FM: Harrogate - Will they hit the Ceiling? [Archive]

Eaglesfan27

01-10-2005, 04:04 PM

Welcome to the continuing adventures of Harrogate and Christopher Engles (i.e. Eaglesfan27's alter alter ego.)

For anyone who wishes to catch up on our history. Here is a link to the first season where I had a rough season in the English Conference North and truly thought I'd be fired at several points: http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/showthread.php?t=32963

However, we pulled it together and started the second season strong and managed to eventually gain promotion to the English Conference National. Here is a thread detailing the 2nd season: http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/showthread.php?t=33340

Once, we started moving on up, the ascent continued through a sometimes rocky but ultimately triumphant third season. Here is the thread detailing that adventure: http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/showthread.php?t=33908

That Brings us into the 4th season. We are now in League 2, and I believe this is a huge jump from the English Conference (National.) I expect us to struggle this season. Of course, I hope I'm wrong.

Here is a summary of the last post from our last season when the expectations for this season were laid out by the board:

June 21st, 2007 -

It's officially the end of the year.

Greg Kelly has won player of the year as voted by the club's supporters.

We've received a hefty 420,000 dollars for League 2 TV rights for the upcoming season.

The Board is very pleased with my performance. I'm expected to fight bravely against relegation this upcoming year, and I will have a transfer budget of 36,000 dollars to do so.

Colin Hunter has announced he will retire after this year is over.

Now, we progress into the rest of June and prepare for this upcoming season.

Eaglesfan27

01-10-2005, 04:12 PM

June 24th, 2007 -

Nigel Martyn surprised me with his announcement that he was retiring effective immediately from coaching.

I'm sort of glad as this opens up some salary and I haven't been that happy with Martyn's training results despite his impressive resume.

I decide that I'm going to move Derek Saunders into the head keeper coaching slot. He has the ability to do quite well with them. I also decide that I'm going to immediately start looking for an assistant manager who will be a capable outfield coach. The downside to this is that Atkins may become upset, but he really doesn't have the acumen to be a great coach.

Eaglesfan27

01-10-2005, 04:36 PM

June 27th, 2007 -

Today I met with our first candidate for the Assistant Manager's job. Noel O'Reilly is a 52 year old coach from Ireland. He trained under Brian Kerr who is a manager in Ireland whom I've heard good things about. O'Reilly really struck me as someone who could evaluate talent in our meeting. I also liked his ideas of how to affect training. Word is that he is very good with training both outfielders and keepers. I had heard that he was a very disciplined coach, and I was quite impressed with his demeanor in my office. I know that I could interview several other candidates, but I feel it is essential to get the right guy in place ASAP. I ask him how much he is requesting to take over our Assistant Manager's position.

He replies, "900 dollars/week for the next year."

I reply, "Agree to stay for 3 years, and I'll give you 900/week."

He agreed.

I wonder how the team will react to the new assistant manager.

Eaglesfan27

01-10-2005, 04:51 PM

July 1st, 2007 -

Ian Marshall our physio surprises me by saying that he is retiring immediately. He has wanted to spend more time with his family for a while, and he feels the time is right now. I immediately begin looking for a new physio to replace him.

SirFozzie

01-10-2005, 04:53 PM

Interesting, all the guys comfortable with non-league coaching now fleeing when Harrogate hits the (slightly bigger) big time? :D

Eaglesfan27

01-10-2005, 06:20 PM

Interesting, all the guys comfortable with non-league coaching now fleeing when Harrogate hits the (slightly bigger) big time? :D
It could be :)

I'm actually glad that both of them left. Martyn is victim of being a past player and only being able to coach the first team schedule (which is now exactly the same as my custom goal keeper schedule), and his departure adds some flexibility in my thinking.

That physio is good, but not very good or better. Now, I can hopefully upgrade :D

Eaglesfan27

01-10-2005, 06:44 PM

July 2nd, 2007 -

As expected, Kevin Keegan left Southampton to become coach of Newcastle.

Simon Sturdy's contract expired today and we let him go on a free transfer.

Scout Stuart Lee's contract expired and we allowed him to leave the club.

David Bellion was released by Manchester United on a free transfer. I *strongly* doubt he will agree to come play for us, but I make him a very hefty offer of 15,000/week. (I feel insane for even offering it, but the board says they will pay that much!)

I also decide to approach Seyi Morgan, an interesting combo centreback/striker who is quite talented, to see if he wants to come join us on an immediate Bosman transfer.

Eaglesfan27

01-10-2005, 06:48 PM

July 5th, 2007 -

In what is probably a fortunate thing, Bellion rejected the offer saying he felt he deserved to be on a high calibre of team.

Seyi Morgan rejected two other teams offers and agreed to come play for us. Hopefully, this 20 year old can continue to develop.

Eaglesfan27

01-10-2005, 07:12 PM

July 6th, 2007 -

Mick Byrne, originally from Ireland, has agreed to come work as a physio on our team. His references are impeccable and most rate him as a top notch physio.

Seyi Morgan arrived to practice with us today. He has less footspeed than I expected, but could be either a stay at home defender or an excellent target striker.

Eaglesfan27

01-10-2005, 07:17 PM

July 8th, 2007

Time for our first friendly. Today we will travel and play Slough (English Conference South.) This game will hopefully get our guys some conditioning and work on confidence.

This game we will start out likely starting 11 at this point:

GK: Scarsella
DL: Barnard
DC: Barnett
DC: Wall
DR: Black
ML: Wright
MC: Surey
MR: Collett
AMC: Kelly
SC: Smyth
SC: Palmer

S1: O'Conner
S2: Shepherd
S3: Davies
S4: Morgan
S5: Foulkes
S6: Baker
S7: Krief
S8: Marc Smith
S9: Dunning
S10: Farrell
S11: Morley
S12: Hunter

Eaglesfan27

01-10-2005, 07:29 PM

10 minute mark: Lee takes a free kick which he floats into the box.. Hodges outjumps Barnett.. heads it towards goal.. past Scarsella.. GOAL. Down 1-0.

Guys got some work in, but not much else. They didn't look particularly sharp. Barnett in particular looked lazy out there. Kelly looked good but no else looked really good.

Halftime: Down 1-0.

I sub in the entire second team at halftime. I'm interested in seeing if Morgan can do anything as a target striker.

68 minute mark: Farrell gets it in the left corner.. crosses for Morgan.. he heads it.. Wide left.

O'Conner has a couple of saves after the 72 minute mark.. very nice.

Game over.

1-0 loss.

We outshot them 7-4 (3-3 on goal)

Kenny Schofield, their keeper, wins MoM.

Eaglesfan27

01-10-2005, 07:41 PM

July 11th, 2007 -

Today we are traveling to play Barrow in a friendly match. They are still in the English Conference North.

My goal is to get the guys some work and hopefully see some better teamwork.

I'm using the same lineup as last game.

Eaglesfan27

01-10-2005, 09:38 PM

OOC Note: Had to pause the game for over an hour due to being on call tonight and having a patient present to the ER /OOC

2 minute mark: Barnard passes to Wright down the left sideline.. Wright passes to Smyth.. Smyth centers for Kelly.. Kelly shoots.. just wide right.
7 minute mark: Collett steals the ball from the centreback in their box.. Collett shoots.. past the keeper.. GOAL!!! 1-0.

21 minute mark: Surey feeds the ball into the left corner for Smyth.. he crosses for Kelly.. Kelly heads it... over the bar.

26 minute mark: They get Kewley the ball inside the box.. only about 10 yards away as the midfielder Bulford makes a great pass around wall.. Kewley shoots.. into the left side of the net. GOAL. 1-1.

Halftime: 1-1.

I sub in the entire second team.

51 minute mark: Davies with a great dribble into the box (he is playing in the AMC spot - i.e. the Kelly spot)... he is tripped in the box.. penalty shot awarded. I look over to my new assistant manager and ask him who we should have take the penalty shot. He says that Foulkes should take it. Foulkes steps up.. shoots.. to the left of the keeper.. GOAL!!!! 2-1.

85 minute mark: Dunning at DC intercepts a pass, passes it to Baker at midfield.. Baker with a nice through pass to the edge of the box.. Farrell gets to it.. dribbles to his right.. around the keeper.. drills it into the right side of the net.. GOAL!!!! 3-1.

Game over 3-1 win in our second friendly.

We outshot them 15-11 (8-5 on goal)

Richard O'Connor wins MoM. The young keeper is looking good in early action.

Eaglesfan27

01-10-2005, 09:52 PM

July 13th, 2007 -

A story appeared in a local newspaper that Surey is unhappy with his current contract. I really wish this hadn't appeared in the newspaper, but I have to admit that several guys are underpaid, and the board appears ready to allow us to raise wages somewhat.

I decide to meet with him and see how much he wants. I nearly choke when he tells me that he wants 2,200 dollars/week! Interestingly, the board is stating that we can pay him up to 11,000 dollars/week. I decide to offer him 1400 dollars/week for 3 years.

Eaglesfan27

01-10-2005, 09:58 PM

July 14th, 2007 -

Surey rejected my offer. Now, I need to make a tough decision. I decide to up my offer to 1,800 per week. If he rejects this and doesn't lower his offer, I'm going to demand that he play another year on his current deal (he still has 2 years left.)

Eaglesfan27

01-10-2005, 09:59 PM

July 14th, 2007 -

Today we host Derby (League 1) in our 3rd friendly. I hope to see more cohesion today. Hopefully, my starter's endurance has improved enough that they can go 60 minutes this match.

I'm using my same starting lineup for now.

RPI-Fan

01-10-2005, 10:04 PM

Good luck in the football league.

Largely because of your dynasty, when I got fired from my Cannes team that I had gotten really attached to, I started a new career in the Conference South with Sutton. We got off to a slow start, but now as we approach the 2005 calendar year are in 2nd place with incredible form.

(I used fictional players).

I thought your guy, Kelly, was amazing. I have another incredible player, though. Robert Griffin is really pretty ordinary, except he seems to be built like a bodybuilder and knows how to head the ball into the net. He wins EVERYTHING in the air, and if it's near the goal, puts it in the net. He has 22 goals in 17 appearances so far! And it's not like he's the "Lone gunman" - I have another guy (a pesky-type, darting in and out of gaps with great speed - total opposite of Griffin), named Colin Jackson, with 10 goals. And I have a handful of others with a couple goals each. Plus, I have two guys with double-digit assists! (Jackson has 6, and Griffin amazingly has 0).

Just a simply brilliant offensive team. We have our defensive lapses, but since November basically, we've even been great on defense. And we just brought in a loan signing who we're playing at right back, and have a 21 year old quite good central defender coming in February who should also give us much-needed depth on the backline.

Again, I just can't put into words how great my attack seems to be. I'm playing a simple 4-1-2-1-2, with no arrows for the defense, the D-mid getting a small arrow forward, the wingers getting small arrows forward, and that's it. We play slightly defensive and straight-forward, and counterattack (which I think is our key... we move the ball up the wings at blazing speed, and then have 4 or 5 guys in the attack right away, just overpowering the defense). If we had a keeper who could bail us out on occasion, we'd be simply unstoppable.

Just got through with an uber-long session (including re-playing after a couple of crashes, which I always find EXTREMELY hard to do), so figured I'd gush a bit.

Also, one thing I noticed, is that there's just not very much talent in the Conference North/South. I'm not sure any of my current starters, including the amazing goalscorer, Griffin, would be good enough to start on my Cannes team from the French National Division. Most of my rotation guys on that Cannes team would easily be in my Sutton United starting lineup.

Oh, and I guess I'll add in this one minor thing that I really noticed today that makes FM so cool - I got this guy, Peter Wilkie, on loan from Arsenal. He's a forward, and is pretty skilled and looked like he'd help my team. But my other two strikers, Griffin and Jackson, are just so much more tenacious that Wilkie doesn't even really hardly ever sniff the starting lineup. However, when Wilkie is in there, I notice that his skills are better. A perfect example is when a long-ball comes over the top for him... he brings it down deftly on his chest, to get a great scoring position. However, he is slow to move with the ball, and the defense gives him trouble. Jackson, on the other hand, let's the ball bounce a little farther than I'd like, but is so agressive he gets there with plenty of time to apply a finish (and he seems to love going near-post top shelf... I wonder if it's just a coincidence or if players have shooting tendencies). Just a nice little touch that you can notice even subtle differences like this, with the 2D match engine.

Sorry for rambling, and good luck - I'm enjoying reading!

~rpi-fan

Eaglesfan27

01-10-2005, 10:16 PM

40 minute mark: Both teams have been playing very smart football throughout the 1st half.. finally their striker Ben Wilkinson gets a good scoring opportunity.. Scarsella with a great save. They appear to be playing mostly backups this game.

Halftime: 0-0. Great play by both teams.

60 minute mark: My entire second team comes in.

93 minute mark: Andy Cox draws a trip from Morley in the box.. Penalty shot awarded.. Mario steps up to take the penalty shot.. shoots to O'Conner's right.. O'Conner dives.. he can't get to it.. GOAL. 1-0.

Game over. 1-0 loss.

They outshot us 12-3 (3-1 on goal)

Their centreback Pablo Mills wins MoM, 28 of 32 pases, 3 of 3 tackles, 13 of 14 headers, 7 passes intercepted. The guy appears to be quite talented.

Eaglesfan27

01-10-2005, 10:21 PM

Eaglesfan27

01-10-2005, 10:30 PM

July 15th, 2007 -

West Ham has agreed to sell Youssef Sofiane to me for only 16,000 dollars. Sofiane is a talented young striker whom I coveted for 3 years. I decide to offer him a contract, but he tells me he is not interested. I offer him 2,000 dollars/week as well as a 20,000 dollar signing bonus to see if I can change his mind.

Eaglesfan27

01-10-2005, 10:47 PM

July 17th, 2007 -

Ben Surey accepted his new contract.

Greg Kelly came to me and told me he wants a new deal as well. I plan on starting negotiations immediately.

David Mannix of Liverpool has agreed to come join us on loan. The 21 year old midfielder appears to be a talented player who should play quite a bit for me during his 3 months with the club.

(OOC NOTE: Darn ER.. be back later - hopefully the board isn't down too long tonight during the maintenance.. perhaps I'll save some entries in a text file so that I can post them when it comes back up as I'm really in the mood to continue playing CM when I get back.)

Eaglesfan27

01-11-2005, 12:05 AM

July 18th, 2007 -

Sofiane chose to go to Fontenay-Le-Comte instead of coming to Harrogate.

Mannix has joined the club to start his loan, and appears to be of starting calibre in the midfield from our first practice.

Eaglesfan27

01-11-2005, 12:07 AM

July 18th, 2007 -

Kelly and I met to discuss a new contract for him. He is requesting 3,600 dollars/week, 200 dollars/assist, 160 dollars/goal and a 1.6million dollar release clause.

I counter with an offer of 3,000 dollars/week, 200/assist, 160/goal, and 1.7 million dollar release clause.

Eaglesfan27

01-11-2005, 12:17 AM

July 20th, 2007 -

Today Middlesbrough Reserve Striker Jason Kennedy has agreed to come join us on loan. I hate to potentially retard the growth of Palmer, but Kennedy appears to be the better player on film and will likely start quite a bit for us. Least, Palmer should be fresher in the later part of the season.

Eaglesfan27

01-11-2005, 12:18 AM

July 20th, 2007 -

I almost forgot to report the most important news. Kelly accepted his new deal! I just hope these expensive new deals don't force the team into bankruptcy.

Eaglesfan27

01-11-2005, 12:21 AM

July 21st, 2007 -

David Moore of Wigan accepted my loan offer. I'm now getting a much higher percentage of acceptances than I'm used to, and I need to be more careful about firing out too many loan offers at once. However, I like depth among my strikers and don't want to be unprofessional, so I accept Moore's acceptance.

Eaglesfan27

01-11-2005, 10:43 AM

July 22, 2007 -

Today we travel to play Hinckley in the English Conference North. This is our fourth friendly of the year, and I expect the guys to dominate this game. Hopefully, they meet my expectations.

I'm going to use what I will most likely use as my starting lineup, but I might reinsert Barnett into the starting lineup. Also, I'm giving Barnard the day off because I want to see what left fullback Marc Smith can do with the 1st team.

GK: Scarsella
DL: Smith
DC: Wall
DC: Morley
DR: Black
ML: Wright
MC: Mannix
MR: Collett
AMC: Kelly
SC: Smyth
SC: Kennedy

S1: O'Conner
S2: Shepherd
S3: Surey
S4: Moore
S5: Barnett
S6: Davies
S7: Farrell
s8: Foulkes
S9: Baker
S10: Palmer
S11: Morgan
S12: Fox

Eaglesfan27

01-11-2005, 11:00 AM

1st minute: I immediately see that Kennedy has something special. He is currently valued at almost 3 million dollars, and I see that he has that special flash on the pitch. He is stopped on his first foray into the box, but I think he could do some great things in his 3 months here.

2nd minute: Mannix gets the ball at midfield.. passes to Smyth on the left edge of the box.. Smyth heads the pass to Kelly.. Kelly buries it in the lower right corner. GOAL!!!! 1-0.

5 minute mark: Kelly gets called for a trip on Lamey in our box :( Penalty shot awarded.. Lamey blasts the penalty shot into the lower right corner of the net.

13 minute mark: Scarsella comes out to play a ball.. he is outside the box.. passes to Wall.. Wall passes back to Scarsella.. Scarsella attempts to pass to ..someone.. Lamey intercepts it.. shoots around Scarsella.. scores from 30 yards out! Down 2-1.

23 minute mark: Black picks up an injury and has to come off the pitch. I put Shepherd in for Black at right fullback.

Halftime: Down 2-1 :(

70 minute mark: I sub in entire second team.

Game over. 2-1 loss. I know that friendlies don't count, and the guys play differently in the regular season, but this loss is disconcerting somewhat.

We outshot them 6-4 (4-3 on goal)

Nathan Lamey won MoM

On the plus side, young left fullback Smith played well with the first team.

Eaglesfan27

01-11-2005, 11:02 AM

Post Match Info:

Grant Black dislocated his hip this match :(

He will need surgery and is expected to miss the next 5 months.

If any of my other DC's or DR's go down, I will have to start looking for a loan player.

Eaglesfan27

01-11-2005, 11:11 AM

July 24th, 2007 -

I didn't realize Manchester United's long time manager had retired. They have hired Swedish National Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson to take over the manager's job at the club. The supporters expect them to win the EPL, of course.

Eaglesfan27

01-11-2005, 11:23 AM

July 26, 2007 -

Today we are hosting an EPL team for a friendly. Hopefully, we'll get a big gate receipt out of this. Leicester will be a tough matchup even if they do end up using several backups.

We will start the same lineup as last game except Morley will slide to right fullback and Barnett will be back in the starting lineup.

Dunning gets added to the sub list.

Eaglesfan27

01-11-2005, 11:40 AM

1st minute: Mannix with a nice steal.. passes to Kennedy who heads it to Kelly.. Kelly shoots for the lower left corner.. great save by their keeper, Ian Walker.

17 minute mark: Young left fullback Smith with a big tackle on their striker Andrew Johnson.

42 minute mark: Scarsella with a great save on a shot by Johnson from inside 10 yards.

0-0 at the half. Our guys are playing hard. Marc Smith picked up a yellow card just before the half, so I sub in Foulkes for him.

50 minute mark: Mannix picks up an injury.. I sub in Surey for him.

60 minute mark: I sub in the entire second team.

65 minute mark: Simon Francis gets a point blank shot on goal.. Great save by O'Conner!!

67 minute mark: Simon Francis gets another great scoring opportunity.. blasts it over O'Conner's shoulder for the goal. Down 1-0.

Game over. 1-0 loss.

We were outshot 7-3 (4-2 on goal)

Joey Gudjonsson won MoM.

Eaglesfan27

01-11-2005, 06:41 PM

July 29th, 2007 -

Today we host Bristol Rovers in our final friendly game before the season starts. Unlike past years, we don't have a huge layoff between our last friendly and first league game. Therefore, I only expect to play my starters for 45 minutes today. I'll be playing my planned starting 11 for the regular season.

GK: Scarsella
DL: Barnard
DC: Wall
DC: Barnett
DR: Morley (at least until Black is recovered)
ML: Wright
MC: Surey
MR: Collett
AMC: Kelly
SC: Smyth
SC: Kennedy

S1: O'Conner
S2: Shepherd
S3: Surey
S4: Moore
S5: Palmer
S6: Dunning
S7: Davies
S8: Farrell
S9: Foulkes
S10: Baker
S11: Morgan
S12: Fox

Eaglesfan27

01-11-2005, 07:03 PM

21 minute mark: Kennedy gets the ball at midfield.. great dribble down the field.. around a defender.. into the box.. passes to Kelly.. Kelly with a sharp shot.. great block by Paul Wilkerson.. Smyth beats Andy Moore to the rebound.. Smyth kicks it.. into the lower left corner.. GOAL!!!! 1-0.

29 minute mark: Mannix takes the corner kick.. aims for Wright by the near post.. Wright heads it past the keeper.. into the net! GOAL!!! 2-0.

30 minute mark: Wright steals the ball deep in our zone.. long perfect pass to Kennedy at the right corner of the box.. Kennedy dribbles towards the right post.. keeper comes over to block him.. great pass between the defender and the keeper.. Kelly has it.. easy tap in! GOAL!!!! 3-0.

Halftime: 3-0 lead. This is what I've wanted to see.. a dominant half of football from our team against a good opponent (they are in league 1)

I sub in the second half, and give the guys high fives as they walk off the pitch. We are ready for our game next week.

54 minute mark: Moore is injured on a tackle by the defender, I sub in my 12th guy, Farrell.

61 minute mark: Surey with a shot from 30 yards out.. it deflects of centreback Tom Wright.. into the left corner of the net.. GOAL!!!! 4-0.

65 minute mark: FOx picks up an injury and I have to drop to 10 men on the pitch since I've used everyone.

78 minute mark: Richard Walker gets into our box.. shoots.. O'Conner blocks it.. shoots again into the lower right corner... GOAL. 4-1.

82 minute mark: Ali Gibb with a long pass to Junior Agogo.. Agogo heads it.. into the net. GOAL 4-2.

88 minute mark: O'Conner with a solid save of a shot by Sos Yao.

Game over. 4-2 win for us. I like this is as a solid confidence booster heading into the regular season.

We outshot them 11-10 (7-6 on goal)

Richard O'Conner won MoM

Eaglesfan27

01-11-2005, 07:07 PM

August 1st, 2007 -

David Bellion finally chose to go and place for Le Havre.

Eaglesfan27

01-11-2005, 07:11 PM

August 1st, 2007 -

Today the oddsmakers announced who they believe will win promotion from League Two.

Blackpool are favourites at 5-4 to gain promotion. Bradford City and Brighton have 6-4 odds to gain promotion. Barnsley and Hereford have 7-4 odds to gain promotion, and Port Vale has 2-1 odds to gain promotions.

Our odds aren't quite as long as I thought they would be. The Oddsmakers have us at 20-1 odds to gain promotion.

Our fans and the board still just expect us to battle bravely against relegation.

Eaglesfan27

01-11-2005, 07:24 PM

Aug 2, 2007 -

My scout has identified a player whom I believe would be a talent upgrade on the team. David Murphy of Derby is available, and he can play either left fullback or left wing. This isn't my weakest position, but Wright and Barnard are getting older and this player is an upgrade over either of them. I decide to offer the full 32,000 dollars that I have available in my transfer budget as well as 50% of next sale.

Eaglesfan27

01-11-2005, 07:32 PM

August 3rd, 2007 -

The 1st round the English League Cup was drawn today, and we received a fairly favorable matchup all things considered. We will be hosting Bradford City also of League 2 in the first round match. The game will be played August 22nd, 2007.

Eaglesfan27

01-11-2005, 07:39 PM

August 4th, 2007 -

Today we travel to play Wycombe in our first League 2 game! Wycombe finished 10th in the league last year and appear to be a talented team. Without a doubt, the star of their team is left fullack Colin Delahunty. He is a true intimidator along the defensive line. Striker Nathan Tyson is also a very talented player. He is extremely pacey. Liam Marshall is a solid midfielder. They have Rob Beckwith on loan from Luton playing goal for them.

We've never faced this team before.

They are 4:6 favorites.

It's going to be sunny with temperatures in the mid 70's.

Our Lineup:

GK: Scarsella
DL: Barnard
DC: Wall
DC: Barnett
DR: Morley
ML: Wright
MC: Mannix
MR: Collett
AMC: Kelly
SC: Smyth
SC: Kennedy

S1: O'Connor
S2: Shepherd
S3: Morgan
S4: Davies
S5: Palmer

Eaglesfan27

01-11-2005, 08:12 PM

1st minute: Morley gets a yellow card for tripping Tyson. Least it is outside the box.

6 minute mark: Barnett gets a yellow card for tripping Tyson. This is not going well.

8 minute mark: Wright is called for tripping Marshall.. Kelly is furious.. he argues the call.. yellow card for Kelly. Mannix is upset.. Yellow card for Mannix.

This keeps getting worse.

9 minute mark: Wright gets the ball at midfield.. passes it to Smyth.. Smyth dribbles into the box.. shoots.. Beckwith blocks it.. Smyth races to the rebound.. Delahunty beats him to it.. Smyth tackles Delahunty.. Yellow card for Smyth. Sheesh, 5 yellow cards in 9 minutes.

11 minute mark: Delahunty gets the ball after Morley deflects a corner out of our box.. Delahunty with a quick pass to Terry Skiverton.. Skiverton shoots.. it deflects off Wall.. into the upper left corner.. Scarsella had no chance on the deflected shot. GOAL. Down 1-0.

12 minute mark: Collett has it at midfield.. sends it to Mannix.. Mannix to Collett in the middle of the field.. Collett passes to Wall who has come up to join the attack.. Wall shoots from 25 yards.. blistering shot... past the keeper.. into the upper left corner.. GOAL!!!! 1-1. That is Wall's first goal ever for Harrogate!

27 minute mark: Delahunty sends a long pass for Tyson.. it's over Tyson's head.. Scarsella comes out to collect it.. he bobbles it! Tyson gets the bobbled ball.. easily kicks it around Scarsella for the GOAL. Down 2-1. :(

30 minute mark: Philo takes the throw-in deep in our zone.. throws it to Delahunty.. Delahunty passes back to Philo. Philo crosses for the far corner. Matt Bloomfield heads it.. into the GOAL. Down 3-1 now :(

36 minute mark: Wright plays a nice through ball for Smyth.. he is racing towards the box.. Roger Johnson catches him from behind and tackles him.

39 minute mark: Wall with a big header to prevent Tyson from getting the ball.

Halftime: Down 3-1. The scary thing is that everyone is playing well except for Barnett and Scarsella.

49 minute mark: Wright with a pass to Kelly.. Kelly passes to Kennedy.. Kennedy with a powerful dribble into the box.. shoots.. just barely wide left.

55 minute mark: Smyth steals the ball from Delahunty deep in their zone.. dribbles into the box.. Beckwith playing the angle.. Smyth shoots the far right corner anyway.. barely wide.

59 minute mark: Tyson fakes Barnett out of his jock.. into the box.. shoots.. lower right corner.. great diving save by Scarsella.

65 minute mark: Bloomfield has it at midfield.. passes to right winger Danny Senda.. Senda dribbles into the box.. passes to Matt Bloomfield.. Bloomfield heads it towards the left upper corner.. GOAL. Down 4-1.

67 minute mark: Wall gets it deep in our zone.. sends a long pass to Kelly.. Kelly dribbles into the box.. two defenders close in on him.. take the ball away from him.

I sub in Morgan at striker for Smyth, Palmer for Kennedy, and Shepherd for Barnett at DC.

69 minute mark: Palmer getss a yellow card for tripping Philo.

73 minute mark: Collett gets a yello card for tripping Philo.

88 minute mark: Sub Shahed Ahmed takes the ball down the right wing.. crosses to the far post.. Youssou Diop rises above Wall.. heads it.. into the net.. GOAL. Down 5-1.

90 minute mark: Roger Johnson races back to stop a Palmer breakaway. Johnson has been thwarting our attack all day.

91 minute mark: Palmer manages to get into the box.. is tackled by Johnson.. right to Kelly who passes back to Palmer before being tackled.. Palmer shoots.. Beckwith saves it.

92 minute mark: Shepherd gets a yellow card for tripping Tyson.

Game over. 5-1 loss. I feel like we were dominated most of the match. Hopefully, this isn't a microcosm of the season to come.

We were outshot 17-12 (7-4 on goal)

Matt Bloomfield wins MoM, 11 of 17 passes, 1 of 4 tackles, 2 of 7 headers, 2 goals.

Eaglesfan27

01-11-2005, 08:38 PM

Aug 7, 2007 -

Today we host Macclesfield. They finished in 22nd last year and barely avoided relegation. They are led by star striker Matthew Tipton. Midfielder Mark Hughes is very talented as well. Their other top striker, Andrew Barrowman, is out for the next 3 weeks with a back strain. Keeper Russell Howarth is extremely quick in reacting to shots.

We've never played them before.

They are slight 5-4 favorites.

It's going to be sunny with temperatures in the mid 70's today.

We are using the exact same lineup as last game. I hope and expect that this game will be much different.

Eaglesfan27

01-11-2005, 08:57 PM

3 minute mark: Barnett heads away a pass intended for Tipton.

13 minute mark: Wall heads away a long pass from the keeper.. Mannix gets it.. feeds it to Smyth.. Smyth has a lead on the defender.. dribbles into the box.. shoots.. the keeper with a nice save on the shot.

18 minute mark: Mannix gets the ball to Smyth just past midfield.. he dribbles up the pitch.. being chased by two defenders.. they are right on his heels.. he shoots from 20 yards out.. over the bar.

21 minute mark: Collett dribbles down the right sideline.. crosses for Kelly at the center of the box.. Kelly heads it.. it's going into the net.. whistle.. Kelly gets called for jumping unfairly with the centreback.

36 minute mark: Wright gets the ball at midfield.. passes it down the left sideline.. Smyth gets to it.. crosses for the far post.. it's a nice pass.. right to Kennedy's foot.. Kennedy hits it into the open right corner easily.. GOAL!!!! 1-0.

Halftime: Up 1-0.

65 minute mark: I sub in Palmer for Kennedy who is very tired. I also sub in Shepherd for Mannix who is tired.

84 minute mark: Morley with a great pass to Collett who heads it to Kelly inside the box.. The defense quickly shuts him down before he can shoot.

Game over. 1-0 Win. Nice to get our first league 2 win, but I'm not encouraged by the fact that we barely held on to beat a team that barely avoided relegation last year.

We outshot them 11-6 (4-1 on goal)

Andrew Wright wins MoM, 23 of 31 passes, 0 tackles, 3 of 6 headers, 4 runs.

Eaglesfan27

01-11-2005, 09:04 PM

August 8th, 2007 -

Andrew Wright came into my office today and told me that he has heard how several players have gotten raises. He feels he is deserving of a new contract as well. He is asking for 2,400 dollars/week for 3 years in addition to 120/assist. I counter with 2,200 dollars/week and 120/assist.

Eaglesfan27

01-11-2005, 09:24 PM

August 11th, 2007 -

Andrew Wright agreed to my counter offer and signed the new contract.

Eaglesfan27

01-11-2005, 09:30 PM

Aug. 11, 2007 -

Today we travel to play Chester. Chester finished 15th in league 2 last year and appear to have a talented team. Chester is led by Striker Daryl Clare who is a very good finisher. Scott Fitzgerald his partner up front is good at setting up Clare. Midfielder Paul Carden has played well this year. Centreback Danny Collins is quick and could be difficult to get past. Keeper Richard Martin is good, but not as good as the other two keepers we've faced. At least that is the perception of my scout. Hopefully we can get some shots past him.

We beat them 3-0 in a friendly 2 years ago.

They are even odds favorites.

It's sunny with temperatures in the mid 80's today.

WE are using the same lineup except that Surey will be a sub instead of Shepherd.

Eaglesfan27

01-11-2005, 09:50 PM

7 minute mark: Scarsella stops a good Clare shot.

17 minute mark: Mannix intercepts it at midfield.. passes to Collett on the right wing.. Collett passes to Kennedy at the right edge of the box.. Kennedy centers for Kelly.. Kelly shoots immediately.. into the lower right corner of the goal.. GOAL!!!! 1-0.

39 minute mark: Mannix makes an important interception of a crossing pass intended for Clare.

42 minute mark: Kennedy is tackled by the centreback.. he is howling in pain. Palmer will come on for him.

Halftime: We are up 1-0.

48 minute mark: Scarsella with a big save of a shot by Doolan.

54 minute mark: Barnard with a big header to prevent Fitzgerald from getting the ball.

56 minute mark: Barnett gets a yellow card for a trip on Collins.

66 minute mark: Davies on for the tired Kelly. Surey on for the tired Mannix.

75 minute mark: Barnett races back to stop Clare after he had received a long pass inside the box.. great play by Barnett! What speed.

Game over. 1-0 win on the road no less! :)

They outshot us 12-6 (but only 3-1 on goal)

Danny Collins wins MoM, 24 of 32 passes, 4 of 8 tackles, 6 of 6 headers, 4 interceptions.

Eaglesfan27

01-11-2005, 09:56 PM

Post Match Info: Kennedy sprained his groin but should only miss 5 days.

Eaglesfan27

01-11-2005, 10:07 PM

August 15th, 2007 -

David Murphy's club had accepted my offer of 36,000, 1,000 a month for a year, and 50% of next sale. However, unfortunately Murphy chose to go to Bournemouth instead. I can't say I blame him as they are in the Championship League. Oh well, I'll continue to keep an eye out for bargains that can upgrade my talent.

Eaglesfan27

01-11-2005, 11:06 PM

August 18th, 2007 -

Today we host Port Vale which is currently in 3rd and was one of the favorites to win promotion. We are amazingly in 6th, but it is quite early in the season. Port Vale finished in 9th last year and they have a talented team. However, their top striker, Billy Paynter, is injured and this could give us a chance. Their left winger Gary Walsh is a true speedster who is an excellent passer. Right winger, Ian Armstrong is just as fast and skilled. Left Fullback Ryan Brown is very skilled and fast as well. He is a great attacking fullback. Fortunately, their keeper Paul Evans isn't that talented. Hopefully, we'll be able to get a few past him.

We've never played Port Vale before.

They are 4:6 favorites.

It's going to be sunny with temperatures in the high 80's today.

Our Lineup:

GK: Scarsella
DL: Barnard
DC: Wall
DC: Barnett
DR: Morley
ML: Wright
MC: Mannix
MR: Collett
AMC: Kelly
SC: Smyth
SC: Kennedy

S1: O'Connor
S2: Surey
S3: Morgan
S4: Davies
S5: Palmer

Eaglesfan27

01-11-2005, 11:29 PM

1st minute: Scarsella with 2 big saves as there is a flurry of activity in front of the net.

19 minute mark: After an early attack against us, we are starting to hold our own.. nice breakaway is thwarted by Smyth being called for offsides.

25 minute mark: Gary Walsh with an amazing pass to striker Dave Hibbert.. Hibbert with the point blank shot.. Excellent save by Scarsella!

32 minute mark: Morley with a great interception in our zone.. long pass to Kennedy.. Kennedy is tackled from behind by Ryan Brown who made a nice play.

45 minute mark: Mannix with a very good pass between two defenders to Kelly in the box.. Kelly turns around to get by a defender.. shoots.. into the left side of the net.

Halftime: 0-0.

46 minute mark: Smyth takes a free kick 30 yards from the opposition's goal after being tackled.. Smyth kicks it.. it deflects off the wall at high speed.. into the lower right corner.. GOAL!!!! 1-0.

49 minute mark: Eldershaw receives a pass from Walsh.. Eldershaw with a powerful blast at goal.. Scarsella tips it over the bar.

60 minute mark: Palmer on for Kennedy. Kennedy has had a bad game with a 5 for form.

Barnard has a 4 for form, so I put in Morgan at left fullback.

63 minute mark: Smyth gets it at midfield.. passes to Palmer.. Palmer burns the defense.. Palmer shoots.. over the bar.

75 minute mark: Barnett intercepts the ball deep in our zone and heads it to Mannix at midfield, Mannix immediately passes to Palmer.. Palmer heads it to Kelly in the middle of the box.. Kelly fakes going right.. goes to his left.. great move.. shoots around the keeper.. into the center of the net.. GOAL!!!! 2-0.

Game over! 2-0 Win! :)

They outshot us 18-9 (8-2 on goal)

Scarsella wins MoM for his 8 save cleansheet!

Eaglesfan27

01-11-2005, 11:39 PM

Post Match Info:

Mark Smyth injured his groin and will miss 2 weeks including our upcoming League cup game.

We are in 5th place, but our GD of 0 is worst of all of the top teams. However, Wycombe is in 1st and perhaps that helps to explain why they thrashed us.

daedalus

01-12-2005, 03:40 AM

Heck of a start to the season. Good show.

Now, if you could just deal with the nasty injury bugs . . .

SirFozzie

01-12-2005, 06:22 AM

Maybe time to hire a 2nd Physio?

Eaglesfan27

01-12-2005, 05:48 PM

Maybe I forgot to post when I did hire a 2nd and third physio (then had my 1st one retire.)

Here is my current staff:

Christopher Engles (My Alter Ego) - Manager
Noel O'Reilly - Assistant Manager
Mark Atkins - Player/Coach -
Derek Saunders - Coach
Carl Wilson - Coach
James Geary - Physio
Mick Byrne - Physio
Pat Willett - Scout

Eaglesfan27

01-12-2005, 05:48 PM

Dola -

That being said, I'd like to eventually hire a third physio.

Eaglesfan27

01-12-2005, 06:21 PM

August 22nd, 2007 -

Today we host Bradford City in the 1st round of the English League Cup. Bradford City are currently 2nd in league 2 and have been playing very well this year. We are currently 5th in League 2. Bradford City finished 4th last year and barely missed being promoted. They have a very talented team. Striker Moses Ashikodi is a powerful target man. Striker Steven Gillespie is a speedster with a deft touch around the net. Midfielder Tom Penford is a skilled director of traffic on the pitch. Centreback Mark Bower is a real shut down defender who is tough and intimidating. Left Fullback Lewis Emanuel is talented on the attack and in defense. Keeper Paul Henderson is average, and if we can get past the defense, I think we can beat him.

We've never played them before.

They are heavy 4-7 favorites.

It's overcast with temperatures in the mid 60's right now.

Lineup:

GK: Scarsella
DL: Barnard
DC: Wall
DC: Barnett
DR: Morley
ML: Wright
MC: Mannix
MR: Collett
AMC: Kelly
SC: Palmer (on for the injured Smyth)
SC: Kennedy

S1: O'Connor
S2: Surey
S3: Morgan
S4: Davies
S5: Moore

Eaglesfan27

01-12-2005, 06:45 PM

2 minute mark: Scarsella hits a bad kick which the midfield heads back to our zone.. Wall gets to it.. and attempts to tap it back to Scarsella, but he hits it soft.. Gillespie beats Scarsella to it.. dribbles to his right and easily shoots around Scarsella for an early terrible goal. GOAL. Down 1-0.

35 minute mark: Mannix gets a yellow card for tripping Piercy.

39 minute mark: Mannix feeds the ball to Kennedy.. dribbles down the middle of the field.. past a defender.. around another defender.. shoots.. just wide right.

Halftime: Down 1-0.

60 minute mark: Davies on for Collett who has had a bad game.

Moore on for Kennedy who is tired.

67 minute mark: Wall with a long pass to Palmer.. Palmer dribbles into the left corner of the box.. dribbles further into the box.. towards the left post.. showing great speed.. passes.. between two defenders.. to Moore.. Moore shoots immediately into the lower right corner.. GOAL!!!! 1-1.

72 minute mark: Barnett intercepts a long pass.. hits Davies on the right wing.. Davies with a quick pass to Mannix in the middle of the field.. Mannix immediately plays a perfect pass between the two defenders to Moore on the edge of the box.. Moore takes two dribbles.. shoots.. lower right corner... GOAL!!!! 2-1.

77 minute mark: Rowan Vine who had just come on as a sub steals teh ball at midfield.. plays it forward to Michael Symes who also just came on the pitch.. Symes has it in the box... powerful shot.. right over Scarsella's left shoulder.. GOAL. 2-2 now.

82 minute mark: Mannix steals it at midfield.. plays it up to Moore.. will he get his hat trick.. powerful dribble into the box.. shoots.. nice save by the keeper.

85 minute mark: Davies kicks a corner kick towards the near post.. Wright jumps.. the keeper Henderson jumps.. Wright is shoved down.. Whistle! Henderson is called for pushing Wright.. Penalty shot awarded! :) Davies blasts a shot into the upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 3-2.

Game over! 3-2 win!!! :)

We each had 11 shots, but we had 7 shots on goal to their 4.

David Mannix wins MoM, 21 of 30 passes, 1 of 3 tackles, 3 of 6 headers, 4 interceptions, 1 assist.

Eaglesfan27

01-12-2005, 06:54 PM

Post Match Info:

We were awarded 36,000 dollars for our win in the 1st round of the English League Cup! :)

We set an attendance record with 3,732 fans at this game!

I can't wait to see who we get in the 2nd round of the League Cup.

Eaglesfan27

01-12-2005, 07:10 PM

August 25th, 2007 -

The second round draw of the English League Cup wasn't nearly as kind as the 1st round. We will be hosting Charlton (EPL) in the 2nd round of the League Cup.

Eaglesfan27

01-12-2005, 07:16 PM

Aug 25, 2007 -

Toda we host Hereford in League play. We are currently in 5th and Hereford is in 15th currently.

Hereford finished 6th in League 2 last year, and they have a few talented players. In particular, Right Winger Danny Williams is quite skilled. Striker David Brown is a powerful forward who is deadly around the net. He has 4 goals in 5 games this year. However, their defense is fairly weak and I think we can score on them. Keeper Scott Bevan is giving up aout 2 goals a game, but he is actually quite good, but he has been peppered with shots.

We've never played them before.

They are 6-4 favorites.

We are using the same lineup as last game except Moore will be starting instead of Kennedy. Kennedy will be on the bench in Moore's spot.

Eaglesfan27

01-12-2005, 07:32 PM

Very boring first 15 minutes..

Actually, boring first 45 minutes.. We had 3 shots, but only 1 on goal. They had 0 shots this half. No good scoring opportunities for either side.

Halftime: 0-0.

46 minute mark: Wright gets the ball from Mannis.. shoots for the upper right corner.. Bevan saves it.

62 minute mark: Kennedy on for Moore who is tired. Morgan on as a target man for the injured Palmer (minor injury)

91 minute mark: Bevan with a long kick.. Wall misplays it.. it bounces over his head.. Williams gets to it.. dribbles into the box.. strong shot over Scarsella's left shoulder.. GOAL. Down 1-0.

Game over. 1-0 loss :(

We outshot them 5-3 (3-1 on goal)

Andy Tretton (DC) won MoM, 27 of 41 passes, 6 of 6 tackles, 6 of 6 headers, 3 interceptions. He played great defense on my guys.

Eaglesfan27

01-12-2005, 07:50 PM

Aug 28, 2007 -

Today we travel to play Yeovil who are currently 14th in League 2. We are in 7th currently. Yeovil finished in 19th last year.

Yeovil only has 1 really talented player at this point. Striker Adrian Caceres is a very good scorer. He has excellent speed, excellent touch around the net, very good passing as well. He will be a tough matchup for our defenders. His partner Kevin Gall has been the benefit of a few great assists from Caceres. Midfielder Darren Way has played well. Left fullback Michael Rose has also played well. Keeper, Chris Weale has been solid in 3 of his starts, and terrible in the others.

We've never played Yeovil before.

Yeovil are even odds favorites.

It's going to be overcast with temperatures in the high 40's today.

We are using the same lineup as last game.

Eaglesfan27

01-12-2005, 08:05 PM

14 minute mark: Moore gets the ball in the right wing of the field from Collett.. Moore crosses for Kelly.. Kelly shoots.. keeper with a very strong save.

21 minute mark: Barnard with a huge tackle on Caceres to prevent a sure goal as he had completed faked out Scarsella.

28 minute mark: Tarachuluski with a soft shot on goal.. Scarsella bobbles it.. Caceres gets the rebound.. slams it into the back of the net! GOAL. Down 1-0 :(

41 minute mark: kelly gets it at midfield.. dribbles for 10 yards.. nice pass to Moore.. Moore takes two steps into the box.. unleashes a strong shot.. the keeper saves it.

Halftime: Down 1-0.

49 minute mark: Palmer gets a yellow card for arguing an offside call.

51 minute mark: kelly gets it at midfield.. dribbles up the field.. around two defenders.. past another.. into the box.. shoots.. over the bar.

54 minute mark: Mannix passes to Kelly in the box.. great opportunity.. Kelly blasts it.. over the bar.

62 minute mark: Jevon gets it at midfield.. passes to Caceres in the box.. Caceres gets around Barnett.. shoots.. upper right corner.. GOAL. Down 2-0.

I sub in Davies for Kelly who is tired (and not playing well.) I also sub in Kennedy for Palmer.

Game over. 2-0 loss.

We were outshot 18-9 (5-5 for on goal)

Adrian Caceres wins MoM, 21 of 25 passes, 0 of 1 tackles, 2 of 7 headers, 1 interception, 3 runs, 2 goals.

Eaglesfan27

01-12-2005, 08:25 PM

Sep 1st, 2007 -

Mr. Fotherby is delighted with our team's performance so far.

Scarborough's David Pounder won English League 2 player of the month. Colin Delahunty of Wycombe came in 2nd, and Richard Langley of Blackpook came in 3rd.

Port Vale's Gary Walsh has won young player of the month. Carl Rook of Boston Utd came in 2nd, and Moses Ashikodi of Bradford City came in 3rd.

Barnsley's Colin Calderwood won manager of the month for leading his team to victories in 5 of their last 6 games. John Cunningham of Bradford City came in 2nd, and Mike Walker of Wycombe came in 3rd.

Eaglesfan27

01-12-2005, 08:27 PM

September 1st, 2007 -

Today the English LDV Vans Trophy had its first round draw. We will be traveling to face Stockport (also in league 2.)

RPI-Fan

01-12-2005, 08:37 PM

Seems like Wall and Scarsella are in a (very) poor run of form... any thoughts of giving the young guy a crack in goal? Also, how much were teams offering for Scarsella during that little feeding frenzy... how much is officially valued at right now? What kind of values do Smyth, Palmer, and Kelly have?

Eaglesfan27

01-12-2005, 08:46 PM

Yes, I've been strongly considering giving O'Conner a start. Scarsella hasn't played that well since moving up to League 2. Yet, he continues to look good in practice (by this I mean his attribute ratings continue to be quite nice.)

Scarsella's highest value was 32,000 or 36,000 (I'm not positive which) but teams were offering more than that at one point. Now his value is only 20,000 :(

O'Conner has a 36,000 value despite not playing much. I'm going to give him the start next game. As far as Wall goes, he is only 20 and his attributes are absolutely amazing! His value continues to rise, and he has a 7 average form for the year. I want to keep playing him and hopefully see him continue to improve. Barnett has actually been the letdown. He has been unhappy all year because I'm not playing him at right wing. He is clearly my second best DC, but he isn't playing like it. His average form is 6.70 and I have to think about benching him soon.

Kelly's value is now 360,000 dollars. Smyth's value is 280,000, and Palmer's is 240,000 (it's been going down since I stopped starting him regularly)

Eaglesfan27

01-12-2005, 08:48 PM

Dola -

Black's injury really hurts my defensive flexibility. I'd move Morley into the DC spot for Barnett in a second if I didn't need him at right fullback. I really need to get a quality centreback to come join us on loan (I've been trying all year to get one without success - the teams will let them go, but they don't want to come here.)

Eaglesfan27

01-12-2005, 09:09 PM

Sep 8, 2007 -

Today we are in 10th place and we are hosting Carlisle which is in 7th place. Carlisle finished in 14th last year in League 2 play. Two of their best players, Striker Delroy Facey and midfielder Kevin Davies are out injured for the game. Attacking midfielder Chris Lumdson has been dominant this year. Centreback Lee Andrews has played very strong football. Keeper Alan Marriott has been very solid in goal. This team has been winning due to a strong defense. It will be a tough nut to crack.

We've never played them before.

They are 4-6 favorites.

It's sunny with temperatures in the mid 70's today.

Our Lineup:

GK: O'Connor (I'll give him at least 3 starts likely)
DL: Barnard
DC: Wall
DC: Barnett
DR: Morley
ML: Wright
MC: Mannix
MR: collett
AMC: Kelly
SC: Palmet
SC: Moore

S1: Scarsella
S2: Surey
S3: Morgan
S4: Davies
S5: Kennedy

RPI-Fan

01-12-2005, 09:13 PM

Tue - 9/12/06
Champions Cup Group C Round 1
Norwich (H) 0 v. Roma (A) 1

- Goals -
R: Zlatin Ibrahimovic (3)

-MOM-
Daniel de Rossi, ML (R)

-Red Card-
Tieme Klompe (second yellow 82)

Roma dominated possession and gave Norwich the run around. Ref Alain Sars is not loved in Norwich tonight after whistling the Canary for 17 fouls to Roma's 8. Once again, Norwich conceded the early goal. This time they could not dig themselves out of the hole.

Next up: EPLL match with Aston Villa at home, Sun - 9/17/06 (TV)

:D

Eaglesfan27

01-12-2005, 09:44 PM

2 minute mark: O'Conner is challenged right away with a cross from Carlos Roca intended for Tim Hicks.. O'Connor comes out and punches the pass away.

11 minute mark: Will McDonagh gets a yellow card for tripping Moore.

14 minute mark: Palmer with a great pass from the left corner of the field.. Kelly has it.. Brilliant challenge by Alton Thelwell! (He was one of my favorite Hull players in CM 03/04)

40 minute mark: Wright with a hard shot for the upper left corner of the net.. great save by Marriott.

Halftime: 0-0 tie.

46 minute mark: O'Conner with a nice save of a McDonagh shot.

49 minute mark: Mannix intercepts it at midfield.. feeds it to Kelly.. Kelly draws two defenders.. passes to Moore who is in the right half of the box.. Moore shoots.. upper left corner.. it's past the keeper.. it's in the back of the net.. GOAL!!!! 1-0.

59 minute mark: Wall makes a key tackle on Lumdson in our box.

69 minute mark: Kennedy on for Moore who is tired. Surey on for Mannix who is tired.

76 minute mark: Lumdson gets the ball inside the box after a great pass from McDonagh.. Shoots lower left corner.. great diving save by O'Connor!

78 minute mark: Collett gets it on the right wing.. perfect pass to the feet of Palmer.. he races by a defender.. into the box.. low driving shot.. Marriott blocks it and the defender clears it.

81 minute mark: Wall with a key header of a pass intended for Lumdson.

85 minute mark: Barnett with a big interception of a pass from Lumdson that was intended for Dillon in the box.

86 minute mark: Carlisle changes to a 2-3-5 to put on the pressure.

87 minute mark: Morley with a big challenge inside the box to clear the ball.

89 minute mark: O'Connor comes out to catch a cross from Matty Pattison that was intended for Gareth Evans by the far post.. great play.

90 minute mark: Wall with a long pass to Palmer.. he beats the defender.. into the box.. dribbles to his right.. Marriott is backpedaling.. Palmer shoots.. Marriott blocks the shot.

Game over. 1-0 Win! :)

We outshot them 9-6 (5-3 on goal)

Marriott wins MoM for his 4 saves?!?

Oh well, the kid did well in his first start in goal :)

Eaglesfan27

01-12-2005, 09:50 PM

Post Match Info: Moore sprained his wrist that match and will miss about a week. Fortunately, Smyth is back from his injury now.

Eaglesfan27

01-12-2005, 09:58 PM

September 11, 2007 -

Scarsella came into my office today and told me that he is concerned about his low salary and would like a raise like several other guys on the team. I tell him that I will take it under advisement.

Eaglesfan27

01-12-2005, 10:16 PM

Sep 15, 2007 -

Today we are traveling to Leyton Orient. We are in 7th place and, they are in 6th place. Leyton Orient finished in 16th last year. Leyton's keeper Glenn Morris is superior in quality. Midfielder Michael Simpson is equally adept at scoring and setting up others. Right fullback Justin Miller is excellent at defense and offense. Striker Gary Alexander has 4 goals already.

We've never played them before.

They are 4-6 favorites.

It's sunny and in the high 50's today.

GK: O'Connor
DL: Barnard
DC: Wall
DC: Barnett
DR: Morley
ML: Wright
MC: Mannix
MR: Collett
AMC: Kelly
SC: Smyth
SC: Palmer

S1: Scarsella
S2: Surey
S3: Morgan
S4: Davies
S5: Kennedy

Eaglesfan27

01-12-2005, 10:46 PM

OOC: The first thing I notice is that this is the *wierdest* formation I've ever played against. They are in 4-3-2-1 that is a pyramid or like a set of bowling pins. They have the 2 AMC's running out towards the sidelines /OOC

1st minute: There is a wild scrum in front of our net.. Barnett finally clears it.

4 minute mark: Smyth gets the ball on the left edge of the box.. centers for Kelly.. kelly shoots for the upper left corner of the net.. just over the bar.

8 minute mark: Collett is injured and has to come off the pitch. Davies on for Collett.

21 minute mark: Barnard gets a ywllow card for a trip on Ibehre.

30 minute mark: kelly shoots from the edge of the box after a nice pass from Smyth.. it deflects off Zakauani.. into the lower right corner.. GOAL!!!! 1-0. Zahauani gets "credited" with an own goal on that play. Kelly was robbed.. oh well the goal is all that matters :)

34 minute mark: Barnett with a big header to thwart the attack.

36 minute mark: Kelly gets a pass from Mannix.. passes to Smyth on the left edge of the box.. Smyth with an immediate pass back to kelly between two defenders.. very nifty pass.. Kelly has it in the box.. shoots.. lower right corner.. GOAL!!!! 2-0.

43 minute mark: Alexander gets the ball inside the left edge of the box.. blistering shot at goal.. O'Connor tips it over the bar!

Halftime: 2-0 lead for us. Nice crowd of almost 5,000 fans at Leyton's stadium

49 minute mark: Morley with an interception of a pass deep in our zone.. passes it down the length of the pitch to Smyth.. Smyth passes to Kelly just outside the box.. Kelly dribbles between two defenders.. into the box.. shoots for the lower right corner.. GOAL!!!! 3-0. I can't help but think that would have been his hattrick if he got credit for that first goal.

56 minute mark: O'Connor stops a point blank shot from Alexander.

61 minute mark: Barnett with a nice block of a shot by Simpson.

63 minute mark: Mannix intercepts it at midfield.. passes it to Smyth.. Smyth shoots.. the keeper blocks it, but can't control the rebound.. Kelly gets to it before the defense can clear it.. kicks it to the left of the keeper.. into the goal!!! There is his hattrick! That is his 5th goal of the year! 4-0 lead :)

Surey on for Mannix and Morgan on for Smyth.

78 minute mark: Paul Trollope gets a point blank shot after a great corner kick by Jamie Watkins.. O'Connor pushes the ball over the bar.

Wall clears the ensuing corner.

81 minute mark: O'Connor stops a point blank Alexander shot.

89 minute mark: O'Connor with a nice save of a shot By Trollope from only 10 yards out!

90 minute mark: Surey gets a yellow card for a trip on Trollope.. he argues the call.. 2nd yellow card.. he is ejected!

Game over. 4-0 win! :)

Except for Surey, everyone on the team got an 8 or higher for form!

We were oushot 13-12 (5-5 on goal)

Greg Kelly wins MoM, 20 of 21 passes, 2 of 4 tackles, 0 of 2 headers, 1 interception, 2 runs, 1 assist, and 3 goals.

Eaglesfan27

01-12-2005, 10:54 PM

Sep 17, 2007 -

Greg Kelly and Mark Smyth both made the League 2 team of the week.

Eaglesfan27

01-12-2005, 10:58 PM

September 18th, 2007 -

EXCELLENT! Manchester City's Paul McShane, a young centreback, turned down multiple league 1 teams to come join us on loan! :) Hopefully, the kid's prodigious physical talent will help him overcome mistakes that he might make.

Eaglesfan27

01-12-2005, 11:05 PM

September 18th, 2007 -

McShane isn't here yet to help us with this one. Today we play Charlton in the 2nd round of the English League Cup. Charlton is a very talented EPL team that finished 15th in the EPL last year. However, they are currently 3rd in the EPL now. Charlton has better talent than us at every position. Left Winger Jerome Thomas is quick, powerful, and skilled. Right winger Dennis Rommedahl is "the quickest player I've ever seen" according to my scout. He is also highly skilled and has a lethal shot. Midfielder Danny Murphy has been playing superb football in the EPL this year. Centreback Hermann Hreidarsson is built like a tank. His partner, Centreback Jonathan Fortune, is fast and has good technique. Their strikers are a relative weak point, but I'd love to have Francis Jeffers on my team. Keeper Peter Enckelman is highly talented and will be difficult to score on IF we can somehow get past the defense.

We've never played them before.

They are 1-10 favorites. Odds are 15-1 that we will win.

It's sunny and temperatures are in the low 60's.

Our lineup is the same as last match except Baker is a sub for the banned Surey.

This will be a real test for O'Connor.

Eaglesfan27

01-12-2005, 11:06 PM

My bad, Collett is too injured to play this game. Davies will start on the right wing and Moore will play as a sub now that he is healthy again.

Eaglesfan27

01-12-2005, 11:22 PM

10 minute mark: A blur of passes down the field between the talented midfielders ends with Jeffers having the ball while being wide open in the box.. Francis Jeffers shoots.. lower left corner.. O'Connor dives... blocks it.. gets up and pounces on the rebound.

14 minute mark: Wicked curving passing from Laurent Robert finds Holland by the near post.. Matt Holland heads it in.. no real chance for O'Connor. GOAL. Down 1-0.

23 minute mark: Rommerdahl dribbles down the right sideline.. absolutely burning our guys.. passes to Jeffers in the middle of the box.. he shoots.. lower left corner.. O'Connor dives.. tips it wide!

25 minute mark: Morley with a big header on a cross intended for Jeffers.

32 minute mark: Smyth actually gets the ball in their zone.. puts a move on their right fullback crosses.. the defender heads it away.. but Kelly still manages to head it.. just over the bar.

34 minute mark: Murphy with a great corner kick.. curves it sharply.. towards the far post.. Hreidarsson heads it in. GOAL. Down 2-0.

44 minute mark: Laurent Robert with a shot from 20 yards out.. O'Connor saves it cleanly.

Halftime: Down 2-0.

48 minute mark: Barnett with a big header of a pass intended for Jeffers.

61 minute mark: Smyth gets the ball in the left corner.. the centreback intercepts his crossing pass.

64 minute mark: Baker on for Wright, Moore on for Palmer, and Kennedy on for Smyth.

75 minute mark: O'Connor with a good save on a shot by Jeffers.

83 minute mark: Konchesky hits a free kick from 25 yards out.. it looks like it is wide left.. but it curves sharply.. inside the upper left corner.. GOAL. Down 3-0.

85 minute mark: Deft passing gets Jeffers the ball inside 10 yards.. he shoots from close range.. Great save by O'Connor!

Game over. 3-0 loss. I actually am proud of our guys.. They played well against superior talent. Actually, everyone on the team had a 7 for form. Nice game against a superior foe.

They outshot us 13-1 (9-0 on goal)

Matt Holland wins MoM, 39 of 41 passes, 4 of 5 tackles, 3 of 4 headers, 2 interceptions, 1 goal.

Eaglesfan27

01-12-2005, 11:38 PM

Sep 22, 2007 -

Today we host Oxford. We are currently in 5th place, and they are in 10th place. They finished in 12th last year. Oxford is missing three of their best players to injury today. Of the remaining players, centreback Dave Mackay is the most talented and consistent. Midfielder Eugen Bopp is skilled at setting up the other players. However, this team has a difficult time scoring, and none of their strikers really stand out. Jamie Brooks is the best of them. They have a dynamite keeper on loan from Portsmouth, Michael McGovern and he alone could keep them in any match. He already has 6 clean sheets in 8 starts this year.

I've never played them before.

They are 4-7 favorites.

It's sunny with temperatures in the low 70's today.

GK: O'Connor (His play has earned another start)
DL: Barnard
DC: Wall
DC: McShane
DR: Morley
ML: Wright
MC: Mannix
MR: Davies
AMC: Kelly
SC: Smyth
SC: Palmer

S1: Scarsella
S2: Baker
S3: Barnett
S4: Moore
S5: Kennedy

Eaglesfan27

01-12-2005, 11:51 PM

18 minute mark: Kelly passes the ball to Smyth at the left corner of the box.. Smyth shoots.. the keeper blocks it.

36 minute mark: McShane with a nice header to turn the offense away.

Halftime: Both defenses playing very well.

46 minute mark: They switch to a 4-5-1 as we apply pressure.

48 minute mark: Smyth gets it in the left corner.. great cross for Palmer.. Palmer heads it.. McGovern with an amazing save.

54 minute mark: Smyth argues an offside call.. yellow card for Smyth.

72 minute mark: Moore on for Smyth, Kennedy on for Palmer, and Barnett (finally getting to play right wing) on for Davies.

87 minute mark: Barnett plays the ball down the right sideline.. Moore is tripped by Parker.. Yellow card.

90 minute mark: Moore gets the ball in the right corner.. centers for Kelly... Kelly gets it.. shoots for the upper right corner.. great save by McGovern.

Game over. 0-0 tie.

We dominated the game, outshooting them 9-1 (5-0 on goal)

McGovern wins MoM.

Every guy on the team had a 7 for form, and McShane fit in quite nicely that game.

Eaglesfan27

01-13-2005, 12:01 AM

September 24th, 2007 -

Well, that is a first. Paul McShane has been called up to the Ireland U21 team. He is my first player (loan or otherwise) to do that. He will be gone for games on October 5th and 9th.

Eaglesfan27

01-13-2005, 12:07 AM

September 25th, 2007 -

Today we travel to play Stockport in the Vans Trophy North 1st round. Stockport is currently 14th in English League 2. Stockport was relegated from League One last year, and they have a good team. Centreback Danny Griffin has played very well this year. Anthony Williams has been superb in goal. Their offense has been anemic, but the midfield has played well with Ben Bradford (on loan from Rotherham) dominating ball possession.

We played them in 2 friendlies (2004 and 2005) and tied one game 0-0 and lost the other 3-0.

They are 4-5 favorites

It is sunny outside with temperatures in the mid 60's

GK: O'Connor
DL: Barnard
DC: Wall
DC: McShane
DR: Morley
ML: Wright
MC: Mannix
MR: Collett
AMC: Kelly
SC: Moore (giving Smyth some rest while we have these loan players)
SC: Kennedy (ditto for Palmer)

S1: Scarsella
S2: Baker
S3: Barnett
S4: Morgan
S5: Smyth (will only play in case of emergency)

Eaglesfan27

01-13-2005, 12:21 AM

2 minute mark: Mannix with a good pass to Kennedy in the box.. he shoots.. the keeper saves it.

5 minute mark: McShane clears a scramble for the ball deep in our box.

9 minute mark: Danny Griffin hits a free kick from 25 yards out.. between the cracks in the wall.. into the upper left corner of the net.. GOAL. Down 1-0.

14 minute mark: O'Connor with a save of a Best shot.

18 minute mark: Wall makes an important challenge.

26 minute mark: Danny Jackman gets a yellow card for a rough tackle on Wright.

33 minute mark: Moore gets the ball.. centers for Kelly.. shoots for the lower right corner.. the keeper makes a great save.

37 minute mark: O'Connor with a diving save of a shot by Griffin towards the lower left corner.

Halftime: Down 1-0.

46 minute mark: Welsh gets it on the left wing.. feeds it to Luke Beckett.. Beckett blasts a shot.. right over O'Connor's right shoulder.. GOAL.. Down 2-0.

62 minute mark: Barnett on for Collett, and Morgan on for Moore.

72 minute mark: Mcshane with a big tackle in our box.

74 minute mark: Beckett gets the ball after a pass from Walsh that deflected off Barnett.. he shoots into the upper left corner.. no real chance for O'Connor. GOAL. Down 3-0.

Game over. 3-0 loss.

We were dominated. We were outshot 14-3 (9-2 on goal)

Luke Beckett wins MoM, 29 of 36 passes, 0 tackles, 2 of 10 headers, 1 run, 2 goals.

SirFozzie

01-13-2005, 06:21 AM

Eh.. its the vans trophy. No biggie

RPI-Fan

01-13-2005, 12:54 PM

lighthousekeeper

01-13-2005, 01:47 PM

Up until the Stockport game, sounds like O'Conner had been hands-down better than Scarsella.

What kind of crowd did you get for the Charlton game? How do your finances as a whole (and wages) look at the moment?

Keep up the great work!
~rpi-fan

Yeah but Scarsella was there last season to get them promoted to where they are now in Div 2. If I was Scarsella I'd be pissed. :)

daedalus

01-14-2005, 02:15 AM

but I'd love to have Francis Jeffers on my team.Nah. Poor Franny would just find a new way to get hurt.

Eaglesfan27

01-15-2005, 04:36 PM

Up until the Stockport game, sounds like O'Conner had been hands-down better than Scarsella.

What kind of crowd did you get for the Charlton game? How do your finances as a whole (and wages) look at the moment?

Keep up the great work!
~rpi-fan

Thanks for the compliment.

The Charlton game drew 3,303 fans almost full capacity.

For the season we have turned 325,000 dollars profit, but quite a bit of that is from the TV rights of League 2.

We currently have 665,000 dollars in the bank.

Because of the renegotiated wages of several of my key guys, I'm WAY over my wage budget. The board wants me to limit myself to 6,800/week, but I'm currently paying 14,510/week. I'm not worrying about this too much because we continue to make money, and the board continues to say that I can offer up to 10,000/week for some of my best players and some guys I've looked at bringing in. I'd never actually spend quite that much on one guy at this level, but I do have Kelly, Wright, and Smyth in the 2,000/week range now.

Eaglesfan27

01-15-2005, 04:37 PM

Dola -

As far as the Scarsella comment. His morale has gone into the shitter. Actually it nosedived the very first game that O'Connor started and it hasn't gotten any better. I don't want to "lose" Scarsella, but right now I do think the kid is playing better. He will be getting at least another start.

Eaglesfan27

01-15-2005, 05:19 PM

Sep 29, 2007 -

Today travel to play Bradford City which is in 2nd place. We are currently in 6th place. We beat them earlier 3-2 in the league cup. Bradford City finished 4th last year and barely missed being promoted. They have a very talented team. Striker Moses Ashikodi is a powerful target man. Striker Steven Gillespie is a speedster with a deft touch around the net. Midfielder Tom Penford is a skilled director of traffic on the pitch. Centreback Mark Bower is a real shut down defender who is tough and intimidating. Left Fullback Lewis Emanuel is talented on the attack and in defense. Keeper Paul Henderson is average, and if we can get past the defense, I think we can beat him.

Wright was injured in our last match and will miss about 2 weeks.

Bradford City are 4-7 favorites.

It's going to be wet and muddy with temperatures in the mid 50's today.

GK: O'Connor
DL: Barnard
DC: Wall
DC: McShane
DR: Morley
ML: Baker
MC: Mannix
MR: Collett
AMC: Kelly
Sc: Smyth
SC: Palmer

S1: Scarsella
S2: Surey
S3: Barnett
S4: Kennedy
S5: Moore

Eaglesfan27

01-15-2005, 05:45 PM

2 minute mark: Mannix with a feed to Palmer who centers for Kelly.. Kelly heads it.. Henderson punches it over the bar.

5 minute mark: Wall with a big interception of a pass intended for Ashikodi.

16 minute mark: McShane gets a yellow card for a trip on Ashikodi.

20 minute mark: Lee Crooks gets a yellow card for holding Smyth's jersey.

23 minute mark: MArk Bower gets a corner kick standing by the near post.. great shot on goal.. Amazing block by O'Connor! Wall clears the rebound.

25 minute mark: Darren Holloway gets a yellow card for tripping Baker.

35 minute mark: Kelly gets a good opportunity inside the box after a pass from Baker.. Kelly shoots.. the keeper blocks it.

45 minute mark: Barnard gets a yellow card for a push on Gillespie.. forunately the foul occurred just outside the box.

Halftime: 0-0 score. But we are winning the yellow card battle 3-2 ;)

46 minute mark: Wall with a nice header to prevent a pass from getting to Gillespie.

48 minute mark: Lewis Emanuel gets a yellow carf for a trip on Palmer.

49 minute mark: kelly passes back to Mannix.. who sends a great pass to Pamer in the box.. Palmer shoots.. barely wide left.

50 minute mark: Muirhead gets a yellow card for a trip on Barnard.

56 minute mark: Palmer gets it in the right corner.. crosses for Kelly.. he makes a diving header.. just wide right.

59 minute mark: Kelly feeds the ball with a 25 yard pass right to Palmer's feet inside the box.. he shoots.. the keeper blocks it.

61 minute mark: Palmer is furious at being called offside.. yellow card for dissent.

62 minute mark: Piercy has it on the left wing.. crosses for Stephen Schumaker who just came on as a sub.. Schumaker heads it in! GOAL. Down 1-0.

66 minute mark: collett takes a direct kick from 40 yards out.. passes it to Kelly in the box.. a defender intercepts it.. Kelly steals it from the defender.. shoots.. into the lower right corner!!! GOAL!!!! 1-1.

73 minute mark: Moore for Smyth, Kennedy for Palmer, and Surey for Mannix.

75 minute mark: Surey gets it at midfield.. passes it to Kennedy.. he races past the defenders.. into the box.. shoots.. wide left.

81 minute mark: O'Connor with a great save on a close range shot from Ashikodi!

83 minute mark: Wall intercepts a pass deep in our zone.. sends it to Moore at midfield.. he quickly passes to Kennedy.. Kennedy dribbles past both defenders.. long confident stride.. into the box.. fakes right.. goes left.. shoots for the narrow space between the keeper and the left goal post... squeezes it past him!!! GOAL!!!! 2-1. The announcer proclaims it was a wonderful strike. I have to agree.

85 minute mark: O'Connor with a nice save of an Ashikodi shot.

87 minute mark: Michael Symes receives a good pass from Ashikodi on the right edge of the box.. puts a move on the keeper.. O'Connor is beat.. he shoots.. it hits the left goal post... and bounces wide!!!

88 minute mark: Surey gets it at midfield.. feeds it to Collett on the right wing.. Collett passes to Kennedy in the right half of the box.. Kennedy shoots.. upper left corner.. past the keeper.. GAOL!!!! 3-1.

92 minute mark: O'Connor with a solid save of a hard Symes shot from 20 yards out.

Game over! 3-1 win on the road against one of the top teams in the league :)

We outshot them 14-11 (7-4 on goal)

Kelly wins MoM, 29 of 34 passes, 4 of 5 tackles, 5 of 14 headers, 2 interceptions, 1 run, 1 goal. He received a 10 for form. Collett had a 10 as well, and most of the team had 8's or higher. McShane, Kennedy, and Barnard had 9's. :)

Eaglesfan27

01-15-2005, 05:58 PM

Post Match Info:

Mr. Fotherby was thrilled with the win. He believes we are going to be real contenders for promotion and he is thrilled with my management.

A media "expert" said that our early form has been surprising and we are doing very well to be in 4th place, but he is sure that our early form will fade as the season progresses.

Eaglesfan27

01-15-2005, 06:00 PM

Before this game, I left a message for Wrexham's manager. I've heard that his central defender is unhappy at the club. I think that Centreback Craig Morgan has a lot of potential, and he has multiple U21 caps, so I offered them 10,000 on a lark as I knew he wanted to unload this unhappy player. He countered with a deal of 6,000 plus 8,000 over the course of a year and 45% of next sale. I agreed to his offer.

Eaglesfan27

01-15-2005, 06:17 PM

October 2nd, 2007 -

Grek Kelly won English League Two Player of the month! Lawrie Dudfield of Southern United came in 2nd, and Stephen McPhail of Barnsley came in third.

Bradford City's Moses Ashikodi won young player of the month. Robbie Foy of Macclesfield Town came in 2nd, and Lee Peltier of Grimsby Town came in 3rd.

Paul McShane, Collett, and Kelly were selected to the English League 2 team of the week.

I won English league 2 manager of the month! I led the team to victory in 3 of their last 4 games. Colin Calderwood of Barnsley came in 2nd, and Alan Kennedy of Boston United came in 3rd.

Wrexham accepted my deal for Craig Morgan. My AM agrees that this kid has a lot of potential and recommends that we give him the 1,300/week that he is asking for. I agree, but I decide to raise the minimum fee release clause from 320,000 to 500,000. I agree to Morgan's request of a 10% annual raise.

Eaglesfan27

01-15-2005, 06:29 PM

October 5th, 2007 -

Craig Morgan accepted my offer. He will be arriving in time for our next game.

Eaglesfan27

01-15-2005, 07:42 PM

October 10, 2007 -

Dan Bridges was sensational in goal for my reserve team as he led them to a 1-0 win over Moor Green Reserves. Bridges had a 10 for form for the match.

Eaglesfan27

01-15-2005, 07:47 PM

October 13th, 2007 -

David Mannix has been playing very well for us and his loan deal was about to expire. I decided to ask Liverpool if they would extend it to the end of the season. They agreed, and he agreed that he is enjoying playing for us and would like to stay til the end of the year. I know that Surey isn't too happy, but Mannix is better than Surey, and I'll still get Surey some PT.

Eaglesfan27

01-15-2005, 07:54 PM

Today we are in 4th place in English League Two and we are hosting Boston United. Boston United is in 7th place and they have a good solid team. They finished 8th last year in League 2. They are led by their strong centreback Darren Royle. Conrad Logan is a very solid keeper who has played very well with 9 clean sheets already. Right fullback Mark Greaves is powerful and intimidating. Midfielder Steve Thomson is key to initiating the offense, and striker Kain Bond (love the name) is the main recipient. He has 6 goals on the year.

We've never played this team before.

They are 5-4 favorites.

It's sunny outside with temperatures in the low 50's.

GK: O'Connor
DL: Barnard
DC: Morgan (the new arrival has his debut)
DC: McShane (Giving Wall a rest to keep him fresh for later in the season)
DR: Morley
ML: Wright (back from injury)
MC: Mannix
MR: Collett
AMC: Kelly
SC: Smyth
SC: Palmer

S1: Scarsella
S2: Surey
S3: Barnett
S4: Kennedy (Loan ends soon, debating on asking him to stay the season.. he did perform well last game as a sub)
S5: Moore (Also has loan that ends soon.. considering asking him to stay the rest of the season for depth.)

Eaglesfan27

01-15-2005, 08:17 PM

3 minute mark: O'Connor with a nice save of a blistering shot by Bond from 20 yards out.

17 minute mark: Mannix with a big steal at midfield.. passes it to Palmer inside the box.. Palmer dribbling towards the right post.. loses his dribble.. it's out of bounds.

22 minute mark: Mannix with a yellow card for a trip on the midfielder.

30 minute mark: Bond runs into O'Connor! That Bastard! O'Connor is hurt.. he can't play. Scarsella will come on.

45 minute mark: Kelly passes between two defenders to Palmer.. he is on the right edge of the box.. shoots for the near corner.. into the right side of the netting.

Halftime: 0-0. We have a nice almost full capacity crowd of 3,575 fans here at our stadium today.

52 minute mark: Wright gets called for a trip on Ellender.. Yellow card.

56 minute mark: Palmer gets the ball in the right corner on a pass from Collett.. Strong cross for the far post.. Smyth with a diving header.. into the back of the net!!! GOAL!!!! 1-0.

59 minute mark: Kain Bond gets a yellow card for Pushing Scarsella during a corner kick.

63 minute mark: Danny North with a dangerous two footed tackle on Mannix.. Yellow card.

65 minute mark: Morgan with a nice header to clear a pass that was intended for Bond.

66 minute mark: Barnett on for Wright who is tired and not performing well.

74 minute mark: Kelly has picked up a minor injury. I pull him for Kennedy.

80 minute mark: smyth gets it int he left corner.. centers for Kennedy.. Kennedy with the hard shot.. the keeper pushes it over the bar.

86 minute mark: Adam Gross gets a yellow card for pulling Palmer's Jersey.

Game over. 1-0 win! :)

We outshot them 13-7 (3-3 on goal)

Paul Ellender won MoM, 25 of 34 passes, 11 of 11 tackles, 7 of 10 headers, 6 interceptions.

Eaglesfan27

01-15-2005, 08:24 PM

Approximately a quarter of the way through the League 2 season, our record is 7-1-3 and we are in 3rd place and only 3 points out of 1st place. Barnsley is now in 1st with a 8-1-2 record. Wycombe is in second with a 7-3-1 record.

Eaglesfan27

01-15-2005, 08:28 PM

Oct. 14, 2007 -

I have decided to ask Middlesbrough if I can extend Kennedy's loan through the end of the season. Otherwise his loan will expire in 5 days.

Eaglesfan27

01-15-2005, 08:31 PM

Oct. 15, 2007 -

David Moore's loan is set to end in 5 days. I decide not to ask Wigan to extend it.

Eaglesfan27

01-15-2005, 08:41 PM

October 16, 2007 -

Middlesbrough refused my request for an end of season extension on Kennedy's loan. I'm asking them to extend it for 3 more months. If they refuse, I will attempt to extend Moore's deal until the end of the year.

Eaglesfan27

01-15-2005, 08:42 PM

October 17th, 2007 -

YES! Delahunty has made it very public that he wishes to leave Wycombe immediately for one of the many bigger clubs that is interested in him. This should seriously hurt the talent level of one of my biggest competitors. Of course, they may get a lot of money for him and bring in someone else good.

Eaglesfan27

01-15-2005, 08:49 PM

October 17th, 2007 -

Dan Bridges and Dominique Krief played very well in 1-1 tie against Plymouth's reserves.

Eaglesfan27

01-15-2005, 08:51 PM

October 18th, 2007 -

Middlesbrough rejected my request to keep Kennedy for 3 more months. He will leave the team tomorrow. I'm now asking Wigan to let me keep Moore til the end of the season.

Eaglesfan27

01-15-2005, 09:03 PM

Oct. 20, 2007 -

Today we travel to play Mansfield. They are currently in 16th place. We are in 3rd place. Mansfield finished in 18th last year, and they haven't added too much talent this year. The strength of their club is their defense. Sean O'Hanlon is a fine centreback who has played VERY well the last 5 games. Left winger Adam Murray is a talented playmaker. However, their star left fullback Simon Charlton is out injured. Their offense is fairly weak. Colin Larkin is their best striker, but he only has 3 goals on the year (which leads all players on the team.) Keeper Kevin Pilkington plays well, but is often the victim of poor play in front of him.

We've never played them before.

They are 4-5 favorites.

It's overcast with temperatures in the low 50's today.

GK: O'Connor (recovered from his injury)
DL: Barnard
DC: Morgan
DC: McShane
DR: Morley
ML: Wright
MC: Mannix
MR: Collett
AMC: Kelly
SC: Smyth
SC: Palmer

S1: Scarsella
S2: Surey
S3: Barnett
S4: Morgan
S5: Davies

Eaglesfan27

01-15-2005, 09:22 PM

3 minute mark:Neil gets the ball on the right wing.. centers for Asamoah who outjumps both of my centrebacks in the box.. Asamoah heads it.. past O'connor. GOAL. Down 1-0.

21 minute mark: Tonge has it on the left wing.. crosses for McClen who outjumps McShane.. heads it.. over O'Connor's left shoulder.. GOAL. Down 2-0.

23 minute mark: McShane with a long pass to Palmer in the right corner.. Palmer centers with a nice pass for Smyth on the far post.. Smyth heads it.. into the net.. GOAL!!! 2-1.

25 minute mark: Wright gets whistled for a trip.. Smyth argues the call.. Yellow card for Smyth for arguing.

27 minute mark: Kelly feeds it to Smyth on the left corner of the box.. Smyth with a hard shot.. keeper blocks it.. Palmer gets to the rebound.. kicks it.. open net.. shoots wide right!! Darn it.

29 minute mark: O'Connor with a save of a shot by Asamoah.

Halftime: Down 2-1.

48 minute mark: Larkin with a point blank shot.. very good save by O'connor.

56 minute mark: Mannix with a yellow card for a trip on the midfielder.

59 minute mark: Barnard is whistled for tripping Larkin in the box.. Penalty shot awarded.. Mannix is mad.. he is arguing.. yellow card.. that is his second.. he is ejected!

Wright is having another bad game, so I sub him out and put on Barnett. I also decide to put Morgan on as a target man for Smyth who has a yellow card and is tired.

Dimech shoots the penatly shot.. into the upper left corner.. O'Connor really didn't have a chance, but he tried to dive to it. Down 3-1 now.

73 minute mark: Kelly gets the ball at midfield.. draws a defender.. dribbles past him.. to the edge of the box.. draws two defenders.. passes between them.. to Morgan.. Morgan shoots from 15 yards.. into the lower right corner.. GOAL!!!! 3-2. That is Seyi Morgan's first goal for us.

80 minute mark: Luke Dimech with a vicious hit on Kelly.. he looks hurt.

Kelly insists he can still play. The physio agrees. I decide to leave him in.

90 minute mark: Palmer gets it.. dribbles down the right sideline.. crosses for Kelly.. he heads it.. over the bar.

Game over. 3-2 loss.

We were outshot 12-9 (5-5 on goal)

Kelly wins MoM, 20 of 26 passes, 3 of 3 tackles, 3 of 6 headers, 3 interceptions, 1 assist.

Eaglesfan27

01-15-2005, 09:27 PM

Moore and Wigan have agreed to allow him to stay with us all year. He will add some depth at the striker position.

Eaglesfan27

01-15-2005, 09:48 PM

October 27th, 2007 -

Today we are in 6th place, and we are hosting 21st place Shrewsbury. Shrewsbury's keeper, Neil Thomas has played well, but the defense has only been average and the offense has been horrid. Left winger Sean Doherty has reently arrived on loan from Fulham and he is by far their most talented offensive player, and he has helped revive the offense to a limited degree. Striker John Grant is the most dangerous player up front. Centreback Dave Walton is solid, but the rest of his defensive linemates are barely adequate this season.

We played them twice in the FA Cup in 2006 with a 2-2 tie the first game, followed by a 3-1 victory in the replay.

We are 5-4 favorites.

It's going to be overcast with temperatures in the high 40's today.

I'm going to give some guys some rest today.

GK: O'Connor
DL: Barnard
DC: Wall
DC: McShane
DR: Morley
ML: Wright
MC: Surey
MR: collett
AMC: Kelly
SC: Seri Morgan
SC: David Moore

S1: Scarsella
S2: Baker
S3: Barnett
S4: Palmer
S5: Davies

Eaglesfan27

01-15-2005, 10:08 PM

5 minute mark: Wright with a powerful shot.. Hart is starting in goal today, and he has a nice save of Wright's shot.

9 minute mark: Moore with a nice steal of the ball.. centers for Seyi Morgan.. Morgan with a blistering shot for right lower corner.. great save by the keeper.

11 minute mark: McShane takes the corner (our 3rd in a row).. sends it to Wright on the near post.. Wright heads it Surey who is by the far post.. Surey heads it in the goal!!! GOAL!!!! 1-0.

14 minute mark: Collett with a yellow card for a trip on the left winger.

18 minute mark: Kelly gets a pass from Collett inside the box.. shoots from 15 yards.. nice block by the keeper.

37 minute mark: Luke Rodgers gets a yellow card for diving.

43 minute mark: Collett argues a yellow card.. gets away with a warning.

Halftime: Up 1-0. Collett has picked up a minor injury. That in conjunction with the yellow card, make me decide to sub Barnett on for Collett.

47 minute mark: Wall with a key header to prevent a pass from getting to the striker.

52 minute mark: Barnett with a throw-in deep in enemy turf.. Kelly heads the throwin to the center of the box.. Wall gets it.. shoots for the lower right corner.. GOAL!!!! 2-0. What a goal by Wall!

61 minute mark: O'Connor with a nice save of a shot by the striker.

62 minute mark: Davies on for Kelly, Palmer on for Moore.

82 minute mark: O'Connor with another nice save.

84 minute mark: Barnett with a yellow car for a trip on the midfielder.

88 minute mark: McShane with a nice header on a cross by the opposition.

88 minute mark: Luke Rodgers gets the ball inside the center of the box after a cross from Doherty.. Rodgers shoots.. O'Connor partially blocks it.. but it trickles across the goal line. GOAL. 2-1 now.

Game over. 2-1 win for us :)

We outshot them 14-10 (7-5 on goal)

Sean Doherty won MoM, 21 of 26 passes, 4 of 6 tackles, 2 of 6 headers, 1 interception, 3 runs, 1 assist.

Eaglesfan27

01-15-2005, 10:25 PM

Darn. The Laptop just froze. I almost certainly lost the results of the last game. Hopefully, my save game didn't get corrupted. I'm loading it now just to see.

Fortunately, it wasn't corrupted. Unfortunately, I have to replay the last 4 days. I'll do that later as I'm annoyed at my laptop for now. Least I changed the autosave feature to every week. (I have been saving after every game as well, unfortunately this freeze occurred just as I hit the save button - I'm lucky the save wasn't corrupted.)

Eaglesfan27

01-16-2005, 02:09 PM

Ok, doing the replay now. Same conditions.. same lineup.

6 minute mark: Seyi Morgan was run over by Walton. Morgan has to come out. I put Palmer into the game.

20 minute mark: Barnard gets a yellow card for obstructing Ridler.

24 minute mark: surey with a nice pass to Kelly in the box.. he shoots.. the keeper deflects it.. it rolls barely wide right.

38 minute mark: Morley plays a ball down the right side of the field.. Moore races to it in the box.. he is in the far right side of the box.. wicked shot for the far left corner.. what a shot! Into the GOAL!!!! 1-0.

40 minute mark: Wall gets a yellow card for a trip.

Halftime: Up 1-0.

60 minute mark: Morley with a big header by the near post on a corner kick to get the ball out of danger.

62 minute mark: McShane heads away an offensive effort.. long header to Collett who immediately passes a great through ball into the box.. Palmer gets to it.. dribbles to his left.. shoots around the keeper.. GOAL!!!! 2-0.

70 minute mark: Palmer has picked up an injury. I sub in Davies for him. Collett is also suffering from an injury. I put Barnett in for him.

75 minute mark: Morley sends the ball down the right side of the field.. Moore gets it.. crosses for Kelly.. Kelly shoots.. wide left.

78 minute mark: Barnard passes it to Wright.. Wright dribbles up the left sideline.. crosses for Kelly.. he dives.. heads it.. into the upper right corner of the net!!!! GOAL!!!!! 3-0.

82 minute mark: Barnet gets a yellow card for Pushing Ridler.

89 minute mark: Black gets the ball deep in our box.. shoots.. from 10 yards.. O'Connor with a nice save!

Game over. 3-0 win. O'Connor and the team preserve the clean sheet.

We outshot them 16-6 (10-2 on goal)

Morley, Wright and Kelly each had 9's for form.

Morley wins MoM, 20 of 36 passes, 4 of 5 tackles, 10 of 10 headers, 9 interceptions, 2 runs, 1 assist.

Eaglesfan27

01-16-2005, 02:18 PM

Post Match Info:

Wall injured his knee in the game and will miss about a week.

Seyi Morgan fractured his wrist and will miss about a month.

David Moore broke his nose and will miss about 5 days.

Our next game is in 3 days.

Eaglesfan27

01-16-2005, 02:29 PM

Oct. 29, 2007 -

Morley and Wright were selected to the English League Two Team of the Week.

The 1st round of the English FA Cup was drawn today. We will be hosting Barrow (currently 5th in English Conference North.) Quite a nice matchup for us.

Eaglesfan27

01-16-2005, 02:38 PM

Oct. 30, 2007 -

Today we travel to play Wrexham who are currently 14 in Leaguge 2. We are 4th. For reasons that are unclear to me, Mannix is banned for this match. I thought he served his one game ban last match. Wall, Black, Seyi Morgan, and David Moore are all injured for this match. Fortunately, Wrexham has many of their best players injured as well. Joe Geeney, Jim Whitley, David Gray, Hector Sam, and Danny Williams are all injured. They barely have enough players healthy to field a starting 11, and they can only field 1 sub! This should favor us obviously. Their only player playing very well is left fullback Alex Smith. Keeper Brad Jones has also been playing well up until recently.

We've never played them before.

Wrexham is amazingly even odds favorites.

It's overcast with temperatures in the low 40's.

GK: O'Connor
DL: Barnard
DC: Morgan (Craig)
DC: McShane
DR: Morley
ML: Wright
MC: Surey
MR: Collett
AMC: Kelly
SC: Smyth
SC: Palmer

S1: Scarsella
S2: Baker
S3: Barnett
S4: Farrell
S5: Davies

Eaglesfan27

01-16-2005, 02:59 PM

6 minute mark: Morgan with a nice header of a pass into our box.. to Kelly.. Kelly with a nice through ball to Smyth.. Smyth gets it at the edge of the box.. shoots.. powerful left footer.. it hits the keeper in the shoulder.. bounces off of him.. into the net!!! GOAL!!!! 1-0.

35 minute mark: Collett steals the ball at midfield.. plays the ball down the right sideline.. Palmer gets it.. centers for Smyth by the far post.. great pass makes for an easy goal. Smyth heads it into the open net! GOAL!!!! 2-0.

That was Smyth's 5th goal of the year.

39 minute mark: Surey gets a yellow card for a trip on the midfielder.

44 minute mark: Dean Bennett gets a yellow card for a hard slide on Palmer.

45 minute mark: collett with a long pass to Smyth at the left edge of teh box.. he heads it to Kelly... Kelly immediately settles it and kicks it.. into the lower left corner.. GOAL!!!! 3-0.

54 minute mark: Alex Smith gets a red card for a vicious tackle on Palmer!

61 minute mark: Farrell on for Palmer. Barnett on for Surey (who has a yellow card and is tired.)

69 minute mark: Allen kicks the corner to the near post.. Lawrence outjumps my men.. heads it.. into the net. Goal for Dennis Lawrence. 3-1.

71 minute mark: Morley gets a yellow card for pushing Lawrence.

75 minute mark: Kelly gets the ball at midfield.. feeds it to Farrell who is on his right.. Farrell shoots from 17 yards.. keeper blocks it.. Kelly gets to the rebound.. slams it home into the upper right corner.. GOAL!!!!! 4-1.

Game over. 4-1 win for us :)

We outshot them 15-7 (10-2 on goal)

Kelly wins MoM, 21 of 28 passes, 1 of 2 tackles, 2 of 4 headers, 2 interceptions, 2 runs, 1 assist, 2 goals. 10 for form. I decide I will praise him to the media after this game.

SirFozzie

01-18-2005, 06:24 AM

Yoink this one back up to the top :)

Eaglesfan27

01-18-2005, 08:25 AM

Yoink this one back up to the top :)

Thanks :)

Ms. Eaglesfan returns to work this afternoon (for a 3-12 shift) so I imagine I'll be able to update this more this evening :)

SirFozzie

01-18-2005, 08:32 AM

Glad to hear she's going back to work..

and glad to hear we won't have to ahem, *persuade* you to continue <Evil Grin>

Eaglesfan27

01-18-2005, 03:02 PM

Definitely no need to "persuade" me to continue. I sitting here at work regretting not bringing my laptop today :( I expected a full load of patients, but I've had my third no show, and could have been playing FM if I hadn't been too lazy to carry my laptop (I'm on the work computer right now - I don't think they would like me installing FM on it.) Oh well, only about 90 minutes til my work day is complete and I can play some FM ;)

Eaglesfan27

01-18-2005, 06:14 PM

November 1st, 2007 -

Mr. Fotherby met with me and he told me that he is delighted and amazed with my continued superb performance.

Blackpool's Leam Richardson won English League Two Player of the Month. Colin Delahunty of Wycombe came in 2nd, and Greg Kelly came in 3rd.

Harrogate's Paul McShane (on loan from Man City) won young player of the month.) I'm hoping I can convince Man City to extend his loan beyond December. He is leading the league with a 7.75 avg form! Johnnu Mullins of Wycombe came in 2nd, and Kevin Davies of Carlisle came in 3rd.

Brighton's David Platt won manager of the month. I came in 2nd, and Francis Vines of Port Vale came in 3rd.

Paul McShane has been called up for 3 Ireland U21 games in November.

Eaglesfan27

01-18-2005, 06:30 PM

Nov. 3, 2007 -

We are currently in 3rd place and we are hosting our old friends Scarborough. They haven't faired as well since advancing with us from the English Conference. They are currently in 21st place and appear to be heading down at this point in the season. Scarborough's chances this game aren't helped by three of their better players being hurt. Striker Steve Burton is out, midfielder Scott Kerr is out, and right fullback MArk Hotte is injured. Left winger David Pounder will be the most dangerous threat on the pitch for them. Keeper Brian Murphy is also a talented player.

We lost 2-0 and won 2-0 last year against them.

We are 5-4 favorites.

It's overcast with temperatures in the high 30's.

GK: O'Connor
DL: Barnard
DC: Morgan
DC: McShane
DR: Morley
ML: Wright
MC: Surey
MR: Collett
AMC: Kelly
SC: Smyth
SC: Palmer

S1: Scarsella
S2: Baker
S3: Barnett
S4: Farrell
S5: Davies

Eaglesfan27

01-18-2005, 06:43 PM

26 minute mark: Barnard intercepts a pass.. sends it down the left sideline to Wright.. he quickly passes it to Smyth.. Smyth dribbles past a defender.. into the box.. shoots.. blocked by the keeper.. the defense clears it.

44 minute mark: O'Connor with a long kick to Palmer.. he is caught from behind by Colin Cryan who made a nice play. Cryan clears the bal..

Halftime: 0-0 in a very boring first half.

65 minute mark: Barnett for Surey. Also, I tell the offense to be more aggressive as the opposition is playing very defensive preventing our normal counter attack game from working.

78 minute mark: Davies on for the tired Kelly.

84 minute mark: Davies plays a nice corner kick towards the near post.. great corner kick.. Collett heads it.. into the goal! GOAL!!!! 1-0.

I switch back to my regular defensive posture with an emphasis on the counter attack.

88 minute mark: Wright steals it at midfield.. passes towards the left corner.. Smyth gets to it.. Smyth crosses for Palmer who is by the far post.. Palmer heads it.. Past the keeper.. GOAL!!!! 2-0.

Game over. 2-0 win.

We outshot them 11-2 (4-0 on goal)

Keith Gilroy wins MoM, 14 of 17 passes, 7 of 9 tackles, 5 of 8 headers.

Eaglesfan27

01-18-2005, 06:50 PM

Nov 3, 2007 -

Excellent news. Swindon just signed away Brighton's Adam Virgo for 600,000. Brighton should fall down the league table some, unless they can find a similarly talented centreback to bring back onto the team.

Eaglesfan27

01-18-2005, 07:20 PM

Nov. 6, 2007 -

Rushden has signed Blackpool's supremely talented striker Keigan Parker for 280,000 plus Jason Taylor. Taylor is a good striker, but he is not nearly as good as Parker and this team should weaken Blackpool.

Eaglesfan27

01-18-2005, 07:28 PM

November 6th, 2007 -

Palmer walked into my office insisting that he wants to stay with us, but he strongly feels he needs a better salary if he is going to stay at the club. I ask him how much he is requesting, and he states 3,800/week in addition to a 280/goal bonus, 170/assist bonus, 10% annual raise, and 20,000 dollar signing bonus. I counter with 2,800 dollars per week, 10,000 signing bonus, 280/goal, 170/assist, and 10% annual raise for 3 years.

Eaglesfan27

01-18-2005, 07:35 PM

November 10th, 2007 -

Jermaine Palmer accepted my counter offer and signed his new deal.

Eaglesfan27

01-18-2005, 07:40 PM

Nov. 10, 2007 -

Today we host Barrow in the 1st round of the English FA Cup. Barrow is currently 6th in English Conference North. Striker Michael Kewley and centreback Mark Salmon are their two most talented players and could be a challenge. Striker Gavin Knight is also skilled. Kepper Kevin McCormack is 28 and has lost some skill in the last year. We should be able to get it by him.

Our Career record against them is 3-1-1. Our last regular season game against them was 4/8/06 when they beat us 1-0 in Conference North play.

We are 1-4 favorites.

It's muddy and rainy today with temperatures in the low 40's.

GK: O'Connor
DL: Barnard
DC: Morgan
DC: Wall (McShane is away on international duty and I want Wall to play anyway.)
DR: Morley
ML: Wright
MC: Mannix
MR: Collett
AMC: Kelly
SC: Smyth
SC: Palmer

S1: Scarsella
S2: Baker
S3: Barnett
S4: Moore
S5: Davies

Eaglesfan27

01-18-2005, 08:08 PM

They started in a conservative 4-5-1.

3 minute mark: Mannix steals it at midfield.. heads it to Kelly.. he passes to Smyth on the left corner of the box.. Smyth with the perfect return pass to Kelly.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 1-0.

That's Kelly's 10th goal of the season.

12 minute mark: Salmon slams into Palmer.. he is hurt. No penalty. Palmer is insisting he can still play, and the physio agrees.

15 minute mark: Smyth with a hard tackle on Salmon.. Salmon is hurt... he has to leave the game. Smyth is given a yellow card. I have to secretly nod to myself that I'm glad that Smyth had Palmer's back.

19 minute mark: Kelly checks Kilford (MC).. yellow card on Kelly.

23 minute mark: Karl Colley with a hard tackle on Smyth.. Yellow card for him.

26 minute mark: Morley is called for tripping Ridley.. Yellow card.

27 minute mark: Morley with a header to Mannix at midfield.. Mannix with an amazing pass to Smyth at the edge of the box.. Smyth all alone with the keeper.. tries dribbling around him to his left.. shoots.. the keeper blocks it.. Smyth gets the rebound to the left of the goal post.. shoots an impossibly angled shot.. off the far right goal post.. in! GOAL!!!! 2-0.

31 minute mark: Wall gets a yellow card for a trip on Ridley! Sheesh this ref seems to hate us today.

35 minute mark: Michael Allen gets a yellow card for a trip on Kelly.

45 minute mark: Morgan gets a yellow card for a trip on Knight.

45 minute mark: O'Connor saves two shots by Knight.

Halftime: Up 2-0.

I sub in Barnett for Wall, Davies for Kelly, and Moore for Smyth mainly to protect them all for getting a 2nd yellow card.

47 minute mark: Mannix steals the ball at midfield.. passes to Collett.. passes it back to Mannix.. Mannix passes to Moore on the left side of the box.. Moore with a quick blistering shot... upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 3-0. That is his 5th of the year.

48 minute mark: Ridley gets a yellow card for a trip on Wright.

54 minute mark: Morgan with a big header to prevent Knight from heading a cross into the goal.

55 minute mark: Mannix passes to Wright just outside the box.. Wright falls down in the box.. he is given a yellow card for diving.

70 minute mark: O'Connor with a nice save of a Knight shot.

72 minute mark: Knight gets a yellow card for a trip on Wright.

73 minute mark: Collett gets a yellow card for a tackle on Ridley.

Game over. 3-0 win for us.

We outshot them 12-5 (7-2 on goal)

We received 7 yellow cards, they received 4.

Collett wins MoM, 23 of 31 passes, 0 of 2 tackles, 2 of 3 headers, 7 interceptions, 1 run. 9 for form.

Eaglesfan27

01-18-2005, 08:13 PM

Post Match Info:

We were awarded 24,000 dollars for winning the 1st round of the English FA Cup.

We drew in Only 2,645 fans but had a record of 71,000 dollars in gate receipts for that match.

Eaglesfan27

01-18-2005, 08:18 PM

Nov. 12, 2007 -

Our next opponent in the English FA Cup with either be the relatively easy to beat Weston-Super-Mare or League 1 Swindon, depending upon who wins the replay. In either case, we will be traveling to their pitch.

Eaglesfan27

01-18-2005, 08:41 PM

Nov. 17, 2007 -

Today we travel to play Blackpool. We are currently in 3rd place (6 points behind Barnsley.) Blackpool is currently in 9th place. Blackpool finished in 5th last year in League 2, and barely missed advancing in the playoffs. Blackpool has a talented team despite recently selling one of their top players. Blackpool still has Jamaican star right winger Richard Langley. Langley has 38 caps and he is a very skilled player who has been dominating league 2 play most of the year. However, with the recent sale of his major star partner, we can focus attention on him. Right fullback Rob Clare is the only other very talented player on the team. Chris Greenacre is a good striker, but word is that he is unhappy with the teams recent sale of players. Keeper Lewis Edge has played well recently. Striker Matthew Blinkhorn has 8 goals on the year.

We've never played Blackpool before.

Blackpool are heavy 1-2 favorites.

It's sunny with temperatures in the mid 40's today.

We are using the exact same lineup as last game. McShane is still tired from his recent international duty.

Eaglesfan27

01-18-2005, 09:03 PM

4 minute mark: Langley with a great move on Wright and then Barnard.. crosses to Blinkhorn by the far post.. great save by O'Connor to intercept that pass!

18 minute mark: Morley with a trip on Langley.. yellow card.

25 minute mark: Mannix steals it at midfield.. passes to Smyth on the left wing.. Smyth passes to Kelly who is at the center of the field 30 yards out.. both defenders come towards Kelly.. passes between them to Palmer.. Palmer inside the edge of the box.. shoots.. lower left corner... past the keeper.... GOAL!!!! 1-0!

32 minute mark: Wright gets the ball on the left wing... passes it up the sideline to Smyth.. Smyth crosses it towards Kelly in the center of the box.. Kelly heads it.. towards the left corner.. it hits the post... bounces in! GOAL!!!! 2-0.

45 minute mark: Collett has it on the right wing.. long pass towards the center of the box.. Kelly heads it.. but wide right.. he couldn't control that one.

Halftime: Up 2-0.

50 minute mark: Palmer gets it from Mannix just right of the box.. crosses to Smyth.. two defenders closing in on Smyth.. passes between them to Kelly.. keeper is out of position from playing the left post for Smyth.. defender closing in.. Kelly shoots.. upper right corner.. past the defender.. past the keeper.. GOAL!!!! 3-0. That is Kelly's 2nd of the game.

65 minute mark: Wright gets a yellow card for a trip on Langley. Baker on for Wright. Also, I put Barnett on for the tired Collett. Finally, I put Moore on for Palmer who is tired.

69 minute mark: Leam Richardson with a free kick from 30 yards out.. curves it.. just inside the right post.. it's past O'Connor.. GOAL. Still up 3-1.

Game over. 3-1 win.

We each had 16 shots. We each had 5 shots on goal.

Smyth, Palmer, and Mannix each had 10's for form.

Smyth won MoM, 32 of 38 passes, 3 of 4 tackles, 4 of 7 headers, 2 interceptions, 2 runs, 2 assists.

Eaglesfan27

01-18-2005, 09:22 PM

November 18th, 2007 -

Stuart Wall came to my office today and very politely told me he thought he deserved a raise from his current salary of 280 dollars/week. The kid continues to increase in skill and value. I have to agree with him. I ask how much he wants. He replies that he wants 2,000/week for 4 years with a 10% raise each year, a 360,000 dollar release clause. I lower the offer to 1,600/week with a release clause of 500,000 dollars.

Eaglesfan27

01-18-2005, 09:33 PM

Nov. 19, 2007 -

Kelly, Mannix, and Smyth were all selected to the English League Two team of the week.

Wall rejected my contract offer. I decide to counter with 2,000/week as he initially asked for as well as a 500,000 buy out clause.

Eaglesfan27

01-18-2005, 09:41 PM

November 20th, 2007 -

Scarsella went to the media and publicly complained that he wants a better deal. I decide to call him into my office and let him know that I don't like the grandstanding but I'm willing to consider reworking his deal. I ask him how much he is looking for. He replies that he wants 1,450/week with a 320,000 dollar release clause. He also wants 80/clean sheet. He is a valuable backup still (and may retake the #1 spot if O'Connor falters), so I agree to his request.

Eaglesfan27

01-18-2005, 09:47 PM

Nov. 20, 2007 -

We are currently in 3rd place (6 points out of 1st) and we host Grimsby today. Grimsby are current in 17th. Last year, they were in league One and they finished in 21st just barely being relegated. Grimsby has a talented team, and they are worrisome. Fortunately, their star midfielder Thomas Pinault is mildly injured and is doubtful for the game. Right winger Paul Booker has been good at setting up striker Adam Nowland for several goals this year. Keeper Martin Morgan is quite talented, but is reportedly unhappy. Centreback Lee Peltier has played well this year in front of the keeper.

We have never faced this team before.

They are 4-5 favorites.

It's raining with tempertures in the high 30's.

GK: O'Connor
DL: Barnard
DC: McShane
DC: Wall
DR: Morley
ML: Wright
MC: Mannix
MR: Collett
AMC: Kelly
SC: Smyth
SC: Palmer

S1: Scarsella
s2: Baker
S3: Barnett
S4: Moore
S5: Davies

Eaglesfan27

01-18-2005, 10:11 PM

2 minute mark: Morley throws the ball into Palmer deep in the enemy turf.. Palmer with a quick low pass to Kelly in the center of the box.. Kelly shoots immediately.. upper left corner... the keeper dives.. it's past him! GOAL!!!! 1-0.

23 minute mark: McShane gets called for holding David Poole's shirt (I didn't realize he was currently with the club.. always a dangerous player)

41 minute mark: Mannix gets the ball to Palmer on the right edge of the box.. he passes to Kelly.. Kelly shoots.. upper left corner.. the keeper dives.. tips it wide. Nice save.

44 minute mark: Smyth gets the ball at the left corner of the box.. passes to Kelly.. he shoots.. over the bar.

Halftime: Up 1-0.

52 minute mark: Peltier with a harsh tackle on Smyth.. yellow card for Peltier.

54 minute mark: Smyth is tackled by Peltier.. in the box! Penalty shot awarded. I ask my assistant manager who has looked best at penalty shots the last few weeks in practice. He replies Wall. He has become very good at them. I tell him to send the instruction to have Wall take the shot. Wall steps up... shoots.. over the keeper's left shoulder.. into the net! GOAL!!!! 2-0.

58 minute mark: Stacy coldicott gets a yellow card for a hard tackle on Mannix.

63 minute mark: O'Connor with a nice save of a shot by Poole from 10 yards out.

65 minute mark: Barnett on for Mannix, Davies on for Kelly, and Moore on for Smyth all due to wanting to rest guys who are getting tired.

The Crowd gives Kelly a standing ovation. He has been superb this game (as he has been most of the recent games.)

75 minute mark: O'Connor stops a flurry of shots from within the box.

81 minute mark: Peltier kicks the corner towards the middle of the box.. Nowland outjumps Collett.. heads it.. Adam Nowland scores the goal. GOAL. Still up 2-1.

86 minute mark: Wall with a big tackle on poole in the box.

88 minute mark: Nowland gets the ball from Poole by the left post.. O'Connor blocks the shot! Great close range save.

90 minute mark: Wall intercepts a pass intended for Poole.

92 minute mark: McShane with a nice header to prevent a pass from getting into the box.

93 minute mark: O'Connor intercepts a pass from Poole to Nowland. Nice move to jump in front of that pass.

Game over.

2-1 win for us.

We outshot them 13-9 (8-4 on goal)

Kelly wins MoM, 10 for form (despite playing only 65 minutes), 26 of 29 passes, 1 of 1 tackles, 5 of 5 headers, 2 interceptions, 2 runs, 1 assist, 1 goal.

Eaglesfan27

01-18-2005, 11:08 PM

November 21, 2007 -

Stuart Wall accepted my new offer. He is really blossoming into a star centreback and I'm glad to have him under contract.

Eaglesfan27

01-18-2005, 11:11 PM

Swansea won their replay match 1-0. As a result they will be hosting us in the 2nd round of the English FA Cup.

Eaglesfan27

01-18-2005, 11:14 PM

November 22nd, 2007 -

I had heard that Millwall was looking to move striker John Sutton cheap. My scouts believe that Sutton is very talented. He doesn't have great speed like Palmer and Smyth, but he has excellent skills around the net. My scout believes he could be better than either of them. They are looking to move him cheap, so I made an offer of 18,000 plus 30,000 after he played 30 league games. I also offered them 50% of next sale. They agreed today, and told me that I could negotiate with him.

I contacted his agent, and he agreed that he would like to come play for us. He wants 6,000 dollars/week plus a release clause of 360,000. I countered with an offer of 4,000/week and a release clause of 500,000. We'll see if he bites.

Eaglesfan27

01-18-2005, 11:16 PM

November 22nd, 2007 -

Scarsella signed a new deal for the next 3 years.

Eaglesfan27

01-18-2005, 11:28 PM

Nov. 24, 2007 -

We are currently in 3rd place and we are hosting 2nd place Brighton today. Brighton finished 22nd in league one last year and were relegated to league 2. They are playing well this year and appear prime candidates to be promoted back up. Brighton has several very talented players. Keeper Ben Alexander is a dynamo in net who is hard to score against. Centreback Danny Cullip is a monster intimidator. Striker Andy Smith is of high quality and has 8 goals on the year. Right winger Jon Paul McGovern is fast skilled with a very good passing ability. This will be a tough team to beat.

We tied them 1-1 in the FA Cup 2nd round in 2006, and then lost the replay 2-0.

They are heavy 1-2 favorites.

It's overcast with temperatures in the mid 40's today.

GK: O'Connor
DL: Barnard
DC: Morgan
DC: Wall
DR: Morley
ML: Wright
MC: Mannix
MR: Collett
AMC: Kelly
SC: Smyth

S1: Scarsella
S2: Baker
S3: Barnett
S4: Moore
S5: Davies

Eaglesfan27

01-18-2005, 11:46 PM

16 minute mark: O'Connor with a save of a shot by Jarrett from 20 yards out.

25 minute mark: McGovern gets a yellow card for tripping Smyth.

30 minute mark: Palmer gets a yellow card for tripping the centerback.

33 minute mark: O'Connor with a nice save of a shot by Canoville.

37 minute mark: Wilkinson gets a yellow card for a trip on Palmer.

44 minute mark: Kamara gets a yellow card for a trip on Kelly.

Halftime: 0-0 tie.

56 minute mark: Smyth centers for Palmer.. Palmer shoots.. nice save by the keeper.

62 minute mark: Barnett for Collett (who has picked up a minor injury) and Moore for Palmer who has the yellow card.

Also, I instruct the team to go to a more aggressive attacking scheme.

75 minute mark: For the last 10 minutes the defense keeps foiling our offensive efforts.

80 minute mark: Barnett has the ball in the right corner of the field.. crosses for Kelly.. he heads it.. into the .. crossbar.

The defense clears it.

85 minute mark: One of Smyth's passes finally finds Kelly in the middle of the box.. Kelly shoots.. upper right corner.. the keeper dives.. great save.

90 minute mark: Smyth crosses for Kelly.. he heads it.. the keeper blocks it.. Mannix gets to the rebound... shoots for the upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 1-0! Great goal!

Game over. 1-0 win!

We outshot them 9-4 (3-2 on goal)

Andrew Wright wins MoM, 27 of 39 passes, 4 of 6 tackles, 3 of 4 headers, 1 interception, 2 runs.

Eaglesfan27

01-18-2005, 11:51 PM

November 24th, 2007 -

The club statistician informs me that our 7 games won in a row between Oct. 27 and today is a new team record.

Eaglesfan27

01-19-2005, 12:11 AM

November 27th, 2007 -

Sutton accepted my offer, but I apparently did not have quite enough money to pay for his transfer. How embarassing.

Eaglesfan27

01-19-2005, 12:32 AM

December 1st, 2007 -

Millwall has accepted my revised deal which has 6,000 dollars less upfront (and no other changes!)

Barnsley's Eddie Hutchingson has won English League Two Player of the month. Matthew Tipton of Macclesfield Town came in 2nd, and David Mannix came in 3rd.

Jermaine Palmer won Young player of the Month. Stuart Wall came in 2nd! Andy Williams of Hereford United came in 3rd.

Barnsley's Colin Calderwood won Manager of the Month for winning all 5 games last month. I came in 2nd, and John Cunningham of Bradford City came in 3rd.

Eaglesfan27

01-19-2005, 12:40 AM

Dec. 1st, 2007 -

Today we travel to play Swansea in the 2nd round of the English FA Cup. Swansea is currently 2nd in League One and they have a very talented player. Striker Szilard Nemeth is considered a veteran star player. He truly appears to be of an elite talent levvel that could play in the EPL. He has 14 goals in 18 League 1 Games. He has 53 caps and 17 goals for Slovakia. His main partner up front, Lee Trundle, is out injured this game. Instead they will likely have to start Mark Pritchard up front, and he doesn't appear nearly as talented. Midfielder Nick Montgomery is a talented playmaker who is equally adept at passing and shuting down the opposition. Right fullback Mikele Leigertwood has led by the defense since centreback Patrick Collins has bene injured most of the season. Left fullback Daniel Harding is also injured for this game. Keeper Gary Montgomery has been a magician in net and has 13 cleansheets in 19 starts on the year. He will be very hard to beat.

We've never played Swansea before.

They are 1-6 favorites. The odds of us winning are 10-1.

It's sunny and temperatures will be in the 50's today.

GK: O'Connor
DL: Barnard
DC: McShane
DC: Wall
DR: Morley
ML: Wright
MC: Mannix
MR: Collett
AMC: Kelly
SC: Smyth
SC: Palmer

S1: Scarsella
S2: Baker
S3: Barnett
S4: Moore
S5: Davies

Eaglesfan27

01-19-2005, 01:16 AM

5 minute mark: Wall bodychecks Szilard Nemeth.. no whistle.. no flag.. Nemeth is hurt.. he can't play anymore. Mark Pritchard has to come on for him to play up front alongside Jamie Rewbury.

9 minute mark: Morley slides into Rewbury.. clean tackle.. no whistle or flag.. Rewbury is hurt! He has to leave the pitch. Paul Connor comes on for him.

33 minute mark: Taylor gets it on the right edge of the pitch.. crosses to Pritchard in the box.. great pass.. over McShane's head.. Pritchard settles it.. shoots.. lower left corner.. O'Connor dives.. it's past him.. GOAL. Down 1-0.

40 minute mark: Collett with a great pass into the box.. Smyth gets to it.. the defense immediately shuts him down (as they have done all game.. very fast closing)

42 minute mark: Collett feeds the ball to Smyth.. Smyth passes it between teo defenders.. to Kelly.. he shoots.. into the lower right corner.. GO.. F!#$ Kelly was flagged for being offside negating the goal.

Halftime: Down 1-0.

I decide to go with a more aggressive attack.

54 minute mark: McShane blocks a shot by Montgomery.. O'Connor races out to get to the deflected shot.. Connor beats him to it.. dribbles to his left.. shoots.. around O'Connor.. GOAL. Down 2-0.

75 minute mark: The defense continues to completely shut down our guys as they enter the box..

77 minute mark: O'Leary clears yet another attack of ours.

84 minute mark: Barnett on for Mannix, Davies on for Kelly, and Moore on for Smyth. I don't usually use late subs, but I need to try to get a spark.

Game over. 2-0 loss.

We were outshot 5-4 (3-1 on goal)

O'Connor had a particularly bad game.

Mikele Leigertwood won MoM, 30 of 31 passes, 5 of 5 tackles, 10 of 10 headers, 8 interceptions.

The only positive is that the game drew 13,240 fans. That should hopefully help boost our income for the month if we get our visitors cut.

Eaglesfan27

01-19-2005, 01:16 AM

Post Match Info:

We made a whopping 237,000 dollars that match (from our share of the gate presumably!) Nice boost to the old balance.

Eaglesfan27

01-19-2005, 01:24 AM

December 4th, 2007 -

Mark Smyth came into my office today and told me that he wants a new contract like everyone else is getting. Considering he is only making 900/week, I can't argue with him. I ask him how much he wants.

He tells me that he wants 4,800/week, 400/goal, 200/assist, a 10% annual raise, and 12,000 signing bonus. I counter with an offer of 4,000/week, 340/goal, 200/assist, 10% raise, and the 12,000 dollar signing bonus.

Eaglesfan27

01-19-2005, 01:46 AM

Dec. 6, 2007 -

Mark Smyth happily signed the new deal that I offered him.

Eaglesfan27

01-19-2005, 05:52 PM

Dec. 8, 2007 -

Today we are in 2nd place in League Two. We are currently 6 points out of 1st place. We will be traveling to face 1st place Barnsley today. Barnsley has a 15-1-2 record compared to our 13-1-4 record. Barnsley has a very talented team. They were relegated from League One last year as the 24th place team in the league. Barnsley's best player is right fullback Ryan Willetts. Willetts has had a bad year but he is a very talented player who is a strong tackler and a hard worker. Scottish Striker Mark Burchill has 6 caps and is a very skilled striker. He is constantly working on the pitch and he doesn't have any real weaknesses. He is fast strong and can be a dangerous finisher around the net in many ways. He has an average form of 9 over the last 5 games! Michael Boulding is an older veteran at left wing, but he has amazing speed still. He will be the fastest guy on the pitch most likely according to my scout. He is a talented passer as well. He is currently averaging an 8 for form in his last 5 games. John Thompson is a quick skilled centereback who has no weaknesses. He has 1 cap for Ireland and he doesn't make mistakes generally. He has been averaging a 7.8 for form the last 5 games. I could continue to throw the superlatives out there about their players. The only minor weakness is keeper John Ruddy who is good, but not way above average like most of their players. However, with the great defense in front of him, he has rarely been challenged. Hopefully, we can change that.

We've never played Barnsley before.

They are 1-2 favorites.

It's overcast with temperatures in the mid 40's.

GK: O'Connor
DL: Barnard
DC: McShane
DC: Wall
DR: Morley
ML: Wright
MC: Mannix
MR: Collett
AMC: Kelly
SC: Smyth
SC: Palmer

S1: Scarsella
S2: Baker
S3: Barnett
S4: Moore
S5: Davies

Eaglesfan27

01-19-2005, 06:15 PM

33 minute mark: O'Connor with a nice diving save of a shot by Connor.

37 minute mark: O'Connor stops a header by Burchill.

41 minute mark: Collett gets a yellow card for a trip on Austin.

Halftime: 0-0

48 minute mark: kelly gets a yellow card for holding back Burchill. Barnard argues the call.. Yellow card for Barnard.

49 minute mark: Mannix with a great pass to Smyth.. Smyth gets the ball just outside the box.. dribbles into the box.. shoots.. upper right corner.. just over the bar.

51 minute mark: O'Connor with a save of a Burchill shot from 15 yards.

54 minute mark: Kelly is called for off sides.. Wright argues the call.. Yellow card.

55 minute mark: Kelly gets a long pass from Collett.. gets off a good shot for the lower left corner.. nice save by the keeper.

62 minute mark: Baker on for Wright (tired and with a yellow card), Barnett on for Mannix (picked up a minor injury) and Davies on for Collett (yellow card and tired)

65 minute mark: Antony Kay gets a yellow card for a hard tackle on Kelly.

69 minute mark: Baker with a brilliant pass to Palmer.. he shoots from just inside the box... the keeper barely tips it over the bar.

74 minute mark: Burchill shoots from 15 yards.. brilliant diving save by O'Connor!

76 minute mark: Baker crosses for Kelly.. Kelly jumps.. Kay jumps.. Kay is whistled for unfairly jumping with Kelly! Penalty shot awarded!!! I ask my assistant who has looked good at penalty shots lately in practice. He replies that Baker has done very well. I put Baker out there.. he shoots.. lower right corner.. the keeper dives.. too late! GOAL!!!! 1-0.

84 minute mark: Wroe passes to Boulding inside the left corner of the box... Boulding with a hard shot.. lower left corner.. O'Connor catches it cleanly!

Game over. 1-0 WIN!!! :)

They outshot us 15-13 (6-3 on goal)

O'Connor wins MoM.

Eaglesfan27

01-19-2005, 06:23 PM

Post Match Info: Barnard picked up a 1 game ban for 5 yellow card.

Mr. Fotherby is very pleased with our win over the Tykes (What an interesting team name)

Eaglesfan27

01-19-2005, 06:37 PM

December 13th, 2007 -

Paul McShane's loan deal ends in several days. I decide to ask Man City to extend it for the season. He has been a HUGE part of our success. He leads league 2 with a 7.76 avg form.

Eaglesfan27

01-19-2005, 06:42 PM

Dec. 14, 2007 -

Yes! Man City has agreed to let me have McShane (Free of cost) until the end of the season.

Eaglesfan27

01-19-2005, 06:55 PM

Dec. 15, 2007 -

Today we start a rough stretch of 6 games in 16 days that will take us past the halfway point in the season. We are currently in 2nd place, and we are hosting Stockport today. We lost to Stockport 3-0 in the Vans Trophy North earlier in the year. Stockport are currently 14 in League Two. Their centreback John Fitzgerald is a young Irish Star who has played very well in League 2. Right fullback Derek Geary is a strong compliment to him. Left winger Andy Welsh is a talented player. Star striker Luke Beckett is questionable for this game. Midfielder, Scott Best is suspended and Danny Griffin is injured. Keeper Anthony williams is a tough player to beat at times, but he has had horrid games the last 3 games. Hopefully, we can get some past him.

As previously mentioned, we lost a game 3-0 to them earlier in the year.

They are 5-4 favorites.

We are using the same lineup as last game except Craig Morgan will be asked to play out of position at left fullback for the suspended Mark Barnard.

Eaglesfan27

01-19-2005, 07:18 PM

2 minute mark: Palmer gets a yellow card for arguing an offside call.

4 minute mark: Molrey passes it from the right wing to Kelly.. he is outjumped by the keeper who punches it out of the box.. Mannix gets it.. shoots immediately.. the keeper blocks it.. Smyth collects the rebound.. shoots the hard angle... past the keeper.. GOAL!!!! 1-0.

8 minute mark: McShane with a corner kick.. aims for Wright by the near post.. Wright outjumps his man.. heads it... into the net! GOAL!!!! 2-0.

25 minute mark: Palmer gets the ball after Morley sends a long pass down the right side of the pitch.. Palmer centers for Kelly.. he heads it.. The keeper blocks it.. Kelly gets the rebound.. shoots around the keeper.. into the net! GOAL!!!! 3-0.

27 minute mark: Wright steals the ball at midfield.. great pass to Smyth.. he beats the defenders.. down the middle of the pitch.. into the box.. hard left footed shot.. towards the upper right corner.. past the keeper.. GOAL!!! 4-0! That is Smyth's 50th career goal for Harrogate?!? That is his second of the game.

32 minute mark: Kelly takes a direct kick from just left of the box.. towards the far post.. Mannix heads it.. past the keeper.. GOAL!!!! 5-0.

Halftime: Up 5-0!!! :) That will be a major help the goal differential which was 6 goals below the leader coming into this game.

48 minute mark: Mannix with a great dribble down the middle of the field.. around two defenders... sudden quick pass to Palmer on the right edge of the box.. dribbles towards the right goal post.. shoots.. upper left goal corner.. past the keeper.. GOAL!!! 6-0! That is his 2nd of the game.

60 minute mark: I sub out Smyth since he has a yellow card for Moore.

Wright is tired, so I sub in Baker. Collett is tired so I sub in Davies.

71 minute mark: Their defender runs over Kelly.. he is hurt! :( He has to go off.. Since I used all 3 subs, I have to go to a 10 man lineup.

73 minute mark: Davies with a cross for Palmer.. he heads it.. past the keeper.. into the crossbar.. the defense clears the rebound.

Game Over! 6-0 Win! :)

We outshot them 12-2 (9-0 on goal)

Kelly has a 10 for form and wins MoM, 15 of 19 passes, 0 tackles, 3 of 6 headers, 7 runs, 3 fouls drawn, 1 assist, and 1 goal.

Eaglesfan27

01-19-2005, 07:24 PM

Post Match Info:

Darn! Both Palmer and Smyth hit the yellow card limit and will be suspended for the next game. To top it off, Kelly sprained his knee and will miss about a week! Our dynamic trio will all miss the next game.

Mr. Fotherby is rightfully thrilled with this win. He feels that this team is going to surprise all the pundits who say that we don't have the financial resources to keep up our success.

Our statistician informs me that the 6-0 win is a new Harrogate record for margin of victory.

Morley has four 8's and a 9 for form in his last 5 games. I decide to praise his performance.

I also notice that he is still on a 300 dollar per week/deal. I decide to approach him on a new deal befitting his very good play in League 2.

Eaglesfan27

01-19-2005, 07:26 PM

December 16th, 2007 -

I call Morley into the office and ask him how much he is requesitng for a new deal. He reports that he would like 1,650/week for the next 18 months. I respond by offering him 1,400 dollars/week for the next 2 1/2 years.

Eaglesfan27

01-19-2005, 07:28 PM

Dec. 16, 2007 -

McShane has agreed to extend his deal and stay with us until the end of the year.

Town Fans are writing the newspapers in droves praising my praise of Morley.

Managers are starting to fall like flies in the League 1. I wonder if I'm going to start getting contacted again?

Eaglesfan27

01-19-2005, 07:35 PM

December 17th, 2007 -

Team Morale is VERY high right now. We just had a night out where the whole team went drinking at the local pub. What a blast! The entire team is playing well and together right now. Not one guy has less than a 7 in the last 5 games according to my coaching staff. Everyone is happy and hopefully we can keep this good feeling going.

Eaglesfan27

01-19-2005, 07:41 PM

Dec. 18, 2007 -

Scarborough's chances of staying up just took a major hit with the news that Keith Gilroy tore his ACL and will miss the remainder of the season.

Morley, Kelly, and Mannix were all selected to the League Two team of the Week.

Morley signed his new deal that will keep him with us til June 2010.

Baker sprained his ankle in practice today and will miss about a week.

Boston Uniton just signed striker John Sutton as I could never re-work a deal that would fit in my remaining transfer budget. I think he is going to be a very talented player and they just made a great signing.

And finally the biggest news:

Luton (6th in League One) have signed away Barnsley's John Thompson for 650,000 dollars! Hopefully, Barnsley won't be able to bring in a similarly talented player with that money. Thompson should be a big loss for them.

Eaglesfan27

01-19-2005, 07:54 PM

Dec. 19th, 2007 -

Today we are in 2nd place, but Barnsley has 1 more game played than us. If we win this game, we will be in 1st place as they lost their last game. We are traveling to play Lincoln today. Lincoln is currently 13th in League Two. They finished 20th in league 2 last year. Some of their top talent is hurt. Starting with midfielder Richard Butcher who is out this game with an injury. Also, star striker Gary Taylor-Fletcher is out hurt. Their best player in this game is midfielder Gary Smith on loan from Doncaster. He will have to be watched closely. Left Fullback Ian Joy is a good defender. Centreback Jamie McCombe is a strong defender who can intimidate forwards. Keeper Andy Warrington is average but he had a really bad game his last game. Hopefully, we can make this two in a row.

We lost to them 1-0 in a friendly last year.

They are 5-4 favorites.

It's muddy with temperatures in the high 30's today.

Injury and suspensions have really shifted my lineup this game:

GK: O'Connor
DL: Barnard
DC: McShane
DC: Craig Morgan (giving Wall a rest)
DR: Morley
ML: Wright
MC: Mannix
MR: Collett
AMC: Davies (for the injured Kelly)
SC: Seyi Morgan (since Smyth is suspended)
SC: Moore (since Palmer is suspended)

S1: Scarsella
S2: Farrell
S3: Barnett
S4: Wall (will only play if a DC is hurt)
S5: Surey

Eaglesfan27

01-19-2005, 08:21 PM

3 minute mark: Mannix bodychecked McCombe. McCombe is hurt and will have to leave the pitch.

12 minute mark: Mannix steals it at midfield.. passes it to Moore at the right edge of the box.. he immediately crosses for Davies in the center of the box.. Davies heads it.. towards the upper right corner.. it's past the keeper.. GOAL!!!! 1-0.

22 minute mark: Richardson gets it on the left wing.. crosses for Mulligan.. he heads it.. over O'Connors left shoulder.. it's into the net. GOAL. 1-1.

24 minute mark: Collett gets it after Morley heads it to him.. Collett with a nice long pass to Moore.. in the box.. he shoots.. the keeper barely tips it over the bar.

33 minute mark: Moore is tackled by the centreback.. he is hurt! I have no choice but to put Farrell in for him.

35 minute mark: Morley gets a yellow card for a trip on Richardson.

44 minute mark: Mannix with a nice long pass to Farrell.. he is 1-1 with the keeper.. he tries to dribble to his right.. fumbles the ball :( Can't blame him for being rusty as well as not having enough talent at this level.

Halftime: 1-1 tie. Nice crowd of 4,338 at this away game. We had over 7,000 at the Barnsley game. I can't wait to ask the bookkeeper how much we have made the past month.

52 minute mark: Matt Bloomer gets a yellow card for holding Seyi Morgan's shirt.

54 minute mark: Gary Mulligan gets the ball after an intricate series of passes in our zone.. great scoring opportunity.. great diving save by o'Connor!

63 minute mark: McShane decides to take it up the left wing! He crosses for Seyi Morgan.. Morgan does what I expected him to do.. why I hired him.. hits a great header.. into the upper left corner..GOAL!!!! 2-1.

69 minute mark: Surey on for Mannix, and Barnett on for Collett.

72 minute mark: McShane trips Mulligan.. yellow card for McShane.

73 minute mark: O'Connor smothers a close range Mulligan shot.

75 minute mark: Nice play by Morley to stop a Richardson cross.

77 minute mark: O'Connor barely stops a shot from Mulligan from 20 yards out.

79 minute mark: Craig Morgan with a nice header to prevent a pass from getting into our box.

80 minute mark: O'Connor stops a flurry of shots inside our box, including two rebounds.

89 minute mark: McShane gets called for a trip on Leadbitter.. that is a yellow card.. his 2nd.. he gets the red and is ejected! :(

I love Barnett back to DC (from MR) and Davies back from AMC to MR, and Seyi Morgan back from Striker to DC which he can play. Thus, I start playing a very defensive 5-3-1.

Morley clears the ensuing free kick.

90 minute mark: Seyi Morgan heads away a cross from Richardson.

Game over. 2-1 win for us.

We were outshot 19-6 (9-4 on goal)

Mannix won MoM, 18 of 25 passes, 8 of 8 tackles, 2 of 4 headers, 3 interceptions.

Farrell played well overall with a 7 for form. Not bad for a rusty striker.

Eaglesfan27

01-19-2005, 08:24 PM

Post Match Info:

Our Reserves beat Torquay United 4-2 tonight. Our reserves have been playing very well with James McDaid doing well for the reserves. Bridges has also been playing very well.

Morley has been banned for one match for 5 yellow cards.

McShane has been given a one match ban for being ejected last game.

David Moore broke his "cheekbone" according to the physio. He will miss about a month.

Also, we are now officially in 1st place! :)

Poli

01-19-2005, 08:31 PM

Eag, you've sold me on the game. I'm buying Mizzourah's copy.

Eaglesfan27

01-19-2005, 08:42 PM

Dec. 22, 2007 -

Today we travel to play 24th place Darlington. They finished 21st last year and barely avoided relegation. This year they have zero wins. Darlington's most valuable player is their skilled keeper Michael Price who is difficult to beat. He is supported by the strong play of centrebacks Joey Hutchingson and Matthew Clarke. The only really skilled offensive player is striker Clyde Wijnhard who is a 34 year old striker from Holland. However, his skills are diminishing and I believe our defenders should be able to contain him and the rest of the offense.

We beat them in a friendly 1-0 last year.

We are 5-4 favorites to win.

It's windy and overcast with temperatures in the high 30's.

GK: O'Connor
DL: Barnard
DC: Wall
DC: Craig Morgan (McShane is suspended)
DR: Barnett (Black is still injured and Morley is suspended)
ML: Wright
MC: Mannix
MR: Collett
AMC: Davies (Kelly is still hurt)
SC: Smyth
SC: Palmer

S1: Scarsella
S2: Farrell
S3: Seyi Morgan
S4: Shepherd
S5: Surey

Players injured or suspended: Morley, McShane, Black, Baker, Kelly, Hunter, and Moore.

Eaglesfan27

01-19-2005, 08:43 PM

Eag, you've sold me on the game. I'm buying Mizzourah's copy.
I hope you enjoy it :)

Eaglesfan27

01-19-2005, 09:02 PM

10 minute mark: collett gets away with a warning after a trip on their left winger.

23 minute mark: O'Connor with a nice save of a shot by Armstrong.

25 minute mark: Davies with a brilliant pass to Palmer.. Matthrew clarke tries a wild clearance from behind on Palmer.. Clarke puts it into his own goal.. the announcer comments that the Darlington team seems to completely lack any confidence. GOAL. Up 1-0.

44 minute mark: Barnard takes a corner kick.. sends it to Collett.. the keeper tackles Collett in the box.. penalty shot!! Barnard steps up to take it.. kicks it into the lower right corner.. the keeper dives.. but he can't get to it.. GOAL!!!! 2-0.

Halftime: 2-0 lead.

50 minute mark: Wall with a great pass into the left corner of the pitch.. Smyth gets to it.. sharp cross.. finds Davies by the near post.. he heads it.. into the net! GOAL!!!! 3-0.

62 minute mark: I give Palmer some rest with Seyi Morgan. I give Mannix some rest with Surey.

65 minute mark: Chris Hughes gets the ball in the pass as the defense whips a long pass over our defenders.. O'Connor with a nice save.

75 minute mark: Davies intercepts a corner kick.. makes a great through ball.. It's smyth and the keeper racing out of the box to see who can get to it first... Smyth beats him to it.. dribbles to his left around the keeper.. shoots from 25 yards.. into the net.. GOAL!!!! 4-0.

Game over. 4-0 win.

We outshot them 19-4 (6-2 on goal)

Smyth wins MoM, 13 of 16 passes, 2 of 4 tackles, 2 of 2 headers, 1 interception, 6 runs, 8 fouls drawn, 1 assist, 1 goal.

Eaglesfan27

01-19-2005, 09:08 PM

December 22nd, 2007 -

Immediately after the match, several reporters ambush me. They report that John Gregory has been fired from Sheffield United earlier today, and I'm the top candidate for the job. They ask me my thoughts on the job. I decide to release a press statement saying that I'm not interested in the job, but I'm flattered to be considered.

Eaglesfan27

01-19-2005, 09:23 PM

These laptop freezes have been very annoying :(

I was just about to hit save after that last game when my laptop froze. Oh well, I have it saved from before the game, and will hopefully get a win again when I replay it.

I was just about to post questioning myself if I made the right move when it froze. Sheffield United was in the EPL last year, has a 30,000 seat stadium, a top training facility with a youth academy. I hope that I eventually get to 1 of my top 3 targets.

Eaglesfan27

01-20-2005, 03:17 PM

Here is the replay (darn freezes) -

2 minute mark: O'Connor with a save.. long pass to Smyth.. Paul Culshaw tackles Smyth from behind.. yellow card for Culshaw.

5 minute mark: Wall is hurt by a challenge from Wijnhard. He has to come off. I decide to put Seyi Morgan on for him.

8 minute mark: Craig Morgan with a big header to prevent the opposition from getting a shot.

13 minute mark: collett is whistled for a trip. Palmer argues the call.. he gets away with a warning.. he continues to argue the call! Yellow card for Palmer. The ball is moved forwards 10 yards for dissent.

Halftime: 0-0.

75 minute mark: Farrell on for the exhausted Davies. Surey on for Wright.

82 minute mark: Mannix plays a nice ball to Smyth in the left corner of the box.. he shoots.. keeper blocks it.. Palmer gets to the rebound.. wide open net.. shoots.. GOAL!!!! 1-0.

That was Palmer's 5th goal of the year.

Game over. 1-0 win for us.

We outshot them 15-8 (8-0 on goal)

Frank Talia (their keeper) won MoM.

As an OOC Note, it is very interesting how one little event can affect a whole game. I think the centreback own goal last game seriously affected the entire team and made them pretty much give up leading to a 4-0 victory for us. This game they played a very defensive front and fought hard the whole battle leading to us barely winning 1-0.

Eaglesfan27

01-20-2005, 03:21 PM

Post Game Match: Stuart Wall is expected to be out about 2 weeks with a groin strain.

As an OOC note, it's interesting that the reporters didn't come talk to me about taking over the Sheffield job. Perhaps that coach won and kept his job (i'll check once it is done saving.) Or perhaps, our win wasn't big enough to earn consideration for the job.

Desnudo

01-20-2005, 03:24 PM

Eaglesfan27

01-20-2005, 03:28 PM

One last OOC Note: Gregory kept his job despite a loss this time.

Eaglesfan27

01-20-2005, 03:30 PM

Is it your entire laptop that freezes or just the game? I occasionally get very long pauses during the 2d match and afterwards when the final stats are being tabulated, but it always recovers.
It's my entire laptop, and it usually occurs when I'm typing on this site. A green line appears across the yellow background and EVERYTHING on my laptop is frozen. Nothing will work. I tried using the windows key, CTR-ALT-DEL, but nothing responds. I always have to do a manual powerdown when this occurs and restart the computer.

It also occurs at a few other times, but mostly when I'm typing in this screen. It usually (but not always) occurs after I've been playing on my laptop for at least a few hours.

Eaglesfan27

01-20-2005, 03:32 PM

Post Match Info:

Barnsley had a tie in their last game so with 1 game to go until the halfway point we are in 1st place by 2 points! We are on pace for a 100 point season if we can keep this torrid pace up.

Eaglesfan27

01-20-2005, 03:49 PM

Dec. 26, 2007 -

We are in 1st place and hosting Southend today. Southend is currently in 20th place. They are the only team we haven't played this year yet. Southend has very few good players. Striker Lawrie Dudfield is average at best. Left fullback John Dooley is a good player. Midfielder Carl Pettefer is average. Keeper Stephen Ingram is above average and has been responsible for a few of their wins.

We are 5-4 favorites

We've never played them before.

It's overcast with temperatures in the mid 30's today.

GK: O'Connor
DL: Barnard
DC: McShane
DC: Craig Morgan
DR: Black (throwing him right into the fire)
ML: Wright
MC: Mannix
MR: Collett
AMC: Kelly
SC: Smyth
SC: Palmer

S1: Scarsella
S2: Morley (In case Black falters)
S3: Davies
S4: Seyi Morgan
S5: Surey

Baker, Wall, Hunter, and Moore are all out injured.

Eaglesfan27

01-20-2005, 04:08 PM

11 minute mark: Mannix passes the ball to Smyth in the box.. Smyth is tackled by Mark Rogers.. Whistle... Penalty shot awarded!

Barnard takes the penalty shot.. runs up.. shoots.. lower right corner... the keeper dives.. it's past him.. GOAL!!!! 1-0.

15 minute mark: Wright passes to Smyth in the box.. he makes a move on Ben Price.. Price trips him.. whistle.. Penalty awarded!

Barnard steps up.. shoots.. exact same spot.. lower right corner.. same result.. GOAL!!!! 2-0.

19 minute mark: Wright with a pass to Kelly.. Thompson is hurt.. our guys play on anyway... Kelly passes to Smyth.. he shoots.. upper right corner... GOAL!!!! 3-0. Thompson gets back up and continues playing.

25 minute mark: Thompson gets a yellow card for a trip on Wright.

35 minute mark: Barnard with a nice header to turn away the opposition's offense.

Halftime: Up 3-0.

49 minute mark: Mannix with a wonderful through pass that stops just before the endline.. Smyth gets to it.. crosses to Kelly.. he heads it.. great save by the keeper. The defense clears the rebound.

57 minute mark: Wright gets called for a trip on Price.. Yellow card.. he argues the call.. second yellow card.. he is ejected!

I sub out kelly who has become tired, and bring in Surey to play left wing in a 4-3-2.

58 minute mark: Black with a nice header to turn away a corner kick.

62 minute mark: collett gets a yellow card for a trip. I put on Davies for Collett. I also notice that Craig Morgan ha spicked up a little hurt. I bring in Morley for him.

75 minute mark: Mannix intercepts it at midfield.. quick pass to Smyth.. he gets it.. dribbles between two defenders.. into the box.. being chased.. quick step to his left.. powerful left footer.. lightning fast shot.. it's past the keeper before he knows it.. GOAL!!!! 4-0. That is Smyth's second, and the 10th of the season.

85 minute mark: Price trips Smyth.. gets his second yellow card.. he is ejected.

Game over. 4-0 win for us.

We outshot them 12-2 (6-0 on goal)

Smyth, Barnard, Mannix, Black, and McShane all have 9's for form!

Mannix wins MoM, 39 of 43 passes, 3 of 3 tackles, 7 of 10 headers, 3 interceptions, 2 runs, 1 assist.

Eaglesfan27

01-20-2005, 04:31 PM

Post Match Info: Wright picked up an automatic 1 game ban for being ejected and a 1 game ban for 5 yellow cards.

Barnsley was beat by Bradford city 5-3. As a result, we are now in 1st place by 5 points at the halfway mark. The halfway review will follow soon.

Eaglesfan27

01-20-2005, 04:44 PM

Here are the League Two Standings at the halfway point:

http://64.17.163.76/images/League%202%20halfway%20point.jpg

Eaglesfan27

01-20-2005, 04:56 PM

Individual Leaders:

AvG FORM:

1. Greg Kelly - 7.95
2. Paul McShane (loan) - 7.76
3. MArtin Morgan, Grimsby - 7.75
4. David Mannix (loan) - 7.70
5. Mark Smyth - 7.67

9th. David Morley - 7.62
13th. Benjamin Collett - 7.55

Blackpook is the only other team to even have 2 guys in the top 20, we have 7.

Other Notables from my team:

Palmer 62nd with a 7.32
O'Connor 71st with a 7.29

Except for Barnard, everyone of my regulars have a 7.0 or higher (Barnard is at 6.98)

LEAGUE GOALS:

1. Greg Kelly - 13
2. Billy Paynter, Port Vale - 12
3. Mark Burchill, Barnsley - 11
4. Hector Sam, Wrexham - 9
4. Steven Gillespie, Bradford City - 9
4. Mark Smyth - 9
7. David Brown, Hereford - 8
7. Adam Nowland, Grimsby - 8
7. Moses Ashikodi, Bradford City - 8
10. 7 guys tied with 7.

Palmer is tied for 26th with 5.

LEAGUE ASSISTS:

1. Ben Muirhead, Bradford City - 15
2. Greg Kelly - 10
2. Mark Smyth - 10
4. Adam Murray, Mansfield - 8
4. Eddie Hutchinson, Barnsley - 8
4. Jon Paul McGovern, Brighton - 8
7. Jermaine Palmer - 7
7. Ross Gardner, Macclesfield - 7
9. There are 6 guys tied with 6.

RPI-Fan

01-20-2005, 04:58 PM

Your top three guys: 27 goals, 27 assists.

Does anyone else touch the ball?:)

Seriously, KUTGW!
~rpi-fan

Eaglesfan27

01-20-2005, 05:08 PM

Dec. 29, 2007 -

Today we host Wycombe. They were the team that embarassed us badly early in the year. Wycombe are currently in 7th place, and they are in crisis. They have several players who are unhappy and want to leave the club. Among those, Colin Delahunty is rumored to be unhappy. Delahunty is a powerful left fullback that is dangerous if he is giving 100%. Striker Nathan Tyson is still a skilled scorer. Centreback Roger Johnson is also playing very well. Matt Bloomfield has played very well in the midfield, but he is doubtful for this game due to an ankle injury. Kepper Steve Williams is injured. It will be interesting to see if they turn to Stephen Flowers. He is the most likely choice. Flowers isn't very skilled, and we should be able to beat him IF we can beat the defense in front of him.

Wycombe beat us 5-1 earlier in the year.

They are even odds favorites.

It's going to be sunny with temperatures in the mid 40's.

GK: O'Connor
DL: Barnard
DC: McShane
DC: Craig Morgan (for the injured Wall)
DR: Black
ML: Baker (for the suspended Wright)
MC: Mannix
MR: Collett
AMC: Kelly
SC: Smyth
SC: Palmer

S1: Scarsella
S2: Barnett
S3: Davies
S4: Seyi Morgan
S5: Surey

Eaglesfan27

01-20-2005, 05:09 PM

Your top three guys: 27 goals, 27 assists.

Does anyone else touch the ball?:)

Seriously, KUTGW!
~rpi-fan
:D

I really do tell everyone else to stay back and play very defensive football :) Neither of my wingers are given instructions to run up field. Mannix is told to stay back. I don't let my fullbacks run up the field either.

Eaglesfan27

01-20-2005, 05:24 PM

First 20 minutes: Our defense plays well with the ball mostly being in Wycombe's possession.

20 minute mark: McShane starts the counter attack.. great pass to Mannix.. mannix to Smyth.. smyth to kelly in the box.. he tries to dribble to his left around the keeper.. the keeper backpedals.. kelly shoots.. nice save by the keeper.. he deflects it wide.

We dominated the next 25 minutes, but their defense repeatedly turned us away.. Delahunty is being very impressive.

Halftime: Nice crowd of 3573 for the game. 0-0 tie with few good scoring opportunities for either team.

65 minute mark: Mark Philo with a fancy dribble to get by two of my defenders.. shoots from 20 yards.. hard shot towards the upper right corner.. nice diving catch by O'Connor.

67 minute mark: Smyth is tired. I decide to put in Seyi Morgan for him with an emphasis on trying to get him headers. Kelly has picked up a minor injury (hopefully), I bring Davies in for him. Mannix is slightly hurt as well.. I will pull him for Surey at the 75 minute mark or thereabouts if everyone else is ok.

69 minute mark: Davies with a nice corner kick for the near post.. Seyi Morgan heads it.. nice save by Flowers to block it. Delahunty clears the rebound.

76 minute mark: Surey on for Mannix.

Game over. 0-0 tie. Either superb defense or bad offense from both sides. I like to think it was good defense for both teams.

We outshot them 6-4 (2-1 on goal)

Stephen Flowers their keeper won MoM?!? I guess those two saves were nice.

Eaglesfan27

01-20-2005, 06:11 PM

Well, I just accidently lost a long post (due to my own stupidity.) To summarize it. I've got several guys with contracts that are about to expire including Atkins, Shepherd, Dunning, Krief, Fox, and Hunter.

Atkins and Hunter are both planning on retiring and I'm not going to try to change their mind.

Shepherd's skills are declining at the age of 30, so I'm not going to try to resign him

Dunning is 26 and plays left fullback/left midfield. He has good physical skills, so I will offer him 250/week to be a backup, but he is unsure he wants to re-sign with us because of the lack of PT.

Fox is a right winger/attacking midfielder who is 26. He lacks good foot speed for this level, but he is a good passer with good positioning, so I decide to offer him 240 to stay as a backup.

Finally Krief is a speedy midfielder who is only 24. Except for his excellent physical abilities and great determination, he doesn't have much to offer. But, he is a good guy to have around. I offer him a nice raise from 120 to 240/week to remain a backup. He is the only player who seems interested in staying as a backup.

Eaglesfan27

01-20-2005, 06:25 PM

Jan 1, 2008 -

Arsenal's Thierry Henry won World Footballer of the Year. Adrian Mutu of Chelsea came in 2nd, and Carlos Tevez of Juventus came in 3rd.

Arsenal's Thierry Henry won World Player of the Year. Kapo of Juventus came in 2nd, and Tevez came in 3rd.

Arsenal's Thierry Henry won European Footballer of the Year. Jose Antonio Reyes of Arsenal came in 2nd, and Mista of Valencia came in 3rd.

Gianluigi Buffon of Juventus won European Goalkeeper of the Year. Manuel Almunia of Arsenal came in 2nd, and Tim Wiese of Valencia came in 3rd.

Ac Milan's Lucio (I think I've mentioned before that he was my favorite defender in CM 03/04 and I "discovered" him with Manchester Utd and he led the team to much glory under my watch) won European Defender of the Year. Sol Campbell of Arsenal came in 2nd, and Gianluca Zambrotta of Juventus came in 3rd.

Arsenal's Jose Reyes won European Midfeilder of the Year. Mista of Valencia came in 2nd, and Adrian Mutu of Chelsea came in 3rd.

Arsenal's Thiery Henry won European Striker of the Year. Mista of Valencia came in 2nd, and Adrian Mutu of Chelsea came in 3rd (I guess they play both positions well ;) )

David Mannix won League Two Player of the month. Jamie Smith of Hereford came in 2nd, and Nat Brown of Macclesfield Town came in 3rd.

Jermaine Palmer won League Two young player of the month. Paul McShane came in 2nd, and Carl Rook of Boston United came in 3rd.

Bradford City's John Cunningham won Manager of the Month for leading the team to 5 victories last month. I came in 2nd, and Paul Crichton of Mansfield came in 3rd.

Eaglesfan27

01-20-2005, 06:34 PM

Jan 1, 2008 -

We are in 1st place and we travel to play Macclesfield today. Macclesfield are currently in 16th place, and they are missing 3 of their top 4 guys to injury. Of the remaining players, right fullback Nat Brown has been the most consistent and skilled player. Centreback Stuart Bridges will have to play well with both of the normal starting centrebacks out with injury. Midfielder Mark Hughes has played well this year. Striker Matthew Tipton is one of 5 players on the team with 4 goals. Keeper Russell Howarth has played very well the last 5 games.

We beat them 1-0 at home earlier in the year.

We are 5-4 favorites.

It's going to be a wet game with temperatures in the mid 40's.

We are uisng the same lineup as last game.

Eaglesfan27

01-20-2005, 06:56 PM

4 minute mark: Mcshane with a nice defensive play on their striker.

20 minute mark: Palmer with a cross to Smyth.. Smyth shoots for the upper right corner... nice save by Howarth.

30 minute mark: Mcshane with a last minute tackle on Tipton that was likely a goal saving tackle.

34 minute mark: collett gets the ball at midfield.. plays a perfect throughball to Smyth.. he is alone in the box.. shoots.. nice block by Howarth.. the defense catches up to it and clears it.

44 minute mark: Collett gets the ball at midfield.. excellent through ball for Palmer.. he races to it in the box.. Howarth races to it.. Howarth tackles Palmer! Whistle.. Yellow card for Howarth.. Penalty shot awarded! Barnard steps up to take the penalty shot...he blasts it into the upper right corner. GOAL!!!! 1-0.

45 minute mark: Black with a great defensive play on Tipton.

Halftime: Up 1-0.

46 minute mark: Wierd play that gets Macclesfield the ball inside our box.. O'Connor blocks a shot.. blocks a rebound.. another Macclesfield player, Miles get the ball.. he shoots.. O'Connor with another block.. a scrum for the ball.. yet another shot is unleashed.. another block by O'Connor.. Amazing series of saves by the young keeper!

Finally, McShane clears it to Smyth who passes to Palmer who is tackled by the defense.

56 minute mark: McShane is whistled for pushing Jamie Hand who was the target of a crossing pass.. whistle... Penalty shot awarded. Tipton steps up to take it... He shoots to O'Connor's right.. O'Connor dives... blocks it.. the rebound sails out towards the left corner.. Clark and Mcshane are racing to it... O'Connor gets up.. runs.. pounces on it.. covering up! What a play!

62 minute mark: Palmer gets a yellow card for arguing an offside call (sheesh, he is quite the hothead.)

I put Seyi Morgan in for Palmer, and Barnett for Baker who is tired.

73 minute mark: Seyi Morgan steals a pass that was heading back to the keeper.. he doesn't have much footspeed but he is way ahead of the defenders.. three dribbles.. into the box.. powerful shot.. upper left corner.. it's past the keeper.. GOAL!!!! 2-0.

75 minute mark: O'Connor with a nice save of a point blank shot from Tipton.

90 minute mark: collett gets called for pushing Mark Hughes in the box on a corner kick.. whistle.. Penalty shot awarded.

Chris O'Grady steps up to take the penalty shot.. he shoots to O'Connor's left... O'Connor dives.. blocks it!!! 2 in one game saved! Black clears the rebound.

Game over. 2-0 win. Wonderful game by O'Connor.

They outshot us 12-10 (5-5 on goal)

Collett, McShane, and O'Connor all have 9's for form. McShane wins MoM, 30 of 35 passes, 11 of 11 tackles, 10 of 11 headers, 14 interceptions.

daedalus

01-21-2005, 03:15 AM

Eaglesfan27

01-22-2005, 05:43 PM

Jan. 2, 2008 -

Fox and Dunning both rejected my contract offers. They want over 750/week, and I'm not willing to pay that to either of them as I'd rather invest the money in some younger players since these guys are never going to be good enough to play with my first team if we get promoted again. I tell them I'm not going to negotiate any longer. Krief accepted my contract offer, and I'm glad to have him stay with us as a reserve.

Eaglesfan27

01-22-2005, 05:43 PM

Mssr Henry seemed to have had a decent year. :D

The idea of Manny Aluminum, er, Alumnia placing amongst Europe's top goalkeeper is frightening.

And Adrian Mutul . . . shame. What could have been and all that.
Yeah, Henry had a very impressive year. He is the main reason that Arsenal is on my list of teams I'd like to manage. He has always been impressive since I first saw him in CM 03/04, and obviously this continues into FM.

Eaglesfan27

01-22-2005, 05:49 PM

Jan. 4, 2008 -

Swansea signed away Moses Ashikodi from Bradford City for 320,000 dollars. This should hurt their chances of staying on my team's tail.

Eaglesfan27

01-22-2005, 05:54 PM

Jan. 5, 2008 -

We are currently in 1st place, and we are 5 points ahead of Barnsley which is in 2nd. We are hosting Chester today which is currently in 21st place. Chester's offense has been anemic this year. Their defense has been fairly solid with centreback Sean Hessey and Danny Collins both playing well. Their best midfielder Paul Carden is injured. Right winger Ben Davies is a solid player. Their best striker is Scott Fitzgerald, but his speed is the only thing that really scares me.

We beat them 1-0 earlier in the year.

We are 5-4 favorites.

It's muddy with temperatures in the high 40's today.

GK: O'Connor
DL: Barnard
DC: McShane
DC: Craig Morgan
DR: Black
ML: Baker
MC: Mannix
MR: Collett
AMC: Kelly
SC: Smyth
SC: Palmer

S1: Scarsella
S2: Barnett
S3: Davies
S4: Seyi Morgan
S5: Surey

Eaglesfan27

01-22-2005, 06:19 PM

Extremely conservative gameplan by Chester in which they kept 9 men back at all times works to effectively stifle my attack the entire first half.

0-0 at the half.

60 minute mark: Their defensive 5-4-1 is completly stifling my offense. I tell my guys to be more aggressive. Also, Smyth is tired so I sub on Seyi Morgan. I also sub Barnett for Baker and Davies for Collett.

86 minute mark: McShane with a yellow card for a trip.

90 minute mark: O'Connor stops a long shot by one of their midfielders.

Game over. 0-0 tie. They played ultradefensively the entire game.

We outshot them 5-2 (2-1 on goal)

Sean Hessey wins MoM, 33 of 45 passes, 7 of 8 tackles, 5 of 5 headers, 7 interceptions.

Eaglesfan27

01-22-2005, 06:44 PM

Jan. 11, 2008 -

Barnsley which is only 5 points behind me just offered 56,000 dollars plus a friendly match next year for Stuart Wall.

What are they thinking? Crazy! No way am I going to give my nearest rival one of my best young defenders.

Eaglesfan27

01-22-2005, 06:54 PM

Jan. 12, 2008 -

We are currently in 1st place by 5 points, and today we travel to play Port Vale which is in 6th place. Port Vale's keeper David Lucas is very good in goal. Midfielder Levi Reid has been very good at creating plays for the other guys on his team lately. Striker, Billy Paynter is absolutely lethal around the net, and he has 17 goals on the year. His partner's David Hibbert and Sinom Eldershaw each have 8 goals. Centreback Sam Collins is a good defender.

We beat them at home 2-0 earlier in the year.

They are 5-4 favorites.

It's going to be rainy with driving winds today. The temperatures will be in mid 40's.

GK: O'Connor
DL: Barnard
DC: McShane
DC: Wall
DR: Morley
ML: Wright
MC: Mannix
MR: Collett
AMC: Kelly
SC: Smyth
SC: Palmer

S1: Scarsella
S2: Baker
S3: Davies
S4: Seyi Morgan
S5: Surey

Eaglesfan27

01-22-2005, 07:08 PM

9 minute mark: Wall has to tackle Paynter just outside the box.. whistle.. direct kick for Port Vale.. Brown passes to Hibbert.. Hibbert shoots.. upper left corner.. GOAL. Down 1-0.

20 minute mark: Smyth gets it to Kelly in the box.. Kelly shoots.. the keeper blocks it.. Palmer gets the rebound.. shoots.. over the net.

34 minute mark: collett gets a yellow card for pulling Walsh's jersey.

45 minute mark: Paynter takes a free kick from 25 yards out.. puts it into the upper left corner of the net. GOAL. Down 2-0.

Halftime: Down 2-0.

60 minute mark: Davies on for Collett and Surey on for Mannix. I also tell our guys to be more aggressive in pursuing the attack.

Game over. 2-0 loss.

We were outshot 6-5 (2-1 on goal)

O'Connor had a bad game.

Ryan Brown won MoM, 68 of 77 passes(!), 3 of 5 tackles, 5 of 6 headers, 6 interceptions, and 1 assist.

Eaglesfan27

01-22-2005, 07:15 PM

Post Match Info:

Collett has been suspended for a game for too many yellow cards on the season.

daedalus

01-23-2005, 05:53 AM

Yeah, Henry had a very impressive year. He is the main reason that Arsenal is on my list of teams I'd like to manage. He has always been impressive since I first saw him in CM 03/04, and obviously this continues into FM.Interestingly, he always seems to have fairly pedestrian ratings in CM (at least he did in 01/02 and in the demo) while still performaing fairly well (although, oddly, he was a horrible penalty kick taker during the time I tinkered with the demo). "Fairly pedestrian ratings" being relative, of course, given that I don't think it's too much of a reach to consider him amongst the top 5 forwards in the world.

Eaglesfan27

01-23-2005, 03:41 PM

January 13, 2008 -

John Gregory was fired from Sheffield United Today, and a reporter came to talk to me after our practice. He told me that I'm a top candidate to take over the team. He asked me for a comment on my interest in the job. They are currently 13th in English League 1 and they are an exciting team as they were an EPL team in the past and they have excellent resources. However, I decide to tell the reporter that I'm flattered by the interest, but I'm happy to stay at Harrogate at this time.

Eaglesfan27

01-23-2005, 04:21 PM

Jan 21, 2008 -

David Morley injured his calf today in practice and is expected to be out for about two weeks. This will make Black critically important again.

Eaglesfan27

01-23-2005, 04:24 PM

Jan 22nd, 2008 -

Bruce Arena who helped guide the USA to a 3rd place finish in the World Cup and then lost in the Confederations Cup final in 2007 was sacked after the confederations Cup. Today he has bounced back as he was announced as the new manager of Aston Villa.

Eaglesfan27

01-23-2005, 04:30 PM

January 22nd, 2008 -

We are currently in 1st place, but our lead has shrunk to 2 points. Today we host Yeovil which is currently in 15th place. Yeovil has a good keeper in Chris Weale who has been playing veyr well recently, but it is possile that Andy Fisher will start in goal today according to my scout. Yeovil's midfield has been playing well led by the play of Paul Terry and Lee Johnson. Striker Kevin Gall has 9 goals on the year and is the leading scorer. Adrian Caceres their most talented striker has been injured for a few weeks and will miss this game. Cetnreback Scott Guyett will lead the defense in front of whoever starts in goal.

We lost to Yeovil 2-0 on the road earlier in the year.

We are 5-4 favorites.

It's going to be sunny with temperatures in the low 40's.

GK: O'Connor
DL: Barnard
DC: McShane
DC: Wall
DR: Black
ML: Wright
MC: Mannix
MR: Davies (for the suspended Collett)
AMC: Kelly
SC: Smyth
SC: Palmer

S1: Scarsella
S2: Baker
S3: Moore (freshly back from a month long injury)
S4: Seyi Morgan
S5: Surey

OOC Note: This game will be played slowly as it will only be played during commerical breaks of the NFC Championship game ;)

Eaglesfan27

01-23-2005, 05:24 PM

5 minute mark: Phil Jevons tackles Davies just outside the box.. Yellow card for Jevons.. close free kick for us.

8 minute mark: The left fullback is repeatedly stopping crosses from Palmer and Davies.

10 minute mark: Jevons trips Davies.. gets away with a warning.

14 minute mark: After a throw in, Wright gets it on the right sideline.. quick cross to Mannix.. but the defender heads it away.. right to McShane who was supporting the attack.. McShane shoots.. upper right corner.. Weale dives.. it is out of his reach.. GOAL!!!! 1-0. That is McShane's first goal for us.

18 minute mark: Smyth gets a yellow card for a trip on Warner.

34 minute mark: Scully with a nice tackle to stop Kelly from having a good shot on goal.

45 minute mark: Wright gets a yellow card for obstructing the right wing.

Halftime: 1-0. We continue to have good attendance at each game. Over 3250 fans at this one.

52 minute mark: Palmer gets a yellow card for pulling Rose's jersey.

65 minute mark: Sam Scully made a great tackle to prevent a Smyth breakaway inside the box.

65 minute mark: Moore on for Palmer since he has a yellow card and is somewhat tired. Baker on for Wright for the same reasons.

68 minute mark: Smyth gets a long pass from Mannix in the left corner of the pitch.. centers it for Kelly.. Kelly shoots.. Weale blocks it.. Palmer has the rebound.. Guyett tackles him from behind.. whistle.. that was a dirty tackle.. yellow card for Guyett.. Penalty shot awarded! I ask my assistant who has been shooting them the best lately. He responds Stuart Wall. Wall steps up.. shoots to the keeper's left.. the keeper dives.. deflects it wide of the goal.. Moore races to it.. Warner races to it.. Warner clears it backwards over the endline.

75 minute mark: Wall with a nice header to Mannix.. who passes immediately to Baker on the left wing.. who threads a perfect pass between two defenders to Moore in the box.. he fakes going right.. dribbles left.. shoots.. lower right corner... it's past Weale.. into the net. GOAL!!!! 2-0.

86 minute mark: McShane intercepts a pass.. plays a long ball into the opponent's box.. Smyth races to it.. gets it.. dribbles to his right around the keeper.. shoots it into the upper right corner.. GOAL!!! 3-0.

Game over. 3-0 win for us.

We outshot them 10-0 (5-0 on goal)

Greg Kelly wins MoM, 20 of 22 passes, 2 of 3 tackles, 4 of 8 headers, 1 run, 1 assist.

Eaglesfan27

01-23-2005, 05:54 PM

Jan. 26, 2008 -

We are currently in 1st place by 4 points. Today we travel to play Carlisle which is currently in 5th place. Carlisle relies on a very solid defense complimented by a good but not explosive offense. Their defense is led by the superb keeping of Rob Beckwith. Centreback Joe Dolan helps prevent many opposing attackers from getting good shots on goal. Centreback Lee Andrews has been an intimidator early in the year. Midfielder Dan Dillon has played well. Striker Maheta Molango leads the team with 8 goals and has had a nice touch around the net.

We beat them 1-0 at home earlier in the year.

They are 4-7 favorites.

It's overcast with temperatures in the high 30's.

GK: o'Connor
DL: Barnard
DC: McShane
DC: Craig Morgan
DR: Black
ML: Wright
MC: Mannix
MR: Collett
AMC: Kelly
SC: Smyth
SC: Palmer

S1: Scarsella
S2: Baker
S3: Moore
S4: Barnett
S5: Wall

Eaglesfan27

01-23-2005, 06:12 PM

6 minute mark: Barnard with a nice header to prevent their striker from getting a pass.

10 minute mark: Kelly gets a nice pass from Smyth.. shoots from 15 yards.. upper right corner... past the keeper... just over the bar.

15 minute mark: Facey gets a pass from Pattison... shoots for the upper left corner.. great diving catch by O'Connor.

20 minute mark: Black intercepts a pass.. long pass towards the box.. Palmer racing to it.. the keeper beats him tot he ball.

23 minute mark: O'Connor with a save.. long kick.. it bounces over the centreback's head.. Smyth has the ball all alone in the box.. shoots... upper right corner.. over the bar.

38 minute mark: Alton Thelwell stops a Smyth breakaway with a good tackle just inside the box.

44 minute mark: O'Connor saves a shot by Facey.

Halftime: 0-0 tie.

48 minute mark: Thelwell with a nice tackle on Smyth in the box.

55 minute mark: Mannix gets a yellow card for tripping Dillon.

60 minute mark: Mcshane with a nice tackle on Morango in the box.

61 minute mark: Collett steals it at midfield.. passes it into the box to Kelly.. he settles it.. turns around quickly.. shoots.. lower left corner.. it's past the keeper.. GOAL!!!! 1-0.

63 minute mark: O'Connor with a brilliant save of a shot by Facey.

65 minute mark: O'Connor saves a shot by Dillon

65 minute mark: Kelly is completely exhausted.. I pull him for Baker. Also, I put Barnett on for Wright who is tired.

69 minute mark: McShane with a great tackle on Morango in the box.

70 minute mark: Joe Dolan gets a yellow card for tripping Mannix.. Dolan is furious.. he is yelling in the ref's face.. 2nd yellow card.. he's ejected!

75 minute mark: Beckwith with a nice save of a shot by Smyth from 15 yards.

77 minute mark: Collett intercepts it at midfield.. passes to Palmer.. Palmer with a great cross to Smyth.. Smyth dribbles it deeper into the box.. crosses for Baker.. Baker heads it.. past Beckwith's left shoulder.. GOAL!!!! 2-0.

82 minute mark: Craig Morgan with a solid play to prevent Morango from getting the pass into the box.

85 minute mark: Thelwell with a tackle to prevent Smyth's breakaway.

Game over. 2-0 win for us.

We were outshot 15-8 (4-4 on goal)

Kelly has a 9 for form and wins MoM, 23 of 28 passes, 2 of 3 tackles, 1 of 4 headers, 3 interceptions, 1 run, 1 goal.

Eaglesfan27

01-23-2005, 06:39 PM

January 29th, 2008 -

In a peculiar move, Barnsley (2nd in League 2) sold Eddie Hutchinson to Blackpool for 360,000 dollars. I wonder who they are saving up for.

Boston United sold their young striker Carl Rook to Rotherham for 1.3 million dollars.

Boston United Fans expressed outrage that the team let such a good striker go at below market value.

Eaglesfan27

01-23-2005, 11:00 PM

OOC Note: Due to a crash, I had to resim the last 3 days of my career. Fortunately, everything of note in the news unfolded exactly the same. I really think my crashes are due to overheating of my laptop :(

I just need to remember not to play FM for 4 or more hours in a row on the laptop :(

Oh yeah, I also need to make sure I don't type directly into a reply on FOFC, but paste from notepad. All of the freezes seem to be triggeed by typing into FOFC with a green line appearing in the reply box as it freezes.

Eaglesfan27

01-23-2005, 11:20 PM

Feb. 1, 2008 -

Wycombe's Liam Marshall (19 year old midfielder!) has won Leage 2 player of the month. Jamie McCombe of Lincoln City came in 2nd, and Sean Hessey of Chester City came in 3rd.

Shrewsbury Town's George Jermy has won the English League Two Young Player of the Month Award. Gabriel Zakuani of Leyton Orient came in 2nd, and Dan Dillon of Carlisle came in 3rd.

Chester City's Graham Barrow has won manager of the month for winning 4 of his last 6 games. Mike Walker of Wycombe came in 2nd, and Alan Kennedy of Boston United came in 3rd.

Eaglesfan27

01-24-2005, 01:23 AM

Feb 2, 2008 -

Before the match, Scarsella told me he is upset that he isn't being used much. I told him I appreciate him coming to me quietly, and that I would try to do something to help him out soon.

Today we are in first place by 4 points, but Barnsley has already played and lost so we have the potential to go up by 7 points if we win. We are hosting Leyton Orient today. They are currently in 9th place. They are led by striker Gary Alexander who has 9 goals on the year. However, their are 6 other guys on the team with at least 6 goals. Their offense is clearly quite diversified. Midfielder Michael Simpson is one of those goal scorers. Left Fullback Matt Lockwook has 6 goals as well but, he still manages to play solid defense. Keeper Glenn Morris is good in goal, but the remainder of his defense is somewhat questionable. Cenreback Gabriel Zakuani has played well recently, but his partner Joe O'Cearuill has been below average at best.

We beat them 4-0 earlier in the year.

They are even odds favorites.

It's sunny with temperatures in the high 40's today.

GK: O'Connor
DL: Barnard
DC: McShane
DC: Wall
DR: Black
ML: Wright
MC: Mannix
MR: Collett
AMC: Kelly
SC: Smyth
SC: Palmer

S1: Scarsella
S2: Baker
S3: Moore
S4: Barnett
S5: Davies

Eaglesfan27

01-24-2005, 01:35 AM

22 minute mark: Tiffin bodychecks Smyth.. Smyth is crumpled on the field in pain. This game is over for him. I put Moore on for him.

42 minute mark: Wright with a nice cross.. Palmer is at the far post.. he heads it.. nice save by the keeper.

Halftime: 0-0 tie.

73 minute mark: I put Davies in for Collett, and Barnett for Mannix. I also tell the offense to be more aggressive.

A very good defensive battle in which neither side could really generate any offensive efforts ends in a 0-0 tie.

We outshot them 4-0 (1-0 on goal)

Gabriel Zakuani wins MoM, 20 of 32 passes, 4 of 7 tackles, 5 of 8 headers, 2 interceptions.

Eaglesfan27

01-24-2005, 01:48 AM

Post Match Info: Huddersfield is reportedly interested in hiring me as their new manager according to that reporter who loves to harass me for comments. They are currently 24th in League 1. They have an impressively large stadium, but little talent and are suffering financially. This team isn't as hard to say no to. I tell the reporter that I'm not interested in the job.

Perhaps, I should have. I went to the hospital with Mark Smyth and the Physio after the game. The hospital states that he partially tore ligaments in his knee. He will need at least a month of strengthening exercises before he can play again.

Eaglesfan27

01-24-2005, 02:04 AM

Feb 6, 2008 -

We are currently in 1st place by 5 points. Barnsley already lost their game today so we have the chance to go up by 8 points. We are traveling to play Hereford today. They are currently in 12th place. Much like my own team, they rely on 2 or 3 guys to do most of their scoring. Striker David Brown has 15 goals on the year. His partner Andy Williams has 10 goals on the year. Their best defender, fullback Mark Robinson, is out injured for this game. Their best midfielder, Danny Williams, is also out injured for this game. Keeper Scott Bevan is average. Their right fullback Jamie Smith will lead the defense.

We lost to them 1-0 earlier in the year.

They are 5-4 favorites.

It's going to be overcast with temperatures in the low 40's.

GK: O'Connor
DL: Barnard
DC: McShane
DC: Wall
DR: Black
ML: Wright
MC: Mannix
MR: Collett
AMC: Kelly
SC: Moore (for the injured Smyth - I'm also pursuing other strikers on loan)
SC: Palmer

S1: Scarsella
S2: Baker
S3: Seyi Morgan
S4: Barnett
S5: Davies

Eaglesfan27

01-24-2005, 02:17 AM

2 minute mark: Wright gets a yellow card for sliding in on the keeper.

5 minute mark: Mark Rossiter gets a yellow card for a trip on Kelly.

33 minute mark: O'Connor with a nice save on a shot by Williams.

35 minute mark: Mannix injures Williams. Bradley Wright-Phillips has to come on for him.

Halftime: 0-0 tie.

56 minute mark: Moore with a nice cross towards Palmer.. Bevan with a nice play to intercept the crossing pass.

58 minute mark: O'Connor with a nice save of a shot by Wright-Phillips.

64 minute mark: Palmer gets the pass from Mannix.. dribbles into the box.. centers for Kelly... he heads it.. towards the upper right corner.. it's past the keeper.. just over the bar.

65 minute mark: Seyi Morgan on for Moore, and Baker on for Wright. Also I tell my wingers to be more aggressive.

79 minute mark: Baker dribbles up the left sideline.. crosses for Kelly.. he heads it.. over the bar.

86 minute mark: Black with a nice interception.. long pass to Palmer... Palmer dribbles into the box.. shoots.. for the far left corner.. barely wide.

Game over. 0-0 tie.

We each had 9 shots (2 shots on goal for both teams)

Mannix wins MoM, 27 of 34 passes, 5 of 6 tackles, 7 of 8 headers, 2 interceptions, 4 fouls drawn.

Eaglesfan27

01-24-2005, 02:20 AM

Post Match Info:

The Physio tells me that Barnard is exhausted and needs rest. I decide I will make sure he gets it next game.

Eaglesfan27

01-24-2005, 02:33 AM

Feb. 8, 2008 -

McShane injured his knee in practice today and will miss about a week.

Jason Kennedy agreed to come join us for another 3 month loan.

Eaglesfan27

01-24-2005, 02:37 AM

Feb. 9th, 2008 -

Aston Villa's Gary Mulligan has agreed to come join us on loan. My scout believes he is a gifted passer and could be a great step up man as a striker.

Eaglesfan27

01-24-2005, 02:42 AM

Feb. 9th, 2008 -

We are currently in 1st place by 6 points. Today we travel to play Oxford. They are currently 19th in League 2, and are in danger of being sent down. They are led by midfielders Andrew Bond and Eugen Bopp. Kepper Reece Kirk is on loan from Watford and he is an above average keeper. Striker Lee Bradbury provides most of the offense, but the offense hasn't been that potent.

We tied them 0-0 earlier in the year.

They are 4-7 favorites!?!

It's raining with temperatures in the high 40's today.

GK: O'Connor
DL: Barnett
DC: Craig Morgan
DC: Wall
DR: Morley
ML: Wright
MC: Mannix
MR: Collett
AMC: Kelly
SC: Moore
SC: Palmer (the new loan players are just arriving and I want them to work with the team a bit before they play)

S1: Scarsella
S2: Baker
S3: Seyi Morgan
S4: Surey
S5: Davies

Eaglesfan27

01-24-2005, 03:03 AM

23 minute mark: James Keeble tackles Mannix with a vicious tackle.. yellow card.

29 minute mark: Kelly gets it at midfield.. passes it to Palmer.. dribbles into the box.. is being chased by the defense...shoots.. wide left.

31 minute mark: A Kelly breakaway is stopped by an offside call.

39 minute mark: Barnett intercepts the ball... long pass to David Moore.. he gets it just outside the box.. 1-1 with the keeper.. shoots.. lower left corner.. GOAL!!!! 1-0.

41 minute mark: Palmer intercepts it at midfield.. great pass to Moore.. he is alone with the keeper.. shoots for the upper right corner.. the keeper tips it over the bar.

44 minute mark: Ashton collides with Kelly. Kelly appears hurt. He wants to continue playing.

Halftime: Up 1-0. I'll watch Kelly closely, but will likely pull him soon.

61 minute mark: Kelly seems to have just had the wind knocked out of him earlier, and is playing fine now. However, Moore and Wright are both tired. I put in Seyi Morgan for Moore and Baker for Wright.

69 minute mark: Leo Roget gets a yellow card for a trip on Seyi Morgan.. he argues the call.. gets a 2nd yellow card.

Game over. 1-0 win for us.

We outshot them 13-8 (6-0 on goal)

Mannix won MoM, 34 of 38 passes, 4 of 4 tackles, 3 of 4 headers, 8 interceptions, 1 run.

Eaglesfan27

01-24-2005, 03:28 AM

Feb. 10, 2008 -

WOW! More players are willing to come play for me on loan than in the past. Keith Barker from the Blackburn reserves just accepted an offer to come join us on loan for 3 months. Barker is a striker who has superb anticipation, positioning, and other mental attributes. He isn't the fastest guy, but he is quick. He has good acceleration. He has a good first touch and very good ability to finish. I plan on using this surplus of forwards to help give Kelly and all of my guys some rest. I accept this deal even though I truly have quite a surplus now.

Eaglesfan27

01-24-2005, 03:30 AM

Feb. 11, 2008 -

Mannix was selected to the English League 2 team of the week.

Eaglesfan27

01-24-2005, 03:34 AM

Feb 11. 2008 -

Darn it. Over 50% of the players I approached about joining us on loan accepted. Surprisingly, Man City's Chinedum Onuoha a good defender who can play centreback or right fullback accepted as well. The only problem is I *think* I already have 4 short term players currently at the club, and thus this loan will probably not be allowed to happen.

daedalus

01-24-2005, 07:01 AM

Perhaps, I should have. I went to the hospital with Mark Smyth and the Physio after the game. The hospital states that he partially tore ligaments in his knee. He will need at least a month of strengthening exercises before he can play again.And the doctor inside EF is thinking, "*I* would have had him back in 3 weeks."

Eaglesfan27

01-24-2005, 11:44 AM

And the doctor inside EF is thinking, "*I* would have had him back in 3 weeks."

:D

Eaglesfan27

01-24-2005, 11:56 AM

As an OOC Note: I think I'm seeing this season that my guys fading last year wasn't necessarily due to my training blunder. Kelly, Smyth, and Palmer have all faded the last few games and I think it is due to fatigue. As a result, I'm quite glad that I stockpiled a few forwards to give my dynamic trio a rest. /OOC

Feb 12. 2008 -

Chinedum Onuoha has joined us on loan today. I miscounted as three of my loan players were long term loans, so I had room for 1 more short term loan. We are currently in 1st place, and hopefully the reinforcements can help us maintain that position. Today we host Bradford City. Bradford city is currently third. They have an explosive diversified offense. Striker Steven Gillespie has 15 goals. His partner Michael Symes has 10 goals. Left winger John Piercy has 9 goals. Midfielder Tom Penford has 8 goals. Midfielder Ben Muirhead has 4 goals. They are all skilled players who have bee playing well lately. The defense isn't a slouch either, led by the excellent keeper Paul Henderson who has had a good year. Centreback Mark Bower is good at limiting the opposition's opportunities.

We beat them 3-1 earlier in the year on the road.

They are 4-6 favorites.

It's sunny outside with temperatures in the high 30's.

GK: O'connor
DL: Barnett
DC: Craig Morgan
DC: Wall
DR: Morley
ML: Wright
MC: Mannix
MR: Collett
AMC: Keith Barker (I think the striker has the ability set to play the AMC position well, and Kelly needs some rest IMO.)
SC: Moore
SC: Gary Mulligan (I think he will be an excellent assist man who can also finish some.. hoping he will set up Moore and Barker. Giving Palmer a rest this game.)

S1: Scarsella
S2: Baker
S3: Kennedy
S4: Seyi Morgan
S5: Davies

Eaglesfan27

01-24-2005, 12:21 PM

2 minute mark: Mannix steals it at midfield.. good pass to Mulligan.. he immediately passes it to Barker in the center of the box.. Barker shoots for the lower left corner.. Henderson dives.. catches it. Nice save.

10 minute mark: O'Connor with an easy save of a long shot by Schumacher.

13 minute mark: Mulligan gets a yellow card for a trip on the left fullback.

15 minute mark: Wall with a long pass to Barker.. he gets a breakaway.. he shoots..over the bar.

26 minute mark: O'Connor with a nice save on a Symes shot.

31 minute mark: Collett with a brilliant pass to Barker.. the defense tackles Barker from behind as he dribbles into the box.

36 minute mark: Mulligan takes it up the right wing (after a pass from Wall.. crosses for Wright.. Wright shoots.. towards the left upper corner.. Henderson dives.. saves it.

Halftime: 0-0 tie.

53 minute mark: Their left fullback sends a long pass down the field to Piercy.. Piercy with a quick cross heading towards Gillespie... great header by Craig Morgan.. he really hustled back to clear that ball.

61 minute mark: Wright gets called for pulling the right winger's jersey. Yellow card.

63 minute mark: Kennedy on for Mulligan, Davies on for Barker. Baker on for Wright.

I also told my guys to start pressing the attack more.

68 minute mark: Wall with incredible speed to get back and clear a long pass intended for Symes that likely would have been a goal.

71 minute mark: Morley with an excellent through ball that stops just short of the box.. Moore gets to it.. he shoots.. over the bar.

75 minute mark: Mannix steals it at midfield.. passes it to Kennedy.. who passes back to Moore on the left side of the box.. Moore shoots.. lower right corner.. the keeper dives.. Henderson tips it wide. nice save.

92 minute mark: Davies takes the corner.. Bower heads it away... right to Wall who is 25 yards away from the goal.. Wall settles it.. quick right footed shot.. towards the lower right corner.. Henderson is running.. dives.. it's past him! GOAL!!!! 1-0 WALL with big goal!!! :)

Game over. 1-0 win.

We each had 13 shots (5-3 on goal in our favor)

Collett wins MoM, 23 of 32 passes, 2 of 4 tackles, 5 of 5 headers, 2 interceptions. 9 for form.

Eaglesfan27

01-24-2005, 12:23 PM

Post match info: According to the team statistician, that game was attended by 3774 fans which is a new team record.

This prompted me to look at the finances. We've made 330,182 dollars in profit this season. Our balance in the bank is currently 670,429 dollars.

Barkeep49

01-24-2005, 12:45 PM

Based on how nicely the club is doing will we see you ask for new facilities again then?

nfg22

01-24-2005, 02:45 PM

I also notice O'connor hasnt given up a goal in 6 games...time for praise?

Eaglesfan27

01-24-2005, 05:16 PM

Based on how nicely the club is doing will we see you ask for new facilities again then?
I really do need an improvement to both the training facility and the stadium size. Since, the club has already said no to the training facility, I might try to get the stadium expanded as we are close to a sellout every game.

Eaglesfan27

01-24-2005, 05:17 PM

I also notice O'connor hasnt given up a goal in 6 games...time for praise?
Good point. I've been looking to praise someone recently and haven't found anyone worthy, but I do forget about my keeper some times. His form numbers aren't spectacular, but he is playing good. I think I will give him some praise after this game I'm about to play if he does well.

Eaglesfan27

01-24-2005, 05:22 PM

Feb. 16, 2008 -

We are currently in 1st place and we are traveling to play 9th place Boston Utd. Boston United is led by the superb play of striker John Sutton. He only has 8 goals on the year, but he makes all of the plays. His partner Kain Bond also has 8 goals but that is in large part to Sutton setting him up. Left winger Matt O'Halloran has 7 goals and 8 assists. Centreback Lee Beevers is playing very well also. Their keeper Conrad Logan has played well in goal at times, but has been inconsistent as well.

We beat them 1-0 at home earlier in the year.

They are 5-4 favorites.

It's going to be showering today with temperatures in the high 40's.

GK: O'Connor
DL: Barnett
DC: Craig Morgan
DC: Wall
DR: Onuoha
ML: Wright
MC: Mannix
MR: Collett
AMC: Barker (he better impress more this game)
SC: Moore
SC: Mulligan

s1: Scarsella
S2: Baker
S3: Kennedy
S4: Seyi Morgan
S5: Davies

Injured: Morley (only for this game), Black, Surey, and Smyth.

Eaglesfan27

01-24-2005, 05:35 PM

4 minute mark: Adam Gross trips Mulligan.. yellow card for Gross.

9 minute mark: Craig Morgan blocks a series of shots in our box, and then clears it.

38 minute mark: Craig Morgan steals a pass into our box.. long pass to Moore.. he gets into the box.. shoots... hits the left goal post and bounces wide.

Halftime: 0-0.

53 minute mark: O'Connor with a nice save of a point blank shot from Sutton.

57 minute mark: O'Connor with a save of a shot by Sutton from 20 yards.

59 minute mark: Lutton saves Mannix's shot from just outside the box.

61 minute mark: O'Connor saves a shot by O'Ellender.

72 minute mark: Bond gets it on the left wing.. dribbles up the left side of the field.. centers for Sutton who gets it in the middle of the box.. he shoots.. lower right corner.. O'Connor dives.. can't get to it.. GOAL. Down 1-0.

72 minute mark: I sub Seyi Morgan in for Moore, Kennedy in for Mulligan. Also, I put Davies in for Barker who has not impressed in the AMC slot. Also, I tell the team to strongly push the attack.

80 minute mark: Mannix intercepts it at midfield.. long pass to Davies.. Davies in the box.. shoots.. wide left.

Game over. 1-0 loss.

we both had 10 shots (they had 6 on goal, we had 2 on goal)

Mannix wins MoM, 40 of 50 passes, 6 of 8 tackles, 3 of 4 headers, 3 interceptions.

O'Connor also had a nice game with 5 saves and got an 8 for form.

Eaglesfan27

01-24-2005, 05:50 PM

Post Game:

Despite giving up a goal, O'Connor had a solid game. In fact, he has an 8 for form in 4 of the last 5 games including the last 2. I decide to praise his recent performances to the media.

Eaglesfan27

01-24-2005, 05:51 PM

Feb. 17, 2008 -

Today I met with Mr. Fotherby and asked if the stadium could be expanded at all. He regretfully informed me that funds are not sufficient to improve the stadium at this time. He hopes to be able to expand the stadium in the future.

Eaglesfan27

01-24-2005, 06:01 PM

Feb. 19, 2008 -

Today fans of the team wrote to the local newspaper in the thousands. They all agree that Richard O'Connor has been setting the world alight at Wetherby Raod and they are loving every minute of his performances this year.

Grant Black twisted his ankle in practice this week. He will miss about 2 weeks.

David Morley was selected to the English League 2 team of the week.

Wakefield & Emley have made an offer to borrow our young left fullback Marc Smith for 3 months. They will pay 100% of his salary during this time. I do it to give him a chance to get some first team football.

Sheffield United just made a 1.4 million dollar bid on a young left fullback that I like (Matthew Bates.) Again, I can't help but wonder if I was foolish to pass up that job with its signficant resources.

Eaglesfan27

01-24-2005, 06:48 PM

Feb 23, 2008 -

Mike Davies injured his wrist during training yesterday and will likely miss about a week.

Eaglesfan27

01-24-2005, 06:53 PM

Feb. 23, 2008 -

We are currently in 1st place by 3 points now with 12 games to go in the season. Today we host Mansfield. Mansfield is currently 11th in the league. They are led by midfielder Jamie McClen who has 5 goals and has played a solid all around game this year. Left fullback Adam Eaton is the intimidator on defense while Ian Sharps plays with great positioning at the centreback position. Right winger Alex Neil is suspended. Their top two strikers, Colin Larkin and Derek Asamoah are both out injured. As a result, they will have to rely on Peter Ferris and Gary Birch at forward. Neither have played particularly well this year.

They beat us 3-2 on the road earlier in the year.

They are even odds favorites.

It's sunny with temperatures in the high 40's.

GK: O'Connor
DL: Barnard
DC: McShane
DC: Wall
DR: Morley
ML: Wright
MC: Mannix
MR: Collett
AMC: Kelly
SC: Moore
SC: Palmer

S1: Scarsella
S2: Baker
S3: Kennedy
S4: Seyi Morgan
S5: Barnett

Eaglesfan27

01-24-2005, 07:09 PM

7 minute mark: Wall with a nice tackle to stop a Birch breakaway.

26 minute mark: Eaton with a good tackle to stop a Palmer breakaway.

29 minute mark: Jervis gets a yellow card for a trip on Palmer.

Halftime: 0-0. Nice home crowd of 3622 fans announced.

I decide to tell the team to be more aggressive in pursuing the attack.

62 minute mark: Mannix passes it to Palmer in the right corner of the pitch.. he centers to the far post... Moore gets it.. settles it.. shoots.. right over the bar.

Kelly is having a rare bad game with a 5 for form, but I decide to stick with him for a bit longer.

Wright is tired, I decide to sub in Baker for him.

74 minute mark: Kelly had plenty of opportunity to turn it around, but I yank him as he still has a 5 for form. I move Baker into his slot, put Barnett in at left wing (where Baker was) and I put in Kennedy for Moore.

83 minute mark: Palmer gets a yellow card for a trip on McClen.

Game over. 0-0 tie.

We outshot them 5-3 (2-0 on goal in our favor)

Ian Sharps wins MoM, 36 of 45 passes, 5 of 7 tackles, 10 of 10 headers, 2 interceptions.