
Birdy
1 марта, 2011 at 05:53
Hey Warren
Great work lets hope you can get champions league next year and maybe even win the league
Good luck mate
warren
1 марта, 2011 at 16:42
Hi Birdy
The Champions League places is what I will be aiming for next season but I feel that the title maybe one step to far and a bit unrealistic. This isn’t to say that I wont give it a shot.
CsAtlantis
1 марта, 2011 at 06:21
Hey Warren
Nice job getting the europa league spot and good luck in europe next season
Some interesting stuff to see, Birm have Kadlec, and some old players like Gerrard and Srna are still playing, how old are they now?
warren
1 марта, 2011 at 16:46
Hi CsAtlantis
The fact that we managed to climb up 11 places in the league since last season was brilliant and with some new faces in the summer hopefully we can continue to impress. Without giving too much away we may be seeing more of Kadlec very soon.
Wazz
1 марта, 2011 at 08:46
Wow! That was really unexpected! Great performances gave your team great results. Fraizer Campbell did really well.
Really can’t wait for your next post Warren.
warren
1 марта, 2011 at 18:03
Hey Wazz
I guess it was a bit of a suprise to finish in 5th place but I had a brilliant end to the season so there was always a chance.
Laxeyman
1 марта, 2011 at 08:56
Great season Warren, well done! Finishing 5th is fantastic, and with a few new signings in the summer you can make it into the Champions League next season. Adebayor and Campbell have been brilliant for you this season, hopefully they can carry it on next season. Loping forward to your pre season :)
warren
1 марта, 2011 at 18:05
Hi Laxeyman
Campbell was brilliant all the way through the season and I hope he will continue this form into next season. I guess that Champo League will be the target next season if I am able to bring in the right players to do the job.
Darren Smith
1 марта, 2011 at 17:58
Brilliant stuff Warren, I can’t believe you managed 5th position, beating Utd, Chelsea and Liverpool along the way. Campbell and Adebayour were sensational for you and next season will make history for Stellings club!!
The only thing to think about now is securing the clubs future. I would maybe start looking towards youth for signings to replace Adebayour, Petrov, Cole and the other oldies. Well done mate.
warren
1 марта, 2011 at 18:07
Thanks Darren
The more I think of it the better I feel I have achieved this season and now that I am safe in the Premier League I will start to bring in younger players for the future in the hope that they can start to bring some silverware to the Hartlepool supporters.
warren
1 марта, 2011 at 18:10
Sorry but forgot to mention but I think I remembered you saying that you were hopfully going to the Newcastle-Bolton match on Saturday. Where you able to attend and if you did what did you think of the game.
Johnny Karp
1 марта, 2011 at 18:45
Congrats Warren, qualifying for Europe is a huge achievement! Best of luck with strengthening the squad, I’m sure you’ll make England proud in the Europa League!
warren
1 марта, 2011 at 19:15
Hey Johnny
Thanks and I’m sure that we will be able to give Europe a nice suprise next season and maybe challenge for a trophy this season as well. I just hope that I am able to get a decent budget next season.
Ana Garcia
1 марта, 2011 at 19:23
Well done!!
Fantastic achievement to finish in 5th you should get a fair amount of money for finishing their so that will help to strengthen your team for the new season.
Good luck on Europe too! And your league season!
warren
2 марта, 2011 at 16:29
Thanks Ana
I think I get around £18million for finishing in 5th place and I hope that a large percentage of that will go towards to budget for next season.
Europe will be a good challenge and one I am looking forward to so much