How to make your way in the Primera Liga (or not as the case may be)

[Dixie Flatline]

11th of October 2003

Alavés is the first to make me an offer for Hibic, bidding £400,000 over six months for the Bosnian international defender. I sold José Tárraga to the Basque club a season ago for a ridiculously low amount and if I can push the asking price up for the Bosnian, I think I’ll be doing well. So, I respond by demanding £575,000 over six months and £150,000 if he adds ten international caps to his collection.

13th of October 2003

At the start of another week, Wim Jansen tells me that my terms for Hibic are simply too much for the cash-strapped Basque club. But Pontevedra weighs in with a bid of £650,000 for him. I accept the bid, because I think it is a good price for the Bosnian, and the fact that Pontevedra is mired deep in D2B so they won’t be playing us regularly for a while!

14th of October 2003

Hibic is reportedly delighted to agree terms with Pontevedra. I don’t much care about him leaving - I’m looking forward to seeing the £650,000 cheque in two months!

15th of October 2003

Melilla makes a ridiculously low bid of £200,000 for Magno. I want something more substantial and I therefore demand of my counterpart £400,000 after six months and £200,000 after 20 league matches.

With little to do until the weekend in terms of playing, I decide to let Luis Sosa, my able right-hand man, take care of the training. In his nightly de-brief, he tells me that Cristian Ãlvarez has done well so far in training and I should give him a chance in the first team. I would if I could, but I’m frightened that he will attract the attention of other clubs and since he is refusing to sign a new contract, his min. release clause is a ridiculously low amount of just £450,000.

16th of October 2003

Cádiz wastes my time with a bid of just £130,000 for Magno.

17th of October 2003

Melilla gives up its interest in Magno. That’s fine by me. I only want clubs that are serious to make bids for him.

18th of October 2003

I’m contacted by a member of that esteemed profession, a sports journalist, for my views on a rumour apparently started and vigorously circulated by Magno’s agent that a move to Defensor Sporting is set to be concluded. I know of the Uruguayan club’s interest in the Brazilian striker, but I haven’t anything concrete yet from it, so I cultivate the rumour in the hope of generating serious interest in him.

[Dixie Flatline]

19th of October 2003

Primera Liga - Game 6: Cartagonova v Celta Vigo

For our sixth match of the season, I decide to make a number of changes to the starting eleven. You might ask, why would I tinker with a winning formula? Well, I haven’t been too happy with the performance of Ismael on the left side of defence, and with Michel and Rufete back to full fitness, they should take over from Miranda and Cañizares. Vidal’s injury leaves me deciding between Arnau and Moso, and I eventually decide to go with the more experienced Francesc Arnau.

We make a great start when on 6 minutes, Lacruz and Ballesteros combine for the right back to score his first goal for his new club! Eleven minutes later, with our next substantive attack upon Celta’s goal we score our second goal when Couto’s long ball is expertly controlled by Rufete then smashes it past Laínez! But Couto goes from hero to villain when he gives away a free kick within the range of Roger. His attempt rattles Arnau’s crossbar but it falls at the feet of Santamaría and the defender subdues the crowd with his first goal of the season. I’m a little angry about our slack defending, but we immediately go back on the offensive and our bright play is rewarded on 29 minutes when Michel’s pinpoint cross is thundered home by Collymore.

That brings the crowd back to life again and we continue our attacks upon Celta Vigo’s goal. Unfortunately, Redondo can’t convert the opportunities his teammates set up for him, but I’m fairly happy with the 3-1 score at half-time. So, I’m even more happy when Collymore launches a rocket that flies into the top corner of the Celta Vigo net just sixty seconds into the second half. That makes the score 4-1 in our favour, and surely not even the UEFA Cup champion can rescue that situation! As before, we continue to hammer away at our opponents, not content to sit back on our laurels, but against the run of play, Brazilian international midfielder Vágner somehow manages to break into our penalty box and before Filipescu can dive across to cover him, he arrows a powerful shot that completely defeats Arnau to make the score 4-2 on 58 minutes.

But that doesn’t stop our players from going forward and finding another goal and after Celta survives a number of near-misses, Redondo finally puts his name on the scoresheet two minutes into stoppage time with a brilliant long-range effort from Morán’s pass to end the match 5-2 in our favour! We’re ecstatic on the bench and the crowd cannot believe what we’ve done today! The flares light up the afternoon sky as the passionate Cartagonova fans sing and dance in the stadium. It is our sixth victory in a row, and we stand alone, proud at the top of the Primera Liga ladder!

Cartagonova (4-3-1-2): Arnau; Lacruz, Filipescu, Ãlvarez, Ballesteros; Michel, Couto ©, Rufete; Morán; Redondo, Collymore.

Celta Vigo (5-2-1-2): Laínez; Roger, Quique Ãlvarez, Sergio ©, Santamaría, Bravo; Sergio (Vágner 57), Olivera (Coira 62); Jesuli; McCarthy, Edú.

Final score: Cartagonova 5:2 Celta Vigo

MoM - Stan Collymore

[Dixie Flatline]

After myself and my managerial counterpart give our press conferences, we watch in amusement as Edú addresses a hastily arranged press conference to blast his club for not investing in quality players quickly enough to prevent results like the one he had to suffer through only a matter of an hour or so ago. When confronted by his player’s outburst, Víctor Fernández takes the surprising step of agreeing with his player, but he notes that there is nothing he can do to improve the quality through the squad until the transfer window reopens. Of course, the words spoken by the Brazilian international striker do not endear him to his teammates. I’m so glad to be the sower of discord in other people’s clubs!

23rd of October 2003

Luis Sosa sees fit to interrupt a nice romantic evening I share with my girlfriend to tell me that Keith O’Neill has done wonderful things in training while I haven’t been looking recently and that I surely must find a way to fit in him the first-team. Excuse me, mate, but when you have the opportunity to remove the word ‘assistant’ from your job description, you can pick the team. Until that occurs, you leave that to me and so far, I can’t fit the rather expensively paid Irishman onto the bench, let alone into the first eleven. But your advice is noted. You can see me type it up on my invisible typewriter!

24th of October 2003

Finally, somebody makes a serious bid for Magno! One of his former clubs, Grêmio, puts together a bid of £400,000 for the out of favour striker. If I can persuade my counterpart to go for the min. release clause, I’ll be happy. If you don’t know, that would mean a bid of £600,000 for the striker.

[Dixie Flatline]

26th of October 2003

Obviously taking some time to weigh the pros and cons for going up to £600,000, Grêmio’s manager finally decides today that he really would like a crack at snaring Magno and so offers me the aforementioned sum of money. With alacrity, I accept the bid.

Primera Liga - Game 7: Cartagonova v Real Zaragoza

We’ve apparently earned some respect from our whirlwind start to our fight for survival in the Primera Liga, with Real Zaragoza approaching us with respect. Iván Vidal is the only change I make to the team that defeated Celta Vigo last weekend and with a three match road-trip fast approaching, I hope we can pick up another three points. But things go badly for us when Lacruz clatters Peternac inside the area and the referee ignores our appeals to his compassionate side to point to the spot. Vidal does his best to put off Ander Garitano, but the midfielder coolly converts for a 1-0 lead to the visiting team. The crowd is subdued somewhat by this unexpected start to the game and it takes us some time to gather the pace of the game and threaten Real Zaragoza who incidentally play Francisco Jusué, an old boy, in defence. But Morán in particular is wayward and we’re not really threatening our opponents like I know we’re capable of. And it becomes harder when on 38 minutes, Peternac does well to find Iván Rosado advancing into our penalty area and the striker tucks the ball beneath the legs of the advancing Vidal. But the second goal wakes our midfielders and striker and with time running out in the first half, Collymore and Ballesteros combine to set up the master blaster José Redondo who doesn’t let us down.

It’s a relief to reach the dressing-rooms with the opportunity to talk things over with my players. We’ve been ripped apart at the back too many times to realistically look for victory, but our fight-back in the last five minutes of the half gives me hope we can get that equaliser. And who would score it but Collymore? The English striker takes Filipescu’s long-bomb pass in his stride like an expert then slams a fizzing shot into the bottom right corner of the net just two minutes into the second half! Interestingly, we keep up the pressure with Zaragoza apparently happy to settle for the point, and we’re looking the favourite to score that decisive third goal. But despite the best efforts of Redondo, it won’t come, and Vidal who played a poor first half, does well on a couple of occasions to prevent Zaragoza marching out of Cartagena with all three points.

Cartagonova (4-3-1-2): Vidal; Lacruz, Filipescu, Ãlvarez, Ballesteros; Michel, Couto ©, Rufete; Morán; Redondo, Collymore.

Real Zaragoza (4-4-2): Juanmi ©; Placente, Jusué, Paco, Ferrón; Peralta, Garitano (Hierro 73), Acuña, Rodriguez; Peternac, Rosado.

Final score: Cartagonova 2:2 Real Zaragoza

MoM - Stan Collymore

[Dixie Flatline]

After the match, I bring Iván Vidal into my office and castigate him for a poor match where he seemed very unsure of himself. I told him that he needs to find his confidence not just for his own benefit, but for the benefit of the team, because the defenders need his leadership from the back. He apologises for his poor performance after I issue the official warning, and he reassures me that he will try to motivate himself better in the future. That would be a good thing because we have a tough three match sojourn on the road, with games against Deportivo La Coruña, which lies three points behind us in second place, Atlético Madrid, and defending champion Athletic Bilbao, before we return back to the fortress of the Estadio Municpal de Cartagena in 28 days to play Mallorca.

Then I’m informed that my physios are worried about the fitness of Filipescu. Our tough-tackling Romanian international apparently twisted his knee during our draw with Zaragoza and my physios will have to rule a line through his name for the next two weeks. He didn’t say anything about it to me during the match, so I hope that he didn’t make it worse. I’ll have the voodoo dolls waving over him 24/7 because his injury leaves a big hole in the defence that I will struggle to plug for the next fortnight.

A little bit of better news when Magno contacts the club to tell us that he is delighted to have agreed terms with his former club Grêmio. His fact-file: Magno (S C, 29 y/o, BRA/ITA): 21(11) apps, 7 goals, 2 assists, 1 MoM, av. rate: 7.13

League round-up

In England, Arsenal and Chelsea lead the way with both sides locked on 23 points after 11 games. Arsenal is ahead through superior goal difference. Ipswich Town lies in third place just a point behind. After a promising start, Simon Hunt’s Manchester United has slipped to tenth place, eight points adrift of the leaders. Early tips for relegation from the English Premier League are Portsmouth, Bradford and Birmingham.

The chase for the Scudetto is only five matches old in Italy, but Fiorentina is the early pace-setter, sitting three points clear of Juventus with a perfect start - five wins from five games. Juventus, Atalanta and Verona are all together on 12 points, while the twin Milan giants struggle in ninth and tenth position. Napoli, Piacenza, Salernitana and Ancona are the clubs now struggling to avoid relegation, but it is still early doors.

In Portugal, the race to the championship is eight games old for most clubs, and it is perennial favourite Porto again leading the charge with 17 points from those eight games. But it leads Espinho only by goal difference. Salgueiros also lurks menacingly a point behind in third place. Aves, Imortal and Vit. Guimarães are the early season candidates for the drop.

Finally to Spain, and the surprise packet of the major European leagues must be Cartagonova, who leads the Primera Liga by three points from Deportivo La Coruña. Cartagonova won its first six games of its Primera Liga history before dropping two points against Real Zaragoza on the weekend. Real Madrid lies in third position while pre-season title favourite Barcelona struggles to make much headway early in the season, being fourteenth, although it does have two games in hand. Atlético Madrid, Elche and Tenerife currently sit in the drop zone. Atlético Madrid has already changed its manager this season, but it only has one point to its credit after eight matches.

Keep smiling!

Dixie Flatline

[Dixie Flatline]

The weekend is nigh - time to fill up on the Cartagonova odyssey!

31st of October 2003

I lose Paulo Miranda for two weeks with a groin strain he suffered in training. That isn’t good news.

1st of November 2003

Real Madrid exerts real pressure on us ahead of our match tomorrow when it soundly beats Extremadura 3-0 in Almendralejo with captain Raúl leading by example with the opening goal, and Pedro Munitis adding two in the space of a minute late on to seal the points. In the cross-town derby, Barcelona prevailed 1-0 with a first-minute goal from Lilian Thuram. Tenerife moved momentarily out of the relegation zone with a comfortable 3-0 victory over fellow cellar-dwellers Elche in the Islas de Canarias. The in-favour Chispa Delgado scored twice while veteran striker Pier added the third.

[Dixie Flatline]

2nd of November 2003

Primera Liga - Game 8: Deportivo de la Coruña v Cartagonova

It’s first versus third at La Riazor, and it is set to be a cracking match. Early on, we’re under enormous pressure as my re-jigged defence struggles to adapt to the threat posed particularly by Roy Makaay and Diego Tristán. But by rights we should have a penalty on 6 minutes when César clatters into Collymore inside the area, but the voices of 30,000 gets underneath the referee’s skin and he turns down our justified appeal. On 28 minutes, César’s clearance is foolishly handled by Emerson, and up steps Redondo to plant a bullet shot past José Molina, the Deportivo keeper. It is somewhat against the run of play, but I’ll take the lead. The Dutch international Roy Makaay almost puts Deportivo on level terms a couple of minutes later, but Vidal is equal to his thunderbolt. Then the course of the match changes when Emerson holds back Rufete by his shirt. Replays show that the Brazilian has a good handful of my winger’s shirt, but Rufete reacts completely unjustifiably by turning around and punching Mista full in the face. The Deportivo midfielder falls to the ground writhing in pain and the referee immediately orders Rufete off the field to the hoots and whistles of the partisan home ground. I send the physios around to escort him to the police who take him into the tunnel.

The game-plan is out the window and our lead soon disappears as Turu Flores’ shot is palmed away somehow by Vidal, but only into the path of Diego Tristán and the talisman striker putts the ball into the net. We almost lose parity a minute or so before the half-time whistle, and at the break I emphasise to all the players the importance of concentrating on their defensive duties. If we can escape with a point, I’ll be very happy. But a makeshift defence combined with a numerical disadvantage do not equate with success and we’re immediately under the cosh in the second half. Vidal is by far the busier of the two keepers and all our defensive clearances are hurried and inaccurate. So there is no respite for our back four plus keeper and when Cafú and Emerson combine to flight the ball over the defence into the path of Capdevila, his header finds the roof of the net. With 27 minutes to play, I decide to alter the tactics, taking off Morán and Collymore for Cañizares and Esnáider. Perhaps it is a little too late, but inside the last five or so minutes we do come out of our shells a little, yet we can’t find the important equaliser. It breaks our winning streak rather rudely and you can be sure I’ll be taking drastic action to censure Rufete for his idiotic actions.

Deportivo (5-1-3-2): Molina; Capdevila, César, Amaya ©, Cafú; Emerson; Mista, Canabal (Bolic 67 (Víctor 84)), Makaay (Mena 59); Turu Flores, Tristán.

Cartagonova (4-1-2-1-2): Vidal; Ismael, Ballesteros, Ãlvarez, Lacruz; Couto ©; Michel, Rufete; Morán (Cañizares 63); Redondo, Collymore (Esnáider 63).

Final score: Deportivo 2:1 Cartagonova

MoM - Diego Tristán

[Dixie Flatline]

To make things worse, we fall to second place while today’s opponent, Deportivo, jumps up to first. Not bad for a club who looked like going bankrupt at the start of the season. We do have a game in hand, but I think our slide down the table has begun today.

3rd of November 2003

Prompted by the interest of Argentine powerhouse club San Lorenzo in Belgrano’s central defender Mariano Fernández, I decide I shall match its offer of £350,000. He is a competent, strong defender who would add depth to the squad if I could sign him.

I keep the appointment I made yesterday with Rufete and after castigating him for a good half-hour on the virtue of keeping his head in pressure-cooker situations, I decide that I cannot let him go without at least relieving him of a week’s wages for his violent conduct. I think the Spanish FA will add extra matches to his automatic week’s ban and with Paulo Miranda out of the reckoning for a fortnight, I think Gustavo Cañizares is next in line.

As I expected, the Spanish FA tells me the worse possible news. Rufete is out for nine matches in total after they review the video tape of the incident and decide the offence is worth an extra eight match ban.

[Dixie Flatline]

5th of November 2003

Primera Liga - Game 9: Atlético Madrid v Cartagaonova

We need to back up after our disappoint match against Deportivo with a visit to one of Spain’s homes, the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid to play the bottom club in the division. Hopefully it will be the spur for our seventh victory of the season and recapture top spot from Deportivo. But Atlético Madrid is just as desperate for points and without Rufete’s penetration down the right flank we find it difficult to break down our opponent’s stout defence. But when Couto and Esnáider combine to put the ball ahead of Ballesteros, the defender finds Redondo alone and unmarked, and he punishes Atlético Madrid with a powerful strike on 33 minutes.

We close down Atlético for the rest of the half and at half-time, I give an encouraging team talk, noting that we had the best of the first half and we should have the better of the second half. Sure enough, Esnáider’s slide-rule pass finds Redondo and from 20 yards, the master blaster scores his tenth goal of the season! The second goal finally prods Atlético Madrid into some semblance of life and they pull a goal back through the talismanic winger, Córcoles, who gallops the full length of the pitch to latch onto Francis’ low pass before sliding it beneath Vidal.

But we should have made the points safe when Francis, just 60 seconds after pushing over Collymore, fouls Morán inside the area and despite the initial misgivings of the referee, Redondo has the opportunity to score his hat-trick and make it 3-1. I’m wondering whether Francis should be shown the red card, but everybody else is focused on Redondo versus Toni… the keeper guesses right and pushes Redondo’s admittedly weak shot past the post. We have the better of the play in the remainder of the match, but that third goal eludes us. Still, three points is three points.

Atlético Madrid (4-4-2): Toni; Santis, Fagiani, Hernandez, Otxoa; Lardín (Socorro 82), Drasim © (Francis 48), Samuel, Córcoles; Salva, Banja.

Cartagonova (4-1-2-1-2): Vidal; Ismael, Ballesteros, Ãlvarez, Lacruz; Couto ©; Michel, Morán; Esnáider; Redondo, Collymore.

Final score: Atlético Madrid 1:2 Cartagonova

MoM - Juan Eduardo Esnáider

As I knew it would, the three points we gather from today’s win puts us back in the lead of the division. Thanks to Athletic Bilbao’s commitments in the European Champions League, our league match with the defending champion is shifted until sometime later in the season, which means our next match is against Mallorca at home in 18 days. Hopefully that will be sufficient time to bring back Filipescu, which would be vitally important to our defence.

[Dixie Flatline]

7th of November 2003

A good omen for Spain ahead of its match against Switzerland in the play-offs of the European Championships qualifiers as their U-21s defeat the Swiss U-21s 3-0 at the Vicente Calderón. It is notable for Francisco Ãlvarez putting his name on the scoresheet as he reacts quickest to a spilled free kick.

8th of November 2003

“… Guillermo Francis from Mestalla in Valencia where a crowd of almost 55,000 saw Spain all but book a place in the European Championships in Portugal next summer after the Real Madrid double-act of Fernando Morientes and Raúl put Switzerland to the sword. Morientes put the Spaniards on their way when he took Barcelona’s De la Peña’s exquisite pass in his stride before thundering a typically powerful shot through the hands of Pascal Zuberbühler. It took Spain until the fifth minute of the second half to make it 2-0 when Raúl evaded his marker before hitting a superb shot with the outside of his right boot that swerved into the top corner. Morientes finished proceedings with a brilliant solo goal that saw him travel most of the attacking half of the pitch before planting a piledriver in the bottom corner.â€

Poland should be favourite to reach the finals after a last-minute equaliser from Piotr Bazler rescued a 2-2 draw in Zagreb against Croatia. Russia has a tough trip to face Austria in Vienna after it needed Vladimir Bestchatnykh’s late goal to ground out a 2-1 win in Moscow.

9th of November 2003

Good news comes from the Spanish FA as they tell me through a representative who makes the trip to Cartagena to personally inform me that our match against Osasuna has been shifted to Saturday evening (6th of December 2003) for live television coverage. I wonder what reception Veiga will receive when he returns to the club that gave him the springboard into the Primera Liga?

[Dixie Flatline]

12th of November 2003

“…The men who guided England to its one and only World Cup victory back in 1966 will be thoroughly disgusted with the men who today wear the Three Lions on their chests. Even the comparatively heady days of Euro 1996 under Terry Venables seems a lifetime away now. Holland easily defeated today’s version 4-2 and throughout the 90 minutes hardly looked like extending themselves. Dutch manager Louis van Gaal could afford to rest striker Ruud van Nistelrooy and in general experimented with his starting eleven, but new manager Kevin Keegan, making a return to the hot-seat, will have plenty to think about as he watched his side plod through the motions with little penetration or purpose.â€

“The so-called big name midfield trio of Beckham, Anderton and Taylor hardly looked impressive while Joe Cole tried hard but at 21 still needs plenty of experience around him to guide him. England’s centre-half pairing of Southgate and Upson appeared to be playing at different matches. The only glimmer of promise came from Michael Bridges, making just his second appearance for his country since his debut almost 2.5 years ago, who scored twice to give the scoreline a veneer of respectability that Holland’s arrogant performance meant it hardly deserved.â€

“Scotland’s future in the international game also looks questionable after Turkey defeated Scotland 4-2 in Istanbul. It was an emphatic effort from the Turks, although the Scots did suffer four injuries throughout the game in which they suffered at the hands of the superior Turks and the hostile crowd. Ireland had to play 83 minutes with 10 men as Tottenham’s Gary Breen was sent off for a professional foul. It took Hungary time to make their numerical advantage count, but in the end a 2-0 victory was a fair reflection of their superiority. Wales 5-1 victory over Cyprus was the only ray of light for the Home Counties, but given the strength of the opposition it could prove a false dawn for Mark Hughes and the Welsh FA.â€

[Dixie Flatline]

“Portugal kept up their preparations for the European Championships with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Belgium in Brussels. Fiorentina’s Nuno Gomes scored both goals in the second half. Germany and Italy shared a boring 0-0 draw in Berlin.â€

“A hat-trick to Alexandr Shirko helped guide Russia to an emphatic 4-0 victory over Austria in Vienna which booked Russia’s place in the European Championships 6-1 on aggregate. Poland played a canny match in front of 66,000 fans in Chorzow to hold out the desperate Croats in a 0-0 draw. Therefore, the Poles advanced on the away goals rule after a 2-2 draw last week. Finally, Spain again defeated Switzerland 3-0 in Bern with a brace to Fernando Morientes.â€

13th of November 2003

I have an early start this morning as Belgrano wakes me to tell me that it has accepted my offer for its central defender Mariano Fernández. I boil the coffee and make the toast before driving into the club and talking to the player, offering him a nice contract.

17th of November 2003

I join Vit. Guimarães in offering Benfica £675,000 for the defender Fernando Meira, and I hope the lure of working with one of Portugal’s best ever players Fernando Couto could be enough to bring the defender to Spain.

18th of November 2003

Here’s an interesting development. Mariano Fernández does believe he is ready to tackle Primera Liga football in Spain and therefore turns down the opportunity to join Argentine champion San Lorenzo in favour of coming to Cartagonova. I suppose that means I’ll have to withdraw the bid for Meira, which is a pity because he is a good player. But I really can’t afford both.

A bit of bad news as I lose Vidal for ten days with a strained neck. Must have the facilities improved soon, otherwise this will become a more regular occurrence.

[Dixie Flatline]

19th of November 2003

Well, Fernando Meira must not like Fernando Couto because even though Benfica accepts my bid, he refuses to talk to me about an offer to join the club. At least we know where we all stand.

23rd of November 2003

Primera Liga - Game 10: Cartagonova v Mallorca

“… Señor Dixie Flatline hopes today to continue his good work with a match at home against ninth-placed Mallorca. The Estadio Municipal de Cartagena has proved to be a hard place for visiting sides to take points from, with four victories coming from Cartagonova’s first five matches in the league. But with first-choice keeper Iván Vidal rested as a precaution against a neck injury he suffered a week or so ago, it appears that the manager will choose former Barcelona keeper Francesc Arnau ahead of Joaquín Moso. Likely to make his return to the starting eleven of Cartagonova is the highly rated and influential Iulian Filipescu. It should be a good match in fine conditions that are excellent for football…â€

Redondo almost gives us the perfect start with Carlos Roa needing all his reflexes and experience to keep out the prolific striker not once but twice in the period of sixty seconds. But after the early flurry, Mallorca’s defence gets on top of Redondo and Collymore. Couto acts too aggressively, pushing over Luque and gets his fifth yellow card of the season, so he will miss out trip to Villarreal. With the defence generally performing poorly ahead of him, I think that Arnau is playing a blinder, using his finger-tips to deny Ibagaza, while the midfielders are covering for the defenders. Our cause is not helped when Ballesteros limps off on 38 minutes. I bring on Ismael for him and switch Lacruz and the substitute on the flanks. Again, just before half-time, Ibagaza tests Arnau with a strong free kick, but the keeper keeps us in the game and Couto completes the clearance.

At half-time, I personally ask each defender to reflect on their first half, and I see in their eyes that they know they haven’t been good enough. Filipescu especially looked poor, giving away silly free kicks and missing easy tackles. But the midfield is working well, while Redondo looks capable of scoring another goal or two. Sure enough, on 53 minutes, Morán, again on the wing to accommodate Esnáider in the starting eleven, crosses the ball into the box where Redondo slips his marker and thunders a beautiful volley past Roa!

My heart is in my mouth when Luque breaks clear of the defence but to my enormous relief he fluffs his opportunity, while I’m happy when Ibagaza is forced from the field with an injury - his free kicks had been causing me plenty of heartache. Collymore had been generally disappointing and I take him off for Keith O’Neill, making his first competitive appearance in a Cartagonova shirt. On 73 minutes, Esnáider’s pin-point cross is headed onto the pass by Michel while a few minutes later, Filipescu almost breaks through with a good free kick. But the second goal in a generally disappointing contest doesn’t come, and we are satisfied with a 1-0 victory - all credit to Arnau.

Cartagonova (4-3-1-2): Arnau; Lacruz, Filipescu, Ãlvarez, Ballesteros (Ismael 38); Michel, Couto ©, Morán; Esnáider; Redondo, Collymore (O’Neill 71).

Mallorca (3-5-2): Roa; Siviero, Juan Merino ©, César; Ramirez, Pirri (Carreras 48), Ibagaza (Carlos 66), Ito, Finidi George; Losada, Luque.

Final score: Cartagonova 1:0 Mallorca

MoM - Francesc Arnau

[Dixie Flatline]

So, I would have to say that, by and large, our first ten matches in the Primera Liga have been a success. Here is the ladder to show it!

Keep smiling!

Dixie Flatline

[Dixie Flatline]

The ride of our lives continues unabated!

30th of November 2003

Here’s something interesting. Everton, now mired in mid-table obscurity in the first division, signed Mallorca’s Romerito (a D/DM C whom I was waiting to come out of contract) for £525,000 and before he has even played a game for the Toffees, the Hammers offer Walter Smith £1.7 million for the defender!

Primera Liga - Game 11: Villarreal v Cartagonova

We’re almost scraping the bottom of the barrel because with Rufete, Ballesteros and Couto out of the side, I have to turn to Javier Margas to not only come into the side, but also captain it as we are hosted by our local rival. It’s an important match for us as Real Madrid slaughtered Elche yesterday 5-0 to move into second place a point behind, while Deportivo is hosted by 18th-placed Tenerife. But we begin poorly, giving Villarreal’s talismanic Argentine Walter Gaitán too much time and space early on and it’s only the incompetence of his colleagues that keeps Villarreal tied to us. It isn’t until the 18th minute before we try to beat López Vallejo, the Villarreal keeper and captain.

We begin to fashion a few more chances but the strikers’ radar is off-line completely and we cannot break the match open properly. Then again, neither can Villarreal and I can assume that the half-time addresses from myself and my counterpart ask the players to search their souls, since the match is still up for grabs. After some early skirmishes in the early minutes of the second half, Parra’s free kick curls in from 20 yards on 67 minutes and suddenly Villarreal has the upper hand in this match. Six minutes later, Gaitán’s quick free kick is turned in by Medina as they catch our defence sleeping on the job. I gamble, throwing on Dacosta, O’Neill and Oliver for Ismael, Collymore and Michel, but our humiliation is complete when Víctor puts Cagna’s pinpoint cross into the back of the net in injury time.

Villarreal (3-5-2): López Vallejo ©; Unai (Braulio 67), Hurtado, Medina; Arruabarrena, Piekarski, Parra (Keita 67), Cagna, Escoda; Gaitán, Víctor.

Cartagonova (4-1-2-1-2): Vidal; Ismael (Dacosta 74), Margas ©, Ãlvarez, Lacruz; Filipescu; Michel (Oliver 74), Morán; Esnáider; Redondo, Collymore (O’Neill 74).

Final score: Villarreal 3:0 Cartagonova

MoM - Javier López Vallejo

[Dixie Flatline]

It’s the first time we’ve been outclassed by our opponent and it’s probably not the last, since we’re still to play Real Madrid and Valencia. But I’m deeply unhappy about the timidity in which we approached our opponent today. Vidal was exposed too many times, and the full-backs didn’t do their jobs at all properly. I particularly have a strong word with Ismael, who doesn’t seem to have made the transition from Segunda to Primera Liga football like I thought he would. Michel also played terribly and they both receive official warnings. They make no comment, with fills me with even more anger because not only should they be apologising to me, but also to their teammates. Then again, only Margas and Filipescu can hold their heads up high today.

We drop to second after today’s match as Deportivo wins 3-0 at Tenerife. I have six days to turn it around because our first time on national television in the Primera Liga awaits - Cartagonova v Osasuna, live on Sky Sports!

6th of December 2003

Primera Liga - Game 12: Cartagonova v Osasuna

Despite the match being shown live on television around the country, this is the first time under my reign that the stadium manager has to post the ‘full house’ sign, as 18,000 fans cram into the Estadio Municipal de Cartagena to greet former goalkeeper Veiga and his new mates, the boys from Osasuna. From our debacle against Villarreal, I drop Ismael and Margas to accommodate the return of Ballesteros and Couto. Keith O’Neill is also replaced by Roberto Sosa, making his first appearance in a Cartagonova guernsey since joining the club back in the summer.

It is a very cautious start from both sides and it isn’t until Osasuna gives away the free kick within the range of Esnáider, and the Argentine midfielder tests Veiga’s reflexes with a bullet free kick. The Portuguese keeper disappoints his former adoring fans by turning the ball aside, but Filipescu flights the corner just so for Esnáider to rocket a header past Veiga! And that wraps it up for the first half. In the second half, things get a little more lively when Collymore dribbles his way through the Osasuna defence, but the crowd groans when his shot is closer to the corner flag than the net. Still, when Couto and Esnáider combine to spring Redondo, the prolific marksman makes no mistake on 61 minutes to make it 2-0 to the home team. Only now does Osasuna’s forwards wake up with Oktay and Gershon trying desperately to bring their team back into the contest, but we shut up shop to earn Vidal another clean sheet bonus.

Cartagonova (4-3-1-2): Vidal; Lacruz, Filipescu, Ãlvarez, Ballesteros; Michel, Couto ©, Morán; Esnáider; Redondo, Collymore.

Osasuna (4-4-2): Veiga; Ibán Pérez (Lledó 67), Saavedra, Josetxo ©, Luci; Ãngel Luis, Rousel, Alfedro, Callejas (Munteanu 56); Gershon, Oktay.

Final score: Cartagonova 2:0 Osasuna

MoM - Juan Eduardo Esnáider

[Guest]

Excellent as usual Dixie

[Dixie Flatline]

7th of December 2003

Deportivo takes back top spot in the division after easily accounting for Mallorca 3-0 at the Riazor. Mista opened the scoring on 4 minutes, while Dutch international Roy Makaay added a brace in an 8 minute burst. They lead us by dint of goal difference - Deportivo has +17 in the goal difference column, while we have +15 in ours. Real Madrid threatens to push us down to third, given that they have one game in hand, trail us by 3 points and have a slightly better goal difference.

10th of December 2003

Copa del Rey - 1st Round: Toledo v Cartagonova

Today’s opponent in the first round of the Copa del Rey is battling for promotion from D2B, group 1. I choose this match to give a few of the fringe players an opportunity to push their names forward, but of course the focus is upon winning the battle and booking for ourselves a spot in the second round.

Redondo almost puts us in front on 5 minutes after Morán dazzles his way through the Toledo defence. From the goal-kick, Morán tests the reflexes of Márquez with a bullet shot that the Toledo keeper turns aside for a corner. In fact, we have the best of the opening exchanges as we dominate inside the Toledo half. And we finally make our pressure count on the scoreboard when Morán tees up Filipescu to volley home on his left foot on 17 minutes. It’s no more than we deserve, but we slacken off slightly and Toledo’s players have the time to regroup. Yet, we’re doing enough to keep the Toledo defence busy and focused upon keeping us out rather than threatening our goal.

So it comes as a shock when immediately after kick-off in the second half, Roberto’s accurate cross is bicycle-kicked home by Juanma. It opens the floodgates because Morán restores our lead five minutes later, smashing home Lacruz’s beautiful cut-back. Morán has a hand in setting up our third goal, feeding the ball to Fernández, who slides it through the Toledo defence to where Redondo is waiting, and the striker slams it home on 61 minutes. But our players are over-confident and when Afash skips through the tackles of Lacruz, Fernández and Ballesteros, he sees the unmarked Fran Ãlvarez screaming for the cross, and the striker is left with a simple headed goal to complete. But we go back on the attack and four minutes from time, Fernández picks up the rebound from Morán’s powerful shot.

Toledo (4-4-2): Márquez; Marc (Chechu 90), Nono, Sergio, José Antonio; Nieto (Melgarejo 9), Fran Ãlvarez, Roberto, Afash; Quini ©, Juanma.

Cartagonova (4-1-2-1-2): Vidal ©; Lacruz, Filipescu, Prieto, Ballesteros; Fernández; Jofre (Box 72), Miranda; Morán; Redondo, Sosa (Gabrich 63).

Final score: Toledo 2:4 Cartagonova

MoM - Fernando Morán

[Dixie Flatline]

12th of December 2003

So much for an easy progression through the early rounds in the Copa del Rey. We draw Valencia for the second round clash. The only bright spot is that it is at home on New Year’s Eve, so we should have a big crowd in attendance.

14th of December 2003

Primera Liga - Game 13: Espanyol v Cartagonova

We’re in the capital of the Catalan region to play the second side from Barcelona, Espanyol, who is eleven places below us in 13th position. It should be an opportunity to gather another three points, but when Sebastián Abreu is given the chance to break through our defence, he converts the chance expertly inside sixty seconds of kick-off. It’s a sloppy start made worse by our inability to properly test Esteban, the Espanyol keeper, although Filipescu and Redondo go close inside the first ten minutes. It’s a frustrating first half as I see chance after chance go begging that on other days we would have buried without a second thought.

I demand more commitment from the players at the break and I urge them to make their own luck in the second half. Esnáider responds by thundering a rocket past Esteban, converting Morán’s good pass just forty seconds into the second half. But after that moment of brilliance we again fail to capitalise on our midfielders’ good work. It seems like both sides, but particularly us, are affected by the mediocrity of the play and the match tamely peters out to an inconclusive draw.

Espanyol (4-4-2): Esteban; Juanma, Tasevksi, Rotchen (Ayala 55), Soria; Porras, Galca ©, Morales, Martín Posse; Abreu, Tamudo.

Cartagonova (4-1-2-1-2): Vidal; Lacruz (Dacosta 73), Filipescu, Ãlvarez, Ballesteros; Couto ©; Michel, Miranda (Box 73); Morán; Redondo, Esnáider.

Final score: Espanyol 1:1 Cartagonova

MoM - Esteban

The draw lets Deportivo slip two points away from us, while Real Madrid closes to within a point, still with a game in hand. We’re off to Málaga next weekend before we host Real Madrid in a fortnight. Should be a lot of fun!

[Dixie Flatline]

Thanks, Ell_G! Sorry I did not see you there before, but better late than never, hey!

Cheers,

Dixie

[Dixie Flatline]

15th of December 2003

The Spanish transfer window opens again, which means that three new players need to be introduced to the rest of the squad:

Marcelo Moya (24 y/o, ARG, D RLC): Signed from Argentine second division club Los Andes for £400,000, he is untested at the highest level of club football in Argentina and therefore is a speculative proposition in the Primera Liga. But from what I’ve seen of him on the tapes from his club, I think he has a bright future at Cartagonova. A strong, tough-tackling player who is equally adept on the ground and in the air, he is certainly next cab off the rank if for some reason any of the current back four are suspended or injured. Perhaps the only major concern is a relative lack of pace, but I think he has enough to be a good purchase for the club. Even without playing a game, his value has more than doubled on the transfer fee.

Stephen Tetteh (23 y/o, GHA 9 caps, D R): This player is another good pick-up for the club. Signed for free he has been keeping himself fairly fit in anticipation of slotting straight into the first eleven when he arrives, but Ballesteros has something to say about that I’m sure. Again, perhaps a little short on pace but in all other areas, he is a good full-back, with high marks for tackling, strength, marking and anticipation. And he’s not too bad at the offensive side of the game, with a good long shot, good passing and crossing and fair creativity.

Mariano Fernández (25 y/o, ARG, D C): Signed from Belgrano for £350,000 he is perhaps the weakest of the three new faces at the club, but he is still an impressive sight. He again looks more than just a competent centre-half, although Filipescu and Ãlvarez have worked pretty well in those positions so far this season. Started his career at Lanús in the first division in Argentina, but made his way at Belgrano before coming to Spain to join my club. I doubt if he’ll make much of an impression this season, but he is still handy cover to have, just in case.

[Dixie Flatline]

Unfortunately, Pontevreda fails to come up with the dough to afford Misrad Hibic, so I have to again hawk him around the leagues of Europe, looking for a potential suitor. The wage bill still needs to be trimmed, especially with three new faces at the club, so I review the situation. Pedro Alberto must have been signed when I was on the massive bender at the end of last season, because I have no use for him. He is placed on the transfer list, but nobody at this stage seems interested in an old codger like him.

Lawal’s contract is up for renewal at the end of the season and so far he isn’t interested in starting negotiations. So he is placed on the list and begins to attract some interest. I’m further guaranteed of a move, because he thinks I’ve treated him unfairly. I briefly toy with the idea of listing Keith O’Neill who hasn’t settled in Spain so far this season and doesn’t look capable of holding down a regular spot in the game day squad, let alone the first eleven. I also tell David Ferrara that he should clean out his locker, because he gets the joy of a free transfer.

16th of December 2003

The bidding war for Misrad Hibic begins in earnest this morning, as Osijek offers me £275,000 for the defender. I demand £500,000 after six months. Caracas also offers £275,000, and again I want £500,000. Liga is the third club to offer me £275,000 for the defender and I demand £500,000

[Dixie Flatline]

17th of December 2003

Primera Liga - Game 14: Málaga v Cartagonova

Another match on the road and it comes just three days after our last game, so wholesale changes just to find eleven relatively fit players to take the pitch at the opening whistle is needed. I think our opponents have identified that Redondo is our chief threat and whenever he gets the ball, he is quickly surrounded. But it doesn’t stop him from testing Contreras on 28 minutes. The keeper spills it but before we can react, Zepeda hoofs the ball away. Just before half-time, Redondo forces Contreras into conceding the corner, but Miranda’s header from Filipescu’s cross is wayward.

In the second half, Stan Collymore gets in on the act, firing off a quick shot at Contreras, but the keeper again pushes that shot aside. Miranda again fails to force Contreras into making a save from the corner, while Edgar takes the goalkick and marches up the field to test Vidal with his own arrow. Suddenly, I’m on my feet on 69 minutes when we believe Darío Silva crudely and illegally tackled Collymore in the box, but the referee doesn’t see it our way. But a single lapse in concentration allows the Turkish midfielder Tayfun to nutmeg Lacruz and hold off Filipescu before slamming a thunderbolt past Vidal. Coming just a minute before the end of normal time, it is a killer and we don’t have the heart to come back.

Málaga (1-2-5-2): Contreras; Ramón (López 85); Zepeda ©, Larraínzar; Agostinho, Edgar, Estay, Darío Silva, Tayfun; Gomez, Ismael.

Cartagonova (4-1-2-1-2): Vidal ©; Lacruz, Moya, Ãlvarez, Ballesteros; Filipescu; Michel (Sosa 78), Miranda; Cañizares; Redondo, Collymore.

Final score: Málaga 1:0 Cartagonova

MoM - Ramón

[Raptor]

At long ****ing last

Caught up with the story again, even if I missed a few bits.

So Dixie, at this rate, Catagonova will be in the Champions League come May!

Shame about the odd unlucky result. Good to see Stan the Man still in the starting XI. I knew his retirement threats were idle

[This message was edited by Raptor on 22 July 2001 at 16:22.]

[Dixie Flatline]

As you might have noticed, Moya makes his debut immediately after joining the club and I can say with some pride that he didn’t look out of place in the defence. Hopefully his acquisition will strengthen the back-line, but I am growing somewhat concerned that the goals have begun to dry up for our forwards. Collymore has not looked like adding to his five goal tally for a while, and Sosa disappoints, although with few opportunities.

The defeat allows Deportivo to slip five points away at the top of the ladder. Real Madrid lost to Barcelona 2-1 in the Bernabau stadium and next weekend, we host the giant Spanish club.

18th of December 2003

A week before Christmas, Yugoslav club Radnicki Kragujevac offers me £375,000 for Lawal. I want £525,000 now and £100,000 after ten internationals. The same club also makes a bid of £500,000 for Misrad Hibic. I try for £600,000 for the defender.

I demand a week’s delay from Caracas, Liga and Osijek for their bids for the defender. Only Caracas agrees to allow me to explore other avenues in selling this player.

In the evening, I place a collect call to Glasgow to discuss the future of Alan Stubbs with the Rangers defender. I know from my scouts in Glasgow that he has rejected Rangers’ new contract, and I hope that I can swoop on the 32 year old English defender. He might be aging, but I think he still has the ability to offer something to our cause next season. I also contact Fabián O’Neill of Udinese about coming to Cartagonova and leave his disappointing spell in Italy behind. He is interested in joining up the club, so I leave him to mull over a contract I fax to him.

[Dixie Flatline]

20th of December 2003

Strasbourg joins the chase for Lawal, our Nigerian midfielder, offering me £525,000 for him. I decide that this is a good sum for the player who hasn’t had much of a run recently, so I allow my counterpart the opportunity to coax the player to France.

Interesting news from Scotland as News of the World reports that Celtic has signed Inter Milan and Italy striker Christian Vieri for £16.75 million. It is the latest in the long line of high-profile signings under Martin O’Neill’s reign, including Ariel Ortega, Silvinho, Frank Lampard, Pavel Nedved, Steve McManaman, Gareth Barry and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. In fact, the transfer fee brings Celtic’s spending to £48 million this season already, breaking the barrier of £42 million set last season. In contrast, Celtic has recovered only £1.7 million from the sale of Paolo Vernazza this season, while mortal enemy Rangers has spent just £6 million this season.

Radnicki offers me the terms I wanted for both Lawal and Hibic so the Yugoslav club has the chance to tempt both of them away from Cartagonova.

21st of December 2003

Levski makes a late lunge to sign Lawal, offering £525,000 for the Nigerian. I want £150,000 after ten internationals added to the bid. CSKA Moskva also offers £525,000 and I decide to go for broke, demanding £750,000 now and £150,000 after ten internationals.

Keep smiling!

Dixie Flatline

[Raptor]

Holy god

Where did Celtic get that kind of money from?

[Daz the Imp]

Great Story Dixie

keep put the good work

[Raptor]

Why Stan?

[Raptor]

I'll tell you what Dixiie: that Collymore bloke needs a proper agent...

[Dixie Flatline]

G'day guys! Thank you all for your high words of praise. It means much and I hope you keep reading!

Raptor, I don't know where Celtic got their money from. They sold Henrik Larsson a few seasons ago, but it certainly didn't generate 90 million pounds! I don't recall how well they've done the Champions' League, either. It's a real mystery.

Cheers,

Dixie

[Dixie Flatline]

A quick update to keep you all in the loop!

Primera Liga - Game 15: Cartagonova v Real Madrid

This is not the game I want to put our chase for points in the division back on track. But we have to make do with the draw that has been handed to us. Despite having a squad full of malcontents, Señor del Bosque has managed to coax enough good performances out of them to put his club into third position just behind us, and obviously a win today would launch them into second. Surprisingly, it isn’t quite a full house today for the visit of the men from the capital - 17,969 file into their seats for this encounter.

Real Madrid doesn’t make the same mistake Barcelona did, preferring to keep with Raúl and Morientes together, despite the latter’s ginger recovery from a groin strain. The partnership has been prolific for both club and country this season, and being supported by del Piero and Ronaldinho, you can expect that I spent hours drilling the defenders and Couto upon the importance of keeping a tight reign in midfield and defence. We actually have the better of the opening exchanges with Oliver and Collymore stretching the Real Madrid defence only to see their shots either miss or be superbly saved by Casillas. Real Madrid eventually forced itself awake and del Piero creates a great opportunity for Raúl only to see the Spaniard miss from six yards. Ten minutes before half-time, Roberto Carlos’ cross is headed fiercely by compatriot Ronaldinho, but Vidal is perfectly placed to put two hands on the ball. Five minutes later, a dancing exchange of passes between Raúl and Ronaldinho unhinge my defence, but Lacruz’s desperate pressure on Morientes does just enough to put the striker off his game.

I again emphasise the importance of getting the job done. Only 45 minutes separates us from a well-earned point, but it is important not to get carried away. We could have been 2-0 down if our opponents had been more accurate and apart from the two chances early on, our strikers had been relatively starved of opportunity. So when Morientes picks up the rebound from his own shot and taps it in on 51 minutes, you can understand why I’m angry and frustrated on the sidelines. But to my relieved surprise, Real Madrid’s players decide to go back in their shells and defend. We’re really good at attacking, but we can’t quite put in that brilliant pass to set free Redondo or Collymore. Hence, on 69 minutes I introduce Roberto Sosa for the Englishman and hope that his strength and power can win the day for us. Five minutes later, Couto’s wretched day was over - I substitute him for Cristian Ãlvarez and hope the Salvadoran’s creativity can do something for us in the middle of the park. Then Ballesteros loses his temper and gets in the face of the grinning Raúl. Yes, I know none of us really like the little kid (he’s 26 now and captain of club and country, but he still looks like a kid), but it doesn’t help to have the right-back sent off. I hope a three-man defence can hold it together and I’m pleasantly surprised to see Sosa slam home the free kick given away by Morientes on Cristian Ãlvarez with just a minute to play. But when we fail to deal with Celades’ long ball through the heart of our defence, Raúl has the last laugh, planting an unstoppable shot past the poorly placed Vidal. It costs us all three points and I’m absolutely furious.

Cartagonova (4-3-1-2): Vidal; Lacruz (Moya 69), Filipescu, Óscar Ãlvarez, Ballesteros; Oliver, Couto © (Cristian Ãlvarez 74), Morán; Esnáider; Redondo, Collymore (Sosa 69).

Real Madrid (5-2-1-2): Iker Casillas; Roberto Carlos, César (Kalla 55), Bornes, Iván Helguera, Grillito; Celades, Ronaldinho; Del Piero; Raúl, Morientes.

Final score: Cartagonova 1:2 Real Madrid

MoM - Óscar Ãlvarez

[Dixie Flatline]

I’m sitting in my office after the match with a glass of scotch whiskey and one finger on the fast-forward button reviewing the tapes of the game when Luis Sosa walks in with a magazine in his hand. It’s that estimable publication, Four-Four-Two, from England. He tells me that I had better look at page 25. Stopping the tape, I take the magazine from him and read in increasing horror.

“COLLYMORE’S COLLY-WOBBLES

“In an exclusive interview with Four-Four-Two’s Gavin Willards, Cartagonova’s English ex-pat striker Stan Collymore revealed that he is becoming increasingly disillusioned with life in the southern industrial town of Cartagena. Now in his third season with the club and final year of his contract, Stan said that while the club had done well to reach the Primera Liga in such a short period of time, he believes that its position in the top flight is being undermined by poor performances by his some of his teammates. When pressed, the 32 year old veteran wouldn’t elaborate on names, but he said that the man in charge, Mr Dixie Flatline, should take immediate measures to ensure that Cartagonova remains a force in Spanish football.

“However, when we asked about his own future at the club, Stan made a statement that is tantamount to issuing a ‘come get me’ plea to British clubs. Citing a clash in culture and a basic homesickness, Stan said that while he had enjoyed his time playing for Cartagonova he wanted to end his career back in England and that he had instructed his agent to find him a club at the end of the season. Stan began his career with Crystal Palace before coming to the notice of English Premier League clubs thanks to two outstanding seasons with Nottingham Forest. However, moves to Liverpool and then Aston Villa proved to be less than successful as his high profile often put the striker in trouble. He escaped to the relative obscurity of the Spanish second division with Cartagonova and helped guide them to the top flight.

“We have yet to discuss the Collymore issue with his club manager, Mr Flatline.â€

Yes, I’m sure you have, because this is the first I’ve heard about it. On advice of my coaching staff, I decide to make no comment. It pains me to say this, but I think I’m going to have to start looking for a club to sell the striker to. It is his final year of his contract and he is in no hurry to sign a new one.

I also need to discipline Ballesteros and Couto for their poor performances in our loss against Real Madrid. The punishment meted out is short and swift. They know the score and they know I won’t tolerate such shabby performances out there on the pitch. Given that we’re on the road to Bilbao in three days, away to Alavés in a week, and play Valencia at home in the Copa del Rey on the last day of the year, I seriously cannot see us winning another game this year. I hope I’m wrong…

Almost unnoticed, Misrad Hibic takes the offer from Radnicki and therefore packs up his gear and prepares to catch the first flight out of Spain. His fact-file: Misrad Hibic (SW/D C, 30 y/o, BOS 22 caps): 30(1) apps, 2 goals, 1 assist, av. rate: 6.95

[Dixie Flatline]

22nd of December 2003

Osijek weighs in with a bid of £750,000 for Lawal. I respond by demanding £900,000 immediately and £250,000 after ten internationals. Least I try to, then the player points me to his contract - min. release clause of £750,000.

23rd of December 2003

When I should be out buying presents for my burgeoning family, I’m actually stuck in the office negotiating patiently the transfer of Lawal. I tell Levski’s manager that bigger numbers have been phoned in for the midfielder, so his bid of £525,000 is no longer acceptable. On the other hand, CSKA’s package bid of £900,000 is, so its manager has the opportunity to tempt the player to Moscow.

Also good news is the broad English accent of one Alan Stubbs on the other end of the line. He tells me that he has signed the contract I faxed to him and he can’t wait to get to the club in the summer. A distinguished career at Celtic (and three games at Rangers this season) behind him, he will be a fine addition to the squad, I’m sure.

More good news as Lawal’s agent tells me that his client has accepted the offer from CSKA. That means the club receives £900,000 altogether, including £750,000 now and £150,000 after ten internationals. I’m happy because today is the day clubs could have started talking to him directly. His fact-file: Lawal (AM RC, 23 y/o, NIG 8 caps): 20 apps, 1 goal, 3 assists, av. rate: 6.85

Keep smiling!

Dixie Flatline

[Dixie Flatline]

Yes, I know Raptor, but Stan is always his own man. Always has been. It's been a privilege to have him at the club, but his days are numbered here. And there's not a lot I can do about it, unfortunately.

Dixie

[Dixie Flatline]

We resume the adventure!

24th of December 2003

Primera Liga - Game 16: Athletic Bilbao v Cartagonova

Although the defending champion is struggling to keep up the standard set last season, since it’s down in eleventh place, taking three points from Basque country is always going to be a difficult affair, particularly with an unhappy squad. After Collymore’s outburst, I have no choice but to drop him and Roberto Sosa’s goal against Real Madrid gives me the perfect opportunity to put him in from the start. Further, Óscar Ãlvarez picked up his fifth yellow card along with his MoM bottle of champagne in the last game, so Marcelo Moya moves into the middle. Stephen Tetteh covers for the suspended Ballesteros. Michel returns at the expense of Oliver and Gustavo Cañizares plays instead of the tired Esnáider.

Redondo’s goals have dried up of late and I’m unhappy but not surprised to see him shoot wide on 9 minutes. Then Athletic Bilbao exerts pressure like never before, keeping the ball not only in our half, but in our box for a good six or seven minutes, earning corner after corner as my defence is stretched, eventually beyond breaking point as on 18 minutes, Jorge Pérez reacts quickest to Vidal’s spilled attempt to hold Arteaga’s shot and he tucks it away. But Bilbao isn’t satisfied with that and they continue to pour forward in search of another goal. But somehow we hang on and we score a desperate equaliser against the run of play on 42 minutes when Sosa’s high cross is smashed home by Redondo jumping over Larraínzer. But while I’m writing notes for the half-time address, a roar from the crowd alerts me to bad news - Bittor Alkiza puts the ball ahead of Ignacio Arteaga and the player whom I thought was no good at the start of the season has his own goal. I tear out the notes and crumple them up.

But somehow, against the odds, we have the equaliser on 54 minutes when Michel’s accurate cross is coolly converted by Sosa. Then Couto decides to get busy, dribbling his way through the Bilbao defence, but the big Portuguese can’t finish off his good work with a goal. Inevitably we go again behind when Puñal’s deep cross is headed home by Jon Kortina. Why is this happening to me? Eight minutes from time, Arteaga wheels away after scoring again, but salvation is on hand when the referee points to the linesman’s flag. Cue Stan Collymore. The substitute, on for Cañizares, plays a one-two with Sosa, skips through Larraínzer’s tackle before laying it off for Michel to curl it in from the edge of the box!

Athletic Bilbao (4-3-1-2): Valencia; Del Horno (Jon Kortina 61), Óskar Vales, Larraínzer, Edu Alonso (Larrazábal 61); Alkiza ©, Felipe, Puñal; Jorge Pérez; Arteaga, Kaiku (Sívori 54).

Cartagonova (4-1-2-1-2): Vidal; Lacruz, Filipescu, Moya, Tetteh; Couto ©; Michel, Cañizares (Collymore 76); Morán; Redondo, Sosa.

Final score: Athletic Bilbao 3:3 Cartagonova

MoM - Stan Collymore

[Dixie Flatline]

25th of December 2003

My Christmas Day is almost spoiled by the news that Fabián O’Neill decides to join Málaga rather than my club. Then I remember what Christmas is all about and I forget about the Uruguayan international.

28th of December 2003

The last Sunday of the year finds us at the Mendizorroza in Vitoria to play another Basque side, Alavés. Vidal does well to save our skins on 7 minutes when he saves Astudillo’s low drive and then we get a lucky break as Romanian international defender Cosmin Contra knocks Redondo to the floor in what the referee thinks is a professional foul. So we have an extra man and a free kick, which Dudek, the big Polish keeper manages to save. Couto flicks it out to Michel but before the winger can strike, Dudek leaps at his feet and clutches the football to his chest. Miranda, in for Cañizares, finds the galloping Lacruz with a pinpoint pass, but the Basque full-back can’t beat Dudek who is on fire. Miranda tries to do it himself, turning past Téllez, before lashing a powerful drive towards Alavés’ goal, only to find Dudek still in his way. Sosa is the next to suffer when his well-won header is turned away sharpish by the giant Pole. Alavés, restricted to long-range shooting after putting Javi Moreno in defence, almost sneaks a goal on 39 minutes when Sequeiros wriggles his way through our defence but blasts his shot high over the bar.

I caution the players at the break about the potential pitfall a successful counter-attack might bring, but there’s nothing like experience to teach a lesson and I hope the defenders learn when Astudillo plays in Epitié who is somehow left unmarked, but the Alavés player can’t beat Vidal with his vicious strike.

We resume attacking Dudek with everything including the kitchen sink and we finally break through on 63 minutes when Lacruz’s good cross is powerfully headed home by Sosa. Miranda almost makes it 2-0 when he dances his way down the right but his shot is somehow pushed away by Dudek. Then disaster strikes when Sequeiros’ dribbling run attracts my defenders to him, leaving plenty of space for Patri and when the ball reaches him he has no problem smashing his drive past Vidal for the equaliser. We continue hammering away at Dudek’s goal, but he won’t let anything get past him again and we leave Basque country deeply frustrated and disappointed with the draw.

Alavés (4-2-4): Dudek; Téllez, Eggen, Karmona ©, Contra; Azkoitia (Ibon Begoña 57), Astudillo; Madeiros (Patri 64), Javi Moreno, Sequeiros, Epitié (Sergio Lara 71).

Cartagonova (4-1-2-1-2): Vidal; Lacruz, Filipescu, Ãlvarez, Ballesteros; Couto ©; Michel, Miranda; Morán; Redondo, Sosa.

Final score: Alavés 1:1 Cartagonova

MoM - Jerzy Dudek

[Dixie Flatline]

After the match, the television expert praises José Redondo, saying that he is an absolute goal machine. Asked about the striker at the press conference, I agree that his performances have been of the highest standard, mainly to give the player some confidence that he seems to have lost recently - we need his goals! On the fan web site, the chief of the Supporters’ Association writes that the Association is pleased that I have found the time to acknowledge Redondo’s contribution to the team. Well, I really couldn’t do anything else, because his thirteen league goals so far this season have been extremely important. More importantly, Redondo tells me of his gratitude for my public support, so I hope that my words of praise have their intended effect.

29th of December 2003

Ãlex Fernández’s contract enters its last six months today. He won’t negotiate a new one and I fear that despite transfer listing him as per my policy that he will leave for free at the end of the season.

30th of December 2003

As I suspected, the Bosman offers start rolling in for the defensive midfielder. Salamanca is the first club off the rank, closely followed by Córdoba and Burgos. I offer him a new contract, too, but I fear that he is already a man looking to the future with a different club.

[Dixie Flatline]

31st of December 2003

I’ve been interested in the young Millwall player David Livermore for half the season and I offered him a contract to join at the end of the season. Today, he decides that he wants to make his career in Spain and therefore he signs on the dotted line.

Copa del Rey, Second Round - Cartagonova v Valencia

On the last evening of the year, I think most Spaniards have better things to do than watch a game of football in a cup competition I don’t treat very seriously, although the chairman does remind me that I do have to turn up for this one. However, I give several important players the night off to enjoy themselves (within moderation), while players like Mariano and Ãlex Fernández (not related), Rufete in his first game since he punched an opponent in the face, and Iván Gabrich all have the opportunity to impress me.

Gabrich has me punching the air in delight and then frustration as he puts the ball in the net after just three minutes, only to see it ruled off-side. After Vidal saves well from Zahovic’s free kick on 14 minutes, a quick sweeping move sees Ãlex Fernández test Cañizares with a powerful shot, but Rufete’s corner is cleared by Zahovic. On 32 minutes, however, Vicente’s lobbed pass puts the ball ahead of Jovan Stankovic, and the Yugoslav wing-back runs with the ball for a while before crossing for Juan Sánchez who promptly sticks it in our net.

That about wraps it up for the first half and after addressing the players about the virtues of trying hard and scoring that important goal, I let them speak amongst themselves. Two minutes later, Vidal hobbles off to be replaced by Moso. A minute later, Lacruz hobbles off and is replaced by Filipescu with Moya moving to the left. Wonderful - two substitutions used and no real strategic benefit gained. If Gabrich had played a few more matches this season he would have been able to do better than rifle a shot straight at Cañizares on 52 minutes and then hit a header into the Spaniard’s arms on 62 minutes. Moso does well to keep out Fernando Niño’s header a few minutes later and finally on 69 minutes, we break through. A good move sweeps the ball into the path of Redondo and the striker looks up to see Gabrich screaming for it. Redondo puts it into the atmosphere and Gabrich shoots with the bicycle kick. It goes in! But Valencia’s Hugo Leal skips through the heart of our defence before laying it off for John Carew and the big Norwegian makes a point to his manager by thundering the right foot shot through the legs of Moso.

But when Mariano Fernández picks up Hugo Leal’s errant clearance and fires the ball into the area for Redondo, the prolific striker equalises again with ten minutes to play. It ends the ninety minutes at 2-2 and we move into extra time. Nine minutes in, Ãlex Fernández and Ballesteros play the ball into Redondo, and the striker does well to get his cross in. Rufete runs onto the end of it and heads the ball past Cañizares! Palermo wastes the two opportunities Valencia have to push the game to penalties and we run out an unexpected 3-2 winners. I’m not looking forward to the return match in the league in 10 days, though.

Cartagonova (4-3-1-2): Vidal © (Moso 47); Lacruz (Filipescu 48), Mariano Fernández, Moya, Ballesteros; Michel, Ãlex Fernández, Rufete; Morán; Redondo, Gabrich.

Valencia (3-5-2): Cañizares; Stankovic (Jaime 42), Reynoso, Mendieta ©, Fernando, Arellano; Zahovic, Vicente (Carew 48), Hugo Leal; Palermo, Juan Sánchez.

Final score (aet): Cartagonova 3:2 Valencia

MoM - Hugo Leal

Keep smiling!

Dixie Flatline

[Dixie Flatline]

More from the south of Spain!

1st of January 2004

Barcelona announces to a world still trying to cope with a big hangover after New Year’s Eve celebrations that they have signed Lazio midfielder Juan Verón for £28 million with an extra £1.5 million after 50 league matches. On the same day, Valencia unveils its new defender, Olof Mellberg, for whom Valencia paid Racing Santander £1.3 million.

Ãlex Fernández tells the club that he has decided to reject signing on the dotted line with us for another three years and decides that his future actually lies with Córdoba. He reveals to the chairman that he is unhappy with me. Well, he must have hid it pretty well because nobody in my backroom could detect his unhappiness. Not that it really bothers me anyway.

I’m quietly at home enjoying a refreshing pot of tea when the board’s representative contacts me to deliver my monthly evaluation. As usual, the board is absolutely delighted with my performance but they continue to try to influence my decisions on who should play by telling me that they think Couto and Collymore shouldn’t wear the club’s colours. Well, both players have been marvellous servants for the club in the last three years and frankly, I’m getting tired of seeing the board trying to pick my team for me. If it keeps going, I’m going to have to reconsider my future here…

2nd of January 2003

The Spanish FA informs me via phone that we host Extremadura in the first leg of the Copa del Rey’s third round next week. Peachy! Should be a good contest between old rivals. To accommodate that, our league fixture with Elche is shifted to later in the month.

The whole club holds its breath as José Redondo suddenly leaves the training track this afternoon to find his way to the physios’ room. I leave Luis Sosa in charge of training and get down after him to find out the verdict. It’s a relief - only a strained wrist that should keep him out for only a week, if that.

[Dixie Flatline]

5th of January 2003

The week starts well with ex Italian U-21 international, Udinese’s Mauro Esposito, deciding to follow his former teammate Roberto Sosa and agree to join Cartagonova on a Bosman free transfer in the summer of 2004. Just after putting the blower back on hook, I receive a phone call from Croatian international midfielder Jurica Vucko, who is fed up with life at Alavés and wants to join my club on a Bosman free transfer at the end of the season. Everything is coming up roses!

7th of January 2004

Copa del Rey - 3rd Round, 1st Leg: Cartagonova v Extremadura

With Redondo’s name pencilled out by his injury, I pair up the two Argentine strikers, Juan Esnáider with Roberto Sosa, and the latter striker starts the ball rolling when he beats Fernando Sanz to Miranda’s cross after just three minutes. Then a series of corners culminates in the big Argentine striker jumping highest on 14 minutes to slam home Filipescu’s corner! Just the way I like it. In fact, Sosa takes on Redondo’s mantle as the point man, striking shot after shot at Kerényl’s goal, but the Hungarian finally cottons onto the point of being a goalkeeper and starts stopping them from going in. And then my defenders ignore my instructions to carefully patrol Extremadura’s most dangerous man, David Karanka, and the Basque striker turns Filipescu inside out before curving a shot inside Arnau’s far post. I think we should have a penalty on 33 minutes when Kerényl to everybody’s eyes but the referee pulls down Esnáider. But no, the referee gives him the benefit of the doubt and the Hungarian continues to thwart my forwards’ attempts to break him for a third time.

A slower second half is the result of my instructing the players to be a little more patient, calculating and ruthless about how we go about things. It pays dividends as Miranda’s good run and cross is effortlessly converted by compatriot Moya racing in from the left on 75 minutes. But that split-second loss of concentration kills us once more when Ãlvarez fails to completely clear the ball out of defence, it falls to Karanka and he gives his side hope for the return leg in a week with his second goal of the game.

Cartagonova (4-3-1-2): Arnau; Moya, Filipescu, Ãlvarez, Ballesteros; Michel, Couto ©, Miranda; Morán; Esnáider (Collymore 74), Sosa.

Extremadura (3-5-2): Kerényl; Fernando Sanz Mata ©, Koldo Arce; Berges, Etcheverry, Iván, Francisco, Ismael; Lobo, Karanka.

Final score: Cartagonova 3:2 Extremadura

MoM - Roberto Sosa

[Dixie Flatline]

After the match, I’m in the office reading a couple of national newspapers, starting of course with the coverage of the Primera Liga and more particularly my club. I’m drawn to an article in the Madrid Tribune that suggests that Redondo’s prolific form for his club (that’s us!) should be rewarded with a call-up to international duty, and that there are indeed rumours that he will be called upon to represent Spain soon. I’m in total agreement with that assessment of the player’s ability and form and in fact, I’ve been notified by the Spanish FA that a match against Málaga in March will be rearranged thanks to a friendly between Spain and the Czech Republic. As far as I know, nobody from Málaga is considered for the Spanish friendly and Redondo is the only player who would come close from our squad. Interesting…

Anyway, I contact the pundit who wrote those words in the paper and told him that I’m fully behind any push to make Redondo an international player for Spain. The fans again are pleased by the fact I’ve acknowledged the striker’s contribution to our form this season, while the player thanks me in a telephone call in the evening.

Around the Leagues

In England, Chelsea is your pace-setter, sitting four points clear of Arsenal after 22 matches. Aston Villa, Charlton and Coventry sit close behind Arsenal, some six points behind Chelsea. Manchester United’s inconsistent season continues as Simon Hunt’s men lie in tenth position, although they have been as high as third. Newcastle, last season’s champion, is in sixth place, while Birmingham, Leeds and Portsmouth fill the relegation places. Bristol City and Liverpool lead the way towards promotion in the Nationwide League.

Fiorentina looks like running away with the Italian Scudetto, leading Lazio by the lazy eleven points after fourteen games of the season. With twelve wins and two draws from its fourteen matches, Signor Fatih Terim can be well pleased with his club’s progress this season. Roma and Parma trail Lazio by one and two points respectively, but even at this early stage of the campaign, they look like they will have to be content with European Champions’ League spots next season. Down the bottom, Sampdoria, Cagliari, Piacenza and Bari are the leading contenders for relegation, while Udinese is the bookies’ favourite to return to Serie A, ahead of Empoli, Bologna and Perugia.

To Portugal now and a real surprise could be on the cards as supreme underdog Espinho leads the giant of Oporto, Porto, Salgueiros and Marítimo by a point in the Portuguese premier division. Under Artur Jorge, Espinho has risen through the ranks in the Portuguese premier division and so far it has not been overawed by its position amongst the ‘big boys’. Benfica lies sixth while Sporting Lisbon is in a disappointing ninth position. Imortal, Aves and Gil Vicente currently sit in the drop zone, while Canelas Gaia, Farense and Naval lead the charge towards promotion.

Finally to Spain and it appears the title is two-horse race between Real Madrid and Deportivo La Coruña. Both sides are on 40 points from 17 games and they lead Celta Vigo by eight points, although Celta does have one game in hand. Early season surprise packet, Cartagonova, has fallen off the pace somewhat, slipping to fourth and nine points behind the leaders. Barcelona sits seventh, but with two games in hand over the leaders. Tenerife, Atlético Madrid and Elche are the frontrunners for relegation at this stage of the campaign, while Real Betis, Sevilla and Sabadell are leading the way towards promotion.

[Dixie Flatline]

9th of January 2004

Before our weekend match with Valencia, the last thing I need is more speculation over Collymore’s future, but that’s exactly what I get thanks to the wonderful guys at Football365.com. They report that Stan “the Man†is very unhappy living in Cartagena and has sounded out a couple of English clubs about joining one of them from next season. I deny to the press that he is unhappy about living in Cartagena, but we all know that he is on the way out at the end of the season. I know it. The fans know it, and the chairman knows it. And they tell me about it.

11th of January 2004

Primera Liga - Game 18: Valencia v Cartagonova

I dread this encounter at the Mestalla stadium. Although Valencia is currently in sixth place going into this match when they should conceivably be higher, because they boast players like Mendieta, Marcelo Gallardo, Zlatko Zahovic, Hugo Leal and Martín Palermo.

However, my players aren’t respectful of their opponents’ big reputation. Collymore sets up Redondo after just five minutes, but former Spanish international keeper Santiago Cañizares tips the ball over the bar. From the corner, Filipescu tests the keeper from long range. A few moments later, Morán sets up Michel but the winger hits the ball at the fingertips of Cañizares and I’m dreading what happens when the ball gets to the other end. I have a good hint when Vítor Lima finds Vicente with a pinpoint cross but the striker thankfully heads it over the bar. Then on 29 minutes, the Portuguese midfielder Hugo Leal finds Arellano unmarked and the wing-back heads the ball home. Arnau redeems himself somewhat by laying hands on Angulo’s header a couple of moments later, and then on 37 minutes Arnau denies Angulo once again. Then just before half-time, Filipescu finds Stan Collymore alone and unmarked in the box and the English striker responds to the speculation swirling over his head by driving home the equaliser!

It’s a good way to end the half but the first attack in the second half brings Valencia its second goal thanks to brilliant work by Marcelo Gallardo to defeat Moya before finding Vítor Lima with a superb cross. The Portuguese winger out-jumps Ballesteros and his head meets the ball sweetly to give Valencia back the lead. But against the run of play and completely out of the blue, Collymore launches a trade mark rocket that flies at high velocity past Valencia’s stricken keeper to rescue a point for us! Collymore almost finds his hat-trick a few moments later but Cañizares this time manages to get a hand to it.

Valencia (3-5-2): Cañizares; Björklund, Mendieta ©, Mellberg; Vítor Lima, Juric, Gallardo, Hugo Leal, Arellano (Palermo 55); Vicente, Angulo.

Cartagonova (4-1-2-1-2): Arnau; Moya, Filipescu, Ãlvarez, Ballesteros; Couto ©; Michel (Rufete 55), Miranda; Morán; Redondo, Collymore.

Final score: Valencia 2:2 Cartagonova

MoM - Stan Collymore

[Dixie Flatline]

Well, three points from our last three matches isn’t anything to sneeze at when I expected we would drop all nine points but we’re rapidly losing touch with the top teams and indeed we slide down a spot to fifth after the draw. And we still have to face Sporting Gijón away from home before we finally get a chance to string some wins together with a couple of home games against weak sides like Tenerife and Elche.

Struggling in 17th position just outside the relegation zone is not conducive to keeping your job when your name is Francisco Ferraro and your boss is Ignacio Lewin. And so, after a disappointing draw with Celta Vigo providing the spur, Ferraro’s reign at the club is finished.

13th of January 2004

Luis Prieto joins Cacereño on loan until the end of the season.

14th of January 2004

Copa del Rey - 3rd Round, 2nd Leg: Extremadura v Cartagonova

We’re in Almendralejo to renew our rivalry with Extremadura. We have a slender lead to protect and I’m unhappy that we conceded two goals in the first leg. Things become even hairier when Berges’ corner is struck home by Koldo Arce on 7 minutes. The home side then of course goes into its shell to protect the advantage it gained. But that doesn’t stop Karanka trying his luck on 21 minutes - fortunately it clears the ball. Then again, Redondo doesn’t do any better when he has the opportunity on 25 minutes from Miranda’s cross. Even when he slips through Mata’s tackle, he still can’t force a save out of Extremadura’s keeper.

It is imperative we score at least one goal in the second half and I can’t stress it enough to my players at the break. But Redondo’s bizarre inaccuracy continues to frustrate us. But the first time he actually shoots accurately, Robles spills the shot and Morán manages to push it into the net before the Extremadura defenders can react! We’re back in front! Inaccuracy continues to plague Redondo and Collymore, but in the end it doesn’t matter as we reach the quarter-final of the Copa del Rey for the first time ever!

Extremadura (3-5-2): Robles; Fernando Sanz, Mata © (Jesús 63), Koldo Arce; Berges (Gori 58), Etcheverry, Mild, Iván (Francisco 58), Robert; Lobo, Karanka.

Cartagonova (4-1-2-1-2): Arnau; Moya, Filipescu ©, Ãlvarez, Ballesteros; Fernández; Michel, Miranda; Morán; Redondo, Collymore.

Final score: Extremadura 1:1 Cartagonova

Aggregate: Extremadura 3:4 Cartagonova

MoM - Koldo Arce

[Dixie Flatline]

16th of January 2004

With the transfer window now closed until the end of the season, let’s briefly summarise what the Primera Liga clubs did in the last month:

Real Madrid

In

Joaquín Bornes (28 y/o, ESP 3 caps, D C): from Real Betis for £7.5 million.

Daniel Montenegro (24 y/o, ARG, AM LC): from Marseille for £625,000.

Grillito (25 y/o, URU 1 cap, D/DM RC): from Defensor Sporting for £450,000

Out

None

Deportivo

In

Juan Carlos Valerón (28 y/o, ESP 14 caps, AM RC): from Real Betis for £9.25 million

Out

José Manuel (30 y/o, ESP, DM R): to Elche for £950,000

Fernando (32 y/o, ESP 2 caps, AM LC): to Osasuna for £375,000

Jaime (30 y/o, ESP, D/DM RC): to Valencia for £1.7 million

Manuel Pablo (27 y/o, ESP 1 cap, D R): to Atlético Madrid for £975,000

Celta Vigo

In

Leonardo Astrada (34 y/o, ARG 37 caps/1 goal, DM C): from Grêmio for free

Out

Tomás (33 y/o, ESP, AM L): to Melilla for £275,000

[Dixie Flatline]

Sporting Gijón

In

Ico (28 y/o, ESP, S C): from Alzira for £120,000

Out

None

Cartagonova

In

Marcelo Moya (24 y/o, ARG, D RLC): from Los Andes for £400,000

Mariano Fernández (25 y/o, ARG, D C): from Belgrano for £350,000

Stephen Tetteh (23 y/o, GHA 9 caps, D R): for free

Out

David Ferrara (18 y/o, ESP, AM LC): released on free transfer

Misrad Hibic (30 y/o, BOS 22 caps, SW/D C): to Radnicki Kragujevac for £600,000

Lawal (23 y/o, NIG 8 caps, AM RC): to CSKA Moskva for £750,000

Valencia

In

Olof Mellberg (26 y/o, SWE 25 caps, 1 goal, SW/D RC): from Racing Santander for £1.3 million

Out

Sergio Castillo (28 y/o, ESP, M/F LC): to Mallorca for £700,000

[Dixie Flatline]

Málaga

In

Yuji Nakazawa (25 y/o, JAP 25 caps, 2 goals, D C): from Verdy for £30,000

Out

None

Barcelona

In

Massimo Donati (22 y/o, ITA 2 caps, AM RLC): from Atalanta for £7.75 million

Fernando Varela (24 y/o, ESP, M R): from Real Betis for £400,000

Antonio Prats (32 y/o, ESP, GK): from Real Betis for £3.3 million

Carles Puyol (25 y/o, ESP, D R): from Mallorca for £2 million

Juan Sebastián Verón (28 y/o, ARG 65 caps, 20 goals, AM RLC): from Lazio for £28 million

Out

None

Villarreal

In

Igor Jáuregi (29 y/o, ESP, DM LC): from Real Sociedad for £325,000

Francisco Javier Hernández (21 y/o, ESP, S C): from Levante for £240,000

Out

Javier Gracia (33 y/o, ESP, DM C): to Melilla for £170,000

Jihai Sun (26 y/o, CHI 20 caps, 1 goal, D/M LC): to Real Betis for £675,000

Jaime (31 y/o, ESP, DM C): to Sevilla for £600,000

[Dixie Flatline]

Alavés

In

Marco Sandy (32 y/o, BOL 95 caps, 6 goals, SW/D C): from Sevilla for £375,000

Patri (30 y/o, ESP, AM/F C): from Sevilla for £525,000

Chito (28 y/o, ESP, AM L): from Nástic for £575,000

Sergio Lara (25 y/o, ESP, D/DM R): from Nástic for £400,000

Out

Txejo (24 y/o, ESP, D R): to Bermeo for £35,000

Osasuna

In

Ricardinho (27/o, BRA 2 caps, DM LC): from Cruzeiro for free

Guillermo (30 y/o, ESP, D RC): from Getafe for £240,000

Fernando (32 y/o, ESP 2 caps, AM LC): from Deportivo for £375,000

Walter Coheio (26 y/o, URU 6 caps, M C): from Nacional (URU) for £275,000

Fernando José Porto (29 y/o, ESP, D C): from Ponferradina for £150,000

Out

José Vicente Lledó (32 y/o, ESP, D C): to Hércules for £1.5 million

Raúl Iturralde (23 y/o, ESP, M C): to Avilés for £85,000

Athletic Bilbao

In

None

Out

None

Mallorca

In

Sergio Castillo (28 y/o, ESP, M/F LC): from Valencia for £700,000

Carlos Aguilera (34 y/o, ESP 9 caps, D R): from Strasbourg for £250,000

Alberto Lopo (23 y/o, ESP, D RC): from Albacete for £675,000

Out

Carles Puyol (25 y/o, ESP, D R): to Barcelona for £2 million

Alejandro Campano (25 y/o, ESP, M RC): to Vecindario for £90,000

[Dixie Flatline]

Continuing the story from down the Spanish way!

Real Zaragoza

In

None

Out

None

Espanyol

In

Jesús (27 y/o, ESP, GK): from Atlético Madrid for £375,000

Out

Alfredo Argensó (29 y/o, ESP, GK): to Hércules for £875,000

Extremadura

In

Robert (31 y/o, ESP, DM R): from Jaén for £85,000

Out

Poli (26 y/o, ESP, D L): to Novelda for £800,000

Iker Urraca (24 y/o, ESP, D/DM C): to Binéfar for £240,000

Rubén Pastor (27 y/o, ESP, D/M L): to Sevilla for £1.5 million

Real Vallodolid

In

None

Out

The manager

Tenerife

In

Yiyi (27 y/o, ESP, GK): from San Fernando for £65,000

Out

Sergio (26 y/o, ESP, GK): to Novelda for £775,000

Atlético Madrid

In

Raúl Valbuena (28 y/o, ESP, GK): from Albacete for £750,000

Pierre Wome (24 y/o, CAM 13 caps, D/DM LC): from Bologna for £1.1 million

Manuel Pablo (27 y/o, ESP 1 cap, D R): from Deportivo La Coruña for £975,000

Out

Ãngel Luis (33 y/o, ESP, D/DM R): to Castellón for £200,000

Jesús (27 y/o, ESP, GK): to Espanyol for £375,000

Elche

In

José Manuel (30 y/o, ESP, DM R): from Deportivo La Coruña for £950,000

Out

None

[Dixie Flatline]

In other news, the Spanish FA announces the draw for the Copa del Rey quarter-finals. We’re drawn to play Real Oviedo in Oviedo for the first leg. I consider this a good draw, with Real Oviedo struggling in 15th position in the Segunda Liga.

In the evening, Football365.com praises Fernando Morán’s recent form, saying that the midfielder has played the best football of his career in recent games. I agree that his performances have been of the highest standard recently.

18th of January 2004

Recreativo likes the look of Javier Margas and considering the Chilean defender is out of contract at the end of the season, its manager decides to approach the player about joining Recreativo for next season.

Primera Liga - Game 19: Sporting Gijón v Cartagonova

This is going to be a tough match as Sporting is one place above us on the ladder and boast the talent of the likes of Claude Makelele, Rivarola, Peter Madsen, Albano Bizzarri, Da Silva and Martín Rivas. But while I have respect for these players, my own players don’t seem to as Redondo and Couto put themselves about in the early stages. Then Rufete and Collymore combine to set up José Redondo after 12 minutes and the striker smashes home his fourteenth goal of the season with his left foot! Madsen almost puts Sporting back on level terms sixty seconds later, but that just about wraps it up for the first half.

I congratulate the players on their good first half performance and I hope they can bring the same level of concentration to the second half. So when Makelele concedes the corner three minutes into the second half and Michel heads home Rufete’s brilliant corner I’m very happy! Then when Esnáider and Redondo set up Collymore and the veteran striker heads home our third goal of the match, I’m extremely delighted! But it wouldn’t be Cartagonova if we didn’t concede at least one goal so ten minutes after Collymore’s goal, Farinós gives Sporting Gijón a lifeline when he heads home Pablo Amo’s cross. That might have been in the script, but I don’t count on Óscar Ãlvarez being sent off after picking up his second yellow card of the match. I immediately take off the tiring Esnáider for the fit-again Lacruz to bolster the defence. But the wall crumbles and allows Rivarola to stick home the free kick to give me a heart attack. The defence creaks and groans every time Peter Madsen and Da Silva get the ball, and the Danish striker hits the post deep into injury time. I’m praying for the final whistle and after Arnau saves magnificently from Rivarola’s hot strike, it comes!

Sporting Gijón (1-2-5-2): Bizzarri; Crosa; Ettien, Martín Rivas (Otero 65); Brandán (Rivarola 72), Farinós, Makelele, Mario ©, Pablo Amo; Madsen, Da Silva.

Cartagonova (4-1-2-1-2): Arnau; Moya, Filipescu, Ãlvarez, Ballesteros; Couto ©; Michel, Rufete; Esnáider (Lacruz 78); Redondo, Collymore.

Final score: Sporting Gijón 2:3 Cartagonova

MoM - José Manuel Redondo