sherm Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 Sometimes in life, events happen that can alter the course or the path of someone’s destiny. One minute thing, or one small detail can make that person make a change that will determine how their life will pan out for the future, On a cold day in 2001, this is what happened to one particular football club. David Bernstein received an offer from an Italian Businessman – his consortium was ready, willing and able to buy his Manchester City. He had been considering retiring previously, and saw this as a perfect opportunity. It didn’t take long, and the deal was done. £25 million – and a chance to turn them into football’s elite, to sit at the top table* That said, they were without a manager following their relegation the previous season, and with a hefty and relatively aging squad, there was work to be done to secure promotion back to the Premiership at the first time of asking. New chairman, Fabio Manstrano, already had a man in place to be the manager, a man he had worked with before and a man he knew would have no problem altering the squad. That man was former international and current Juventus assistant, Marcello Antavolo. 280 goals in 360 career games was nothing short of prolific, and had it not been for injury, he could have scored even more He quickly got into place in his new regime, releasing a total of 17 players from the squad that he had no room for, aswell as placing another 12 on the transfer list. He had assigned his scouts into roles, with a youth search, and scouting of European countries all taking place. He quickly made an impression, asserting his authority immediately and sitting down with the squad list, crossing out the names he didn’t think would fit his system --- *This is something that I changed on the editor - I just picked an Italian non-player, changed the name and placed them as chairman. No financial add-ons, nothing else. No update, played on original 3.60 database, CM 01/02 - hope you all enjoy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sherm Posted March 21, 2017 Author Share Posted March 21, 2017 A powerful forward, with a brilliant leap and surprising turn of pace, he made his debut for Juventus aged 18 years and 23 days, scoring the second goal in a 3-1 win. He quickly established himself as a regular, both domestically and internationally, scoring better than a goal every other game. His most memorable game was when he scored 5 goals in a 6-0 win over Inter Milan, the most complete performance anyone had seen from a centre forward in years. He could score with either foot, had a superb leap and was brilliant in the air, and he could hold the ball up if necessary. However, in 1986, things started to turn sour. He had an argument with the manager, being left out on favour of what was described as a ‘less selfish player’, and that happened to be the beginning of the end. May 1987, he moved across Italy to Milan, where he continued his prolific form, scoring 28 goals in his first season. In the second year though, he suffered a knee injury that would limit his appearances to just 22 for the season. This was an injury he would never truly recover from, and ebentually, in 1993, he was forced to retire. Not to be deterred though, he earnt both his UEFA ‘A’ and UEFA ‘Pro’ licenses, and three years later, he joined his first club, Juventus, as a first team coach … The players had been established and started training, and he was happy with the squad he had trimmed down Nicky Weaver was a young lad, and had been at the club a while, and while he was a better shot stopper than his rival, the more experienced Carlo Nash, he had a tendency to be a little rash. However, both were more than capable in between the sticks The defensive positions were interesting, as he wasn’t a manager who played with full backs. This meant that so far, choices were limited, but Geordie and club captain Steve Howey, and Scot Paul Ritchie were the best options. Both men were experienced, with excellent ability in the air and they were both first choice options. Youngster Richard Dunne was a clever option, but he maybe needed more experience, while Australian Simon Colosimo and England legend Stuart Pearce were also more than able deputies Midfield saw some good choices. Jeff Whitley looked a good choice for the holding role. Danny Tiatto was a good player, could either play the attacking or defensive role, although he would face stiff competition from the likes of Kevin Horlock, another experienced campaigner, and Norway international Alfie Haaland. The attacking roles behind the striker looked like it was easy, with Eyal Berkovic and Ali Benarbia the two options thus far The strikers were of good quality. Paulo Wanchope was a skilful player, able to score goals from all angles and use his power to outmuscle defenders. Darren Huckerby was a different option, his lightning pace and quick feet able to confuse defenders and allow him to score goals, while Bermudan Shaun Goater was a bit of a cult hero amongst the fans Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sherm Posted March 21, 2017 Author Share Posted March 21, 2017 The youth side of the squad was starting to take shape, and while Marcello entrusted his staff to fulfil his ambitions, he still had a little say when the signing was finalised. Jon Coppinger, Graham Marchant and James Knowles were three youngsters signed from Garforth town, and while they were not household names, they were the sort of players that fitted the formation that he played. There were another couple of non-league additions too, with Chesham United forward Victor Renner, and Radcliffe target man David Collins all going into the youth setup. They were followed by young Portuguese ‘keeper Hugo Pinheiro, and former Man United trainee John Rankin. He was delighted with these signings, and with Osorio, his youth coach, one of the best around, he was sure they would become an integral part of the squad in the future There were also some other additions in the first team squad, as Cheltenham defender Jamie Victory came in for a nominal fee as a back up for the defence, as well as Telford midfielder Steve Palmer, another back-up option, and Spanish holding midfielder Agustin on a free transfer … As a coach, he quickly became renowned as a good tactician, able to tweak his formations in game, and certainly able to see things others couldn’t. He had a great eye and terrific man management skills, and the training sessions he created were innovative and the players really enjoyed it. He was tipped to be a success as a manager, but Manchester City were a tough club to start your career with, certainly with the expectations of the fans and the boards – and in this case, the press, as the Maine Road outfit were made odds on promotion favourites – the pressure was cranked up even more More new additions came in, as Hull’s hot prospect Ryan Williams arrived for half a million, and Blackpool central midfielder Richie Wellens for a cool million, which was a signing he was delighted with. Two free transfers had also been agreed, but both Nigerian Taribo West and Colombian forward Victor Hugo Aristzabal were both awaiting work permits, but they would both be excellent additions. The signing that he was most excited about though, was the young Scottish midfielder Mark Kerr, He was being chased by several clubs, including Celtic, Chelsea and Wolves, but the promise of first team action and the chance to be nurtured by the manager was what turned the youngster towards Maine Road, and the £1.5 million transfer was completed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sherm Posted March 21, 2017 Author Share Posted March 21, 2017 Marcello’s squad was starting to take serious shape, and though he hadn’t been on the bench for the pre-season games, he had watched them and knew what sort of football his team were capable of. 5-0 winners against Darlington, while a 1-1 draw against Alaves was sandwiched in between a brace of 2-1 wins against Cadiz and Deportivo, so there was plenty of positives from the games. Irish forward Glen Crowe, who had a prolific record for his current club Bohemians joined for £200 grand, while AIK’s big Swedish defender Teddy Lucic provided another option at the back, and one that would be capable of becoming a first team player The season was fast approaching, and with the squad now looking like his squad, and one that he’s built, there was optimism in bundles that would carry on through the season. The two work permits had been finalised, and with the opening game of the season at home, it was time to pick his first team for the Division One opener – it was a tough decision, but eventually, he pinned it up on the noticeboard for the players to see after training Team v Barnsley Nash ; West, Howey (c), Ritchie ; Agustin, Kerr, Whitley, Wellens ; Berkovic, Aristzabal ; Wanchope Subs ; Weaver, Dunne, Tiatto, Crowe, Huckerby It was a team that was more than capable of winning a game, and the frightening thing for the opponents was the players not even in the squad – how good must that squad be?! … At 2.30pm, just half an hour before kick-off, Marcello left his office and headed to the changing rooms. Never one for big conversations or huge team talks, he told the team exactly what they needed to do. Barnsley were the opposition, and though he expected his side to triumph, they still needed to be given the respect. They were, but this didn’t stop the home side having a great start, Berkovic and Wanchope both testing the ‘keeper early on, and a rasping shot from Richie Wellens skimming the bar. It took until the half hour mark, but the opener came eventually, Berkovic feeding Aristzabal, who fizzed a ball across, which got all the way through to Agustin at the back post, who had to simply slot the ball home. He probably wasn’t the person expected to score City’s first of the campaign, but he did. There was nothing much of note in the remainder of the half, except a Steve Howey header straight at the ‘keeper, but they went in at half time ahead. The visitors came out like a train in the second half, and even though they equalised through Isaiah Rankin, if it wasn’t for Carlo Nash, it could have been worse. However, they composed themselves and took control of the game again, and it was a brilliant goal that decided the game, superb passing within the midfield, before Berkovic slid through Mark Kerr, and the young Scot delightfully chipped the ball over the ‘keeper to seal the points Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sherm Posted March 22, 2017 Author Share Posted March 22, 2017 So, a solid start and three points in the bag, but there was no time to rest, as they headed to London for their second game against Crystal Palace. They had also won their opening game, but they were ripped to shreds in the first 45 minutes, going in at the interval 3-0 behind, but it could easily have been 7 or 8. Paulo Wanchope opened the scoring, Aristzabal squaring the ball to him and the Costa Rican sliding the ball home. The Colombian was running the show, stinging the ‘keeper’s hands on a couple of occasions, before he played a long ball over the top, allowing Huckerby to use his pace and the striker did just that, racing clear and sliding the ball underneath the ‘keeper to double the advantage. Eventually, Aristzabal got his goal, receiving the ball on the edge of the box and firing a low shot into the bottom corner, leaving the home side shell shocked and not sure what hit them. The second half wasn’t as exciting, but a fourth was added when Huckerby was fouled, and Wellens stepped up to convert the penalty, securing a terrific three points The team were showing they had brilliant attacking prowess, and if they could be consistent enough through the season, promotion was certainly a possibility. The League Cup provided a break from the league action, and the draw had been kind, with Cambridge United the opponents. There was a reshuffle of the team, several changes made, but it didn’t change the way the team played, the star of the show being Glen Crowe, a hat-trick on his first start for the club. He headed the opener from a 23rd minute corner, before curling a left foot shot home on half time. Richard Dunne headed his first goal for the club from a corner in the second half, and with ten minutes remaining, Crowe sealed his treble, rounding the ‘keeper and finishing nicely Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sherm Posted March 22, 2017 Author Share Posted March 22, 2017 The third league game of the season was, well, the most exciting of the season, without a shadow of a doubt. Another trip to London, more specifically Watford, one of the promotion favourites, saw nine goals in the game, and while defending took a back seat, sometimes that can happen. The home side had spent plenty of money, and had some quality in the team, but nothing could stop City in the first twenty minutes, as they raced into a 2-0 lead. Danny Tiatto curled a free-kick home, before the Australian laid off Aristzabal, who jinked inside three men and slid the ball past the stranded Espen Baardsen. It wasn’t all plain sailing after that though, as two goals in the final fifteen minutes from Stephen Hughes and Gifton Noel-Williams sent the game level at half time. Mark Kerr regained the lead ten minutes into the half, but yet again the home side got back into it, Noel-Williams again heading an equaliser just as he did in the first half. That was the signal for City to race away, and the final three goals came in the last fifteen minutes, as Tiatto’s wonder strike, where he dribbled past five players, dinked the ball over the ‘keeper into the corner and raced away, Wanchope’s cool finish and Kerr smashing home the rebound from Huckerby’s shot ensured an end to an amazing game, and a 6-3 win -- August 2001 Summary (First Division unless stated) Manchester City 2-1 Barnsley (Agustin, Kerr) -- Crystal Palace 0-4 Manchester City (Wanchope, Huckerby, Aristzabal, Wellens pen) -- League Cup 1st Round Cambridge Utd 0-4 Manchester City (Crowe (3), Dunne) -- Watford 3-6 Manchester City (Tiatto (2), Aristzabal, Kerr(2), Wanchope) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sherm Posted March 22, 2017 Author Share Posted March 22, 2017 August had been a good month, four wins out of four, so September saw a side brimming with confidence, so when Birmingham came to Maine Road on a poor run of form, they were brushed aside with ease. Mark Kerr opened the scoring, his attacking freedom being shown once again as Berkovic slipped him through, and he raced through to slide the ball underneath the ‘keeper and into the net. The little Scot turned provider for the second on the half hour, his curling ball finding Victor Aristzabal who finished first time into the roof of the net. Tommy Mooney linked well with Stan Lazaridis to pull one back just before the interval, but it was to be a scant consolation, as City turned on the style in the second half. Kerr won a free-kick, just outside the area, before stepping up to curl it home himself, while Aristzabal jinked his way through, avoided a tackle and placed the ball home for his second. He unselfishly gave up his hat-trick and slid the ball across goal for Shaun Goater to slide his first of the season into the empty net and secure another convincing win … People had sat up and taken notice of the team in the early season, so they would be taking more notice when the early season top 2 and title favourites met at Molineux in the next game. Dave Jones had been vocally critical of City in the press, while Marcello opted to not say anything about his Wolves side, instead voicing his opinion to his players and allowing them to do his work on the field. Wanchope was replaced by Huckerby, while Jeff Whitley replaced Agustin, and Richard Dunne made his first league start of the season. Things didn’t start well, a fracas in the opening ten minutes between Paul Butler and Huckerby seeing the striker get himself booked, so to avoid the red card, he switched with Aristzabal. This was to prove to be a move that would be crucial. Kenny Miller opened the scoring, beating Steve Howey to the ball and nipping it home on 19 minutes, but the score was 2-1 in the visitors favour by the break, Aristzabal and Kerr both keeping up their incredible scoring starts to the season. The second half was all one way traffic, a sea of blue bombimg forward, with one man stealing the show, as the Colombian midfielder completed his hat-trick, with a header and a left foot half volley, making it the perfect hat-trick, while Huckerby sealed it emphatically, bustling past Butler and sliding in at the near post for a second successive 5-1 win Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tenthreeleader Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 Always good to see a good WIBL/WOBL tale, even if it is City. Eyal Berkovic and Paolo Wanchope. Those were the days! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sherm Posted March 27, 2017 Author Share Posted March 27, 2017 Everyone loves a CM 01/02 tale 10-3. It's still one of my favourite incarnations of the game, I just love the pure simplicity of it. Welcome aboard anyway, glad to have you along --- Labelled as the entertainers already, despite having played just five league games, it was pretty clear that goals were not going to be difficult to come by for Marcello and his team. Another promotion contender loomed large, as Coventry visited Manchester. They were another team that had plenty of attacking prowess, not least with Lee Hughes having signed for £5 million, so it was always going to be tough. It got even tougher as for the first time this season, they fell behind, Chippo and Konjic combining down the right to cross for Hughes to head past Nicky Weaver. Panic could have easily set in, especially having not been behind yet this season, but they responded well, chances falling to Wanchope, Kerr and Whitley, but it wasn’t until the 40th minute the equaliser came, the ball falling to Tiatto eight yards out and the little Aussie ramming it home. It was the same man who put the side in front in the second half, collecting Wellens’ pass and sliding the ball across the ‘keeper. The midfielder turned scorer when he converted the penalty that was won by Huckerby, before the striker provided a fourth for substitute Ryan Williams, his first goal in sky blue -- They had now scored 24 goals in their last five league games, a ridiculous run of scoring that the opposition defences had not been able to stop. The goals were coming from all angles too, and from several different players. The League Cup beckoned next, and an away trip to the coast to face fellow Division One side Grimsby. Again, there were a few changes, with Jeff Whitley, Glen Crowe, Shaun Goater and Simon Colosimo all starting the game, and it was the Aussie who earnt his man of the match award, as he controlled the game, having a hand in all three goals. Bradley Allen had slid the home side in front, working well with Alan Pouton and finishing nicely over Nicky Weaver, but it was Colosimo’s ball that allowed Huckerby to race through, slide the ball across and Aristzabal to slot home. Neither side could break the deadlock in the remainder of the 90 minutes, despite good chances, and it wasn’t until the 114th minute that the deadlock was broken, Whitley collecting the ball from Colosimo and firing home a 20 yard shot. Tiatto secured it after playing a lovely one-two with Colosimo and curling the ball home, sealing their place in the third round The table was looking healthy, six games, six wins and a goal difference of +19, so the trip to Yorkshire, more specifically Millmoor to face high flying Rotherham was one he expected his side to win. However, it turned out to not be as easy as they may have fought, as the home side battled and fought their way to a 2-2 draw, ensuring that Marcello saw his side drop their first points of the season. Paulo Wanchope opened the scoring, powering past the defender with his pace and slotting the ball past Mike Pollitt. However, the home side proved to be a threat off set pieces, and it was from a corner they equalised, Chris Swailes powering his header home from ten yards out. The second half was all City, as they pushed and pushed, constantly knocking at the door, eventually breaking it down on 74 minutes, Wanchope collecting the pass, cutting inside and rifling his shot into the top corner. That ought to have been enough but it wasn’t to be, Stewart Talbot curling home a beautiful free kick with just four minutes left to secure a well earnt and hard fought point for the Yorkshire side Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sherm Posted March 27, 2017 Author Share Posted March 27, 2017 Sitting with the coaching staff in their regular meetings, there were obviously more positives than negatives. Marcello still felt the defensive side of their game could be improved in some areas, as they still conceded the odd sloppy goal, but going forward, they couldn’t do any more than what they had done. He was also happy with the squad he had so far but with room for improvement, there was always the opportunity to strengthen, but that bridge would be crossed when it came to it The staff were given new assignments, awards decided to be given in training (a little thing he had always done) and they all finished off with a drink before going their separate ways until the next day That next day saw a visit from Norwich, currently sitting in 5th so doing better than many people expected. Wanchope, Tiatto, Berkovic and Agustin came into the starting eleven, but once again, it was Colombian wizard Victor Aristzabal who scored the opener, using his wand of a right foot and striking a magnificent volley from the edge of the box. This prompted the visitors to keep at least one, most of the time two men, on the midfielder, trying to stifle him out of the game. The problem with that was it allowed the other attacking players to come into the game, and Eyal Berkovic was the man who ran the show after that. It wasn’t until the 56th minute that the second goal came, Berkovic slipping through Wanchope, and the Costa Rican smashed the ball in off the near upright. He added a third before the end, Agustin’s cross finding his head and he guided it in really well Goals just kept flowing, and with notoriously leaky Burnley the next opponents, and a team that City had always scored against, it continued in the same vein, a comfortable and thoroughly professional 4-0 hammering to end the month in style. Danny Tiatto set up the opener for Aristzabal, a lovely pass allowing the main man of the moment to dink the ball deftly over the ‘keeper and open the scoring after 26 minutes. He had a hand in the second, sliding in Berkovic, who slipped the ball back for Jeff Whitley to run on to and double the advantage before the break. Aristzabal scored a beautiful free-kick just after the hour mark, before Tiatto’s long ball found Goater, who slipped the ball under the ‘keeper and sealed the 4-0 win, moving them 5 points clear at the top of the table Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sherm Posted March 27, 2017 Author Share Posted March 27, 2017 September 2001 Summary (First Division unless stated) Manchester City 5-1 Birmingham (Kerr (2), Aristzabal (2), Goater) -- Wolves 1-5 Manchester City (Aristzabal (3), Kerr, Huckerby) -- Manchester City 4-1 Coventry (Tiatto (2), Wellens (pen), Williams) -- League Cup 2nd Round Grimsby 1-3 Manchester City (aet) (Aristzabal, Whitley, Tiatto) -- Rotherham 2-2 Manchester City (Wanchope(2)) -- Manchester City 3-0 Norwich (Aristzabal, Wanchope (2)) -- Manchester City 4-0 Burnley (Aristzabal (2), Whitley, Goater) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilhoskins77 Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 Not only is this a great read Sherm, but it's bringing back memories of some of the players I used to sign up on old CM saves of years ago. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sherm Posted March 31, 2017 Author Share Posted March 31, 2017 Neilhoskins77 - glad you're enjoying the tale so far. It's been fun to play and though the writing is slower than I would like, it's fun to write too! There were some real gems on this game and I used to stick with the old faithful, whatever division I played in October started with a big blow, as Mark Kerr was ruled out for six weeks with a hamstring injury. This meant that Richie Wellens would get a run of games, and just when it looked like that was it, Steve Howey suffered a strained muscle in his back, which would keep him out for several weeks. It had been plain sailing so far so the odd setback was to be expected. Not only that, but the opening game of the month, at Bramall Lane against Sheffield United, proved to be their toughest of the season, and had it not been for Carlo Nash, they might well have lost the game. Nash received the man of the match, and he must have made at least ten saves through the game. Headers, point blank saves, and an unbelievable one arm claw to get the ball away from the line, and the home fans were in utter disbelief. To top that off, in the 84th minute, City stole the points, Huckerby winning the foul and Richie Wellens justifying his selection and curling the free-kick into the top corner. When the whistle went, Nash received the congratulations from his team mates, and his manager, and would quite rightly earn his bottle of bubbly for the evening. The press gave Carlo all the plaudits the following day, justifiably so, and despite some light ribbing in training, his team mates knew just how crucial his performance was. City had moved 7 points clear at the top, with 28 points out of a possible 30, but from 2nd to 12th, there was just a four point gap, which meant the league was wide open. One of those sides in the group, Walsall, were the next hosts for Marcello and his team, and due to the physical nature of their play, he decided to pack the midfield with his own style of physicality, so Tiatto, Agustin and Whitley were the chose starting three across the middle. This proved to be a great decision, as Jeff Whitley was phenomenal, breaking up every move, starting a lot for City and just dominating the entire game. Paulo Wanchope opened the scoring, heading past the ‘keeper, before Danny Tiatto’s left foot rocket kept up his decent scoring record, sending his side 2-0 up with ten minutes left. Jason Bent pulled one back for the home side but it made no difference and City hung on for the points -- “Boss, got a minute?” Stuart Pearce had popped his head into the office after training, and was summoned in “What can I do for you Psycho?” “Just wanted to let you know, I’ll be retiring from playing after this season. My body tells me it’s time” “Fair enough. How’s the coaching coming on?” “Fine. Just need experience at a club on the staff to complete my full set” Marcello nodded, a smile creeping across his face “Well I’d like you to continue here in a coaching capacity. The lads respect you, the fans love you and I think you’d be great for the club Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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