ChaosClive

Clive English - Back to the motherland - APOP Geroskipou Conference League - 2nd Qualifying Round The draw had not been kind to Geroskipou, pitting them against Portugese side Vit. Guimaraes. Clive did have last year in the back of his mind, but surely teams would have cottoned on the fact they can go with basic tactics and weak sides against the new boys from Cyprus. Just before all the first leg of the tie, star midfielder Leiva went down in training, and the doc looked worried when he told Clive that he would miss the first 3 months of the season. Quite right too, as without Leiva, Geroskipou were without one of their best creators. With nobody near his quality to back him up either, Clive knew that they may be in for a tough ride. First Leg The first leg went as well as Clive could have hoped for. A 1-0 win away from home, with an early Mariano penatly proving to be the difference. Clive also could not think of a time where 100% of his teams shots had been on target. He just hoped that the slim advantage would hold back in Cyprus. Second Leg Despite the stats not being in Geroskipou's favour, they did have 2 goals from van Looy ruled out narrowly for offside in the second half, so the match remained tense. It was only in the 93rd minute of the game that everyone wearing a red shirt could breath a sigh of relief, when finally the deadlock was broken by the Portugese loanee Mariano and their was no way back for the club from his land.

Clive English - Back to the motherland - APOP Geroskipou 2034/35 Season Review After a successful 2nd place finish, Clive received his playing budget for the next season. £44,000 p/w would do him! Just after the budgets came through, some extra, and unexpected money came in from the conference league. As there was more than 1 club getting into a group stage, Cypriot football was finally on the up. From next season, if Clive could lead his side to at least a 2nd place finish, Geroskipou would be in with a shot of Champions League football! Also with with the growth of the club, the board had now allowed scouting worldwide. Clive had heard of these 'South American wonderkids' but had not seen one, but he now had a chance to. Team of the Season Another massive season for Mariano and van Looy, who bagged 44 and 29 goals in all comps respectively. Carvalho getting 17 assists and Leiva getting 16. Keeping these 4 players at the club would be a massive boost for next season's goals. Clive's Cuttings Facility boosts all round, with Geroskipou also almost selling out their games on a consistent basis. No changes in the all time leaders, but everyone increasing their leads at the top.

Clive English - Back to the motherland - APOP Geroskipou May 2035 APOEL fielded a slightly rotated squad, which Geroskipou took advantage of, drawing with them 1-1, although they were still only slightly outplayed. After a friendly during the week off, Alki were once again put to the sword in a 5-0 demolition, as Nea Salamina could only pick up a draw however, a 2nd place finish was assured. With nothing to play for in the final game of the season, a rotated side battled against Anorthosi, and it took a last gasp Eiriksson goal for Geroskipou to win 3-2 and finish out the season in style. Final Table A second 2nd place finish in as many years was a positive, but as in years gone by, Clive was still extremely worried about his teams lack of defensive awareness, as they shipped 53 goals, which was more than relegated Ypsonas.

Clive English - Back to the motherland - APOP Geroskipou April 2035 Another thrashing of Omonoia opened the 2 game month up with a win. Next up Anorthosi came into town, and despite Geroskipou finishing the 1st half with a 2-0 lead after 2 goals within a minute of each other, they could not hold out the game and ended up drawing in a desmond. The final point in the month was a crucial one though. Another European adventure was confirmed with 3 games left to play. Table 3 games to go, 4 points ahead of Nea Salamina who were in 3rd place. Fixtures A visit to APOEL would open up the month, Clive was hoping that they would be playing a second team in order to scrape a result to help with his aim of a 2nd place finish. The season would be concluded with games against 5th and 6th, who were only battling to for 5th place.

Clive English - Back to the motherland - APOP Geroskipou March 2035 Looking over the form, it is a tale of two halves. The Omonoia game was a big shock win, a massive 5-2 win after being up 3-0 with 8 minutes played. Next up, Alki were put to the sword in a 4-2 win after another early bright start for the side. The APOEL game were when the tides turned, despite outplaying the league leaders with an impressive xG of 2.06 to 0.50, Clive's men were not able to get the job done, they lost 2-1. The half chances that APOEL converted really showed Clive that there was that clinical edge missing in the team. The next game, things went to pot and it was a Nea Salamina's turn to start well early on. The final score was 4-1, bringing the gap back down to 1 point. Table It would now be a straight shootout for 2nd place, with only 1 point seperating Geroskipou and Nea Salamina with 5 games to go. Luckily for Clive, he knew that he would not have to go through another 90 minutes of Nea Salamina, who definately had the edge this season over them. Fixtures Geroskipou were pegged to face the 2 out of form sides in Omonoia, who had lost their last 6 games and Anorthosi who had only picked up 3 points since the league split.

Clive English - Back to the motherland - APOP Geroskipou February 2035 - Post Split After a 6-0 win in a friendly, Nea Salamina travelled to Geroskipou looking to close the gap between the two sides. It was a tight encounter, and despite not deserving to win, a van Looy goal and some good goalkeeping resulted in another win for Geroskipou. Table The win meant that the gap between 2nd and 3rd was now 7 points with 9 games to go. Fixtures The next month would be a huge run of tough games, starting out against Omonoia, who were out of form but were a threat. It was then champions elect APOEL, followed by Alki and the final game against Nea Salamina.

Clive English - Back to the motherland - APOP Geroskipou February 2035 - Pre-Split Clive's fears of the mid-season slump continuing were put to rest early into the first 20 minutes against Ypsonas, where 2 goals from Mariano helped Geroskipou race out to an early lead, which they never looked like giving up. A 3rd from van Looy helped Geroskipou register only their 4th win of the calendar year. In the final game before the league split, a late-ish Mariano penalty was enough to seperate Geroskipou from Anorthosi to help boost spirits. Table Due to Omonoia losing both games and Nea Salamina also only winning one, Geroskipou climbed back into 2nd place, kicking and screaming. At the 22 game mark, there was a bigger gap between 1st and 2nd than 2nd and 6th, so Clive had already discounted a league win, but thought he would be damned if Geroskipou would give up another European berth. Fixtures There was only one league fixture left in the shortened month, Nea Salamina were coming to try and cut down the newly formed gap between the two sides. It would be the next few games that would tell Clive if the recent uptick in form was just a coincedence or not.

Clive English - Back to the motherland - APOP Geroskipou January 2035 The month kicked off in perfect fashion, Clive was amazed when his side blew through Ermis Aradippou 7-3 in the first game of the new year. He though that this could be the turning point of the recent run of bad form. It became obvious soon into the AEK game that this was just a flash in the pan however, as they lost 3-1. This trend continued into the final 2 games of the month, losing 3-2 to Omonoia, who were now catching up in the table. The final game against Limassol did not go well either, drawing 2-2 with some good chances going begging. Table Clive nearly lost it, as the 7 point gap that stood between 2nd and 3rd just 9 games previously was obliterated and now there was only a 1 point gap between 3rd and 4th. Fixtures There were 2 matches before the league split. Clive knew that teams need form in the final stage, or the first half of a season could be ruined.

Clive English - Back to the motherland - APOP Geroskipou December 2034 A woeful month for Geroskipou, after narrowly losing to APOEL 1-0, the team was showing a lack of confidence, and it showed in their next match against relegation threatened Othellos, only beating them 1-0. Then Wolves came in to town, helping to tank the changing room confidence, which Clive could not do anything about going into play AEL, and shockingly losing 3-0. Geroskipou had scored once in 5 games. Clive was understandably both shocked and worried this. Luckily enough, the goals starting flowing in the next game, beating Nea Salamina 2-1. They continued flowing in the next game too, but from both ends of the pitch, and Alki battered the boys in red 5-2. After the run of form, Clive was shocked that West Brom were sniffing around looking for an interview. Tables With the last game in the conference league against Wolves ending in defeat, it solidified a bottom place finish, with only 1 point picked up. Apart from the obvious disappointment of this, the money from the group stage had helped massively in boosting the infrastructure of the club. In the league, the cushion that Geroskipou had built up was holding strong, although the slim hopes of the league title were fading away with every APOEL win. Fixtures Going into 2035, Clive was hoping for at least 3 wins (Ermis/AEK/Apol. Limassol). If Geroskipou could pinch a result from Omonoia, it would certainly ease some pressure.

Clive English - Back to the motherland - APOP Geroskipou November 2034 Due to the fixture congestion, Clive was forced to play a fully rotated side in the first leg of the cup, and his players did not look match sharp, falling to a shock 4-2 loss, which despite a 3-2 win in the second leg saw Geroskipou crash out of the cup in the 2nd round. The league however went as good as it could do, winning all 3 games in convincing fashion, beating Anorthosi 3-1 in the first game, Monchu grabbing 3 goals including 2 penalties in a 4-1 win over Apol. Limassol, and 4 seperate goalscorers in a 4-0 romping of Ypsonas. In the conference leauge, it was more disapointment, losing to AGF 2-1 away from home and 2-0 against AEK, securing Geroskipou's elimination and last placed finish in the group. Table With APOEL drawing one of their games, Geroskipou were now level on points and had a massive 14 point gap between them and 5th place. Fixtures A massive game was coming up just a few days after the AEK game, where Geroskipou could potentially leapfrog APEOL at the 12 game mark. There was also a revenge match against Othellos a week later. Wolves would come to Cyprus to finish out the group stage of the conference league, and then December was scheduled to be closed out by 3 important but difficult games against AEL, Nea Salamina and Alki.

Clive English - Back to the motherland - APOP Geroskipou October 2034 The month started positively despite losing to Wolves 1-0, as Geroskipou's defence really came into its own, and for the first time in a while, their attack could not muster up much. Clive didn't see this as worrying however, as in the grand scheme of things, Wolves were such a level above any Cypriot side. In the league, Alki were beaten 2-1, and a heavily rotated side beat Ermis Aradippou. The AGF game was one of the most frustrating games Clive had been a part of. Not only did Geroskipou put them to the sword and still lost, but had 2 goals disallowed and effectively threw the game away in a 10 minute period. This frustration was compunded 3 days later when Omonoia humped them 5-1. Table Geroskipou were 2 points off top spot, but 8 away from 5th place in the early stage of the season. Fixtures Some easy cup games loomed, but fixture congestion in the early half of the month was looking crippling.

Clive English - Back to the motherland - APOP Geroskipou September 2034 A good win against Othellos was followed up by a win in the cup, taking Geroskipou through to the 2nd round 5-2 on aggregate. A tight loss against APOEL in the league followed, but a 3-2 loss was an improvement on the heavy defeats the previous seasons. The rest of the results in the league were very positive, with Mariano finishing the month off with 8 goals in the league, and taking his tally so far in the season to 20, and November was not even here. In the conference league, goals from Iosifidis and Mariano helped Geroskipou hold on to a credible 2-2 draw against AEK for their first points in Europe. Table The solitary loss in the league was the only thing seperating Geroskipou and APOEL at the top. Other News Clive thought that it was about time that he applied to join onto the course to get his continental pro licence, and the Chairman agreed that the club was to fund the course, given that Clive was only earning £700 p/w, it was the least that they could do. Some massive club improvements were also able to happen. Clive was speculative about upgrading the youth facilities, but soon regretted it after seeing the massive price tag that came along with it. Nearly half of the prize money for getting into the conference league was now gone on upgrades, but by now, Clive was the master of managing a tight budget. Fixtures A massively difficult was on the horizon, starting the month off with trips to Wolves and Alki, before the easiest game of the month in Ermis Aradippou was sandwiched in, before the game against AGF, and 3 days after needing to travel to Omonoia in the league.

Clive English - Back to the motherland - APOP Geroskipou 2034/35 Pre-Season Fully funded by conference league money, Clive went straight to the board asking for training facilities improvements, these were immediately accepted, meaning just like the youth improvements before, the First Division side would not have to change for training in a dingy, moudly coat room. Also coming from Geroskipou's success was a EPL yo-yo side Fulham. Clive used to be a Fulham fan growing up, but his allegiance was now changed. Another bump in the finances with some much needed TV money. Transfers Some impressive names coming in. Foucart to challenge for the GK spot. Casson in on loan from Bournemouth to provide a starting option at DL. Matijevic and Ivanovic as a backup at ML and MR respectively. Xabier Bilbao being the pick of the bunch, who was a star player at BWM. Just the one player left permanently, Bozicic got the hump as he was not a starter. Results The regular tune up games, along with a friendly against AEK to see how Geroskipou weighed up against their conference league opponents. League odds Despite finishing 2nd place last season, the bookmakers still had Geroskipou down to finish in the bottom 6. It was now up to Clive and his team to prove that they were not a one season wonder. Fixtures The season would kick off with a very winnable game against Othellos, this would be the perfect way to get a positive start and build some early season momentum.

Neither did I! I think that the best team of all of them was Midtylland, but we the fact we managed to avoid teams like Napoli and Villarreal in the 4th Qualifying round was massive. van Looy and Mariano certainly forming a great bond up top.

Clive English - Back to the motherland - APOP Geroskipou Conference League - Qualifier Playoff There were now only 2 matches to determine if Geroskipou would be in the group stage of the conference league. The draw had pitted them against Rosenborg BK from Norway. First Leg Rosenborg had taken the time to scout out Geroskipou and their previous matches. As a result, they sent out a full strength side for the home leg. Despite out xg-ing their opponents, Geroskipou could not find a way through until the 91st minute, when a van Looy strike was ruled out to bring the heartbreak back to Cyprus. Second Leg Going into the second leg, Clive was feeling hopeful, as he knew his team where always stronger at home. He told him team to take revenge, and within 60 seconds of the first whistle, Mariano had drawn the tie level. The hope was back in the team. Just after the half hour mark, van Looy popped in a straightforward chance to flip the tie on its head. Just before half time, the Dutchman scored again to make the score 3-0 on the night, and 3-1 on aggregate. On 77 minutes, van Looy completed his hattrick, to make it 4-0 on the night and saw Geroskipou qualify for the conference league group stage! The money from the group stage managed to flip the finances of the club on its head too. Group Stage Draw A very tough looking group, including Wolves, and AEK Athens. Clive was confident in getting a result or two against AGF though.

Clive English - Back to the motherland - APOP Geroskipou Conference League - 3rd Qualifying Round Luckily, the draw for the 3rd qualifying was nice to Geroskipou, giving them Radnik Bijeljina from Bosnia and Herzegovina. This was the easiest tie in the round in Clive's eyes, and the team was brimming with confidence after the previous round. First Leg Again, Geroskipou's opposition underestimated them, and played a rotated side with very basic roles. Geroskipou took full advantage of this, putting their opponents to the sword, and despite 2 missed penalties and and a disallowed goal, they went into the break 3-1 up. After Mariano rounded off another hattrick in the 56th minute, the game went quiet until the final 5 minutes, Jajalo made the game a bit tighter on 87 minutes at 4-2, but van Looy, Mariano, and Jerbic all scored before full time and the first leg finished 7-2. Second Leg Radnik sent out their strongest side, with their regular tactic, and Clive made some changes. Both sides created some good chances, but an 84th minute goal from Mariano was the only thing that seperated the two sides by full time. With the aggregate score 8-2 Geroskipou. Another gate reciept record broken, this would not be the last time, as there would be another conference league game at the home of Geroskipou.

Clive English - Back to the motherland - APOP Geroskipou A European Adventure - Conference League 2nd Qualifying Round Geroskipou's first foray into Europe could not have been more difficult. Midtylland were a 3.5 star side, whereas Geroskipou were just about a 2 star team. First Leg Midtylland came out massively underestimating Geroskipou, playing a second string side, and very narrow. Clive made some tweak so push his wingers very wide, giving them acres of room to roam, and it paid off, with Carvalho scoring first, and from there, it was all Geroskipou. Mariano scored a hattrick, with van Looy grabbing a brace. Final score, a MASSIVE 7-0 to Geroskipou. Second Leg With progression into the next round almost certain, Clive made some wholesale changes to the side, including Eiriksson in for van Looy, and the change worked almost immediately, as before the 1st minute was over, he had scored an impressive solo goal. After another Mariano goal, Midtylland decided to turn it on, scoring quickly after, and piling on the pressure, but Geroskipou's defense held strong, and finished the game out 2-1 winners (9-1 on aggregate) Despite £70k looking like a lot of paper, but in the grand scheme of Geroskipou's debts, it was nothing.

Clive English - Back to the motherland - APOP Geroskipou 2033/34 Season Review A second place finish was definately a bigger step in the right direction that Clive, and the board had hoped for. The next goal would be consistency in getting into the european qualifiers, but if they made it to the group stage, Clive knew that fixture congestion could be a real problem in realising this goal. But that was next seasons problem. For now, all Clive was willing to do was to go to T T Bar for the first time in a while with his players and enjoy the summer. Another record broken by van Looy, this time the First Division scoring record, taking over from his strike partner Mariano with 25 goals. Season Revenue Clive's Cuttings van Looy and Mariano getting a combined 51 goals in all comps was mighty impressive. Also Carvalho's 16 assists, bringing him into the fold as the all time assist leader for the club It was obvious that the club was bleeding money, despite the board pouring money in. A run into the Conference League group stage was becoming more and more needed. van Looy's efforts this season saw him increase his lead in the all time goal record and also saw him top the all time apps record.

Clive English - Back to the motherland - APOP Geroskipou May 2034 After the Anorthosi game, it was only a higher place in the league to play for, so naturally, Clive sent out his strongest side to play. A Mariano hattrick along with a Monchu free kick helped ease a 4-1 final day of the season win. Final Table Due to both Alki and Nea Salamina both dropping points in their games in May, Geroskipou managed to sneak past both and finish the season in 2nd place.

Clive English - Back to the motherland - APOP Geroskipou Match Day 31 - Anorthosi (H) A new record for best placed league finish was on the line, but more importantly, a european qualification place. All Geroskipou had to do was to not lose against Anorthosi. First Half Early on in the game, Geroskipou showed dominance, which eventually frustrated the Anorthosi defense to a point of fury, and lashing out in the box leading to a penatly in the 19th minute. Jerbic cooly slotted away to make the score 1-0 Geroskipou. In the 26th min, Jerbic had another chance to double the lead with another penatly. But he missed, and the score remained the same. Just before half time, Carvalho got on the end of a deep cross to put Clive's mind at ease. A 2 goal advantage going into the break was good, Clive was about to make his way down the tunnel, when he heard the ref's whistle. Penatly to Geroskipou. Jerbic delivered a hammerblow to Anorthosi's hopes by converting and he was now 2/3 on the day. Somehow there was time after the ensuing kick off for Abreu to find space behind the Geroskipou back 4, have a ball played over the top to him, and slot home to at least keep the game alive. Half Time APOP Geroskipou 3 - 1 Anorthosi Second Half The game quitened in the first half of the second half, with a few half chances sailing over the bar. This was until the 71st minute, when a long ball found Mariano, who left his marker in the mud and scored to make the score a now unasailable 4-1 with 20 minutes to go. In typical Abreu style though, he scored again, 4-2. Just to seal the deal, van Looy, a club legend in Clive's eyes, rounded out the rout. Full Time APOP Geroskipou 5 - 2 Anorthosi This result sealed a european adventure next season, even if was only going to be 2 games and back home for tea.

Clive English - Back to the motherland - APOP Geroskipou April 2034 And as if by magic, Geroskipou were taught how to win again. As Clive had predicted, an easy 4-1 win against Apol. Limassol was followed up by a 9-0 friendly win to boost morale. A late Iosifidis header was enough to salvage a 2-2 draw and a point away against Alki. A second friendly of the month was played, with Geroskipou winning 11-0 to get the creative juices flowing for APOEL's visit. As expected, Geroskipou were under the cosh for the majority of the match, and were on their way to earning a credible 2-2 draw. But after all the stoppage time goals that they had conceeded throughout the season, karma finally gave the men in red some payback. Devin van Looy popped up with goals in the 91st and 94th minute and the match ended in a 4-2 victory for Geroskipou! Table The massive win against APOEL saw Geroskipou hold onto 4th place, 6 points clear of Anorthosi with 2 games to go, and only 3 points behind 2nd place. Fixtures Clive went into the first league match of the season against Anorthosi knowing that as long as his side could pick up a draw or a win, then a european spot would be secured, as Nea Salamina and APOEL both were in the final of the Cypriot Cup. If they lost, they would need to go to Limassol and win there instead, but the aim was to finish the job off at home infront of the Geroskipou faithful.

Definitely of late, but we started the season really well against them, I think the cup matches may not have made it look so though. In terms of the league, I think that it is a very divided league, the usual 6 sides will make up the top 6, apart from this year where Omonoia have had a bad season. I am more concerned that Alki have our number this season though, as they are the only side we have not managed to win against yet, and there has been a massive swing in our goal difference between 32/33 and 33/34.

Clive English - Back to the motherland - APOP Geroskipou March 2034 During March, Clive was looking over the Cypriot Football Gazette looking for transfer rumours, and he saw the article about his 500 games for Geroskipou. In the games however, Geroskipou showed signs of a total collapse of a football club, they were knocked out of the cup at the final hurdle, where despite the second leg not going their way, Clive was confident in his men to win in a shootout, but a last gasp goal for Nea Salamina denied this ever happening. In the league, 3 straight losses compounded the feeling of dread. The fact they lost to Anorthosi left the gap between the two sides now at 4 points. Fixtures Clive hoped that a win against Apol. Limassol would be able to kick start some kind of recovery in form, even if it was a brief one beore welcoming APOEL on the last game of the season.

Clive English - Back to the motherland - APOP Geroskipou February 2034 The end of the month was just as shambolic as the start. First, a 0-0 draw against Nea Salamina, where they had a man sent off in the 38th minute, but they still managed 2 offside goals and created more than Geroskipou, even with the disadvantage. Next came Alki, where Geroskipou were winning 3-2 in until the 90th minute, when Ochoa popped in the equaliser, and then the winner 2 minutes later to leave Geroskipou winless for the month for the first time in a while. Table The solitary point from February saw Geroskipou slip down into 4th place, now out of touch with APOEL, but still in the hunt for european places. The gap was now only 9 points though. Fixtures It would look like the winless streak would continue, as a trip to APOEL opened up the month. Clive took note of the fact that the month finished with yet another league and cup double header, this time against Nea Salamina. A win against Anorthosi would also be crucial if the european dream was on the cards.

Clive English - Back to the motherland - APOP Geroskipou February 2034 A total collapse occured, van Looy tried his best, knocking in another hattrick, but the defensive side of the team was still causing issues, as they shipped 5 goals against Omonoia. Table There was now a 5 point gap at the top of the table, but still a 12 point gap between Geroskipou and Anorthosi Fixtures With a top 6 place confirmed, this would be the difficult part of the season. The remaining fixtures in February were Nea Salamina and Alki, 2 sides right up Geroskipou's backside. Wins against both these sides would be vital in the early stages of the split.