Pred Posted March 21, 2005 Author Share Posted March 21, 2005 Right, so that last one? Wasn't happening. However now, we're updated with Data, got the new 5.0.5 patch, and are ready and rarin' to go. One difference now however, is that, rather than just grab any team at the beginning of the 04/05 season, i've simulated the 04/05 season and am beginning in the 2005/06 campaign. Who with? Where? Why? How? Read on. Leagues Being Run: Argentina (Premier League Only) Belgium (First Division Only) Brazil (First Division Only) England (League Two and Above) France (Second League and Above) Germany (Second Division and Above) Holland (First Division and Above) Italy (Serie C1 and Above) Mexico (First Division Only) Portugal (Superleauge Only) Russia (Premier League Only) Scotland (Premier League Only) South Korea (K-League Only) Spain (Second Division and Above) Turkey (Premier League Only) U.S.A. (MLS) Ukraine (High League Only) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pred Posted March 21, 2005 Share Posted March 21, 2005 Right, so that last one? Wasn't happening. However now, we're updated with Data, got the new 5.0.5 patch, and are ready and rarin' to go. One difference now however, is that, rather than just grab any team at the beginning of the 04/05 season, i've simulated the 04/05 season and am beginning in the 2005/06 campaign. Who with? Where? Why? How? Read on. Leagues Being Run: Argentina (Premier League Only) Belgium (First Division Only) Brazil (First Division Only) England (League Two and Above) France (Second League and Above) Germany (Second Division and Above) Holland (First Division and Above) Italy (Serie C1 and Above) Mexico (First Division Only) Portugal (Superleauge Only) Russia (Premier League Only) Scotland (Premier League Only) South Korea (K-League Only) Spain (Second Division and Above) Turkey (Premier League Only) U.S.A. (MLS) Ukraine (High League Only) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pred Posted March 21, 2005 Author Share Posted March 21, 2005 November 4th, 2005 New York City, New York “So what’re you doing this evening?†I yawn and stretch, getting up off my couch and walking for the kitchen. It’s 7:00 PM on a Friday night, and I’ve got absolutely no plans for the evening. Not that I’m going to let him know that. “I figure maybe we could go somewhere cheap. Reasonably cheap. Is anyone good playing at the Knitting Factory tonight?†Robert shakes his head, chuckling. “Nothing you’d like, at least. Come on man, you’ve had your head buried in magazines, periodicals, papers. I mean, do you think putting your name in for the Real Betis job is actually going to pan out?†“Well, of course not, but I want to get my name out there.†I say, opening the fridge and removing a soda. “How hard can it be to understand? I want to manage a team, any team, anywhere. And frankly, I don’t want to spend another decade as a coach here stateside. Perhaps you weren’t watching this year, but I was getting kind of bored with the Flames. I mean, really, a team in Westchester County?†Robert laughs, shaking his head. “Yes, I remember, I was getting bored too. But honestly, if you’re not going to try and sign up for a job with the MLS, who do you think in Europe is going to take a chance on a guy who hasn’t ever managed before?†“Jurgen Klinsmann never managed before.†“Yes, but you didn’t appear over 100 times in international games. And you didn’t score. Matter of fact, you didn’t play professionally.†“Details, details.†I say with a laugh. “At this point, I’ll try anything.†“So how many applications do you have out now anyway?†I shrug. “I’ve lost track personally. I started putting in applications in April, and haven’t stopped since. Argentina, Brazil, Belgium, France, England…†I say, counting on my fingers. “…Germany, Holland, Italy, Portugal, Scotland, Russia, Spain, and Turkey.†“No applications in the MLS?†“You think they’ll hire me?†“You applied for the Galatasaray job!†“I like to think there’s a possibility of a positive outcome there.†November 6th, 2005 “Newcastle’s horror season at took a small upturn today, as a 2-0 victory over Portsmouth moved them into 14th place, although that certainly will not satisfy the board, players or fans, who have been left stunned by the turn of events upon Tyneside. This still will not be seen as anything but a disaster at Newcastle however, after a 4th-place finish last year, and finally, some silverware for the Toon in the form of a UEFA Cup and UEFA Super Cup win. Meanwhile, in Italy, the race for the Scudetto is seeing some real change as Roma extended their lead at the top to three points…†I turn my attention away from the TV, moving back to removing the various foodstuffs from the plastic bags. Today’s grocery day, which means I’ll spend about $15 on things that will actually be nutritious and filling, and another $40 on things that I saw in the aisles that looked cool or were some sort of sugar-sweet concoction that I hadn’t tried yet. Tossing a pack of frozen pizza into the fridge, the Messages Received blinker on the answering machine catches my eye. Three in total, I punch the button and listen. *BEEP* “Hi Jake, it’s Tom. We’re running a two-a-day session starting Monday, so I thought I’d just let you kno…†Deleted. Last thing I want to think of is my job. *BEEP* “Hello, this is Tonya from Blockbuster Video calling. You’ve had Troy past its due date for…†Deleted. God that movie sucked. Now I’m going to get charged more for it. *BEEP* “Hello Mr. Flanagan.†A British accent. My heart skips a beat. The message continues. “My name is Graham and I’m calling on behalf of Alex Hamilton and Wrexham Association Football Club.†“Yes. Uh… I… uh… well, I’m thrilled to make your acquaintance.†“As am I. Obviously, you’ve been following English football pretty religiously this season?†“For the most part, yes.†In my head, I’m making all kinds of assumptions, hoping against hope. Maybe? “So you have probably heard that back on November 1st, Wolverhampton hired our previous manager Denis Smith. Since then we’ve left the club in the hands of Kevin Russell as caretaker. Now, you sent us an application, correct?†“Yes.†My heart won’t stop pounding. “Well, I’m glad to say that your application has been accepted. We’d love for you to join the Wrexham A.F.C. family for the rest of the season as manager….†Elation. I’m jumping around my kitchen in joy, pumping my first and giving all sorts of other utterly ridiculous signs of my overwhelming happiness. Graham, on the other end of the phone, blissfully unaware of my antics, continues. “…you’ll take over the club immediately. We’ll help you get yourself set up with a place to stay, and the press conference introducing you as the new manager will be as soon as you arrive in Wrexham. Get all that?†“I’m clearing my calendar as I speak.†Translation: I’m going to call Robert tonight and we’re going to go out and have celebratory drinks until I can’t walk. “Great, wonderful. We’re thrilled to have you on board. Admittedly, we’re throwing you into the deep end here. The club’s in 18th place, and we need you to be here in time for your first game in charge vs. Oldham on the 19th. You won’t have a lot of time to get yourself acquainted with the team, the town, the players and your backroom staff, but this is a challenge we hope you can meet.†We exchange goodbyes and I hang up the phone, grinning like an idiot. A League Two team, in England loses its reasonably-tenured manager, figures “what the hell†and hires a unknown American? My lucky freaking day. November 16th, 2005 “We’d like to think we’re ushering in a new age here at Macclesfield Town FC, so, I’ll turn things over to Mr. Flanagan.†I smile at Mr. Hamilton and the rest of the assembled Wrexham board, shaking each of their hands as I approach the podium. The assemblage is rather small, a few members of the local media and some assorted supporters, but otherwise unknown. Not that I’m surprised. I clear my throat, and begin. “Members of the Press, Supporters, I’m absolutely thrilled to be standing here in front of you as the new Manager of Wrexham AFC. I’m not really even sure where to begin, but at the very least I must say that I am thankful to the Chairman, Mr. Alex Hamilton for taking a chance on an unknown and giving me this huge opportunity. It’s been my dream to manage in England, so this is a dream come true. I know the past season was a tough one for Wrexham fans, and I know I’m replacing a man who saved the team from relegation last year. But I’m looking forward to the rest of this season. I think, with some guts and some hard work, we can and will improve and avoid the drop, and we can improve on our position last year. I’ll do my best not to squander this opportunity, and promise the fans that I am committed to the Wrexham cause.†Later in the day, Denmark and Romania qualify for the 2006 World Cup in the second leg of the Playoffs today, but everyone’s eyes are fixated on the Ireland – Poland game, where Matt Holland becomes a national hero, scoring a 91st minute goal to sink the Poles and send Ireland to Germany for the World Cup. November 19th, 2005 English League One – Game 16: Wrexham v. Oldham Athletic And into the deep end. The good news is, the club isn’t in the precarious financial state they were in last year. The bad news is, the first-team squad, as I’ve taken a look at them, isn’t of the quality we’ll need to stay up by a longshot. The fact that our top scorer is 35-year old (and not getting any younger) Shaun Goater is what I like to call a very bad thing. The team’s been absolutely pathetic infront of net this year, with 17 goals in 15 games, things that will have to change if we want to stay up. It seems like the board and the fans are all looking at the prospect of relegation with a little more resigned feeling than I’d hope for. Wrexham (4-4-2): Esson; Smith, Roberts, Gerrard, Walsh; Hughes, Holt, Williams, McMaster; Llewellyn, Goater Oldham (4-4-2): Pogliacomi; Armstrong, Cahill, Haning, Tierney; Brown, Hughes, Woods, Betsy; Benjamin, Earnshaw Oldham have taken Wales international Robert Earnshaw on Loan from West Brom until December, and it becomes completely apparent that he’s way too good for this level, at least for us, right off the bat. He’s cutting a swath through our outmatches defense, especially with Andy Roberts playing completely out of position at the center of defense when he’s a center-midfielder. Our best chance comes by the most boring of means on 52 minutes, when a longball upfield manages to allow Shaun Goater to squirt past his marker and go one-on-one with Pogliacomi. But his shot fires well wide of the net, and we’re left empty handed. Oldham take the advantage, outplaying us all day, Earnshaw breaks free for the umpteenth time, racing past his markers and firing into the top-right corner of the net. We can’t find any attacking verve, and have to watch as Oldham walk away with the points. Final Score – Wrexham 0:1 Oldham Athletic MoM – Gary Cahill This isn’t the first game in charge I had in mind, especially given that Oldham are dead last in League One. Worse, the loss leaves us in 20th place, one point ahead of Hull City and the relegation places. We have to turn around our League form post-haste if we want to stay out of the relegation battle. November 20th, 2005 These first few days in charge have seen me feverishly working the phones, looking for new blood to bring into the club. The problem is, with the transfer window closed, and only $100K at my disposal, noone new is joining the club until January when the window reopens, so for now, it’s Loans, Loans, Loans. I’m putting out inquiries for anyone who might even seem interesting in coming to Wrexham. The risk, however, is that, in my eyes, for this team to make the jump to mid-table mediocrity (and that’d be a jump for us now) I’m going to end up making a lot of people angry. A portion of the first-team squad may lose their jobs if play doesn’t pick up, and considering how the season’s gone already, I don’t see that happening. November 21st, 2005 Success! Three new Loans join the club today, as having spent nearly 24 hours straight working the phones pays off. The trio, defender Piqué and Floribert N’Galula from Manchester United and Steven Watt from Chelsea will hopefully provide a fresh influx of talent and skill into the squad. Hopefully. Players In: Piqué (18 y/o, SPA, D C) Floribert N’Galula (18 y/o, BEL, D/DM C) Steven Watt (20 y/o, SCO, D RC) The bad news is that Michael Walsh, our starting Right-Back and one of our best players managed to twist his knee, meaning he’ll be out for both of our relegation matches against 23rd-placed Bradford tomorrow, and 17th-placed Yeovil on Saturday. Great. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pred Posted March 21, 2005 Author Share Posted March 21, 2005 November 22nd, 2005 English League One – Game 17: Bradford City v. Wrexham I haven’t been at the club for more than a week and already, two games to manage. I’ve made it perfectly clear to the team that our goal this year is survival, preferably, survival by a reasonable margin. I hope they’ll take the message to heart. Another loss today could drop us right into the relegation places, but a win could send us right into mid-table. Bradford (4-4-2): Henderson; Emmanuel, Bower, Kennedy, Ifil; Morrison, Penford, Schumacher, Muirhead; Cooke, Forest Wrexham (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Smith, Lawrence, Gerrard, Watt; Roberts; Hughes, Williams; McMaster; Goater, Youngs Frankly, if I referred to Goater and Youngs as having been completely ineffectual in the first half, I’d be being unbelievably kind to the pair. Even with Jamie McMaster (on Loan from Leeds) trying his hardest to get them both into the game, neither seem to quite get the concept that they need to be making inroads into the opposition defense at all times to try and open up the game. Bradford have by far the best chances of the first half, and I’m thanking the stars on 43 minutes when a cross into the box is missed entirely by our defense, allowing Forest to take the ball on the bounce and send a blast that Esson gratefully clutches to his chest. I introduce N’Galula and a player from our youth side, one Simon Cox in the second half, hoping we can put something together post-haste. Thankfully, Simon’s got a bit of pace that Goater decidedly doesn’t have, and the move works wonders immediately, N’Galula winning a ball in midfield, passing upfield to McMaster who gladly slides a through ball to the penalty spot for Cox to slip past Henderson and into the net for 1-0. With that, Bradford kick it into an extra gear, introducing an extra striker and switching to a 4-3-3. But our midfield starts putting on a glorious show, fighting for every ball and intercepting pass after pass, allowing us to weather the storm and force Bradford onto their back foot long enough for us to go home with three vital points. Final Score – Bradford City 0:1 Wrexham MoM – Jamie McMaster After the game, I’m thrilled with the result. The three points is vital, and places us into 14th, not safe from relegation yet, and only four points away from the playoff spots. It does say something about the division that the different between the last playoff spot and the first relegation place is seven points. With 14 teams inbetween, battling to get into the upper, and stay away from the lower. November 24th, 2005 More good news today, as Manchester United is willing, once more to depart with a member of its youth squad for a few months. The man is 21-year old David Jones, who has apparently fallen out of Fergie’s favor at Old Trafford. We’ve got him on Loan until the end of the year, so that’ll be all four of my year-long transfers done and dusted with. Meanwhile, American Franklin Simek has been declared surplus to needs at Arsenal, and they’re offering him to any interested parties at a cut-rate $100K. I’ve tabbed a bid that’ll have us paying the amount over the next 24 months, making it a paltry $4,000 a month to pay to Arsenal. Hopefully, they’ll accept. November 26th, 2005 Arsenal agrees to our terms for Franklin Simek. Now it’s just a matter of negotiating terms with the defender. English League One – Game 18: Wrexham v. Yeovil City It’s 14 v. 20 today in the rankings, as both teams look to grab another vital few points. With another 30-odd games to be played, there’s still a lot of season to be played for everyone involved, but I know I’d like to be in Gillingham’s situation, sitting atop the table with 37 points. Wrexham (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Smith, Lawrence, Gerrard, Watt; Roberts; Hughes, Williams; McMaster; Youngs, Llewellyn Yeovil (4-4-2): Weale; Craig, Mills, Ramsden, Sambrook; Davies, Johnson, Hardie, Morell; Fowler, Caceres There’s only one star in the first half, and that’s the ref, Rob Martin, who hands out a stunning eight total Yellow Cards in the first 45 minutes, including second yellows for Simon Ramsden and Stephen Hughes, who are both sent for early baths and leave both teams with 10 men. Thankfully, despite the fact that Rob Martin is apparently out to turn this into a 3 on 3 match, Jamie McMaster skill keeps his head and shows a lot of class on 40 minutes, taking down a pass from Youngs in space, setting himself up and rifling a shot that dips viciously under the bar and into the net for a 1-0 lead. As the 2nd half begins, Mr. Martin’s still handing out Yellow after Yellow Card, and both teams are being penalized, it seems, for any, and anything. By the time Martin hands out the 15th (yes, 15th) Yellow Card, it’s almost a laugh for everyone involved. Thankfully, Yeovil can’t find any offensive prowess to get the ball on net, and our defense is making some very, very timely clearances out of the danger area. As Yeovil continue to press forwards, we finally catch them out in stoppage time, McMaster dragging a ball back from the touchline for substitute Cox to neatly side-foot home to put things beyond reach. Final Score – Wrexham 2:0 Yeovil City MoM – Alex Smith After the game, all the talk is rightfully mostly players and coaches railing against Rob Martin and his completely daft refereeing. That said, I’m absolutely thrilled with the win vaults us all the way into 8th place, but still, frustratingly, only five points clear of the relegation zone. Stephen Huges is suspended for the next game, which, while ridiculous, still did happen. I don’t want to have any flex when it comes to getting sent off, so I give him an official, albeit fairly quiet warning for his sending off. November 27th, 2005 Franklin Simek agrees terms to a three-year deal today that’ll pay him $44K a year. I know my own biases, and I don’t want to end up becoming what Rafa Benitez was to Spaniards to Americans, but I think Simek can do it, so I’m grabbing him now. Players In: Franklin Simek (21 y/o, USA, D C) November 28th, 2005 Jamie McMaster, unsurprisingly for his play this week, gets himself elected to the English League One Team of the Week. Our Loan from Leeds has been great for us in my first few games in charge, and if he can keep this up, I’m going to try to snag him for another three months when his Loan finishes in January. November 29th, 2005 English LDV Vans Trophy – North Quarter Final: Bradford City v. Wrexham A return engagement after only a week against the team we edged 1-0 last time we played. Bradford’s looking for anything to make their season seem a little better, I’m sure, so I’m giving the players the appropriate warning beforehand. Bradford (4-4-2): Henderson; Emmanuel, Bower, Holloway, Crooks; Morrison, Gould, Schumacher, Kearney; Cooke, Forest Wrexham (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Smith, Lawrence, Simek, Watt; Roberts; Lancaster, Williams; Jones; Goater, Ugarte The game’s first real chance doesn’t come until 20 minutes, when Ugarte tamely heads the ball into Henderson’s arms, but on 25 minutes, we make an incision into the Bradford defense, Jones and Smith working a one-two to allow Jones to slip a ball right to the left corner of the penalty area for Shaun Goater. The aged striker neatly advances into the box before firing a well-placed shot right over Henderson into the roof of the net for the opener. Bradford should equalize on 38 minutes, Cooke slipping right through the heart of our defense so fire a shot right into Esson’s chest. They try again before the interval, Gould heading wide from an Emmanuel corner. At the break, I bring on Manchester United loan David Williams for some freshness in the midfield, and he makes an immediate impact, forcing a sprawling save from Henderson on 55 minutes from a 25-yard shot that should’ve found the back of the net. Bringing Cox on for Goater, the youthful player continues to try and make his name as a real super-sub, first to a David Jones freekick inside of the box, controlling the ball effortlessly before spinning and firing the ball right into the right side of the net, despite Henderson’s attempt to save. Bradford have a chance to get back on the match, as a stupid push from Esson on a corner grants them a late penalty opportunity. But Cooke cannot hold his nerve from the spot, and blazes the ball over the bar, ensuring that we head on for the Semi-Finals. Final Score – Bradford City 0:2 Wrexam MoM – Paul Henderson The LDV Trophy surely isn’t pretigious, but it’s the closest one within our grasp (I think the FA Cup may be just a bit out of our reach )and a trip to the Semi-Finals means we’re only two steps away from the final. It’s a possibility. The draw in the evening gives us Scarborough in the Northern Section Semi-Final. Scunthorpe United will stand between us and the North Final. December 3rd, 2005 Mark Jones is one of the team’s hottest prospects, and he’s about to break into the first team. Being a local product and having a great deal of skill, I’m looking to give the fans a real lynchpin in the team, so today we ink him to a new $80K a year deal that will keep him with the team until 2010. It’s the longest contract issued on the team, but I think Mark’s more than worth it. December 4th, 2005 English FA Cup – Second Round: Stoke City v. Wrexham Stoke are 14th in League One, and ostensibly, looking to make a lot of improvement, after having been relegated from the Championship last year. To that end, they’ve hired the services of ex-Liverpool man Neil Mellor, who made the trip to Stoke-on-Trent for a cool $1.45M. With this game at the most-impressive Britannia Stadium, and it being our first televised match of the year, there’s a certain impetus to put out a stirring performance. Stoke (4-4-2): McGregor; Clark, Hill, Dublin, Thomas; Hutchinson, Miller, Gudjohnssen, Beale; Akinbiyi, Mellor Wrexham (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Smith, Lawrence, Simek, Walsh; Roberts; Lancaster, Williams; Jones; Goater, Ugarte I know Mellor and Akinbiyi make for a reasonable strike force, but I’m appalled at our lax defending after barely seven minutes of game have passed, as truly awful defending allows Lawrence to completely lose track of Mellor, and the striker makes no mistake, receiving an easy pass at least a yard clear of anyone, striding in on goal and neatly sliding the ball past Esson for the opener. Akinbiyi adds a second seven minutes later, a longball into the box incorrectly cleared by Roberts right into the striker’s path. His shot rebounds off Lancaster, and past a despairing Esson for a 2-0 lead. Mark Jones manages to bring us one back on 26 minutes, a header from Goater allowing the midfielder to sneak past Dublin and slip the ball underneath McGregor to cut the defeceit in half, but Stoke strike right back, Akinbiyi utterly beating Simek in the air to head home a cross to make it 3-1. Stoke sit back for the remainder of the game, and our tame efforts on net leave us to wonder what could have been. Final Score – Stoke City 3:1 Wrexham MoM – Ade Akinbiyi After the match, I blast the players not insomuch for losing, but for looking so pathetic doing it. Stoke had ages on the ball at times, and our net was under threat for much of the game. Staying ahead of Stoke in the League will take much, much better play. Also, I put our backup keeper, Steve Brook on the transfer list, and tell my scouts to start looking for a replacement. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pred Posted March 21, 2005 Author Share Posted March 21, 2005 December 6th, 2005 With the Group Stage of the Champions Cup wrapping up today, it’s very, very bad news for Manchester United, as their trip to Milan ends in heartbreak, as Inter’s 3-0 thrashing leaves Manchester on the outside looking in as Porto and Inter Milan qualify through for the next round of the competition. December 7th, 2005 Arsenal rue their draws this year, as even a commanding 3-0 victory over Nantes just isn’t enough for last year’s champions, and they’re sent out at the first real hurdle, only accrueing nine points and watching Juventus and Celtic move on in their stead. December 8th, 2005 I’ve sent one of my three scouts to, of all far-away locales, South America, to find new talent for the club, pereferably in the form of a new striker, since I and my Assistant both understand Goater and Llewellyn, short of a spectacular show this year, are living on borrowed time. And, finally, after weeks of sending me the names of players I was in no way interested in, Alan Morrisson gives me a glowing review of Hugo Rodallega of CD QuindÃo in Colombia. It’s enough to get me to start the wheels turning, and get in contact with QuindÃo over the 20-year old. December 10th, 2005 English League One – Game 19: Doncaster Rovers v. Wrexham A third away game for the Red Dragons today, versus a Doncaster team ranked one place ahead of us, in 9th. As always, points would be good. I’ve done my best to impart to the team that we need to rebound after the disaster in Stoke, but I’ve made some changes to the squad anyway. Doncaster (4-2-4): Harrison; Tierney, Ryan, Moore, Marples; Russell, Green; McIndoe, Blundell, McBreen, Coppinger Wrexham (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Smith, Gerrard, Simek, Watt; N’Galula; Hughes, Jones; McMaster; Cox, Llewellyn I mentioned earlier that Shaun Goater and Chris Llewellyn were living on borrowed time at the club, and today highlights that fact even further, as Simon Cox takes it upon himself personally to drive Doncaster’s defense insane. With McMaster back on the field, our team looks a different proposition on offense than we did against Stoke, and N’Galula is consistently forcing Russell and Green into bad passes, so when the opener comes, it seems entirely fitting, Jones winning a corner which Hughes delivers into the box. What makes it surprising simply, is that Cox runs across the goalbox, and emerges from a horde of players to pop up first at the near post and nod the ball home for the opener. And this after only seven minutes. On 13 minutes, he’s at it again, McMaster picking him out nicely with a cross-field pass as he quickly rounds his marker before side-footing home past Harrison to grant us a 2-0 lead. Ten minutes later, he makes it an unlikely hat-trick, as our midfield once against stifles a Doncaster attack, N’Galula picking out a pass and sending a ball far upfield for McMaster on the counter-attack. McMaster’s surging run is stopped just outside the box by Moore, but the ball falls right to Cox who, with Harrison having charged out of net to try and stop McMaster, coolly sends the ball home form 20 yards to give himself a spectacular hat-trick. Not to be stopped, Cox adds one more before the half, quick interplay between Hughes and McMaster allowing the Leeds Loan man to tee up a ball in the area for Cox to send thumping home into the top-right corner of the net. With the game all but decided, Doncaster get one for respect on 57 minutes, Esson making a complete hash of a pass to Watt and sending the ball right to Blundell, who simply chips the ball right over the embarrassed Goalkeeper. We’ll have to work on that. Final Score – Doncaster Rovers 1:4 Wrexham MoM – Simon Cox The win bumps us up into 9th place, but more importantly, it leaves us fully six points clear of the relegation zone. I do feel, if we can reach the mid-50’s in points this year, that we’ll find safety from the drop. In the evening, we agree to terms with CD QuindÃo for Rodallega, brokering a deal that will cost us a mere $32K for the talented forward. By the evening, we’ve agreed a contract with the striker that’ll see him join the club when the transfer window opens, making $70K a year. All-around, I’m happy. <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Sorry, missed two games. We succumb to Luton 1-0, but rebound to beat Oxford 4-0. </div></BLOCKQUOTE> December 21st, 2005 Andy Roberts goes down with a sprained wrist, meaning he and Mark Jones will miss our match on the 26th with Huddersfield Town Meanwhile, the Spanish transfer window opens today, and it’s a bit of a shock to hear that Chelsea are going to let Peter Cech go to Barcelona for $19.5M. The Czech keeper, who was sterling in Chelsea’s net after joining in 2004, surrendered only 64 goals in 76 appearances with the club, tossing in 29 clean sheets as well. Meanwhile, Real Madrid continue their increasingly desperate chase of Primera Liga leaders Valencia today in the form of signing Brazilian Dedé from Dortmund for a cool $9.25M. December 26th, 2005 Chris Llewellyn has apparently lost his mind. He stops by my office before today’s game to outline to me, in no uncertain terms that he believes that he is too good for the club, and that his professional footballing future lies somewhere else away from the club, and that, if he must stay, he wants an improved contract. This, mind you, is coming from a striker who has been anonymous most of the time I’ve seen him this year, and has managed all of four goals in 23 all-around appearances this season. Simon Cox has outscored him in two starts and six substitute appearances. Frankly, the 26-year old isn’t worth half the trouble he’s trying to give me. Vastly overpaid with his $140K a year salary, I let him know, if he believes he should be playing somewhere bigger and better, he’d better prove it to those teams with his play, but, for the time being, I’ll acquiesce, and place him on the transfer list. English League One – Game 22: Wrexham v. Huddersfield As the season approaches the halfway mark, we’re right about midtable, sitting in 10th with 30 points, eight points away from the relegation places. Our fans are happy with the turnaround, and some are pontificating about the fact that we’re only four points behind the MK Dons for the final playoff spot, but that’s not my real focus right now. Huddersfield is 18th with 24 points, and another three here would put us closer to safety. Wrexham (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Smith, Gerrard, Lawrence, Walsh; N’Galula; Hughes, McMaster; Jones; Ugarte, Goater Huddersfield (3-5-2): Rachubka; Mirlin, Clarke, Sodje; Brandon, Fowler, Carss, Worthington, Caulfield; Abbott, McAliskey Huddersfield probably need the win more than we do, so their consternation is quite obvious when, barely four minutes into the game, a Jones freekick from the edge of the area forces Rachubka into a fine save to stop the ball form curling in past his left post. He’s called to duty again on 11 minutes, as Juan Ugarte whips a low cross through the box, but this time Jones has the better of it, leaning to catch the ball with his head and send it across the face of net and past Rachubka for the opener. We should hold the lead for longer, but our defense is suddenly exposed by Pawel Abbott’s speed, a long freekick from Clarke giving Abbot enough time to just get a step on Lawrence. He still should be shut down, but Esson comes out at a atrocious angle, more to play the ball than the possibility of a shot, and is caught completely out as Abbott stretches and gets his head to the ball just before it reaches Esson, nodding it past the stranded keeper and into the net to equalize on 17 minutes. I should commend Jamie McMaster here, who has adjusted wonderfully to his new position on the right flank and happily surrendered the attacking midfield place to David Jones, who has been on fire since the positional change. McMaster is the mastermind behind our move on 36 minutes, playing a one-two with Goater that leaves Clarke completely out of positing and surging into the box from the right side, sending a laser beam of a centering pass right to the penalty spot for a completely unmarked Juan Ugarte to slide home for a 2-1 lead. The second half, for the most part, is one-way traffic in our favor, as Huddersfield begin to fatigue and our superior pace and stamina begins to take its toll. The only problem is, they’re defending desperately, stopping two shots on the goal line, and forcing the rest wide of the target through a mix of tough tackling and closing down space. Finally, on 80 minutes, super-sub Simon Cox does the job though, as Town’s three-man backline doesn’t range wide enough to stop substitute Danny Williams from getting free along the left flank to send in a cross that Cox controls between the legs of Clarke, steps around the defender, and fires home to make it 3-1. Huddersfield get a lifeline on 89 minutes, as McMaster pushes Fowler in the area, giving Carss the chance to step up and convert from the penalty spot, which he duly does. But Efe Sodje earns his 2nd Yellow and an early bath in stoppage time, and Jones, who had been dangerous from set-pieces all day, gets his just reward, slamming home a 23-yard freekick to seal matters. Final Score – Wrexham 4:2 Huddersfield Town MoM – David Jones December 28th, 2005 With the end of the year coming around, I’m quite jealous of places like Holland, Italy and Spain which all have winter breaks. Meanwhile, my players are going to cram in three games in a week. Frankly, I think that’s completely excessive strain to put on players, but there’s no way I’m personally going to convince the FA to institute a winter break, so game on then. English League One – Game 23: Wrexham v. Stoke City This is our chance for revenge against Stoke, and really, I’m surprised the media aren’t making a little more of this game. It’s 9th vs. 10th in the standings, and the winner could find themselves as high as the playoff race with three points. But then again, the loser drops to, at worst, 11th place, but to say that a win here wouldn’t be great for team morale would be silly. Wrexham (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Smith, Gerrard, Simek, Walsh; N’Galula; Hughes, McMaster; Jones; Ugarte, Cox Stoke (4-4-2): McGregor; Hall, Hill, Wilkinson, Halls; Clarke, Miller, Thirlwell, Henry; Greenacre, Mellor If Stoke managed to impose their will on the game last time, it’s us doing the job today, as Neil Mellor and Chris Greenacre are completely taken out of the game by Anthony Gerrard and Franklin Simek, who turn in virtuoso performances at the back, interceptings passes and heading away anything that comes near the net. Stoke can’t get a thing going offensively, and we are putting on all the pressure in the first half. Thankfully for Stoke, McGregor is up to the challenge, making a wonderful save from a Hughes volley on 22 minutes that keeps things level. He’s only capable of so much however, and cannot stop us on 31 minutes, when Hughes takes a pass first time, and from some 40 yards away from net, curls a beautiful pass into the box right into the timed run of Simon Cox for the youngster who astounds me with every game to neatly trap and side-foot home past McGregor for the lead. The rest of the game is mostly continued pressure from us, but Stoke have their best chance on 82 minutes, two substitutes linking up as Carl Asaba chips the ball across the penalty area for it to be headed by a wide-open Thordur Gudjohnssen, but he can’t direct it, and the ball bounces wide of the net. Final Score – Wrexham 1:0 Stoke City MoM – Allan McGregor After the game, the win puts us into 8th place, a pretty good improvement from where we were when I took on this job. The team is now 7-0-3 in all competitions under my command, I’m happy to report, and now we’re actually within spitting distance of the playoff places. If this were a 38-game season, we could start seriously thinking about a push for one of those spots, but this season takes 46 games to complete, which means we still have a long, long way to go before season’s end. On the upside, however, with the team 12 points clear of the relegation zone, I think it’d take a real slump to drag us back into the relegation battle, and we should be able to avoid that. We’re not safe yet, not in a division where teams can go from 18th to 8th this quickly, but it’s better than where we were. December 30th, 2005 Apparently, Chris Llewellyn has admirers somewhere in this world, and they reside in Plymouth. The English Championship side apparently believes that Llewellyn is worth the $180K I’ve valued him at, and put a bid today on him that I happily accept. Frankly, I know I’m getting the better end of this one. Meanwhile, today, I’m working the lines with my secretary and various agents, as contracts all across Europe reach that pivotal six-month mark before they run out. Tops on my list is Empoli’s Francesco Lodi. Currently in the club’s reserves, he wants out, and I’d like to get him for a lot cheaper than the $400K Empoli are asking. I can begin talking contract turkey with him now, but he wants to be considered a key player on the team. I’m looking for him to take on a squad rotation role, so we begin to haggle. Also catching my eye are Wolfsburg’s Bartosz Romanczuk and Aston Villa’s Steven Cooke. January 1st, 2005 Awards day today for the World’s best. Here’s how they turn out… World Footballer of the Year: Ronaldinho (Barcelona) World Player of the Year: Arjen Robben (Chelsea) European Footballer of the Year: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Juventus) European Goalkeeper of the Year: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid) European Defender of the Year: William Gallas (Barcelona) European Midfielder of the Year: Ronaldinho (Barcelona) European Striker of the Year: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Juventus) Also, David Jones, our on Loan midfielder from Manchester United grabs the League One Player of the Month award for his form for the team recently, an accolade he justly deserves. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobBev Posted March 21, 2005 Share Posted March 21, 2005 Enjoying this one Pred, nice to see you writing again Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mambaman Posted March 21, 2005 Share Posted March 21, 2005 yeah lovely story matey-keep it up Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyrone the Magazine Posted March 21, 2005 Share Posted March 21, 2005 Great writing style, enjoying this one keep it up Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pred Posted March 21, 2005 Author Share Posted March 21, 2005 Thanks all. I'm hoping this will be the long-term one. If you have any questions about what transpired in the 04/05 season I simmed, feel free to ask. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pred Posted March 21, 2005 Author Share Posted March 21, 2005 English League One – Game 24: Wrexham v. Port Vale At this point, I’m just remind the players that every point still counts. Another win brings us closer to assured safety, and if we can reach that sooner rather than later, then we can begin thinking about other things. Wrexham (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Smith, Gerrard, Simek, Walsh; Roberts; Hughes, McMaster; Jones; Ugarte, Cox Port Vale (4-4-2): Brain; James, Collins, Pilkington, Rowland; Brown, Cummins, Reid, Armstrong; Eldershaw, Paynter Jones is at his imperious best in midfield again today, opening up play with his deft touches and springing Simon Cox for what seems like the umpteenth time this season to race clear on net on five minutes. Cox’s first touch just isn’t quite good enough however, and James does a wonderful job of racing back and making a challenge that separates the striker from the ball. His only problem is that it falls right to a charging Jamie McMaster, who makes no mistake and fires the ball home on the volley to give us the lead. Later, on 32 minutes, Jones is at it again, this time hitting a rocket of a freekick from 25 yards out that angles across the area and into the back of the net. Port Vale don’t get their first chance until the second half, and it’s a glorious one when it comes, Paynter inexplicably left alone on the edge of the area to receive a pass and hammer a perfect shot right into the top-left corner of Esson’s net. The only problem is, the linesman’s flag is up, and he’s ruled to be offsides. That scare aside, it’s Juan Ugarte who seemingly puts things out of reach for Port Vale on 58 minutes, first to a Hughes chip into the box and slamming the ball off Armstrong’s leg and past a befuddled Brain, who can’t quite paw the ball away from the net well enough to stop it from rolling home. Port Vale surprise everyone however, by not folding up after going down 3-0. They adjust, and get one back on 67 minutes, Armstrong flighting a 40-yard through ball to Paynter, who had been completely forgotten by Gerrard. Keeping his cool, Paynter easily controls the ball and slots it past Esson to put the score at 3-1. Five minutes later, they make things very interesting, as Paynter’s pass to the edge of the penalty area is met and volleyed first-time by Cummins. The ball arrows past a completely stunned Esson and into the net to make things most interesting at 3-2. It’s only at this point that we seem to understand how fragile our lead has become, and the defense absolutely shuts down, literally blowing Paynter and the Port Vale midfield off the ball, never surrendering possession for more than a few seconds at a time. To Port Vale’s credit, we never go ahead by any more, despite a glut of chances, as Brain makes a string of fantastic saves to keep the scoreline exactly where it is. However, without any more offensive chances, they’re left to sit and wonder about their league position. Final Score – Wrexham 3:2 Port Vale MoM – David Jones There’s a due bit of jubilation in the locker room after the game, as it’s reported that the win vaults us all the way into 5th place this year. The fans, and the board are all happy, which makes me even happier in reply. It’s been a good two months since I signed up here. Meanwhile, in news from places that actually command the world’s interest, Clarence Seedort leaves AC Milan for his old haunt at the Santiago Bernabeu today, as Real Madrid buy the Dutch midfielder for a hefty $25.5M fee. January 2nd, 2005 Chris Llewellyn and Plymouth agree terms, and he leaves the club today for the west of England. Frankly, I’m saying good riddance. Players Out: Chris Llewellyn (26 y/o, WAL, F C): 23 apps, 4 gls, 5 asts, 5 MoM January 3rd, 2005 We agree terms today on a $60K a year contract with Francesco Lodi from Empoli today. He’ll leave Empoli via the Bosman Ruling in June and join the club at the end of the year. Meanwhile, I may have just found a cheap solution to our lack of depth on the left flank of defense, in the form of Norwegian Martin Overvik. His club, Alta IF are only asking $24K for him, which is right in my price range. January 5th, 2005 Stephen Cooke agrees terms today, a $52K a year contract that will have him join the club in June. Cooke hopefully will solve any problems we might have with a lack of ability on the right-flank of offense without Jamie McMaster around. Meanwhile, Martin Overvik barely takes 48 hours to agree to a $60K a season contract that brings him to Wrexham with immediate effect. We’re only being charged $24K for his services, and, taking a look at him, I think I’m making out like a bandit here. Players In: Martin Overvik (21 y/o, NOR, D RLC) All of these new people coming in goes with the bad news that Leeds United apparently wants Jamie McMaster back post haste. With McMaster’s loan ending on the 9th, and given that he’s been one of the most skilled, dynamic players on the team this year, I want to keep him until the end of the season, but it looks like Leeds may want him back instead. January 8th, 2005 All of our best attempts to convince Leeds that they should allow Jamie McMaster to stay for another three months in Wrexham to hone his skills are falling on deaf ears, as apparently, Leeds have a spot in the first-team waiting for him. January 9th, 2005 Despite my best protests (and I assure you, there were a lot of them), Jamie McMaster returns to Leeds today. Players Out: Jamie McMaster (23 y/o, ENG, AM/F RC): 15 apps, 2 gls, 7 assts, 1 MoM, Av. Rate 7.33 January 10th, 2005 Newcastle cash in on the talents of forward Mauro Esposito, whom they grabbed from Caligari for a mere $12M back in 2004 today, managing to get a reported $32M from Inter Milan for the Italian’s services, as Inter Milan look to make their push towards the Scudetto title. Meanwhile, however, Barcelona opens its checkbook to ridiculous extremes today, as they shell out an astounding $76M for Brazilian starlet Kaká today. The 23-year old midfielder, was laboring through a sub-par 05/06 campaign in Milan that saw him ousted from the first team and not playing his best could make a huge difference for 3rd-placed Barcelona this year, but a better question is what manager Frank Riijaard will do with Ronaldinho and Kaká, who play virtually the same position, stuck on the same team. January 11th, 2005 Andy Roberts manages to get himself injured again today, twisting his knee in the warm-up for today’s match, forcing me to shuffle my lineup even more. English League One – Game 25: AFC Bournemouth v. Wrexham 16th v. 6th today, as the team looks to do the double over Bournemouth. The last time we played, it was before I was managed, and the team still managed to eke out a 2-1 victory at the Racecourse Ground. Frankly, I’m a little afraid of how we might fare now, without Jamie McMaster in the squad. In his absence, I’ve deputized Mark Jones to fill in in his stead. Bournemouth (4-4-2): Murphy; Cummings, Gayle, Howe, Purches; Jimenez, Ramirez, Hogan, Elliott; Hayter, Connell Wrexham (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Smith, Lawrence, Simek, Walsh; N’Galula; Williams, Jones; Jones; Ugarte, Goater Things don’t get off to the best start as Floribert N’Galula gets himself a Yellow Card with only 30 seconds gone in the game. Thankfully, Bournemouth aren’t looking to take advantage of anything today, as barely two minutes into the game, Smith hoofs a longball upfield that really should be stopped by the Bournemouth defense, and instead falls to a happy Juan Ugarte, two yards clear of anyone in a Bournemouth kit. He streaks in on net, one on one with Murphy, and the goalie does well to throw himself infront of the ball, but he doesn’t really get it away from Ugarte, who controls the loose ball and slots it into the back of the net. Defensive frailties fail Bournemouth again on 8 minutes, as Goater and Jones walk right through the Bournemouth defense to allow Goater to knock a cross to the near post that David Jones literally nods home for the 2-0 advantage. With the boos of their fans ringing in their ears, Bournemouth seem to get the message, and their defense finally starts to shore up. It is at this point, that their striker, Alan Connell becomes an annoyance, as he is on his game today while Dennis Lawrence is completely off his, evidenced best on 30 minutes as Bournemouth imitate our first goal, Purches booting a ball 60-yards upfield to a completely unmarked Connell that Lawrence actually watches fall to the unmarked striker before finally giving chase from some 10 yards behind. The ending, from there, isn’t hard to predict, and it’s 2-1. Jones and Goater strike back on 32 minutes, this time actually beating the Bournemouth defense with good play, a fine bit of passing between the two (and noone else but the two mind you) allows Jones to stroll into the box alone, a huffing a puffing Bournemouth defense behind him, and roll the ball past Murphy for 3-1. But Connell hits back just before the half, beating Lawrence in the air to a cross from Elliott at the near post to make things quite interesting at 3-2. I remove Mark Jones, who was utterly ineffectual on the right, and replace Dennis Lawrence with Steve Watt, with the explicit instructions for the latter to mark Connell right the hell out of the game. He does so in very nice form, basically removing Connell from the game for the next 45 minutes, and giving us a chance to really focus on our attack, which finally comes to fruition once more on 78 minutes, as Bournemouth’s defense turns static again, a freekick from midfield falling right to Ugarte at the edge of the box. He calmly takes it into the area, and, unchallenged by anyone other than Murphy, slots home to make sure we get three points. Final Score – AFC Bournemouth 2:4 Wrexham MoM – David Jones With the win, we’re placed into 4th, and dare I say, just about free from the omnipresent spectre of relegation that had hung over the squad when I joined. If we can stay consistent, we’ll stay up. If we stay really consistent… well, we may just sneak our way into the playoffs. After the game, our achievement, as good as it is, is being overshadowed by Swansea, who won 1-0 over Stoke City today to take their unbeaten streak to a remarkable 11 games. I’d like to focus on them more, but our next game is against 6th-placed Blackpool, which ought to put us to a good test. January 12th, 2005 I’ve forgotten to mention the matchups for the First Knockout Round of the Champions Cup, so here they are… Ajax v. Chelsea F.C. Barcelona v. Newcastle United Borussia Dortmund v. RSC Anderlecht Fenerbahçe SK v. Lyon AC Milan v. Juventus Real Madrid v. Porto Shakhtar Donetsk v. Internazionale Valencia v. Celtic January 14th, 2005 No run of good form comes without other teams looking at and completely overvaluing your players, and we’re no different, as Bristol City, currently stuck at 12th in the English Championship, are looking to shore up their midfield by buying Danny Williams away from us for a $320K fee. Well, not $320 per se, but $24K up front, $300K over the next 24 months, a 40% of next sale clause, and the promise to arrange a fixture with us this summer. I have a few personal rules, and one of them is that bigger teams than us should always pay up front, and moreover, that I’m going to try and eke them dry of every penny. I let Bristol know that Williams will cost them $150K up front, another $150K over the next 12 months, and another $150K after 40 league appearances, not to mention a 50% of next sale clause. I doubt they’ll take it, but if it makes them go the heck away for a while, I’ll take that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pred Posted March 22, 2005 Author Share Posted March 22, 2005 English League One – Game 26: Blackpool v. Wrexham With a chance for both teams to push themselves further clear of the “rabble†that make up the teams not in the playoff spots, I think it’ll make for an interesting trip to Bloomfield Road today. Factor in that Blackpool are looking to extend their unbeaten streak to a season-best 10 games, and we’ve got a game. I hand Martin Overvik his bow in a Wrexham strip today, as we go looking for three more points. Blackpool (4-4-2): Nash; Coid, Clark, Carlisle, Lawlor; Edwards, Patterson, Southern, Bullock; Murphy, Thomson Wrexham (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Overvik, Simek, Morgan, Walsh; N’Galula; Hughes, Lancaster; Jones; Cox, Ugarte The majority of this match I spend with my heart in my throat, as both teams throw everything they’ve got at one another, trying to find a way into the back of the net. Simon Cox ends up one on one with Nash on 15 and 32 minutes, and both times, the usually sure-footed striker ends up sending the ball just wide of the net. Blackpool get their own chance on 44 minutes, forcing my heart to stop as Coid’s cross into the area catches the defense unawares and allows Thomson to put a shot on net that Esson tips onto the post and out of play. However, in the end, noone can make anything of anything, and we’re let down most by the pedestrian play of the usally skilled Simon Cox and Stephen Huges, who both turn in mediocre performances, Cox the most at fault, spurning no less than three gilt-edged opportunities to put us into the lead. That said, that’s probably what I get for relying on a 18-year old for the majority of my offensive punch. Just because it worked for Michael Owen and Liverpool doesn’t make it the rule. Final Score – Blackpool 0:0 Wrexham MoM – David Jones After the game, the good news is that Overvik was strong in defense, winning all but one of the headers he went up for and shutting down his side of the field on defense. It’s not going to get any easier from here on out however, our next match is against 3rd-placed Preston North End in seven day’s time. January 16th, 2006 Martin Overvik and David Jones both make the League One team of the week today. Meanwhile, I’m haggling with Scottish side Clyde for the services of Richard Brittain, who might be able to fill in our lack of players to run the right flank. January 17th, 2006 To their credit, Bristol City belly up to the table today, and table a deal worth $450K for Danny Williams, brokered in the same way I’d demanded, but without the 50% of next sale clause. Given that they’ve accepted the majority of my terms, I opt to let them talk with Danny Williams about contracts. Meanwhile, Chelsea, who have money, and are willing to throw it at anything that moves, spend $66M today to bring Parma striker Albert Gilardino to the club. This is, mind you, the same club that already has bought Ronaldo, Jermaine Defoe and Dimitar Berbatov in the past season and a half. What Jose Mourinho intends to do with them as far as splitting time goes is up to anyone. January 19th, 2006 Danny Williams and Bristol City agree terms today, and by the afternoon Bristol’s unveiling their new midfielder to the press. Rumor has it the fans aren’t too happy about he move, and were happier with the squad as it was, but frankly, I don’t care. I just made $300K. Players Out: Danny Williams (26 y/o, ENG, M LC): 25 (3) apps, 4 gls, 6 asts, 3 MoM, Av. Rate 7.18 January 21st, 2006 English League One – Game 27: Wrexham v. Preston North End There’s no way we can leapfrog Preston, even with a win here today, since we’re six points behind them. Given how well they, Swindon and Gillingham especially have been playing, I’m not thinking about promotion, either by winning it in the season or via the playoffs. Right now, we’re six points away from 50 points as assured safety, and that’s step number one. My only problem with today’s lineup is that the notoriously profligate Tom Youngs will make a start today, as I rest some legs. Wrexham (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Overvik, Simek, Lawrence, Watt; N’Galula; Hughes, Lancaster; Jones; Youngs, Ugarte Preston (4-4-2): Longergan; Davidson, Whitbread, Lucketti, Alexander; Lewis, McKenna, Etuhu, Boland; Smith, Jackson Preston are the better side from the start, and just seem to have that extra bit of skill on the ball that allows them to keep us away from it, McKenna forcing a save from Esson after only three minutes of play, bending one from 25 meters that Esson anticipates well and gets infront of and clutches to his chest. Superior ability does begin to tell quickly, and on seven minutes, Lewis’ pass upfield ricochets off Watt and back towards Jackson, who nods it to a completely unmarked Smith. As our defense tries to adjust, Smith easily sidesteps the challenge of Lawrence, sets himself up, and blasts the opener past Esson. Jackson should double their lead on 12 minutes, but Esson is up to the task and scrabbles the ball away from the striker on a gilt-edged one-on-one chance. Preston spend the rest of the half dominating possession and chances. Even as the second half begins, and I replace Youngs with Cox, it’s not until the 61st minute that we get our very first shot on target, a tame shot from Ugarte rolling right into Longergan’s hands. As time ticks away, it doesn’t seem like we’re going to manage to get anything past this Preston defense, but then, on 84 minutes, Mark Jones kills a ball in midfield and spins, looking upfield and delivering a pinpoint 40-yard pass to a sprinting Ugarte, who has timed his run behind the Preston defense to perfection, leaving him time to advance on Longergan and fire from the penalty spot past the flailing keeper and into the back of the net to equalize! Preston look deflated on the restart, while it’s scenes of jubilation all around The Racecourse Ground. We’re on the verge of stealing a point from Preston when, two minutes into the three minutes of allocated extra time, Hughes delivers a cross into the box that Lucketti heads away, only for all of Preston to erupt into protest as the referee looks to his assistant and points to the spot. Apparently, Lucketti had climbed over N’Galula quite physically to head it away, and, with seconds of game time remaining, we’ve got ourselves a penalty. Up steps Hughes, and, cool as a cucumber, he sends the ball into the right side of the net and the Wrexham fans into raptures as we steal one. 2-1 to Wrexham! Final Score – Wrexham 2:1 Preston North End MoM – Stephen Hughes Everyone on the planet understands that we’ve pulled off larceny to win this game, but we’ll still take it. Another three points and we’re now only three behind Preston and four behind Swindon. We may not overtake either team, but it’s great to be putting pressure on both. I congratulate the team on a job very, very, very well done, on not giving up and all that malarkey. Now I just hope that we haven’t burned ourselves out before our match with Scunthorpe. January 22nd, 2006 I personally prefer to have four strikers on hand at any given time, rather than the three we’ve been working with. I know Tom Youngs is also a striker, but he’s also crap, so it’s kind of moot. So, given Jamie McMaster’s departure, I’ve been on the lookout for another Loan, preferably one who can play up front for a while now, and have met with a cavalcade of “Noâ€s. But, persistence pays off today, as Chelsea’s Michele Gallacio, a 19-year old striker on the reserve squad and currently on the transfer list agrees to spend the next three months in Wales, as does Crystal Palace’s Luke Hickey, another 19-year old who hopefully will be able to fill in a little bit on the right. Players In: Michele Gallacio (19 y/o, ITA, S C) Luke Hickey (19 y/o, ENG, M RC) January 24th, 2006 English LDV Vans Trophy – Northern Section Semi-Final: Wrexham v. Scunthorpe United Scunthorpe have been stumbling their way through the League Two season this year, and currently sit 14th after 27 games. They’re hoping to pull an upset today, as we are, for the first time this year, rated as the favorites by the bookies. Wrexham (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Overvik, Simek, Lawrence, Watt; Roberts; Hughes, Lancaster; Jones; Goater, Ugarte Scunthorpe (4-2-4): Jones; Robertson, Butler, Hitchen, Stanton; Smith, Koskela; Friars, Keogh, Abbey, Taylor I’m not sure what’s worse here, Scunthorpe’s impotent offense or our godawful shooting. If not for David Jones, we’d bee looking forward to a replay. Thankfully, he keeps that from happening, goals on 10 and 15 minutes sending us to the final, as I’m left to glare at the rest of the team for not converting on more of the 28 shots we took today (20 of which went off-target). Final Score – Wrexham 2:0 Scunthorpe United MoM – David Jones We’ll be taking on fellow League One side Doncaster over the Northern Section Final’s two legs (a format I cannot understand for the life of me) and a chance to head to Cardiff to play for some silverware. I’m a bit stunned to find out that we’ve dropped all the way into 7th place after the game however. We’re within two points of Sheffield Wednesday, Hull and Swansea, who all leapfrogged us today, and only ahead of Tranmere on goal differential. A little reminder that this season isn’t over yet. January 28th, 2006 English League One – Grimsby Town v. Wrexham With Simon Cox getting the nod up front for the tiring Ugarte, today’s a great chance to improve our league standings at the expense of Grimsby Town, who’ve had a hard time of it this year after getting promoted from League Two last year. They’re in 23rd and looking at a return to their old stomping grounds next year, and we’re looking to extend their streak of games without a win all the way to 13. Grimsby (3-4-3): Willis; Forbes, Whittle, Young; Fadiga, Pinault, McClen, Crowe; Gritton, Kitson, Miller Wrexham (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Smith, Simek, Gerrard, Walsh; Roberts; Hughes, Jones; Jones; Goater, Cox Grimsby look bereft of confidence from the kickoff, so it’s no surprise that we’re taking the game to them from the start. It’s no surprise that we convert within two minutes from the start either, Hughes knocking a cross into the box that Cox heads down right onto Goater’s right foot for the Bermudan international to send right into the back of the net from three yards out. Hughes gets one of his own on 5 minutes, as Forbes manages to stop a scoring opportunity, knocking the ball away from Cox, only to see Hughes control it and bend in a blast from 25 yards that curls sweetly inside the left post and past a diving Willis to give us the lead. We should be cruising, so it’s a surprise when, on nine minutes, Gritton delivers a high, curving cross into the box that should be easily cleared. It’s so close to the net, but Smith completely misplays it, and Esson flaps at it rather than making what should’ve been an easy catch, and Kitson is there to meet it at the far post and nod it home from point-blank range. We’re pushing back on Grimsby, but I’m beginning to notice complacency in the ranks, the thought that they’re just going to beat Grimsby because their opponents are going to roll over and let them, which couldn’t be further from the truth. So I’m apoplectic when on 35 minutes, Kitson’s run into the box from the left sees him fall rather acrobatically over Smith’s outstretched leg, and the ref point to the spot. As the players protest, I’m left to wonder who I should be angrier at here, the referee for giving what was at best, a marginal call, or Smith, for screwing up for the 2nd time today at the back. Up steps Miller, and suddenly, we’re tied at 2-2 and things are jubilant in Grimsby. I’m screaming a mix of instructions and profanity to the squad, especially Simon Cox, who’s spurned three chances this half alone. As Jamie McClen gets himself sent off on 54 minutes with his 2nd yellow, I’ve had enough of our offensive frailties, and sub on Michele Gallacio to make his bow for the club. Thankfully, we get our heads out of our behinds, and David Jones begins to assert his influence once more, slaloming through the Grimsby defense and slotting home past Willis to grant us a 3-2 lead. With their fightback killed off, and a man down, Grimsby slink back into their own half, and Jones and Gallacio add two more as we finish this one cruising. Final Score – Grimsby Town 2:5 Wrexham MoM – Stephen Hughes Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pred Posted March 22, 2005 Author Share Posted March 22, 2005 After the game, I receive a call from Richard Brittain’s agent stating that they’ve agreed to our terms. Brittain will be making $100K a year until 2009, and joins the club for a tiny, tiny $60K over the next 24 months. With that, I’ve just about used up my transfer expenditure, save for one, as I can now turn my attention towards hammering out a deal with Höllviken for Swedish striker Enis Turkovic before the transfer window closes. Players In: Richard Brittain (22 y/o, SCO, DM RC) January 29th, 2006 That actually took a lot less time than I thought. Höllviken agree to a $10K fee for Turkovic, and, by the evening, we’ve gotten him to agree to join the club, on a $10K a year paycheck that’ll see him take a year (or less, based on his performance) to grow in our reserves and hopefully bloom into a striker the club can be proud of. Players In: Enis Turkovic (20 y/o, SWE, S C) January 30th, 2006 A bunch of big moves in the past few days. None that involve us or anyone in our division, but I figured I’d share. Try to keep up. Ashley Cole returns to England after a season in Spain with Barcelona, although where Newcastle came up with $45M to blow on the ex-Arsenal defender is up to anybody’s guess. Gennaro Gattuso finally gets his wish, as Manchester United plucks him from Milan for a hefty $30M fee, ostensibly to replace the quickly aging Roy Keane. David Pizzaro leaves Manchester United for Roma, a move that will bring $25M to the Manchester team, and someone in Selhurst Park must be insane, because they’re under the belief that Carlton Cole is worth $10M. Once again, where Crystal Palace got that much, don’t ask me. It’s been a weird few years. Here locally, I’m preparing to wave goodbye to Anthony Gerrard. Brother of the Liverpool captain, Anthony’s Loan ends on the 3rd of February, and due to his strong performances at the back here, apparently Everton would like him back when the Loan ends with a sight at being slapped right into the 1st team. We’ve put in an offer to renew his Loan, but noone’s really expecting anything of it. January 31st, 2006 As the deadline approaches, and I’m forced to face the harsh fact that there’s not a soul outside of the English Conference who’s willing to join us now for a reasonable fee ($50K or less), on the other end of the spectrum, Barcelona have apparently lost their minds. They’ve blown $201M in January alone. Their purchases? Michael Owen from Real Madrid ($62M), and Joan Capedevila from Deportivo ($65M). This brings their total spending to a stunning $318M so far this season. Whoever said that football was in a financially precarious state apparently wasn’t looking at the right clubs. February 1st, 2006 “Bad news boss.†My physio Gareth Morgan walks into my office during training today, as I’m still working the phones, trying to work out possible transfers. “Mark Roberts has twisted his knee again.†“Again?!?†I say, flabbergasted. “How long?†“Two weeks.†It’ll mean starting Floribert N’Galula again, which I’m not really against, but Roberts’ injury-proneness this season is starting to tax my nerves. This is the 3rd time he’s gone down since I’ve been in charge, but, I really can’t blame him. Apparently, back in 2004, Roberts did some serious damage to his ACL, so the slate of Twisted Knees he’s picked up since then shouldn’t be a surprise. David Jones makes it back-to-back Player of the Month awards today, as I’m left to wish I’d bought him and didn’t just have him on Loan. Jones has been undeniably superb since arriving in Wrexham, and I’m happy to hear from him that he’s enjoying his time as well, although I bear him no grudge for still wishing to return to Old Trafford and prove his mettle there. English League One – Game 29: Wrexham v. Hartlepool United Another relegation threatened team today, Hartlepool are 22nd and will need to make a serious turnaround to scrabble clear of the relegation zone. Our job, cruel as it is, is to make sure they stay right there. Wrexham (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Smith, Simek, Morgan, Overvik; N’Galula; Hughes, Brittain; Jones; Goater, Cox Hartlepool (4-4-2): Provett; Brackstone, Westwood, Clark, Craddock; Robertson, Sweeney, Tinkler, Ross; Daly, Foley My beginning fears of a repeat of our experience in Grimsby are unfounded as we’re peppering Hartlepool’s net within minutes of the start. It’s only Brackstone’s fine intervention just before the edge of the area that keeps Goater from squeezing through the defense and placing an early goal into the back of the net. A breakthrough takes a mere 13 minutes though, Huges, as always a major presence upon the left flank, snatching up a loose ball and firing a cross into the box that Cox is up in the air for a moment before his marker is, allowing him to send it bouncing off the left post and into the net. Brittain, our new signing, is making himself quite at home on the right side of play, looking dangerous every time his foot touches the ball. His crosses are causing havoc in the Hartlepool defense, and it’s only due to jostling that Jones’ 24th-minute header flies clear of the net. On 28 minutes, Cox wins another aerial battle, sending the ball across the mouth of net for a sprawling Provett to knock just clear, only to watch the predatory Brittain pounce, slamming home the rebound from close range. Brittain puts himself firmly in my good graces on 44 minutes, tacking on a second as his close-range shot ricochets off Brackstone and into the net for our third. Our defense is the unsung heroes of this game. Hartlepool never even threaten our net, and Esson never has to see a threatening ball approach his net. A dominating performance, Hughes adds our fourth in the second half, but it’s a given by then. Final Score – Wrexham 4:0 Hartlepool MoM – Richard Brittain I can’t think of a better way for a new signing to introduce himself to the team than with the two-goal Man-of-the-Match performance Brittain put on. I do hope that will be a harbinger for things to come. The win leaves us a point behind Preston and Swindon, and, with the game after next against the latter team, the team’s official message boards are filled with rampant speculation about what we might be able to do this year. February 4th, 2006 Anthony Gerrard’s loan finishes today, and he returns to Everton. Sigh. Players Out: Anthony Gerrard (19 y/o, ENG, SW/D C): 22 apps, 1 gl, Av. Rate 7.09 English League One – Game 30: Wrexham v. Peterborough United The turnaround in the lockeroom for this team really is something to behold. Where they were fearing the drop when I arrived, now they’re gnashing their teeth, looking to pay Peterborough back for the 2-0 defeat they inflicted upon them back in September. The boys have got something that I really wanted to instill in them, a sense of pride about their home ground, that noone’s going to come to The Racecourse Ground and take away three points without digging and scratching for them. Am I impressed? I’m thrilled. David Jones has done just about enough for the team, so I give him a rest in favor of Mark Jones. Frankly, the two are confusing the hell out of me whenever I look at the teamsheet. Wrexham (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Overvik, Simek, Lawrence, Walsh; N’Galula; Hughes, Brittain; Jones; Goater, Ugarte Peterborough (4-4-2): Tyler; Kennedy, Mancienne, St. Ledger, Mears; Buckley, Legg, Woodhouse, Lennon; Thorpe, Junior Discipline hasn’t been a real issue this year, but suddenly, Mark Jones, who I’m rewarding with a first-team start today, makes it an issue. The game’s barely been on for two minutes before he earns his first yellow, and, inexplicably, he trails his leg in a challenge on Buckley, leaving the referee no choice but to hand him his 2nd Yellow and an early bath on 14 minutes. The decision leaves me aghast, the first card was arguably harsh, but the second was completely reasonable, and Jones should never have been in that position to start with. As he makes his way to the dressing rooms, he tries to explain that it was on the ref, and I instruct him to shut up post-haste and get back into the dressing rooms. With us down a man, Peterborough shift into full-on attack mode and come charging upfield, and are given their just reward after only 20 minutes, Buckley swinging in a deep cross from the left flank that is perfectly placed for a charging Junior to flash past Simek and send a diving header past a stunned Esson and into the net. Simek’s looking uncharacteristically static again on 27 minutes, a freekick into the box controlled at the penalty spot without challenge by Thorpe, with Simek looking on. As the American begins to think about making a challenge (late, mind you) Thorpe has already fired home from point-blank range to set things at 2-0 Peterborough. Thankfully, our offense still seems to understand where the net is, but they can’t get their shots on it, and Shaun Goater gifts us with the lowlight of the season thus far on 38 minutes, as Tyler completely makes a hash of a pass to his defense, allowing Goater to intercept the ball. Without anyone for a good 15 yards and only the goalie to beat, Goater’s attempt to round Tyler actually leads to him dribbling the ball out of bounds for a goal kick. Never a shot, not even looking threatening, just dribbling it and losing control, and watching as the ball rolls over the end line for a goal kick. It should come as no surprise to anyone that I yank Goater at the half and introduce Cox, hoping Peterborough’s attacking form will give the speedy youngster a few chances at the other end on the counter-attack. And it does, on 55 minutes, but Cox’s shot isn’t placed well-enough, and Tyler gets a hold of it. On 66 minutes, Cox gets free of his man again, going on another marauding run into the Peterborough penalty area, faking the shot and dribbling wide of net, looking as if he might be trying to round the keeper before dragging a beauty back for Ugarte who slams the ball on the half-volley into the net. 2-1, and there’s a glimmer, but I don’t think anyone in the stadium expected the glimmer to glow as quickly as it did, as two minutes later Cox slides a pass to Britain who, 25 yards out from goal, unleashes a speculative shot that catches Tyler just out of position, leaving him to do nothing but flail at the ball as it caroms off the crossbar and bounces into the net. 2-2! Peterborough look completely aghast, pegged back level in three minutes of play. Their hearts don’t seem as much in it as they were when they were 2-0 up and up a man. Happily, the boys continue pressing, and have their tails up, looking for a winner, Hughes and Cox smartly interchanging before the latter slips the ball underneath Tyler from 15 yards to cap an incredible fightback and give us the lead. Peterborough are completely out of it by then. Cox tacks on a second to make it a brace on 89 minutes, and the fans are signing in the terraces. Another great, great win. Final Score – Wrexham 4:2 Peterborough United MoM – Floribert N’Galula Credit to N’Galula is well deserved after the game. After Jones got himself stupidly sent off, he did the job of two midfielders, covering acres of field and crushing Peterborough’s attacks in midfield as we made our surging comeback. Meanwhile, Mark Jones has earned himself a one-game suspension, and a official warning from me for his idiocy. Had both calls been dicey, had he gotten sent off later, in different circumstances, that’s one thing. But to get sent off that quickly, after barely 15 minutes of the game is a mistake I will not forgive even our youngest for. It was stupid, he knows it, and he’ll learn from it, but he’d better not pull something that boneheaded again anytime soon. Mark’s not happy with the warning, but he’ll live, and he’ll learn. I do not suffer fools lightly. February 10th, 2006 There’s been a lot of ruffling of feathers in the media recently, as, with three teams separated by no more than two points fighting for the second promotion place, things have become a bit tight at the top of the table. Gillingham still lead everyone with a stunning 20-5-5 record, but with Swindon 2nd, Preston 3rd, and us 4th, it’s a logjam to see who can hold their nerve and take the final promotion place, so say the papers. I say, with another 15 games to play, that we’re way, way far away from determining who will finish where quite yet, save for Gillingham, who may be on their way to a 100-point season. February 11th, 2006 English League One – Game 31: Swindon Town v. Wrexham Today pretty well beats out the match against Preston for our biggest of the year thus far. Three points today could extend our dream run to being enough to put us into a promotion place, about 20 places higher than the mass media had us placed this year. The problem is, to do so, we’re going to have to go on the road and beat a team that has only lost twice at home this year, and features one of the best strikers in the division in Sam Parkin. A tall order for our defense. David Jones retakes his rightful place in defense, as I place Cox and Ugarte in attack, and cross my fingers. Swindon (4-3-3-): Evans; Nicholas, Heywood, Cranie, Duke; Lapham, Miglioranzi, Samways; Roberts, Parkin, Moore Wrexham (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Smith, Simek, Lawrence, Overvik; N’Galula; Hughes, Brittain; Jones; Cox, Ugarte It’s a dreary, rainy day in Swindon, and the conditions seem to favor the slow-tempo game Swindon would like to inflict upon us. They’re trying as best they can to keep the game narrow, and in the center of the pitch where they can fight for every loose ball, and nearly steal one early on, a longball upfield towards Moore catching Lawrence on a bit of mud. As the defender slips, Moore is left to a one-on-one opportunity with Esson and, as the goalie comes charging out, he dawdles a bit too long, and by the time he pulls the trigger, the best he can manage is to send the ball flying wide of the right post. Parkin takes his own chance on 15 minutes, rising to meet a cross from Samways and send a bullet of a header from 15 yards out screaming towards net but happily, Esson is there to grab it in the muck. As time begins to pass and we adjust to the surroundings, we begin to open up the play and start going around and past Swindon, as their defense can’t keep up with the attacking triumvirate of Jones, Ugarte and Cox. It’s Ugarte himself that starts a move on 28 minutes, blazing down the left, drawing a marker with him before cutting back inside and slipping a pass to Brittain in space. As the midfielder looks around, he notices a hole in the Swindon defense that has left the predatory Cox open on the left edge of the penalty arc, standing alone. His pass is pinpoint, and Cox quickly steadies himself in the muck before firing a shot that Evans nearly manages to parry, but flies just past his hand and into the top-right corner of the net. Buyoyed, we push forward harder, while Swindon try to regroup in midfield, only to be consistently stopped by the fine play of our wingbacks and N’Galula, who provide the platform for our move on 36 minutes. Well, it’s not so much of a move as it is an exhibition of skill, as N’Galula plays the ball to Cox, who takes it from just behind the midfield line and goes on a streaking run, beating Cranie off the dribble and streaking towards net, nearly making it before a desperate last challenge from Heywood manages to knock the ball away. I know things are going our way when the ball falls to Hughes, who unselfishly tees it up for Cox, who finishes off his glorious run in style, banging home from 10 yards to put us 2-0 up. Swindon aren’t out of it yet, throwing more men into attack. And, on 40 minutes, the move provides dividends, as Samways advances far up enough to draw a marker and feeds a through ball for Moore. Smith’s last-ditch tackle attempt is poor, and the striker races through on net, and slots home past a despairing Esson to make things interesting at 2-1 going into the half. The second half begins completely in our favor, when Sam Parkin doesn’t emerge with the Swindon team, having apparently taken a knock during the 1st half. Without him on the pitch, Swindon look a great deal more timied, and we’re chaged to go for the kill, Ugarte heading wide from 10 yards out on 52 minutes. On 58 minutes, Ugarte’s at it again, slipping a ball into midfield for Brittain and then flashing down the right, receiving the return pass in acres of space on the right edge of the penalty area. Swindon makes a fatal error, as Evans and three defenders all read the shot and try to close down Ugarte, leaving the Spaniard the easy task of slipping the ball across the area to the penalty spot where a completely unmarked David Jones steers the ball home to make things sure. Final Score – Swindon Town 1:3 Wrexham MoM – Simon Cox It’s congratulations all around after the match. The win puts us into 2nd place, still well behind Gillingham, who are still blowing everyone they play out of the water, but only a point ahead of Preston and Swindon. Things are going to be very interesting from here on out. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nerf Posted March 23, 2005 Share Posted March 23, 2005 Excellent stuff Pred, KUTGW If you can keep banging in all these goals then I think promotion is on the cards... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pred Posted March 23, 2005 Author Share Posted March 23, 2005 February 12th, 2006 Doncaster have been watching film of us apparently, and are gearing up for our Vans Trophy Final match by taking Nottingham Forest’s Jamaican midfielder Darryl Powell, ostensibly in order to shore up their midfield against our currently high-flying attack. In Internatinal news, two goals from Didier Drogba and a missed penalty by Delron Buckley is enough to give the Ivory Coast it’s second African Cup of Nations title today, as they defeat South Africa 2-0. February 13th, 2006 David Jones and Simon Cox make the Team of the Week again today, and meanwhile, I’m being quizzed by the media about our turnaround this year. Whether or not I think it’s miraculous, whether or not I think we can make an honest challenge for promotion, and whether I think we can keep it up. The questions eventually turn to our match with Doncaster, and whether I think we can end this season with some silverware to our name. I admit that I think, given our current form (and the fact that Gillingham isn’t in the competition) that we’ve got a fair shot of going to Cardiff and returning home with a new trophy for the Wrexham case, but that I was brought here this year to focus on the league first and foremost, and that’s my goal. February 14th, 2006 English LDV Vans Trophy – Northern Final: Wrexham v. Doncaster Rovers The performance against Swindon easily convinced me not to change a thing about the side as the team goes looking for silverware today. Wrexham (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Smith, Simek, Lawrence, Overvik; N’Galula; Hughes, Brittain; Jones; Cox, Ugarte Doncaster (4-4-2): Warrington; Ryan, Foster, Moore, Marples; McIndoe, Powell, Russell, Coppinger; Blundell, Roberts With 12,000 in attendance nearly filling The Racecourse Ground, there’s a roar that goes up when, after 7 minutes of play, Jones is first to a cross from Ugarte to let it glance off his head and bobble into the back of the net to open the proceedings. Then, afterwards, there’s absolute silence on 11 minutes, as David Jones collides with Foster going for a loose ball, and crumples to the pitch, holding his jaw. He comes off for Lancaster, with all of Wrexham looking on in concern. Doncaster aren’t stupid, and know now is their best chance to hurt us with our midfield talisman out of the game for another 79 minutes. They come pouring forwards, looking for an equalizer and a vital away goal. I must give credit herein to our defense, who don’t look the slightest bit rattled by the removal of Jones, and begin to play the kind of physical game at the back that has Doncaster’s strikers looking timid every time they get the ball. We weather the storm for the rest of the half, as Doncaster is unable to put a shot on target. As the teams emerge for the 2nd half, Doncaster are looking incredibly frustrated by their inability to take it to us, while I’ve outlined to the boys that they’re not any worse without Jones unless they let themselves be during the teamtalk. This strikes a real chord, with them apparently. We blow Doncaster off the pitch. Final Score – Wrexham 7:1 Doncaster Rovers MoM – Juan Ugarte Technically, the single goal from Doncaster is “vitalâ€, in that it might prove useful can they beat us 6-0 in the return leg. I doubt it however. I commend the boys after the match on a team effort like none I’ve seen this season. We plunked home four 2nd-half goals from four different players, and Doncaster gave us a hand, knocking in two own goals to sink their own ship. Meanwhile, in the first leg of the South Final, there may be an upset brewing, as Swindon, who were without Sam Parkin, go down 3-0 to League Two Torquay in the first leg, and will need to pull a magic act to get through to the Final. The news on David Jones though, isn’t good. A fractured jaw means he’ll be out for three weeks at best, and we’ll be missing our best creative midfielder for that timeframe. February 18th, 2006 English League One – Game 32: Swansea City v. Wrexham A trip to the south of Wales today for a derby against the 7th-placed team in the division. We’re playing well enough now, that yes, I have to admit, seeking promotion is within our grasp now. The team’s on a high I haven’t seen before, and with only 15 games (including today) to play, the possibility of a playoff or promotion push is, admittedly, real and possible. One can certainly hope. Swansea (4-4-2): Guéret; Gurney, Tate, Cunningham, Ricketts; Alvarez, Martinez, Britton, Maylett; Lupoli, Trundle Wrexham (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Smith, Lawrence, Morgan, Walsh; Roberts; Hughes, Brittain; Lancaster; Goater, Gallacio With a number of shifts on offense and defense, the team looks a little wobbly from the start, and Shaun Goater is, as always, annoying me with his sheer lack of get-forward ability. Gallacio’s doing a wonderful job in his stead however, taking the ball at the edge of the attacking third and drawing markers only to play it back to Roberts, who serves up a beautiful through ball right to the feet of a charging Lancaster at the edge of the area. The youngster’s first shot is well blocked by Guéret, but the rebound bobbles loose, and he is smart enough to pounce, sweeping the ball home to put us up 1-0 after 12 minutes. Three minutes later, Lancaster’s name pops up again, as Brittain goes on a surging run down the right, steering a cross to the edge of the goal area for a completely unmarked Lancaster to nod past Guéret for 2-0. Unlike many of our previous opponents, Swansea have absolutely no desire to let us slide however, slowly plotting in midfield, looking for their chance to pounce, trying to remove our high-flying offense from the game. On 33 minutes, that chance comes, a interception in midfield allowing Gurney to swing a pass upfield to on Loan left-winger Arturo Alvarez, who drills in a deep, deep cross that catches our defense by surprise, allowing Lupoli to push ahead of his man and prod the ball home to make it 2-1. With the beginning of the 2nd half, I’m forced to remove Smith and Hughes, who have both taken knocks, and replace them with Steven Watt and Luke Hickey, respectively, with both unfortunately playing out of position. Immediately, the game begins to turn Swansea’s way, as we now have basically surrendered the left flank to our opponents (our left, their right, you get it). Trundle should equalize on 61 minutes, but Lawrence does a fine job of dispossessing him at the edge of the area, preventing any further developments. On 75 minutes, Swansea sub Stuart Fleetwood uses his fresh legs to Swansea’s advantage, turning and beating Morgan for pace for a deep pass into our end. Without Smith’s pace along the left to normally help defuse such a situation, Fleetwood races into the area and smacks the ball past Esson to cap a superb Swansea fightback. Bloodied, the boys hit back on 80 minutes, Lancaster testing Guéret’s ability with a 20-yard stinger that the keeper parries well. But Ricketts makes a fatal error, knocking the ball back to his keeper for the clearance, completely disregarding sub Tom Youngs, who is breathing down his neck. As Guéret goes to make the save and Youngs goes to shoot, the ball ricochets off the pair and up into the air, coming down inside of the Swansea net. The Route One method has been inexplicably killing us today, and I’m left aghast when Swansea tie it again with minutes left on the clock, Guéret literally hoofing the ball some 70 yards upfield to an unmarked Kevin McLeod, who would’ve been offside, if not for Walsh not moving with the defense as they pushed up, leaving the striker an easy chance to slide the ball past Esson. With two minutes of stoppage time indicated any my mood reasonably dour from our defensive foibles today, our final move comes completely as a surprise to me, Lancaster playing the ball from midfield up towards Gallacio, who moves forward before sliding a through ball past a tiring Swansea defense for Youngs to take from the edge of the area and rush in on net. His attempt to round Guéret is brilliantly anticipated by the keeper, and the Frenchman makes a fine save, pushing the ball away, but once again, it’s bad luck for Guéret, as Youngs recovers the ball, and fires past his prone form, rolling the ball into the net just before Gurney can clear it from off the line. From the ensuing kickoff, the referee blows his whistle, and we’ve stolen three more points. Final Score – Swansea City 3:4 Wrexham MoM – Sam Lancaster <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I’m switching the Match Report formats a little. I’ll only be giving our lineup for now, mostly for speed. I’ll do both lineups for the big games though. </div></BLOCKQUOTE> February 20th, 2006 Shaun Goater joined this club from Reading on a free in September of 2004. He was promised an absolutely integral role in the team, along with a $150K per annum contract. Now, I’m trying to convince him into a deal that will reduce his place on the team (the man is 35) and give him an option to leave whenever he feels fit, with a Manager Release Clause. With luck, he won’t be petulant, and will take it. February 22nd, 2006 English League One – Game 33: Hull City v. Wrexham Despite our 2-1 victory over Preston, we’re still two points behind them in the standings, with neither of us looking very likely to drop points anytime soon. Hull, on the other hand, are 10th, on the upside of a season that has seen them as high as 5th and as low as 23rd this year. Schizoprhenic, at best, less palatable when you consider the team has spent $2.4M this season, bringing players like Daniel Nardiello, Richie Partridge and Mark Goodlad into the club. They’ve apparently been missing the play of Damien Delaney, who left the club for Fulham in January. Wrexham Lineup: (4-4-2): Esson; Smith, Simek, Lawrence, Overvik; Roberts; Hughes, Brittain; M Jones; Ugarte, Gallacio I’ve seen nothing but serious promise from Gallacio in training, so I’m hoping to see him show some of that on the pitch, and the Italian import doesn’t disappoint, as Brittain drags a ball back from way out on the right wing for Jones, just outside of the area. The midfielder dawdles on the ball just long enough to draw the defense, attracting the attention of two men and Gallacio’s marker, before slipping a pretty pass right to the striker that he clinically thumps into the top of Goodlad’s net. Hull are desperate for some consistency this year, and start throwing themselves into our end. Lawrence has been looking increasingly overwhelmed in recent games, and this one’s no different, Elliott lashing a cross into the box that Burgess just muscles past Lawrence to stab right into Esson’s grateful hands. Esson is called into action three more times before the half ends, saving a deflection off Smith, beating away a Nardiello header, and snatching a loose ball right from the feet of Partridge to prevent a goal. By halftime, we’re entirely in his debt that things aren’t equal. I bring on N’Galula at the half, to hopefully provide a bit more safety for our defense. As he’s done many other times this year, the Belgian’s impact is immediate, scuffling for the ball on 55 minutes to finally clear it away to Jones. Jones plays a one-two with Ugarte in midfield, as Hull are stretched far too thin in attack, allowing a through ball to Gallacio to find its way through, the on Loan striker impressing again, killing the ball first time and sidestepping Goodlad before calmly sliding the ball into the net. Hull don’t surrender in their search for a goal, but as they switch to a 4-2-4, we begin to continually catch them out at the back, culminating in a flying counterattack that almost seems to fast for its own good, substitute Lancaster knocking a ball deep into the left for Hughes to chase, control, and send a whipping speculative cross into the box that seems like it’ll go untouched until Brittain materializes at the far post, a diving header sending the ball past a stranded Goodlad. Hull manage to threaten once more before the final whistle, a 24-yard freekick from Partridge smacking the woodwork before bouncing clear, but we hold, and the points are ours. Final Score – Hull City 0:3 Wrexham MoM – Ryan Esson After the game, we’ve moved back into 2nd place, As Preston drop an awful one to Relegation Battlers Bradford City, at home no less. Most stunning however, is the sudden frailty of once-rampaging Gillingham, who lose 1-0 at home today to Grimsby, pruning their lead over the 2nd-place team from the once high 11 point margin they’d managed to, now, three. Being winless in your past five matches can do that. Much worse, Gillingham will be traveling to Swindon on the 25th, and, with the 3rd and 4th place teams only four points behind the leaders, another loss could see Gillingham out of the top spot for the first time since October. February 23rd, 2006 Shaun Goater makes my life a great deal easier, agreeing terms today on a deal that’ll keep him with the club until 2007, and he’ll make an extra $10K a year, increasing his salary to $160K. I don’t want to part with him on terms that aren’t amicable, the fans have a lot of feeling for him, and reasonably so, it was his 15 league goals that helped keep the team from relegation last year (by a scant two points, no less). February 24th, 2006 Andy King and Stan Ternet are engaging in a battle of words now, in the leadup to their match on the 25th between Swindon and Gillingham. King has come out in the local papers, stating that whoever loses that match will drop out of the Championship race entirely, while Ternet has replied saying that the game is of tantamount importance to both sides’ promotion chances. This is well and good and all, but I’m a little insulted to hear that neither really consider us a promotion threat yet, that, like many of our critics, both are expecting us to have a dip in form sometime soon that will leave us scrabbling for a playoff place. I’m trying to keep mum on this for the time being, so I say nothing, but when we take on Gillingham, I may have some choice words. February 25th, 2006 English League One – Game 34: Wrexham v. MK Dons No changes to the squad that defeated Hull City, as from here on out, every game is a must-win if we want to keep pressure on Gillingham and actually have a chance a promotion. Preston, and Swindon won’t be doing us any favors, and with the 5th-place team, Blackpool, six points back of Swindon, it’s up to us four now. Wrexham Lineup: (4-4-2): Esson; Smith, Simek, Lawrence, Overvik; Roberts; Hughes, Brittain; M Jones; Ugarte, Gallacio The first half is an uninspired start from both teams, Milton Keynes nearly getting lucky early, as Hornuss’ speculative shot from some 40 yards catches Esson out of position, and flashes just wide of the post. Jones has our only real chance of the opening exchanges, first to a Brittain cross, but his header is tame, and Doyle easily collects it to keep things locked at 0-0. With the restart, Milton Keynes fall further back into their own half, looking to escape today with a point. Their defense is stifling today, as, without Cox’s speed or David Jones’ creativity in midfield, our attack simply isn’t as potent as it could be. Still, Jones should have a goal on 53 minutes, when a sliced clearance from a Hughes corner finds him just outside of the box. His shot deflects off no less than three players before being hacked off the line By this point, the fans are clamoring for Cox, who is currently on the bench. I can’t deny them their desires, and, on 58 minutes, on comes the youngster. Immediately, he is a factor, nearly scoring on 60 minutes when he charges down a ball on the left flank, cuts into the box and flashes a shot just wide of the post from a nearly impossible angle. Milton Keynes look a little rattled by his appearance, and are defending desperately as our offense finds its confidence again. I bring on N’Galula (again) for Roberts, and, on 81 minutes, a real opportunity falls our way, N’Galula first to an ill-placed goalkick and blasting a ball upfield for Cox to chase, which he is easily first to. The ball nearly rolls to the goal line, out on the right edge of the area, but Cox controls it, brings it in, and, unmarked and from an extreme angle, he flashes a shot past an unsuspecting Doyle for the winner. Milton Keynes nearly equalize on 88 minutes, a loose ball in the box falling temptingly for their striker, Kirk, to strike, but Smith charges it down and blocks the ball, allowing us to escape happy again. Final Score – Wrexham 1:0 MK Dons MoM – Colin Doyle The news after the game is unfortunate for Swindon, and own goal and a sending off in the first half sinking them, as Gillingham cruise to a 2-0 victory and retain their place on top of the division, three points ahead of us. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pred Posted March 23, 2005 Author Share Posted March 23, 2005 February 26th, 2006 The League Cup final is today, and Liverpool and Chelsea do the entertainment. And when Liverpool look back on this game in years, they’ll wonder how they could outshoot a Peter Cech-less Chelsea team 12-5 and still walk out 2-0 losers. Goals from Dimitar Berbatov and Glen Johnson deal the mortal blows to Liverpool’s hopes, not to mention a 59th-minute Red Card for Damien Duff and a injury to Gregory Vignal that forced them to play with nine men for 20 minutes. It’s step one in a Quadruple bid for Chelsea, who are still active in the FA and Champions Cup, and only behind Premiership leaders Arsenal by a point. March 1st, 2006 Simon Cox gets his picture snapped today, as winner of the Young Player of the Month award in League One, an honor he justly deserves. It’s an accolade he richly deserves for his performances this season, and one that’s been coming to him. It actually leaves me a little jealous, as I miss out on the Manager of the Month award again, this time finishing Runner-Up to Stoke’s John Ward. Apparently, the media at large still don’t believe in what we’re doing here in Wrexham, which is fine by me. Being overlooked is always better than having all eyes focused on you. English League One – Game 35: Wrexham v. Sheffield Wednesday The last time these teams tangled, Sheffield won 2-1. But now, fortunes have changed, we’re in 2nd, they’re in 8th, and Paul Sturrock, the Sheffield manager is rumored to have his head on the chopping block for not having Sheffield in the top six spots. They haven’t won since February 11th, so doing them some damage would be good. Andy Roberts gets his ultimate reward for slowly driving me insane today, replaced by Floribert N’Galula in the starting 11. He’s not happy about it, but I’m not happy about him pulling a disappearing act in midfield the past few games. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Overvik, Morgan, Simek, Walsh; N’Galula; Hughes, Brittain; M Jones; Cox, Ugarte Julian Speroni, the Sheffield keeper is called into action early on 9 minutes, and in spectacular fashion denies first Jones and then Brittain in quick succession on a corner from Hughes, but he’s let down three minutes later by his own defense, as Brittain’s cross into the box is a completely clearable ball, but rather than clear it, Lee Bullen scuffs it completely, sending the ball right into the back of his own net. We spend the remainder of the first half going up in the air to try and put he ball in the back of the net, but we just don’t have the normal punch infront of net, only two of our eight first-half shots find their way on net at all. Thankfully, Sheffield are looking completely useless on offense, and Simek and Morgan are almost having an easy time of it, clearing every ill-advised attack Sheffield are throwing at them. We are given a glorious chance to go further ahead in the 2nd half, Ugarte set free by a pass from Jones, and, bearing down on net, his shot is smart and well-placed, but Speroni does a fantastic job, diving to his right and beating the ball away to keep Wednesday in it. Ugarte is happily undeterred though, and when, on 70 minutes, Brittain delivers another cross into the box, Ugarte does very nicely to sweep the ball home from the edge of the goal box to give us some comfort in our lead. I introduce Gallacio for Cox on 75 minutes, and the Italian immediately explodes into the game, taking a pass from Jones with his back to goal, rounding his marker and firing one on net that Speroni palms right into the path of our goalpoaching Spaniard, Ugarte, who taps home for three. Gallacio adds our fourth and his fifth on the season on 84 minutes, a chipped ball into the box bouncing right over Speroni, who mistimed his charge, allowing the Italian to hop over the keeper and simply knock the ball home. Final Score – Wrexham 4:0 Sheffield Wednesday MoM – Richard Brittain Probably the thing I enjoyed most about this game was the 13,000 fans who showed up to cheer us on, as people are throwing themselves behind us fullforce now, hoping for the best of results. The win puts us even with Gillingham on points, but behind on Goal differential but, most importantly, it leaves us four points ahead of Preston for the second promotion place. I hate to end up another manager’s demise, but the word after our thrashing of Sheffield is that Paul Sturrock has all but lost his job, and that, unless they can get some serious improvement done by their next match, that he’ll be leaving Hillsborough. March 3rd, 2006 Awful news for Gillingham today, as their midfield talisman, and winner of the League One Player of the Month award for November, Danny Spiller leaves the club for the Championship today, as Wigan Athletic snap him up for a healthy $2.6M. While Gillingham’s fans are, understandably, incensed at the timing of the move, everyone else around the division is thrilled. Without Spiller’s influence, Gillingham are completely bereft of a holding influence in midfield, and will have to dip into their reserves for a player who simply will not be as good as Spiller is. March 4th, 2006 English League One – Game 36: Wrexham v. Tranmere Rovers Tranmere, currently 5th in League One are a side chasing after promotion with some serious zeal. They may be eleven points behind us (saying that out load just illustrates how ridiculous this season has been) but they’re the team I’d tip to do some serious damage in the Playoffs, if they should make it. Unbeaten in their last nine games, today’s match ought to be a cracker. Did I mention this was a derby game? Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Overvik, Simek, Lawrence, Watt; Roberts; Hughes, Brittain; Jones, Cox, Gallacio Tranmere are the first team we’ve played in ages that are pressuring us in midfield, and it’s almost stunning to watch Mark Jones in midfield, running some 20 yards with the ball, followed all the way by men in the white kit of Tranmere. We don’t fashion a real chance until 16 minutes, when a slate of lateral passes at the edge of the area gives Cox just enough space to shoot, but Achterberg pushes it to safety. Tranmere are playing a hellacious game in midfield, so it’s a surprise when Brittain finds enough space in midfield to flight a ball down the right for Cox to pick up. The striker, out wide on the right, puts it in the middle for Gallacio, but the ball is cleared. Brittain is first to it however, and passes it right back to the Italian, who clinically strikes it past Achterberg. Both teams settle into a kind of stalemate for the rest of the half, and, as the second half begins, Tranmere are up to their old ways, still challenging for everything in midfield, still denying space, still trying to make life an absolute hell for anyone wearing a Wrexham jersey. This, however, does not leave Esson with an excuse on 48 minutes, as Watt plays the ball back to him, the keeper plays a colossally ill-advised pass towards Simek, not seeing Simon Haworth standing right between the defender and the ball. The striker easily intercepts it, and, with Esson completely out of position, equalizes. Tranmere throw nine men in their own half, set to defend their point religiously, as Esson looks, rightfully so, rather despondent at his own mistake. Tranmere have been stifling defensively, and he may have cost us a point. I introduce Lancaster as Jones goes down injured, and Youngs replaces Gallacio as things slowly plod along, with us unable to make any incisions and Tranmere not looking to do anything whatsoever. The game ticks past the 80 minute mark without anything of merit, and then, out of nothing, something, Youngs of all people sending a ball upfield that Cox can easily chase down before any of the three Tranmere players behind him can catch up. Achterberg doesn’t come out nearly quickly enough to stop the striker, and Cox happily slots the ball home. Tranmere, suddenly noticing that things have just slipped out of their hands, switch to a 4-2-4 and throw everything they have at us, but we sit back in our half, defending our lead desperately as every Tranmere pass seems to find an inch of space for their attack. Thankfully, it never materializes into anything more threatening than a 30-yard shot that Esson can catch on the jog. Final Score – Wrexham 2:1 Tranmere Rovers MoM – Franklin Simek Gillingham squeak away from Swansea with a 1-0 victory, so we’re still in 2nd, but Preston’s 4-1 defeat to Stoke has now granted us a comfortable six-point lead over the 3rd-placed team, Swindon. March 7th, 2006 English LDV Vans Trophy – Northern Final Second Leg: Doncaster Rovers v. Wrexham How does one exactly protect a six-goal aggregate lead? Barring absolute self-destruction on our part, we should be fine, but, stranger things have happened. Wrexham Lineup: (4-4-2): Burpo; Overvik, Lawrence, Morgan, Watt; Smith, N’Galula, Roberts, Hickey; Ugarte, Goater Credit to Doncaster, who are in a 4-2-4 to begin, hoping to at least effect some change on the scoreboard, but, when Paul Tierney turns a Floribert N’Galula shot into his own net on 18 minutes, you can literally see the air go out of the Doncaster squad. Shaun Goater adds a complete fluke of a second on 58 minutes, a cross across the box dipping right over Andy Warrington and into the net. Doncaster make a valiant comeback though, and nod in three in the final 30 minutes, to give them a certain moral victory, but I’m not seriously concerned. We’re through to the final easily. Final Score – Doncaster Rovers 3:2 Wrexham (4-9 On Aggregate) MoM – Gregg Blundell We’ll be taking on Torquay in the Final at The Millennium Stadium at Cardiff on April 9th, as Swindon managed a heroic fightback, only to be sunk by a 78th-minute penalty that saw Torquay advance 4-3 on aggregate. It should, at least prove an interesting match. Torquay are looking for honors just as we are, 2nd in League Two, hoping for promotion and an extra bit of silverware to make the season a fine one indeed. March 8th, 2006 The Second Leg of the First Knockout Round of the Champions League is played today, and there’s only one surprise, as Porto sends Real Madrid out on the away goals rule, with a 1-1 win on aggregate. Dortmund, Valencia, Chelsea, Inter, Milan, Lyon and Barcelona are all also winners. March 11th, 2006 The season has officially reached that stage where, even for teams in a title race, you’re just far away enough from the end for it not to be in sight, and just close enough that you still have to be trying to muster that last bit of energy for the final stretch. “Plodding†would be a good term, I think. 46 games, plus cup games seems like absolute murder for the players and coaches, as exhaustion begins to set in. Where half of Europe would be preparing to call things quits, we’ve got 10 more to play, 30 points to be won. But we’re still in a title race. And even as I can see weariness setting in on tired legs during this week’s practices, the possibilities that lie ahead dangle, like a carrot infront of everyone on the team. We’re past pushing for safety now, now, it’s about proving we’re the best in the division, despite what our detractors may say. English League One – Game 37: Wrexham v. Colchester United David Jones makes his return, finally today, after spending three weeks injured with his fractured jaw. Colchester are desperate to put more distance between themselves and the relegation fight, of which they’re only two points clear, and we’re trying to finally get up on Gillingham. Either way around it, it’s setting up for our match on the 15th to be a pretty titanic clash. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Smith, Morgan, Simek, Walsh; Roberts; Hughes, Brittain; D Jones; Gallacio, Cox Is David Jones back at his best? No, as a missed shot on 14 minutes easily proves. Thankfully, Colchester aren’t anywhere near their best, or at least Joe Keith is, as he gets himself his second yellow card after only 30 minutes of play. However, it turns out this is not so much because the referee, Bob Lockhart was calling a fair game, as it is he thinks we have all forgotten exactly what color the Yellow Card is, and intends to show us all. Over, and over again. The two teams have accrued seven Yellows by half-time, all for fouls that are, at best, niggling. Thankfully, just before the half, Cox skies highest in the box to send a thumping header past Pidgeley to give us a 1-0 lead. Both teams start the second half playing timidly, and Mr. Lockhart is still handing out Yellows like candy. He personally takes the oomph out of the game, even reducing things to a farcical 10-on-10 match on 61 minutes as Roberts earns his second yellow for a shirt tug that wasn’t worth the card. We snatch another from Cox just before the end, but the 11 yellows will tell the tale here. Final Score – Wrexham 2:0 Colchester United MoM – Simon Cox Roberts is, expectably, suspended for a game for his red card, but I’m not going to warn him, since he didn’t do a damn thing to begin with. Gillingham manage to stay top however, winning again with a 3-0 destruction of Oldham. Now all eyes turn to Priestfield and our match on the 15th. March 14th, 2006 Well, Andy Roberts knows something about timing at least. The midfielder hobbles out of practice today, another twisted knee, the culprit. He’ll miss our match against Gillingham, which he was already going to do, due to his suspension. Were I not managing the club, I’d think something was rotten in Denmark, but I’m not, so, good for him. Sort of. March 15th, 2006 English League One – Game 38: Gillingham v. Wrexham No. 1 v. No. 2 today, as the two best offenses in League One tangle to see who will have the best shot of not just claiming promotion, but the League One Championship as well. On paper, this one should be grand, it’s the two highest-scoring offenses in the Division (them 1st, us 2nd), and three of the top 10 scorers in the division. The problem is, two of those scorers play for Gillingham, in the form of Marino Keith and Darren Byfield, both more than healthy enough to play in today’s game. Priestfield is filled to capacity, all 11,582 seats filled. Our traveling contingent of 1500 is trying their best to make noise, but this is a hostile environment we’re entering into to try and wrestle the top spot away from the team that have been, at their worst, only as low as 12th in the Division this year. It’s incredibly tacky and cliché, but it’s places and times like this were teams are forged into real winners. We’ve been on a tear, but Gillingham have won their last three against Swindon, Swansea and Oldham, not pushovers by a longshot. We’re raring for a fight, and I don’t think they’ll disappoint. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Smith, Simek, Morgan, Overvik; N’Galula; Hughes, Brittain; D Jones; Cox, Gallacio There is one bit of bad news from the kickoff. Bob Lockhart, of all godforsaken people, will be refereeing this one, and, true to form, he’s handed out two yellows (thankfully both to Gillingham) in three minutes. Three freaking minutes. Thankfully, while Lockhart is poncing around handing out cards to anything that moves, there’s still a game going on. As both teams try to open up the game, the first serious chance falls our way on 12 minutes, as David Jones, seems to have found his legs again, taking a ball at the edge of the penalty area and completely beating Hoyte to go one-on-one with Burton. Burton comes out, and dives early for the ball, but Jones’ close control is exquisite, and he’s got the ball on a string as he gently makes his way past he scrabbling keeper and pokes it into the net for the opener. With first blood to us, Gillingham go looking to their strike-force for the equalizer, and Keith nearly gets it, 18 minutes having ticked off the clock when he delivers a header from a corner that seems destined for the net until Esson gets his fingertips to it and places the ball onto the left post for another corner. Knowing Gillingham’s offense, at no point have I told the boys to take their feet off the gas pedal, and it provides for us a second on 20 minutes, Cox taking a flighted through ball from Jones, muscling his marker, Leon Johnson off the ball, then dribbling past him, flashing in on net before expertly slipping the ball past Burton for 2-0. With Burton exasperated with his defense, who have been beaten, not by team moves, but individually on two separate occasions, Gillingham’s confident façade begins to crack quickly, and we seize the opportunity to put it away early, Cox simply blowing past Johnson again on 26 minutes before rounding Burton and knocking the ball home to put us up 3-0 and silence the Gillingham fans. From there, it turns into a rout. David Jones, Mark Jones and Stephen Hughes all tally, Hughes with an 82 minute penalty to add insult to injury, as we complete an absolute demolition of the team that for so long looked indomitable atop League One. Oh and Bob Lockhart? 11 total Yellows, although, somehow, no Reds. Final Score – Gillingham 0:6 Wrexham MoM – David Jones I’ll be frank at this point. With David Jones apparently back on song, Cox finding the net again, and our midfield and defense as strong as it’s ever been, I think this win is the one that pushes us over the top. I don’t think anyone, anywhere expected that this season could see this happen. With the victory, we move into sole possession of first place, three points ahead of Gillingham, and seven points clear of Preston in 3rd. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pred Posted March 25, 2005 Author Share Posted March 25, 2005 Once again, thanks to everyone for the kind words. This is probably one of the best-feeling FM games i've had in a long while. March 18th, 2006 English League One – Game 39: Oldham Athletic v. Wrexham Only one change to the squad that demolished Gillingham, as Juan Ugarte comes in for the resting Simon Cox. Other than that, it’s the same squad as we go looking to bolster our promotion chances. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Smith, Simek, Morgan, Overvik; N’Galula; Hughes, Brittain; D Jones; Ugarte, Gallacio Nothing much to today’s fixture, as the team seems to be just relaxing for a game, exerting their will when they can but working under the understanding that they’re the team to beat this year, and that they must be overtaken. Ugarte and Gallacio threaten occasionally, but never seriously, as Paul Harrison, the Wrexham keeper is only called to duty three times as we can’t seem to get anything on net. As the game extends, Oldham pull back further into their own half, playing the ever-frustrating Catennacio-style game, and manage to say they held the 2nd-best offense in the league goalless. Final Score – Oldham Athletic 0:0 Wrexham MoM – Paul Harrison The draw opens to door to a much needed resting period, as we’ll get nine days off before our match with Bradford City on the 27th. March 24th, 2006 The media at large seems to be finally accepting that we have a real shot at promotion this year. The local papers, of course, are absolutely agog over our turn of fortune, The Wrexham Mail taking a particularly AS-like turn in their coverage, tabbing us “the wizards of Wrexham†in their most recent issue. Frustratingly, questions are already being raised about next year, with seven games left to play. Some writers are wondering about the shape of the squad for the 06/07 season, while one writer in Swansea still believes we’re going to crash and burn at the last hurdle. March 27th, 2006 English League One – Game 40: Wrexham v. Bradford City Credit to Bradford, who have pulled themselves from the absolute bottom of the table to a reasonable chance at avoiding relegation. An 11-game unbeaten streak that ended two weeks ago saw them clamber up to 20th, but a few bad games have them stuck back in the relegation zone at 21st, four points behind Hartlepool and desperate for three points. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Smith, Lawrence, Morgan, Watt; Roberts; Hughes, Brittain; M Jones; Lancaster, Goater Having faced, and lost to us already twice this year, Bradford don’t look anything approaching adventurous as the match begins. They are begging for a point here, although not going about it in the same style that Oldham employed to such good effect, nor are they as skilled as Tranmere was. Their goalkeeper looks set to have a very busy day, called into action on 12 minutes to tip a Jones freekick from 22 yards onto the post to keep things level. He does well again on 31 minutes, diving low to his left to stop a 25-yard blast from Hughes from slipping into the net. However, Bradford’s defense are looking leaky at best, so when Hughes delivers a cross across the box for Brittain, Bradford’s defense reacts in a panic, allowing the Scot to simply put the ball onto Jones’ right boot, which the midfielder happily smacks home for a 1-0 lead. We’re never really caused any consternation by Bradford as we play a much slower, more defensive game than normal, allowing our attacks a much greater amount of time to build as we slowly move the ball upfield. Bradford just can’t get a sniff of the ball, and, as minutes tick away in the 2nd half, finally begin to start looking more positive and seeking options in attack. So, naturally, we catch them out on a counter attack, Jones darting through midfield with the ball before passing to Lancaster, who boots the ball out left for Hughes. The left winger sweeps into the box, only to be cruelly hacked down by White in the area, gifting us a 66th minute penalty, that Hughes kindly steps up and converts. The goal’s an absolute backbreaker for Bradford, who shell up and defend to keep things reasonable. We manage another, but it’s stunning, not insomuch because of how it was scored, as who, as Shaun Goater, of all people, comes racing from mdifeld to be first to pounce on a rebound from Lancaster’s shot and turn the ball into the net for 3-0. Final Score – Wrexham 3:0 Bradford City MoM – Mark Jones Gillingham, still reeling after our match, drop their 3rd straight, a 2-0 loss to Luton that pushes our lead to a sudden seven points with six games to play. I’m sure those behind us will be quite disappointed to know that we won’t be playing a team currently ranked higher than 11th in the division for the rest of the year, save for our season-ending fixture with (currently) 5th-placed Stoke City. The ball is completely in our court. March 30th, 2006 Bad news from Stoke today, as their best defender, Wayne Thomas is apparently aching to leave Britannia stadium sometime in the near future, which would leave the promotion-chasing side completely bereft of defenders. Thankfully for them, it doesn’t look like he’ll be able to force a move before the transfer deadline comes to pass, which means Stoke will be at full strength for the remainder of the year. April 1st, 2006 I am greeted at practice by representatives from League One today, as I’m presented with the Manager of the Month award for our record in March. I don’t want to sound too petulant, but it’s been coming, I’d think. Now, with a seven point lead atop the division, and the chance today to at least clinch a playoff place, I think this club’s in a position to have its ambitions fulfilled. English League One – Game 41: Luton Town v. Wrexham A few changes to the squad again, as I’m trying to rest legs ahead of our LDV Vans Trophy Final with Torquay. We’re in the position to actually have a game to “give†from our lead, although I wouldn’t be disappointed with another three points and a nearly unassailable position atop League One. In that respect, it’s Cox and Ugarte upfront today, in the hopes they can spark enough offense to keep Luton at bay. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Overvik, Lawrence, Morgan, Walsh; Roberts; Lancaster, Hickey; Jones; Cox, Ugarte It’s quite a surprise to look into the Luton net and see ex-Portsmouth keeper Shaka Hislop keeping net, but, it’s just another obstacle in our way. The highlight of this one is definetly one that substitute Michele Gallacio slaps in on 78 minutes, with Mansell doing far, far, far too much dawdling on the ball in his own penalty area, the striker runs up, dispossesses the defender and, in one clan motion, slots past a stunned Hislop. Factor in a cheeky chip from Juan Ugate, a 25-yard laser from Simon Cox, and a own goal, and you can guess how this one ended up finishing. Final Score – Luton Town 0:4 Wrexham MoM – Martin Overvik The win ensures us a place in the playoffs at least, while Gillingham needs an 88th-minute goal to save them from another winless game, striking down Preston to keep our lead at seven points. They’ll have a chance to make up a little more ground next week, as we’ll be leaving for Cardiff soon, to play Torquay in the LDV Vans Trophy Final on the 8th. April 3rd, 2006 Andrew Lawrence will end up missing the Final after turning up with a calf strain during practice today that’ll see him miss a week of play. I’m honestly sad for him, he’s been at the club since 2000/01 and really deserved the chance to lift some silverware, but, no such luck then. April 5th, 2006 I collect the team after practice today, for a bit of R&R and morale building, in the form of watching the Champions League Quarter-Finals kick off. Here’s the fixtures… FC Barcelona v. AC Milan Chelsea v. Internazionale Borussia Dortmund v. Valencia C.F. FC Porto v. Lyon It takes a lot of haggling, and three votes before we finally decide on spending the next 120 minutes watching Chelsea take on Inter from Stamford Bridge, and, from the sheer quantity and quality of the peanut gallery jokes the boys throw out during the prematch show, I’d like to report that squad morale is very, very high. The game comes with its fair share of thrills and spills, but it’s Jermaine Defoe’s 24th-minute strike to put Chelsea in the lead that everyone will remember. It’s a glorious blast, a 25-yarder that curls sweetly from the left of the penalty area into the righthand side of the net. It’s 3-1 to Chelsea for the return leg in Milan on the 12th. April 8th, 2006 Gillingham can’t pick up any ground with a 1-0 loss on the road at Huddersfield today, which means our lead atop the division stays at a healthy seven points, and we’re gifted with a game in hand. During training today, the media would like to know if I think we’ve won the whole thing already, and for me, no. I’ve lived to witnesss too many astounding comebacks at this point, five games remaining or no. It’s not over until we’re hoisting the League One Championship trophy infront of a banner that says “We’re Going Up!†Barring injury, I collect the team at the end of today’s practice to tell them who will be in the squad that’ll be making the journey, and by far, the hardest thing to do is to tell Michael Walsh that he won’t be starting, with Martin Overvik preferred on the right side of defense. Michael isn’t happy about it, but the fact that he’ll at least be on the bench is some small comfort. April 9th, 2006 English LDV Vans Trophy – Final: Torquay United v. Wrexham League Two vs. League one as we battle a Torquay team on the edge of securing promotion from League Two. As a club, they’ve been to the Final before, runners-up in 1989. It’s a short trip for us from Wrexham to Cardiff, but it’s like entering a whole new world when we walk into the massive Millenium Stadium. It’s gorgeous, and, while the 25,000 in attendance don’t fill it to the brim, it’s the largest crowd we’ve seen all day, split into swaths of yellow and red, for Torquay and Wrexham, respectively. As both teams lineup to have their pictures taken, I can take a moment to reflect on just how far we’ve managed to come this year. No matter how you look at it, this season has been a colossal success, but there is nothing I, the board, the fans, or the players would like more, I think, than to add the sheen of a cup trophy to this year’s finish. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Smith, Simek, Morgan, Overvik; Roberts; Hughes, Brittain; M Jones; Cox, Ugarte <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">From BBC Radio Five Live - â€And the 77th-minute strike from the Dutchman is enough to give Arsenal a 1-0 victory in Old Trafford. Meanwhile, the Football League Trophy was contested for today between Torquay United and Wrexham, and it’s all still going to plan for the Red Dragons. The contest was, for long stretches of time, one-sided in favor of Wrexham, and they opened scoring on seven mintues, Mark Jones deflecting a Simon Cox shot past Torquay keeper Gavin Ward. Cox then tallied himself on 33 minutes, but Torquay managed a small fightback, Eugene Dadi stealing the ball from Alex Smith’s feet and putting it past Ryan Esson to give Torquay hope going into the half. But, as the 2nd half began, it quickly became apparent there was only going to be one winner here today, Simon Cox putting things out of reach on 54 minutes, and Sam Lancaster scoring as a substitute just before full-time. Wrexham boss Jacob Flanagan will almost certainly end up with a lower-division double this year, with the team in prime position to win League One. Still the team will revel in this, Wrexham’s first ever Football League Trophy victory.†</div></BLOCKQUOTE> Final Score – Torquay United 1:4 Wrexham MoM – Stephen Hughes Watching Andy Roberts lift the LDV Vans Trophy and hearing the roaring approval of our fans is a gleeful experience. I’m standing off to the side, applauding, this moment is for the fans and players to enjoy more than anyone else. They boys up there have put in the hardest work. On the way home to Wrexham, I let the boys know that they’ve got the next day off for their exertions, although that I had better not see any of them popping up in The Wrexham Mail for committing various acts of silliness and not-thinking. It’s the least they deserve, and it will give me a little time to consider how we’re going to approach the next five games. Yeovil, Doncaster, Oxford, Huddersfield and Stoke, and then…. Well, hopefully by then, we’ll be celebrating something else. April 12th, 2006 English League One – Game 42: Yeovil Town v. Wrexham Today we catch up with everyone else, with a chance to extend our lead to 10 points over Gillingham. Yeovil are 23rd, and, four points out of safety from relegation, looking directly at heading back down to League Two. As a bit of a reward to those who played in the Final on Sunday, there are no changes to the squad, as we look to make our lead insurmountable. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Smith, Simek, Morgan, Overvik; Roberts; Hughes, Brittain; M Jones; Cox, Ugarte There’s an obvious level of fatigue and complacency in the players as we begin, not a very good idea, given that Yeovil are absolutely desperate for a point. Esson is called to duty after just 15 minutes, as Lawrence loses Kevin Gall in the mix and allows the young striker to fire one on net that Esson does very well to tip around the post. Given the timidity of our past few opponents, Yeovil’s balls-to-the-wall attitude is something out of left field, and finding an incision in their defense, with Jones and Cox looking tired is becoming increasingly difficult. Ugarte has our best chance on 34 minutes, volleying a pass from Cox first-time from the edge of the box and forcing Tamas Byrne into a fine save. We manage the majority of the possession for the remainder of the first half, but Byrne is in rare form, stopping Jones, Brittain and then Hughes and Cox with an astounding double-save to keep things level going into the half. The restart begins the same, with Yeovil snapping at our heels, looking to grab what might be a damaging goal, but Simek and Morgan make a series of crunching challenges that keep that possibility at arm’s reach. Finally, on 55 minutes, Hughes swings a ball across the box that Brittain takes on the right edge of the area, chipping it towards the penalty spot. There’s a mad scramble as the ball lands, and Jones’s eventual shot rebounds off a defender and then Simon Cox before rolling past Byrne’s last-gasp attempt to save it for the opener. Darren Way takes it upon himself to drag Yeovil back into it, and for the next 10 minutes, the midfielder is all over the pich, challenging, passing, heading, everywhere at once. When Phil Jevons wins a freekick 25 yards from our net, and Way steps up to take it, there’s only one way it can finish, Way spinning the ball up over the wall and curling a beauty into the corner of Esson’s net. With things at 1-1, and Yeovil’s fans praying for it to stay that way, we play spoilers once more, Hughes doing some very good work along the left wing before swinging in a cross to the penalty spot that Ugarte, backing up and off balance, nods up and over Byrne and into the net for 2-1. Yeovil can’t seem to find that extra gear again, and when, on 81 minutes, a corner into the box leads to another goalmouth scramble, the American Franklin Simek comes steaming in and smashes the ball home from a yard out, it’s a given. Final Score – Yeovil Town 1:3 Wrexham MoM – Stephen Hughes Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leglaen Posted March 25, 2005 Share Posted March 25, 2005 Yes, a Wrexham story!! I've been a closet Red Dragons fan for some time now. KUTVGW!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pred Posted March 26, 2005 Author Share Posted March 26, 2005 Thanks Leg! Glad to hear you're enjoying things. After the game, we find out that Alex Smith, who came off after 71 minutes, has fractured ribs, and will be out of action for a while, four weeks to be exact. He’ll miss the remainder of the season, which is cruel for him, as he’s been nothing but consistent this season and deserved the chance to be on the field for our final home game. Meanwhile, the 2nd leg of the Champions Cup quarterfinals ends today, with Chelsea, Porto and Valencia all advancing. Milan and Barcelona will play tomorrow, with Inter Milan having played at home to Chelsea today. April 13th, 2006 Milan and Barcelona play a most entertaining match, but, despite a 3-2 victory, AC Milan just can’t overcome Barcelona’s two-goal aggregate lead, as what should be a highly entertaining semi-final prepares to unfold. April 14th, 2006 With the season winding down and the transfer window for English clubs closed, it’s a complete surprise to receive a fax from Barnsley today, inquiring about the possibility of purchasing Juan Ugarte away from us. Apparently, the Spaniard has impressed enough to win the affection of the Championship club, and they think that our $60K valuation of the striker is completely within their price range. For me though, it’s way, way, way too soon to be talking about prices for players. With the window closed, I don’t want to hear the word “transfer†until the season has come to an end, so their reply is a kindly-worded refusal, stating that we do not want to entertain the sale of any players until after the season has ended. April 15th, 2006 English League One – Game 43: Wrexham v. Doncaster Rovers Promotion. I wouldn’t be lying if I said that I didn’t have that in mind when the season began, but, here we are. Three points today, and we’re guaranteed the chance to spend next year in the next-closest thing to the lucrative Premiership. A significantly changed squad takes the field today, with both Jones’ featuring in midfield, along with Shaun Goater’s return to the attack. It’s a much more narrow 4-1-2-1-2 we’re taking onto the field today, as I’m hoping that we’ll exert enough control in the center of the field to keep any exposure on the wings in midfield from being an issue. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Overvik, Morgan, Lawrence, Walsh; N’Galula; D Jones, M Jones; Lancaster; Goater, Gallacio Today’s fixture starts out with a real shock, as a long through pass is chased down by the ponderous Shaun Goater, of all people, who is massively unlucky to see his chip anticipated perfectly by Andy Warrington and tipped just over the bar for a corner kick. Doncaster’s first three attempts fly wide, and, as the game settles after the opening exchanges, the boys are out to have a little fun with their game it seems, as Morgan opts to fire in a freekick from some 40 yards away that was headed nowhere other than into the stand. Another freekick on 35 minutes places N’Galula out wide left of the Doncaster penalty area, and the Belgian shocks everyone in the ground by not firing in a cross, but shooting the ball on net from the extreme angle, catching Warrington unawares and flighting the ball right into the right side of the net for the opener. Today is probably the fastest Shaun Goater has run since his first international cap for Bermuda, and he nearly gets his just reward on 55 minutes, charging down a loose ball on the left flank and beating his man to the inside, blazing in on net before trying to catch Warrington by surprise, firing a shot that the keeper saves with his legs and sends out for a corner. Doncaster are entirely undeterred, and come charging for an equalizer, nearly scoring one on 61 minutes, a corner headed down to the feet of Paul Green, who should score but skies it from ten yards away. Neil Roberts is unfortunate to see his header tipped over the bar by Esson, and David Poole spurns another gilt-edged opportunity on 74 minutes, firing wide from a one-on-one opportunity with Esson. With Goater off for Youngs, we continue to just try and exploit the cracks that consistently appear in Doncaster’s defense, and with six minutes left on the clock, Doncaster’s 2-3-5 attacking formation blows up in their face, their defense completely unable to keep up with Youngs’ bursts of pace, allowing Walsh to curl a pass some 40-yards upfield for the striker to control and knock past Warrington to send our supporters into peals of joy. Final Score – Wrexham 2:0 Doncaster Rovers MoM – Floribert N’Galula The scene on the bench is one of barely-held back joy as the final seconds tick away. The news from Gillingham is that they have drawn with Port Vale, meaning that we aren’t just going up, we’re going to be champions! Locking arms with my assistant, René Keffel and a few of the players still on the bench, we count down the last few moments before the referee blows the final whistle and points to the center circle! League One is ours! I stay on the bench while my fellows stream onto the pitch, along with a horde of celebrating fans. Immediately, I find Stephen Hughes and wrap my arms around him in celebration. Hughes, as much as anyone else on this team, is responsible for our promotion and championship, having turned from a mid-level player to an absolute force on the left wing. Also deserving accolades are Juan Ugarte, who provided an splendid force in attack, along with the fans’ new hero, Simon Cox, who has been an absolute demon up front, banging in 28 goals in all competitions this season. As the trophy is brought out, the roaring noise of our fans singing and cheering is deafening, as I share a happy handshake and a smile with Chairman Alex Hamilton. We’ve achieved everything we could’ve possibly dreamed of here this year, and the feeling is grand. It’s a numb feeling as the trophy is presented, and, as Andy Roberts lifts the trophy, the celebrations can begin anew! For the first time since 1978, Wrexham are headed back to the English Championship! Between the cheering, photos, and champagne-spraying, the remainder of the evening is a bit of a blur. But noone can take this away from us now. What a season! April 17th, 2006 I haven’t featured much news from the Premership today, but this is worth mentioning, as Sir Alex Ferguson announces his retirement from the game today, effective at the end of the season. It’s the end of an era in Manchester, while, in other, much less interesting news, Graeme Souness has been canned as manager of Newcastle. Both teams are thought to have Steve Bruce on the top of their possible list of new managers, but I don’t think it’s much of a question as to where he’ll end up. April 22nd, 2006 English League One – Game 44: Wrexham v. Oxford United With promotion and the championship all wrapped up, these last three games are a formality of sorts, and a chance for me to do some quick experimentations with new tactics. I’d like to give some youngsters in our reserves a run out, but frankly, there’s noone good enough right now. Among other things, that fact is yet another issue I need to address during the off-season. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Overvik, Lawrence, Morgan, Watt; N’Galula; Hughes, Brittain; D Jones; Ugarte, Gallacio Oxford but on a brave performance in this one, actually taking the lead after 32 minutes when Ricchiuti’s header finds the back of the net. But a volley from Floribert N’Galula equalizes things, and from there it’s all downhill for Oxford, as Gallacio and Jones both tally to put us up. Final Score – Wrexham 3:1 Oxford United MoM – Martin Overvik Port Vale are first out the door today, as a their 2-2 draw with Yeovil Town isn’t enough to keep them away from the inevitable, and they’re relegated to League Two today, a sad fate for the club, who haven’t been that low since the 1985/86 season. April 23rd, 2006 25-7-3. That’s Arsenal’s record through 35 Premiership matches, and it’s enough to give them their third title in the past five years. The past two years at Highbury have been spectacular, with a Champions Cup trophy in 2005, and now the Premiership. With the team set to move to Emirates stadium in the summer, Arsene Wenger could find himself chasing the double or, perhaps, even the much-vaunted treble next season. Meanwhile, Michele Gallacio finishes a very impressive Loan spell today, returning to Chelsea. I don’t know where he’ll fit in in Jose Mourinho’s plans, but he’s more than proved himself to me with a string of fine performances when called upon. If I see him dangling around on the cheap, we’ll snap him up if he’ll have us. Players Out: Michele Gallacio (20 y/o, ITA, S C): 9 (6) apps, 8 goals, 4 asts, Av. Rate 7.33 April 26th, 2006 The Champions Cup Semi-Finals get rolling today, with Barcelona taking on Primera Liga leaders Valencia, and Chelsea taking on Porto in the first meeting between the clubs since Jose Mourinho left the 2004 winners for Stamford Bridge and the millions of Roman Abramovic. Both games are reasonably entertaining, but the home sides come our far the stronger, Barcelona tackling Valencia 2-0 at the Camp Nou, and Chelsea defeating Porto 3-1 at Stamford Bridge. April 29th, 2006 English League One – Game 45: Huddersfield Town v. Wrexham With Gillingham and Swindon having already qualified for the playoffs, and the former odds on favorites to take the second promotion spot, the rest of the table has all but been set, with Tranmere and Hull fighting for the final playoff spot. Huddersfield, who made the playoffs last year after a 5th-place finish, are facing the end of a highly disappointing 05/06 campaign, currently 15th, safe from relegation, but assured of a season of promise turning into a season of mid-table mediocrity. Wrexham Lineup: Esson; Overvik, Simek, Morgan, Walsh; N’Galula; Hughes, Brittain; M Jones; Youngs, Goater A performance from Tom Youngs that I believe can be reasonably described as “without merit†contributes today, as we have to scrabble from two down in the last 30 minutes to spoil Huddersfield’s party and walk away from The Galpharm Stadium with a point. Final Score – Huddersfield Town 2:2 Wrexham MoM – Richard Brittain May 1st, 2006 Richard Brittain is honored this month with the Player of the Month award, which he, like many other players we’ve had this year, richly deserves. Since we picked him up, he’s put in a string of fine performances for Wrexham, so the honor is all his. May 3rd, 2006 The Champions Cup final is set today, with Chelsea and Barcelona both advancing on the merit of 1-1 draws with their opponents to set up what should be a tantalizing final. It’s the Premership’s most prolific offense (Chelsea) vs. the Primera Liga’s most stingy defense (Barca) in a match that arguably features some of the best talent the world has to offer, as Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Steven Gerrard, Samuel Eto’o, Pablo Aimar and Andrés D’Alessandro all play for either Chelsea or Barca. May 4th, 2006 The UEFA Cup final is also set today, with Besiktas defeating Zaragoza, and Manchester United losing out to FC Bayern Munich, who are quickly becoming the story of the season, with the team on the brink of pulling off an ignonimous double. With the team perched and ready with the chance to win the UEFA Cup, FC Bayern has also endured the single worst season in its history, and, after selling off many of its best players over the past two years, face the prospect of being relegated from the German First Division, currently 16th and two points adrift of safety. May 6th, 2006 English League One – Game 46: Stoke City v. Wrexham Finally. The last game. Wrexham Lineup: Esson; Overvik, Simek, Morgan, Walsh; N’Galula; Hughes, Brittain; M Jones; Youngs, Goater In a nutshell, we’re too fatigued to really put together anything more than a token attack, and Stoke completely overwhelm us. We’re lucky things finish as they do. Final Score – Stoke City 1:0 Wrexham MoM – Wayne Thomas After the game, the very first thing I say to the players is that now, once they’ve cleaned their lockers, that they’re free of my nagging influence until June 25th. Nearly two months to rest and relax, and enjoy the spoils of a season well-won. Gillingham, despite their late-season fluctuations, will be heading up with us today, winning promotion to the English Championship. Meanwhile, Grimsby Town, Peterborough United and Yeovil Town will all be heading back down, as Bradford City pull off their great escape, finishing 19th to avoid relegation. May 10th, 2006 With Barnsley, Rotherham and Wolveerhampton all heading in the opposite direction of us, next year is shaping up to be an interesting one in the English Championship, what with Fulham, Charlton and Millwall joining the ranks. Meanwhile, it’s titans vs. minnows in the FA Cup Semi-Final today, as Manchester United take on surprise package Norwich City. And while the game may disappoint for the neutral, it’s a testament to Norwich’s spirit, as they battle with Manchester United for 120 minutes and force the game into penalties, a ending noone had predicted by a longshot. Despite going down and then managing to tie it in the penalties, when Ryan Jarvis’ penalty flies wide of the left post, Manchester United can celebrate avoiding a major upset, and advance on, looking for their 12th FA Cup victory, which they will contest for versus none other than hated Arsenal. May 13th, 2006 I say my goodbyes to my secretary and to my fellow backroom staff, as I prepare to board a plane back home today. I’m taking a week off to visit family and enjoy some downtime before returning to begin the whole process anew. If things had gone my way, I would’ve booked tickets for the World Cup this summer, but, as I’m sure you can tell, I was otherwise occupied. Still, even as I board the plane, I can look at my cellphone and know that it’ll be ringing again sometime. The job never really ends. May 17th, 2006 FC Bayern are that much closer to their ignominious double, after defeating Besiktas in the UEFA Cup final today. Goals from Roy Makaay and Borut Semler prove the difference as Bayern will lift their second UEFA Cup title, but, with the club still in the final relegation place they’re not safe yet. More interestingly, their double may become a treble, with Bayern also in the German Cup final. May 24th, 2006 The Champions Cup final comes to its eventual end today, as Barcelona and Chelsea face off at the Stade des Trois Tilleuls in Brussels. It’s something less of a happy encounter for Chelsea, who are facing off against two of their ex-players, in Peter Cech and Mateja Kezman. Juan Sebastian Veron opens the after just three minutes, but the rest of the first half is quite tame, with no team coming very close to finding another break. Veron notches a second off a spilled shot in the 2nd half, and that’s all it takes, as Barcelona lift their first Champions Cup trophy since 1992. Chelsea won’t be able to look back on this game with anything but disappointment in their offense, they didn’t manage a shot on target until 66 minutes, and of the 11 shots they took, only two found their way on net. May 26th, 2006 The legendary Wembley Stadium opens today to see Swindon fall at the final hurdle, unable to overcome Stoke City and gain promotion via the playoffs to the English Championship, whilst Stoke ensure that they bounce right back up after relegation in 2004/05. The 2-1 victory for Stoke is hard on a Swindon squad that vastly improved from a 17th-place finish last year to a 3rd-place finish this year, only to miss out. May 27th, 2006 Some 89,969 in attendance at Wembley today as the FA Cup final returns to its proper home as Arsenal and Manchester United clash for the final trophy of the 05/06 season in England. And it’s two wonder goals, a darting 40-yard run and finish from Robinho, and a 35-yard bender from Freddie Ljungberg that are the difference, as Arsenal’s dominant season has a happy ending, defeating Manchester United 2-0 to do the double, taking both the FA Cup and the Premier League title. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pred Posted March 26, 2005 Author Share Posted March 26, 2005 May 30th, 2006 The English Players’ League One Select will include Michael Walsh and Stephen Hughes, surprising choices given how well we feel players like Simon Cox, Richard Brittain and Floribert N’Galula played, but it’s still something for players who justly deserve it. Swansea’s Lee Trundle wins the Top Goalscorer award, and our impressive season grants me the chance to be honored as the Manager of the Year. June 1st, 2006 With the World Cup set to start on June 7th and the season, for the most part, over in Europe, let’s take a look at who did what where and who’s big in Europe this year. In England Arsenal did the double, winning both the Premiership and the FA Cup. A 26-9-3 record dominated for the Gunners, as they ran away with the title as the year came to its conclusion. Chelsea finished 2nd, having to settle for just the League Cup this season, with Aston Villa surging into 3rd place, their first top three finish since 1993. The top five are rounded out by Manchester City, who trump Manchester United this year for the final Champions Cup place. Monaco also manages their own double in France, taking the First League and the French Cup, making it back-to-back victories for the team from the principality. With Lyon finishing a massively disappointing 10th, Monaco were never challenged in their run for the title. Rennes, Lille, Marseille and Paris-SG round out the top five, with the increasingly-skilled Patrice Evra putting on a masterclass domestically this season, rating a 7.98 this season, and surely set to leave Monaco for bigger and better things. The story of the year is no doubt in Germany as FC Bayern pull off one of the most memorable seasons in football history, winning the UEFA Cup, the German Cup, and still managing to get relegated from the First Division. The sheer ridiculousness of Bayern’s achievement has overshadowed the triumphant season of Borussia Mönchengladbach, who dominated domestically and won the title by twelve points over 2nd-placed Hertha BSC. Dortmund, Schalke 04 and Werder Bremen round out the top five. It was a race to the last day of the season in Italy, but Roma pulled it out, winning by a single point over Internazionale and by two over 3rd-placed Milan. 2005’s winners, Juventus fall all the way to 6th as Parma and Udinese sneak ahead of them in the rankings. It’s a great, great finish for Roma, who win their first Scudetto title since 2001, but there must be a bit of sadness, knowing that talisman Francesco Totti will leave for Inter in July on the Bosman ruling. An up and down season for Barcelona and Real Madrid end with the two powerhouses having to watch Valencia win their 3rd title in five years in Spain. Barcelona, who was as low as 12th, and Madrid, who were as low as 9th, never really managed to get enough together to challenge the Valencians, who ended up winning the title by 11 clear points. Barcelona will take some solace in their 2nd-place finish and in their Champions Cup victory. Real Madrid finish 3rd, with Sevilla and Real Zaragoza rounding out the top five. From some of the smaller leagues… Belgium – Anderlecht suffer a horror season, finishing 13th, while Cercle Brugge win the title. Club Brugge finish 2nd, and AA Gent finish 3rd. Holland – A little chance in the top three, as, while Ajax retain the title, NEC Nijmegen go 2nd, Feyenoord 3rd and PSV an embarrassing 4th place, their worst finish in over a decade. Portugal – Boavista win their first title since 2001, going one-up on last year’s runners-up finish. Sporting finish 2nd, and Porto 3rd. Scotland – Rangers dominate, winning the Premier League title by 14 points over 2nd-placed Celtic, with Motherwell, like most teams that finish in 3rd, a distant 3rd. Turkey – A last day win for Fenerbahçe grants them their third straight title, with 2nd-placed Besiktas and 3rd-placed Galatasaray unable to break their clutch on the title. June 2nd, 2006 With the season done and gone, and the board very happy with our $1.2M profit this year, it’s time for me to sit with my staff to evaluate individual player performances this year. Goalkeepers Preston Burpo (33 y/o, American, GK): 1 app, 3 conc, Av. Rate 6.00: Signed in January on a free, Preston is ostensibly going to spend most of next year acting as our emergency backup-plan between the sticks. Ryan Esson (26 y/o, Scottish, GK): 49 apps, 42 conc, 22 cln, Av. Rate 7.00: Esson’s numbers and average rating this year tell a real tale of his year at the back this year. He hasn’t really impressed between the sticks, and when seriously challenged, he really didn’t impress. A good question is whether next year, if the defense is not as strong as it was this year, whether he’ll put up improved performances. Defenders Craig Morgan (20 y/o, Welsh, D C): 18 (2) apps, 1 asts, Av. Rate 6.95: Craig’s come along this year, and, in the process of making several good run-outs for the Welsh Under-21 squad, he’s one of the hot prospects the team has going. Most importantly to me, Craig never turned in a bad performance for the team, something that I’m hoping will be a repeating habit. Franklin Simek (21 y/o, American, D C): 25 apps, 1 goal, 2 asts, Av. Rate 7.46: Franklin turned out to be a steal from Arsenal, turning in a series of great performances this year, including a Man of the Match worthy game against Gillingham. Considering the market for big-club rejects, I don’t think we’ll have to worry about anyone suddenly thinking he’s the next Eddie Pope and swiping him from us. Dennis Lawrence (31 y/o, Trinidad & Tobagan, SW/D C): 34 apps, 2 goals, 1 MoM, Av. Rate 7.06: Still a fixture in his nation’s international side, Dennis may be getting on in years, but he’s still part of the Wrexham family. I was getting increasingly frustrated with some of his concentration lapses this year however, and I really do hope the game isn’t starting to pass him by. Martin Overvik (21 y/o, Norwegian, D RLC): 21 (2) apps, 2 MoM, Av. Rate 7.70: When you really hit the jackpot with a signing as a manager, it’s a great feeling, and Martin is the jackpot. The most versatile member of our defense, he has been an absolute force along the wings, snuffing out more moves than I frankly can count this year, turning in one spectacular performance after another. Another good year, and he may find himself the young captain of the squad. Michael Walsh (28 y/o, English, D RC): 36 (3) apps, 5 asts, Av. Rate 7.18: Michael is shifting, as time goes by, from the right side of defense into what will probably end up as a role in the center of defense. Still, when he was called upon, he did his job well. Steven Watt (21 y/o, Scottish, D RC): 10 (7) apps, Av. Rate 7.24: Steven’s performances this year have been good this year, but not enough to convince Chelsea not to transfer list him anyway. Were his price tag not so large ($550K) I would try and bring him to Wrexham, if only because he showed the kind of promise I like to see in our youngsters. For a Loan, he was great. Alex Smith (30 y/o, English, D/DM L): 25 (2) apps, 2 asts, 1 MoM, Av. Rate 7.18: Improved mentally all season and kept his body in the best form that he could. Alex was never a real mistake-maker at the back, although frankly, now, I do wonder if he’ll be good enough to make the grade in the English Championship. If he continues improving his mental game, he might be able to make up for any other deficiencies. Midfielders Floribert N’Galula (19 y/o, Belgian, D/DM C): 18 (11) apps, 2 goals, 4 asts, 2 MoM, Av. Rate 7.31: I am massively jealous about the amount of talent that Manchester United have in N’Galula. Whenever called on to replace Roberts in midfield, N’Galula was absolutely dominant in the middle of the park, winning balls and harassing the opposing attack constantly. Factor in that he seemed to find his scoring touch as the season wore on, and I do wish we could buy him. Andy Roberts (32 y/o, English, DM C): 28 apps, 1 asts, Av. Rate 6.75: Andy isn’t aging well, and our captain was looking increasingly anonymous as the season wore on whenever he was on the field. With N’Galula shining whenever he took the pitch, Andy’s position in the team became increasingly precarious this year, and the transfer market is probably going to dictate whether he holds his job next year. Stephen Hughes (29 y/o, English, M LC): 43 apps, 5 goals, 16 asts, 4 MoM, Av. Rate 7.51: Stephen pulled an amazing season out this year, which has lead to the obvious query about a new contract. Considering Stephen already makes some $200K a year, it’s a bit up in the air, as I’m really wondering whether Stephen can bring this level of play to the game for a second year in a row. I hope he can. David Jones (21 y/o, English, M C): 19 (6) apps, 19 goals, 4 asts, 8 MoM, Av. Rate 7.88: Absolutely stunning when we first grabbed him, but after his injury, David was never quite the same for us. That doesn’t detract from a season that has been absolutely stellar, exhibiting a finishing touch and a skill on the ball that started us on the tear we used to propel ourselves into the Championship. I’ll be sad to see him go when he leaves for Manchester again. Richard Brittain (22 y/o, Scottish, AM RC): 18 apps, 4 goals, 10 asts, 4 MoM, Av. Rate 8.18: A spectacular year this year, a consistent threat down the right flank all year, Richard has been one of the major fixtures of our offense in the end of the season. Will be good next year, I’m sure, and he’ll probably be good the year after that too. Mark Jones (21 y/o, Welsh, AM C): 29 (11) apps, 7 goals, 10 asts, 1 MoM, Av. Rate 6.95: Skilled, great potential, and completely inconsistent this year. Some games he would control the attack from the hole behind the strikers, and some games, he’d disappear for some 45-odd minutes until I finally pulled him. When he was on he was on this year, and when he was on, he was good enough that we can’t think about leaving him. Sam Lancaster (19 y/o, English, AM/F C): 10 (22) apps, 4 goals, 6 asts, 1 MoM, Av. Rate 7.25: Local boy, Sam has good potential, although he’s not quite spurring off the bench the way I’d like. Sam was a good hard worker this year, but he never quite seemed to put his game into that next gear that will take him from a average player to a regular first-teamer. Strikers Tom Youngs (26 y/o, English, F RC): 5 (9) apps, 3 goals, 2 asts, Av. Rate 6.71: Not called upon much this year, as I don’t fancy him, and he did nothing really to prove me wrong. His $170K contract may end up getting him transfer listed in hopes of opening up some space for someone new. Simon Cox (19 y/o, English, F C): 17 (14) apps, 28 goals, 11 asts, 4 MoM, Av. Rate 7.84: There’s no superlative I can use that wouldn’t be a good description of Simon’s season. An absolutely huge prospect, we’re already talking terms with him for a new contract, and hopefully, he’ll stay a Red Dragon for a few years more. Juan Ugarte (25 y/o, Spanish, F C): 26 (4) apps, 13 goals, 5 asts, Av. Rate 7.10: Juan came along nicely this year, continually improving this season and finding the net when it didn’t seem like Cox or Goater had their shooting boots on. Playing a lot better than I expected, Juan may end up being the eldest regular forward on the team next year because of… Shaun Goater (36 y/o, Bermudan, S C): 34 (1) apps, 10 goals, 6 asts, Av. Rate 7.00: Usually anonymous, I’m very happy he’s accepted a reduced role in the squad for next year. At this point in his career, which is, make no doubt, winding down, we’re going to need a replacement for him post-haste. He has been a good servant for the club, but the game simply has passed him by at this point. June 7th, 2006 The World Cup kicks off in Germany today, here’s how things will shape up… Group A: Brazil, Jamaica, Mali, Spain Group B: England, Morocco, Serbia & Montenegro, United States Group C: France, Japan, Russia, Uruguay Group D: Croatia, Ireland, Mexico, Nigeria Group E: Cameroon, Germany, Netherlands, South Korea Group F: Colombia, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia Group G: Chile, Iran, Italy, Turkey Group H: Argentina, Denmark, Ghana, Honduras Of course, I’ve got some investment in the overall performance of the U.S. national team, but today Group A begins, with all the normal suspects winning, as Brazil defeat Mali thanks to goals from Denilson and Adriano, while Spain defeat Jamaica with Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso doing the damage. June 8th, 2006 Group B gets going today, as strikes from Steven Gerrard and Leon Osman see off Morocco 2-0, while the United States upend Serbia 1-0 with Landon Donovan scoring the only goal. Meanwhile, we agree to a new deal with Simon Cox today. $200K a year until 2009, Simon will be a part of the first team until I say otherwise, which, I’d like to hope, will be a long, long, long time away. June 9th, 2006 The search begins in earnest today for a summer transfer, possibly a striker, possibly a defensive midfielder, perhaps even a goalkeeper or an extra center-defender. The list of possibles is massive, and I’m counting on my scouts to help me whittle it down to players who actually have a shot at featuring for Wrexham. Groups C and D go today, with Japan losing to Uruguay, Nigeria and Ireland playing to a boring 0-0 draw, and Russia pulling the early upset of the tournament, defeating France 1-0 thanks to Andrey Arshavin’s 10th-minute goal and some desperate defending from the Russians. June 10th, 2006 Only one interesting match today, as Mexico loses out to Croatia in a six goal thriller, that goes 4-2 to the Croats. Meanwhile, Cameroon hold the hosts to a 0-0 bore, as does South Korea keep the Netherlands from getting a goal, sneaking a point in a 0-0 draw. June 11th, 2006 Romania defeat Saudi Arabia 3-0 today, and Argentina defeat Ghana 1-0 thanks to an early contender for Goal of the Tournament, Fernando Cavenaghi blasting a 35-yard thunderbolt into the back of the net to seal things for Argentina. Lastly, Honduras holds Denmark to a 0-0 draw, which will certainly frustrate the Danes, after Honduras had two men sent off in the first 45 minutes, only to hold Denmark without a goal. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Johnston Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 wow, you seemed to have changed Wrexham (if I spelt it wrong, then I'm sorry) around, I don't think they've done so well since the 97/98 season, where, somehow, they made it to the FA Cup final, I think, and made it to Europe, didn't do too well though......... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leglaen Posted March 27, 2005 Share Posted March 27, 2005 I don't know about 97/98, but I do know that a fantastic game was when Wrexham beat Arsenal 2-1 in the FA Cup back in 91/92..And thanks to Wrexham winning the Welsh Cup in the 70's(mostly due to Dixie McNeil), the Red Dragons got to the Cup-Winners Cup quarterfinal. I think they lost to Anderlecht that season, 77/78 maybe. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pred Posted April 11, 2005 Author Share Posted April 11, 2005 <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Not dead! Also, congratulations on the real-life Red Dragons for winning the LDV Trophy! Art imitates life I guess. </div></BLOCKQUOTE> June 12th, 2006 Today gives us one of the most entertaining days of games, with Italy defeating Turkey, thanks to two goals from Gennaro Gattuso to skate, 2-0. Iran and Chile manage a 2-2 draw, and Portugal simply cannot manage to slip a second past Colombia, and settle for a 1-1 draw. June 13th, 2006 Brazil and Spain win again today, Brazil defeating Jamaica 1-0, while Spain cruise past Mali 2-0. We’re trying to negotiate a deal with Anderlecht today for the services of out-of-favor Russian striker Anatoly Guerk, which is proving to be a tall order, at best. Their demands of $1.5M over the next 24 months are steep, but, if Guerk’s contract demands are reasonable, we might be able to swing it. June 14th, 2006 England grab another three points today, defeating Serbia 2-0 to ensure qualification for the knock-out stages. The same can be said for the United States, as the boot of DaMarcus Beasley ensures another three points and a trip to the knock-out stages for the second straight time. June 15th, 2006 This World Cup definitely hasn’t been one for the spectators so far, with the “beautiful game†nowhere to be found as Japan defeats Russia today. And it’ll be another horrific World Cup campaign for France, as they’re eliminated from competition at the first hurdle again, losing 1-0 to Uruguay today. June 17th, 2006 Manchester United’s Jami Puustinen is apparently no longer wanted by the heads at Manchester United, and is being offered to all interested parties at a cut-rate price of $300K. Of course, we’re interested in the 21-year old Finn, so we place an inquiry to Manchester today. Meanwhile, Croatia and Nigera play to a 1-1 draw in Group D today, whilst Mexico and Ireland play the game of the tournament so far, a thrilling 4-2 victory for the Tricolores. Germany and Holland play to another 1-1 draw in Group E, and South Korea and Cameroon play to a droll 0-0 draw. June 18th, 2006 Another droll day of World Cup action today, as Colombia and Romania play to a 0-0 snoozer in Group F. Portugal manages a 2-0 victory over Saudi Arabia, and Denmark is unable to overcome Ghana, walking away with a point after another 0-0 draw. Lastly, a single last-minute goal from Fernando Cavenaghi spares Argentina an embarrassing draw with Honduras. June 19th, 2006 Turkey records a 2-0 victory over Iran today, while Italy marks a 1-0 victory over Chile thanks to a fine 25-yard curler from Alessandro del Piero that seals the win. June 20th, 2006 For his fine service to the club, Stephen Hughes walks away from the dinner this evening with the Supporter’s Player of the Year award in his possession. The really good news from the board however is that, along with the $1.1M in TV rights the team will be collecting, we’ve turned a healthy profit last year, and will have $2.5M to spend on the transfer market this year. Now, we can shift our view to survival in the Championship. Jamaica beats Mali 1-0 today as the Group Stage of the World Cup begins to wrap up, and Robinho’s sole goal allows Brazil to overcome Spain, 1-0. The United States gives a good account of themselves in a evenly contested 0-0 draw with England. Lastly, Morocco dooms Serbia & Montenegro to an atrocious, winless, goaless World Cup campaign with a 3-0 victory. June 21st, 2006 A 2-2 draw with Japan puts another unhappy end to another dismal World Cup campaign for France today, not advancing to the knock-out stages for the second time in a row. Meanwhile, Russia’s 1-0 victory over Uruguay ensures they’ll make it through to the next round. A 2-0 loss to Croatia sends Ireland crashing out of the tournament, while Nigeria’s 2-0 win over Mexico sees them make it through to the next stage. Meanwhile, Jami Puustinen agrees terms to a $18K a year contract as we agree terms with Manchester United for his services. We’ll be paying $300K over the next 24 months for the striker, who will spend a few months in our reserve side before he’ll hopefully make the jump up to the first team. Jami already spent years in the Manchester reserves, and he’s expressed his desire not to spend another year in the reserves here. He won’t. Players In: Jami Puustinen (21 y/o, Finnish, S C) June 22nd, 2006 The transfer news that doesn’t make the front page is about another Manchester United prospect that is being ushered out he door in the wake of new manager Guus Hiddink’s appointment as head of the Red Devils. Giuseppe Rossi is rated pretty well by my scouts, but the price tag of $2.2M is way out of our league. Maybe we’ll be able to work something out, but I doubt it. It seems that it’s not until just recently that teams have begun understanding the urgency with which they should be playing as the Group Stage comes to a close. Group E is turned upside down today, as Holland is eliminated by Cameroon as the Africans manage a 1-0 victory to send the two-times runners-up out of the tournament. Meanwhile, South Korea turns in a stunning performance, thrashing the hosts 5-3 to send the Germans out of the competition thanks to two awful own goals. Colombia records a 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia, while Portugal will miss out on the next round of play, after losing 2-0 to Romania. June 23rd, 2006 The last day of the Group Stage of the World Cup comes to pass today, as Italy defeats Iran 3-0, and Turkey defeats Chile 3-2 to send both teams through to the knockout stages of the competition. Argentina defeats Denmark 2-0, while Honduras manages a 3-2 win over Ghana, which means the knockout stages of the competition will shape up like this. United States v. Brazil England v. Spain Uruguay v. Nigeria Croatia v. Russia South Korea v. Colombia Romania v. Cameroon Italy v. Honduras Turkey v. Argentina June 24th, 2006 It’s a matter of national pride to watch the United States take on Brazil today as the knockout stages begin. While completely outmatched on paper, the U.S. puts up a amazing defensive performance, stifling the Brazilian attack at every point, frustrating the prodigious talent of Brazil and forcing the game into extra time. All 30 minutes of extra time are played, as neither side can find a winner, a fact that will reflect rather badly on Brazil, as the U.S. had managed to end up three men down, after losing two men to injury after making all their substitutions, and seeing Ben Olson be sent off in the 114th minute. Sadly, quality does tell in the end, the U.S. unable to even make a single one of its penalties, eliminated 3-0 by the Brazilians in the end. Still, it’s a admirable performance, I think. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace’s Andrew Johnson marks his 7th cap for England in style, scoring both goals in England’s 2-0 victory over Spain. It’s disappointment again for the Spaniards, as they come up short in yet another international competition, while England can now look on to the Quarter-Finals in the hope that this year may end in better results than the 2002 campaign. June 25th, 2006 More penalty drama today, as Croatia edges Russia 4-3 on penalties after a 0-0 draw in regular and extra time. The lack of a goal in this game is stunning, as opposed to the USA-Brazil game, this one is all about attacking verve. The teams combine to take 18 shots on target, and never managing to get one in. Man of the Match Igor Akinfeev earns the plaudit, although he surely would’ve preferred to advance instead. Uruguay takes out Nigera 2-0 today, as the Nigerians just can’t seem to find an answer for the defending of Paolo Montero, who simply shuts down any Nigerian attacks who cross his path, leading by example as Uruguay cruises into the quarter-finals, thanks to goals from Walter Pandiani and Javier Chevantón. June 26th, 2006 With so many skilled players on this side of the channel utterly out of our price range, I’m looking to our neighbors to the south today, as French First League side Rennes is looking to offload Senegalese midfielder Amadou Makhtar N’Diaye ASAP. Thankfully for us, his contract comes up at the end of the season, meaning we can sign him on a Bosman come July 1st. We present a contract to his agent, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed. In the World Cup, now three of the six games played have ended in penalties, as Romania edges Cameroon 3-0. Romania should’ve won the game in regular time, and it’s only due to their strikers profligate ways that they don’t walk away with a victory after 90 minutes. 3-0 is the score in penalties, as Romania are looking to put together the kind of World Cup run some have said the team is capable of. South Korea are making it two straight competitions with good results, defeating Colombia 3-1 today, goals from Park Ji-Sung and a brace from Cha Doo-Ri overcoming Juan Pablo Angel’s solitary strike for the Colombians. June 27th, 2006 Amadou Makhtar N’Diaye agrees terms today to a $100K a year contract that will have him leave France for England when the transfer window opens. Good news indeed. And we don’t have to pay a penny. Domestically, however, I’ve got my eye on Bournemouth’s Curtis Allen. Rated rather well by my scouts, I’ve had him on my shortlist all year, and Bournemouth, apparently, haven’t been able to work out a new contract with the 17-year old striker. He’s currently unprotected, so I send a fax off to his agent, inquiring about bringing him to Wrexham for these formative years of his life. More World Cup action today, as Turkey throws a wrench into the works, pulling off a stunning 2-0 upset of Argentina today. Not to say that the Turks did all that much, their two goals both came from Argentina own-goals, one from Roberto Ayala and another from Pablo Cavallero. Despite out-shooting the Turks 8-2, Argentina can’t overcome its own stupid mistakes, and will go home early once again. Italy however, prevent another serious upset, calmly dispatching Honduras 2-0 with goals from Francesco Totti and Marco Di Vaio before shutting down the Hondurans completely. This is setting up for an interesting end to the tournament, as, of the eight teams remaining, only four (England, Brazil, Italy and Uruguay) have won the World Cup. June 30th, 2006 The favorites pass through again today, as England continue their drive for their first World Cup triumph in 40 years with a penalty victory over Uruguay today. Defeating the South Americans 4-1 on penalties, they’re through to the Semi-Finals now, one step closer to their goal. This could be the year that Beckham and Co. finally bring a trophy back to England. Meanwhile, Brazil strolls past Croatia in a 1-0 victory that doesn’t tell half of the match’s story. The Brazilians dominated from start to finish, peppering Croatian keeper Stipe Pletikosa with 13 shots before the final whistle blew. Emerson’s 14th-minute header made the difference, but it certainly can be argued that Brazil should’ve walked out of this one with a much, much larger scoreline behind them. July 1st, 2006 With the team back in training and awaiting their first friendly fixture, I make a visit to Alex Hamilton’s office today for a chat about the future of the team. There’s a bit of smiling and laughing, as we look at how far this team has come, from a side on the verge of liquidation to LDV Vans Trophy Champions and winners of League One. He offers me some of his selection of liquors, as we discuss the future season ahead of us, which, we both agree, is going to be rough. The Championship may not be the Premiership, but it’s a serious test for teams from League One to deal with, what with established powerhouses like West Ham, Ipswich, Millwall and Leicester frequently lingering around. Against some of the talent collected here, we are, frankly, outmatched, and both of us understand that we’ll be in the relegation fight this year, like it or not. That said, Mr. Hamilton would very much like to consolidate on last year’s success by staying up this year, as would I. We take a step towards that today, as Labinot Harbuzi makes me a very happy man, agreeing to join us on Loan until the end of the season from Manchester United. Harbuzi, who was bought by ManU for a tiny $1.2M back in January is a great prospect, and there’s no doubt in my mind as to whether he’ll be a feature in our offense. More join him today, as Wrexham welcomes four new faces to the Racecourse Ground. Amadou Makhtar N’Diaye, Hugo Rolladega, Francesco Lodi and Curtis Allen all join the squad today. Players In: Francesco Lodi (22 y/o, Italian, AM C) Amadou Makhtar N’Diaye (24 y/o, Senegalese, DM C) Hugo Rolladega (20 y/o, Colombian, S C) Curtis Allen (17 y/o, Northern Irish, S C) Loans In: Labinot Harbuzi (20 y/o, Swedish, AM C) Finally, this evening, both Italy and South Korea advance to the Semi-Finals of the World Cup, Italy defeating Romania 2-1 in a match that saw Daniele De Rossi score the two goals that sent the Italians into the Semi-Finals once more. South Korea go the way of the penalty, defeating Turkey 3-0 on penalties after yet another 0-0 draw through regulation. Already, this is being hailed in the media as the single most boring World Cup ever, and, save for a few matches, I’m having a hard time disagreeing. July 4th, 2006 Floribert N’Galula hasn’t made his spectacular break into the Manchester United first team quite yet, so we’re happy to welcome him with open arms back into the Red Dragons fold. Players In: Floribert N’Galula (19 y/o, Belgian, D/DM C) The Semi-Finals of the World Cup begin today with Italy facing off against Brazil in what certainly must be considered the marquee matchup of the two, as, in the other fixture, it’s surprise package South Korea vs. England. As Italy and Brazil kick off, for a game so highly lauded as a match between footballing royalty, there’s not all that much to this one. Italy are attempted to stifle Brazil’s attack, while the Brazilians look to keep Italy on their back foot with their attacking play. The two sides serve to basically nullify each other for 90 minutes, the only real chance coming when Juninho’s 30-yard banana shot is parried around the post by Buffon. Things become a bit more interesting in extra-time, Ronaldinho narrowly missing a goal as his shot shaves the post, and a goalmouth scramble preventing Francesco Totti from sending the Italians through to the final once more. It takes penalties, once more, to make a decision between the sides, and Brazil have the nerve to go through, a 3-2 victory pushing them into the Finals once more. July 5th, 2006 Two goals from Michael Owen and a third from Andrew Johnson puts an end to South Korea’s World Cup run and sends England through to its first World Cup final since 1966. Despite Lee Chun-Soo opening the scoring on 17 minutes, England never looked anything but confident in their display today, man of the match Andrew Johnson coming on for an injured Wayne Rooney and adding to the hype surrounding his name by crushing home a 59th-minute penalty and assisting on both of Owen’s goals. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pred Posted April 17, 2005 Author Share Posted April 17, 2005 July 6th, 2006 Patrick McCarthy was recently let go by Manchester City after failing to impress in three separate Loan spells at Bury, Halifax and Yeovil. Normally, I wouldn’t make a bid, but we need a lot more squad depth than we have to compete at this level, so we offer a contract to the Irishman, although there’s no guarantee of a first-team place. July 8th, 2006 Italy v. South Korea in the Third Place Playoff today, and Alberto Gilardino and Mauro Esposito make sure Italy takes 3rd place for the second time in history. It is, of course, not the ending that the Italians wanted, but much of the media is focused on South Korea, who, with their current crop of players, have made it to the Semi-Finals of the World Cup two times in a row now, a feat made even more impressive that they’ve done it away from friendly soil. Perhaps, is the Asian game finally finding its feet internationally? Meanwhile, we make two more additions to the Wrexham family today, signing Milan Prso on a free, along with Mahiri Sabandar on a free, as we look to put some youth in our ranks that may actually pan out, rather than the current residents of our youth teams who, sadly, just aren’t going to make the cut. July 9th, 2006 It’s a clash between the one-time kings and the current masters, as England and Brazil face off for the Jules Rimet trophy today. It’s England’s first visit to the World Cup final since that day in 1966, and Brazil is looking for a stunning sixth World Cup victory. With this game meaning so much to both supporters, especially England, who’d like a chance at revenge for their exit in the 2002 World Cup, the hype around the match today has been non-stop domestically. The game itself is an entertaining affair, Brazil nearly breaking the deadlock five mintutes in, as only Rio Ferdinand’s diving intervention prevents Robinho from putting the ball into an empty net. But on 18 minutes, Kaká unleashes a blast from 30-yards that it looks like Paul Robinson has covered, only for the ball to take the smallest of glancing bounces off Rio Ferdinand and roll into the back of the net. England’s attempts to get back into the game are valiant, but not quite good enough. Andrew Johnson will certainly rue his mistake, firing just wide of the net on a one-on-one with Dida that would’ve tied the game on 71 minutes. Without that however, England go home empty-handed once more, and Brazil celebrate their sixth World Cup victory. July 10th, 2006 Fulham were relegated from the Premiership in the 2005/06 season, which means there’s a reasonably skilled team that’s probably going to thrash a number of other, poor teams that happen to be in their way this season. On the upside, they’ve just sold French playmaker Steed Malbranque off to Parma for $8.8M. We, on the other hand, are continuing my policy of not blowing our transfer kitty right off the bat, signing up exiled Nottingham Forest striker Craig Westcarr on a free transfer today, as I’m hoping we can at least give ourselves enough options in attack to provide a threat to our opponents this year. Players In: Craig Westcarr (21 y/o, English, S C) July 12th, 2006 Friendly – Ramlingen v. Wrexham Our first friendly of the year, as we try to get the players re-acquainted with one another, mix in the new arrivals, and test out the tactics we’ll be putting to use this year. Ramlingen aren’t a tough side to take on this early, a German amateur team, but the players have to knock the rust off their legs and get ready for another 46-game long campaign. To my pleasure, Francesco Lodi and Hugo Rodallega both tally, a brace for the former as we easily win. Final Score – Ramlingen 0:3 Wrexham MoM – Francesco Lodi After the match, I retreat to my hotel room and beginning going through the legions of unread emails that have piled up. I’ve sent my scouts out to search for talent, primarily an affordable new Center Defender who will want no more than $500K a year in pay. Sadly, the pickings have been slim at best, as finding reasonably skilled players domestically or from foreign nations hasn’t been simple. July 13th, 2006 Rotherham of League One would like to take Curtis Allen off of our hands for three months on a Loan spell, which I’m entirely agreeable to. If Curtis would like to go, he’s off then. Of most interest to the press locally is that, despite our movements in the transfer market this year, two of the new additions to my backroom staff are making the most waves. Hany Ramsy, capped 150 times for Egypt in a distinguished career will be helping me behind the scenes here at The Racecourse Ground, while the biggest news is the knowledge that players will be working with Teddy Sheringham, who finally hung up his boots last year, in favor of taking on the game from the backroom. I would’ve grabbed Dennis Bergkamp as well, but the Dutch legend was asking for well more than we could afford in salary, and ended up taking a coaching position back home, at Ajax. July 17th, 2006 Friendly – Wrexham v. Huddersfield Town Another good showing from the team today, as Francesco Lodi (Cesco, as he’s been nicknamed by the fans already) notches two goals and Juan Ugarte adds a third as we stroll past a disinterested looking Huddersfield team. So far, the looks I’m getting at the new players have been nothing but promising, which will hopefully bode well for the season ahead of us. Final Score – Wrexham 3:0 Huddersfield Town MoM – Francesco Lodi July 21st, 2006 Chelsea sell of Ricardo Carvalho today, sending the Portugese defender off to Internazionale for $21M. This is not the news of real import to me today, as my secretary hands me a fax today with a familiar emblem in the top right corner. The M, C and F of, of all clubs, Real Madrid, asking about Hugo Rodallega. They want him, ASAP, despite the fact that we quite literally, just got him this month. I’m loathe to give up a player I rate pretty well, but the $2.6M windfall they’re waving under our noses is impossible to resist. I pass along Hugo’s information, since I’ve only spoken with Hugo a few times, but I know that he is very, very ambitious, and turning down a transfer to Real Madrid would absolutely infuriate him. July 22nd, 2006 No good season goes unpunished, as Celtic come calling today, inquiring about one of our best, Richard Brittain. Their move forces me into an unhappy situation, as I have to immediately start renegotiating terms with Richard, as his current contract has a $500K Minimum Release Fee Clause that I don’t want to make an issue. July 23rd, 2006 Friendly – Chesterfield v. Wrexham With Hugo Rodallega almost assured of leaving for Madrid, and me becoming increasingly frustrated with the ridiculous contract demands of some players on the transfer market, I’m glad the team can still concentrate, in some small fashion on the goings on on the field. Chesterfield are far below us talent-wise, and we play like it, although we should do better in the scoring department next time, our lone goal coming from N’Diaye on 18 minutes, a fine strike from the edge of the box that keeps our preseason record at 100%. Final Score – Chesterfield 0:1 Wrexham MoM – Amadou Makhtar N’Diaye July 25th, 2006 And as quickly as he came, he goes. Hugo Rodallega doesn’t even make it a full month at Wrexham, as Real Madrid snap him up today. On the upside, the move is worth fully $2.6M to us, and there’s a 25% of next sale clause tied to it, meaning that, short of Rodallega spending the rest of his career in Madrid, we’ve got some money coming our way down the road. Players Out: Hugo Rodallega (21 y/o, Colombian, S C) July 26th, 2006 Friendly – Hednesdford Town v. Wrexham The new season is looming just over the horizon now, our first fixture, against Brighton and Hove Albion in 10 days time. So it’s disappointing to see the somewhat lackadaisical approach I’m seeing on the pitch today, but, as I’ve said, the progress some of these players are making is impressive and good enough. We should really win, but we’ll have to settle for a draw, as goals from Labinot Harbuzi and Stephen Hughes prove to be enough to keep us undefeated for the preseason. Final Score – Hednesford Town 2:2 Wrexham MoM – Mark Jones July 27th, 2006 Back on November 27th of 2005, I mentioned that I didn’t want to become to Americans what Rafa Benitez has been to Spaniards at Liverpool, and so on. It seems I’m a liar. Today Michael Bradley puts ink to paper on a deal that brings him to Wales for the immediate future from the Metrostars. The move costs us $600K up front fort he 18-year old, a hefty price tag, I know, but I think this kid’s got “itâ€, as much as any other member of our attack. Hopefully he’ll fill in where Hugo Rodallega would have. Players In: Michael Bradley (18 y/o, American, AM/F C) July 29th, 2006 Friendly – Dumbarton v. Wrexham Francesco Lodi is continuing to work himself into my good graces, and if he can reproduce even a fraction of this form in the season, we’ll have a very good year indeed. The Italian nets himself a hat-trick today as we end the season in the most stylish way, trouncing Dumbarton. I hope, if anything, these games taught the players that they can play together, and that this team doesn’t necessarily have to get relegated if we play smart and well. 46 games from now, we’ll know. Final Score – Dumbarton 0:5 Wrexham MoM – Francesco Lodi July 31st, 2006 We could still use another player to shore up our defense, and I’d like to do it on the cheap, rather than spending another $500K on a player. Domestically, pickings have been slim however, as negotiations with Manchester United over Spanish central-defender Piqúe had to be canceled when ManU refused to come down from their $600K demands. The same went for Luton, who refused to give up Chris Coyne for anything short of $1.5M. Sitting in my office, I do a little websurfing, checking the official club website’s message boards for a little “insightâ€. I always get a kick out of watching the transfer rumors, as fans apparently have us linked with everyone from little-known prospects playing in Estonia to taking Pascal Cygan off of Arsenal’s hands. Little do our fans know that my eyes are actually on the Netherlands. I’d like to pillage the Dutch First Division of some of its good, low-cost talent, preferably in the center of defense. August 1st, 2006 Only a few days until the new season starts, and for the first time in as long as I can remember, we actually have media attention to think about. What with the bookies releasing their pre-season promotion odds today, a reporter from the Wrexham Mail would like to know whether I think we can stay up with the caliber of players we have. Despite the fact that we’re 50-1 shots to get promoted, I don’t thinking finishing outside of 24th, 23rd, or 22nd is impossible. Those tasks I’d like to leave for Stoke, Gillingham and Brighton, our fellow “relegation battlersâ€. From Four Four Two Magazine Wrexham Last Season – League One: Champions FA Cup: Eliminated in Second Round League Cup: Eliminated in First Round Top Scorer: Simon Cox (28) Strengths: Offense. Wrexham are a team centered around their “Attack, attack, attack, and attack†style of play, which allowed them to set a blazing pace for the last 2/3rds of their League One campaign last year. Game after game, they simply outran, outworked, and outshot opponents on the way to victory. When their offense is firing on all cylinders, this is a team to keep an eye out for. Weaknesses: Defense. Goalkeeper Ryan Esson looked shaky at times last year, despite playing behind a defense that rarely allowed him to be truly tested. Moreover, there are question marks this year about players like Craig Morgan and Dennis Lawrence, who were good enough for League One but may be completely overmatched by the likes of the competition they’ll be facing in the Championship. To win, they’ll have to have none of the concentration lapses that frustrated the team at times last season. A Lesson From Last Season: Home form is key. The Racecourse Ground must be impregnable if Wrexham want to have an honest shot at staying up, and will have to reproduce some of last year’s form infront of the home fans. One To Watch: Would’ve been Hugo Rodallega, but Florentino Perez saw an end to that, so it’ll be Francesco Lodi. Wrexham has put together a youth-driven side, which may come to injure them, but the 22-year old Italian has impressed in the preseason, and his adjustment to England and play will certainly be of vital importance to the team. Any Other Buisness: Wrexham have recently reveloped their training ground and facilites, a much needed change for a team that had a youth system in name only, previously. Rumours have also begun swirling that Chairman Alex Hamilton, who has had, at best, an acrimonious relationship with supporters, may sell the club. Fan File – Mark Howard – www.red-passion.com What Has Your Team Got To Look Forward To? Another season clear of administration and happy days ahead. What Will Be Your Excuse For Failure? We’re not quite ready for the jump yet. Young Player To Watch? Still Simon Cox. Can’t ignore those goals. Most Important Player? Stephen Hughes. Vital to our midfield. Player You Would Most Like To Get Rid Of? Dennis Lawrence. Barely good enough for League One, not nearly skilled enough for the Championship. Have You Got The Right Manager? Can’t see any reason why I wouldn’t say yes. What Advice Would You Give Him? Keep it simple, and don’t do anything stupid. Will He Be There In In May 2007? Undoubtedly. Are You Happy With The Chairman? Not really. Which Team Do You Most Want To Beat? Cardiff. Screwing over their promotion plans would be very nice. Which Opposition Player Will Get The Most Stick? Danny Williams. We didn’t need him anyway. Where Will You Finish? 20th. Just outside of the relegation places, but most importantly, safe. The last bit of news today is something I’m particularly proud about, as we bring one of my heroes and a legend to Wrexham to work with me in the backroom. Ever since I took an interest in the game I’ve been a fan of Brian McBride, and I’m very, very happy to appoint him as Coach on the team. I can’t think of a style of player I’d like some of my strikers to emulate more. Well, there is one, and that’s my new Assistant Manager, one Ian Rush. After his stint as Chester, he expressed a desire to stay in Wales and try and get see the game from a slightly less prominent perspective, so I was thrilled to tell my players they’d have a legend of the game working with them on a day-to-day basis. August 2nd, 2006 $40K later, we sign Alain van de Besselar from FC Eindhoven. That’s the smaller of the two clubs there, if you’re keeping track. Anyway, van de Besselar is a reasonably versatile player, although I’m hoping he won’t be called into duty on the right very often, if at all. Players In: Alain van de Besselar (21 y/o, Dutch, D C) August 3rd, 2006 Our season opener is in two days time, as Brighton will come to visit, followed by Coventry and then a trip to Plymouth. In the meantime, me and my backroom staff are finalizing the squad we’re going to be using this year to, hopefully, grant us a season free of relegation. We’re all familiar with the guys who have been here however, so let’s take a look at the new faces in Wrexham. New Faces: Alain van de Besselar (21 y/o, Dutch, D C): Everyone likes a good defender, especially goalkeepers. Alain is far, far more mature at the back than his age belies, and spent last year being criminally unused at the back at FC Eindhoven last year. Despite his supposed inexperience, when he featured he did well, and my scouts were and still are ga-ga over him. I hope to work him into the squad and have him be the kind of player I can slot in at defense and not be sad about. Amadou Makhtar N’Diaye (24 y/o, Senegalese, DM C): Tabbed basically for the express purpose of taking over for Andy Roberts, N’Diaye hopefully will put his tireless efforts to work for the club in a beneficial manner. He’s as strong as a bull and goes in for tackles with crunching effect, and I’m expecting him to put fear into opposing midfields all year. Francesco Lodi (22 y/o, Italian, AM C): I’ve probably got the most invested in this kid. He’s got loads of ability, loads of potential, and I don’t think it’s an understatement to say that our success this year will ride in part on how well he adjusts to life in England, and how well he adjusts on the field as well. Moreover, if he holds up to that level of potential, I hope no club notices his $550K Minimum Release Fee clause. Michael Bradley (18 y/o, American, AM/F C): Undoubtedly the biggest risk I’ve taken this year, there have been rumors that I may have gone a little too far this year in the transfer market in taking on the youthful American forward. While I understand them, certainly, it’s not going to stop me from chasing players like Freddy Adu, Craig Capano and Justin Mapp, all of whom I feel have long, successful careers ahead of them. Michael isn’t the fastest thing on earth, but he’s got the potential to be something special, and I want to be there for it. Craig Westcarr (21 y/o, English, S C): An exile from Nottingham Forest, Craig’s position on the team is to fill in where Simon Cox, Juan Ugarte and Michael Bradley won’t up front. He makes for a good backup, a jack of all trades, master of none. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pred Posted April 17, 2005 Author Share Posted April 17, 2005 August 5th, 2006 Gameday looms, as the season in what some would call the most important division in England is about to begin. As always, there’s a lot on the line for everyone involved this season, and our goal this year is simple consolidation. The goal for every team in England is to win everything they can, and ours is no different. I’m hoping that, with the rumors of a new chairman coming in swirling around the team, that we can stay focused, if we have to. I know it’s early to make this declaration, but I’m trying to build a Premiership-caliber team here, and relegation at the end of the year won’t help in that regard. In that regard, here’s a quick look at the other 23 teams we’ll be butting heads with this year. Blackburn certainly haven’t enjoyed the past few seasons of football, and a disastrous 04/05 campaign saw them relegated to the Championship. Last year was no better, with the team finishing a disappointing 15th place. Over the past two years, the club has watched talents like Jonathan Stead, Morten Gamst Pedersen and Steven Reid all leave for greener pastures, while the club, due to financial constraints has barely spent a penny since the 04/05 season. Somewhat surprisingly, manager Mark Hughes has been in charge through all of it, and, while Blackburn have gone from a surprising 6th-place finish in the Premiership in 02/03 to also-rans in the Championship, he’s expected to stay the club’s steward for another season, barring catastrophe. However, with Brad Friedel aging and top scorer Paul Dickov not getting any younger, the team will be relying heavily on Robbie Savage and Paul Gallagher this year. Relegation from the Premiership was a bitter pill to swallow for Bolton at the end of the 04/05 season, and last year was no better for the fans to deal with, watching the Wanderers finish 6th, only to lose to Reading in the playoff Semi-Finals. The team is geared for another charge towards the Premiership this year however, having lost none of the key players of their squad. There are rumors that squad captain Jay-Jay Okocha wants out of The Reebok Stadium ASAP, but that has not come to anything yet, so everyone’s expecting another top-six finish. Brighton were tipped for relegation in 04/05, and managed to escape the drop by a single point. Last year, they improved a bit, going from 21st to 16th. They’re tipped for the drop again this year, but manager Gerry Francis has been doing something special at Brighton. Last year’s Supporters’ Player of the Year, Leon Knight will return, as will midfield star Alexis Nicolas. Moreover, the team are banking on Manchester United exile Phillip Marsh to bloom at Withdean Stadium. Many of the pundits have been repeating that Brighton has been riding a wave of good luck however, a wave that is set to run out this year. Time will tell. Mid-table mediocrity may not be wanted, but it may be all Bristol City can manage this year. After being promoted in 04/05 from League One, Bristol City stunned all observers, finishing 8th last season. This is arguably because of the skill of Paul Heffernan, who, since joining the club in 2004, has banged home 44 goals for the team. Manager Brian Tinnion has done everything in his power to stave off a season of complacency in Bristol, bringing in Nicky Butt on Loan from Newcastle, and sneaking Welsh international Gareth Roberts on a Free from Tranmere. The potential is there in Bristol, and if anything, a team that sported a 8-7-8 away record last year can make a second top 10 appearance. Burnley are relegation favorites this year, finishing 21st last year to barely avoid the drop. Inconsistency has plagued the team during Steve Cottereil’s reign, and the team has never put together better than a three game winning streak under his stewardship. In order to avoid the drop, the club has opened their checkbook, bringing in Rohan Ricketts from Tottenham for $1.15M, and signing Brett Ormerod on a Free from Southampton. Much will depend on the play of those two, as the club’s two forwards (other than Ormerod) simply are not good enough to carry the load. Frank Sinclair is well past his sell-by date at the back, and the club may find itself scrabbling for points by January. Cardiff should’ve been promoted last year, combining one of the best offenses and defenses in the Championship. But a loss to Sunderland (who were eventually promoted) in the playoff Semi-Finals ended that dream and sent the Bluebirds back to the drawing board. Thankfully, the team remains the same from last year. Much will be expected this season of young Sebastian Svärd, bought from Arsenal at the tail-end of last season. He will have to keep the defense protected from the defensive midfield position, while Alan Lee will hope to up his goal tally to 20 from last year’s 18. A return to the playoffs, if not direct promotion is the least that is expected in Cardiff. 19th place in the Premiership will grant you a one-way ticket to the Championship, so Charlton learned last year. An awful campaign, marked by the sacking of Alan Curbishley and the hiring of Bryan Robson saw Charlton fall out of the division they’d worked so hard to get to in 1999/2000. Reverberations from relegation are still being felt, and losing Dennis Rommedahl to Olympiakos surely will impact the offense deleteriously. Much of the team that couldn’t cut it in the Premiership remains, although it is yet to be seen whether that is a good thing or not. Additions like Craig Bellamy and Phil Stamp, along with the continuously strong play of Ireland international Matt Holland is the reason why this squad should be challenging for promotion at the end of the year. Coventry have been striving for a return to the Premiership, but are finding out year after year that they just can’t quite live up to the hype. The hype has them as promotion contenders once more, but after last year’s 10th-place disappointment, questions are appearing as to whether current manager Mark McGhee can guide the team to success. The team’s purchases continually don’t work out, or turn out to be examples of the team getting fleeced for the umpteenth time. This year’s import is midfielder Christian Negouai from Manchester City, who spent last year on Loan at Q.P.R. and Huddersfield Town, not really impressing. Horrifying as it may be for their fans, this may be another year of the same. On the upside, striker Gary McSheffrey looks set for a breakout season. Dario Gradi finally saw fit to retire at the end of the 05/06 season, leaving this year as a time of real change at the club, Barnet manager Paul Fairclough hired to replace the legend at Crewe. He has the extreme misfortune of inhereiting a team that had to watch talismanic striker Steve Jones leave the club for Plymouth Argyle. Jones, who was the Supporters Player of the Year two years running will be sorely missed, and what Fairclough will do to replace him is anyone’s guess. Crewe have not spent a penny thus far in the transfer window, meaning Darryl Duffy will be thrust into the limelight as the team’s No. 1 choice at striker. How the 22-year old will hold up is anyone’s guess, but more importantly to the Crewe supporters is whether the team can make a step up. The past two seasons have been spent in 13th place, with nearly identical records. The fans want improvement, but the loss of Jones may be too much to bear. I always liked Chris Coleman, so seeing him hounded out of his job at Fulham was disappointing. Now managed by Micky Adams, Fulham are a club looking to rearm and rebuild. Much of the club’s best quality has left over the past two years, Mark Pembridge, Carlos Bocanegra, Elvis Hammond and, most importantly, Steed Malbranque have all left. Fulham haven’t sat on their laurels however, bringing in Salif Diao, Massimo Maccarone and Marino Biliskov all in an attempt to make it back to the Premiership. It would seem club Chairman Mohammed Al Fayed is taking the club’s success very seriously now. With Edwin van der Sar still between the sticks, Luis Boa Morte still roaming the left flank and last year’s player of the year Claus Jensen all returning for another go, the only thing that could stop Fulham from promotion is themselves. As runners-up in League One, Gillingham were promoted right alongside of us last year. Moreover, much like us, they’ve begun building a side for survival, or whatever other finish they might be gifted with. Adding Ryan Nelsen from Blackburn (free transfer) and Allan McGregor from Stoke City ($280K) serve to only improve a club that was, for a long time last year, the best League One had to offer. The fact that prolific scorer Marino Keith will be returning isn’t good news for anyone who’ll have to face the Gills this season. Manager Stan Ternet has proven himself a competent tactician after relegation in 04/05, and this is a Gillingham team that looks determined to avoid the same fate. Ipswich have flirted with the Premiership for years, which is what made last year’s paltry 19th-place finish all the more stunning on Portman Road. It was an awful year for all involced, and one the club must be looking to improve on, although there have been a lot of questions as to what good the introduction of 36-year old Gary Speed will have on the club. Along with Clive Clark joining from Stoke, the club has strengthened its midfield greatly, and will be relying on Darren Bent and Shefki Kuqi for their offensive punch once more. Manager John Gorman has taken on four defenders on Loan to try and stop the bleeding at the back, the foremost of which being Newcastle’s Titus Bramble, who is hoping to revive a flagging career. Based on luck and consistency, Ipwsich could finish just as badly, or in the playoff places. At least a top-10 finish is expected. At the New Den, it’s a chance for a new season to begin. Millwall managed promotion in 2004/05, but finished dead last in the Premiership last year, and are now stuck back in the Championship. While noone in the club is happy with the fall from grace, the thinking is that if manager Dennis Wise could get the team to the Premiership once, he should be able to do it again. Such, at least, is the thinking. The additions of David James and Danijel Ljuboja should prove a shot in the arm to the team, the 36-year old James gives the team much needed stability in net, while Ljuboja will be looking to reproduce the earlier years of his career. There are a lot of question marks about this team, most especially whether Marvin Elliott will make the adjustment to first-team play and how much James has left in the tank. While another promotion bid is ideal, the good money is on a finish outside the playoff places. Nottingham Forest haven’t been lower than the Championship for over 50 years, but came dangerously close last season to losing that distinction, falling to 20th in the Championship at the end of last season, the lowest they’ve been since their last time out of the Championship. Glen Hoddle was hired in February of 2006, and this will be (ostensibly) his first full season at the helm of a club where anything less than a top-10 finish is unacceptable. Thankfully, midfield lynchpin David Friio will be returning, as David Johnson, one of the club’s few reliable scorers, and Wes Morgan, one the club’s best prospects. A serious upturn is needed at Nottingham, and the club, by all means, should rebound. In Plymouth, the past few years haven’t been anything to cry about. A 7th-place finish followed by a 12th-place finish may not mean a lot of upward movement for Bobby Williamson and his players, but after quickly gaining promotion to the Championship between 2001 and 2004, the two finishes hopefully mean that the team can stay up for another year. To that end, the team have been spending quite a bit to ensure safety from relegation. Steve Jones is a new arrival from Crewe, and Matthias Svensson arrives after a spell at Norwich City. They will form a triumvirate in attack with Colin Nish, bought from Klimarnock as Plymouth looks to do last year one better and manage another top-10 finish. If Keith Lasley has a good season, as he did last year, and Graham Coughlin can continue to organize the back, this hardworking side can once again surprise everyone. Ian Holloway is steering a team looking for an identity this year. For those that watch Queens Park Rangers there is the knowledge that this season could see them slip into the relegation fight if some improvements are not made. Their 11th-place finish last year was more because of their defense than their offensive skills, they gave up the least goals against in the Championship last year. However, there is rumored to be unrest in the dressing room at Loftus Road, players looking to leave for bigger and better things. Holloway will have work ahead of him to keep things firmly under his thumb and keep the team competitive. With Martin Rowlands and Matthew Rose, the club has two of their best primed and ready to play, The additions of David Bellion and Felipe Olivera on Loan from Manchester United and Chelsea respectively will hopefully bring a extra amount of punch to the attack at Reading. Manager Steve Coppell is trying to improve on last year, adding Jonathan Fortune from Charlton as well. Last year’s 3rd-place finish was followed by a loss to Sunderland in the Playoff Final, but there are a lot of questions as to whether Reading can make it back to the top of the heap. The expiration date on last year’s top scorer Nicky Forster may have passed this summer, and it will take a concerted team effort to reach the same heights. Sheffield United spent $5.6M last year on names like Nyron Nosworthy, John Eustace and Ian Moore, and had a 9th-place finish to show for all their spending. Not horrible, but fans in Sheffield have been waiting for one of their teams to make it back to the top flight for years now. David Platt has undertaken this quest, but it may prove to be beyond his abilities, as the club have been dealt a harsh blow during the offseason, star striker Andy Gray leaving for Fulham. With noone immediately on call to fill his boots, a great deal will rely on good play from the rest of the team. Another mid-table season seems to be in the offing. Stoke City are putting their eggs in one very tall, gangly basket, taking Peter Crouch on Loan from Southampton. The forward is part of Stoke’s concerted attempt to make last season’s playoff final victory and promotion from League One not just a fluke, and to that extent, they’ve also spent $700K on new faces for a new season, Liam Lawrence arriving from Sunderland, and John Curtis arriving from Nottingham Forest. With Neil Mellor surely anxious to reproduce last year’s stunning 24-goal haul, of the promoted clubs, Stoke seems to be the favorite to avoid the drop. Given that they can keep any of their players exiting before the transfer window closes, John Ward should be shooting for a mid-table finish. Steve Kember was lauded for his efforts in getting Walsall promoted in 2004/05, and for keeping them up in 05/06, with the team finishing 18th. The sensation around Wallsall is that more improvement is coming, which is certainly understandable, as the club have brought in six new faces to Bescot Stadium. Colin Cameron, Sergiy Rebrov, Marc Edworthy, Ricardo Fuller, Darren Young and Aaron Labonte will all be Saddlers this season, and the fans will understandably expect more improvement. With Matty Fryatt set for a breakout season this year, the sky is the limit for Walsall, and a finish in the playoff places isn’t out of the question. Watford has quietly gone about its business this offseason, re-tooling the team to improve on last year’s 14th-place finish. However, there are already questions being raised about the wisdom of taking on 33-year old Dean Sturrige as a “solution†for the team that had a -8 Goal Differential last season. 18-goal scorer Danny Webber will be back in uniform for another year however, as will John van Loenhout, both of whom will need to link up numerous times this year fort he team to consolidate. However, despite manager Kevin Blackwell’s work (Blackwell is the 3rd manager in the past two years) much of the media feels that Watford will be making a return to League One at the end of the season, whether they like it or not. West Bromwich Albion being relegated from the Premier Division at the end of 04/05 came as a surprise to noone, but finishing 17th-place last season was a surprise. Richard Money has inherited a team in turmoil, with Jason Koumas and Robert Earnshaw both looking for a way out of what they consider to be a sinking ship. To make matters worse, the club is losing money hand over fist due to the Premiership-level paychecks they’re handing out, and the situation will have to be rectified soon or real trouble could erupt behind the scenes at the Hawthornes. Promotion is wanted, but if W.B.A. aren’t careful, they could find themselves as low as the relegation dogfight. After being promoted in 2002/03 from League One, Wigan Athletic have fought for every point, managing a 7th, 9th, and 7th finish each of the following years. Paul Jewell has constructed a very strong squad year after year that, despite what the pundits say, continually finds itself in the fight for a playoff place, year after year. This season, they haven’t lost a soul yet, and brought in Graham Alexander from Preston North End on a Free Transfer to further solidify their defense. The team that did so well last year returns again, with Jason Brown only improving in net, and Danny Spiller prepared for his first full season with the club after leaving from Gillingham last season. But there is a bit of bad news, as Jason Roberts, last year’s top scorer is apparently looking to leave the club ASAP for bigger and better things. If he leaves, Wigan may find themselves without a serious offensive threat to their opponents. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pred Posted April 23, 2005 Author Share Posted April 23, 2005 English Championship – Game 1: Wrexham v. Brighton & Hove Albion A new year, a new adventure, and a new season is upon us all here at Wrexham. It’s a gorgeous day at The Racecourse, the sun is out, the pitch is dry, the temperature is just right, and 14,000 fans have filled our stadium near to capacity as we begin what hopefully will be a successful campaign for the 2006/07 season. Everyone knows what’s at stake this year, and while I’m not in the hunt for any silverware at the moment, if we weasel our way into grabbing some trophy this year, I certainly won’t complain. Brighton certainly won’t give us any ground here, but, with four players making their bow for Wrexham today, all I want now is cohesion and good, hard play. We’ll worry about the details once we’re a team. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-3-2): Esson; Smith, Simek, van de Besselar, Overvik; N’Diaye; Hughes, Lodi, Brittain; Bradley, Cox There are goals in the offing from the beginning of today’s match, and it’s either team’s place to start scoring as we begin. Sadly for Brighton, the first break goes against them today, as Hughes’ cross into the box is latched onto by Cox, only for the youngster to be cruelly brought down by Calum Davenport inside the area. The ref rightfully points to the spot, Hughes steps up and holds his nerve, firing just past Ben Roberts’ outstretched hands and into the net for the day’s first goal. We dominate possession for the first half, but just can’t turn it into goals, Cox hitting the post on 31 minutes with a header, and Brittain unfortunate to see Roberts smartly palm a curling 20-yarder around the post just before the half. Meanwhile, Brighton are looking timid in their attacks, and N’Diaye is causing havoc for their offensive plans. Our backline is rarely called into service in anything other than a supporting role for the first 60 minutes of play. Our pressure seemingly just can’t find a fissure in Brighton until, on 63 minutes, Hughes’ corner into the box is cleared away by Leon Knight. It would seem all is as it should be until the ref charges towards the box, pointing at the spot, claiming Knight went up unfairly with van de Besselar. Up steps Hughes once more, and he holds his nerve again to put things out of reach for Brighton. Labinot Harbuzi comes on as a sub for Lodi on 77 minutes, and immediately hits the crossbar with a shot, but outside of that, we just can’t seem to slip an “honest†goal past Roberts. All credit to him then, but it’s a happy three points for us and hopefully, the start of something special. Final Score – Wrexham 2:0 Brighton & Hove Albion MoM – Stephen Hughes The news after the game is for the most part, good, save for the revelation that Michael Bradley suffered a calf strain during the match and will be ruled out for roughly two weeks of play. August 6th, 2006 An excellent midfield display from Edu, marked by two goals gives Arsenal the first bit of silverware to be handed out in England this year, as they defeat Chelsea 3-1 in the Community Shield. The victory puts a nice final sheen on Arsenal’s 2005/06 campaign, as a FA Cup win, a Premiership title and a Community Sheild are nothing to scoff at. Factor in their Champions League victory in 2005, and it’s been a very good few years for the Gunners. Meanwhile, we get a bit of a stun this evening, as Claudio Caniggia, one of our coaches suddenly decides to retire from the game altogether and return to Argentina for a job as a analyst on TV. Obviously, I’m left a bit shocked and disappointed with his decision, but that’s Claudio’s decision to make. He did nicely while he was here August 8th, 2006 Chelsea’s policy of signing the game’s best and brightest shows no signs of stopping, as the team snatches one of the hottest prospects in Italy this morning, announcing the completion of a deal between the London club and Fiorentina for the services of 20-year old Valeri Bojinov. Bojinov, who scored 15 goals last year at Fiorentina now makes one of the six star strikers (Ronaldo, Drogba, Defoe, Berbatov, Gilardino) clogging the teamsheet at Chelsea. A bigger glut of riches up front may have never been seen in the game. English Championship – Game 2: Wrexham v. Coventry City Coventry won’t be a walk, at least I don’t think so. But this is just another opportunity to make sure we don’t slip into the bottom three places. If we never fell that low, I wouldn’t argue. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-3-2): Esson; Overvik, Simek, Morgan, Walsh; N’Diaye; Harbuzi, Lodi, Brittain; Cox, Ugarte I’ve told the boys in no uncertain terms to give Coventry a certain level of respect in today’s game, and not to assume that our opponents are just going to roll over and let us walk out with three points. They seem to understand, but on 15 minutes, it’s lackadaisical marking at the back that proves our undoing, which will end up becoming a theme this afternoon. McSheffrey’s cross into the box is bobble and falls to the feet of a completely unmarked Stern John, who happily lashes into the side of the net past Esson to get the festivities started. We strike back in kind, Richard Brittain drawing two Coventry defenders before feeding a fine through ball for Lodi to stride onto. The Italian neatly fires it past Scott Shearer to level things. John is causing constant consternation for our back line, and he should give Coventry the lead just before the half, first to a longball into the box, his header only rippling the side-netting. John fires just wide again on 54 minutes, squandering a one-on-one opportunity with Esson. We have our own share of chances during this time, but none are proving to really trouble Shearer, the closest coming on 66 minutes as Lodi tests Shearer’s reflexes with a 25-yard freekick that Shearer gathers well. It’s not until 78 minutes have been played that the game picks up again, and does it ever. Lodi puts on a dribbling clinic in midfield, frustrating and bamboozling Doyle before sliding a pass to substitute Matt Jones, who knocks it first time to another sub, Craig Westcarr inside the area. Westcarr isn’t closed down with any urgency, and he happily accepts the favor, turning and firing past Shearer for the lead. Lodi adds his second and the team’s third on 80 minutes, taking a pass from N’Diaye at midfield and going the distance, completely skinning center-defender Alexandre in the process before cheekily chipping Shearer to gift us a 3-1 lead and three points, surely… Coventry switch to a 4-3-3 in response, and come roaring back up the field, looking for goals. In my own error, rather than put the pressure on Coventry, which is where the team has been best, I tell the team to ease back on the gas some, and Coventry come pouring forwards into the holes in our defense. Suddenly, on 82 minutes, a longball upfield is won to Michael Bridges, racing in unmarked from the left flank, he drills a laser from the edge of the area past a surprised Esson. Minutes later, they do it again, confusion in our defense allowing the worst goal of the day, a freekick looped right over our defense to Stern John, who walks in on net to equalize matters, and send both teams home with a point. Final Score – Wrexham 3:3 Coventry City MoM – Francesco Lodi After the game, I make sure to underline to the boys that we can’t afford any more idiocy like that this season, and that squandering two-goal leads in less than ten minutes is unacceptable. I am already willing to wager that the key to our success this year, if we manage any, is going to be our defense, at least at the current moment. August 9th, 2006 With a little more money left to burn on transfers this year, I’m looking for someone to add into the fold of our Under-18s squad, someone who we can look forward to bringing along in the future. In that respect, there’s another prospect from America (no really!) who apparently has a good bit of potential, young David Watson, who hasn’t been taken on by a team quite yet. We offer him the chance to travel abroad and spend a few years learning the game. August 10th, 2006 There have only been two real blockbuster transfers this summer, and only one involves any serious amounts of money. It comes to pass today, as Sanli Tuncay, who was bought by AC Milan back in January of 2005 moves again today, to Barcelona for a stunning $62M and the services of Mateja Kezman. Tuncay’s World Cup Dream Team performance in the tournament this year surely inflated his value, although why Barcelona saw fit to give up Kezman, who scored 15 times in 20 appearances last year is up to anyone’s imagination. August 12th 2006 English Championship – Game Three: Plymouth Argyle v. Wrexham I give Craig Westcarr the start up front today, as Michael Bradley’s injury has thrown a bit of a wrench into the works up front. Investing in a 24-30 year-old striker suddenly seems like a good idea. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-3-2): Esson; Smith, van de Besselar, Simek, Overvik; N’Diaye; Hughes, Lodi, Brittain; Westcarr, Cox The game starts off sprightly, with both teams playing the ball down the flanks, trying to run at speed at their opponents and break away for a chance. Plymouth’s full-back emphatic formation gives us just enough room on the flanks to begin to sneak men past, which is exactly what Cox does nine minutes in, slipping behind the defense on the right to allow Overvik to slip a curling pass right upfield to him, which he takes and, racing past the Plymouth defense, slots past Romain Larrieu to put us on the ball first. Hughes comes close next, skimming the crossbar with a freekick on 22 minutes, and then Cox just missing, his header on 25 minutes hitting the side netting. Cox seems primed for his second however, and he gets it on 30 minutes, Francesco Lodi’s header perfectly weighted to allow the striker to fly past the defense before rounding Larrieu and scoring his second on the day. After the match against Coventry, our defense seems to have a greater understanding of what’s needed and what we have to do, and take it upon themselves to utterly dominate Plymouth. They don’t manage a single shot until the 75 minute mark, but it’s a close one, Brittain’s intervention in the box not quite good enough, allowing Matthias Svensson to put a strike on net that Esson palms away from point-blank range. A Chris Llewellyn freekick scrapes the side of the post just before time, but Esson never has much work to do, as we can skate with the victory. Final Score – Plymouth Argyle 0:2 Wrexham MoM – Simon Cox We’ve reaped seven points from our opening three games, not a bad haul at all. Of course it’s very, very early in the season, but I’m already happy with the way the team’s gelling and our defense. Keeping this up for some 40-odd games is one thing, but I’m willing to take anything as a start. Once the FA and League Cup dates kick in, the grind will really begin. August 14th, 2006 Crewe Alexandria sign on Ben Burgess from Hull for $2.5M today, a sight more than I think he’s worth, but I’m not desperate for a striker up front, like Crewe is. I’m signing Keith Houghton and Danny Wilkinson to our youth squad, both are 17-year olds who’ll be spending the next 2-3 years as part of our reserves, learning the game and (hopefully) improving themselves to the point where I’ll be giving them a run-out someday. Players In: Danny Wilkinson (17 y/o, English, DM C) Keith Houghton (17 y/o, English, S C) August 15th, 2006 Arsenal cash in today, buying Fabian Ernst from Schalke 04 today for a $25M fee. Ernst, who has been shining in Germany for the past two seasons. Ernst will probably be called upon to be a replacement for Robert Pires, who left for Real Sociedad in the summer. I’ve got my eyes on another free transfer, in the form of another Italian, this one a central defender, one Andrea Masiello. Only 20, he’s got the mental toughness and physical play of someone much older, along the lines of a Ledley King or Lucio. Of course, he’s not at their level, but he’s good, and willing to talk turkey about spending a season here in Wales. I table a contract offer before today’s game. English Championship – Game Four: Watford v. Wrexham Even though the pre-season is generally the time to do it, I’m still using these first 5-10 games to find out exactly who’s going to feature the most in the first-team this year. There’s already a bit of bad news for some, as Andy Roberts is finding out that he’s fallen in place in the team, now that N’Diaye has arrived. N’Galula being in the squad doesn’t help him either. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-3-2): Esson; Smith, van de Besselar, Morgan, Overvik; N’Diaye; Hughes, Lodi, Brittain; Westcarr, Cox With Vicarage Road nearly filled to the rafters, we get things underway. The season thus far has been one of amazingly good adjustment, and I’m thrilled with the play some of the new arrivals have managed already this season, the most of which, Francesco Lodi, who gets the match started in spectacular fashion after just 10 minutes, taking a clearance just outside of our area and quickly moving upfield. He isn’t challenged until he crosses the halfway line, where he bedazzles Kevin Harper with a dribbling clinic before streaking further upfield, skipping past Harper’s second attempt at a tackle and blazing into the Watford area before ending the run in style, drilling the opener past Richard Lee and into the net for the lead and a definite contender for goal of the month, if not the season. We step on the gas as Watford look a little more wobbly, beginning to press all over the field. Watford’s fans are getting increasingly annoyed, as their team begins to give up the ball in increasingly atrocious places, coming to a head on 25 minutes, N’Diaye winning the ball in midfield and sliding it ahead to Lodi, who dribbles/muscles past his marker and feeds a smart ball into the area for Cox to latch onto and blast across Lee for our second. Stephen Hughes hobbles off on 31 minutes, leading me to introduce Labinot Harbuzi. He and Lodi seemed to have formed a real understanding in midfield, and immediately double the amount of havoc we’re causing for the Watford defense, effortlessly controlling the ball and spraying passes all around the pitch, every time they start running, Watford looks scared. The inevitable comes on 40 minutes, Harbuzi picking up a sliced clearance on the left, dribbling inside Brynjar Gunnarsson and feeding a through-pass for Cox that looks like it’ll evade the youngster and cross the end line. Cox does stupendously well to reach it and fire it first time, from a near impossible angle past a stunned Lee and into the net to put us up 3-0 at the half. Watford finally find their legs after Alex Smith comes off injured after 50 minutes, actually beginning to try and pressure our defense and keep the ball away from our midfield, which has been dominating to that point. To that effect, they begin to pressure, Danny Webber hitting the side-netting with a shot before a corner is headed by Heidar Helguson to an unmarked Gunnarsson, who stabs it netwards just over Esson’s attempt at a save, giving Watford some hope. But the boys step up again, crushing any notion of a second fightback, Lodi drilling a 25-yard banana shot towards the net that Lee barely stops. Westcarr is first to the rebound however, but rather than shoot from a tight angle, he traps the ball, drawing both Lee and Cahill before sending it to the penalty spot for an unmarked Cox to just tap into the empty net for his hat-trick. It’s easy sailing from there. Final Score – Watford 1:4 Wrexham MoM – Simon Cox Bad news after the game, as we’ve picked up a number of ticky-tack injuries. Hughes is out for a week with a damaged elbow, Smith out for three days with a bruised rib, and Harbuzi injured with a damaged shoulder. August 16th, 2006 We agree terms with two new players today, as David Watson and Andrea Masiello both agree terms today. Watson I’d been chasing for a while now, and we’ve finally agreed a deal that will pay him $20K a year to play in our reserves. Masiello will be a more impact player, I think, the 20-year old will slot into our defense immediately. Players In: David Watson (17 y/o, American, M C) Andrea Masiello (20 y/o, Italian, D C) Norwich also comes calling today, asking about the services of Richard Brittain. Given how much teams in my league have already blown on new blood, I let them know that Brittain won’t be leaving for anything short of $2M. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pred Posted April 26, 2005 Author Share Posted April 26, 2005 August 18th, 2006 This morning, all the back pages are parroting about the tantalizing possibility of Arsenal making a swoop for Real Betis’ Argentinian impresario Carlos Tevez, where he would join Thierry Henry, Robinho and Javier Saviola, meaning some of Argentina’s best striking talent would be collected in London for the immediate future. I’m sure it’s just because I’m a curmudgeon, but I don’t think much will come from it, if anything at all in the end. The recent move of Danish midfielder Christian Poulsen from Schalke 04 to Newcastle for a $11M fee is of more interest to me, but with Chelsea buying anyone and everyone they can get their hands on, I can understand how a little promise from Arsenal can be contrived as a big thing. August 19th, 2006 English Championship – Game 5: Wrexham v. Queens Park Rangers Every point counts this year, and I’m hoping the injury bug, if it bites, won’t bite us too hard this season. Queens Park, on the other hand, have lost all of their first four games this year, and are desperate to grab a point from the first 5 games. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-3-2): Esson; Smith, van de Besselar, Overvik; N’Diaye; Jones, Lodi, Brittain; Cox, Westcarr The first half is played without any real conviction or desire from other side, both midfields far too tentative in their attacking play, as the only person on the pitch who really seems dedicated to running for either side is N’Diaye. Still, Q.P.R. are, if nothing else, defensively sound, and prevent us from making any inroads on their defense until 25 minutes, when Lodi blasts a 25-yard shot that stings Day’s palms but he easily deflects wide. Kevin Gallen does the same on 31 minutes, blazing a shot from the end of the area that he doesn’t direct well enough, allowing Esson to neatly collect it. As the half begins to grind to an end, Cox’s youthful exuberance gets the better of him. After having gone in on Shittu with a crunching tackle early and earning himself a Yellow Card, he gets into the referee’s face after being called offside. His use of language is less than diplomatic, and I’m left to put my hand over my face as the 18-year old gets himself his first career Red Card. I glare at him as he walks off the pitch, a completely avoidable foul. Thankfully, we’re only lacking a man up front, although it is one of our most influential players and our best striker. So it’s no real surprise when Q.P.R. start pushing up their defense and attacking more from midfield, daring us to try and get Craig Westcarr to have the same kind of game-changing effect that Cox does, which is, of course, impossible. Move after move breaks down in the final third, as Westcarr just can’t slip by his markers as well as Cox is able, and Q.P.R. begins to flow up towards our end. On 60 minutes, Donnely flips a cross towards the far post from the right that Esson flaps at, never quite committing enough to challenging for the ball, and Kenny Miller materializes, free of his markers, who assumed Esson would take it, and nods the ball into a yawning net for the opener. I’m trying to cautiously urge the team forward as the game proceeds, but we need a real favor to get back into things. Thankfully, Queens Park is in a giving mood, or, at least their goalkeeper, Chris Day is. A Overvik cross into the box is collected by Day, but his challenge for the ball with Westcarr is far from legal, and the ref blows the whistle, pointing to the spot, despite the most vociferous protestations of Q.P.R. players. Up steps Alex Smith, who converts with a well-placed shot that evades Day to equalize. We come close to taking the lead on 71 minutes, Lodi heading wide of the net, but it’s not until I introduce Juan Ugarte for Westcarr that we get our next chance, the Spaniard playing well with his back to the net, inducing Colin Healy to make a tackle/shove on him in the box. The referee blows for our second penalty, and the Spaniard happily steps up to the spot and drills it past Day to let us squeak past today with another three points. Final Score – Wrexham 2:1 Queens Park Rangers MoM – Danny Shittu After the game, I give Simon a warning for getting sent off. Thankfully, he’s mature enough to know how ridiculous his mistake was, and vows to work on not doing something that silly again. During the postgame interview, I’m asked about Richard Brittain’s future, the Scot having put in another confident performance in midfield, although perhaps not as influential as he might have wanted. However, he is attracting interest from all over the UK, from Wolverhampton, to West Ham, and even the Old Firm are rumored to be tracking his progress. Richard’s new contract has a minimum release fee clause of $3,000,000, and I won’t be letting him leave for a penny less. That said, I tell the assembled members of the media that I am hoping that, with a new contract, Richard will see out a significant part of the remainder of its time, rather than jumping ship so soon for somewhere new. August 20th, 2006 The team are off from training today, and I’m scouring through scouting reports from Holland, as the Dutch First Division is the best place I can figure where we can find one last striker for $100K or less. Preferably less, much, much less. The season has started in flying shape for us, with the team going 4-1-0 in our first 5 games leaving us smiling in 5th place. Fulham, Ipswich and Crewe have all been more impressive, with unblemished 5-0-0 records, along with Stoke City, who have been on fire, going 5-0-0 and not conceding a single goal so far this year. Of course, in defense of the League’s bigger teams, Crystal Palace is currently 1st in the Premiership, so there’s still a lot that could change. August 21st, 2006 We add more prestige to our coaching staff today, as Dwight Yorke inks a contract to become part of my braintrust behind the scenes at Wrexham, which now consists of names like Ray Clemence, Jorge Campos, Brian McBride, Martin Keown, Teddy Sheringham and Hans Jorristma, to name most of the 10 I’ve hired. The accusation from the local media (jokingly of course) is that we’re building the world’s best Over-36 football club here. Meanwhile, it seems like Arsenal have hoodwinked everyone, as Arsene Wenger adds to the French contingent at Emirates Stadium today, signing on French international Patrice Evra from Monaco for a healthy $29M. Arsenal, who have looked to Gaël Clichy for play in the left of defense since the sale of Ashley Cole now have a glut of talent at the position, as the addition of Evra gives them the 2006 French League One Player of the Year and the 2006 English Player’s Young Player of the Year. Another title seems possible. August 23rd, 2006 A last-gasp goal by Chris Sutton sends Celtic into the Group Stages of the Champions League in dramatic fashion this evening, and, by the evening, the draw is made for the 2006/07 Champions League. Group A: Lokomotiv (Plovdiv), Manchester City, A.S. Monaco, Valencia C.F. Group B: Arsenal, Olympiakos, Sevilla F.C., Sporting Group C: Ajax, Porto, Rangers, A.S. Roma Group D: Banik Ostrava, Fenerbaçhe, Monchengladbach, AC Milan Group E: Besiktas, Boavista, Cercle Brugge, Parma Group F: Arsenal Kiev, Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, Panathinaikos Group G: Chelsea, Hertha BSC, Real Madrid, Sparta Prague Group H: Aston Villa, Celtic, Internazionale, Rennes Of course, domestically, the news is about the sudden turn of fortunes in Manchester, as Manchester City will be playing in the Champions League this year, while Manchester United will be playing for the UEFA Cup. Groups G will see the lion’s share of the media coverage, as while Chelsea and Real Madrid are favorites, Hertha BSC could throw a wrench into the works. Last year’s champions, Barcelona, should have no trouble progressing from their group, while the appearance of Aston Villa and Rennes in the competition has a lot of fans for the respective clubs dreaming of big, big things. As best we can, we’ve made a bit of a solution to our “striker problem†as the club welcomes two new faces today, which won’t cost us a penny. Emil Halfreðsson and Febian Brandy join the club on Loan today, the former from Tottenham, the latter from Manchester United. Halfreðsson will be spending the season in Wrexham, Brandy the next three months. Hopefully, with Halfreðsson an emergency fixture in midfield and Brandy up front, we won’t have to think about spending another penny this season. Players In: Emil Halfreðsson (22 y/o, Icelandic, AM L) Febian Brandy (18 y/o, English, S C) August 25th, 2006 There’s some unrest in Cardiff, apparently, and of the worst variety, as Daniel Gabbidon, the club’s captain has hinted to the media that he wants out for a bigger stage and brighter lights. Such a move probably wouldn’t affect the team on a talent level, as, on paper, Cardiff have the reserves to replace Gabbidon, but his presence in ordering the defense and in the locker-room would surely be missed by those around him. The UEFA Super Cup passes today, and looking at the teams involved is a measure of seeing how fickle football’s fortunes can be. Barcelona won the Champions League last year, and only missed out on the title due to some stunning form from Valencia. FC Bayern, meanwhile, managed to capture the UEFA Cup, German Cup, and still be spectacularly relegated from the First Division, arguably the lowest moment in the club’s illustrious history. The match itself is basically bereft of entertainment value, neither team putting together anything representing attacking flow. Still, someone has to win it, so when Michael Owen lashes home a shot after a mad scramble in the box, that someone is Barcelona. August 26th, 2006 The San Siro will be the new home of Carlos Tevez, it is announced today, as AC Milan pay out $38M for the Argentine, who scored 15 goals in his season at Real Betis. It’s the third move in as many years for the striker, and a glut of talent up front for Milan, who now have Tevez, Shevchenko, Mateja Kezman and Roque Santa Cruz prowling their front line. Meanwhile, the draw for the Second Round of the League Cup passes this morning, and the result doesn’t flatter us in the least. We get paired up with Southampton, which I couldn’t be less happy about. I wanted to avoid Premiership competition for as long as possible, in order for us to have a chance at a good cup run, but, apparently, we’re going to be given the biggest test right off the bat. English Championship – Game Six: Walsall v. Wrexham With Walsall’s season currently in the crapper (three points from five) and ours on the up and up, today’s match is a lot more important for them than it is for us. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-3-2): Esson; Smith, van de Besselar, Morgan, Overvik; N’Diaye; Hughes, Lodi, Brittain; Ugarte, Westcarr Walsall get us started off today with a real sense of urgency about them, Michael Standing heading wide of the net on 4 minutes, and Sergiy Rebrov flashing a shot just wide of Esson’s left post a few minutes after. Walsall are digging after everything in midfield, looking to change their fortunes with sheer force of will, of which they’re doing a remarkably good job. And, despite earning two early yellow cards for some crunching tackles, it’s Walsall who strike first, Aleksandar Rodic latching onto a through ball from Colin Cameron, muscling past Morgan and firing the ball past Esson. The game has been filled with its share of give and take however, and we begin to take our chances better and better, N’Diaye firing over the bar on 21 minutes, followed by Brittain heading the ball off the crossbar and out of play moments later. Leave it to Francesco Lodi to spark the team once more however, latching onto a clearance 30 yards from net and tearing in towards goal, past a stunned Walsall defense and firing from 15 yards past a flailing Jamie Green to equalize. The remainder of the first half shows both teams continually coming close, Walsall nearly going ahead when Memo Gonzalez’s freekick is superbly tipped over the bar by Esson, and Green standing up to his part of the equation, getting low to make a fine kick-save to prevent Craig Westcarr’s one-on-one opportunity from going against Walsall. As the second half begins however, Walsall are looking more and more frustrated, as our defense begins to go in with the same jarring challenges that Walsall executed against us to such good effect in the first half, while our passing game and temp quicken, leaving our opponents panting for breath. It’s a break that gifts us our second goal on 67 minutes, but not one I would’ve thought, Lodi and Brittain combining in midfield to allow the Italian to flight a ball to the right for Ugarte who, to the right of the penalty arc and 30 yards from goal, traps the ball and delivers a shot that dips viciously past a startled Green and into the left side of the net to give us the lead. Walsall don’t give up after the goal, and still come forwards, looking to equalize, and they should, when Gonzalez is set free as Smith slips on a wet spot, charging in on net from the left, but delaying with the ball just too long, allowing Esson to snatch it away from his feet. Rebrov is no more helpful, tiring quickly as the game goes along. I introduce Febian Brandy on 77 minutes for Westcarr to give the attack some fresh legs, and the Man U prospect turns an immediate profit, Hughes finding him with a longball down the left flank. Taking it just outside the area, Brandy absolutely skins Aaron Labonte before firing a curling cannonball from the left of net that zips past Green and into the right side of the net for what is certainly three points. Final Score – Walsall 1:3 Wrexham MoM – Francesco Lodi Other than Lodi, the game is marked by another fine performance from Richard Brittain, who is doing a fine job of demonstrating what kind of talent Scotland has in its youth ranks. The downside is, people are taking notice. The questions in the post-match press conference are once again about Brittain’s future at The Racecourse Ground, as rumors have begun swirling in earnest about serious interest from Scotland. I refuse to comment this time around. August 27th, 2006 It was fairly inevitable. Rangers come calling today, tabling an offer of $2.8M for Richard Brittain. I’m still loathe to leave him, although the youngster has become increasingly frank about his desire to make “the leapâ€, according to my coaches. With Brittain hanging from a $3M Minimum Release Fee clause, I tell Rangers that $2.8M will be fine, but that they must promise me 25% of his next sale. If they’re smart, they’ll just go for the $3M. Millwall, on the other hand, have no problem spending around $3M, and do so today, grabbing Nathan Ellington from Wolverhampton for $3.6M. Its bad news for everyone not in Millwall, since it means the return of last year’s third-highest scorer in the Championship to the competition. Among clubs that actually throw around seven and eight digit transfer fees for fun, there’s a lot of shuffling before the deadline kills everyone’s fun. Ronaldo leaves Chelsea for Manchester United for $23.5M, Ivica Olic leaves Monaco for Lazio for $26.5M, and Arjen Robben leaves Chelsea for Real Madrid for a stunning $87M fee. English Championship – Game Seven: Wrexham v. Blackburn Rovers Obviously, I don’t think anyone at Blackburn really anticipated or wanted the club to end up in the position they’re in now, scrabbling for points in the championship, but the football gods are notoriously fickle. Still, today will give me a chance to shake hands with one of my favorites from back when I was simply a spectator to the game, Brad Friedel. With Robbie Savage, Paul Dickov and Brett Emerton still signed as part of the club’s first-team, they’re still a very dangerous proposition all over the field. And while their play has been inconsistent, this is still our biggest test of a young season, I believe. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-3-2): Esson; Smith, Simek, Masiello, Overvik; N’Diaye; Hughes, Lodi, Brittain; Cox, Bradley Blackburn kick things off today, and the kind of game today will end up being becomes pretty obvious right off the bat. Neither team manages a single shot until 35 minutes, when Michael Bradley blazes the ball high and wide of the net. That’s about all there is in it for the first 45, and save for a Robbie Savage yellow card (Shock!) it’s quite the droll affair for the 15,000 in attendance. Neither side’s strikers are able to place any real threats to the opposing defenses, and the midfields are battering each other with such zeal that noone’s holding onto possession for pretty long. Hoping for a turn of fortune, I remove Lodi for Labinot Harbuzi at the half, as Lodi has picked up a knock, but it does nothing. No shots are even directed at either net until 75 minutes, when Febian Brandy, on as a sub fires a tame shot low from 20 yards which Friedel easily collects. Blackburn’s best chance comes on 88 minutes, nearly grabbing the points with a flighted through-ball that Paul Dickov runs onto, but he can’t keep his composure, and fires wide of Esson’s net. A point for all involved. Final Score – Wrexham 0:0 Blackburn Rovers MoM – Robbie Savage Boring, admittedly, but another point in the fight for survival, which is currently going over very, very well, as we slip into 4th place, behind Fulham, Ipswich and Charlton. September 1st, 2006 The transfer window comes to a close today, and with a bang, as cultured midfielder Xavi leaves Chelsea today for the Santiago Bernabéu and Real Madrid in a move rumored to be worth $71M to the London club. Walter Samuel leaves Real Madrid for Roma, with $28.5M going the other way, and Kevin Kurany departs Galatasaray for Deportivo for $21.5M. Alain van de Besselar grabs the Championship Young Player of the Month award for August, thanks to his 7.60 rating through five appearances. We don’t grab any other awards, but, happily, we actually do manage a 1-2-3 sweep of the Goal of the Month awards. September 6th, 2006 With Craig Bellamy apparently looking to leave Charlton on a Bosman at the end of the season, we’ve been gifted a break for international play, as the qualifying campaign for Euro 2008 begins today. England is in Group 3, with Cyprus, Finland, Malta, Romania and Slovakia kick off their quest for qualification against Cyprus today, and dismantle the minnows in style, Michael Owen, Leon Osman and James Beattie all tallying as England cruises 3-0. September 7th, 2006 Those awards must be cursed. Alain van de Besselar is down for a week after twisting his knee in training today. August 9th, 2006 English Championship – Game Eight: Wigan Athletic v. Wrexham Noone at Wigan is exactly thrilled with being 21st, especially for a team that was supposed to finish a good deal higher. There’s a lot of season left, of course, but I’m beginning to have those dangerous thoughts any manager of a club tipped for relegation does, about whether the other shoe’s going to drop at an inappropriate time. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-3-2): Esson; Smith, Simek, Masiello, Overvik; N’Diaye; Hughes, Lodi, Brittain; Cox, Bradley There’s nothing in today’s match, but, as opposed to the Blackburn game, the offenses actually look vaguely competent. Still, however, both sides work hard to nullify each other, and where they fail, Andy Hall, our referee for the day fills in, handing out Yellows like so much candy. Five players from both teams combined have been booked by the end of the first half, including an early bath for Michael Bradley, sent off for arguing his yellow card. The same ends up going for Wigan’s Leighton Baines on 52 minutes, and the game finally picks up when both teams are down to 10 men. Wigan nearly surge ahead when Gary Teale effortlessly plucks the ball from Alex Smith’s feet and surges in on net, only to be denied by Esson at point-blank range. The same can be said for Brittain who, jinking through the Wigan defense, ends up leaving himself out of position on the left, but still manages to cut inside and fire a shot on net that Jason Brown parries out of play. Lodi comes close before the final whistle, heading achingly over the bar from a Hughes corner, but the final whistle comes, and while there weren’t any goals, we still get a point. Final Score – Wigan Athletic 0:0 Wrexham MoM – Franklin Simek I give Michael Bradley a warning after the game, just to keep the team on its toes, which he accepts and promises not to make such a mistake again. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spav Posted April 26, 2005 Share Posted April 26, 2005 Quality story, Pred. KUTGW Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugo_Cienfuegos Posted April 26, 2005 Share Posted April 26, 2005 Good times, happy days. I had a game with Wrexam but my problem is that i sign old capped players on frees all the time all the time. I'm about 22nd Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pred Posted April 28, 2005 Author Share Posted April 28, 2005 <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Thanks guys! Glad to see people are enjoying the story. Hugo, i'm afraid my problem is signing old capped players for my management team. </div></BLOCKQUOTE> September 14th, 2006 Despite the pain of relegation last year, Wolverhampton are still willing to shell out what would be some serious cash for a team currently in League One. And, since the Domestic transfer window isn’t closed, they’re tabling an offer today for Richard Brittain, like half of the UK has already. They’d like him for a straight $2.8M, which I’m not agreeing to. As usual, the terms are simple, $2.8M, with a 50% of Next Sale clause. Wolves say they’ll think about it. September 15th, 2006 With Wolves rescinding their bid of Richard Brittain (leaving the Scot none too pleased about the unwillingness of teams to up their bids on him) we have time to focus on our game on the 16th, a real derby game against Cardiff City. Since we won’t be taking on Chester or Shrewsbury anytime soon, I’m expecting a full house at The Racecourse Ground for the fixture. During a pre-match interview about the game, I take the diplomatic route, stating that I have a lot of respect for Lawrence, despite the troubles that are currently plaguing the team. September 16th, 2006 English Championship – Game Nine: Wrexham v. Cardiff City The Racecourse Ground is full for this one today, as I know our fans would love to put one over on our neighbors from the capital. The Bluebirds season has been anything but good so far, currently sitting 18th and dissent supposedly beginning to spread throughout the dressing room, less than desired for a team that was supposed to be in the top-half, fighting for promotion all season. I do a little tinkering with our tactics for today, leaving out Stephen Hughes in favor of Lodi, Harbuzi, N’Diaye and Brittain in midfield. Cardiff may have looked anemic for much of the year, but that’s no reason not to take them very, very seriously. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-3-2): Esson; Smith, Masiello, Simek, Overvik; N’Diaye; Lodi, Harbuzi, Brittain; Ugarte, Cox The atmosphere is as electric as I’ve ever seen it here, and from the start, the game is there to match it. It only takes a moment for the game’s first chance to come flying in on net, and it’s Cardiff who take the first bow, Alan Lee, their predatory striker going highest in the box to head a cross just over the bar. Everyone’s stepping up today, first of note the Cardiff goalkeeper, Paul Smith, who is channeling Gianluigi Buffon apparently, called into action on eight minutes as Lodi attracts two defenders with a marauding run down the left, before pulling the ball back to the edge of the D for Harbuzi to fire a piledriver that Smith palms away. The rebound comes out to Harbuzi once more, and Smith is there again to make a fine double-save, and he makes it a triple, flinging himself to his right to stop Cox’s chance. Esson, not to be outdone, nearly matches Smith mere moments later, a smart bit of passing from Cardiff tearing apart our defense and allowing Richard Langley to thread a through-ball to Derek Young, whose point-blank shot is saved by Esson’s legs, his follow-up bouncing off Esson’s chest and allowing N’Diaye to clear it away and me to breathe a sigh of relief. There’s most certainly a goal in the offing today, but for whom is unknown, as Cox heads just over the bar on 25 minutes, and Smith pulls off another miracle save on 28, stopping a blast from an unmarked N’Diaye that came from no further than 10 yards out. It’s intensely frustrating to see Smith dealing with everything short of the kitchen sink, and a real boost for Cardiff, who come forward again on 30 minutes, Joe Ledley sending in an early cross from some 35 yards away that floats towards the left post where Alan Lee suddenly appears to redirect it into the net past a static Esson. It’s no less than they deserve, and we’re down. The chances finally begin to slow down as Cardiff settle into the midfield, and the game’s becoming a little more chippy, but that doesn’t excuse Simon Cox, who is gifted a yellow card on 38 minutes for a niggling tackle on Ledley. Admittedly, it’s a dubious decision, and not worth a yellow, but Cox doesn’t make it any better, tearing into the referee and granting himself a second yellow, early on. I admit, the manager’s façade cracks for me at this point, and I give the youngster an earful as he trudges down the tunnel, another stupid red card putting us in a bad way. Thankfully, we escape the first half without any further trouble. With Cox dismissed, we have to adjust a bit for the second half, but thankfully, Cardiff aren’t looking to come up any further. That’s just as well, as Mr. Fletcher, the referee for the day attempts to kill us on 58 minutes, showing Francesco Lodi his second yellow card on 58 minutes for a shirt tug that was anything but card-worthy. I’m nearly sent off myself, as I slip into a spray of expletives and invective as I express my extreme disappointment with the decision. Down two men, we are seemingly out of it, and Cardiff’s fans are by far the loudest as the team tries again to readjust and see out the next 30 minutes without any kind of serious problem. Cardiff seems all too happy to sit back and wait for the points rather than try to kill us off for good, and slowly, our makeshift offense begins to poke and prod into a defense that looks stunned that we’re even thinking about coming forward. As time goes, Cardiff starts getting sloppy, and, on 68 minutes, Langley slides a pass along the edge of the area that is far too lackadaisical, allowing Brittain to nip in and intercept, volleying a blast on net that nudges just off Daniel Gabbidon’s foot and past a sprawling Smith to equalize! Our fans erupt as the ball finds its way into the net, and suddenly, we’re back in with a shout. Cardiff seem completely unbelieving that we’ve actually gotten back into this one, and we start pressing them hard all over the field, driving forward into the attack. I bring on Craig Westcarr and Mark Jones for some fresh legs, and it proves dividends, Westcarr running unmarked down the left before pulling the ball back into midfield for Jones, some 35 yards from net. The youngster feigns a run into the box and sends it across to the right side of the D for Brittain, who expertly fakes a shot, blasts past James Collins and fires a thunderbolt past a stunned Smith to give us the lead! Cardiff lose all of their confidence as they go down to a 9-man side, and we clamp down all over the field, notching an amazing third on 88 minutes, a through ball to Westcarr allowing the striker to push away from Gabbidon and fire across Smith and into the net to complete a superb fightback. Final Score – Wrexham 3:1 Cardiff City MoM – Richard Brittain After the match, I’m singing the praises of Richard Brittain, who spurred us to victory today. What other clubs were afraid to spend on is certainly our gain, and his performance today was nothing short of inspirational, taking the game by the scruff of the neck and driving us to a victory after going two men down. I let the players enjoy the euphoria of a great derby win before marching Simon Cox and Francesco Lodi into my office. I’m terse with the Italian, letting him know that he’s got to be more careful in the future, even if the referee is being an idiot. However, I lay into Simon Cox, informing him of exactly how incredibly stupid, immature and useless his second red card of the season is, and how utterly avoidable it all should have been. I’m being kind, and simply giving him his final warning, but I let him know that if it happens again, he will be seeing his punishment coming from his paycheck. They both accept their warnings. The win bumps us up to 3rd-place, a sight higher than most would’ve predicted, I think. September 17th, 2006 Millwall come in with a $2.8M bid for Brittain today. This one I reject flat out. I’m not selling a player of Brittain’s caliber to someone who’s going to be in direct competition with us this season, not unless they’re willing to throw some obscene numbers at us. September 19th, 2006 Since the universe must find balance, the “good thingâ€, or Richard Brittain’s inspirational performance against Cardiff, has been evened out by a “bad thingâ€, namely Brittain straining his neck today during practice, meaning he won’t be traveling with us to St. Mary’s Stadium and our League Cup game against Southampton. Of course. Sam Lancaster, who left the club on Loan to Northampton returns today, apparently a little somber, having enjoyed him time at Sixfields. I’m keeping him transfer listed for Loan, as he still needs more experience, so I’m hoping he’ll get another chance on Loan somewhere. After that though, I’m expecting to start working him into the first team next year. English League Cup – Second Round - Southampton v. Wrexham I’ve already detailed my lack of pleasure over being drawn with a Premiership squad this early on. And while they’ve finished no higher than 13th over the past two years, they’re still a Premiership-caliber team. Kevin Phillips is years removed from his 30-goal season, the addition of Mohamed Zidan in 2004 and Kléberson and Lee Hendrie this year mean that we’re looking at a reasonable gulf in quality between “us†and “themâ€. Factor in that we’re missing Cox, Lodi and Brittain, and it’s quite a task we’ve got ahead of us. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-3-2): Esson; Smith, van de Besselar, Morgan, Overvik; N’Diaye; Hughes, Bradley, Harbuzi; Westcarr, Brandy It becomes apparent very, very quickly that Mohamed Zidan is good. Very, very, very good. He’s slicing through our defense as if it wasn’t even there, holding onto the ball for obscene amounts of time before we can actually force it off him. The Egyptian international cracks a blast off the post just two minutes into the game, and I’m left to silently muse about how very much I wish he hadn’t opted to leave Denmark for the Premiership. We’re giving our all out there, which I’m happy about, but Southampton is on a different level right now, a fact nicely marked by Marian Pahars, who jinks around Morgan before drilling a shot on net on 21 minutes that Esson barely palms around the post. Superior quality comes to tell on 25 minutes however, Nigel Quashie sending a pass past four confused-looking men in Wrexham jerseys to Pahars, who makes no mistake this time, drilling a shot so hard that Esson has no chance of stopping it, despite the fact he manages to get a fingertip to it. The lion’s share of the chances continue to fall Southampton’s way, but, happily, our defense isn’t doing the worst job of defending. Febian Brandy has been notably absent, and N’Diaye has been chasing shadows for much of the afternoon, but this was kind of expected. When Zidan caps off a fine performance with a goal on 74 minutes, I’m left to purse my lips and wonder about the day when we’ll have players of that caliber. On the upside, on 88 minutes, we manage one for dignity, N’Diaye hoofing a ball upfield that Ugarte manages to chase down and drag back for Hughes to wallop into the net from some 15 yards out. It’s not a winner, but it’s a little respect. Final Score – Southampton 2:1 Wrexham MoM – Nigel Quashie After the game, it’s damage control, as I do my best to keep the player’s spirits up. We’d been on such a run of form, and after the win against Cardiff, the players were looking forward to trying to pull of a real upset here, but we’re just not that good yet. The blow isn’t lessened by news that Birmingham have been toppled by Bury, and Newcastle being beaten by Stevenage Borough. Still, the FA Cup’s coming, and the biggest concern we have this year is still staying up. September 20th, 2006 The bids for Richard Brittain never stop. It’s Plymouth Argyle today, asking if we’d be willing to part with the Scot for $2.6M. The answer is, of course, no freaking way. September 24th, 2006 English Championship – Game Ten: Wrexham v. Millwall There’s TV equipment going up all around The Racecourse Ground as today’s match will be televised, the first game under my regime that will have that distinction. Given that on any given matchday I may be caught wearing a suit or something more appropriate for Iain Dowie, I’m hoping I won’t end up on a back page somewhere as the bumpkin highlight of the day. Still in 4th and in the playoff places, we’re not desperate for a win here, but another three points would always be good in putting us a step closer to assured safety. I’m just hoping we have enough skill to keep Danijel Ljuboja from becoming a serious problem. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-3-2): Esson; Smith, van de Besselar, Masiello, Walsh; N’Galula; Hughes, Lodi, Harbuzi; Cox, Westcarr Simon Cox gets us started off, albeit not exactly in style, ballooning the ball over the bar after some wonderful interchanging play between Westcarr and Lodi finds him mere yards infront of net for the youngster to send the ball flying into Row Z. Cox is there again for his second chance in less than five minutes of the game’s time, and, on the upside, the second effort only goes over the bar by a foot or so, which would indicate improvement. Ljuboja is extremely close to converting Millwall’s first chance after 12 minutes of play, chesting down a ball and charging down the right flank, cutting inside of a completely overmatched Walsh, driving into the area before unleashing a shot from 10 yards out that Esson somehow keeps from slipping into the net. 26 minutes into the engagement, the ball finally finds its way into someone’s net, as Harbuzi cuts inside, outside, and back inside of David Livermore, creating enough space to flick a pass into the middle of the pitch for Lodi to trap, and, advancing to the right of the penalty arc, let loose a curling blast with his left that David James has no chance at stopping. Two minutes later, the Italian’s at it again, switching places with Cox, as the striker crosses into the box for the midfielder to volley home from close-range to make it 2-0 in quick time. From there it’s a cruise, Lodi wrapping up his hat-trick in style, rounding James and slotting home after 80 minutes, as the TV cameras get to show the nation a team that ain’t half bad. Final Score – Wrexham 3:0 Millwall MoM – Francesco Lodi September 30th, 2006 English Championship – Game Eleven: Ipswich Town v. Wrexham We begin today’s fixture in second place, of all places. The beginning of the season has been very, very good to us, and while we haven’t taken on the league’s elite (Fulham, Charlton, Bolton) yet, the amount of hope among players and fans back in Wrexham is very, very high. Today pits us against 4th-placed Ipswich, who have started off the year in fine form. It’s rather stunning to know that our midfield will be lining up against 37-year old Gary Speed, who is still playing at a high level, but today’s really all about the points still. Of course, given that the bottom three teams haven’t won a single game between them this season, I’m feeling much, much better about surviving. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-3-2): Esson; Smith, van de Besselar, Simek, Overvik; N’Diaye; Hughes, Lodi, Harbuzi; Cox, Westcarr It’s evens from the start of this one today, both teams looking very well matched at every position. The 5-3-2 that Ipswich has deployed forces us a little more wide than we might’ve preferred, but Hughes and Harbuzi deal well with the responsibilities along the flanks. Smith, however, is looking a bit long in the tooth, and it’s hearts-in-throats time when Darren Bent leaves him in his dust on the flank before cutting a cross into the area that Kevin Roelandts fires in at point-blank range, only to see Esson fashion a spectacular save and van de Besselar clear. Lodi warms up Kevin Davis’ hands on 12 minutes, bending one in from 20 yards or so that Davis does well to keep from rippling the twine. Things settle into a midfield battle for much of the first half, neither team quite finding that extra bit they need to poke the ball into the net, Stephen Hughes whaling the ball over the bar on a freekick, Stephen Clemence firing well high and wide from 25 yards away. Westcarr gets up well to head a Hughes freekick on 26 minutes, but it’s a tame effort, and Davis collects it without trouble. The half labors on, without either team’s strikers fashioning as much as a half-chance as defenses begin to clamp down with greater effect until just before the half, when Westcarr dribbles just past his marker into the right-hand channel, working a yard of space before laying it into the midfield for Harbuzi. With Ipwich’s three center-backs spread out all over creation, he slips it to Lodi, who gets just past Oliver Tébily before firing with his deadly left past Davis and into the net. The second half is basically the realm of Franklin Simek and Alain van de Besselar, who personally see off Ipswich attacks with what must be frustrating efficiency. Ipswich can barely find a yard of space, and when they do, one of the two is there to nod away any chances they might fashion. Somewhat problematically, at the other end Cox and Westcarr are firing blanks of the highest order, but that comes with the territory, apparently. Final Score – Ipswich Town 0:1 Wrexham MoM – Francesco Lodi We’re still in 2nd after the game, and I’m more than pleased with our performance. Eleven games unbeaten to begin the season, and a point behind Charlton for first place. Of course, Charlton, on the other hand, have been absolutely spectacular, having only surrendered two goals all season. It’s a 14-day layoff after this for international play, which I couldn’t be happier about. October 7th, 2006 England tangles with Romania in qualification for Euro 2008 today, and escapes with a 3-2 victory after a quite entertaining encounter at Wembley. Goals from Scott Parker, David Beckham and Michael Owen are enough to see off a spirited fightback by the Romanians, spurred by Adrian Mutu, but it’s not enough. Floribert N’Galula wrenches his knee pretty well in practice today, ruling him out for a week or two, based on how he bounces back. October 11th, 2006 A 2-1 win in Slovakia means England is off to a great start in their qualification campaign, with three games and three wins to show for it. Goals from David Beckham and Steven Gerrard do all the necessary damage, as with the wins, England are in the early driver’s seat, and should pick up their fourth win in March when they return to Wembley to take on Malta. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pred Posted May 2, 2005 Author Share Posted May 2, 2005 October 15th, 2006 Bristol Rovers come in with a loan bid on Sam Lancaster today, which I happily agree too. The more experience he gets under his belt against some real competition, the better. By the evening, he’s packing his bags once more for another experience that will hopefully see him return to Wrexham a more complete and experienced player. October 18th, 2006 The preamble to today’s fixture is all the transfer rumors starting again in the morning. Stoke is chasing Callum Davidson from Preston North End, Titus Bramble has gone on Loan to Ipswich from Newcastle, and Nottingham Forest, who are extremely unpleased with being 11th, place three bids on Wrexham players today. They’re willing to pay $200K for Martin Overvik, $2.8M for Richard Brittain, and $7.8M for Simon Cox. None of these bids are going to cut it, much less from a team we’re competing with this year, and all are rejected in turn. English Championship – Game 12: Stoke City v. Wrexham The first few games of the season always go by in a flash, and suddenly, at roughly the ¼ mark of the season, we’re in 2nd and Stoke are in 8th, a good start for both sides I’d certainly say. Re-encountering Neil Mellor and Clint Hill may not be pleasant, but I think we’re riding a strong enough wave right now to keep this from turning well against us. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-3-2): Esson; Smith, Morgan, Simek, Overvik; N’Diaye; Hughes, Lodi, Brittain; Ugarte, Westcarr Neil Mellor is the first player I think of in today’s game as a serious threat, but it’s Ade Akinbiyi who ends up punching through our defense first, sneaking behind the normally sound Overvik and muscling his way into the box, firing from the left past Esson and into the net after just three minutes. With our midfield looking painfully bereft of ideas, we’re not doing very well at unlocking the Stoke defense, and Ugarte and Westcarr are proving how singularly important Cox’s pace up front is to our team. N’Diaye is lucky to keep from getting sent off on 15 minutes after a two-footed challenge, and I’m left to wonder what’s wrong with our team today. The long break seems to have left us rusty, Hughes firing well over the bar in our first real chance on 41 minutes. The introduction of Labinot Harbuzi and Michael Bradley doesn’t help, as Stoke clamps down, bringing the game to an excruciatingly slow pace to protect their point. Lodi comes closest, a stinging shot from 30 yards shaving the side of the post, but it was covered in the meantime anyway. Final Score – Stoke City 1:0 Wrexham MoM – Francesco Lodi Eleven games without defeat to start the year is nothing to be embarrassed about. Stoke City has always played us very, very tough, and this is the second time they’ve managed to off us 1-0. We’re sitting happily with 27 points, but it’ll take at least 50 to stay up. I make clear to the players that there’s still another 34 games to play, and another 102 points to be won. There’s a long season to go. October 22nd, 2006 English Championship – Game Thirteen: Wrexham v. Crewe Alexandria The TV cameras return to The Racecourse Ground today as we play another top-half of the table fixture, against 8th-placed Crewe. Given last game’s disappointing striking features, Simon Cox returns to the offense, with Westcarr, who has been at his best when in support of the youngster, staying on. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-3-2): Esson; Smith, Morgan, Simek, Overvik; N’Diaye; Hughes, Lodi, Brittain; Cox, Westcarr Despite the fact that they certainly could use three points today for a bit of a push, Crewe are packing men in at the back, leading to a dolorously boring first-half, marked only by an awful miss by N’Diaye, picking up the ball at the edge of the area after a goalmouth scramble and sending it embarrassingly wide of the net, by a good five yards. We can’t find a way to put the ball on net for the first 45 minutes, no matter what we try, although Crewe’s attack looks positively anemic. We switch to a diamond 4-4-2 for the second half, trying to use Brittain and Hughes better for crosses, and it begins to slowly pay dividends. Westcarr heads just over the bar on 66 minutes, and a fine bit of interplay between Hughes and Cox on 71 minutes allows the former to slip into the box and fire a shot that flashes just wide of the post. I introduce Michael Bradley and Labinot Harbuzi, hoping for a change of fortunes, but all the niggling 50/50 balls in the area seem to be falling Crewe’s way, and, as the last mintues tick off, Cox’s looping cross into the box is one of sheer desperation. Leave it to our favorite Italian, charging into the box to leap highest, nodding the ball just over Ian Bennett’s hands and into the net for the opening goal, after so long. Crewe do their best to try and get back in it, but there’s no time for them, and, suddenly, the final whistle blows, and we’re smiling our way to a victory. Final Score – Wrexham 1:0 Crewe Alexandria MoM – Ian Bennett October 24th, 2006 Millwall place a $2.8M bid on Richard Brittain today, which I reject in turn. Noone wants to splurge, I guess. October 27th, 2006 Steve Sidwell, one of Reading’s strongest players in midfield leaves Madjeski Stadium today, departing for $3M for Plymouth Argyle. Plymouth, is by far getting the better of this one, picking up a 23-year old midfielder who has shown loads of potential all season. October 28th, 2006 English Championship – Game Fourteen: Reading v. Wrexham If I had the cash, I’d buy Bobby Convey from Reading. But I don’t so I’m forced to try and figure out a way to take the tricky American out of the game. Thankfully, Reading’s team has been ravaged by injury this season, and they’re missing five players already, meaning we’ll be taking on a rather depleted squad. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-1-2-2): Esson; Smith, van de Besselar, Masiello, Overvik; N’Diaye; Halfredsson, Lodi, Brittain; Cox, Bradley I’ve done some tactical shuffling for today’s game in the hopes that widening our attack and returning Richard Brittain to his preferred place out on the right flank will prove dividends for the team. Early on however, it’s not looking to promising, as Reading begin to attack from the off, slipping just behind our advanced wingers and playing passes further and further into defense. David Vaughan’s 30-yard pass for Ronnie O’Brien is neatly knocked to the side by the midfielder for Shane Paul, who makes no mistake from some 15 yards out, slotting home to open the festivities. Standing on the sidelines, screaming instructions, I make very, very clear how much I’d like to see our play improve on the field. And they respond, Lodi climbing highest to nod a Halfredsson cross right onto the crossbar and away from the net. As Richard Brittain begins to become increasingly marauding down the right, a equalizer is in the offing, and we notch it on 16 minutes from an unlikely source, Brittain running for the byline down the right flank before chipping one just inside the box for a completely unmarked Overvik to neatly control and send past Bryn Halliwell to put us back on even terms. Emboldened, we begin to pour forwards, plucking the ball from Reading every chance we get, Michael Bradley putting on his first really impressive performance at the front since his arrival, feeding a through ball for Simon Cox that the striker, who hadn’t scored since his hat-trick against Watford in August happily runs onto, rounding Halliwell and slotting home to give us the lead. Reading wobble, and we don’t let up on the pressure. Actually, we kick it into overdrive, flying at them with everything our offense can muster, and, five minutes after feeding Cox, Bradley grabs his first-ever goal in a Wrexham kit, first to a rebound to thump it into the back of the net. Reading don’t really have much of chance from here, and we run them off the field, Cox and Bradley both tallying again, and Febian Brandy coming off the bench to slam one home to complete the rout. Final Score – Reading 1:6 Wrexham MoM – Simon Cox A game like that is exactly what we needed for morale. These players and this team love to run and attack, and I’ve always advocated a swashbuckling attack on this team, and, after some of the previous wins that we had to grind out, I’m glad to see the players get a chance to flex their creative skills and just play another team off the pitch. I also have a quiet word with Simon Cox, congratulating him on ending his two-month goalless streak and reminding him that he has to lead by example at the front. I’d hate to put this much pressure on him, but I think he’s good enough to deal. October 30th, 2006 El-Hadj Diouf has managed not to impress anywhere since he joined Liverpool back in 2002. Sam Allardyce apparently believes there’s something worth exploring in the oft-banned striker, and will be taking him on Loan again at Bolton for another few months. October 31st, 2006 English Championship – Game Fifteen: Fulham v. Wrexham Fulham are currently 3rd, three points behind Charlton and us in 1st and 2nd. As opposed to some of the other promotion contenders, they’ve been strong and capable all season, as was expected by much of the media. Much of this success has come from the boots of 21-year old Collins John, who has blasted home nine goals in all competitions this year. Removing him from the equation falls on the shoulders of Franklin Simek today. I shuffle the starting lineup a little bit today. I truly, truly loathe these Saturday-Tuesday engagements. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-1-2-2): Esson; Smith, van de Besselar, Simek, Overvik; N’Diaye; Hughes, Harbuzi, Jones; Cox, Bradley Recently, a radio show host here in Wales claimed that we arguably have the best tandem of attacking midfielders in the league, between Labinot Harbuzi and Francesco Lodi. At the beginning of the season, I might’ve tried to downplay such a statement, but at this point in the year, I’m thinking there’s some real truth to that statement. Harbuzi is a fine deputy to Lodi, evidenced within the first five minutes of the game today. Barely sixty seconds into the match, Cox heads a ball to the Swede, about 30 yards from goal. Harbuzi proceeds to charge in on net, skinning two Fulham defenders before coolly slipping the ball underneath Edwin van der Sar to put us in an instant lead. Three minutes later, he does it again, picking up a pass from N’Diaye at the halfway line before running right around Marino Biliskov, nutmegging Zesh Rehman and charging towards the net before perfectly chipping van der Sar with a shot that slips just underneath the bar and into the net. Harbuzi should make it a hat-trick within 10 minutes, but his effort on nine minutes, a spinning shot from left of net flies wide of the right post and out of play. Despite going down 2-0 in less than five minutes, Fulham quickly resettle themselves in midfield, and begin trying to exert their control on the game, and Marlet should have brought them one back on 19 minutes, deftly controlling a sneaking through ball from Lee Clark and firing a left-footed volley on net that Esson beautifully saves and holds onto. We start the second half coming mere inches away from going further into the lead, Harbuzi taking the ball out to the right flank before slipping a pass into the middle of the field for Mark Jones who chips a perfect through ball for Michael Bradley’s run into the box that the American gets his foot to, but just can’t direct around a charging van der Sar and has to watch the ball bounce achingly wide of net for a corner. N’Diaye then cracks the crossbar on 56 minutes from 25 yards, but we just can’t seem to get it between the posts and past the man in the net. Fulham spurn their fair share of chances, Claus Jensen missing a golden opportunity on 67 minutes, unmarked at the edge of the area he strides towards net before unleashing a shot that isn’t directed nearly well enough, and Esson calmly makes the save. As the final whistle blows, we can all grin at a really, really good win. Final Score – Fulham 0:2 Wrexham MoM – Labinot Harbuzi The win keeps us in an improbably 2nd-place through fifteen games. We’re tied with Charlton with 36 points, but are behind only on goal differential. November 1st, 2006 Simon Cox brings home the Young Player of the Month award today, barely beating out Labinot Harbuzi. I sincerely hope that this will spur him to put home even more goals in the coming weeks. November 2nd, 2006 With Michael Bradley, Simon Cox and Craig Westcarr all healthy and looking good, it’s leaving our Juan Ugarte, who isn’t entirely thrilled with such changes. The Spaniard informs me of such in a private meeting today, saying that he expects to feature in the first team a great deal more than the four appearances he’s made this year. I can’t promise anything, but I do tell Juan that he will be featuring more, but, the way things are going, he may see his role take a serious reduction from where he was last year. If he wants the job, he’ll have to prove it on the pitch. Meanwhile, I’ve got reporters at the training ground today asking about everyone’s favorite transfer target, one Richard Brittain. Supposedly, Bolton and Stoke have interest in procuring his services, and the rumored transfer fee is $1.75M for him. This is, of course, to those on the inside, completely laughable. Brittain won’t be leaving for anything short of $3M, and not to any team in our own League if I can help it. Everyone who has asked for his information knows what the right price is. November 3rd, 2006 Andy Roberts, who hasn’t played this year due to some recurring injury troubles, twists his knee for the 8th time under my stewardship. Sheesh. November 4th, 2006 There’s been a good deal of sniping and animosity between managers this season, although I’ve been lucky enough to avoid it, at least thus far. That isn’t to say that lady controversy hasn’t made a stop by Wrexham in recent months. Chairman Alex Hamilton has been shopping the club around, and may have found a suitor in businessman Shaun Royle, a real estate mogul from Cardiff with supposedly, a few million to throw around. Well, if he comes along and bumps up the wage bill by a few thousand dollars, I won’t complain. English Championship – Game Sixteen: Wrexham v. West Bromwich Albion West Brom are currently sitting in 8th place, and are undergoing a bit of a troubled time this season, with names like Jason Koumas, Richard Chaplow, Nwankwo Kanu and Zoltan Gera all requesting out of the club ASAP. While disarray is good, the best news is that Robert Earnshaw, who so annoyed us the last time we played, will be out of the West Brom squad with a groin strain. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-1-2-2): Esson; Smith, van de Besselar, Masiello, Overvik; N’Diaye; Hughes, Lodi, Brittain; Ugarte, Bradley In the interests of resting Simon Cox I’m playing Ugarte today, a move that works its wonders in attack immediately, as our attack goes from pacey and creative, to sluggish and slow. Neither Bradley or Ugarte are skilled enough to be the top man up front, both play well off of Cox, and with him missing, we’re looking to our midfield for the goals once more. Francesco Lodi can’t quite get it going however, and his first two attempts to begin the game are well saved by Russel Hoult. West Brom are digging hard in midfield, playing for a point, so any chance, even the slightest half-chance must be exploited for us to have any success. When N’Diaye flights a ball over the West Brom defense to a streaking Hughes, frankly, I’m expecting the midfielder to slide the ball across the area for someone else to take and slot home, but instead he side-foots it perfectly across the net and into the right-netting to begin the scoring on 14 minutes. West Brom absolutely shut down the game from there. Neither team manages as much as a sniff of net over the next 30 minutes as the half comes to a merciful and boring close. The start of the second half is all the same, but on 60 minutes, a moment of real contention, Stephen McPhail’s freekick into the area controlled for a moment by Rob Elvins before Alex Smith slices in to knock the ball loose. Elvins theatrically goes down, and we do protest in earnest as Tony Harris points to the spot. McPhail’s penalty isn’t great, but it’s got the power to beat Esson, and suddenly, the game is tied at 1-1. Dropping men even further back, West Brom protect their point with everything they’ve got, and we can’t find the way to unlock their defense. We nearly get lucky late, as substitute Labinot Harbuzi flips a cross into the box that Hoult tips right onto the post. We’ve got two men waiting as it bounces down, but Lloyd Dyer reacts first, clearing the ball off the line before we can bundle it home. A point for all involved. Final Score – Wrexham 1:1 West Bromwich Albion MoM – Stephen Hughes With Charlton falling away to Millwall 2-1, the draw actually moves us into sole possession of 1st place, which is as much of a surprise to us as I’m sure it is to everyone else in the league. The other surprise this evening is that, on the back of their 3-3 draw with Burnley today, and dropping all the way to 20th, supposed “promotion contenders†Cardiff City have decided to dispense with the services of Lennie Lawrence, citing “problems in the dressing room†and not the club’s atrocious league position. November 11th, 2006 As we take a break for some international friendlies, the transfer mill gets up and grinding once more, and this time, Simon Cox is involved. Apparently, Paul Jewell is taking some serious heat for his team’s paltry 18th-place beginning to the season, and is trying to deflect some of the criticism the old-fashioned way. By buying a brand-new player. In this case, he’s apparently set his sights on Simon Cox, and has made public how much he’d like to take him off our hands. Rumor is a $8.5M bid will be materializing sometime in the future, and the media would like my commentary on the mess. Given that Simon is and has been the fulcrum of our striking team, I let everyone know that the only way he’ll be leaving is over my dead body. Later in the afternoon, after a reasonably spirited practice, Alain van de Besselar knocks on my door, asking to have a word with me. Apparently, the youngster’s got a bit of a case of the butterflies, and is really feeling the pressure of being a fan’s favorite, along with doing his best to help the team retain its league position. Given that we’re first, which is well far away from where we were supposed to be, I tell him not to worry. He’s done great, but he shouldn’t feel pressured, and all he really needs to worry about is the next game, and playing well in that. November 15th, 2006 It’s international friendly day today, as national teams from all over the globe play usually boring games in order to see who can and cannot make the cut at international level. After watching the USA play to a 0-0 draw with Croatia, England take on Brazil in Rio, and manage a promising 2-0 victory, which should be some small measure of revenge after the 2006 World Cup Final. In the evening, I send a fax off to Manchester, asking if they’d be so kind as to let us keep Febian Brandy for another three months. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pred Posted May 5, 2005 Author Share Posted May 5, 2005 November 18th, 2006 English Championship – Game Seventeen: Burnley v. Wrexham With a number of our players having participated in recent international fixtures (mostly Under-21s) the team’s looking a little thin and tired today. To make things better, we’ve got another game in three days against Bristol City. If we’re not careful, an unfortunate slide could start right about now. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-3-2): Esson; Smith, van de Besselar, Masiello, Overvik; N’Diaye; Hughes, Lodi, Brittain; Cox, Westcarr With Cox part of the mix again, we’re looking as positive as we should be in attack, although a little fatigued. Still, Burnley’s defense hasn’t been especially skillfull this season, and as the game works its way out of the starting exchanges, they give us a hand as best they can. Alex Smith tosses an incalculably long throw-in from the left, towards Masiello in the box, only to see Tony Grant needlessly shove the defender, gifting us the penalty. Hughes defers to Cox, and the striker converts with the same kind of cool accuracy we’re used to. It’s hard to sum up the next 70 minutes or so of gameplay, but to say that Burnley’s goalkeeper, Danny Coyne, puts on one of the most spectacular performances in net that I’ve ever seen. We pepper his net with no less than 14 shots. Good shots, mind you. One-on-one opportunities, point-blank shots, glancing headers, chips, curling shots and freekicks, and Coyne manages to keep every last one of them from sneaking into his net. It is spectacular, and incredibly frustrating. Worse comes on 80 minutes, Andrea Masiello trying to charge down a pass and allowing a perfectly weighted through ball to find its way to an unmarked Brett Ormerod, who is more than skilled enough to round Esson and slot home to net things at 1-1. As the last minutes tick away, we’re looking spent from exertion in trying to beat Coyne, while Burnley are happy to walk away with what will be a steal of a point today. Still, the game’s not over, and Harbuzi, who came on for Hughes manages to find a yard of space at midfield to lump one upfield for Cox, who burns past his marker and goes clean through on net. His shot, however, is from his weaker left foot, managing to fool Coyne and watching it sneak in the right post to give us the lead. An atrocious backpass allows Francesco Lodi to make sure on 87 minutes, and we’re three more points to the good. Final Score – Burnley 1:3 Wrexham MoM – Simon Cox The win means we move into sole possession of first place, a phrase I didn’t think I’d be saying at all this year. Three points clear in sole possession of first place, thus far this season, we’ve been crusing, and the team has stepped up ten times as well as I hoped they would. I expected a season where we’d fight hard, and finish somewhere safely mid-table. This, not so much. November 20th, 2006 Wigan blow all of $7M today, purchasing Nicky Hunt from Bolton. What Bolton is doing selling one of their best young talents is up to anyone, but I’m sure Sam Allardyce knows what he’s doing. Manchester United reject our offer to take Febian Brandy for another three months, much to my disappointment. Meanwhile, we’re welcoming two new youngsters to the club. Aleksandar Makaveev and Enis Turkovic both join the club on Free Transfers today, both strikers. As always, hopefully the pair will spend a year or two in the reserves, improving, and will one day be able to join the first-team. Players In: Aleksandar Makaveev (21 y/o, Bulgarian, S C) Enis Turkovic (20 y/o, Swedish, S C) November 21st, 2006 English Championship – Game Eighteen: Bristol City v. Wrexham Noone likes spending a lot of time on the road, and, including this game, we’ll have spent six of eight games on the road, not exactly an appealing thought for anyone. Due to fatigue, I’m completely retooling the first-team squad, going as far as to place Player-Coach Brian McBride on the bench as a sub. Hopefully, we won’t be that desperate. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-3-2): Esson; Smith, Simek, Morgan, Walsh; N’Galula; Halfredsson, Harbuzi, Jones; Ugarte, Brandy It’s becoming increasingly obvious to anyone watching the team this year that we’re relying way, way, way too hard on Simon Cox for our offense, as Michael Bradley hasn’t cut it yet, and Juan Ugarte is looking more and more outmatched every day. We can’t seem to outfox our opponents defense, despite Harbuzi’s best urgings, while Bristol are looking very, very sprightly and attentive all over the field. Their 4-3-3 formation is causing our defense fits, but it’s a sad mistake that allows the first, Gareth Roberts flighting a cross into the box that loops over our entire defense before falling right to the feet of Steve Brooker at the far post, who fires home from a yard out to give Bristol the lead after five minutes. We don’t get a single shot on target until 35 minutes, and it’s a tame effort, Jones firing into Steve Phillip’s chest from 20 yards. As the game progresses, Bristol are beginning to run increasingly rampant, and Esson has to be at full stretch to prevent Tony Dinning from heading home a corner just after the interval. Esson is called into action again on 61 minutes, Dinning firing in again from the edge of area high and towards the left corner, only to see Esson leap to bat it just over the crossbar. But, when Leroy Lita fires from some 30-yards away on 69 minutes, Esson reacts too late to stop it, as it sails gloriously into the right side of the net to condemn us to our second loss of the season. Final Score – Bristol City 2:0 Wrexham MoM – Tommy Doherty My disappointment after the game is mostly over how less-than-valuable most of our backups were. Jones, Halfredsson and Harbuzi weren’t nearly creative enough, N’Galula was beaten all around the field, and Smith and Walsh looked completely vulnerable along the wings. But still, even with the loss, we’re tied for 1st-place with an interminably valuable 40 points. It’s hard to be very angry, especially considering that, taking the last two years into account, another 7-11 points and we should be to safety. November 22nd, 2006 After a reasonably successful three months, Febian Brandy returns to Manchester United today. Players Out: Febian Brandy (18 y/o, English, F C): 2(4) apps, 2 goals, Av. R: 6.83 November 24th, 2006 We’ve had Manchester United’s Piqué for months on Loan now, and he’s been stuck in the reserves, with Morgan, Simek, Masiello and van de Besselar all preferred. However, United has placed him on the transfer list on the cheap recently, and my coaches have all rated him as having a good upside in the future. I tab a bid for the end of the season that will see us pay them $440K over the next 24 months, and $180K after promotion. They say they’ll consider it. November 25th, 2006 English Championship – Game Nineteen: Wrexham v. Nottingham Forest Another day, another game. I shuffle the team once more. I can assure everyone involved with the club last game’s “fun†won’t be repeated again anytime soon. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-3-2): Esson; Smith, Simek, Morgan, Overvik; N’Diaye; Hughes, Lodi, Brittain; Cox, Westcarr I’ll line the final line speak for itself. Final Score – Wrexham 7:2 Nottingham Forest MoM – Simon Cox The win keeps us in 1st-place, and reaffirms how well we’ve rebounded after losses this year. It’s our highest-scoring game under my tenure, and more evidence of how well the team plays when the game is working to its benefit. We run well, we play well, but it’s become quite frankly evident that while Craig Westcarr and Simon Cox pair exceptionally well, and Michael Bradley has bouts of skill followed by moments of anonymity, but Juan Ugarte isn’t going to cut it. He’s a backup, at best, and he’s not good enough for supplement the attack. Frankly, we need a good, skilled striker to complement Simon Cox. The post-game warm-down reveals that Stephen Hughes has suffered a gashed leg, and will be out for about five days. November 27th, 2006 All of the pundits are predicting an end to our run of form, not due to bad play, but due to the team being forced to sell off some of its best talent. Today’s rumor is that Plymouth and Gillingham will be buying Martin Overvik from us in the immediate future, which I’m only informed of during a call-in interview on the radio. My reply is as such: “While I don’t want to speculate much on our players futures, I’m disappointed at these attempts to unsettle our players with all this transfer talk. It’s an issue I’m only going to address a few times, suffice to say anyone who wants to bid on Martin can, and it’ll probably be rejected. I mean, who would want to leave the best team in the league? We’re not cash strapped like some of our opponents, we’re playing unbelievably well. I mean, I wouldn’t hurt Martin’s future by selling him off to mid-table strugglers.†I don’t think there’s much more of a barb I could’ve thrown out there, frankly. November 29th, 2006 The search for a new striker looks towards the Premiership today, as Everton has made 19-year old Sean Banks available for Loan, and . I make it clear that we’d like to take him off their hands for three months, if that’d be okay. Meanwhile, Derby has made Marcus Tudgay available for a mere $150K, and the 23-year old striker may be what I’m looking for. By the evening, I’ve made a bid for his services, and am talking contract with the player’s agent. November 31st, 2006 Sean Banks agrees to join the club today, much to my relief. An extra pair of legs is almost always a good thing and Banks, powerful in the air and a set-piece specialist, should be just that. Players In: Sean Banks (19 y/o, English, S C) December 1st, 2006 Francesco Lodi takes home the Championship Player of the Month award, while I’m snubbed for the Manager of the Month award. Normally, I wouldn’t care much, but I would’ve assumed keeping this team in the top three places for this long might be worth a little recognition at some point. Well, there’s always next month. I’m still not finished shopping for talent, and I’d like to grab one more striker on Loan for insurance. Thankfully, Charlton have made 19-year old James Walker available, so I send them a fax, letting the London team know that we’d enjoy taking the striker off their hands for three months or so. December 2nd, 2006 English Championship – Game Twenty: Wrexham v. Bolton Wanderers Thus far this season, Bolton are probably the best team we’ve played, on paper at least. With Kevin Davies, Jay-Jay Okocha and Jussi Jääskeläinen still on payroll, and El-Hadji Diouf on Loan from Liverpool, I’m willing to argue that today’s fixture will be our biggest test yet this year. That’d be why the stands are filled, I’d surmise. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-3-2): Esson; Smith, van de Besselar, Morgan, Overvik; N’Diaye; Hughes, Lodi, Brittain; Cox, Westcarr Bolton kick off, and they’re trying to press us all over the field from the start today, and having some success in doing it. For the first five minutes or so, we’re playing a timid game, in awe of our opponents from Lancashire. Only Alain van de Besselar and Ryan Esson seem to remember that not only is there a game to play, but that Bolton are going to be aiming to win it, Esson called into action on six minutes as some quick passing cuts open our defense, allowing Léo Borges to lift a pass right over our defense to a streaking Diouf, whose shot is brilliantly parried by Esson, only to see the rebound fall to Davies. Van de Besselar is there however to fling himself infront of the shot, and cause it rebound, just barely to the left of the post. Having come so close to going an early goal down, we spur into action finally, the usual suspects at the helm again. Francesco Lodi’s one-two with Brittain gives the Italian some time to observe the field from well to the right of the penalty arc, but I think everyone, including Jääskeläinen is surprised when he bends a shot for the net that curls viciously into the side of the net just past the despairing Finn’s attempt to keep it out. We’ve got our tails up after that, coming forward in waves, Overvik shooting just wide from 18 yards. And Jackie McNamara’s last-ditch tackle preventing Lodi from slotting the ball into the empty net. A Hughes corner is fired in by Cox on 20 minutes, but it rebounds off someone’s legs, and, in the ensuing scramble, Ricardo Gardner bundles over Richard Brittain in a manner that can certainly be defined as “illegalâ€. The ref points to the spot, Cox steps up and blasts one into the right side of the net for the 2-0 advantage. Bolton don’t back down, and come within a lick of paint of tying things on 34 minutes when Okocha’s free-kick sails just over the bar. Davies warms Esson’s hands with a fine shot on 40 minutes, but Esson is up to the task and makes the comfortable save. However, Diouf’s speed is beginning to frustrate our defenders, Smith especially, who has been tasked with dealing with his marauding runs down the left. So when McNamara drills a through ball for the Senegalese international, Smith has no chance to catch up, allowing Diouf to swing a cross into the box that a diving Lee McCulloch gets a foot to but can’t quite direct past Esson. The rebound runs free however, and Davies is first to it, pulling it back for Diouf to blast a thundering drive past the prone Esson to make it 2-1 going into the half. We come out for the second half running, as I instructed the team to, as giving Bolton any time on the ball to think and create will probably spell our doom. So I’m nothing but pleased when Simon Cox comes speeding back upfield on the counter-attack, sliding a pass to Westcarr before burning upfield to receive the return pass, skipping past Gardener’s lame challenge and firing right past Jääskeläinen for a 3-1 lead. Lodi just about wraps things up on 57 minutes, unmarked, it’s all too easy for him to head home Brittain’s cross to put things out of reach. The win is only marred by Craig Morgan getting himself his second yellow just before the end. Final Score – Wrexham 4:1 Bolton Wanderers MoM – Simon Cox The win moves us back atop the Championship, four points ahead no less, of our next opponent, Charlton Athletic. Were my contract not running until 2011, I could probably parlay this into some serous money for myself. However, with everyone so happy here, and the fans in full support of the club, I don’t want anyone or anything to disturb the chemistry we’ve got going. Of course, the media want to know about Simon and his future and whether we think we can hang onto him yadda-yadda-yadda. I offer them a firm “no commentâ€. I give Craig Morgan a warning, albeit not the most convicting one for getting sent off. He accepts it with the promise to be a smarter defender in the future, and to commit his yellow card offenses when the ref isn’t looking, which gets a good laugh out of me. December 6th, 2006 We take two more strikers on Loan as I’m pushing all of my chips to the center of the table now. We’re reaching the midpoint of the season now, and I feel absolutely assured in saying that wherever we are after 30 games will be a strong indicator of where we might end up. In that mind, we take Giuseppe Rossi from Manchester United and James Walker from Charlton. Rossi is 19 and is probably the hottest prospect in a Manchester United youth team that has seen some successes and some flameouts. IT would seem that we’re putting together some sort of home-away-from-home for Manchester United starlets, we’ve had David Jones, we bought Jami Puustunen (who isn’t far off some first-team action) and now Rossi, an immensely gifted striker joins the team. Walker isn’t half bad himself, but he’s really an emergency plan. Players In: Giuseppe Rossi (19 y/o, Italian, S C) James Walker (19 y/o, English, S C) It looks like there’ll be some money coming our way though, as Barnsley, sitting at a less-than-pleasant 22nd in League One would like to take Juan Ugarte off our hands for a handsome $110K. It’s a great deal more than I expected to ever get for the Spaniard, and I quickly agree to let them talk with the striker. December 7th, 2006 With the re-opening of the international transfer window looming, I’m getting busier and busier on the telephones. Alex Smith has looked wobbly at times this year, and while I’m not going to replace him, I don’t want to burn him out, and it’s become entirely apparent that we don’t have anyone capable of doing it other than Overvik, who is currently engaged on the right of defense. A solution, as always, would be nice. December 9th, 2006 The deal for Juan Ugarte goes through today, and he’ll leave for Barnsley in the evening. I’m sorry it had to end this way, but it was inevitable. Ugarte has another 4-8 years of his career ahead of him, and he’s not good enough for what we need right now. Still, when it’s all said and done, he explains to me that he has enjoyed his time here in Wrexham, and is happier leaving the team on good terms, knowing that this probably had to be done, rather than letting the situation fester and turn into something worse. Players Out: Juan Ugarte (26 y/o, Spanish, S C) Wrexham Career: 38 (26) apps, 15 goals, 7 assists, Av. Rate 6.67. Early in the morning, I get a tantalizing offer from DC United in the fax machine that has me trying hard to make a decision. They’d like to take Franklin Simek, who has been nothing but skilled for us, away for $174K. Normally, that’d be a flat-out “No†they’d receive in return, but they’re also offering two strikers, Justin Detter, who I could care less about, and Santino Quaranta, who I’ve been keeping my eye on. Quaranta is a good prospect, incredibly versatile up front and creative, someone we could really nurse into maturity… however Franklin has been, as noted, great for us this year. I decide to up the ante, telling DC United they can keep Detter, Quaranta and their money, but they can only have Simek if they’re willing to part with their golden boy, Freddy Adu. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pred Posted May 9, 2005 Author Share Posted May 9, 2005 English Championship – Game Twenty-One: Charlton Athletic v. Wrexham After dispatching Bolton so handily last week, the optimism has just about hit critical mass for Wrexham, and the local press have been slobbering over us. While I appreciate the kudos as much as anyone else, I really don’t want anyone here to get a big head, and I’ve tried my best to impart to the players a relegation dogfight mentality. I don’t want anyone getting complacent yet. Today’s game is just another chance to ensure safety against a team that is only behind us due to a few bad breaks. Where we managed two wins, Charlton drew twice, leaving us 14-4-2 after 20 games and them 12-6-2. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-3-2): Esson; Smith, van de Besselar, Masiello, Overvik; N’Diaye; Hughes, Lodi, Jones; Westcarr, Bradley It’s Michael and Craig’s turn to lead the line today, while I’m hoping Alain and Andrea can hold off against the always-dangerous Craig Bellamy. However, the problem seems to be their midfield, which, on the whole, is more impressive than ours. With five men stacked, they play a suffocating game, stuffing our attacks at every chance and bringing all six men into attack. N’Diaye does well enough to get infront of Danny Murphy’s cross on 7 minutes, but the ball pings off him and back into the box to one Jason Euell, who whirls and fires a cannonball into the top left corner of Esson’s net. An ignominious start only gets worse after ten minutes, another sweeping attack from Charlton knifing through our defense, as miscommunication between van de Besselar and Masiello allows Bellamy to sneak between them and latch onto Euell’s pass. Ranging backwards, van de Besselar’s tackle is ill-timed, flooring the Welsh international. The ref points at the spot, up steps Danny Murphy, and we’re down two goals in ten minutes, and not looking very professional. I’m trying to urge the boys to keep their heads and play hard, to work to get the ball off of Charlton as quickly as possible and keep smart positions on the field. We finally manage a break on 14 minutes, Lodi swinging the ball out right for Bradley, who cuts into the area and shapes to shoot before chipping the ball neatly into the six-yard box where Lodi skies unbelievably high, over Hermann Hreidarsson and nods the ball up and over Dean Kiely and into the net, dragging us one back. It’s no easy task though, working a yard of space against a Charlton team that isn’t willing to give one is hard enough, and the few header’s we’re winning aren’t directed anywhere in particular. Only when N’Diaye drills one into midfield for Lodi do we get another chance, the Italian quickly spinning and looping a through ball for Bradley. The American is skilled, but not quite fast enough to keep Charlton from closing him down as he heads towards the net, managing to round Kiely only to have El Kakouri swipe the ball from his feet. Kakouri’s tackle send the ball right to Westcarr trailing the play however, and it’s jubilation on our bench as he slots home to equalize. The second half starts with us looking more promising, but Charlton are utterly determined. As the minutes pass, we’re getting less and less of the ball, and even our passes are being deflected, cut out, and we can’t string anything resembling a move together. As our passing begins to take on a “hoof it and hope†feel, Charlton take advantage, winning headers and quickly passing around the midfield, leaving our men chasing shadows. A goal is in the offing, as when Bellamy begins a five-man counter-attack, van de Besselar and Smith aren’t pacey enough to keep up on the left wing, allowing Matt Holland to swing a pass to Radostin Kishishev, who leisurely strolls into the box, rounds Esson, and slots home to give Charlton the advantage. It’s only luck and Esson’s hands that prevent a 4th, and when van de Besselar collects his second yellow on 89 minutes, it’s all over. Final Score – Charlton Athletic 3:2 Wrexham MoM – Jason Euell After the game I tell the boys to keep their heads up, and that they have nothing to be embarrassed about. Charlton are a richer, Premiership-caliber team, and we managed to at least give them a real game for 45 minutes, including a two-goal fightback that I didn’t think we had in us. Moreover, we’re still atop the League, and we’ll get another shot at them in our own backyard. Alain accepts his warning after the game. I need these guys to be able to play hard and tough, and not end up watching a significant part of the game from the bench. December 10th, 2006 Stephen Hughes’ agent gives me a ring today, and mentions those little words I never, ever, ever like to hear. “Contract negotiations.†The 30-year old midfielder feels that his influence on the team should be rewarded with a new paycheck, given that his will be running out in June of next year. I can’t really deny this, but it’s his payscale that’s killing me. He wants $500K a year, more than enough to make him the highest paid player on the team. I’m rather reticent about handing out such a deal, at least not yet. Even though I have enough flex to do so (we’re happily $1.1M under the club’s current wage bill) I don’t want to start half the players on the team requesting new contracts. Moreover, Stephen is 30, and it’s all downhill from here for your average footballer. December 11th, 2006 DC United withdraw their offer for Franklin Simek. Oh well. December 12th, 2006 English Championship – Game Twenty-Two: Wrexham v. Sheffield United All but to the halfway mark on the year. We’re first, far better than we hoped, and Sheffield is 22nd, staring relegation in the face. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-3-2): Esson; Smith, Piqué, Morgan, Overvik; N’Diaye; Hughes, Lodi, Brittain; Cox, Rossi It’s nice to go from such a cultured and smart team like Charlton to a struggling and desperate team like Sheffield. It gives us the chance to sit back, survey the game and play something without the breakneck pace that frankly, we can’t keep up for 46 games, plus cup-ties. Lodi and N’Diaye are turning back and forth in midfield, sliding passes all around the pitch, leaving Sheffield’s 5-man midfield gasping for breath. Francesco Lodi nearly gives us the lead after 12 minutes, firing a shot from the left corner of the area that fizzes just wide of the right post. We nearly get bitten moments later, Jonathan Forte taking the ball in his own end and striding upfield, before launching a 50-yard pass for Kevin Lisbie, who’s been left appallingly unmarked by both of our central defenders. Lisbie leaves them both in the dust as he runs onto the ball, and side-foots past Esson only to see his shot rebound off the post and into the grateful hands of Esson. We seem to remember that we’re still trying to get every point we can after this, and begin to play the ball past Sheffield, using Hughes and Brittain to work plays down the wings. The latter helps out in our first strike of the game, playing a one-two with Cox to send the striker free along the right. Running to the byline and then cutting inside of his marker, Cox chips one into the box that is given the tiniest of flick-ons by Lodi, and Giuseppe Rossi happily pounces at the far post, slamming the ball home emphatically. Sheffield shift into a more defensive posture, and, save for a header from Piqué that flies over the bar, the rest of the half is pretty much without any real chances. The second half is, for a good 20 minutes, much of the same. I bring on Labinot Harbuzi and Michael Bradley as we look for a little extra oomph in attack, but there’s not much coming until 68 minutes, when Paddy Kenny does very well to tip a Harbuzi header around the post for a corner. We exploit the break on 72 minutes through Brittain and Bradley, the pair dragging Sheffield’s stretched-too-thin defense over to the left before Brittain threads a pass straight to Cox. As the striker charges on net, he tries to round Kenny, but puts the ball just a yard too far ahead of himself, giving Kenny a chance to try and get back in net. Cox’s shot is perfectly placed however, and slips just inside the right post to guarantee the win. Final Score – Wrexham 2:0 Sheffield United MoM – Richard Brittain With the win, we stay a point ahead of Charlton and Blackburn for the No. 1 spot. December 13th, 2006 Stephen Hughes puts pen to paper on the biggest contract we’ve ever given out under my tenure here at Wrexham. $550K a year until 2008, with a $60K signing bonus. I’m not thrilled about the expenditure, but to keep Stephen happy, I’ll live. He’s come to love this club apparently, and I want to foster that as much as I can. December 15th, 2006 Some good news for everyone who will have to play Blackburn again this season, as they sell off one of their best, Brett Emerton, to Spanish side Celta de Vigo for a healthy $5.2M. This, thankfully, means Blackburn will be a simpler proposition for all their opponents this season. The team has been on a tear, seventeen games without a loss. December 16th, 2006 English Championship – Game Twenty-Three: Coventry City v. Wrexham At the halfway point now, the league has just about shaken out into who’s going to be doing what. Coventry City haven’t put together a strong enough run of form to avoid what seems like it will be another season of mid-table mediocrity. We, on the other hand, are looking for those extra few points that will push us over 50, and, in my estimation, grant us assured safety. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-3-2): Esson; Smith, van de Besselar, Simek, Overvik; N’Galula; Hughes, Bradley, Brittain; Cox, Westcarr It’s a matter of revenge today, to go back and beat the team that we let back into the game so easily the last time we played them. Moreover, it’s a chance for Bradley to prove himself to me, taking over in midfield for Lodi while I rest the Italian for a game. It doesn’t pay immediate dividends, Bradley is still young, and a bit easy to knock off the ball if a determined midfielder comes after him, and not fast enough to escape anyone. But he works hard, winning a freekick from 30-yards out when he entices Alexandre to trip him. Up steps Stephen Hughes, and he celebrates his new contract in fine form, arcing a beauty up and over the wall, and then down, just underneath the crossbar and into the net. Bradley gets himself involved once more on 25 minutes, playing a wide one-two with Brittain and dribbling into the middle of the field, just outside the area before slipping an inch-perfect pass past his defender to an unmarked Simon Cox who duly fires home from 10 yards out. We settle as Coventry, still remembering how they came back last time, slowly begin to try and work their way into a goal. And they should claw one back just before the half when Eddie Johnson fires from 25 yards out, but Esson gets down well and deflects the ball away from the net where it can be cleared. As we move into the second half, Coventry kick things into second gear, and Esson finds himself getting tested again and again and again. First a looping cross into the box fools our entire defense, allowing Graham Barrett a free header from point blank range. But it’s ill-directed, and Esson’s reflexes are top-notch, tipping the ball over the bar for a corner. And even on the resultant corner, when Alexandre wins his header from close range, Esson is there again to knock the ball away from the opening of the net. He’ll make three more crucial saves before the final whistle blows, including denying Gary McSheffrey in a one-on-one situation in stoppage time to keep Coventry from even pulling some dignity from things, as we grab three more points. Final Score – Coventry City 0:2 Wrexham MoM – Ryan Esson The win, combined with a Blackburn draw and a Charlton loss puts us three points ahead of the opposition, with 52 vital points. Halfway through the season, and we’ve just about assured survival for another season at this level. Now, we can begin to think about what comes next. December 17th, 2006 Bad news for two of my fellows, as Ian Holloway of Queens Park Rangers and Mark McGhee of Coventry City get sacked today. Too bad for them, especially McGhee, who was only a few converted chances away from having a chance at keeping his job. Meanwhile, the Champions League prepares for the knockout stages next year, and the draw looks rather interesting. Here’s how it shakes out. Arsenal v. Ajax Barcelona v. Chelsea Besiktas v. Internazionale AC Milan v. AS Monaco Parma v. Celtic Real Madrid v. Borussia Dortmund Sevilla F.C. v. AS Roma Valencia C.F. v. Borussia Monchengladbach There’s quite a bit of drool over the Barcelona v. Chelsea tie. It’ll be two of the highest scoring teams in the competition this season facing off, teams who have spent $90M this season on new faces. Most importantly though, it’ll be a rematch of last year’s final, a game Chelsea was unfortunate to lose. Needless to say, the media’s agog over this one. December 23rd, 2006 English Championship – Game Twenty-four: Wrexham v. Plymouth Argyle Twenty-three games gone, twenty three more to go including today’s return engagement against a Plymouth team we defeated 2-0 at Home Park. Since then they’ve made bids on our players, and added Steve Sidwell to their ranks, and are currently enjoying a 10-game unbeaten run. We’re unbeaten at home this year, so I’d imagine the players aren’t looking to give that up. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-3-2): Esson; Smith, van de Besselar, Simek, Overvik; N’Galula; Hughes, Lodi, Brittain; Cox, Bradley Respect is vitally important on the pitch, in the sense of the other team giving it to you. If other teams are scared of you, or at least certain players on your team, you can work a lot extra flexibility on the pitch, and probably end up putting your opponents into a hole before they can really react and try to take you down. So it’s good that Plymouth are giving Simon Cox so much space when the game begins, allowing him to test Romain Larrieu’s reflexes a mere two minutes into the proceedings with a bending shot from the edge of the area that the Frenchman anticipates beautifully and bats wide of the post. Cox fires again from closer on 8 minutes, but Larrieu is there again to cover the ball and punt it back upfield. On 12 minutes, Hughes delivers a short corner for Brittain, that the normally right-footed midfielder traps, and turning just inside of the area, chips into the six-yard box with his weaker left foot. Larrieu isn’t aggressive enough playing it, and Simon Cox nips in just ahead to head the ball into a yawning net and give us an early 1-0 lead. We squander no end of chances for the nest 40 minutes, Cox, Hughes and Lodi all missing from near impossible-to-miss ranges, Lodi unfortunate to have been denied a goal on 39 minutes when his shot clacks off the outside of the post and out of play. Our profligate ways infront of net nearly hurt us when just after the interval, Matthias Svensson dribbles right past Simek to go one-on-one with Esson, and fires the ball past our keeper, only to see it rebound off the post and be cleared away from the net. Ex-Wrexham man Chris Llewellyn nearly ties it himself on 72 minutes, his close-range header wonderfully beaten away by Esson and cleared away again. Thankfully, on 77 minutes, we finally get what we need, as substitute Labinot Harbuzi slides a beautiful pass right to the penalty spot for Cox to take and jink right between the diving Larrieu and the sliding challenge of Graham Coughlan, walking the ball into an empty net. Another good performance from our best offensive player, and thankfully, another three points. Final Score – Wrexham 2:0 Plymouth Argyle MoM – Simon Cox The win maintains our four point advantage over Blackburn, pushing us to 55 points so far this year. We’ve just about ensured survival, and now, given our run of form, we can begin to turn our minds to other things that we could achieve this year. Nothing’s set but now, just about anything’s a possibility. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BamaToon Posted May 10, 2005 Share Posted May 10, 2005 Awesome story, Pred. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pred Posted May 15, 2005 Author Share Posted May 15, 2005 December 26th, 2006 December 26th, 2006 English Championship – Game Twenty-Five: Gillingham v. Wrehxam This is always one of the toughest parts of the year in England. We’ve got to play three games in six days, followed by two back-to-back visits to Loftus Road to take on Q.P.R. Someone from the youth team may find themselves taking their bow if legs get too tired. For now however, we’ve got to focus on Gillingham. So dangerous last year, Gillingham are 18th this season, and last year’s danger man, Marino Keith is having a much different season, different for the worse. A little squad shuffling to keep legs fresh is needed today. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-3-2): Esson; Smith, Masiello, Morgan, Overvik; N’Diaye; Hughes, Harbuzi, Jones; Westcarr, Walker With a mostly revamped attack looking to take it to Gillingham, the first few minutes of this contest are rather experimental on our end, as we begin to try to figure out ways to get our offense clicking in the manner that we prefer. But, with a little determination and smarts, we work out our first chance of the fixture on 12 minutes, Harbuzi’s pass allowing Westcarr to trap the ball on the run, playing it right past Chris Hope before attempting to cheekily chip Allan McGregor, only to see the ball land on the roof of the net. A waste. Gillingham waste no time firing back though, Esson diving to his right to collect a free-kick that was nearly net-bound. Marino Keith, while having an off year and aging, still has enough of his abilities to be a danger apparently though, and showcases that fact on 26 minutes, slipping and then muscling past Masiello to surge into the box before ripping a blast on net that only Esson’s fast reflexes keep from finding the net. Just before the half, we get a chance of our own, Hughes curling in a freekick that, of all people, Craig Morgan meets at the near post with a thumping volley that McGregor can only palm into his own net. It’s an unexpected goal, but I don’t think anyone will say no. There isn’t much for the first 20 minutes or so of the second half, as I give Enis Turkovic and Mirko Talaga their bows as Wrexham players, bringing the pair on as subs, along with Emil Halfredsson. Thankfully, Gillingham are as bereft of ideas as we are, and aren’t threatening in the least. On 73 minutes, when Westcarr slides a pass into the attacking third for Turkovic, with all four Gillingham defenders back, there doesn’t seem to be much in it, but Turkovic swings the ball out left for an entirely unmarked Stephen Hughes, who strides clean into the box and fires the ball. Sadly, McGregor is there to bat the ball down and away, but Hughes is first to the rebound, knocking it into the back of the net. Gillingham claw one back in stoppage time, Ryan Nelsen blasting one perfectly into the top-corner from the penalty spot, but all we have to do is wait for the final whistle. Final Score – Gillingham 1:2 Wrexham MoM – Allen McGregor The win maintains our lead at the top of the standings, as Blackburn continue their run of spectacular form. We’ll play them at the end of January, and that match is beginning to loom larger and larger in our future. December 28th, 2006 Michael Overvik finally succumbs to injury in training today, spraining his wrist. It’ll keep him out for a week, meaning he’ll miss our next two matches. While Michael Walsh can play the right, he’s not getting better, and Mirko Talaga has spent the past year in our reserves preparing. He deserves a shot. Shaun Goater finally sets a date for his retirement today, deciding he’ll bow out of the game at the end of the season. He’s been quite loyal to the club so, if we aren’t in a points-needed position, I’ll try to make sure he gets a run-out at the end of the season. December 29th, 2006 Alex Smith’s contract is set to expire in another six months time. However, he is 30, and sadly, he’s not getting any better. While he’s put on some good performances this season, some of the deficiencies in his game can’t be ignored for much longer. Alex has been here for a lot, but deciding whether he stays is going to be rather tough. I’ll decide on his future closer to the end of the year. December 30th, 2006 English Championship – Game Twenty-Six: Brighton & Hove Albion v. Wrexham This season could not have possibly gone worse for the players at Brighton. In 25 matches, they are 1-3-21, six points from 25 games. They’ve scored thirteen times in all year, outscored by 49 goals. Nothing whatsoever has gone right for the club from East Sussex. Short of a miracle of epic proportions, relegation is an unavoidable absolute. And we’re not looking to help. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-3-2): Esson; Smith, van de Besselar, Simek, Talaga; N’Diaye; Hughes, Lodi, Brittain; Cox, Rossi The opening 45 minutes today are nothing but one-way pressure, as we run circles around Brighton. Everyone but their goalkeeper, Ben Roberts. We pepper him with eight shots on target in the opening part of the game, in all shapes and sizes, yet are unable to get the one that we need past his outstretched palms. A Hughes freekick is tipped around the post, Cox crashes a header against the post, Lodi sees a spectacular 25-yard shot tipped over the bar, and Rossi’s close-range blast smacks Roberts right in the chest. Given that Brighton haven’t even taken a shot once 45 minutes have passed, we walk off the pitch feeling immensely frustrated at our ineptitude, and inability to just put the ball into a such a reasonably (large) target. The second half isn’t much of a change from the first in terms of possession, Brighton are winning a third of the headers they’re going up for, but we’ve finally found our shooting boots. Lodi gets our just rewards on 50 minutes, charging onto a Cox flick-on at midfield and barreling upfield before ripping an unstoppable shot past Roberts to finally put us on the board. From there, the floodgates open, Cox tallying next, drilling a beauty inside the right post from five yards out to ostensibly put things out of reach. Lodi takes control from there, tallying a blockbuster 25-yarder, a side-footed close-range finish and a unmarked header to give himself four great goals and us another three points. Final Score – Brighton & Hove Albion 0:5 Wrexham MoM – Francesco Lodi Considering how pedestrian Lodi looked the last time he played, this is the best kind of return fixture he could’ve produced. We stay ahead by three points, as Blackburn win again, while Brighton now finds themselves 15 points away from safety, and not looking like they’ll make it. January 1st, 2007 Sadly, I had to curtail the players New Year’s celebrations a bit, but I still give them all enough time to go out and have a drink or two on the town. 2006 is gone past and 2007 is upon us, with Euro 2008 now approaching closer and the 2006 World Cup fading into the past. The season is approaching the 30-game mark, and with the transfer window re-opening, teams will be looking in earnest to start re-tooling and preparing for the second half of the season. Awards get announced today, here’s how they look… World Footballer of the Year: Samuel Eto’o (FC Barcelona) World Player of the Year: Andriy Shevchenko (AC Milan) European Footballer of the Year: Vicente (Valencia C.F.) European Goalkeeper of the Year: Marcos (Internazionale) European Defender of the Year: Fábio Aurélio (Valencia C.F.) European Midfielder of the Year: Vicente (Valencia C.F.) European Striker of the Year: Samuel Eto’o (FC Barcelona) More locally, Simon Cox is voted the Championship’s Player of the Month for December, while Mark Hughes of Blackburn pips me for the Manager of the Month award. Transfer-wise, the year opens with a bang, as Xabi Alonso makes his third move in as many years, leaving the surroundings of Real Madrid for the Mediterranean wonder of Valencia today, with Valencia paying out $46M for his services. English Championship – Game Twenty-Seven: Wrexham v. Watford I wish I could say our current five-game winning tear had put us in a fortified position at the top of the League, but Blackburn have been keeping the pace all the way, waiting for us to slip so they can make it an even closer race. Now that expectations here in Wrexham have shifted away from relegation survival, and towards the very real possibility of the playoffs or promotion, keeping pace is necessary. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-3-2): Esson; Smith, Morgan, Masiello, Piqué; N’Galula; Halfredsson, Harbuzi, Jones; Bradley, Westcarr There’s nothing in this one. There’s less than nothing in this one. The length of the game is only made bearable by a few things, first of wich being the knowledge that Michael Bradley, while having talent, is not a replacement for Cox yet, as the American manages to squander five shots, only managing to get one on target. Thankfully, Labinot Harbuzi is still very, very good, and he proves as much after 32 minutes, blazing a 30-yard freekick into the net with his right foot. We experience a good deal of defensive frailties as the game moves on, mostly from the inexperienced and overwhelmed-looked Mahiri Sabandar, who comes on as a sub in the second half. However Watford’s finishing is as poor as I’ve ever seen this year, and we swipe three more points. Final Score – Wrexham 1:0 Watford MoM – Labinot Harbuzi We’re all the way up to 64 points with today’s win, while Blackburn finally drop one, succumbing to Cardiff at Ninian Park 2-1, leaving us six points ahead at the top of the table. For the first time all year, we have a serious cushion to play with. It’s been a spectacular season up to this point, above and beyond what anyone could’ve possibly expected. We are for all intensive purposes safe from relegation, and now, with the multi-million dollar carrot of Premiership play at the end of the stick… well, even I’m beginning to dream. January 4th, 2007 Middlesbrough bid on Simon Cox today, asking if they can have him for $7.2M and send reserve striker Simon Hayes our way. The answer is, of course, no, as unless they’re willing to give us Stuart Downing, Cox isn’t leaving. Simon, however, apparently isn’t thrilled when he hears news of my having rejected the bid from Middlesbrough, so my staff reports to me in the evening. A disgruntled star striker isn’t something any club needs, but Simon is enough of a professional (I hope) not to start bagging it on the field, which will certainly lead to some major friction between myself and him. Meanwhile, Albert Luque gets to add another “ex-“ to his repartee today, as he becomes an ex-Real Madrid player, leaving the Santiago Bernabeu for the Nou Camp in a highly controversial $41M move. Since leaving Deportivo in 2005, Luque hasn’t been all that good for Madrid, only scoring sixteen times in well over 50 starts. His arrival at Barcelona may mean wayward England striker Michael Owen may have to find a new home. It’s too bad we can’t afford him, or I’d roll out the red carpet for the player who has been on a hellish exile ever since leaving Liverpool. January 6th, 2007 Aston Villa come in with a $8.6M bid on Simon Cox. I refuse again, which won’t make him any happier, but I want to try and hang onto Simon until the end of the season. Once the year is over, I’ll start entertaining serious bids about his future. English FA Cup – Third Round: Queens Park Rangers v. Wrexham Well be spending the next 180 minutes getting reacquainted with Q.P.R., in lieu of extra time. We’re playing them back to back, away fixtures no less, games that I truly wish I could make happen in, say, a month. Or never. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-3-2): Esson; Simek, van de Besselar, Masiello, Morgan; N’Diaye; Hughes, Lodi, Brittain; Cox, Westcarr The game opens in our favor, Lodi testing Generoso Rossi’s reflexes within a minute of the start, blasting a shot from midfield that Rossi neatly collects at the left post. We’re looking really, really fresh for the first time in a long time on the pitch, and as such, are putting on a quite good display. Q.P.R. are reacting rather than trying to set the pace of the game, leading us to create a number of chances from the get-go. We really should take the lead after 14 minutes, when Lodi belts a 30-yard pass upfield for Cox, who immediately speeds past his marker to control the ball, only to have Marcus Bean come racing back to hack the ball clear. As the game progresses, Q.P.R. finally begin to settle, Danny Shittu flashing a shot just wide of Esson’s right post, and then Paul Warnock firing right into Essons chest from 15 yards. Not taking your chances when they come has a habit of biting you right in the end and, on 35 minutes, we’re the ones doing the biting, as Hughes whips in a left-wing cross that Cox meets at the near post, nodding it past the outstretched hands of Rossi and into the net. With Simon apparently determined to make sure his suitors know he’s worth his $10,000,000 Release Clause, he pops up again just after the half to nod home another Hughes cross, increasing his season total to an astounding 20 goals. Giuseppe Rossi comes on as a late sub for Westcarr and puts one past his namesake on 78 minutes as Q.P.R. squander any real chance of getting back into the match. Final Score – Queens Park Rangers 0:3 Wrexham MoM – Simon Cox The win snatches us $90K and passage to the Fourth Round, but after the game, the questions are, as always, about Simon. Another sterling performance has the media asking the tough questions about whether we really have an honest chance at keeping one of the highest-rated strikers outside of the Premiership in Wrexham red. I’ve been trying to keep mum on the issue, but I do admit that there’s a certain possibility that we will have to wave goodbye to Simon sometime in the near future, unless he and the club can come to a new agreement (one I feel may be worth a great deal of money). Suddenly, DC United’s repeated attempts to grab Franklin Simek for Santino Quaranta don’t seem so bad… January 5th, 2007 It’s one after another for Simon Cox, as Liverpool, of all clubs, come in with a bid today. This is a massively difficult decision. Do I continue to frustrate and alienate our star striker, or do I acquiesce and try to cash in on his talent? If he’s going to go, I’ll try and get him to go high, and tell Liverpool it’ll be a cool $20M for Simon Cox. January 6th, 2007 The 4th-Round FA Cup draw is today, and I’d like to avoid any Premiership competition, so I’m thrilled to hear we’re drawn against Brighton. There’s noone better to play in a cup game than a team that hasn’t gotten anything right domestically. January 10th, 2007 The jig, it seems, is up. While Liverpool rescind their bid on Simon Cox, Manchester City come steaming right in, bidding exactly $10M on our star striker, which meets his Minimum Release Fee clause. I’m forced to accept the offer, much to my disapproval, and immediately place a call to Simon’s new agent, to talk contract. Simon’s Mr. 10% says he isn’t interested in playing in Wrexham and feels he has achieved all he can here, but I still slap down a contract that will just about break our bank. $1.5M a year, with a $500K signing bonus. It would be, by far, the biggest contract we’ve ever handed out, but I have a dire feeling that Manchester City’s going to trump it. January 13th, 2007 English Championship – Game Twenty-Eight: Queens Park Rangers vs. Wrexham Despite all this transfer talk, we’ve got to worry about the immediate season ahead of us now. We’re nearing the 30-game mark and with seventy points in our sights, the chance of a good end-of-year finish is the carrot on the end of the stick. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-3-2): Esson; Smith, van de Besselar, Masiello, Overvik; N’Galula; Hughes, Lodi, Brittain; Bradley, Westcarr I feel all too familiar with Q.P.R. at this point, but that’s going to come with the job, as we walk out onto the pitch for the game today. Q.P.R. aren’t all that familiar with us apparently though, their five-man midfield caught all standing as watching at the midfield line, as Lodi takes a pass from Smith and gallops 20 yards upfield before sliding a pass right through Rangers’ three-man backline that allows Michael Bradley to fire from the edge of the box as Rossi comes charging out, rolling the ball right along the ground and into the right side of the net for the lead after 51 seconds. With their five-man midfield trying their best to impart a level of control over proceedings, Q.P.R. waste a golden opportunity mere minutes later, a scramble on the right wing allowing a looped pass upfield to find Kevin Miller who, darting along the right side of the area crosses perfectly for Kevin Gallen. Gallen hesitates however, firing in a rush as Masiello comes to challenge, and his shot is lacking, striking Esson in the chest and well-saved. With Q.P.R. rarely getting back on defense and frequently leaving their back three alone to do the defending on half of our offensive chances, we’re cutting out more and more space and getting more and more chances with every minute of game time that passes. When Bradley and Brittain work a one-two on the right flank, the American’s smart cross into the box is caught by Hughes who, with Q.P.R. outnumbered 4-3 in the box, opts to take it for himself, slotting from an angle into the right side of the net rather than pass, putting us up by a brace. As has defined a great deal of their season, once Q.P.R. are down, they’re out, and don’t look threatening again over the next 45 minutes. Esson is left to the major duties of taking backpasses and hoofing the ball back upfield while Lodi and Bradley go stark-wild at the other end, the American scoring a happy second in style on 57 minutes, chasing down a long through-ball from Brittain and dribbling towards net, only to overshoot the ball by a yard with his step, having to hook his right foot back and flip a half-shot half-chip that just zips past a surprised Rossi for our third of the day. Mark Jones comes on as a sub and scores one on 89 minutes, dribbling a circle around Rossi before scoring, but it’s beyond doubt then. Final Score – Queens Park Rangers 0:4 Wrexham MoM – Francesco Lodi I’m left with a smile after this win, not just because it gives us 67 points and keeps us in the lead, but because if Simon Cox leaves, I now can feel like we’ve got other people in the team who can score. I really, really, really hope that Michael Bradley can find his shooting boots, and that Craig Westcarr can continue being a great No. 2 option. About that lead. It’s up to eight points now, as Blackburn’s draw and Charlton’s loss allow us to surge even further up the ladder. Nothing’s set in stone yet, of course, January 16th, 2007 All the big clubs seem to get their most desperate at this time of year. That end-of-season optimism is gone and has been replaced by Mid-Season fear. Liverpool, currently 13th in the Premiership and not looking like they’ll be getting any better are bitten by the spending bug, blowing $20M on Barry Ferguson in order to shore up a midfield that has looked shaky at best since the sale of Steven Gerrard to Chelsea. This after having sold Leo Franco to AC Milan and having given the No. 1 job back to Jerzy Dudek. Crazy times on Merseyside. With Ivorian striker Aruna moving to Deportivo and Thiago Motta leaving Barcelona for Zaragoza, one of the better deals made this year gets left out. Well, at least, in my opinion. We seal a brand new contract today with Salomon Kalou, who will join the club on a Bosman in July from Feyenoord. Kalou, the younger brother of Bonaventure Kalou who is currently lighting it up at Auxerre, will be our insurance plan in case the club should lose the services of Richard Brittain over the summer, which is seeming an increasing possibility. The 21-year old right-winger has never quite broken into the Feyenoord first team, and, in order to get some first-team play, has agreed to join us in Wales next year on a $280K a year contract. January 20th, 2007 As I’ve said before, success comes at a price. Newcastle inquire about Franklin Simek today, and I set the going price at $500K. With van de Besselar and Masiello always looking better, and Morgan still developing into a better and better player, we could afford to lose one central defender. English FA Cup – Fourth Round: Brighton & Hove Albion v. Wrexham Only one change to the team that beat Q.P.R. a week ago as we look to progress to the fifth round of the competition in February. Of all the teams to take on, Brighton would be one of my first choices, given their ineptitude this season, still sitting on one win in the League. But cup games are always a different proposal, especially cup games on the road. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-3-2): Esson; Smith, van de Besselar, Masiello, Overvik; N’Galula; Hughes, Lodi, Brittain; Bradley, Rossi In short, our strike-rate needs a bit of work after this one. The possibility of losing Cox really isn’t something I’m happy about, as Lodi, while immensely skilled, operates best with another striker out there to draw attention away from him. Bradley is having yet another trademark profligate game infront of net, blazing wide from 10 yards out to nearly incite me to violence. But, thankfully, Lodi still has that cannonball of a shot from long distance that causes so many keepers trouble. After two of those and a freekick from Hughes, we can at least rest assured that we’ve gotten reasonably far in the competition. Final Score – Brighton & Hove Albion 1:3 Wrexham MoM – Francesco Lodi Despite winning $130K for the victory, after the game, the inevitable news is announced. Simon Cox, who I left off the teamsheet until his situation is resolved, rejects our contract offer and opts instead for the bright lights of the Premiership and 5th-placed Manchester City. Admittedly, it’s a club-record $10M fee that we’ll be picking up but we’re losing our best striker, the fulcrum of our offense, and who knows what else. The fans aren’t happy, I’m not happy, but we couldn’t avoid it. I’m thrilled we had him as long as we did. Players Out – Wrexham Stats: Simon Cox (19 y/o, English, S C): 38 (14) apps, 49 goals, 20 asts, 12 MoM, Av. R: 7.92 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pred Posted May 15, 2005 Author Share Posted May 15, 2005 So here's how the league looks currently... <pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Holders - West Ham | Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Wrexham | | 28 | 21 | 4 | 3 | 68 | 20 | +48 | 67 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Blackburn | | 28 | 17 | 8 | 3 | 51 | 20 | +31 | 59 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Charlton | | 28 | 17 | 7 | 4 | 51 | 22 | +29 | 58 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Fulham | | 28 | 17 | 6 | 5 | 54 | 18 | +36 | 57 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Millwall | | 28 | 16 | 5 | 7 | 45 | 26 | +19 | 53 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Bolton | | 28 | 15 | 7 | 6 | 55 | 32 | +23 | 52 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Ipswich | | 28 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 45 | 24 | +21 | 49 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Crewe | | 28 | 13 | 8 | 7 | 36 | 27 | +9 | 47 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Stoke | | 28 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 30 | 24 | +6 | 45 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | West Brom | | 28 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 38 | 28 | +10 | 43 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Bristol C | | 28 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 32 | 35 | -3 | 41 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Plymouth | | 28 | 8 | 11 | 9 | 25 | 33 | -8 | 35 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Burnley | | 28 | 9 | 5 | 14 | 38 | 45 | -7 | 32 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Coventry | | 28 | 7 | 11 | 10 | 28 | 36 | -8 | 32 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | Watford | | 28 | 8 | 7 | 13 | 38 | 46 | -8 | 31 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | Wigan | | 28 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 25 | 34 | -9 | 31 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | | Gillingham | | 28 | 8 | 6 | 14 | 31 | 39 | -8 | 30 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | | Q.P.R. | | 28 | 6 | 9 | 13 | 25 | 40 | -15 | 27 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 19th | | Reading | | 28 | 6 | 9 | 13 | 24 | 42 | -18 | 27 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20th | | Cardiff | | 28 | 7 | 5 | 16 | 25 | 52 | -27 | 26 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 21st | | Nottm Forest | | 28 | 6 | 7 | 15 | 33 | 55 | -22 | 25 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 22nd | | Sheff Utd | | 28 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 21 | 39 | -18 | 24 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 23rd | | Walsall | | 28 | 5 | 7 | 16 | 19 | 42 | -23 | 22 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 24th | | Brighton | | 28 | 1 | 3 | 24 | 14 | 72 | -58 | 6 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre> Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pred Posted May 16, 2005 Author Share Posted May 16, 2005 January 21st, 2007 Leeds come in with a $2.8M deal for Richard Brittain, along with a promise that we’ll get 40% of his next sale. Again, I say nay. I’m not losing two great players in a week. The better news today is that the influx of new money into the club from Simon’s transfer has left us flush, or, as they say in some circles, with “mad cheddahâ€. Suffice to say I’ve been given some $8M to blow between now and the end of the season, unless of course I’d like to save some, and I’ve been informed that it would be “very nice†if I could. First on my list is replacing Alex Smith and seeing if we can find an upgrade for Ryan Esson. January 22nd, 2007 The Fifth Round of the FA Cup is drawn today, and the news is way, way, way less than good. We’ll be heading to London and Emirates Stadium to take on Arsenal, a tall order if there ever was one. Arsenal just hammered Coventry 4-0 with their reserve side in their last fixture, and frankly, I’d have liked to avoid them until we were as big as Real Madrid. January 23rd, 2007 So the first stone turns over. Marcus Tudgay, who we’ve been in negotiations with for literally, weeks now finally puts pen to paper on a new contract that will bring him to Wrexham for the immediate future, and hopefully fill a little of the gaping hole that Simon Cox has left. I don’t expect him to truly fill the void, but the healing can now begin. Players In: Marcus Tudgay (23 y/o, English, S C) English Championship – Game Twenty-Nine: Wrexham v. Walsall Another day, another game, this one a Tuesday fixture after our game on Saturday, which, if I haven’t mentioned, I loathe. On the upside, it’s against 23rd-placed Walsall, and it gives me a chance to run out the youngsters again, and see how they fare against some real competition. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-3-2): Esson; Ferradj, Simek, Piqué, Sabandar; N’Diaye; Halfredsson, Harbuzi, Jones; Tudgay, Lancaster I’m sure, at kickoff, the fact that the oldest player in our squad is 26-year old Ryan Esson will work against us somehow, but as Walsall get things started, it’s too late to worry about that. With Walsall banging around in midfield, the team looks as young, inexperienced and uncut as they are, but the defense is holding. David Bellion really should score when Simek slips, allowing him a one-on-one chance with Esson but his shot is atrocious and goes a good yard wide. We don’t manage to fashion our first chance until 34 minutes, Tudgay firing well-wide from 25 yards. As the second half begins, we’re looking a bit more solid and assured, winning two consecutive corners early on. But when Harbuzi delivers it into the box, Piqué, of all people, is there to trap the ball, spinning and firing a speculative shot that shouldn’t make it on net. But Sean Rudd’s outstretched leg redirects the ball right into the roof of the net, and like that, we’re celebrating the opener. I’ve done my best to give the team a future, by bringing in some new talent to the youth team that my scouts do like, and high on that list is Curtis Allen, who I bring on for Tudgay. I’ve heard his upside described as both limited and limitless, so it’s nice to see the latter appear on 65 minutes, latching onto a pass from Lancaster in midfield, skipping past Julian Bennett and charging upfield, working his way into the box before firing a perfectly placed shot across the face of goal and into the left side of the net to ensure three points. Final Score – Wrexham 2:0 Walsall MoM – Mark Jones After the game it’s congratulations all around for our youngsters, with especially high marks for Ferradj, Sabandar and Allen, all of whom performed particularly well when called upon. We’re on 70 points exactly with the win. I figure, based on the last two years of finishes here, if we can get to at least 80 points, we’ll have assured a playoff place, if not a second straight promotion. Of course, in those last two seasons, no teams finished with 10 or less losses. Currently, there are 13 teams with 10 or less losses. So, short of the rest of the League forgetting how to play, we have a eight-point cushion, but a long way to go still. January 24th, 2007 It never ends. We can’t have a player of skill without someone interested. Today it’s Lyon asking about Francesco Lodi. We really can’t afford to lose our top two goalscorers at this point in the season, so I flat-out reject their inquiry. Word, as it always does, filters its way to Lodi, who storms into my office later in the afternoon, demanding to know why I rejected Lyon. I inform him because we need him here if we’re going to make the Premiership, but that isn’t good enough for the Italian, and he leaves in a huff. Since I’ve had to fend off approaches for half of my best players already, I immediately place a call to Martin Overvik’s agent, asking about getting him to ink a new contract. They’re asking for $800K a year, which is steep, but right now, just for the security of it, I’m willing to stretch. January 25th, 2007 Someone at Old Trafford apparently has been relying on hype, as Manchester United shell out $51M for Tottenham’s Robbie Keane, the biggest move of the transfer window thus far. Admittedly, Keane wasn’t having a bad season, with 11 goals through 33 appearances, but $51M good? I wouldn’t have paid that much. What Steve Bruce and Co. have up their sleeves is beyond me, but obviously, they wanted a front line to compete with Arsenal and Chelsea. Now they feature the foursome of Ruud van Nistelrooy, Wayne Rooney, Ronaldo and the aforementioned Keane. (Louis Saha is still part of the team, admittedly, as a backup to the backups.) January 27th, 2007 English Championship – Game Thirty: Blackburn Rovers v. Wrexham The preamble to today’s fixture is that Francesco Lodi has strained his groin during the warm-up, arguably the worst possible time to do so. I have to pencil in Mark Jones as a replacement, with Harbuzi too tired. Blackburn may be eight points behind us, but they’re still the same team that fought us to a 0-0 draw back in August. Well, really, we fought them to a 0-0 draw. They are still a Premiership-caliber team, They’ve lost Brett Emerton but gained David Vaughan from Reading, and Robbie Savage is still as tenacious as ever in midfield. The hope is, with Paul Gallagher injured, that our defense will hold up against Paul Dickov and Matt Jansen, and that the wings can stay secure. Wrexham Lineup: (4-5-1): Esson; Smith, van de Besselar, Masiello, Overvik; N’Diaye, N’Galula; Hughes, Harbuzi, Brittain; Walker The first bit of good news today is that the Blackburn team trot out to play without Robbie Savage, who knackered himself in the warm-up. However, Blackburn are better than us, so we’re fighting them today like any smart team in our position would. By throwing 9 or 10 men behind the ball at a time. My instructions to the team are an anathema to the attacking, fast-flowing game we usually play. I want crunching tackles, a wall infront of the net, and to try and intimidate a Blackburn team that is a good deal stronger (talent-wise and physically) than us. Alex Smith lets this form of defense get the better of him though, and after just three minutes, his flying two-footed challenge on Jonathan Douglas grabs him his first Red Card of the season and an early bath. He hadn’t even touched the ball yet. Despite this, as we drop even more men into defense, we’re holding against Blackburn’s attack. With so many men back, they just can’t find an inch of space to work their attacks into, and are resorting to lumping high balls into the box that Masiello and van de Besselar are dealing with nicely. With Harbuzi and Walker prowling up front, waiting to try something spectacular, the game quickly devolves into a snoozer. We don’t fashion a real chance until 31 minutes, when Harbuzi takes a clearance just short of midfield and nutmegs Garry Flitcroft, blazing away down the right flank, turning inside at the endline and leaving Dominic Matteo for dead before chipping the ball from just outside the six-yard box to the left post for Brittain to pop up, unmarked and nod home. Truthfully, I wanted a draw from this, but with the bit in our mouths we start to play for those three points like I’ve never seen this team do before. We’re flying around the pitching, banging into anyone with a Blackburn kit in a manner that won’t win us any friends, but will win us some valuable points, and Blackburn are looking worse for the wear from it. They can’t fashion a shot from inside 20 yards by the end of the half, and when Jonathan Douglas gets sent off for his second shirt-tugging offense, Blackburn kick things into a desperate but altogether useless charge on our net. I’m left to do naught but applaud as the final whistle blows and we celebrate what is by far our best victory of the season. Final Score – Blackburn Rovers 0:1 Wrexham MoM – Labinot Harbuzi In the post-match interview, I must come off as some sort of idiot, with how thrilled I am with the victory. A hard-fought game on the road against a (frankly) team of superior class and we managed three points. Ugly ones, but three points nevertheless. Still, I make sure everyone knows that Blackburn’s going back up. Even though the loss drops them to 3rd behind Charlton, I don’t see anyone in the league stopping this team if they keep on playing that well. After the game, I give Alex Smith his formal warning, as I do for all players who get sent off. What is stunning is that Smith has the incredible gall to suggest that my warning was too harsh, and undeserved in light of us having won the game. January 28th, 2007 Teams always get a little desperate as the transfer window comes to a close, looking for anything to up their fortunes. Tottenham splash $26.5M on Luis Fabiano from Porto today, gambling on the volatile Brazilian striker who has never quite settled in Europe, although this year in the Superleague was an improvement, with 8 goals through 15 starts. As always however, the biggest moves always seem to involve that club in Madrid. Real do a double-deal today, paying out a combined $100.5M for the services of Steven Gerrard and Manuele Blasi. The former joins the club from Chelsea, the latter from Real Betis, as Madrid, currently 3rd in the Primera Liga obviously believe these two midfielders have the answer in their quest to unseat Valencia as champions. Personally, I’m more interested in Michael Essien’s $24.5M move to Udinese and Serie A, not because I particularly thought we had a chance at buying Essien (he’d have been about $15.5M out of our price range) but just because he’s one of the players I’d want to buy if I ever had Real Madrid-money to spend on players. I’d like to think, one day, I’ll be at a club rich enough to blow $60M+ on a new player. January 29th, 2007 Michael Overvik inks his new deal today, a $850K a year deal that will keep him with the club into 2011. He’s good now, he’s played nothing but well, and he justly deserves the largest contract on the team. That is, until we renegotiate with Francesco Lodi (if he’ll let us). February 1st, 2007 New awards make their way to Wrexham today, as I am granted the honor of being named the English Championship Manager of the Month for our four wins in four matches this month, along with the 73 points we’ve earned. Labinot Harbuzi earns himself the Young Player of the Month award for his form in those games, and Curtis Allen actually grabs the Goal of the Month award for his stunner against Walsall. February 3rd, 2007 The FA convenes to review Alex Smith’s ban and extends it an extra two matches, to my disappointment. This means he’ll miss the next three games, but it’ll give me a chance to call up the 19-year old Frenchman who did so nicely when called upon against Walsall. Brahim Ferradj, step up. English Championship – Game Thirty-One: Wrexham v. Wigan Athletic As we near the two-thirds mark of the season, Wigan are suffering through a season far beneath their expectations, currently 15th, well below their 7th-place finish last year. Noone’s exceptionally happy about it, and with a top-10 finish the early season expectations, a late rush for points is expectable. We, meanwhile, are adjusting our tactics some, as I begin to try and find a way to keep us on the up and up without Simon Cox to lead the attack. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-1-3-1): Esson; Ferradj, Morgan, Simek, Overvik; N’Diaye; Jones; Hughes, Bradley, Brittain; Puustinen The concentration is more on suffocating defense in the middle of the park with this particular formation, and Wigan are blasted off the ball in the opening minutes. N’Diaye is crushing the attack from his position, stepping up to take the ball away from the opposition time and time again, while Overvik and Ferradj are making sure any and all passes down the flanks end up right back in our hands. Still, the attack looks a little anemic, with Puustinen making his club debut, leading the line. We can’t seem to fashion a good, fair chance until Brittain creates one on 29 minutes, taking a long pass from Overvik along the right flank and running downfield, pushing off his marker and firing a shot that bends around Jason Brown’s attempt to save it and bulges the net. Stephen Hughes grabs us another with a fine header on 47 minutes, nodding the ball into the net from point-blank range from a Brittain cross, and from there it’s a formality. Wigan win a late penalty on a rash challenge from Ferradj, but it’s over by the time the ball hits the net. An easy win, as I continue to try and figure out the best strategy for us to win with. Final Score – Wrexham 2:1 Wigan Athletic MoM – Stephen Hughes The most important news after the game is that Charlton have lost 1-0 at home to Coventry, which means our lead extends itself to a massive 12 points. It’s a great accomplishment already this season, as our win today extends our winning streak to 10 great games. Ever since falling short to Charlton at The Valley, we’ve gone tearing through the Championship, and our ten straight wins are a Championship record. 30 points from 10 games. I admit, during the post-game interview that yes, we’re looking for promotion now. February 4th, 2007 Two of my fellows get the sack today, as David Platt at Sheffield United and Steve Coppell of Reading are both told to clear out their desks. I really can’t blame the boards of either clubs, Sheffield looked likely to improve after finishing 9th this year, and their current standing of 19th is way below that, while Reading, who finished in 3rd last year, have had the kind of season teams have nightmares about, falling all the way into 21st and in no way safe from relegation. February 5th, 2007 A day off from practice today as I take the team out for a morale-building exercise. Some basketball. The challenge of the day is a game of H-O-R-S-E with me, if anyone can best me, they’ll earn an unspecified little bonus. A friendly wager, really. Thankfully for my pockets, noone can quite muster the ability to beat my patented sitting three-pointer, and I keep my money. Watching the team play a spate of 4-on-4 games, it’s a needed chance to relax and get away from the pressures of overachieving (which we have) and the constant swirls of transfer speculation which have hung over the team ever since the window re-opened. Thankfully, now that it’s closed, noone’s making bids anymore, but it’s going to take a Herculean effort come June to hang onto the nucleus of this team. February 7th, 2007 Richard Brittain’s agent calls me today, telling me that if we’re going to continue refusing offers from clubs like Tottenham and Leeds for his client, that we should enter contract negotiations with his client ASAP. Upon hearing what their demands will account to ($2M a year) I tell him that I’d much prefer to wait until our financial situation is resolved at the end of the season before making any choices. Training today is marred by a sight I’m none too pleased with, as Michael Bradley collapses in a heap after trying to make a turn, clutching his knee. The diagnosis is less than promising. He’s damaged his Anterior Cruciate Ligament it appears, and will miss an indefinite amount of time, at best five months. It’s a real blow for the 19-year old, and I make sure to visit him after the diagnosis, to let him know he’ll still be part of the club when he’s ready to return. I made a serious investment in this kid, and I’m not going to give up. February 8th, 2007 The injury bug bites again today, as Labinot Harbuzi manages to get himself fractured ribs during training today. He’ll be out for three weeks as the injury heals, but the news in the end is that, with Lodi still out, Bradley out, and now Harbuzi out, we’re missing our top three attacking midfielders for the next game. The job will fall to Mark Jones now, who has never really taken the top-dog job at the creative head of our attacks in his spell here. February 10th, 2007 English Championship – Game Thirty-Two: Millwall v. Wrexham A return engagement against Millwall and more especially, Danijel Ljuboja. The 4th-leading scorer in the League right now is on fire, and removing him from the game will be our biggest test. Millwall are 5th in the League right now, looking towards a playoff berth and a return to the Premiership after getting relegated last year. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-1-3-1): Esson; Ferradj, Morgan, Simek, Overvik; N’Diaye; N’Galula; Hughes, Jones, Brittain; Tudgay Ljuboja is from the start, a handful as usual. The pacey Serb has a way of getting to loose balls before anyone else does and creating havoc for a defense that isn’t sure how to deal with his particular brand of attack. It falls, mostly to Overvik to try and contain him, but he’s got his afterburners on from the opening whistle, and on seven minutes he is right in position for a long-range freekic, leaping at the edge of the box to head the ball, trying to chip an onrushing Esson. Esson’s reactions are lightning-fast, and he gets his fingertips to the ball, and we all watch as it floats in a high rainbow, finally crashing back off the crossbar and cleared away by Simek. Millwall continue to attack through Ljuboja and Nathan Ellington, the latter fashioning a chance from 25 yards that Esson has to tip around his left post to keep from going into the net. At times this season, we have been exceptionally good at surviving pressure, Blackburn a certain example, and after giving Millwall their chances, we hit back. Martin Overvik loves to punt it upfield, and when he does he has the eyes of a midfielder, and on 20 minutes, it’s no different, lumping a 60-yard ball upfield for Mark Jones’ run through midfield. The ball finds the midfielder in space, and Jones surges into the box unmarked, but dilly-dallies on the ball, feinting and faking, trying to get David James to commit before finally firing low to the ex-England keeper’s right, slipping the ball in off the right post. Millwall and their fans are understandably frustrated, and Jody Morris earns himself a needless yellow card after yelling at the referee for ruling Ljuboja offside. One goal isn’t a deathblow, not yet, but Morris gets his name in the thick of things again just before the half, as Brittain serves a low cross into the box that Tudgay controls, only for Morris to barge into him from behind, knocking Tudgay over and granting us a sure penalty. With Cox gone, our old taker, Stephen Hughes steps up, and blasts one right down the middle to give us a 2-0 lead at the half. With a few words about continuing to frustrate Millwall at the half, we come out in the second half, only to be nearly pegged back by Millwall, as Ljuboja, as always, is the catalyst, Jody Morris’s through ball perfect, leaving Overvik a yard behind and unable to catch up as Ljuboja advances on Esson. Esson’s hands are lightning-fast once more however, able to kick away the low drive from the Serb and see it cleared away. With that we can begin to attack once more, Simek lumping one upfield that Darren Ward inexplicably lets slip over his head, allowing Jones, reacting first to run onto the ball, one-on-one with James once more. He doesn’t delay this time however, perfectly faking a shot and cutting the ball back inside, leaving James on his behind as Jones coolly slots home into a yawning net for our third. We get two more from Curtis Allen, on as a substitute, as the “North Irish Wayne Rooney†rounds James once to slot home, and heads home a Hughes corner to make it a thumping victory. Final Score – Millwall 0:5 Wrexham MoM – Stephen Hughes I’m thrilled after the game, at Jones’s play, at Allen’s, at the win, at our continued form, at everything this year. I don’t want to say anything for sure yet, but 79 points is, frankly, a lot. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pred Posted May 18, 2005 Author Share Posted May 18, 2005 February 13th, 2007 English Championship – Game Thirty-Three: Wrexham v. Stoke City I’ve gone up against Stoke four times in my career thus far, and so far, we’ve managed a single 1-0 victory over them. The rest are losses. Since they’re coming to The Racecourse Ground to face us now, I try to impart to the team how very nice it would be to stuff one right in their faces, especially with Stoke 8th and vying for the final playoff place. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-1-3-1): Esson; Ferradj, Morgan, Simek, Overvik; N’Diaye; N’Galula; Hughes, Jones, Brittain; Rossi Stoke have been nothing if not frustrating every time they’ve played us, always knocking us off our game, forcing us to play a style of football we’re just not happy to play. Luck nearly bends their way after just a few minutes of play, as Kenny Lunt’s chip into the box bounces off three or four players before falling to the feet of Neil Mellor at the edge of the area. Controlling the ball, Mellor hits an arrow on net that thankfully, isn’t aimed away from the well-positioned Esson, who collapses to make the save and keep the ball out of the net. We don’t fashion our first chance until 39 minutes, when N’Galula flicks the ball out to the left for the advancing Rossi, clear of markers to take. With six Stoke men bunched up on the left side of the penalty spot, there’s all too much area for Rossi to chip the ball to a completely unmarked Brittain, whose bullet header from five yards is parried spectacularly by Paul Willis to keep the scores even going into the half. The game degenerates as the second half begins. We’re not taking any good shots, scuffing the ball and not really forcing Willis to do any hard work, while Stoke have decided that settling for a point may not be such a bad thing after all. I can see fans in the stands yawning as the game goes a good ten minutes without any reason for people to stand up out of their seats. I introduce Curtis Allen for Rossi, and Lodi for Brittain, as we look to put more pressure on the Stoke defense, but still, nothing, until 72 minutes, when a Hughes cross wins us a corner. Hughes’ service into the box should be claimed by Willis, but he doesn’t go up strong enough, and Allen is there to nod the ball into the empty net to give us the sudden advantage. Minutes later, we end it, Mark Jones whipping a pass from the edge of the field right to the edge of the box for Lodi to control and fire past Willis. 15,000 leave Wrexham today with a real smile, as we pick up three more points. Final Score – Wrexham 2:0 Stoke City MoM – Mark Jones Another game, and another chance for me to be vastly impressed by the work of our “deputies†in the stead of our starters. Mark Jones was a worthwhile man of the match, playing a part in the majority of the moves we managed today. Brahim Ferradj was a monster at the back, intercepting a stunning 13 passes as he shut down the opposing attack, and Curtis Allen is beginning to have fans wondering if we have a replacement for Simon Cox, as he has now scored four times in five substitute appearances. All of this leaves me with a very difficult question, as to who to start for our upcoming FA Cup game against Arsenal? Mark Jones, who is as in-form as any player on the team, or Francesco Lodi, who is coming back from injury but has been the catalyst for much of our offense this year? February 17th, 2007 English FA Cup – Fifth Round: Arsenal v. Wrexham Of all the ways and places to take on Arsenal, in the glorious footballing spectacle that is Emirates Stadium is probably last on my list. 60,000 fans can fill this place, and, with a good 50,000 in attendance, it’s the most intimidating place we’ve ever played. That is all, of course, not even counting the Arsenal team, who are the most intimidating team we’ve ever played. Reigning Premier League champions, the team we’re facing today has none of Arsenal’s biggest names in it (Viera, Henry, Campbell, Saviola, Ljungberg) and are still one of the best sides we’ve ever faced. The midfield triumvirate of Róbson Ponte, Cesc Fabregas and Fabian Ernst is the best we’ve ever faced. We’re televised today, and all the commentators have been talking about are the halcyon days of 1992 when Wrexham toppled Arsenal in the FA Cup. That said, the bookies have us a 10-1 underdogs. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-1-3-1): Esson; Ferradj, van de Besselar, Simek, Overvik; N’Diaye; N’Galula; Hughes, Jones, Brittain; Allen We. Get. Hammered. Final Score – Arsenal 5:0 Wrexham MoM – Ryan Smith It’s our worst hiding of the year, an unfortunate end to our streak of wins, and a bit of a warning about next season, should we complete the dream and manage promotion. Still, it’s our worst defeat under my stewardship, and now is all about damage control, and trying to keep our heads up before our fixture against Ipswich in four days. February 19th, 2007 Our first practice this week is very, very good, as players get their heads back up and the general realization hits the camp that we weren’t quite Arsenal quality anyway. It could’ve been worse, given that while we played, Charlton demolished ever-hapless Brighton 7-0 in the League. We’re one of the few teams in the League without a millionaire on squad, but it certainly seems like that will be changing once the season ends. We’ve profited this year, from an average attendance of 13,000 this year, and from Simon Cox’s move. As we move closer to securing at least a playoff place, I’m making sure my scouts keep me abreast of who’s who and who’s going where in recent contract negotiations. If we can snatch anyone on a free in July, I’d be thrilled. First in my mind is West Brom’s Robert Earnshaw, but nothing’s set in stone yet. February 21st, 2007 The news today is great stuff for the club’s future. Alex Hamilton announces that he’s finalized the sale of the club to Shaun Royle, and Royle will become the new head honcho here with immediate effect. Royle, born and raised in Cardiff may rankle some of the supporters, since he’s been a Cardiff fan for as long as he can remember, but his press statement is diplomatic, affirming that he’s more interested in the state of football in Wales than provincial club battles. The introductions happen tomorrow, which mean I can fully concentrate on… English Championship – Game Thirty-Four: Wrexham v. Ipswich Town Of all the teams to play after taking the hammering from Arsenal that we did, Ipswich aren’t my first choice. They’re sixth and trying their best to make the playoff cut, with two straight wins and the near-decrepit Gary Speed hitting a strong run of form recently. I’m hoping for a good bounce-back performance from the team. We do have a home record to protect. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-1-3-1): Esson; Smith, Masiello, Morgan, Overvik; N’Diaye; Lancaster; Hughes, Lodi, Brittain; Westcarr Not much to this one until Hughes picks up his second yellow on 52 minutes, placing us firmly on the back foot for the remainder of the game. You can only do so much to keep heads up, and our attack looks quite shaky as we stumble through the remainder of the game. As Ipswich switch to a 4-2-4, we’re massively lucky to walk out of the stadium with a 0-0 draw, which is really hard on Ipswich, who had multiple opportunities to win in the dying moments, but just couldn’t win it. Final Score – Wrexham 0:0 Ipswich Town MoM – Richard Brittain I give Stephen Hughes his official warning for the Red Card as we now have an away trip to rivals Cardiff City to look towards to in three days. That game against Arsenal has truly disrupted things here, much to my disappointment. A trip to Cardiff however, where things are, by far, worse than they are here on the whole may be the answer to our troubles though, as I’d really like something positive to build off of before our game against Fulham in March. February 22nd, 2007 With Shaun Royle as the new official club chairman, I’m called into the office today after his first press conference. We exchange pleasantries, and he expresses how impressed he is with the team’s performance this season. Apparently, Mr. Royle’s looking forward already, way forward. He’s already planning a future that has us in the Premiership, and making money next year. To that effect, he’s investing a healthy extra bit of cash in the club to make sure what happened against Arsenal won’t happen again too many times next year. Thankfully, he doesn’t make any demands of me, and simply asks that the club stay the course, and try to give this season the dream ending it so deserves. February 24th, 2007 English Championship – Game Thirty-Five: Cardiff City v. Wrexham Cardiff are 23rd, mired in the worst of a relegation dogfight and a great deal less than happy about it. The team that was supposed to push for promotion this year is suddenly fighting to stay away from the trapdoor to League One. Meanwhile, our lead has fallen to ten points after the draw with Ipswich. The team is tired today, that I know, the grind of the season is finally getting to legs that have played in 25-30 games this year. I let the boys know that another three points puts us that much closer to promotion and a chance to rest for the summer. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-3-2): Esson; Ferradj, Masiello, van de Besselar, Sabandar; N’Diaye; Halfredsson, Lodi, Jones; Tudgay, Rossi We’re as unconvincing as previous as this one kicks off, the team looking like they just aren’t sure how to deal with the sudden bout of adversity they’re facing. And it nearly bites us on 4 minutes, when Alan Lee slips behind Masiello and fires a blast that Esson dives to prevent from bulging the net. For lack of a better phrase, something is afoot in Wrexham, and as unconvincing as we look, and as strong as Cardiff come out of the blocks looking, it’s no wonder we’re being serenaded with chants of “Over-rated†by the 22,000 in attendance. We don’t begin to fashion real chances until 20 minutes, but we’ve got two problems. One, that our usual catalyst, Francesco Lodi has left his shooting boots elsewhere, and that our strikers are looking completely impotent in their attempts on net. Noone can put a real shot on net until 36 minutes, when Rossi slides one through his markers legs for a surging Tudgay to control and slip underneath Paul Smith, only to see the linesman raise his flag to indicate offsides. By the end of things, and after having watched Francesco Lodi miss the net for the sixth time today, I’m left to wonder about what to do to fix things. We’ve been called offsides 16 times by the time it’s all said and done, and Paul Smith neatly dealt with everything else we threw at him. This hiccup has been coming, and now’s a better time to deal with it than any other I can think of. Final Score – Cardiff City 0:0 Wrexham MoM – Paul Smith Our lead is at ten, as Blackburn win and Charlton don’t play, but now is probably the best time all season for the week off we’re going to get. There’s a sense of malaise going around the camp, and a great deal of frustration, especially from the strikers who have, admittedly, been sub-par without Simon around. I tell the boys in the dressing room that they’ve got Sunday and part of Monday to get their heads together, and to come back ready to start winning again. February 25th, 2007 The League Cup final comes to pass today, as Arsenal and Manchester United renew their rivalry, and it’s all a fan could’ve hoped for. Four goals, a red card and a penalty shootout mark this one. But it’ll rank as a disappointment for Manchester United, who took an early 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Gennaro Gattuso and Ronaldo, only to see Javier Saviola and Freddy Ljungberg make things 2-2 just afterwards. Roy Keane grabbed the red card in extra-time for an awful tackle on Edu, and Arsenal held their nerve in the resultant penalty shootout, Lauren firing home the winning penalty. It’s Arsenal’s 3rd League Cup title, their first since 1993, and it’ll help make for a very interesting fixture in March when the two teams will play again with the distinct possibility that the English Premier League trophy will be on the line. Meanwhile, Charlton win today, meaning our lead is eight points. Still a lot, but with eight games left to play and Blackburn and Charlton not looking tired (or challenged) in the least, we’re not safe quite yet. March 1st, 2007 Despite the draws, Stephen Hughes still is voted the Player of the Month today, as our team continues its hopefully “Healing†days off. Meanwhile, with Alex Smith looking less and less a Premiership-caliber left-back by the day, opportunity falls into my lap. Lee Young-Pyo, once of PSV, now of Mainz in Germany has become disenfranchised with life there, and fancies a move to England. Mainz are only too happy to assist in this, having Transfer Listed the Korean international for a cut-rate $300K. The 29-year old Young-Pyo would fit neatly into my team, I think, taking up the left-fullback position, and with his penchant for running, running, running and running, and making some good tackles, would fit the team nicely. I make my bid before sundown. March 3rd, 2007 English Championship – Game Thirty-Six: Crewe Alexandria v. Wrexham As the final countdown of games begins, we’re that much closer to ensuring that we play Premiership football next year. A jump to the top flight would be a massive challenge, but one I think we can steps towards taking. Wrexham Lineup: (4-3-1-2): Esson; Smith, Morgan, Masiello, Overvik; Hughes, N’Diaye, Brittain; Lodi; Westcarr, Puustinen I’m trying and trying to find an answer to our striking problem, and it’s not coming. Westcarr and Puustinen are absolutely not of the quality needed to do the work up front, and with neither able to exert their will in attack, we’re left to rely on our midfield once more to supply the goals. This doesn’t work out well, as Lodi is still recovering from his injury, and can’t find the net. So Crewe take the early advantage, and should go ahead after just 15 minutes when Kevin Rooney blasts one from the edge of the area, only to see his shot saved well by Esson. With Hughes and Brittain giving it their all, our men up front are totally impotent, so it falls to our midfield once more, Puustinen firing the ball ahead for Brittain to run onto, zigzagging into the box before firing one low that Ben Williams manages to push away, only for the rebound to fall to Lodi, who, profligate from further out, punches it home from three yards out. Our offensive impotence continues, but thankfully, our defense is holding strong. It still speaks volumes that, by the end of things, our strikers have combined to put all of two shots on net as, on 85 minutes, the goalscoring responsibilities fall once more to non-strikers, a Hughes corner into the box headed to the penalty-spot by Brittain, where of all people, Craig Morgan meets it with a ripping volley that Williams has no chance at. Our strikers may have been anemic, but a win’s a win. Final Score – Crewe Alexandria 0:2 Wrexham MoM – Craig Morgan The win keeps us atop the league by eight points, as Charlton win right along with us. But the most important thing about the game is the morale-building it fosters. The team still know they can win, and I’ll be wracking my brain, trying to figure out how we can continue doing that with our strikers, rather than everyone else. I must admit, it says something about the level of competition this season if a team can have 87 points and still not have secured promotion. March 6th, 2007 English Championship – Game Thirty-Seven: Wrexham v. Reading With much of the season gone now, Reading are in 22nd, and battling with Cardiff, Walsall and Nottingham Forest for the honor of not getting relegated (as opposed to Brighton, who are surely going down, with 9 points from 36 games thus far). Mostly though, I’m happiest that this is our next-to-last Tuesday game before the end of the year. Some rest and relaxation would much befit the team. Wrexham Lineup: (4-3-1-2): Esson; Ferradj, Morgan, Masiello, Overvik; Hughes, N’Diaye, Brittain; Lodi; Rossi, Tudgay For the opening 45 minutes, we’re repeating our form against Crewe, meaning that our strikers have about as much of a chance of finding the net as a dead man does. The opening 45 minutes are marked by yawns and sighs of complacency, as noone on either team manages anything remotely resembling a real chance. The only moments of interest are the four yellow cards being handed out as what seems like another snoozer plays out. At half-time, I lay into the team for such lackluster play. Being tops in the League, with promotion at stake means playing every single game like it’s for the championship. Bringing off Rossi for Sam Lancaster, I drop N’Diaye into the defensive midfield and hope that they’ll remember how the game is played. It takes a bit, but with Reading playing for a point, we have all the time to work on our tactical nous. Still, it takes our midfield to save our bacon again, Harbuzi, on for Lodi feeding a ball out to the left for Sam Lancaster, that the striker traps neatly, before flicking it past his marker and crossing into the box where Stephen Hughes sneaks behind his marker and arcs a beauty of a header right into the top-right corner of Julian Speroni’s net. The team take heart in this, since it seems to be massively gratifying for them to remember they can put the ball into the net every now and then (over 80 times this season really) and finally put it into that high gear that’s separated us from the rest of the Championship this year. Two minutes after Hughes, Marcus Tudgay adds his first as a Wrexham player in emphatic fashion, Harbuzi slipping a perfect through-ball into the box for Tudgay to take and blast a cannonball past a stunned Speroni and into the net for our second. Harbuzi himself cracks the crossbar on 72 minutes, and Brittain warms Speroni’s hands with a curling 25-yarder just before 80 minutes, but Sam Lancaster grabs a deserved goal on 88 minutes, rising highest on a Stephen Hughes corner to nod the ball into the left side of the net and grant us three more points. Final Score – Wrexham 3:0 Reading MoM – Stephen Hughes Once again, after the game, I’m left to smile about our left side and wonder about our front line. It took 60 minutes for us to finally put ourselves into gear, which won’t suit us at the next level. However, Ferradj nearly stole the Man of the Match award himself, helping initiate the attack from the back and simply crushing much of the Reading attack. I’m realizing I’ve got a real, spectacular prospect on my hands. Charlton win as well, meaning our lead stays at eight points. The rest of the year isn’t a cruise though, with our remaining nine fixtures reading as such… Fulham (Home), Bristol City (Home), Nottingham Forest (Away), West Brom (Away), Burnley (Home), Bolton (Away), Charlton (Home), Sheffield United (Away), Gillingham (Home). The best news from all of this is the fact that Blackburn lose today to Charlton, meaning that we have a 15 point lead over the 3rd-placed team in the race for promotion. While winning the championship is our first priority, promotion is a close second, and with that lead under our wings, we’re close to assuring it. March 7th, 2007 Lee Young-Pyo agrees to a $750K a year deal that will have him join the club in July on a free from Mainz. Having been rejected by most other players on my shorlist, I’m glad Young-Pyo was more tenable about joining us next year. I think, if we secure promotion, a lot of players will have their opinions changed. In the evening, the second leg of the First Knockout Round of the Champions League finishes, and I watch in my office, as Chelsea succumb to an impenetrable Barcelona defense 1-0 to lose the tie, 3-1 on aggregate. It’s mixed feelings for England, with Chelsea losing, but Arsenal still goes through, defeating Ajax 4-1 on aggregate. It’s all smiles in Spain however, as four of their teams advance this evening, the aforementioned Barcelona, Real Madrid, Sevilla and Valencia all winning their ties. Internazionale and AC Milan both win their ties as well, but the biggest surprise is in Glasgow, as Celtic run riot over Parma, scoring four goals on the evening to win the tie 4-1 on aggregate and advance to the Quarter-Finals. March 9th, 2007 We can still make domestic transfers, and I’d like to try something. So I put in calls to Fulham and Wolverhampton today, inquiring about Zatiyah Knight and Henri Camara, respectively. The pair would be nice additions to the team, Knight is imperious in defense, and Premiership-tested, while Camara would be some much-needed pace and Camara should be able to bring some pace in attack and skilled finishing to a team that needs a striker with it. The question is whether we can afford the both of them. It seems the move may have to wait until the end of the season when we know how much money we’re making. The Champions League Quarter-Finals are drawn today, and it’s of interest, as always. FC Barcelona v. Internazionale Celtic v. Real Madrid AC Milan v. Arsenal Sevilla F.C. v. Valencia C.F. With Celtic enjoying a dream campaign, everyone’s got the dream coming to an abrupt halt against the Galacticos, while the other matchups all present something of interest for anyone who follows the game. Can Arsenal make a return to the 04/05 glory and beat AC Milan? Can Barcelona be stopped from repeating? Can Sevilla get something great from their relegation-threatened season? For my money, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Arsenal and Valencia will all advance. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pred Posted May 21, 2005 Author Share Posted May 21, 2005 March 10th, 2007 Hull from League One make an offer of $1.55M for Mark Jones today, which is laughed right off the phone. English Championship – Game Thirty-Eight: Wrexham v. Fulham A win today means we are assured of at least a playoff place, meaning this season is a massive success no matter what. It’s hard keeping your head attached to your shoulders at times like this, in the sheer realization of how much we’ve achieved this year. Fulham are 4th with 73 points though, and must be itching to peg us back for the 2-0 defeat we handed them in October. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Ferradj, van de Besselar, Simek, Overvik; N’Diaye; Hughes, Brittain; Lodi; Westcarr, Turkovic I haven’t given enough credit to our supporters this year, who have been spectacular, filling The Racecourse Ground day after day and cheering their hearts out for the team. With the voices of 15,000 in our ears, we kick off today, and Francesco Lodi has that certain spark about him that we’ve seen before when he’s been at his best. And after disappointing, Lodi apparently wants to get back into the rhythm of things, warming van der Sar’s palms after just 90 seconds of play with a bending 30-yarder. It’s back and forth action all over the pitch, as both teams go charging at each other with full-strength attacking football, the game the way it’s meant to be played. Claus Jensen nearly puts Fulham ahead on 10 minutes, cracking one from some 35 yards out that dips viciously and nearly catches Esson out of position, forcing our keeper to tip the bar spectacularly onto the bar and out of play to keep things at 0-0. Lodi is looking threatening all the while however, and he makes good on 15 minutes, Craig Westcarr allowed acres of space along the left, moving forwards with the ball, moving inside the area, drawing two Fulham players with him before coolly slipping it to his left for Lodi, standing alone at the penalty spot. The Italian settles the ball, and lets fly with his left, sending it just past van der Sar’s outstretched hands and into the right side of the net to open scoring. Finding his touch again seems to ignite something under Lodi, and he comes careening into attack again on 18 minutes, going so fast and so hard he seems to be almost out of control. But when Hughes splits two markers with a pass to Westcarr, the ex-Nottingham Forest man pushes the ball right between Marino Biliskov’s legs to Lodi, who volleys a perfect shot from the left edge of the penalty arc that catches van der Sar unawares and curls perfectly into the net. 2-0 up then. Things quickly get interesting, as Fulham by no means give up. More and more passes begin to find their way downfield, trying to exploit the speed of Collins John or the inexperience of Brahim Ferradj. It takes time, and on 39 minutes, when Zesh Rehman fires a 50-yard pass upfield for Mattias Jonson, Ferradj is caught out of position, chasing after the Swede, desperately trying to close him down but unable to muscle past, and watching as Jonson slides a perfect ball across the area for a charging Collins John to redirect well past Esson and into the net to put Fulham back in things. The half ends on that note, the game at 2-1 and still finely balanced. We emerge for the second half looking to our talisman to do the work again, and he immediately delivers, as Hughes freekick into the box on 46 minutes is bobbled around, nearly cleared, crossed, and cleared once more to the edge of the area, where van de Besselar controls it, and slides it right for Lodi who, from the right edge of the penalty arc this time, takes it with his back to net, spins and blasts a perfect shot with his deadly left right into the top-left corner of van der Sar’s net to restore our two-goal advantage and notch a spectacular hat-trick. Fulham just don’t give though, and when Overvik climbs over Clark’s back on 56 minutes, a tempting freekick is lines up on the edge of the box. Damien Delaney steps up for Fulham, and curls a smart ball right past Esson and into the net to make things interesting once more. I bring on Aleksandar Makaveev as a sub for Turkovic, hoping we can find that final strike to put away Fulham. So when he darts into the box on 67 minutes, I’m expecting a lot more than the chip across the goalmouth he gives us. Zesh Rehman’s clearance header is poor, not even making it out of the box, and lo and behold, Richard Brittain appears, free of his man to snap his neck and send a powerful header from 10 yards out past a surprised van der Sar and into the net for our fourth. Fulham just don’t have another comeback in them, and are surely beaten on 74 minutes when Lodi caps a perfect day by going on a marauding run through the Fulham defense before skipping right around van der Sar and sliding the ball into the empty net. As he wheels away to greet the exuberant supporters, I can smile. Final Score – Wrexham 5:2 Fulham MoM – Francesco Lodi After the game, I’m singing the praises of Francesco Lodi. When he’s instrumental, he’s absolutely perfect, and he’s managed to set two club records today, his nine Man of the Match awards this season a club record, along with his 25 goals. I couldn’t have asked of any more from the player I grabbed from Empoli in the hope he would “do reasonably wellâ€. The best news after the game is the fact that we’ve assured ourselves, at least a playoff place. Watching the race beneath us heat up will be interesting. Meanwhile, Brighton must have set some sort of futility record, as the hapless Seagulls lose 1-0 to Reading today, ensuring relegation to League One. March 11th, 2007 For Brighton’s season from hell, Gerry Francis is summarily fired today, surprising absolutely noone. Meanwhile, I make a dumb error during an interview with the BBC. I’m brought on to talk about our season thus far and basically just try and prop up my reputation nationally thus far, which I’m happy to say, is as a good young manager. But, as the conversation drags from me lauding my team’s performances to the ache of losing Simon Cox, the conversation turns to my future, and, well, you’ll see… BBC Radio Five Live: So, you’re on the verge of two straight promotions. That’s great, but where do you see yourself in a few years time? Me: Still managing, I hope. Still winning too. The more wins, the better. BBC RFL: Anywhere in particular? Me: Oh I’ve had a lot of favorite clubs. I only really settled into supporting Fulham a few years ago and have tried hard to keep up. But I don’t want to start speculating or anything like that. BBC RFL: Well, a lot of people have been saying things. There’s another bit of turnover happening this year in the Premiership, some managers have their jobs on the line. Kevin Keegan’s got some problems at Manchester City, any thoughts? Me: Oh well, wouldn’t that be something. He took the team into the Champions League and they’re somewhere in the top six right now, right? Jeez, going there would be something, especially with the way they’ve remade themselves. Needless to say, everyone and their grandfather intereprets this as me declaring that I’d be interested in the Manchester City job. The official club webpage is deluged with messages and I’m really quite humbled by it all. The fans really, really, really want me to stay at the club, and, after the interview, I even end up fielding a call from Shaun Royle, asking if I’d like to discuss anything with him. I tell Mr. Royle it’s all hype and misunderstanding, that my heart is here with Wrexham, and even post a message on the official club webpage stating as much. I’m not leaving now, not with everything we’ve done already. March 14th, 2007 Fulham make it clear today that they won’t be waving goodbye to Mr. Knight for anything short of $2.6M. Perhaps we can negotiate that a bit. Also raising my eyebrows is one Sam PArkin from Wolves. After two star-studded seasons at Swindon, Parkin left for Molineux, where he’s had an exceptionally hard time of it since, with eight goals to his name since leaving in September, as opposed to the 52 he’d scored in Swindon. Not as good as Camara, but perhaps a choice purchase. March 16th, 2007 Fulham agree to a $2.6M fee for Zat Knight that will have us paying 75% of the fee over the next 18 months. Now if we can just agree terms with the defender, but that might prove difficult. He wants top billing on the team, along with a $1.95M a year contract, which is pretty darn steep for us. We’ll see if we can negotiate something out. March 17th, 2007 English Championship – Game Thirty-Nine: Wrexham v. Bristol City With the team securing at least a spot in the playoffs, we’re that much closer to securing a dream season. A victory over Bristol would be the perfect head of steam to get up, and to see if we can have the League decided before we take on Charlton in April. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Ferradj, van de Besselar, Masiello, Overvik; N’Diaye; Hughes, Brittain; Lodi; Westcarr, Tudgay This one’s about revenge. We lost to Bristol back in November, and apparently, my players are holding a serous grudge about it. Francesco Lodi, as always, sets the tone, as we intercept the ball right from the kickoff, go sweeping back up field, and the Italian skips past his marker and first low and to the right past Steve Phillips who is set to have an awful day. It’s a rout. My favorite of the day comes on 55 minutes, when Brittain, who gives Bristol fits along the right, plays a one-two to perfection with Giuseppe Rossi, taking the return on a sweeping run into the box, splitting the Bristol defense and going as far as the six-yard box, shaping to shoot before just rolling the ball past Phillips towards the left post, where a waiting Stephen Hughes taps it home from point-blank range. Final Score – Wrexham 6:0 Bristol City MoM – Francesco Lodi The win nicely coincides with Charlton getting hammered 4-1 on the road at Ipswich, meaning our lead is eleven points again. I tell the players to make sure they give all of our fans a round of applause as they serenade us off the field, as promotion is entirely within our grasp. On our current form, there aren’t many teams around that can stop us from taking three points from games we play. March 18th, 2007 Theres’s talent everywhere, a lot of it you have to search for. Now that I can start informing potential players that we’re nearly assured of Premiership play next year, there are a lot more interested faces in joining our club. On that list is Davide Chini, a young Italian striker from Fidelis Andria, who is freakish, at the very least. Big, strong, built like a tank, he turned pro in 2005 and has been tearing apart the Serie C1 ever since. The price is a little steep, $2.5M for his services, but I’m still willing to ask questions. March 20th, 2007 Negotiations with Zat Knight hit a snag. He wants a minimum release fee clause included in his contract, and I’m less than thrilled with the notion, after losing Simon Cox already. If he joins us, it’ll be for a pretty good price. March 22nd, 2007 With negotiations for Heni Camara and Sam Parkin seemingly dead, there’s only a week left in the transfer window for all English clubs (domestically, that is) and it’s beginning to look like we’ll have to wait like everyone else until July to start seeing people walking in and out of the club. March 23rd, 2007 Dennis Lawrence, who was helpful in our promotion last year hasn’t played a lick this season, and while the 32-year old Trinidad & Tobago international still has life in his legs, he’s just not going to do the goods here. So, when Cheltenham come in with a bid to take him off our hands for $4K, I say yes, mainly because I’d like to unload Lawrence’s $380K salary. March 24th, 2007 With just about everyone off for international play, I give the team a day off, while England continue their drive for Euro 2008 at Wembley Stadium today, taking on Malta, of all small, unfortunate nations. It actually takes England all of 12 minutes to get out of the blocks, Frank Lampard striking home from 22 yards, but after that, it’s all rather formal. And a mauling. England crush Malta 8-0. March 26th, 2007 Zat Knight rejects another contract offer, holding our for nearly $2M a year. I’m just not willing to pay that much yet, so we cancel contract negotiations until a later date. March 27th, 2007 Dennis Lawrence agrees terms with Cheltenham today, bringing an end to a six-year tenure here at Wrexham. He’s been through a lot here, and I wish I had more use for him than I do, but there’s just not enough space on the roster anymore. Players Out – Wrexham Stats: Dennis Lawrence (32 y/o, Trinidad and Tobagan, D C): 34 apps, 2 goals, 1 MoM, Av. Rate: 7.06 March 31st, 2007 English Championship – Game Forty: Nottingham Forest v. Wrexham Why change a winning formula? Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-2-1-2): Esson; Ferradj, van de Besselar, Masiello, Overvik; N’Diaye; Hughes, Brittain; Lodi; Westcarr, Tudgay Nottingham need the points more than we do, and start off looking to impress infront of the 22,000 at The City Ground. Darren Potter nearly puts them up 1-0 early, hitting a cracking freekick from the edge of the area on 7 minutes that crashes against the bar before being cleared out of the danger area. Nottingham have another chance fall their way when a cross into the box isn’t cleared well enough, giving David Friio a glorious chance to fire from the edge of the area, but his shot goes well wide. We’ve made a fine habit of punishing opponents for not hitting us when they have the opportunity, and we continue it today on 22 minutes, N’Diaye slipping a ball into midfield for the unmarked Italian Lodi, who takes the ball, sets himself up and curls one perfectly from 30 yards into the left corner of the net. 1-0 to us. Nottingham huff and puff for the next 60 minutes, frustrating their fans by continually looking like they’ll put on in the back of the net but comically firing high/wide every chance they get. I’ve never seen a team look so threatening in attack and so profligate in finishing before. So when Labinot Harbuzi spins in the area and fires home from 5 yards out on 88 minutes, you can hear the disappointment in the fans’ voices. Final Score – Nottingham Forest 0:2 Wrexham MoM – Stephen Hughes The win puts us on 99 points, 99! More importantly, it means we’re 17 points ahead of 3rd-place Blackburn, with six games to go. So we’ll be traveling to West Brom next week with the possibility of promotion on our fingertips. As long as we don’t lose, we’ll be going up. April 1st, 2007 A good day for the club today, as Stephen Hughes and Brahim Ferradj are honored with the Player and Young Player of the Month awards, respectively. Both have made a spectacular go of it along the left flank, Hughes continuing to prove his importance to the team on the left, Ferradj forcefully shoving Alex Smith out of the first-team. Lastly, it’s all Francesco Lodi in the goal of the month competition, the midfielder winning 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the competition for this month. April 7th, 2007 Not much of consequence happens this week, which means we can concentrate directly on… English Championship – Game Forty-One: West Bromwich Albion v. Wrexham In 8th place with 62 points, it’d take some sort of miracle for West Brom to make it into the playoffs. This year is still a grand improvement over the last, and a top-10 finish isn’t anything to hate. Meanwhile, for us however, the 5,000 fans we’ve brought in attendance are there for one reason only, and that is to be the first to celebrate, hopefully, our promotion to the Premiership. Wrexham Lineup: (4-4-2): Esson; Ferradj, van de Besselar, Masiello, Overvik; Hughes, Lodi, N’Diaye, Brittain; Rossi, Puustinen The opening exchanges of this one today are without a lot of push for either side. We’ve basically ensured promotion, and West Brom don’t have much to play for, meaning the fans in attendance get a chance to yawn and stretch their legs for the opening 25 minutes or so, only broken up by Lodi’s requisite 25-yard attempt. As things progress, we’re just not taking the few chances we have though, Puustinen especially culpable, completely mishitting a volley and instead sending his shot closer to the corner flag than anywhere else. West Brom’s 4-3-3 setup are beginning to give us troubles in defense as the half wears along, Antoine Sibierski slipping a ball across the edge of the box to Jason Koumas. With our centerbacks lying far, far too deep, the midfielder advances, and curls one low, perfectly inside the left post past Esson to give Brom the early lead. We don’t manage a real chance for the rest of the half as Rossi and Puustinen can’t get anything straight up front, and at the half, I remind the team that, while winning promotion at home would be wonderful, winning it sooner rather than later is always preferable. And, at least we fashion an early chance after the interval, Richard Brittain sending a perfectly-weighted through-ball to Curtis Allen, that the youngster just mis-hits and sends into the side netting on a one-on-one with Andrew Lonergan. Leave it to our favorite Italian to do it again however, his deadly left-foot striking us equal on 54 minutes, a scrabbling bit of play and a quick one-two between Lodi and N’Diaye allowing Lodi to create a yard of space some 35 yards away from net and blast a glorious shot that leaves Lonergan stunned as it arcs into the net to net things at 1-1. Leave it to Lodi to increase his seasonal tally once more on 64 minutes, but in a manner that won’t satisfy West Brom fans, as Lonergan has Lodi’s shot covered, but lets it slip right between his arms and it dribbles into the net. Lonergan completely blows any chance of a point for West Brom just a few minutes later, completely losing track of his defenders and throwing the ball straight to a surprised Giuseppe Rossi, allowing the latter to happily slot home from the edge of the area, and guarantee that Premiership football will be coming to Wales next year! Final Score – West Bromwich Albion 1:3 Wrexham MoM – Francesco Lodi As the final whistle blows, it’s jubilation and joy on the bench and on the pitch. A firm handshake with Ian Rush, my assistant and applause for my players, as they enter into jubilant celebrations, dogpiling upon Ryan Esson in our net, infront of our traveling supporters. The West Brom fans are very kind to applaud our achievement as we celebrate infront of our fans. We’ve pulled off a finale that I would’ve called improbable no matter what, and in dominating style. Even after losing one of our best players we came together and rarified air of the Premiership. Attentions cannot be turned to next season quite yet, as I’d like to secure the English Championship… well, the Championship before we turn the rest of the season into a formality, April 11th, 2007 I spend the evening watching as Arsenal and AC Milan play for the right to go on to the Champions League Semi-Finals. A three-goals in 15 minutes blitz from the Premiership-leading Gunners sees off the faltering Italians, as Arsenal wins 3-0 (Arsenal wins 4-1 on aggregate). Meanwhile, at the San Siro, Internazionale turn around a 2-0 aggregate defecit to Barcelona in stunning fashion, demolishing Barcelona 5-0 thanks to four goals in the opening 20 minutes (Inter wins 5-2 on aggregate). With both Chelsea and Barcelona out of the competition, we will have a new champion this year. In the other two quarter-final games, Real Madrid end Celtic’s European dream at the Santiago Bernabéu, as David Villa nets a hat-trick that gives Real a 3-0 win and passage into the Semi-Finals as they effort to win their 10th Champions League trophy (Real Madrid wins 5-1 on aggregate). Lastly, Valencia defeat Sevilla, continuing a very successful season for Claudio Ranieri & Co. Alexandr Kerzhakov scores the lone goal, meaning he scores all of Valencia’s goals in the tie, as Valencia move on. (Valencia wins 4-1 on aggregate). April 12th, 2007 Suddenly, now that we’ve secured promotion, our options as far as new blood have opened up a great deal. Players now want to be involved with the club, at least for a little while, but there’s one problem. At least, as for now, until we find out how much Mr. Royle will be investing in the club, along with our prize from the FA for securing promotion. Until that day however, I’m working on a limited budget, and that a lot of players are asking for $2M+ for their services means a lot of perfectly good players are out of our price range, Collins John of Fulham tops on that list. Going through the lists of players who might be available on a free in July or are transfer listed is an arduous and incredibly boring process, as I mark off certain ones with a marker to note that I’d like my scouts to take a look at them. I have a feeling we’ll be doing a good deal of wheeling and dealing this offseason. April 14th, 2007 English Championship – Game Forty-Two: Wrexham v. Burnley Our lead stands at 14 points with this game, and if our lead stays as such after another 90 minutes, we’ll be celebrating winning our second League in a row, and will be crowned champions of the Coca-Cola Championship. The Racecourse Ground is filled to the rim with cheering, singing fans this afternoon, and mother has been kind enough to abide us with a gorgeous, sunlit day for us to play. Charlton are away to Stoke City today, which means we have a reasonably good chance of taking it today. Wrexham Lineup: (4-4-2): Esson; Ferradj, Simek, Morgan, Overvik; Hughes, Lodi, N’Galula, Brittain; Westcarr, Tudgay This one doesn’t really kick off until 64 minutes, when Micah Hyde gets himself sent off stupidly for a rash challenge on Westcarr. We are looking absolutely anemic in attack, but all the focus is on the out of town scores, and cheers go up around the ground as news filters in that Stoke have scored against Charlton, and another cheer as Stoke slam home another. As Rohan Ricketts picks up a second yellow, we finally find gear, a bobbling ball in the area finding its way to Labinot Harbuzi’s goal, and the Swede strikes home, to send our fans into absolute raptures. We however, get way too into the celebrations as well, and I’m screaming angry invective as 9-man Burnley come back, weave through our defense and smack a equalizer with just four minutes left to play. Thankfully, Harbuzi has just one more in him, boring a hole through their back four with his dribbling before firing home another to save our blushes. Final Score – Wrexham 2:1 Burnley MoM – Labinot Harbuzi The news from Stoke is that they’ve won 2-1, but it’s not really any matter, as the final whistle blows and I raise my arms in triumph. Wrexham are champions of the Championship! The stewards try valiantly to fend off a pitch invasion but before they can really do anything, a few hundred of the 15,000 in attendance have spilled out onto the pitch, jumping and cheering, mobbing our players as we celebrate. Francesco Lodi actually gets to do a lap of honor around the pitch on the shoulders of a few overzealous supporters as I have my hand shaken hundreds of times. As the podium is wheeled out and the medals are handed out, there’s no way I’m spending this one watching from afar, as the players force me onto the stage to accept the trophy with club captain Martin Overvik. Together, we lift it over our heads and cheer to our fans at an improbable promotion and the championship! With promotion and the championship safely in hand, there’s only one other part of the season that I’m seriously concerned with, and that’s our upcoming fixture against Charlton. It may not be about the title anymore, but it’s still about pride and proving to ourselves that we’ll be able to compete next year. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pred Posted May 21, 2005 Author Share Posted May 21, 2005 April 15th, 2007 Now, with that all settled, I can focus on other matters, like building a team that will survive in the Premiership next year. And step one in that goal is bringing in a great servant for the club that doesn’t actually belong to us. However, we enter into contract negotiations with Floribert N’Galula today, as he’s been declared surplus to requirements at Manchester and his contract runs out in July. By the evening, we’ve hammered out a deal that will see him join the club on a free in the summer. On the “unflinching, blind luck†side of things, I’ve got a real spectacular opportunity. Stewart Downing (yes that Stewart Downing) has a contract running out in July. And he’s apparently been frustrated in his time with Middlesbrough, pushed to the edge of requirements after the acquiring of Robin van Persie. He is, reportedly, interested to join the club next year, and we could snag him on a free. The question is, with Stephen Hughes still part of the club, should we? It is difficult, but the difference is simply between a good midfielder, and a spectacular, internationally capable one. April 17th, 2007 English Championship – Game Forty-Three: Bolton Wanderers v. Wrexham With the team in cruise control, we can sit back and just go through the motions on this one. Alex Smith gives us all a firm reminder of why he’s officially part of the old guard, and my striker purchasing ideas are called into question as Tudgay and Westcarr are as anemic and profligate as ever. Still, Labinot Harbuzi gifts us a win. Final Score – Bolton Wanderers 0:1 Wrexham MoM – Labinot Harbuzi April 21st, 2007 There is nothing more frustrating than arguing with my scouts over who should go where and who we should consider spending our money on. Everyone’s got an opinion, and everyone feels that everyone else’s is wrong. Mido? Too tempermental. Robert Earnshaw? Unproven. And so on, and so forth. I get the feeling that, despite our position as a just-recently promoted team, there are some here for whom only the Thierry Henrys of the world will suffice. English Championship – Game Forty-Four: Wrexham v. Charlton Athletic I’m giving youngsters Alexsandar Makaveev, Curtis Allen, and Mirko Talaga a run-out today as Charlton, locked with Blackburn on 92 points desperately need a win today to try and secure that second promotion place and stay away from the grueling playoffs. And, after 90 minutes, and a dumb red card for arguing for Richard Brittain, we can pull a lot from this one. We outplay Charlton for all 90 minutes, and only walk away with a point because of a dumb penalty given up in the 2nd half. Still, when Curtis Allen dips his head to nod us an equalizer on 72 minutes, I can’t help but feel that if not for Dean Kiely, that we would’ve won by a good deal more. It’s telling that on a team as skilled as Charlton, we outshoot them by seven shots and Kiely is man of the match. Final Score – Wrexham 1:1 Charlton Athletic MoM – Dean Kiely After the game, I’m asked once more to comment about the future of Francesco Lodi in Wrexham. With Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and Internazionale all on his list of rumored admirerers, I do have to admit, keeping him will be rather difficult. Especially given that he has declared himself willing to hear new contract negotiations, but that those must start at $3M. Which is far our of our price range. April 22nd, 2007 Oh happy day! Great news today, as Stewart Downing agrees to a $950K a year contract that will see him join us in Wrexham in the summer. I know the move will not thrill Stephen Hughes, but Downing is one of the up-and-coming talents of the English game, and to get him without having to pay a penny is something I can’t deny. April 25th, 2007 As I continue my search for players to acquire at a minimum of cost, there are two things to deal with here, as both Richard Brittain and Andrea Masiello are apparently less than pleased with their current deals. Both would like new contracts, and, while Masiello is asking for a more reasonable $800K a year, Brittain wants a whole lot bigger reward for his play for the club. April 28th, 2007 Andrea Masiello, despite not having learned much English since arriving way back when, agrees to a new contract today that will pay him $750K a year, with a healthy $200K signing bonus. It’s good to get him out of the way, while negotiations with Brittain seem to have hit a low. He’s convinced that we don’t have what it takes to really chase him now, and with him listing his signature as taking an astounding $3.8M, I’m pretty sure we don’t either. English Championship – Game Forty-Five: Sheffield United v. Wrexham Hughes and Lodi combine to help us ease through this one. We should win by more, but Paddy Kenny puts on a fine performance in net and Ryan Esson just can’t quite stop the shot he does have to face today. Still, three more points to add to what is now, surely, a record-breaking season. Final Score – Sheffield United 1:2 Wrexham MoM – Francesco Lodi May 1st, 2007 Well, someone at Internazionale understands the plot, as the Italian giants come in today with a tantalizing $10M bid for Francesco Lodi. Being that I can’t say no (Lodi has a $550K Minimum Release Fee Clause to his contract) I’m happy that I’ll be getting some $9.5M more than I might have to as I agree to let the Serie A-leading club talk to our star midfielder. I know the fans won’t be happy with me, but the deal was probably coming, since we couldn’t afford his new contract demands. The same seems assured for Richard Brittain now. Labinot Harbuzi wins another Young Player of the Month award, and deservedly so for filling in when Lodi was down and out or fatigued. The last Goal of the Month award goes to who else, but Francesco Lodi? May 2nd, 2007 The Champions League Semi-Finals play out their second legs today, with Arsenal taking on Valencia and Internazionale playing Real Madrid. In the former, Thierry Henry and Co. produce a spectacular display of sweeping, attacking football, utterly blowing Valencia off the pitch as the cruise to a 4-1 victory, goals from Jose Reyes, Cesc Fabregas, Patrick Viera and Freddy Ljungberg seeing off the Spaniards. The win means Arsenal progress with a 5-2 aggregate score to their second Champions League Final in three years, having last made it in 2005 and defeated FC Bayern. In the other matchup, goals from Ricardo Carvalho and Francesco Totti prevent Real Madrid from advancing to the final, as Internazionale win 2-0 in the game, and on aggregate. Inter, who lost in the Quarter-Finals last year will be anxious to grab the club’s third all-time Champions Trophy, the first since the 1960s. It’s really a tantalizing matchup between the pair. Both teams are leading their respective domestic leagues, both teams are arguably the best sides in their respective nations. People will be expecting an exciting affair, as the combined abilities of Adriano, Henry, Totti and Saviola should certainly lead to goals. We can celebrate bringing an end to our contract drama with Richard Brittain however, as we agree to a $1.5M a year contract with the Scot, who will also pocket a healthy $850K signing bonus with his new contract. I can’t say I’m angry, Brittain has been in glorious form this season, helped make the right flank dangerous all season, and is arguably just as valuable as Francesco Lodi. Keeping him makes the fans happy, and it makes me happy, even if we are surely assured of saying goodbye to Lodi when the international transfer window opens. In that light, I’m putting my eyes squarely on a replacement, in the form of Hugo Viana. The Portugese international had a tough time of it at Newcastle, and it didn’t get any better when he made a $950K move to Chelsea. Now transfer listed by Mourinho, Viana is available on the transfer list for the pittance of $1M. Given Viana’s obscene technical skills, I quickly have a fax sent off to Chelsea putting the minimum bid on the player. May 3rd, 2007 The UEFA Cup final is set today, as Deportivo and Juventus defeat Benfica and Manchester United respectively to progress to the final. The loss is hardest on Manchester United, as the Red Devils had heroically held on for an extra 30 minutes after Ruud van Nistelrooy was sent off for penalties, only to lose to a Jonathan Zebina goal on 119 minutes. May 6th, 2007 As quickly as it began, the Francesco Lodi era has ended at Wrexham, as the midfielder agrees today to a deal with Internazionale that will have him leaving for Italy once the international transfer window opens in July. It’s a sad day for the club, but it’s entirely expected, I feel. We’re lucky to have retained Brittain, but the interest in Lodi just couldn’t be held off for much longer. He’s made this year into a career year for him, and I wish him the best after this. English Championship - Game Forty-Six: Wrexham v. Gillingham It’s been a successful season for Gillingham, as they’ll avoid the drop and have another crack at the league next season. I’d just like to give our fans something nice to go out on. And, despite Gillingham tying it on their first shot of the game, we get goals from Enis Turkovic and Guiseppe Rossi that grant us a happy end of season celebration. Final Score – Wrexham 3:1 Gillingham MoM – Stephen Hughes The lap of honor after the match is something special, entirely different than last year’s. I don’t think the full gravity of what has happened here has quite hit anyone yet. Wrexham shouldn’t have had a year half as good as this, and instead, we’ve torn our way through the Championship, notching a ridiculous 115 points on our way to the Premiership. We finish the season 36-7-3, 18-5-0 at The Racecourse Ground. We scored 110 goals, just barely beating out the 108 Brighton allowed. And we only let 28 goals slip through our defense, the least in the Championship. The post-match ceremonies are marked with a few speeches from players and from Mr. Royle, who drags me to the microphone, demanding that I say a few words. Clearing my throat, I address the crowd. “Well, this has been a spectacular year, hasn’t it? And I think, we’ve got all to look forward to next year. So, I’d like to thank each and every one of you for supporting us, for coming to games, for cheering us on. We’re undertaking the biggest adventure of our lives next season, and I want to be here for the whole thing.†It’s sadness for Queens Park Rangers and Reading, who both are relegated today along with Brighton, and will spend next year in League One, while Blackburn manage to slip past Charlton and snatch the second promotion place. The playoffs will be contested by Charlton, Millwall, Fulham and Ipswich for the final promotion place. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pred Posted May 21, 2005 Author Share Posted May 21, 2005 The Final Standings... <pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Holders - West Ham | Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | C | Wrexham | | 46 | 36 | 7 | 3 | 110 | 28 | +82 | 115 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | P | Blackburn | | 46 | 29 | 11 | 6 | 81 | 33 | +48 | 98 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | Pl | Charlton | | 46 | 29 | 8 | 9 | 87 | 42 | +45 | 95 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | Pl | Millwall | | 46 | 26 | 8 | 12 | 69 | 44 | +25 | 86 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | Pl | Fulham | | 46 | 24 | 13 | 9 | 83 | 42 | +41 | 85 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | Pl | Ipswich | | 46 | 23 | 12 | 11 | 75 | 42 | +33 | 81 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Bolton | | 46 | 21 | 12 | 13 | 78 | 57 | +21 | 75 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Coventry | | 46 | 20 | 15 | 11 | 56 | 45 | +11 | 75 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Crewe | | 46 | 20 | 10 | 16 | 50 | 51 | -1 | 70 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | West Brom | | 46 | 18 | 15 | 13 | 57 | 49 | +8 | 69 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Stoke | | 46 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 48 | 40 | +8 | 68 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Bristol C | | 46 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 45 | 55 | -10 | 60 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Gillingham | | 46 | 16 | 9 | 21 | 53 | 62 | -9 | 57 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Watford | | 46 | 14 | 12 | 20 | 64 | 73 | -9 | 54 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | Plymouth | | 46 | 13 | 13 | 20 | 49 | 62 | -13 | 52 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | Sheff Utd | | 46 | 13 | 13 | 20 | 40 | 57 | -17 | 52 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | | Nottm Forest | | 46 | 11 | 14 | 21 | 54 | 71 | -17 | 47 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | | Burnley | | 46 | 12 | 10 | 24 | 60 | 75 | -15 | 46 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 19th | | Wigan | | 46 | 10 | 15 | 21 | 40 | 63 | -23 | 45 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20th | | Cardiff | | 46 | 12 | 8 | 26 | 39 | 78 | -39 | 44 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 21st | | Walsall | | 46 | 10 | 12 | 24 | 38 | 63 | -25 | 42 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 22nd | R | Q.P.R. | | 46 | 8 | 18 | 20 | 38 | 64 | -26 | 42 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 23rd | R | Reading | | 46 | 10 | 10 | 26 | 32 | 70 | -38 | 40 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 24th | R | Brighton | | 46 | 2 | 9 | 35 | 28 | 108 | -80 | 15 | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre> Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pred Posted May 22, 2005 Author Share Posted May 22, 2005 I gather my staff and players for a chat after the game, and let everyone know that their holiday starts tomorrow, May 7th, and comes to an abrupt end June 20th, when we’ll be getting back to work with a new goal. They all deserve the time off as much as anyone has before. I myself have tickets for home and the comforts of seeing family and friends back in the states. May 7th, 2007 The club agrees terms with Hugo Viana today, and the midfielder will be joining the club in June for a song ($1M to be exact). I’d still like to add one more midfielder to the squad, and I think I’ve found in the form of American Ned Grabavoy. The 23-year old American has been developing at lightning pace since he joined the Los Angeles Galaxy, and it’s a mystery to me as to why they let him go on a free at the end of last year. A 3-time MLS All-Pro, his last season was marked with 11 assists, 4 goals and eight Man of the Match awards. Needless to say, I want him. May 12th, 2007 Despite a heroic charge from Arsenal, Chelsea see off Tottenham 4-2 today, meaning the London club win their first Premier Division title in over 50 years, the first of the Abramovic era. While there certainly is some disappointment in Jose Mourinho having only been able to win the League Cup other than this title today, it’s still a celebration for Chelsea, while Arsenal will have to make do with playing for the Champions Cup in eleven days. Portsmouth, Derby and Norwich all end their flirtations with the Premiership, with all three getting relegated. May 16th, 2007 With me renewing my chase for Freddy Adu and DJ Countess, I’m happy I can turn on the TV and watch the UEFA Cup Final, with Juventus taking on Deportivo. The two teams put on a very engaging match, going stride for stride with one another, three goals banged home in the opening 15 minutes. But Deportivo just don’t finish like Juventus do, as a brace from David Trezeguet and one more late from Jonathan Zebina sees Juventus lift their 4th UEFA Cup. May 23rd, 2007 It’ll take a pretty good sum of cash to pry Freddy Adu away from DC United, but given how much we’re spending already this season, I think we can afford it. Meanwhile, DJ Countess is affordable at $550K from Athletico Madrid. We place a bid before the evening is out. The Champions League Final is today, Arsenal taking on Internazionale from the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille. The glut of early chances fall the way of Inter, with Obafemi Martins scorching the Arsenal defense to score the opener just two minutes from the start, but Arsenal keep plugging away slowly, and Thierry Henry’s 25th minute volley ties things spectacularly for the English club. Things get nervier and nervier as the game progresses with the teams deadlocked at a goal apiece, until Cesc Fabregas volleys a Henry header on 66 minutes that gives the Gunners a deserved lead. Inter throw themselves at the Arsenal net, but the game’s inherent cruelties come to light on 77 minutes, a perfect chance falling to Giorgios Karagounis whose shot is saved by Lehmann, only to have Arsenal’s lighting-fast counter-attack find Ryan Smith to slot past Marcos and give a 3-1 lead to Arsenal. When Robinho heads home a Fabian Ernst corner just five minutes from time, it’s letting everyone know who is top dog in Europe. As the final whistle blows, Arsenal celebrate a 4-1 win and their second Champions League victory in club history, the second in three years. May 25th, 2007 We agree terms today with Delvin (D.J., as he prefers to be known) Countess. The American keeper will join Wrexham for $550K from Athletico Madrid, and will be moving in between the sticks for Ryan Esson, whether he likes it or not. Esson has been fine for us, no doubt, but I do not want our Premiership journey to end after one season in embarrassment and tears, and Esson just isn’t that quality of player. He’ll come in in the international transfer window. May 26th, 2007 Arsenal go for a Cup double today, taking on Middlesbrough in the FA Cup final. Arsenal, surely tired from their exertions against Inter, come out very, very sluggish, and Middlesbrough hit them hard, scoring twice in the opening 45 minutes, goals from Malcolm Christie and Robin van Persie sending the Gunners reeling. But Arsène Wenger’s team has depths of strength that few else arguably have in the Premiership, and when Robinho coasts through the Middlesbrough defense on 83 minutes before rounding Hans-Jorg Butt to give Arsenal late hope, there’s a sensation that they really can do it. And, on 88 minutes, the equalizer comes, Arturo Lupoli heading home Cesc Fabregas’ cross to knot the score a 2-2 and send it into extra-time. Leave it to Robin van Persie to hurt the team he left in August, scoring twice in extra-time to not a spectacular hat-trick and give Middlesbrough an unexpected but well-deserved FA Cup victory, the first in the club’s history. May 27th, 2007 A 89th-minute goal from Jerome Thomas breaks Fulham hearts today, as Charlton celebrate promotion at Wembley today. It’ll be us, Blackburn and Charlton taking on the Premier Division next year. May 28th, 2007 Year-ending awards for the Championship are named today, with Martin Overvik, Stephen Hughes, Richard Brittain and Francesco Lodi making up the Wrexham contingent of the Players’ Team of the Year. All are, of course, richly deserving of the honor. Amadou Makhtar N’Diaye rides the bench. I am honored with the Manager of the Year award, my second in as many years, while Francesco Lodi’s 33 league goals wins him the Top Scorer award for the championship. What is the biggest surprise, however, is the news that Lodi will not win the Goal of the Season, although finishing 2nd and 3rd, Robert Earnshaw taking it instead. I know my opinion is biased, but I feel that Lodi’s 35-yard thunderbolt against West Brom should’ve won it myself. The board announces a new two-year sponsorship deal with Sony today. IT’s only worth $360K to the club, but the new shirts look snazzy if I do say so myself, the home shirts all red as usual, the away kits black, the Sony logo small and not too garish. June 1st, 2007 With leagues around the world having come to an end, let’s see who finished where and who did what. Chelsea claimed their first Premier Division title since 1955 in England, a late season surge by the Blues snatching the title out of Arsenal’s hands. Arsenal will feel hard done by the finish, finishing a point behind Chelsea on 80, a 22-14-2 record one loss better than last year, but evidencing how important not dropping two points can be. Manchester United, who had been top of the league in March fall to 3rd place, with Aston Villa and Manchester City rounding out the top five. The title will be a fine going-away present for one of Chelea’s finest servants in recent years, as Claude Makélélé leaves the club. Probably the most interesting story this year is the news that the league’s top two scorers, Grzegorz Rasiak and Yakubu will both be surely leaving their relegated clubs, Derby and Portsmouth, respectively. Next year should see some interesting changes however, especially on Merseyside, where Liverpool finished an atrocious 10th, while Everton made the UEFA Cup with a 6th-place finish. In France, Bordeaux won their first league title since 1997, a last-day win over Sedan giving them the title over 2nd-placed Monaco and 3rd-placed Marseille. Paris Saint-Germain’s domestic malaise continues with a 9th-place finish. I personally am watching the progress of DaMarcus Beasley, the American winger currently playing for Lyon, who finished 4th. Considering how close this year finished, next year’s title also seems to be up for grabs. While FC Bayern will be back in their proper place next season, gaining promotion from the Second Division at the first attempt in Germany, that won’t stop 1.FC Köln from celebrating a dominating performance in the league, winning the title by 10 clear points over last year’s champions Monchengladbach. Combining the best offense and defense in the Bundesliga, Köln are deserved champions. SC Freiburg, Hamburger SV, and Hertha BSC round out the top five, with Schalke 04 falling into 6th, and VfB Stuttgart in 7th. Internazionale may not have won the Champions League but the Scudetto will have to do in Italy. Winning it with 88 points over AS Roma, there seems to have been a shift in power in the Serie A in recent years, as AC Milan finish 4th, behind Parma with only the Italian Cup to satisfy their trophy lust, and Juventus crashing all the way to 9th place, but taking the UEFA Cup as some consolation. With Udinese celebrating a spectacular season finishing 5th, and Genoa 6th, the old guard may finally be being replaced. Whether anyone can topple an almost incomparably strong Inter team next year is the real question. Things have finally changed in Spain, at least in some small way. The top three finish the same way they did last year, Valencia on top, Barcelona second, Real Madrid third. Valencia only take the title by two points over Barcelona, but it must be most frustrating for Real Madrid, who finish twelve points behind Barcelona in 3rd. Deportivo, Atlético Madrid and Real Betis finish the top six spots, but the word is all about the club from Valencia, who seem to be going from strength to strength. Claudio Ranieri has brought nothing but strength to the Mestalla, spending half as much as Barcelona and Real Madrid were willing to, and still taking the title. Telling, indeed. From some of the smaller leagues… In Belgium Anderlecht bounce back in style, overturning last year’s 12th-place finish with the title this year. Lokeren and Genk round out the top three. It’s a photo finish in Holland as Ajax pip Feyenoord for the title on the last day of the season, their 3-1 victory over Groningen allowing them to take the title by goal difference. AZ Alkmaar finishes 3rd. Benfica win a stunning 31st Superleague title in Portugal, with Porto and Boavista looking on in 2nd and 3rd. Rangers retain the Premier League title in Scotland, nine points over Celtic, with Dundee following up in 3rd place. Fenerbaçhe make it four straight titles in Turkey, easily winning over Galatasaray and Gençlerbirligi, who finish 2nd and 3rd. June 2nd, 2007 With the transfer season about to swing into full gear, I’m glad we’ve made all the moves we might need to already. Once July 4th rolls around and everyone who’s arriving arrives, I’ll start thinking about maybe making one big splash. Until then however, another successful season is done and gone with, and it’s time to take a look at who represented us this year and how they did. Goalkeepers Preston Burpo (33 y/o, American, GK): Never even played a single match, Preston hits the transfer list this offseason. Ryan Esson (27 y/o, Scottish, GK): 50 apps, 36 conc, 26 cln, 1 MoM, Av. Rate 7.12: Ryan actually improved this season, and his lighting-fast reflexes saved us on more than one occasion over the course of the season. That said, we’ve been given the chance to make an upgrade at the position, and we’re taking it. Still a good player, Ryan should make for a fine backup to Countess, and a good alterior plan if that goes wrong. He’s won three medals with us and has been fine when needed to, and, as we enter into new contract negotiations, I’m happy to say that he’s not completely upset by the notion of being replaced. Defenders Craig Morgan (21 y/o, Welsh, SW/D C): 21 apps, 2 Gls, 1 Asts, 1 MoM, Av. Rate 7.33: Craig’s improvement continues, as the Welsh Under-21 international continues to grow. Continually, he’s done his damndest to hold a position in the first team, and I can’t say no to some of the performances he’s turned in this year. A player as hardworking and enthusiastic as he is will usually win me over in time, and I’ll be expecting a lot of him next season. Franklin Simek (22 y/o, American, SW/D C): 22 (2) Apps, 1 Asts, 1 MoM, Av. Rate 7.42: I’m really caught about Franklin. Solid for us again in defense this year, he’s not maturing like Craig is, and seems to have just about leveled off in his ability for the club. As the season wore on his form took a few dips, and against pacey and smart strikers, he has looked a good deal overmatched. What was a steal from Arsenal at the time may not be as good in the Premiership, and Franklin may see a reduced role in the team because of that next season. For the most part, it’s up to him. If he improves, he’ll be back in the first team. Martin Overvik (22 y/o, Norwegian, D RLC): 41 Apps, 1 Gl, 7 Asts, Av. Rate 7.71: I have no idea how I tripped across this particular diamond, but Martin is probably one of the top three purchases I’ve made as a manager here. I haven’t seen a player close down the flank like he can, and his decision this season to start improving his offensive game and getting involved that way makes him all the more valuable. I’m thrilled we’ve managed to hang onto him, as his future seems nearly limitless. Martin’s made no secret about how much he’s enjoyed his time here in Wrexham, and hopefully, we’ll have him around for years to come. Brahim Ferradj (19 y/o, French, D L): 15 apps, Av. Rate 7.67: Absolutely exploded onto the scene in replacement of Alex Smith, Brahim is a fullback in the mold of Bixente Lizarazu, and spent much of his time on the field this season effortlessly crushing the opposing attack. Still young and very, very raw, he’s a huge talent, of that I’m absolutely sure. He’ll feature more next year, although not quite as much as previously, with the imminent arrival of Lee Young-Pyo to the team. Andrea Masiello (21 y/o, Italian, D C): 28 (2) Apps, 1 Asts, Av. Rate 7.20: When called upon, the bulky, strong Italian could mark the hell out of people this season. To think Juventus just released him on a free transfer, allowing us to acquire his services. Still, some areas of his game need work, especially in the air, but I can say that in the past season, I felt safer with Andrea at the back than with anyone else in the defense. Alain van de Besselar (22 y/o, Dutch, D C): 29 Apps, 2 Asts, Av. Rate 7.62: I’m really iffy about Alain, because I don’t know how he’ll handle the jump to the next level. We are a team that is very, very young in defense, and we rely heavily on attacking, which means our defense, when pressed, must play very, very big. Alain did that very, very well this year, but there are still questions about his future, and if he can bring his game up to the needed level to cope with players like Thierry Henry and Didier Drogba. If the jump between League One and the Championship was big, the jump into the Premiership is even bigger, and I don’t know if he’ll be able to handle the pressure that’s going to be put right on his shoulders. Alex Smith (31 y/o, English, D/DM L): 33 apps, 1 Gls, 1 Asts, Av. Rate 7.21: Began to age at light speed as the season progressed, and when Brahim was brought into the first-team, Alex was eclipsed entirely. I’ve since moved him to the reserves, and, short of a emergency of titanic proportions, Alex won’t be playing much, if at all for us next season. Piqué (20 y/o, Spanish, D C): 3 (4) Apps, 1 Asts, Av. Rate 6.57: Manchester United aren’t quite sure what to do with this Spaniard, and neither am I. The season he spent on loan here was uneventful at best, and he never impressed, even in games for the reserve team. I’ll be boxing him up and shipping him back to Manchester once his Loan ends. Midfielders Floribert N’Galula (20 y/o, Belgian, D/DM C): 13 (22) Apps, 2 Asts, Av. Rate 7.06: Another season on Loan in Wrexham saw Floribert put up respectable numbers, but improve over the course of the season that when the opportunity to snatch him away from Manchester on a free came, I had to take it. He may not be Vincent Kompany, but that is something N’Galula can aspire to. I’m actually rather surprised/miffed that he hasn’t been chosen to represent his nation on the Under-21s side yet, and once he’s a Wrexham man for good, I’ll start agitating for that. Amadou Makhtar N’Diaye (25 y/o, Senegalese, DM C): 41 Apps, 1 Gls, 6 Asts, Av. Rate 7.51: Amadou’s arrival here could’ve been a lot less pleasant. He could’ve struggled to adjust to life in England, could’ve been anonymous in midfield, and a lot else. Instead, he shouldered the responsibility and played smartly and consistently in midfield. Although his scoring touch needs work (Amadou couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn) the 41 matches he played this year without complaint and dedication to the team is the kind of thing I wanted to add to the team. He’ll battle it out with Floribert for the starting position next season however. Stephen Hughes (30 y/o, English, M LC): 42 apps, 12 Gls, 10 Asts, 7 MoM, Av. Rate 7.69: I have no idea where a man turning 30 pulls a season like that from. Where I honestly believed that Stephen would be a lot less effective this year, Stephen was a vital part of our midfield, playing up to the challenge he was presented with. He did it all, creating chances, scoring when it was needed, even getting stuck in to make some tackles as well. That said, with the arrival of Stewart Downing impending, Stephen’s place in the team is under threat again. Looking at him honestly, I don’t know if he’s up for the Premiership challenge, and his place in the team just isn’t a guarantee. Mark Jones (22 y/o, Welsh, AM RLC): 13 (16) Apps, 3 Gls, 7 Asts, 2 MoM, Av. Rate 7.15: The fans might have me killed if I let this home-grown property leave the club. Mark has just developed and developed in the time we’ve had him at the club. With a silky-smooth first touch and an iron will to win, Mark has acted as deputy team captain on a few occasions, and seems to be prepared to really have a breakout season sometime soon. For now, however, I’ll just value his versatility, and the imminent threat he poses to opposing teams coming off the bench. Richard Brittain (23 y/o, Scottish, AM RC): 38 Apps, 5 Gls, 20 Asts, 3 MoM, Av. Rate 7.79: Impossibly, Richard improved this season, and it’s only by the grace of the almighty that we’ll be hanging onto him for another few months. Admittedly one of the hottest prospects out of Scotland, Richard was at the beginning of so many of our moves this year I’ve lost count. Never failed to give opposition trouble along the flank, and combined to a spectacular understanding at times with Martin Overvik that lead to no end of goals. The fact that even after signing a new contract that Liverpool and Tottenham are interested in his services says enough about his talent Labinot Harbuzi (21 y/o, Swedish, AM RC): 11 (23) Apps, 7 Gls, 8 Asts, 5 MoM, Av. Rate 7.38: Once again, I find myself jealous of the glut of talent Manchester United have. Labinot may be the next big thing from Sweden, and illustrated as much this year with us, filling in for Francesco Lodi whenever needed, acting as the fulcrum in attack when we needed it, and slotting in anywhere in midfield. If I could, I’d buy him in a fraction of a second. Francesco Lodi (23 y/o, Italian, AM C): 37 (3) Apps, 35 Gls, 9 Asts, 12 MoM, Av. Rate 8.15: The numbers speak for themselves. There is nothing I can say about Francesco that will show how important he was to the team. When Simon Cox left, he took over goalscoring duties for an offense that desperately needed it, and his left foot was the most lethal in the Championship. We will miss him desperately when he leaves for Internazionale. Strikers Michael Bradley (19 y/o, American, AM/F C): 14 (10) Apps, 4 Gls, 5 Asts, Av. Rate 7.13: Michael is a player with a lot of potential looking for a place in the team. Noone’s sure if he’s a playmaker, a target man, a striker, a midfielder, or what, and Michael doesn’t seem to be sure himself. In two months, his injury will have healed well enough for him to start training again, but he must figure out what kind of player he wants to be if he wants to make good on the mountain of potential he has. Marcus Tudgay (24 y/o, English, F RC): 8 Apps, 3 Gls, 3 Asts, Av. Rate 7.25: Of the strikers I brought to the team not named Michael Bradley, only Marcus seems like he might pan out. In the eight starts he made this year, there was at least the promise of some competence infront of net. I do not intend for him to be a first-teamer next year, and he will find himself spending most of the games on the bench, but that’s more than I can say for Craig Westcarr and Jami Puustinen, who have both been transfer listed. Giuseppe Rossi (20 y/o, Italian, S C): 7 (12) Apps, 4 Gls, 2 Asts, Av. Rate 7.11: Much like Febian Brandy before him, Giuseppe had flashes of brilliance this season, following by his being removed by the game entirely by bigger, stronger defenders. I’m not sure whether Giuseppe’s time here was a success or not, since he didn’t learn very much and we didn’t get very much. Perhaps, in a few years when he’s matured, we all will know how he’ll turn out. Meanwhile, Euro 2008 Qualification is still afoot, with England playing Finland today at Wembley. England look absolutely masterclass as they demolish the Fins 4-0 to improve their record to 5-0-0 and take themselves one step closer to ensuring a place in Euro 2008. June 5th, 2007 I return from my holiday in Florida and California today to Wrexham in time to greet our four new acquisitions today. Ned Grabavoy, Hugo Viana, Floribert N’Galula and Stewart Downing are all part of the Wrexham family today, and all are rather pleased to find out that they’ve got until much later this month to enjoy their holidays before we start training for the new season. Players In: Ned Grabavoy (23 y/o, American, AM LC) Hugo Viana (24 y/o, Portugese, AM LC) Floribert N’Galula (20 y/o, Belgian, D/DM C) Stewart Downing (22 y/o, English, AM L) And the only one who cost us a penny is Hugo Viana, and that was only $1M. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pred Posted May 30, 2005 Author Share Posted May 30, 2005 June 6th, 2007 More Euro 2008 qualifications today, and England strike another four-goal glut, defeating Cyprus by that scoreline. With four matches left to play, England have 18 points out of 18, and are the overwhelming favorites to win their group. Short of a collapse of monumental proportions, they should cruise. June 20th, 2007 $24.5M. That’s how much we’re given in Premiership TV rights for the new season. With the $15M htat Mr. Royle is investing in the club, it means I have a healthy $25M transfer kitty to work with in my first season. I have a feeling I won’t be spending that much. As far as the new season goes, we’ll open it on the road visiting Manchester City, and the Premiership will come to The Racecouse Ground on August 18th when we play Sunderland. June 25th, 2007 Success today, as we finally negotiate terms that will bring the American sensation, Freddy Adu to Wrexham. It’ll be $8M out of our pockets to grab him from DC United, but Adu, who has spent three successful years growing up in the MLS is ready to make the jump to Europe, and I couldn’t be happier about it. With now D.J. Countess, Ned Grabavoy and Adu joining the club, and rumors swirling about my possible interest in Mike Magee, Eddie Gaven or Landon Donovan, the Wrexham Daily Mail is calling it “the 2nd American Revolution.†Meanwhile, we release our list of friendlies this year, with a few tantalizing ones for the fans. Rangers (Home) Exeter (Away) Colchester (Away) Q.P.R. (Away) Clyde (Away) Real Madrid (Home) Arsenal (Home) July 1st, 2007 The doors at Wrexham are spinning today. Here’s a list of all the player’s we’re welcoming to the club. Lee Speight (17 y/o, Scottish, S C) – From Dunfermline Freddy Adu (18 y/o, American, F LC) – From DC United Lee Young-Pyo (30 y/o, South Korean, D/DM L) – From Mainz Davide Chini (18 y/o, Italian, S C) – From Fidelis Andria Aranda (26 y/o, Spanish, S C) – From Sevilla Santiago Fernandez (22 y/o, Mexican, S C) – From Barcelona D.J. Countess (24 y/o, American, GK) From Atletico Madrid Salomon Kalou (21 y/o, Ivorian, AM R) – From Feyenoord Remco van der Schaaf (28 y/o, Dutch, D/DM C) – From PSV We’ve imported just about a whole new first team, but most of the young players, short of Freddy Adu will be taking positions of squad-rotation, so we can have some depth to the team and hopefully be able to cut it. They’re costing the club a combined $15M and put our wage bill $1M under the limit, so, performance is expected from both them and me. Still, with another $10M to spend, I have to admit that another center-back (Remco being one) surely wouldn’t hurt. In the midst of all of this, Marcus Tudgay comes to see me after a light training session, as I’m just looking to get everyone acquainted first. Apparently, the arrival of three new strikers to the first team has him afraid for his first-team place. I’m really not in the mood to hear any whining, so I let him know if he’s afraid for his spot, he’d better work for it and win it. We’re here to win. Meanwhile, the Confederations Cup finishes today with England defeating Argentina for the 3rd-place medal, while Brazil defeats the United States in the Final, giving the South Americans their second victory in the competition. The competition isn’t given much credence by anyone in the footballing world, but what two managers do is. Sven-Goran Eriksson, the England manager announces his retirement from the game immediately after the tournament, stating that he’s done all he really wanted to and looking forward to spending some time away from the limelight. His replacement will be West Ham’s David Jones, a surprising move, as the good money was on other names, like Gary Megson, Steve Bruce and Steve McClaren were higher on the list. More on my radar is the news that Bruce Arena is quitting the American National team in order to pursue a career in club football. Arena had been linked with vacancies at Leicester and even Villareal, so he should have his choice of places. The news that my home nation needs a new coach is one of the things I’ve been waiting to hear for months now though, and I immediately have my secretary fax the USSF (United States Soccer Federation) to let them Apparently, I’ll be in the running with Cobi Jones, who is itching to spend even more time with the National team. And lastly today, we wave goodbye to Francesco Lodi, who leaves to play alongside his idol Francesco Totti at Internazionale today. He had a great season here, and we can’t do anything else but thank him for it. Players Out – Wrexham Stats: Francesco Lodi (23 y/o, Italian, AM C): 37 (3) Apps, 35 Gls, 9 Asts, 12 MoM, Av. Rate 8.15 July 3rd, 2007 I gather the squad today before our friendly against Rangers. Everyone’s getting introduced and settling, and I’m trying to help the best I can, I’ve helped Freddy Adu and Salomon Kalou find a place to live. And while the club have some big names, I make clear to everybody, that noone is bigger than the club. Anyone who isn’t willing to play as part of a team is replaceable, and will be. I don’t need a horde of prima-donnas, and if we’re going to stay up, we’re going to need to keep focused on that goal. Friendly – Wrexham v. Rangers The Scottish giants won their second title in a row last year, and are re-tooling for another run at the title and hopefully a better result in the Champions League. But it’s our first game as a team together, and we do very nicely for any future prospects, Aranda and Sam Lancaster finding the net to let us get the off-season off to a good start. Final Score – Wrexham 2:0 Rangers MoM – Stefan Klos July 6th, 2007 I’m absolutely thrilled we negotiated our new contract with Richard Brittain when we did, including a $25M Minimum Release Fee clause. It allows us to do something I didn’t see myself ever doing, and that being telling Manchester United “Noâ€. The Red Devils come calling for Brittain today, offering $18.5M for our Scottish dynamo. And it’s a firm “no†they get, as I won’t be losing him for less than the $25M. Of course, both are still reputedly interested, so I’ll expect another bid sometime soon. July 8th, 2007 It’s an honor to be approached by any nation to lead their National side. I have two. Faxes today arrive from the Australian FA and the USSF, offering me the job as manager. And, while Australia’s history in the game is one of some interest, the chance to be the man for the United States is one that I just can’t turn down. I accept immediately, booking a redeye flight for the States to hammer out my contract details and get introduced. July 9th, 2007 It’s really hard to believe that, in less than three years I’m standing infront of a small assemblage of media in Chicago at a press conference hastily organized by the USSF. It’s all platitudes and introductions today as I take the reins of the United States Men’s Soccer (I know) team. Overshadowed in achievement by the women’s team, I don’t honestly think we’re going to trump them anytime soon, winning the World Cup, for instance. But Bruce Arena guided this team to Runners-Up slots in the North American Gold Cup and the Confederations Cup, which means the bar has been set for me, and the late-90s malaise that surrounded the team simply will not do. I’m asked how I feel about the team’s potential. “Well, the talent’s there. Eddie Gaven’s turning out great in Germany, Jonathan Spector is maturing very, very well, there’s Justin Mapp, DaMarcus Beasley, Taylor Twellman and Mastroeni. I think, with some luck, we can surprise a lot of people again. We’re not Brazil, but we’re not the worst team in the world.†I get a let off to start things, as my first game in charge will be against the tiny nation of Dominica in November as my first test. Friendly – Exeter City v. Wrexham I’m not on hand to witness this one, as I am away in the U.S., obviously. With Ian Rush in control, the team give a reasonably good account of themselves, and should have won by a great deal more, if not for some good goalkeeping from Exeter and some bad finishing. Still, a win’s a win, and Stewart Downing’s header is something rather than nothing. Final Score – Exeter City 0:1 Wrexham MoM – James Bittner July 10th, 2007 All the Premiership news is about the transfer market, with half the clubs in the league all atwitter over Yakubu of Portsmouth and Johan Vonlathen of Leicester. The two scored 44 goals combined in the Premiership last season (21 and 23 respectively) and neither figure to be at their clubs much longer. Liverpool, Newcastle and Juventus are all interested in Yakubu, while Vonlathen has suitors in Arsenal, Tottenham and Middlesbrough. Lee Young-Pyo gets called up to the South Korean national squad today for the Asian Nations Cup, which means, based on how well South Korea do, we could be missing him for the beginning of the season. July 12th, 2007 Friendly – Colchester United v. Wrexham Another simple pre-season tune-up. Marcus Tudgay and Curtis Allen both tally as we cobble together a win. Brahim Ferradj is promisingly strong at the back, and I’m glad to say the team seems to be gelling already. Final Score – Colchester United 0:2 Wrexham MoM – Stewart Downing July 13th, 2007 Yakubu leaves just-relegated Portsmouth for Liverpool today, in a $11M move that most on Merseyside are hoping will flourish into a happy partnership with Djibril Cissé. The pair scored 32 Premiership goals last year, so the prospects are very, very good. July 16th, 2007 Exceptionally good news today, as our friendly against Real Madrid will be broadcast on TV Live. The club’s been in a desperate hurry to try and get us to Premiership-standard. Parts of the ground have been renovated, we’ve unveiled a completely new club website and are basically desperate to gout ourselves 21st-century certified. Obviously, we’re not there yet, The Racecourse Ground will be, despite our efforts, the smallest and least advanced ground in the Premiership. Still, it’s our own Fort Knox. Friendly – Queens Park Rangers v. Wrexham Not much here. Fernandez and Aranda put this one away within the first 10 minutes of play as we cruise over last-season’s competitors. Final Score - Queens Park Rangers 1:2 Wrexham MoM – Aranda July 17th, 2007 The papers are all harping about Manchester United coming in with a big, $20M+ bid for Richard Brittain. Officially, the club have no comment on the matter, and frankly, we’re not going to overexert ourselves in trying to keep Richard here. He’s already one of the highest-paid players at the club (rightfully so) but if Manchester meet his $25M Minimum Release Fee clause we just don’t have the money to play financial hardball with a team like that. Everyone’s hoping he’ll stay (well, everyone but Salomon Kalou) but it all falls to whether ManU are going to step up their bid. July 19th, 2007 Friendly – Clyde v. Wrexham I’m trying to figure out who’s going to make up our first team now, a task that the players, I’m happy to say, are hotly contesting. Everyone seems to understand that my policy of working for your place in the squad means noone is safe from the axe, should they underperform, and are playing like they want to be part of this season. Even Marcus Tudgay seems to get it for all his moaning, and after three goals in the opening 20 minutes, we can sit back and relax. Final Score – Clyde 0:3 Wrexham MoM – Floribert N’Galula July 21st, 2007 I know the wisdom of having too many Chefs, but some offers I just can’t pass up. Today I add to my backroom staff in style today, a perfect lead-up to our Friendly against Real Madrid. And just as José Mourinho has two Assistants, as will I, as Ian Rush is joined by the legendary Zinedine Zidane. The legendary French midfielder retired from the game last year after his last go-round with Real Madrid, and, like Luis Figo before him, is looking to get into the Coaching/Managing business. I’m all too happy to give him his first shot here helping me out, although I’m sure Zidane has bigger things in his mind in the future. If Figo can go on to Manage Greece, and Paolo Maldini can end up the man pulling the strings at Palermo, surely he can do the same? Still, having Zizou here to coach, I and the players are all to ready to pull from his years of experience. July 22nd, 2007 Friendly – Wrexham v. Real Madrid Yes, it makes me very happy to know that we can actually nearly fill up The Racecourse Ground and get TV coverage when we play, of all teams, Real Madrid here. Even I’m bitten by the bug, and have to restrain myself from asking Clarence Seedorf or Steven Gerrard for their autograph. Still, getting to chat for a little while before kickoff with Roberto Carlos and David Beckham is the kind of thing I don’t think I’ll ever have the chance to do again. The game is, obviously, a friendly, so it’s not played at seriously competitive pace. But when N’Diaye prods home a van de Besselar freekick to give us the win, I have to applaud my players. Even in a friendly, this is very, very promising stuff for the future. Final Score – Wrexham 1:0 Real Madrid MoM – Alain van de Besselar July 25th, 2007 Some bad news from the European Under-19s Championship today, as Italy goes out of the compeititon. This is only really news to me because Davide Chini missed his spot-kick, as the game between Italy and Spain had gone to penalties, and is understandably gutted about it. His kick didn’t cost Italy the match, but I’m sure he would’ve liked to push on the team rather than hamper them. Friendly – Wrexham v. Arsenal The Gunners are the talk of the Premiership, reportedly chasing Real Betis winger JoaquÃn with a massive $80M bid for the Spanish star. Having made all the moves we honestly want to make, I can sit back and watch the team play the tactics that I’ve set out for them. Those who come to the game (all 12,000 of them) are left a little disappointed, as the stars of the Arsenal side, Thierry Henry and Patrick Viera are left out of their friendly side, but Robinho, Patrice Evra, Cesc Fabregas and Jose Reyes still feature, to their delight. And to my delight, rather than being completely outclassed, we actually hold our own, the team doing a fantastic job of gelling this early on. I know it doesn’t mean a lot, but for us, holding Arsenal to a scoreless draw means a lot. Final Score – Wrexham 0:0 Arsenal MoM – D.J. Countess We’ve got a 17-day break after this to rest and prepare for the new season ahead July 26th, 2007 I get word from the USSF today that we’ve scheduled another friendly this year, a September 5th engagement with Benin stateside. World Cup 2008 qualifiers start in just a few short months now, so all of this is in preparation for that. July 27th, 2007 A sitdown this afternoon with Mr. Royle at his offices in Cardiff. A journey the fans wouldn’t approve of I’m sure. After a cigar and some fine liquor, we sit to begin talking about the season facing the club. I know what the supporters would like, but Mr. Royle is the new boss around here and I’m contractually obligated to listen. Thankfully, his demands are rather simple. He lets me know the board is looking to seriously revamp the station in the coming years, and has some serious ambition for the club. For that to happen however, the club must stay profitable, which means we can’t afford another spending spree like the one I went on this summer, understandably. The wage budget is under the limit, which is pleasing for him, but part of establishing this club in the Premiership is financial solvency. As for the season ahead, we both want to avoid relegation. As to my position with the club, Mr. Royle makes it quite clear that he understands relegation is a real possibility for teams spending their first year in the Premiership, and if that should come to pass, I am in no danger of losing my job at the club. That said, he hopes we can pull off the trick, and begin to set up Wrexham Athletic Football Club as one of the new names in the top-flight in England. If Birmingham can do it, he notes, then surely we can too. July 28th, 2007 From CNNSI.com “With the MLS season coming to a close, the last thing that Los Angeles Galaxy manager Steve Sampson must want is dissention in the ranks. But he’s got it, as 23-year old forward Eddie Johnson made public in an interview this week that he wishes to leave the club for European competition, where he feels he can fulfill his potential. Johnson, long one of the hot prospects in American Soccer, signed with Los Angeles in 2005, and has spent the better part of two rocky seasons there, marked by a broken thigh that kept him off the field for eight months. Johnson feels the time is now to seek a move. ‘I’d really like to go to England and play for Jake Flanagan and Wrexham. I think I’d be most comfortable there.’ Johnson said in the interview. ‘With the American contingent there, the transfer would be a lot smoother, and I want to bring my game to the next level.’ “ Some news indeed to start the morning off with, as I only read the blurb and associated interview after I’ve been contacted by three different papers to comment on the news. I’ve had a long-standing interest in Johnson, but my official word is “no commentâ€, especially since I don’t think we can afford the $3.6M priced striker. Considering I’ll be opening up a new relationship with him when I meet with the U.S. team for the first time, the future may bring changes to that. The Copa America comes to a finish today, with Uruguay winning the competition for the 15th time, after beating Colombia 1-1 on penalties. The game was a largely unentertaining affair until a flurry of action in the last 15 minutes of extra-time saw Colombia score, only for Uruguay to come sweeping back up the field and stick home the equalizer to send it to penalties. And when Jaime Alberto Castrillon missed, José Martin Alzugaray struck home from the spot to send the Uruguayans into raptures. The fallout afterwards is rather harsh on two coaches, as Carlos Alberto Parreia and Ricardo Antonio LaVolpe are both sacked by the Brazilian and Mexican FAs, respectively. July 31st, 2007 TotalBet.com comes out with the odds on the Premiership Title for the 07/08 season, and unsurprisingly, Arsenal are favorites at 6-4. Next are Chelsea and Manchester United at 2-1, Liverpool at 20-1, and Aston Villa and Manchester City at 33-1. Us? We’re 200-1 underdogs. The Daily Mirror comes calling today, asking about what I think our chances for the season are. I’m no predictor of things, but I think I know my team, and defiantly state that I don’t believe we’ll be facing the drop at the end of the season. I expect us to get safety, anything else is a failure. Meanwhile, Chelsea decide to make the first really interesting transfer of the summer, spending $44M on Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal. Apparently, the Spaniard was something less than universally loved at Emirates Stadium, but even still, selling one of the biggest prospects in the game at any price seems like a bit of bad business. The rumours are however, that the sale of Fabregas will allow Arsenal to field enough money to purchase JoaquÃn. August 1st, 2007 From Four Four Two Magazine Wrexham Last Season - Championship: Champions FA Cup: Eliminated in Fifth Round League Cup: Eliminated in Second Round Top Scorer: Francesco Lodi (35) So much so quickly for the club from the north of Wales, but can they keep it up? Wrexham’s meteoric rise to the Premiership has been one of single-minded focus, but many feel that it is too much, too fast. The team have spent over $20M to ensure that it isn’t, but will that be enough? Can Jacob Flanagan work another miracle at the Racecourse Ground? Strengths: The most harrowing sight for opposing defenses last year in the Championship was the sight of the Wrexham midfield steaming towards them at full tilt. On their day, Wrexham were unstoppable, even after the loss of frontman Simon Cox. Moreover, there are signs that Flanagan’s youth program is starting to come to fruition, with the emergence of Brahim Ferradj and continuing good word about the futures of Curtis Allen and Enis Turkovic. There has been a lot of potential in the Wrexham dressing room in recent years, and a lot of that potential is coming to bloom. Weaknesses: Wrexham is a team that struggled at times against Premiership-caliber opposition. They barely managed their 1-0 win over Blackburn last year, and of course, there was the 5-0 thrasing at Emirates Stadium. There are legions of questions being asked about whether this team can make a transition in three short years from League One also-rans to a solid Premiership side. They did step up their game last year, but can the likes of Stephen Hughes and Floribert N’Galula step up their game to the next level? Inexperience and being entirely outclassed is their biggest fear. A Lesson From Last Season: Adjust. When Wrexham defeated Blackburn 1-0 and all but ensured the Championship title, they did it when the team changed tactics and played more to their opponents. They did not when they took on Arsenal, and that ended badly. Tactical flexibility is a must. One To Watch: The local press say Freddy Adu, but Richard Brittain is really the man to keep an eye on this year. The burden of repaying the club’s record contract to keep him, along with continued interest from Manchester United mean that Brittain has to prove that he can cut it at this level, as his talent has lead many to believe. Any Other Buisness: Jacob Flanagan was recently appointed Manager of the United States National Team, placing a double burden upon the head of a manager who will be trying to keep his side alive in the Premiership. It may be too much. Fan File – Terrence Smyth – www.wrexham-mad.co.uk What Has Your Team Got To Look Forward To? What don’t we have to look forward to? We’re profitable and in the Premiership, the sky’s the limit. What Will Be Your Excuse For Failure? Two promotions in two years is stretching things a bit. Young Player To Watch? Mark Jones. He seems set to have a breakout year. Most Important Player? Richard Brittain. Player You Would Most Like To Get Rid Of? Marcus Tudgay. He was crap for much of his time last year, and once we start upgrading, he starts whinging. Have You Got The Right Manager? You’re kidding, right? What Advice Would You Give Him? None. He hasn’t done anything flagrantly dumb yet. Will He Be There In In May 2007? Unless he chooses to leave, yes. Are You Happy With The Chairman? Time will tell. Which Team Do You Most Want To Beat? One of the top three, just to stick it to everyone who says we’re way in over our heads. Which Opposition Player Will Get The Most Stick? Tie between Simon Cox and Robbie Savage. Where Will You Finish? I’m going to go out on a limb and say safely mid-table. 12th or so. August 2nd, 2007 Teams are starting to pick up the biggest crumbs form Norwich’s relegation, as Jonathan Stead leaves the Canaries today for Leicester in a $13M move. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pred Posted June 2, 2005 Author Share Posted June 2, 2005 August 5th, 2007 From ESPN Soccernet.com 2007/08 English Premiership Season Preview “After last year’s photo finish, this season is sizing up to be another entertaining Premiership season. While last year, the gap between the top three and the rest of the league was 15 points, there is always room for change at the top. Here’s our team-by-team preview… Arsène Wenger should have had the treble last season, possibly even a quadruple. But slip-ups at the last hurdle proved fatal for Arsenal last season. Losing in the FA Cup final was harsh, even if it was attributable to having played the Champions Cup final a few nights prior. Wenger and Co. will certainly be looking for revenge next year, and it is entirely in their grasp. Patrick Viera and Thierry Henry are still some of the best at their position, and Jose Reyes has bloomed into the kind of player any manager would like to have. The addition of Jonathan Vonlathen from Leicester may be a bit of bad thinking however, clogging a attack that already has Javier Saviola and Robinho in addition to Henry. By all means they will be challenging for the trophy in all competitions they play in this year, and anything less than another drive at Premiership success and other assorted silverware will surely be a failure at Emirates Stadium. Arsenal have lost five times in the past two years, so we can’t see them finishing anywhere outside of the top two. Probable champions. It seems that David O’Leary has finally nourished Aston Villa to the level of strength that most involved with the club wanted. The Villains are in the Champions League for the second straight year, and while their precarious financial situation has kept the club from splashing the cash like some others in the Premiership, O’Leary has bought smart. Josip Simunic was a welcome addition from Werder Bremen last season, and O’Leary has added again this season, with Danny Mills, Paul Gallagher and Nils-Eric Johansson all moving to join the club. Now that O’Leary has done to well to build a team that can finish 3rd and 4th in the Premiership, can he build one that can succeed in Europe and challenge for the Premier League title? Only time will well. We put them at 5th. Not much has gone right at Birmingham, other than the fact that the club has managed to stay up, despite flirting with relegation the past two seasons. But there’s been a pervading sense of doom following the club around, and it seems to be well-known that just one slip-up will see them crash back into the Championship. Whether Trevor Francis is the man for the job is questionable, and the fact that Emile Heskey is aging quickly and that Clinton Morrisson isn’t getting any better, and you have a team that isn’t looking very good. On the upside, Darren Carter is returning, as is their highly underrated defense (Matthew Upson, Mario Melchiot, Steve Finnan, et al). But there’s a lot of work to be done still, and a long season awaits them. Like it or not, they’ll be in the relegation fight, and if their attack doesn’t cut it, they’ll be heading back from whence they came come May. We put them 18th. Of all the teams, staying up may be hardest for Blackburn. The team has been proven to not quite be Premiership-caliber previously, and now has to prove they can cut it again. Considering the losses of Nils-Eric Johansson and Paul Gallagher to Aston Villa, Mark Hughes absolutely must make a move for a striker to give his side any chance at survival. Putting the attacking onus on the shoulders of 18-year old Lee Morrison probably will not benefit the club, and Matt Jansen simply isn’t up to the task. While Robbie Savage will once again be the motor in midfield, he will find himself very alone in attack at times. Defensively, the team still becoming increasingly suspect, as Dominic Matteo’s best years have passed him by. It will take a Herculean effort to keep them up, one that we just don’t see them managing to put together. We put them 20th. It was hard on Charlton to be relegated when they had worked so hard to become a established Premiership team. But to their credit, they minimized the damage, only spending one season out of the top flight, only losing Dennis Rommedahl on the way. This pre-season has proven a bit harsher, as Matt Holland, Talal El Karkouri, Craig Bellamy and last year’s Fans Player of the Year, Jason Euell have all bid adieu to The Valley. Replacing them are Joey Barton and Aliou Cissé, as Charlton look to steel themselves to survive. To do some, big seasons are needed once more from Danny Murphy and Paul Konchesky. Manager Bryan Robson is leaving a lot in the hands of youth, and may be proven in error if he decides to leave Francis Jeffers as the centerpiece of his attack. That said, Charlton have as much fight in them as any of their relegation-tipped brethren, and we tip them to avoid the drop, albeit barely. 17th. Chelsea was, for two years, a failed experiment in excess. Despite spending over $250M on the biggest names the game had to offer, it took until last season and the last day of the year for Chelsea to lift their first piece of important silverware of the Abramovic era. Still, José Mourinho has a glut of riches to work with, the club is in the position to declare that Jermaine Defoe is surplus to requirements and is on the transfer list. Adding Cesc Fabregas only strengthens a obscenely skilled midfield with the likes of Frank Lampard, Pablo Aimar and MartÃn Ligüera. John Terry is still the rock at the heart of the Chelsea defense and Alberto Gilardino looks set for a breakout season. It seems that the only thing that stood in Chelsea’s way last year was simply having too much talent, and tripping over its own toes. Surely to make another move before the window closes in September, another season will mean more clashes with Arsenal, and another chance to win the Premiership and soothe the ache of 2006’s Champions League Final loss to Barcelona. But something seems to have been dogging this team, and we can’t see their spend-happy ways beating out the intelligence of Arsenal. We put them 2nd. I’ve always been a fan of Iain Dowie and Crystal Palace, and watching them go from their relegation-tipped 04/05 campaign to last year’s 8th-place finish must have been a joy for their fans. Dowie has crafted a team that survived for two years, and showed some serious promise last season, as the additions of Franck Quedrue and Ilja Golikov proved inspired, and the continued play of Andrew Johnson has allowed the club to punch well above their weight. Dowie has already added again this season, bringing in Liverpool youngster John Paul Kelly to provide a passing touch in midfield. Still, there are holes, Fitz Hall and the rest of the center of their defense is a question mark, and Liam Miller’s play was uninspired at best last season. Still, short of a disaster, this club should be one step closer to solidifying themselves in the Premiership this season, although we can’t see them replicating last year’s play. We put them 12th. It’s happy times in the blue part of Merseyside, last year’s 6th-place finish means Everton will qualify for European competition this season in the form of the UEFA Cup, not to mention finishing ahead of Liverpool. Manager Gary Megson has managed to do a lot of good things at Goodison Park, but to improve or even hold last year’s position will take work. Everton are capable of it however, Tim Cahill is still as good as ever, and Anthony Gerrard bloomed into a reliable center-back last season. The addition of Joe Hamill from Fulham in the offseason will shore up their midfield, and James Beattie seems to have finally found his goalscoring touch. However, the competition outside of the top 3 is tough, and Everton must have continued good performances from Gary Naysmith and Gianpaolo Pazzini to be successful, and losing Joseph Yobo will certainly have ramifications. Still, this team may not play the most attractive football in the Premiership, but they win, which of course, is all that’s important. We have them finishing 8th. Leeds easily escaped relegation last season, finishing 14th, and the Whites have one of the most promising “Players In†listings of all the Premiership teams thus far. Tim Howard, Edixon Perea and Bortus Semler (From Manchester United, AC Milan and FC Bayern, respectively) all provide a real boost to a Leeds team that is returning to this season basically intact. Factor this in with the emergence of Aaron Lennon as a creative force in midfield, and Mick McCarthy may not be able to replicate the heady days of 2000 and 2001, but there is improvement afoot. The club has only one direction to look, and that is up. We put them at 10th. How does one lose a 20-goal scorer and bounce back? You go out and try and buy a new one, or at least, that’s the way Leicester answers such a problem, in taking in Jonathan Stead from Norwich. Factor in the arrival of Milovan Mirosevic and things suddenly don’t look so bad. Craig Levein can lay claim to guiding this team to a surprising 7th last season, missing out on European competition by goal difference. And with the cash flowing at Walkers Stadium, nothing should stop this side from another drive for European success. Andre Hanssen is looking like a steal after he joined the club on a free last year, and Patrick Kinsorbo has given the team a versatile foot in defense. We just can’t see a Leicester team that has re-tooled so smartly doing anything other than get better. We put them 6th. Things could, theoretically, be worse at Liverpool. But most are hard pressed to figure out a way that doesn’t involve relegation. The club is on their 3rd manager since Gerrard Houllier, but thankfully did begin to show promise late in the season last year. With new boss Felix Magath at the helm improvement is demanded from the board and from the fans, and Magath will surely find himself on the chopping block if Liverpool don’t return to the top half of the table. In that respect, he has added, bringing Peer Kluge and Yakubu to New Anfield, in an attempt to overturn the club’s worst finish since the inception of the Premier League. How this year’s purchases will turn out is yet to be seen, but most of last year’s don’t seem to have panned out. Barry Ferguson was ineffectual and unused, and Obina was the same. Only Timo Hildebrand brought anything new to the table, acting as best he could behind a defense that certainly could’ve been a lot better. That defense, lead by Jamie Carragher, Jorge Andrade and John Arne Riise absolutely must improve for the team to get more results, and if Harry Kewell could finally turn into the player Liverpool thought they were buying, they might be a force this year. If anything, Djibril Cissé will lead the attack with the same ability he did last year, which should mean at least another 20 goals. Magath is a hard taskmaster, and he should be able to finally get the job done. We put them 7th. Manchester City achieved something really special in 2005/06, finishing a point ahead of Manchester United and knocking their city rivals out of the Champions League. They could not pull the trick twice last season, and limped into 5th place. So Kevin Keegan has brought even more names to the club, grabbing Joseph Yobo, Matteo Brighi and Adam Drury all on free transfers, but the club may find that they just aren’t up to the task of top-three finishes yet. Their attack needs serious work, as last year’s golden purchase, Simon Cox was immensely disappointing, with only two goals in twelve starts. Add in Kieron Dyer’s continuing career flameout, and Jon Macken’s almost comedic inability to find the net and a very, very disappointing season may lay ahead. The team must hang onto Tote to have a chance at another strong finish, and needs another great performance from their defense and fan-favorite Shaun Wright-Phillips to stand a chance, but we don’t see that happening. We have them falling, all the way to 9th. Life has been a little rocky at Old Trafford since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, at least by Manchester United standards. But last year saw them overcome a highly disappointing 05/06, finishing 3rd and flirting with the Premiership title for a few weeks. Steve Bruce is taking an increasingly skilled and competent team into the 07/08 season with him, that features just as many big name players as Chelsea and Arsenal. Cristian Chivu, Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney, Ronaldo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Gennaro Gattuso all make up a Manchester team that will be looking to grab some silverware again. The team has all the tools to do it, and while the fans may mope having watched Roy Keane bid adieu to the club, Gattuso proved himself a willing replacement. Labinot Harbuzi seems prepared for Premiership play, and may step into the role that Paul Scholes is finally vacating, and Darren Fletcher has matured into a fine midfielder. Their clashes with Arsenal and Chelsea should prove spectacular. While the team should pull some silverware this season, we can’t see them topping both Chelsea and Arsenal for the top spot. We have them in 3rd. The new millennium has been absolutely wonderful to Middlesbrough, Steve McClaren and the club celebrated their first FA Cup victory in May, and are returning to European play with a UEFA Cup bid. While last year’s 12th-place finish was a downer, it wasn’t entirely unexpected from the club, who had finished 5th and 7th, the previous two years. Hiccups will happen. Middlesbrough will probably be spending this season just getting better, as Robin van Persie blooms into a star, and fellow countryman Andy van der Meyde continues to supply the attack with crosses from either wing. Most important will be whether Malcom Christie can keep up his ridiculous goalscoring pace. He’s exploded for 78 goals in all competitions in the past three years, and his taking that tally to 100 this season would make for a very happy year. We can’t see this being anything other than a great year for Middlesbrough, and expect them to surprise everyone. We put them 4th. Newcastle haven’t won the Premiership title since 1927, and that will not change this season. The club have been slipping, all the way to 11th last year, and things aren’t getting any better at St. James’s. Jermaine Jenas has proven mediocre at best, Alan Shearer has retired, Patrick Kluivert left for Southampton, and James Milner seemed lost for much of last year. Manager Gianpiero Ventrone has tried to add to the team, bringing in two new strikers, Bernardo Corradi from Valencia, and Andrea Caracciolo from Palermo, but if noone can supply those two the ball, they cannot score, and Ashley Cole is arguably the best midfielder at Newcastle right now, underlining their problems. On the upside, however, Jean-Alain Boumsong has been spectacular in defense, and Shay Given has been in good form. However, midfielders Gilberto and Christian Poulsen will have to throw themselves 150% behind the team for them to improve, and we don’t see that occurring. We put them 14th. You can’t blame fans at Southampton for wanting a change. The Saints have finished 13th for three years running now, thankfully not getting worse, but not improving either. So this season, boss Neal Warnock has brought in Patrick Kluivert from Newcastle and Bruno Cheryou from Liverpool in an attempt to get some upwards movement started. Kluivert has proven he can score at this level, if he can be bothered, and a great partnership may emerge with Peter Crouch. A lot will rest on the play of Derek Riordan however, the versatile Scottish international drove their offense last year, and must produce the same scintillating game he did last year. There’s too much talent here for the team to go down, and but we can’t honestly see them doing any movement. We put them again, at 13th. Sunderland finished 17th last year, and owe someone a debt of gratitude for it. By all means, the team should’ve been relegated, but they weren’t, and now can begin to look at life as a Premiership team for another season. While they will be fighting the relegation battle, Colin Todd has added intelligently to the team, bringing in Jay-Jay Okocha, Lomana LuaLua and Joleon Lescott to try and ensure that they stay up this year. Can they do so? Does the 33-year old Okocha still have some gas in the tank? We wouldn’t hold our breath, but they may surprise. Don’t expect them in the top-half of the table however. We put them 16th. There’s been a slow slide going on at Tottenham, as the team has continually dropped down the ranks, falling all the way to 9th last year, after finishing 6th in 2004/05. And while Martin Jol has done some very good things at the club, they have lost both Robbie Keane and Jermaine Defoe now, players who gave their side much of its attack, and have done much to replace either. There is, of course, good news. Simon Davies is back, as is Ledley King and Timothée Atouba. The real question at hand is whether Frédéric Kanouté and LuÃs Fabiano can combine to make a dangerous attack. The Brazilian had an impressive debut last year, joining the club in January and tallying nine goals in 15 appearances, but he will have to keep it up for Tottenham to be successful. There’s a lot riding on this season for Tottenham, but we just don’t see it getting any better anytime soon. We put them 11th. West Ham managed to avoid the drop last year, despite having the most anemic offense in the Premiership last year, averaging exactly one goal a game. Their answer thus far this offseason, purchasing Raúl Bravo from Celta de Vigo has left the fans a little nonplussed. Boss Dave Jones must understand that Bobby Zamora alone cannot carry this team in the Premiership, and Chris Brunt, despite a great amount of talent, still seems a little too raw for the Premiership. The team just does not have the money to make the upgrades they need, and will suffer for it. We put them at 19th. And finally, there is the miracle story of Wrexham. Everything that could go right in the past two years for Wrexham seemingly has. From relegation battlers in 2005/06 to League One champions at the end of the year, and wholly running away with the Championship last year, Wrexham are deservedly in the Premiership. Manager Jacob Flanagan has performed something special for the Red Dragons, raising them to the highest-profile team in Wales, ahead of Cardiff City. Now is their greatest test however, as they surely will attest to. They will need strong play from everyone in their squad, and Flanagan is gambling on talent that hasn’t proven itself yet in many cases. However, the acquisitions of Stewart Downing and Lee Young-Pyo should reap dividends, while keeping Richard Brittain in the squad will probably help decide where this team finishes this year. Flanagan and Wrexham have surprised everyone twice, so we don’t doubt them doing it again. We put them 15th.†All the while when this is being published, Chelsea and Middlesbrough play a very entertaining Community Shield game, as Chelsea grab the silverware thanks to two goals from Dmitar Berbatov, and grab a 4-2 win. August 7th, 2007 Lukas Podolski is one of the brightest talents in Germany right now, and his goals helped carry 1.FC Köln to the Bundesliga title last year, so the fans are understandably miffed at the news today that he has been sold to Real Betis today, even with its $31M price tag. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonh1979 Posted June 15, 2005 Share Posted June 15, 2005 Come back Pred! This is my favourite story! Where has the American Abroad gone!!?? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pred Posted June 20, 2005 Author Share Posted June 20, 2005 <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">His internet access went kaput for a few weeks. Fear not however, here's a nice big update to sate your tastes. Thanks for the praise, and the reading. </div></BLOCKQUOTE> August 8th, 2007 With the Champions League’s most interesting stages kicking off today (Third Qualifying Round) and the season just three days away, I can sit down with my closest coaches and my assistants and figure out who’s going to be where on this team. It takes about two hours of haggling, performance reviews and other things before we’ve finally hammered out who we want to be our starting eleven. Before that, here’s a look at everyone new D.J. Countess (25 y/o, American, GK): The starting goalkeeper’s job is DJ’s to win, and considering we’ve handed him the #1 shirt for this new year, I have a lot of hope for this man. Countess is looking to restart his career after being signed by Atlético Madrid in 2005, and never featuring for the Spanish team. It’s a risk to take a player who hasn’t been in use for a year and a half, but I have faith that Countess can be what we need him to be to marshall and handle our defense. Time will tell. Remco van der Schaaf (28 y/o, Dutch, D/DM RC): I wanted a little extra insurance in the center of defense, and Remco will be taking that position. As Franklin Simek has been moved to the reserve side and placed on Loan to Blackpool, Remco will be working with Andrea and Alain as the rock in the center of our defense. While not the best leader I’d like, Remco did spend two years featuring for PSV in Holland, and his versatility in defense may come in handy if we need it. Highly technically adept, Remco is part midfielder, part defender, but we’ll be using more of the latter as he’s with us this season. Lee Young-Pyo (30 y/o, South Korean, D/DM L): Although he was second-choice for his nation in the Asian Nations Cup, Pyo is first-choice here. Utterly tireless along the left, and still able to put in quite a challenge, of my signings this season, Lee is pretty high on my list. The drop to the German Second Division and Mainz last year was away from the limelight of the Eredivise he had been in previously, with PSV, but now he’ll have a chance to play against some of the best in the world. I hope he’ll be up to the task. Salomon Kalou (22 y/o, Ivorian, AM R): Greatness seems to be in the future for Salomon, but he’s still a year or two away from it. Still, he’s a great deputy for Brittain, in the case that the Scot gets injured or alternatively, that he does get purchased, with is still a possibility. Kalou has all the tools however, crossing, speed, a great first touch and a real head for the game. I know his ambition to play however, and while I don’t want to say that we’ve bought him in the interest of replacing Brittain, when Kalou is 24 or so, he will, understandably, want to play. I’ll deal with that hurdle when I come to it however. Stewart Downing (23 y/o, English, AM L): Another good pickup, Stewart has basically pushed Stephen Hughes out of his first-team place and taken the left flank for his own. A mixture of crossing, speed, smarts and some gorgeous technique on the ball, and I’m thrilled we picked him up. I’m sure Stewart would like to prove to Middlesbrough how in error they were to let him go, and I’ll happily give him the opportunity. Ned Grabavoy (24 y/o, American, AM LC): Ned understands his position on the team quite well, and that is that he will be providing a backup plan to the antics of Hugo Viana in attack. Should Viana prove less than helpful in attack, the mantle of attacking midfielder will be falling on Ned’s shoulders next. With good first touch and technique, I hope Ned will fit in nicely on this team as a utility man, able to work his way around the field the same way that Mark Jones can. Hugo Viana (24 y/o, Portugese, AM LC): Gifted with spectacular technical ability, Hugo is the polar opposite of Francesco Lodi. Where Lodi would run at and generally past defenders, such a thing will be a lot more difficult for the slower-footed Viana. He spent two very difficult years at Newcastle before leaving for London and Chelsea, where he was completely left out of José Mourinho’s plans. So now he tries once more to make it in England, with the trapdoor still open to him. Viana has rarely been used and had a very hard time of it in England thus far; the pace of the game is difficult for him, but the hope here is that we can get him into it in a way that he will be able to be the help, and passing threat we need him to be to hold our attack. Freddy Adu (18 y/o, American, AM/F RLC): I’m really not sure quite yet where to play Freddy. He can play midfield, attacking midfield, he can attack, he can slot in on either side of midfield, he can go just about anywhere. Adu did nothing but grow while he was at DC United, maturing into the 18-year old that I’m hoping to unleash upon the Premiership this year. In the years since his debut, Adu has notched 18 goals and a few plaudits in the MLS, but we’ll need everything he’s got this season if he wants to live up to his price tag. Probably, of everyone on the team, only Hugo Viana has more to prove than Freddy does. This is his move to the big time, and this is his chance. Aranda (27 y/o, Spanish, S C): Part of our all-new attack, Aranda will be acting as the elder statesman to our attack. Having spent the last two seasons on loan from Sevilla at Salamanca and Córdoba, he was impressive at both stops, netting 25 goals. Aranda ended up being my choice for his finishing, his dribbling and pace, along with already being fluent in English. If he can reproduce something like the season he had last year at Córdoba, I’ll be happy. Davide Chini (19 y/o, Italian, S C): I’m going to work Davide into the team slowly, but I have a lot of hope for this particular striker. Tall, powerful, Davide is built like a fortress, in the mold Jan Koller. He’s already been capped by the Italian Under-19s squad, and in his last season in Serie C1/A he banged home 15 goals on the way to the Supporters Player of the Year award with Fidelis Andria. One of the brightest talents in Italy, according to the Gazzetta dello Sport, we’ve stolen him away for the immediate future, and I hope he will be an explosive and useful presence off the bench. Santiago Fernández (22 y/o, Mexican, S C): I never thought I’d be buying a player from Barcelona, but lo and behold, here he is. Barcelona’s had the youngster for a few years now, and the last two seasons he’s been quite skilled for the Barcelona B team, scoring 21 goals in two campaigns. He was declared surplus to requirements at the Nou Camp however, and I’m hoping to reap the rewards. He’s got an ice-cold strikers personality, a lethal touch and an absolutely deft first touch, that he should be able to turn into a successful spell here. I’m not sure how much time he’ll get, but he will get to play. August 9th, 2007 Manchester United come in with another bid for Brittain, this one clocking in at $21.5M. I tell them that it’s $25M or nothing. August 11th, 2007 Unable to grab JoaquÃn from Real Betis, Arsenal instead settle for Bastian Schweinsteiger, buying the German talent from Monaco for $29M today. It’s a move to solidify the team, with Chelsea apparently having tabled a bid for Patrice Evra that runs up to and over $40M dollars. English Premier League: Game One – Manchester City v. Wrexham Well, here we are indeed. The greatest adventure of our lives begins today, a team from a small city in the North of Wales traveling to Manchester to play the club’s first ever Premiership game. I’m not too sure on our history, but I do believe we are the first Welsh team in the FA to make it to the top-flight in England, and I understand there’s a bit of national pride for our fans. When I announce who is going to be on the teamsheet for our opener, there are a few disappointed faces but no howls of discontent. I’m happy everyone knows they’ll play this year, but that in the meantime, I need 110% from them all. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-3-2): Countess; Lee, Masiello, van der Schaaf, Overvik; N’Galula; Downing, Viana, Brittain; Adu, Aranda With the voices of 30,000 Manchester City fans chanting “You’re going back down!†ringing in our ears, we kick off our very first Premiership campaign. And things go to straight to hell immediately. Willo Flood is all too happy to skate past van der Schaaf and inch into the area, firing a perfectly angled shot past Countess and into the net to give City the lead after just two minutes of play. With that weighing on our shoulders, the team begins to come apart at the seams infront of me, and it’s only by the will of god that City aren’t up again after 5 minutes, as Jon Macken’s blast flying a whisker past Countess’ left post. We finally manage a chance on 18 minutes, catching City out on the counterattack, but Cudicini is able to bat away Aranda’s shot to keep things tenable for our opponents. City continue to flood forwards, and when Macken wins a freekick out on the left of the area, it seems ominous. Olivier Bernard whips it right to the penalty arc for Flood, who easily sidesteps Masiello and fires home the exact same shot to beat Countess and place City ahead 2-0 going into the half. I know City’s a good team, but I lambaste the squad at half-time for putting in such a lame-duck performance. Things don’t get any better from the restart, Wright-Phillips thankfully firing at Countess’ chest, and Macken heading over the bar within the first few minutes. When Viana signals to the bench to be taken off, it’s almost a gift, given how ineffective the Portuguese international had been up to that point. I take him off for the more combative (albeit less creative) Ned Grabavoy With that, and a few tactical tweaks, we start to look positive in attack, finally. On 56 minutes, our first real chance falls to Freddy Adu, the recipient of a perfectly chipped cross from Brittain, only to thump his shot against the post and out of play. But we continue to push, using our four-man midfield to our advantage, outworking City for the ball. Of special note is the play of Stewart Downing, who is running to Jerusalem and back for the team, completely exhausting himself in the process. But all that hard work is not for naught, and having absorbed another City attack on 68 minutes, Downing blasts a ball down the left that Aranda chases down before crossing to the penalty spot where Grabavoy perfectly redirects it past Cudicini and into the net to put us back in. I bring on Fernández for Adu as the game progresses, and he puts an instant bit of fear into City’s defense. It only takes a few minutes for him to get into the match, and when he does, it’s a wonder. Downing’s cross into the box is perfectly weighted for the striker to meet it at the back post, where Cudicini makes a brilliant save from Fernández’s diving header to keep their lead. But we’re pressuring now, finally, Fernández the culprit once more, perfectly flicking the ball onto the unmarked run of Aranda, who scoots past Adam Drury and thumps a equalizer past Cudicini on 83 minutes to snatch us a point. Final Score – Manchester City 2:2 Wrexham MoM – Willo Flood After the game I laud the team for a superb fightback on the road. We really dug ourselves out of a hole and snatched a point from one of the top-10 teams in the nation on this one, which I certainly hope will be a harbinger of things to come in future games. August 13th, 2007 I’m not sure what’s going through Kevin Keegan’s mind right now, and neither do Manchester City fans. Nevertheless, the team waves goodbye to two of its best today, as striker Tote leaves for Middlesbrough in a $17.5M move, and Everton sign Olivier Bernard for $3M. Apparently, the move is all about financial solvency, but Manchester City will certainly need to start looking for a new striker before the window closes, as their current attack looks rather thin. August 15th, 2007 I’m going to have to cut my losses with Marcus Tudgay, as his Mr. 10% is in the papers once more, talking about how his client deserves first team football. Considering he didn’t make the cut at Derby when they were struggling against relegation last season, he’s not showing the determination or drive to make the cut here, and I’ve just about had it with his “pity me†antics. I march him into my office after practice, letting him now that his wish has been granted, and that he’s been put on the transfer list, but that we fully expect to get a good price for him, and if we don’t, he’s stuck until his contract ends. Marcus accepts it all with his now-customary sulk, and exits. His loss. August 18th, 2007 English Premier League – Game Two: Wrexham v. Sunderland Looking at the standings and seeing the team in 12th place, even if only for a game isn’t something I’m against. I’m hoping we’ll go from strength to strength and exert some control over fellow relegation-candidates Sunderland. When you’re fighting to stay up, every point counts. I’d like to see if we can get to four. Wrexham Lineup: (4-2-3-1): Countess; Lee, Masiello, van der Schaaf, Overvik; Viana, N’Galula; Hughes, Adu, Brittain; Aranda The early exchanges go the way of Sunderland, as Countess is called into action three times in the opening five minutes, clawing Julio Arca’s header off the line, beating away Jay-Jay Okocha’s shot, and firmly denying Lomana LuaLua to keep us in the early running. As with the Manchester City game, it’s taking us a bit to find our feet and begin playing the kind of football I want the team to play. But for now we’re playing relegation ball, trying to fashion a opportunity while trying to deny superior opposition a killer early goal. We finally begin pushing on 26 minutes, Hughes lining up a freekick on the edge of the area and forcing Peter Enckelman into a diving save to keep the ball from bulging the net. When Aranda heads over just moments later, the team begins to gain real confidence, even if Hugo Viana looks a little unsure of what he should be doing in midfield. We’re forcing Sunderland to look increasingly defense however, and begin to push hard as the game ticks past 30 minutes. When Hugo Viana blasts the ball on net from 25 meters on 34 minutes, it should be goalbound but for Enckelman, who makes a fantastic save to keep the ball out. The rebound ends up at the feet of Hughes however, and his neatly flicked chip over the defense allows Aranda to come charging in at the back post and blast a diving header into the net for the lead. By the time the final whistle blows, we should have tallied three goals at least, but for the actions of Enckelman. The Finn personally denies us an innumerate amount of times before we trudge off the field, frustrated, but three points richer. Final Score – Wrexham 1:0 Sunderland MoM – Peter Enckelman After the game, I congratulate the team for a fine defensive performance, and for continually showing that extra bit of punch that’s putting us over the top so far. We’re exceptionally lucky to be starting the season against other relegation-threatened teams, so with some luck, we might have a healthy cushion when our first major test, against Tottenham to end September, comes along. Crystal Palace grab a great one today, signing Ioannis Amanatidis from Anderlecht for a cheap $5.8M for a man who had scored thrice in the first three games of the year in Belgium. August 19th, 2007 I’m probably not enamoring myself very well to Freddy Adu with how I’m riding him in practice today, but he’s got to step up to first team play for the contract he’s squeezed out of us. This is his break, and he can either take it or leave it. I have faith in the kid though, the flashes are there. Meanwhile, Chelsea continue their bid to own all of the best players in the world for at least one year, purchasing Patrice Evra from Arsenal today for $63M. The price tag simply had to be too good for Arsène Wenger to ignore, because Evra was very effective for the team last season, and while Gael Clichy is good, he’s no Patrice Evra. August 20th, 2007 Looks like Wenger did have a plan for all that money, turning right around and spending it on Gabriel Milito, the Argentinean Sweeper who spent the last few years at Zaragoza in Spain. With Sol Campbell on the downside of 30 and Cygan looking like a bad investment, bringing Milito to Emirates Stadium is probably a really smart move in truth. They say Argentineans make some of the best defenders, and it’ll be interesting to see if Milito can follow in the footsteps of Gabriel Heinza. August 21st, 2007 Manchester United won’t stop snooping around Richard Brittain, and fax me another bid for the winger today, worth $21.5M. They’re trying their best to convince me that he isn’t worth the $25M Minimum Release Fee clause on his contract, and I’m not buying it. I’m sure one of the most profitable clubs in the world, according to the last survey can scrape an extra $5M together to afford one Scot. August 22nd, 2007 The Champions League is set for the group stages again today, with a new crop of teams and a new slate of chances for teams to win. Group A:Chelsea, Red Star, Udinese, Rangers Group B:Internazionale, Aston Villa, Dinamo Kiev, Mönchengladbach Group C:Valencia C.F, Panathinaikos, Bordeaux, Boavista Group D:Real Madrid, Benfica, RSC Anderlecht, SC Freiburg Group E:FC Barcelona, Ajax, Parma, Basel Group F:Arsenal, Porto, Celtic, CSKA Moscow Group G:Deportivo, AS Roma, Grazer AK, 1.FC Köln Group H:Manchester United, AS Monaco, Fenerbaçhe, Sporting Lokeren August 23rd, 2007 With the transfer deadline looming, Tottenham are surprisingly selling, sending Michael Carrick to Manchester City for $9.2M, and letting go of Andy Reid to Aston Villa for a reported $15.5M. Exactly what Martin Jol has up his sleeve as his next move is anyone’s guess though. Tottenham have seven days to spend the money they’ve reaped, else they’ll be working with this team until 2008. August 25th, 2007 English Premier League – Game Three: Wrexham v. Leicester Even without Jonathan Vonlathen, Leicester are not to be ignored. Mostly, I’m just hoping we can get another good 90 minute show from the squad, although Hugo Viana’s dire lack of stamina is becoming an annoyance. Ned Grabavoy may see some 20-30 appearances off the bench the way things have been going. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-1-2-2): Countess; Lee, van der Besselar, van der Schaaf, Overvik; N’Galula; Viana; Downing, Brittain; Aranda, Adu Boring only begins to describe the opening 40 minutes of this game. The ball is stuck pinging around midfield, and only Jon Stead’s hopeless 30-yard attempt marking any real intent on net within the opening fixture. The fans aren’t the only ones yawning as things go on. When Scott Severin heads the ball behind for a corner, it’s a welcome change from the doldrums the game has offered. But lo and behold, Freddy Adu seems to be fitting in better, especially here on the ensuing corner, sneaking past his man at the near post and sending the ball off the inside of the post and into the net to give us the early 1-0 lead. At the half, my instructions to the team are to push for a winner, and we should have it but Mark Brown makes a fine save to keep the ball out of the net and keep Freddy Adu at bay. Aranda nearly breaks the crossbar with a shot on 55 minutes, and Overvik sends a header for the far post that Brown acrobatically tips over the post. Still, we’re exerting a hell of a lot of pressure on Leicester’s defense, and they’re bending too far not to break, Davide Chini sent clear on net by a pass from Grabavoy, pushing away from his man before hitting an ultimately tame shot at Brown that the keeper spills, allowing Aranda to tap home the rebound into the net for 2-0. Final Score – Wrexham 2:0 Leicester MoM – Stewart Downing Another good win today, with the club 2-1-0 in the opening exchanges. If we can be something like 3-5-2 by the 10-game mark, I think we’ll have a good season ahead of us, as far as battling relegation goes. For the meantime however, this will do just fine. Sampdoria come in with a pathetic bid for Martin Overvik today, $3.25M for the wingback. This is a pittance to be giving up for the man who has dominated the right flank of the field ever since he arrived in Wrexham, stepping up to the challenge of the Premiership like he was born for it. Needless to say, it gets wholly rejected. Michael Bradley has just recently recovered from his ACL injury, but I don’t want to rush him into play, and I don’t know if he’s ready for the Premiership, so we’ve transfer listed him for Loan. Reading and Huddersfield would apparently like to add him to their squads for three months, and I want Michael to get some experience at a lower level, albeit not as low as the Reserves. August 26th, 2007 â€â€¦and today’s rumors finish with Wrexham. Martin Overvik’s reputation has apparently caught up with him, as the Norwegian defender is becoming a hot property. Rumor has it that Crystal Palace is very interested in sneaking the wingback from Wrexham, as is Galatasaray, Mallorca and Siena. However, separating Overvik from Wrexham will probably be quite a task, as Flanagan is loathe to dispense with one of the most skilled members of his defense. Also of note, Wrexham have agreed to an undisclosed fee with the MLS to buy American striker Eddie Johnson from the LA Galaxy and bring him to Wrexham in July 2008. Johnson had expressed interest in joining Wrexham and Flanagan previously, and will be making his much-desired move to the top-flight in Europe.†I think that the addition of Eddie Johnson will be the last big move I make for a while if I am not absolutely pressed into one, short of finding a affordable Center-back to plug into the squad. I’d like to keep the squad the way it is for the next year or two, build up the sizable youth collective we have, and maybe bring in one more experienced player to help settle the squad. I think the talent is here now, and if we can keep it, this will be a good team. Hopefully, I can guide them correctly. August 28th, 2007 Crystal Palace make good on those rumored, asking how much we’d charge to let them try and take Martin Overvik from us. I set the price firmly at $15M, which they immediately balk at. No skin off my nose. August 29th, 2007 Brahim Ferradj accepts a three month Loan deal that will see him leave for Sheffield United today. With Lee Young-Pyo looking naught else but skilled at the left, Brahim knows he needs more experience but may not get it in the first team for the immediate future, so some play at a lower-level team is just what the doctor ordered. English Premier League – Game Four: Crystal Palace v. Wrexham Crystal Palace just missed European play after losing to Lazio in the Inter-Toto Cup, but Iain Dowie’s side have shown a lot of early-season promise already, managing to pull a draw with Chelsea already this year. Meanwhile, on our end, I’m shuffling the team a bit, giving Ned Grabavoy, Davide Chini and Santiago Fernández their first starts of the year. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-1-2-2): Countess; Lee, van der Besselar, van der Schaaf, Overvik; N’Galula; Grabavoy; Hughes, Brittain; Chini, Fernández Today’s fixture begins with a needless early Yellow Card for Lee Young-Pyo, and continues with two early chances for Crystal Palace, Franck Quedrue heading over the bar and Nicola Ventola firing just wide of Countess’ post. We’re trying to adjust to Palace’s 3-4-3 attack, but are unable to work the game down the wings in the manner we might prefer, meaning that much of the early play is headed towards our goal, sadly. Crystal Palace are desperately unlucky not to take the lead on 37 minutes when Ventola fires a bender on net that Countess barely tips over the bar. We manage to survive the first half without any blemishes, and begin the second looking to improve further. I make a few switches, bringing on Aranda and Adu and switching to a 3-4-3 midfield to match Palace’s. With that done we begin to really shut down Palace’s attack, and it is only David Wilkinson’s reflexes that prevent a charging Brittain from firing home from six yards out. Wilkinson continues to shine, flinging himself at a Aranda shot on 67 minutes that seems destined for the top corner, somehow managing to divert it away from the net. Luck finally seems to flick our way on 71 minutes, as Franck Quedrue leaves his leg in too long in a challenge on Grabavoy, inviting the American to trip over it and earning his second Yellow Card and an early bath. With that, I instruct the team to really turn up the heat, but Palace adjust well, holding the ball for longer in midfield, trying to keep us out of the game. Even going as far as to drop Carlton Cole into midfield, he and Ben Watson play a slow one-two game 30 yards from net, trying to outsmart N’Galula. Cole does very nicely, drawing away two men before feeding a pass to Watson that the midfielder drills first time past a stunned Countess and into the back of the net to give Palace the lead with just 14 minutes to play. It’s a real blow to the team, since we’ve had just as many chances to score as them, but haven’t converted any. I’m trying to urge the team on, but there’s a real look of frustration and annoyance about them now, as we try and try again to get the equalizer. As 90 ticks off the clock and stoppage time begins, Martin Overvik just hoofs one upfield hopefully that happens to catch Aranda breaking the Palace trap. Controlling the ball and breaking into a dead sprint, he slips past Fitz hall and advances on Wilkinson, only to see the keeper come up big again, throwing himself at his feet and knocking the ball away. It’s just not quite far enough however, Aranda clambering over Wilkinson and lashing it in with his left to steal a point. Final Score – Crystal Palace 1:1 Wrexham MoM – Stephen Hughes My post-match speech is tempered after the game. We could’ve won, but didn’t convert our chances, as could’ve Palace, but they didn’t either. So we snuck a point, which I’m not all that displeased about. I’ve only got a few more days to enjoy the fact that we’re 4th in the Premiership however. I must leave on Saturday for the U.S. so I can prepare for my first game as manager of the U.S. national team, taking on Benin in a friendly at Crew Stadium. There is a bit of bad news after the game. Apparently Davide Chini managed to twist his ankle pretty well during the game, and will be ruled out for two weeks. August 30th, 2007 FIFA come calling today, asking who I’ll be naming in my squad for our fixture against Benin. D.J. Countess (25 y/o, Uncapped, GK): Wrexham Tim Howard (28 y/o, 30 caps, GK): Leeds United Nick Rimando (28 y/o, Uncapped, GK): DC United Pablo Mastroeni (31 y/o, 50 caps, SW/D/DM C): Colorado Rapids Leonard Griffin (24 y/o, Uncapped, SW/D/DM RLC): FC Porto Jimmy Conrad (30 y/o, 4 caps, D RLC): Kansas City Wizards Oguchialu Onyewu (25 y/o, 13 caps, D RC): Standard Liege Jonathan Spector (21 y/o, 5 caps, D RC): Valencia C.F. Steven Cherundolo (28 y/o, 40 caps/1 goal, D/DM R): Hannover 96 Richard Mulrooney (30 y/o, 30 caps/1 goal, D/DM RC): San Jose Earthquakes John O’Brien (30 y/o, 51 caps/2 goals, D/DM L): Borussia Monchengladbach Michael Torres (21 y/o, Uncapped, D/M C): DC United Chris Albright (28 y/o, 26 caps/1 goal, D/AM/F RC): Arminia Bielefeld Ricardo Clark (24 y/o, 13 caps/3 goals, DM RC): Chelsea DaMarcus Beasley (25 y/o, 65 caps/10 goals, AM RL): Lyon Clint Dempsey (24 y/o, 10 caps, AM LC): New England Revolution Ned Grabavoy (24 y/o, Uncapped, AM LC): Wrexham Memo Gonzalez (21 y/o, Uncapped, AM LC): Manchester United Freddy Adu (18 y/o, Uncapped, AM/F RLC): Wrexham Justin Mapp (22 y/o, 22 caps/2 goals, AM/F RLC): Real Zaragoza Eddie Gaven (20 y/o, 18 caps/4 goals, AM/F RC): FC Schalke 04 Arturo Alvarez (22 y/o, 3 caps, AM/F LC): Chelsea Landon Donovan (25 y/o, 91 caps/30 goals, F RLC): Bayer Leverkusen Eddie Johnson (23 y/o, 7 caps/7 goals, F RC): Los Angeles Galaxy Conor Casey (26 y/o, 6 caps, S C): Arminia Bielefeld Taylor Twellman (27 y/o, 17 caps, S C): New England Revolution Looking at the list, it’s absolutely great as a fan of the U.S. game to see so many players spread out to so many clubs around the world, even playing with some of Europe’s elite. My squad represents a bit of a shift from Bruce Arena’s tenure, as I think the new crop of American players is ready to make the step up to international play. Where Brian McBride, Brad Friedel and Claudio Reyna once ruled, now Eddie Gaven, Tim Howard and Ricardo Clark will soon be replacing them. I’ll be handing a lot of international bows in the coming months, the introduction of Freddy Adu topping that list. I’ve already heard some commentators saying I’m rushing the prodigy, but as far as I’m concerned, if Adu’s ready for the Premiership, he’s ready for the international game. August 31st, 2007 With the transfer deadline looming this evening, Crystal Palace pull two moves from out of nowhere, buying Robert Green from Norwich for $6.8M and Matthew Taylor from Portsmouth for $8M. Both aren’t big-time signings, but Green is reportedly the most important of which, as Palace had been relying on wholly unblooded goalkeepers to keep Premiership strikers at bay previous to that. September 1st, 2007 England head to Romania today, and only thanks to Paul Robinson do they manage to leave with a draw. Romania were denied a much-deserved win as they utterly dominated England for all 90 minutes, holding the 2006 World Cup Runners-Up to just two shots, while firing 19 towards Paul Robinson’s net. It’s a real blow to a Romania team that could’ve used the win to improve their already slim chances of making Euro 2008. England meanwhile, need only win their next match, away at Slovakia to all but ensure their progress to Austria. September 5th, 2007 International Friendly – United States v. Benin I tell Memo Gonzalez and Leonard Griffin that they’ll be starting today, a fact that both are quite pleased with. It’s a long way until the 2010 Olympics, when I hope to still be in charge, but now is when I begin to figure out what is what and who is who with my team. U.S.A. Lineup: (4-1-2-1-2): Howard; O’Brien, Griffin, Mastroeni, Cherundolo; Clark; Beasley, Mapp; Gonzalez; Donovan, Gaven I should probably be very thankful that I don’t have to start my tenure as U.S. team manager against someone like France or Italy, since against Benin, we can experiment a bit and try and figure out what’s going to work against the best the world has to offer. For the time being, it’s thrilling to see 40,000 people show up for an international friendly in the U.S. Enough American names seem to be making some kind of an impact that we’re really getting recognition. So, we put on a show of offensive prowess that would’ve only been made better if Benin’s keeper, Maxime Agueh hadn’t decided to try and keep his team in it for 90 minutes. Not that it was close, we dominate for all 90 minutes and Benin never manage a single shot. Alvarez and Donovan both tally, and my first game in charge isn’t the kind that articles decrying my reign will be written about. Final Score – United States 2:0 Benin MoM – Landon Donovan Meanwhile, England all but ensure their place in Euro 2008 with a 4-0 destruction of Slovakia at Wembley today. Michael Owen tallies twice, as does Leon Osman and Roman Kratochvill grabs a spectacular own-goal, his clearance attempt actually curling perfectly into his own net. September 8th, 2007 English Premier League – Game Five: West Ham v. Wrexham The jet lag is nearly killing me, but I’m back in England in time for our game against West Ham. The Hammers are currently dead last in the Premiership, losing each of their first four games, and only managing a single goal. They’ll be desperate for a turnaround, while I’d like us to have another three points to our name at the five-game mark. Wrexham Lineup: (4-1-1-2-2): Countess; Lee, Masiello, van der Schaaf, Overvik; N’Galula; Viana; Downing, Kalou; Adu, Aranda The first thing I notice today is how incredibly comfortable Salomon Kalou looks on the right flank. His pace and ability are giving West Ham fits from the get-go, and it’s his play that allows Viana to set him up on the edge of the area to fire a shot for the left post that Stephen Bywater stretches to save and then collect on the second attempt. It’s also Kalou who induces Raúl Bravo into tripping him, some 25 meters from goal. Up steps Downing, and he perfectly smacks it past he edge of the wall into the side of the net like a missile, putting us up 1-0. We dominate for the opening 30 minutes, as West Ham don’t even manage a shot until 35 minutes have been played. Their fans are entirely disappointed by this, as we’re looking ready to run away with this one, if not for Stephen Bywater, who is stopping everything but the kitchen sink today. Still, with all the play one-way, it’s leaving a perfect opportunity for one thing to go against us, should our defense lose its concentration. Lo and behold, two minutes into stoppage time at the end of the first half, West Ham win a corner, which Richie Partridge delivers in to Chris Cohen. The defender easily holds off Viana before feeding a low cross across the six-yard box for Mark Noble, whose foot reaches the ball before being clattered by Masiello, redirecting it into the net to give them an equalizer. I’m angry at our strikers for not taking our chances at the half, and tell the team that we can’t afford to spurn chances like this, no matter what kind of day the opposition’s goalkeeper is having. This seems to click, and the team push forward for the winner as the second half begins, forcing West Ham to turtle up in their end once more. Adu finds himself with a glut of chances in the opening 15 minutes, just chipping over the bar first, firing inches wide second, but the third time is the proverbial charm, taking the flick-on from Aranda before waltzing past Cohen and sending Bywater the wrong way with a fake before rolling the ball into an empty net. Luck isn’t on our side for the remainder of the fixture, as we hold West Ham’s attack at bay, but just can’t seem to find the net. When Aranda cracks the crossbar again, one wonders if we’ll ever manage as many goals as we probably should some days. Final Score – West Ham 1:2 Wrexham MoM – Stewart Downing It’s a mixed teamtalk after the game, as I’m still displeased with our strikers for being so profligate, but I’m exceptionally pleased with the team for getting these eleven points from our first five Premiership games. We’re surprising everyone again, and while we haven’t taken on any of the “Big Three†yet, this team is showing all the promise of being able to mount a drive not just for relegation survival, but to actually angle for mid-table safety. There is a spot of bad news after the game for my opposite number, as Dave Jones is sacked with immediate effect after the loss. It’s really hard on him, West Ham barely survived last year, and weren’t rated to do it again, given how little improvement the team made. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoffl Posted June 20, 2005 Share Posted June 20, 2005 Finally its back!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pred Posted June 23, 2005 Author Share Posted June 23, 2005 Idiocy, etc. I'm announcing the end of An American Abroad v 2.0, unfortunately. In a gargantuan misake, I actually saved over my game. Accidentally. While afterwards there was great howling and crying at such a fate to befall one of my favorite games, fret not, for v 3.0 (or should it be 2.5) shall be making its arrival soon. I'm pushing my PC to the max with this one, running innumerate leagues and really taking this "An American Abroad" thing to heart. I hope to see you all there. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lawsy009 Posted June 24, 2005 Share Posted June 24, 2005 I'll definatly be there Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobBev Posted June 24, 2005 Share Posted June 24, 2005 Shame Pred, but I'll certainly be following your next one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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