FM: P'boro Utd., Year 4 (07-08) -- One More Step

[Butter]

Continue to follow your favorite fictional Football Manager 2005 squad here, as I try to get this team over the hump and into the big 20 of the Premiership.

If you're new, try stepping backwards a bit here (http://dynamic5.gamespy.com/~fof/forums/showthread.php?t=36893).

Or read forward to discover our fate... can we finally bring the Posh fans what they desire?

[Butter]

Team History
Competitions
League finishes:
2004/05 - 11-19-16, 17th in League One
2005/06 - 27-10-9, 1st in League One
2006/07 - 17-15-14, 11th in Championship

FA Cup:
2004/05 - Sixth Round
2005/06 - Third Round
2006/07 - Fourth Round

League Cup:
2004/05 - First Round
2005/06 - First Round
2006/07 - Second Round

Average attendance
2004/05 - 6,829
2005/06 - 7,447
2006/07 - 12,315

Our cash on hand at the start of July is over $5.5 million thanks to the season ticket sales, which are about the same as last year, and the TV revenue. Still, we're a bit hamstrung by being a good bit over our wage budget already.

Valois is named the Supporters' Player of the Year for the 2nd straight season.

We are given $1.1 million for TV rights for the upcoming '07-'08 season.

The board and supporters drop from delighted to very pleased with my performance, with the fans expecting a "respectable league position" this year.

As June gets ready to turn into the always busy July, our youth system turns out a really good looking player... 17 year old D/DMC Kevin Grant signs a professional contract, and will be with our reserve squad for $20k per season until 2010. But this kid is lightning fast, and is an amazing physical specimen. He possesses decent defending skill already, just needs work on his positioning and the mental aspect of the game before he's ready to contribute.

July finally rolls around, and we sign:
-27 year old AMRLC Kenny Lunt from Crewe, for $240k per season through 2010.

-22 year old AMC Inzaghi from Portuguese club team U. Lamas, for $18k per season through 2011, he'll be a reservist.

-30 year old D/DMC Talal El Karkouri from Charlton Athletic, for $220k per season through 2009.

-23 year old left back Alessandro Potenza from Inter Milan, for $280k per season (+10% per season wage rise) through 2010.

-22 year old striker Franco Cataldo from AC Milan, for $240k per season through 2011.

Leaving the club are:
-29 year old striker Steve Basham. He leaves having not played for the senior club in 2 years, after signing for us in my first season as coach from Oxford. He scored 2 goals in 35 appearances in '04-'05.

-30 year old central defender Chris Plummer. He was a 2 year starter before being moved to the bench last season. He was a solid performer, but we have no room for him on the club any more... his ratings beside the defending ones are terrible. He appeared in 101 games over the last 3 seasons, with a 7.13 average rating.

-33 year old attacking midfielder Paul Shaw. Shaw tore it up last year, after being relegated to the bench by the breakout of Andy Monkhouse. Shaw is aging, and his ratings are on the decline. And he wants way too much money to be retained. He appeared in 123 games over 3 seasons, and scored 26 goals and dished out 20 assists while averaging a 7.11.

-28 year old striker Derek Holmes. Holmes had a decent year last season, but we're striker heavy, and don't need Derek to stick around. He appeared in 62 games in the last 3 seasons, starting in '04-'05, and scoring 16 goals and tallying 8 assists while averaging a 6.95 over this period.

-24 year old right fullback David Hunt. Hunt appeared in very few games over 2 seasons for us.

-21 year old right side defender Shane Huke. Huke was a career reservist for us.

[Butter]

Our wage budget settles at around $4.05 million, which is $200k over budget. Too bad, I want to win. And I've already got guys grumbling about their measly wages now, but the board refuses to up the budget, so I have to make do.

Another pull from our youth system, as 17 year old central defender Ian Holmes signs a pro contract with the team. He has good heading and tackling numbers, just lacks a bit on the marking side, and is a bit slower than you'd want out of a central defender, but he could grow into a solid player.

With the retirement of a physio, we sign Irish physio Frank Quinn to a one year contract worth $50k to join the coaching staff. Quinn is a top notch physio, and is 42 years old.

Our pre-season friendly list is finalized:
July 8, @ Stoke (L2)
July 14, v. Arsenal Reserves
July 18, @ Lincoln (L2)
July 21, v. Crystal Palace (EPL)
July 28, v. Benfica (POR - 2007 UEFA Cup runner-up)

Quite excited about that final matchup against an elite European side.

Then our league season starts on Aug. 4th with Everton visiting London Road.

17 year old keeper Ryan Russell signs a pro contract with the squad, for $8k per through 2010. He needs a lot of work.

For those of you not familiar, we run a 4-4-2 diamond formation, with a defensive midfielder, 2 wingers attacking down the field, and an attacking midfielder, but no one roaming the center circle. We like to use attacking tactics, a shorter passing game, and have our 2 central defenders stay dropped to avoid those messy breakaways when possible.

July 8, Friendly #1
@ Stoke City

Lineup:
GK: Masalin
Def: Pritchard, Landgren, Traore, Carr
Mid: Navarro, Daniels, Hermsen, Salibur
Str: Cataldo, Faulkner

Only Franco Cataldo out of this group is an expected starter this year, a few backups and some reservists mixed in as well to start the pre-season.

James Faulkner absolutely skins the defense with a run from near midfield beating 2 defenders and powering a shot past the Stoke keeper to put us up after just 3 minutes. Stoke equalizes in the 19th minute, as Navarro tackles from behind a striker getting ready to receive a pass. They convert the PK. Stoke scores on a cross and flick into the net in the 28th, and our defense and Masalin look pretty ragged. Salibur and Faulkner pick up 8's in the first half, while Masalin and Navarro struggle with 5's. The 2nd half subs enter. Jim Johansen terrorizes Stoke in the second half, and gets the equalizer in the 72nd to finish the game 2-2. Sub goalie Pasquale Argenio picks up an 8, but he didn't face much pressure from the hunkered down Stoke defense.

Draw, 2-2
A: 13,501

Left winger Charlie Daniels is loaned out to Oxford for 3 months, with the league 2 side picking up his wage bill for the duration.

Lamine Traore pulls his groin in practice, and will miss most of the remainder of the pre-season... not great for a guy who is pretty borderline in the starting lineup as it is.

July 11, Friendly #2
v. Arsenal Reserves

Lineup:
GK: Kruse
Def: Potenza, El Karkouri, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Campo, Monkhouse, Lunt, Eriksson
Str: Cataldo, Hammond

Mostly starters today, though Monkhouse, Lunt, and Eriksson are all essentially battling for 2 starting jobs.

Franco Cataldo runs all over the Arsenal defense, but some great saves keep it scoreless at the half, as our first team just dominate the Gunners' reservists. We play pretty well in the second half with El Karkouri the only 2 half player, playing in def. midfield in the 2nd half, and playing very well. But in the end, infamous referee Rob Styles calls Sagi Burton for jumping unfairly with an Arsenal player in the box in the 73rd, and we yield our 2nd PK of the pre-season to lose. 7's for everyone in this one, but we dominated this game.

Loss, 0-1
A: 432

July 18, Friendly #3
@ Lincoln (L2)

Lineup:
GK: Myhre
Def: Pritchard, Burton, Cave, Carr
Mid: Fox, Eriksson, Devlin, Salibur
Str: Faulkner, Puustinen

Not much going on in the first half, Eriksson rates a 5 and everyone else a 7 as we bring on the subs. An own goal in the 84th minute by Lincoln gives us the win, as they try to head away a close in Valois cross, but end up putting it in their own net. Myhre, Carr, Cave, and Fox get 8's, and reserve keeper Peter Karlsson played very well in the second half, making 2 excellent saves and earning a 9. The game was fairly even, and Lincoln had more chances than we did, but sometimes it's better to be lucky....

Win, 0-1
A: 10,827

Mika Aaritalo finally returns to regular training after his nasty hip injury.

July 21, Friendly #4
v. Crystal Palace (EPL)

Lineup:
GK: Myhre
Def: Potenza, Dakinah, El Karkouri, Sarr
Mid: Campo, Valois, Lunt, Monkhouse
Str: Cataldo, Hammond

The first half is surprisingly even, with us controlling the final 20 minutes or so, but not getting any decent shots in. In the 66th, Aaritalo is fouled going for a 12 yard header in the box, and we get a penalty. Johansen converts, and we lead the Eagles. Then Aaritalo feeds Johansen on the counter attack, and Jim scores again in the 74th. We nearly score again, but Eriksson's shot marked for the far post is brilliantly turned aside. Myhre, Kruse, Pritchard, Aaritalo, and Johansen all pick up 8's in the impressive victory. Sub Inzaghi also played well, earning an 8 for much of the 2nd half.

Win, 2-0
A: 3,915

Reserve DM Jamie Day goes on loan to Chester.

Former Man U. starlet FRC David Bellion agrees on a trial run with us for a couple of weeks. He's a decent looking player with blazing speed, but he won't even talk contract with us, so it's a big waste of time for everyone.

A funny note as QPR sign midfielder David Dunn to a big deal, then 2 days later he's ruled out for 8 months with a serious knee injury.

We start our regulars in the final game of the season. Here's what our opening day lineup will look like (barring injury):

GK: Myhre
Def: Potenza, El Karkouri, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Campo, Valois, Lunt, Monkhouse
Str: Johansen, Hammond

Newly acquired striker Franco Cataldo will get lots of playing time, but I can't sit Johansen, especially after scoring 2 against Crystal Palace. Nor can I sit Hammond, who has proven his goal-scoring capability. Cataldo will get his chances.

July 28, Friendly #5
v. Benfica (POR)

The first good chance for either side is a 25th minute shot by Monkhouse that hits the foot of the post. We insert Bellion and Cataldo after Valois gets injured and Hammond picks up a yellow. We get a bit chippy around halftime, earning cards shortly before and afterwards, but we're hanging with Benfica, not being dominated in the midfield as I expected, but rather playing them evenly. In the 52nd, Lunt sends a terrific ball to Cataldo, who has just 1 man in support against 4 defenders, but he centers for Johansen, who charges and heads it in! We don't keep them out of net too long, as striker Mantorras blasts a hellacious shot from the left corner of the area, and it curls around Myhre and in to even the score in the 65th. Few chances the rest of the game, and that's how it ends. Can't help feel we could've done better, as it's 7's across the board again.

Draw, 1-1
A: 15,217

Burnley make me an offer of $100k for Lukas Kruse. 25% of any fee will go to his former club in Germany, Paderborn. I decide to accept, and try to tack on a 10% of next sale clause. They don't go for it, and I decide to go ahead and pocket the $75k, since I'm not figuring to re-sign Lukas next year anyway. He leaves us with 38 clean sheets in 96 starts, allowing 104 goals all tolled. His average rating was just above 7.3. Pasquale Argenio becomes our #2 keeper. I was paying him $90k per season, but Burnley gives him $320k per year through 2010.

Odds for promotion:
Leeds, 7:4
Wolves, Leicester, Nott'm Forest, West Ham, 2:1
Bolton, 5:2
.
.
.
Peterborough, 20:1

We're picked for about a mid-table finish. We'll see! It's time to get ill!

[Butter]

Ryan Semple goes on loan to Oxford, making already our 4th loaned out player this year.

We draw well for the League Cup, getting newly promoted League One side Yeovil to come to London Road.

You've already seen our opening lineup, so let's get to it. A tough test early on as we host Everton.

Aug. 4, 2007, Match 1
v. Everton (finished 5th in Champ. last year, eliminated in Playoff Semi-finals)
Series: Toffees lead 1-2-0
Fav: Toffees, 5:4

4'- Everton with a good cross to 8 yards, where Leon Osman heads it, but Myhre with a very good reflex save.

9'- Hammond nods down a long ball from Dakinah to Monkhouse... Andy draws 2 defenders, then sends it back to Elvis, who is in alone... he attacks the keeper from the right, then slots it inside the far post! 1-0, Posh! Great start to the season!

22'- Great steal by Potenza, to Johansen... Johansen runs down the left, and Hammond does a good job of holding his run until Johansen's defender would play him onside... then he gets another free chance on the keeper, but this time it's saved.

34'- A short cross is picked off by Myhre before it can find the target alone at the back post.

47'- Valois with a cross to Hammond, it's cut out... but Valois recovers, then slips another ball in to Hammond, who shoots on the half volley and scores! What a start for Hammond, it's 2-0, Elvis leads Everton!

51'- 20 yard free kick for Everton, and Myhre with a world class save to keep the ball out of the top right corner.

58'- Monkhouse with a great through ball to Hammond, and he totally botches the hat-trick attempt.

60'- Hammond has to come out of the game injured. Franco Cataldo on for him.

78'- Cataldo is played onside by Johansen, but his shot is straight at the keeper... El Karkouri intercepts the keeper's long ball, and gets it back ahead to Monkhouse, who beats one man and has another free shot at the Toffee netminder, but can't score.

90'+- El Karkouri with a long throw into the box, Cataldo flicks it backwards to an unmarked Sarr at the back post... Sarr with a vicious strike from 6 yards to seal the win! 3-0!

We get off to a flying start to the season with this win, much better than last year's winless through 7 games start. Andy Monkhouse picks up a 9 and MoM honors for his assertive attacking play, including an assist. Hammond, the entire back line (including Myhre), and Valois also pick up 8's for this effort. I just hope Elvis isn't hurt too badly.

Win, 3-0, start in 1st place
Shots/on target: Posh 12/7, Toffees 8/4
Poss: 53-47, Toffees
A: 11,516

Elvis Hammond will be out nearly a month with a badly sprained ankle. Yuck!

[Butter]

Community Shield - from Wembley
Man Utd. 2:1 Chelsea

I notice that Jim Johansen wants a new contract now... I ask him what he wants, and he says $550k for 3 years, and a nearly $400k signing bonus.... Um, no? He is signed for 2 more years for $28k. How about that.

Next up, Plymouth Argyle. Several lineup alterations thanks to the short turnaround. Lineup:
GK: Myhre
Def: Pritchard, Traore, Sarr, Carr
Mid: El Karkouri, Eriksson, Devlin, Fox
Str: Aaritalo, Cataldo

Aug. 7, Match 2
1-0-0, 1st pl., 3 pts.
v. Plymouth Argyle (lost at Preston N.E., 3-0)
Series: Posh lead 3-0-1
Fav: Posh, 4:5

16'- An errant ball by Plymouth, as a pass runs by a defender, and Aaritalo runs onto it... Mika with a shot from 10 yards, and it's pushed aside.

26'- After a few more chances, Fox with a great cross for Aaritalo, but his header hits the upright and bounces clear.

44'- Devlin with a terrific cross for Cataldo, but the ball just bends out of play.

61'- Lunt in for El Karkouri, and Johansen on for a tiring Cataldo. Lunt moves to the attack, Fox back to DMC.

84'- Navarro comes in for Sarr, and we try to force the issue against an extremely passive Argyle defense.

It doesn't work. The last half hour, they were clearly just playing for the scoreless draw, which they earn. Well done. No one rates above a 7 for us.

Draw, 0-0, drop to 5th
Shots/on target: Posh 9/3, Argyle 0/0
Poss: 54-46, Argyle
A: 6,466

Sarr bruised a rib late in this one, and will be out just a couple of days.

[Butter]

I got a thunderbolt while at home earlier. Why not play a completely surprise formation every now and then to totally confuse people? I would have to think this would be especially effective on the road. So, that's what we do today against West Ham United. It's a 1-7-2.... yes, that's right. Here's how it works... there's a sweeper (El Karkouri), and 4 defensive midfielders, with the 2 outside DM's playing back in defensive support... but the midfield on looks similar, with 2 wingers, an AMC, and 2 strikers. We go with defensive tactics, and the offside trap along with a strong counter-attack.
Lineup:
GK: Myhre
Sweeper: El Karkouri
DM: Potenza, Navarro, Campo, Dakinah
Mid: Valois, Lunt, Monkhouse
Str: Johansen, Cataldo

Aug. 11, Match 3
1-1-0, 5th pl., 4 pts.
@ West Ham United (1-0-1, 11th pl., 3 pts.)
Series: Posh lead 1-3-0
Fav: Hammers, Evens

6'- Valois with a free kick about 10 yards from the end line. He plays it back to Navarro, who sends in a deep cross to the edge of the six, where Cataldo rises above 3 defenders and heads it in! Great goal, 1-0 Posh!

10'- Potenza with a long ball back to Myhre, who plays it long to Lunt... Lunt with a great flick on to Cataldo, who slips it to Johansen... Johansen with a first touch strike and goal! 2-0 out of the gate!

11'- Off the ensuing kickoff, Dakinah steals it down the right, then sends it to Monkhouse... Andy to Johansen with acres of space... Johansen to Valois, who cuts it toward the middle, then back left, beating at least 2 defenders... Valois shoots near post and scores! 3-0, Posh!

We back off after that wondrous start, going back to the old 4-4-2, and employing defensive, counter-attacking tactics.

25'- Monkhouse is given all sorts of room, and dribbles 50 yards, shooting from about 15 yards... a great save keeps the hard shot out.

44'- West Ham get the better of play, and finally dent the scoresheet with a left sided cross and header inside the near post... except the flag went up on the cross... we remain 3-0 into the 2nd half.

71'- Myhre with a mistake... a striker beats Dakinah, then Myhre comes out to try to smother the ball, but it gets away from him and is tapped in to bring it to 3-1.

The final whistle goes, and the experiment was a success! We absolutely torpedoed West Ham's attacking style. Kofi Dakinah gets the MoM honor, earning an 8 thanks to his dogged effort. Potenza, Navarro, Lunt, and Cataldo also pick up 8's in the victory.

Win, 1-3, up to 2nd place
Shots/on target: Hammers 17/7, Posh 9/6
Poss: 55-45, Hammers
A: 25,134

[Butter]

Alessandro Potenza is picked in the Team of the Week.

Rotherham offers us $180k for Thomas Myhre. Now I know what you're saying... are you crazy? But Myhre's contract is up at season's end, and I don't really think he's my long term keeper either, especially considering that he's aging rapidly, currently 34. I decide to hunt for another keeper before deciding on the offer.

They also offer us $150k for Lamine Traore. Traore was disappointing last year, only averaging around a mediocre 7 for the season. He's been dropped from the first team setup altogether this year, but I still like the kid... it seems the main qualities he lacks are positioning and a hard work ethic. I counter for $200k. They accept, and I still don't know if I want to part with him. I take the full week to consider it, and resolve to start him this week.

We get Portsmouth's keeper Andrea Guatelli to join us on loan... Guatelli has superb skill for a keeper, we'll try him out before selling Myhre, but is weak at decision making and positioning, which seems to be part of Myhre's problem as well. Guatelli's contract is expiring at season's end, so if he's good, we'll sign him (or attempt to). He's only making $52k for this year, and his worth is set at $1.2 million, but Portsmouth have him listed for just $260k. If he's good, I'll pay them to get him early. Guatelli joins us for just 3 months, and will start this week as well before we decide on selling Myhre.

Barnsley contact us about buying David Fox... Fox's listed value is just under $200k right now. But he's relatively cheap, $110k, and signed through 2010, so I'm loathe to let him go cheap. I say $400k.

We make a visit to Rotherham this week, and put Traore in the lineup for their benefit, I guess.

Lineup:
GK: Guatelli
Def: Potenza, El Karkouri, Traore, Dakinah
Mid: Campo, Valois, Lunt, Monkhouse
Str: Johansen, Cataldo

Aug. 18, Match 4
2-1-0, 2nd pl., 7 pts.
@ Rotherham (1-1-1, 11th pl., 4 pts.)
Series: Posh lead 2-0-0
Fav: Posh, 5:4

4'- The Millers with a good straight shot that Guatelli handles easily, nice way to get the feet wet.

9'- Monkhouse with a piledriver from 25 yards that the keeper has to fully extend on to keep out at the near post... great save.

11'- Cataldo with a nice run, he fires a shot that is tipped over the post. Traore fires a long shot off a corner kick, but it's deflected out.

14'- Good save by Guatelli off a long range shot, but it's deflected.

16'- A long cross in from the left, and Guatelli alertly deflects it over before allowing it in the goal.

33'- The Rotherham keeper continues to frustrate Monkhouse, saving another well-struck shot from 18 yards with a diving effort across the goalmouth. Still 0-0.

44'- Cataldo breaks free on the right, and aims far post, just missing.

Traore continues to not perform particularly well.

49'- Good short cross to the near post that Guatelli's a bit slow in reacting to, and it's headed in. 1-0, Millers.

We switch to that deadly 1-4-3-2 from last match for a spell. Sarr comes in for an ineffective Traore to be the sweeper.

59'- Guatelli watches a shot hit the crossbar, then charges a long way out to try and fetch it, meanwhile Rotherham pass the ball around the box, and Campo saves a goal with a good clearance.

63'- Johansen with a wicked shot that goes high.

78'- Devlin for Valois, who is struggling, and we switch Monkhouse to the left, and Lunt to the center.

83'- Monkhouse whistles a low shot past the far post.

87'- Johansen with a good cross to a wide open Cataldo at the spot, and he pretty much whiffs on the shot, lobbing an easy one to the keeper.

90'+- Devlin with a ripping cross to Aaritalo, who heads it from 10 yards just over the bar.

We put all sorts of good attacking together, and still managed to not score. Kofi Dakinah continues his run of good form with an 8. Everyone else rated a 6 or 7.

Loss, 1-0, drop to 5th
Shots/on target: Millers 9/4, Posh 23/7
Poss: 53-47, Millers
A: 9,050

[Butter]

I accept the bid for Traore, then Barnsley comes in and agrees to the $400k price for Fox. I agree to sell him. I like Fox, but I have a wealth of defensive midfielders right now as Navarro, El Karkouri, and Campo can all play the position. Fox made 35 appearances last year, scoring twice with 2 assists, and a 7.11 average rating. Traore made 40 appearances last year, and averaged a defensive worst 7.05. He had a 6.50 through 2 appearances in this season.

Andrea Guatelli tears a groin muscle, and will be out 4 weeks.

David Fox agrees to terms with Barnsley ($340k/yr. thru 2010), and Traore agrees with Rotherham (and has to get another work permit for some reason, but does, and signs for $220k/yr. thru 2010), and I add another $600k to our transfer budget.

Sadly, I can't pull the trigger on unloading Myhre just yet, but I decide to give recent signee Pasquale Argenio a shot today... he's not got top drawer keeper ability, but is smart and has good physical talent.

We host League One Yeovil in the League Cup, so we get to play some scrubs today.
Lineup (italics indicate reserve call-up):
GK: Argenio
Def: Pritchard, Burton, Cave, Carr
Mid: Navarro, Devlin, Eriksson, Inzaghi
Str: Aaritalo, Faulkner

Aug. 22, League Cup First Round
v. Yeovil (2nd in League One)
Fav: Posh, 4:7

Not much action early, Yeovil send a shot well wide of target.

22'- Inzaghi with a good pass to Faulkner, who turns on his man and shoots off the crossbar!

43'- Excellent cross to a striker about 12 yards out for Yeovil, he tees it up and Argenio with a fine diving save to slap it aside.

The squad is not exactly tearing it up, but hopefully we can make a 2nd half breakthrough with our 2nd and 3rd team players on the pitch.

56'- Carr with a great ball to Faulkner, who tracks it down on the right of the box, then crosses to the far post... Inzaghi's header is wide.

67'- Cataldo on for Faulkner, Lunt in for Inzaghi.

We just can't generate any chances here....

87'- 15 yard shot for the Glovers, but it's deflected on it's way to Argenio... Pasquale adjusts well and deflects it wide, then falls on the rebound.

We end regulation scoreless, but in the League Cup, there is extra time, unlike in the FA Cup which doesn't see extra time until 2 full games have been played through even.

97'- Eriksson sends a pacey cross in to Cataldo, who dives onto it and scores!! 1-0, Posh!

Sarr on for Aaritalo, and we switch to a 5-4-1.

105'- Lunt nearly makes it 2-0, but his open shot from 10 yards bounces off the upright.

112'- Lunt dribbles from our own half, past 2 defenders with speed, and fires it straight past the keeper for a 2-0 lead.

The final whistle goes, and we advance! A tough outing, but our 2 67th minute subs make the difference. Tobias Eriksson with the MoM honors, rating an 8... Navarro, Devlin, and Lunt also pick up 8's. Argenio played well, he'll earn some more starts with that kind of play.

Win, 2-0 in extra time, advance to Second Round
Shots/on target: Posh 17/6, Glovers 10/2
Poss: 51-49, Posh
A: 3,096

You could say the city of Peterborough does not yet have Carling Cup fever.

Champions League Final Qualifying Phase, Results
How about this? CSKA Moscow knocks out Inter, winning at home 2-1, and advancing on the strength of their away goals, having lost 3-2 at the San Siro. Juventus squeaks past unheralded Austrian side Grazer AK 1-0 on aggregate. Southampton fall to Olympique Lyonnais 3-2 on agg., dropping their home game 2-0 to lose the matchup. Northern Irish side Linfield nearly beat Paris St. Germain to advance, but lost 4-3 on agg.

[Butter]

We earn $36,000 for our Cup victory.

I think I may give Guatelli, Argenio, and Masalin some time to battle out the keeper spot amongst themselves. It's a tricky thing to do, to allow a keeper battle to play out during a season, but if I want to cash in on Myhre before he leaves us, it's my only option for right now.

Rotherham and Gillingham agree to our $170k asking price, and they'll fight it out for his rights.

European Super Cup - From Stade Louis II, Monaco
Chelsea 1:0 Real Betis
-Didier Drogba scored in the 18th minute, and Chelsea hunkered down and kept their lines clear to secure the victory. Betis only managed to bother Petr Cech once, and he was up to the task.

We get a rough draw for the Second Round, as Middlesbrough will come to London Road in mid-September.

Next up, we host Derby County as the lineup gets back to normal.
GK: Argenio
Def: Potenza, El Karkouri, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Campo, Valois, Lunt, Monkhouse
Str: Johansen, Cataldo

Aug. 25, Match 5
2-1-1, 6th pl., 7 pts.
v. Derby (2-0-2, 14th pl., 6 pts.)
Series: Even, 1-0-1
Fav: Rams, 6:4

We run circles around Derby for the first half hour, but can't finish anything.

27'- Cataldo lays a ball square for Monkhouse, who tries to settle it and turn around... but he is taken down from behind at about 25 yards. The defender who took him down gets a red card! It was a bad tackle from behind, so it's deserved. Valois' free kick is not close, but we do get the man advantage for the final hour.

38'- The advantage pays off, as Cataldo receives a throw in, then lays it back to El Karkouri in the arc, who shoots from there... it deflects off a defender and goes in! 1-0, Posh on El Karkouri's first Posh goal!

40'- Great long ball to a striker in the box for Derby, he has a free shot from 8 yards, but Argenio with a nice save!

54'- Cataldo with a fierce shot from 10 yards, but it's saved nicely... and deflected for a throw. El Karkouri finds Lunt, who gets it Monkhouse on the left... the cross for Lunt is headed clear, but right to the foot of Ivan Campo, who has a go from 25 yards and it bends into the upper corner! What a strike by Campo to put us up 2-0!

57'- Lunt with a shot at a charging keeper, but it's deflected... Johansen with the follow-up, another nice save!

76'- Johansen with an excellent cross to Cataldo, who stands alone at the back post, but his header isn't quite forceful enough and is saved. Lunt with the ensuing corner... he crosses to Andy Monkhouse who heads it in at the near post! Monkhouse's 1st of the year, and we lead 3-0 now!

Navarro on for Campo, Eriksson for Valois, and Burton for Cataldo as we try to preserve our legs a bit.

Kenny Lunt gets injured very late, however, and we go to 10 men each for the final 5 minutes or so.

Andy Monkhouse with the perfect 10 and MoM, Lunt and Potenza with great 9's, and Campo and Valois pick up 8's in a dominating performance. The man advantage helped, of course. Argenio played well again in goal.

Win, 3-0, up to 3rd place
Shots/on target: Posh 19/6, Rams 6/1
Poss: 53-47, Posh
A: 12,047

[Butter]

Potenza, Campo, and Monkhouse all are selected in the Team of the Week.

Myhre agrees terms with Gillingham, and he'll leave us rather unceremoniously. Myhre signs with Gillingham for $440k for this season. He started in 33 games for us, and allowed 36 goals.

Next up, a road game at newly promoted Ipswich. Lineup:
GK: Masalin
Def: Potenza, El Karkouri, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Navarro, Valois, Lunt, Eriksson
Str: Johansen, Cataldo

Aug. 28, Match 6
3-1-1, 3rd pl., 10 pts.
@ Ipswich Town (2-2-1, 10th pl., 8 pts.)
First meeting
Fav: Tractor Boys, 5:4

11'- First action of the game is a deep Dakinah throw-in... Lunt tries to cross for Johansen, but it's headed back to Kenny... Lunt squares it to El Karkouri, who has acres of space, and strikes from 25 yards straight into the upper left corner! What a goal, El Karkouri's 2nd of the year, it's 1-0, Posh!

23'- Lunt with a fierce shot, but a nice fingertip save denies him.

31'- Masalin with a good deflection of a screaming 20 yard free kick, and Dakinah clears.

45'- Lunt with a 50 yard pass to Johansen, who holds his man back... Jim is free on the keeper, gets him to ground early, then slots it home! 2-0, Posh!

Ipswich apply consistent pressure for a good half hour, but can't hit the target... Masalin only has to make 1 save on about 6 attempts at goal.

80'- Campo on for Cataldo, Devlin replaces Lunt. We switch to a 4-5-1.

83'- Navarro with an interception in midfield, and he gets a diagonal pass right onto the run of Johansen... Jim attacks from the right this time, and slots it home! Johansen's 2nd of the game, and we lead 3-0!

Ipswich pretty much give up after the 3rd goal, and we wind the clock down for the win! Talal El Karkouri with a fine game, earning MoM honors, and a 9. Navarro also with a 9, Masalin, Dakinah, Lunt, and Johansen pick up 8's.

Win, 0-3, up 1 spot to 2nd
Shots/on target: Tractor Boys 15/2, Posh 10/8
Poss: 50-50
A: 26,858

With the win, we get the board and the supporters back to "delighted" with my coaching. As if I've given them reason to be unhappy.

[Butter]

Defender Chris Carr, who was on the transfer list by request because he was upset at his removal from the senior squad last season, has requested to be removed from the transfer list now that I've left him on the senior squad this year. I remove him.

Elvis Hammond finally returns to full training, and will return for our next match, which is a good 10 days off.

Jim Johansen raises his value by scoring a hat trick in the Norwegian U-21 match against Finland's U-21's. Tobias Eriksson also scores for Sweden's U-21's against Iceland in a loss.

Andy Monkhouse finishes 2nd in the Player of the Month voting, while I finish 3rd in the Manager of the Month voting.

El Karkouri and Johansen are picked in the Team of the Week.

17 year old keeper Stephen Richardson signs a professional contract for $8k per year for 4 years for our U-18 squad.

Monkhouse complains in the paper about his pay deal... but I'm not upping his pay, he already gets $200k and can leave if someone offers me $1.7 million. Which I'm still waiting on. Crewe and Millwall are the latest interested parties, but no offers yet.

Johansen and Eriksson both score again in mid-week U-21 matches. Someone please offer me the house for Johansen.

Next up, Luton who are struggling during their year of promotion. Lineup:
GK: Argenio
Def: Potenza, El Karkouri, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Campo, Valois, Lunt, Monkhouse
Str: Johansen, Hammond

Sept. 8, Match 7
4-1-1, 2nd pl., 13 pts.
v. Luton (2-0-4, 19th pl., 6 pts.)
Series: Posh lead 2-1-1
Fav: Posh, 4:5

3'- Elvis Hammond almost makes his return felt immediately... he shoots near post after a through ball by Monkhouse, but it's just tipped wide.

Luton do a good job of keeping the ball in front of them and not allowing through balls.

28'- Lunt switches play to Johansen... Jim attacks the end line like he's going to cross it, then when the defender backs off him just an inch, he cuts the ball inside and shoots low at the far post.... and scores! 1-0, Posh! Johansen's on fire!

32'- Johansen almost does it again off a rebound from a Hammond shot, but it's tackled away.

36'- A Lunt free kick finds Valois down the left... he crosses across the six, and Monkhouse stands at the back post... and heads it in! 2-0!

40'- Valois' corner is cleared... but it makes its way back up the pitch... Campo finds Hammond with a small opening, and he fires at the far post from 15 yards... and scores! Elvis Hammond won't let Johansen outdo him, and we're trouncing the Hatters 3-0 before the interval.

46'- A Luton midfielder with a horrible tackle on Valois, and he's sent off. Valois is lucky he wasn't hurt, but as if we needed an advantage, now we've got one.

51'- Valois exacts revenge for the tackle, with a 25 yard straight on free kick, he finds the upper corner! 4-0!

69'- Cataldo on for Johansen, Navarro for Hammond, and Eriksson for Monkhouse as we try to avoid injury.

We pretty much just kick the ball around for the remainder of the game and take the easy win. Andy Monkhouse with another MoM in a terrific 9-rated outing. Valois and Campo also with 9's, as Dakinah, El Karkouri, Lunt, Johansen, and Hammond pick up 8's.

Check out these stats, by the way:

Win, 4-0, up to 1st place
Shots/on target: Posh 23/11, Hatters 0/0
Poss: 63-37, Posh
A: 13,207

Hull win their Sunday match and re-take the lead over us by 2 points.

[Butter]

Campo, Monkhouse, and Valois are picked in the Team of the Week.

Kenny Lunt picks up a groin strain, and will miss about 2 weeks. Also, Hammond hurts his knee in training and will miss about a week. Not a good start to the year for Elvis off the field.

Champions League Group Stage, Match Day 1
Group A
FC Kobenhavn 1:1 CSKA Moscow
Milan 0:0 Paris

Group B
Benfica 0:1 Man Utd.
Panathinaikos 0:1 Juventus

Group C
Arsenal 4:1 Deportivo
Celtic 0:0 Ajax

Group D
M. Haifa 1:3 Betis
Partizan Belgrade 3:1 Werder Bremen

Group E
Anderlecht 2:0 Wisla
Barcelona 2:2 Chelsea

Group F
Olympiakos 4:0 PSV
Valencia 0:1 Leverkusen

Group G
Feyenoord 1:3 Brondby
Lokomotiv Plovdiv 0:3 Porto

Group H
Bayern Munich 1:0 Roma
Sporting Lisbon 0:1 Lyon

Ipswich don't screw around after the beating we gave them, they sign our former DMC Alexis Nicolas from Blackpool. Nicolas was on loan to us from Chelsea a couple of years ago, and signs a big contract with the Tractor Boys worth $500k per season in addition to paying Blackpool a $1m+ transfer fee.

Next up, we visit struggling Sheffield United, who are always a tough match. Lineup:
GK: Argenio
Def: Potenza, El Karkouri, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Campo, Valois, Devlin, Monkhouse
Str: Johansen, Aaritalo

Sept. 15, Match 8
5-1-1, 2nd pl., 16 pts.
@ Sheffield United (2-1-4, 21st pl., 7 pts.)
Series: Even, 2-0-2
Fav: Posh, 6:4

2'- Valois with an impossible pass to Johansen, a foot clears it, but Monkhouse sticks a foot out and gets it to Devlin at the top of the box, who shoots on the half-volley... it hits a defender, then the keeper tips it, but can't keep it out! 1-0!

27'- A Blade midfielder looks like he's trying a long through ball, but it's way over the striker's head... sadly Argenio is caught out on it too, and it nestles inside the back post for an improbable 50 yard strike. 1-1.

34'- A Blade defender gets his 2nd yellow of the game, both for chopping down Monkhouse, and we get yet another man advantage.

41'- Argenio with a long ball to Valois, who heads it to Monkhouse... Andy finds Aaritalo between two defenders in the middle... he turns and shoots from 20 yards... and beats the keeper! We're getting everyone on the scoresheet early this year, 2-1 Posh!

68'- Campo with a steal... to Devlin... who knocks a long ball to Aaritalo behind the pushed up Blade defense... Aaritalo with 5 yards on the defender, he gathers, shoots, and scores! Mika with his 2nd of the game, and we make it 3-1! Aaritalo showing some impressive finishing skill today.

Navarro for Johansen, Eriksson for Valois, and Pritchard for Monkhouse as Campo moves to the AMC spot, and we go to a 4-5-1.

73'- Potenza clears a cross off the line, but right to a striker, who finishes from 12 yards through a crowd and cuts it to 3-2.

84'- Eriksson with a cross for Aaritalo, but it's headed clear... right to El Karkouri, who fires a half-volley from 30 yards and scores! El Karkouri with 3 goals already this year, and we put this one in the bag!

Paul Devlin earns MoM honors with his 8 from the right wing. Several other players with 8's as well, though Argenio had a disappointing 6 in net.

Win, 2-4, up to 1st place
Shots/on target: Blades 8/3, Posh 14/7
Poss: 52-48, Blades
A: 22,703

[Butter]

Sarr makes the Team of the Week.

Argenio hurts his foot in training and will be out about a week.

Then, this surprise: Andy Monkhouse says he wants to move to a bigger club, and expects there to be "developments" along this line very soon. No one shows up as interested in Andy right now, but his personal messages tell me that he wants to move to a bigger club and is hoping to attract their attention very soon.

Loaned in keeper Andrea Guatelli is progressing slowly back from his injury, so I request a physio report... and they suggest surgery to fix his groin problem. So I terminate the loan immediately. Let Portsmouth pay for that crap.

Next up, the big mid-week tussle with Premiership side Middlesbrough. They've been toiling in mid-table obscurity of late, after qualifying for the UEFA Cup 2 years ago. Lineup:
GK: Masalin
Def: Potenza, El Karkouri, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Campo, Valois, Monkhouse, Eriksson
Str: Johansen, Cataldo

Sept. 18, League Cup Second Round
v. Middlesbrough (7th in Premiership)
Fav: Boro, 4:6

A fairly even first 45, but Middlesbrough take advantage of a mistake as a man is unmarked at the back post in the 38th minute, and easily beats Masalin who had little chance to stop it. We can't counter before the break.

Nor can we counter after the break. We try all sorts of tricky crap, but just can't even really muster any decent chances. Quite a boring game, really. Sarr picks up our only 8.

Loss, 0-1, out of League Cup
Shots/on target: Posh 7/1, Boro 12/5
Poss: 51-49, Boro
A: 12,454

Another early League Cup exit. Oh well.

[Butter]

Potenza bruised his shin against Middlesbrough, and is expected to miss 5 days.

Bristol City offer me $200k for 18 year old reserve right winger Jonas Gustavsson. I take it. He's signed for only $6k through 2010, but he's not going to be playing with me before then unless he were to vastly improve his technique.

Next up, we host recently demoted Leicester. Lineup:
GK: Masalin
Def: Pritchard, El Karkouri, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Campo, Valois, Devlin, Monkhouse
Str: Johansen, Cataldo

Sept. 22, Match 9
6-1-1, 1st pl., 19 pts.
v. Leicester (2-4-2, 14th pl., 10 pts.)
First meeting
Fav: Foxes, 5:4

14'- A Leicester corner falls perfectly to a onrushing striker, who heads it into the corner. 1-0, Foxes. Bad start there.

26'- A cross and an easy half-volley for Leicester's 2nd goal, as our defense just looks whipped.

Navarro enters at the half for Devlin, and Campo moves to the right wing.

71'- Aaritalo in for Pritchard, and we try some long balls to the front, but it's looking bad.

82'- Our defense is shortchanged, as we've been on the attack, and they yield a 3rd goal on a breakaway.

We took a whippin' in this one. Masalin being in poor form didn't help. No one got above a 7, and Masalin picked up a 5.

Loss, 0-3, remain in 1st
Shots/on target: Posh 12/4, Foxes 8/3
Poss: 51-49, Posh
A: 15,283

Hull helps us out with a home loss to Reading that allows us to remain in 1st on goal difference.

[Butter]

Our keeper situation worries me. A lot. Masalin is proving that he's not going to be our #1. Ever. Argenio's injury doesn't inspire confidence, and I can't find a good keeper to loan in that won't turn his ankle after a week. I'll keep plugging away, as the transfer window is closed now anyway until January.

After a sizzling stretch of form, we've ricocheted back to Earth with 2 scoreless defeats.

Gustavsson agrees to a $12k/yr. deal with Bristol City thru 2010, and we're $200k richer. Hey, this scouting business is paying off!

Champions League Match Day 2
Group E
Chelsea 2:0 Anderlecht
Wisla 1:2 Barcelona

Group F
Leverkusen 1:1 Olympiakos
PSV 1:2 Valencia

Group G
Brondby 1:2 Loko (Plovdiv)
Porto 4:1 Feyenoord

Group H
Lyon 0:2 Bayern Munich
Roma 2:0 Sporting

Group A
CSKA Moscow 0:1 Milan
Paris 3:0 FC Kobenhavn

Group B
Juventus 0:0 Benfica
Man Utd. 2:2 Panathinaikos

Group C
Ajax 0:5 Arsenal
Deportivo 0:0 Celtic

Group D
Betis 4:0 Partizan
Werder Bremen 0:0 M. Haifa

Nearly everyone is back for our next match, on the road at Reading. Lineup:
GK: Argenio
Def: Potenza, El Karkouri, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Campo, Valois, Lunt, Monkhouse
Str: Johansen, Hammond

Sept. 29, Match 10
6-1-2, 1st pl., 19 pts.
@ Reading (3-2-4, 17th pl., 11 pts.)
Series: Royals lead 1-1-0
Fav: Royals, 6:4

14'- Valois cuts the ball inside for Johansen, who cuts it loose from 15 yards, but it takes a deflection and goes wide.

22'- Valois gets it from a throw-in on the right, then runs across the top of the box before shooting back to his right, but it's just wide.

33'- Potenza intercepts a corner kick, skins one man in the box (a dangerous but very skillful play), then finds Hammond... Hammond plays it 60 yards onto the run of Lunt... the Royal keeper sits, transfixed, on his line while Lunt gathers the ball about 12 yards from goal, then fires a blistering shot into the upper corner... 1-0!

41'- Poor midfield play results in a giveaway by Monkhouse... then a long floating cross is headed back to Argenio by Dakinah, but Pasquale totally misplays it and it goes in the net... goes down on the scoresheet as an own goal by Argenio, and it's 1-1.

Reading control the first 10 minutes of the 2nd half, but can't direct any of their 3 good chances on target.

56'- Hammond gets a header from the defensive area, and plays it on to Johansen's run down the center... Jim gathers at the top of the box, dribbles unmarked to 10 yards against the keeper, still on his line... and he doesn't miss from there! 2-1!

71'- Johansen looks to be poised to score again after another good counter-attack, but is ruled offside.

80'- A nice short cross by Reading leads to a point blank header, but it wasn't very powerful and Argenio saves it.

Navarro on for an ineffective Valois, and Burton comes on for Hammond as we switch to a 5-4-1.

85'- A deep Reading cross finds no one in the middle but Sarr... but he nearly heads it into his own net.

87'- Monkhouse with an opening on the counter attack, he shoots at a sharp angle... it's deflected to the other side where Lunt his a similar angle, but he scores with a powerful strike! 3-1, as Lunt puts it away!

Good performance all around to bounce back from that embarrassment at the hands of Leicester. Andy Monkhouse wins MoM, rating a 9. Nearly everyone else rated an 8, save Argenio and Valois, who both got 6's. If Andy's trying to attract attention, he's sure doing it. He is averaging over an 8 for the season now.

Win, 1-3, remain in 1st
Shots/on target: Royals 9/2, Posh 16/8
Poss: 55-45, Royals
A: 16,602

Reading seemed to dominate midfield, but had few chances to score, and never got close to putting the ball in our net themselves.

We're now 2 points clear of Hull for 1st place, as they draw on the road to Burnley.

[Butter]

Monkhouse finishes 3rd in Player of the Month voting, while Campo and Monkhouse are picked in the Team of the Week.

El Karkouri finishes 2nd in the Goal of the Month awards for his ripping shot against Sheffield United on the 15th. The long range Sheffield shot from that same match placed first.

We get some time off due to Euro 2008 qualifying. So I pretty much twiddle my thumbs for 2 weeks.

We sign another Scandinavian player, this time it's 19 year old D/DM-RC Mads Reginiussen. We offer his Norwegian team, Alta, 10% of next sale, and a friendly for sometime in March in exchange for the player, and they accept. Reginiussen signs for $8k per season (+10% incr. per year) thru 2012, and will join the reserves. He's a good looking young player, not far off in any aspect.

El Karkouri and Sarr are both out for the 1st Round of African World Cup Qualifying, so they'll miss our next match.

Lineup for Burnley:
GK: Argenio
Def: Potenza, Burton, Carr, Dakinah
Mid: Campo, Valois, Lunt, Monkhouse
Str: Johansen, Hammond

Oct. 13, Match 11
7-1-2, 1st pl., 22 pts.
v. Burnley (3-4-3, 15th pl., 13 pts.)
Series: Even, 1-1-1
Fav: Posh, 5:4

11'- A breakdown at the back as a player is allowed to run free up the left of the box, but luckily he shoots into the side netting from about 8 yards.

33'- Lunt's free kick is just over the bar.

41'- Another Lunt free kick, this time from the top left corner of the box, he finds the head of Hammond, who nods it right at the keeper, cleared out for a corner.

44'- Hammond's cross finds Valois, but he heads it wide.

We look a lot better here than in the first half hour of the game, which was horrific. But we're still scoreless into the 2nd half.

46'- Hammond with an 18 yard shot, hits the woodwork! Johansen with the follow up, and a brilliant save... unlucky!

50'- Valois with a 40 yard free kick... he drops it over the small wall, right to Hammond, who is barged from behind... penalty! It's noted as a "dubious decision", but we'll take it... if Johansen can convert... he shoots... right at the keeper! We stay nil-nil.

57'- Mistake by the Clarets, as a ball is nodded back to the keeper, but Johansen anticipates the pass, intercepts it and shoots from 10 yards... wide! 2 glorious chances botched by Johansen!

65'- Johansen has a seat in favor of Franco Cataldo.

73'- Lunt just takes the ball from a player at around 35 yards... he finds Hammond in the middle, who slides it to Cataldo... Franco dribbles to the spot, then shoots far post... GOAL! 1-0, Posh on Franco's first action of the game!

82'- A beautiful through ball, and Burnley's got a man in on Argenio... he comes at him from the right, then shoots... Argenio deflects it out, but right to a Burnley striker who dribbles it home from 20 yards. 1-1. It was Carr's man who made the initial run and created the goal.

88'- Another good long ball finds the same man, this time on the right wing... he sends in a dangerous cross, but Argenio gathers it.

We take the draw... our home form has gone right to crap. Lunt and Argenio earn our only 8's as we take a disappointing point from this one.

Draw, 1-1
Shots/on target: Posh 11/5, Clarets 7/3
Poss: 51-49, Clarets
A: 15,129

We remain 2 points ahead of 2nd, as Gillingham beat Derby 5-1 to pass idle Hull for 2nd place. Hull lose to Leeds at home on Sunday, and remain 3 points back of us in 3rd.

[Butter]

Champions League Match Day 3
Group E
Anderlecht 2:3 Barcelona
Wisla 0:2 Chelsea

Group F
Olympiakos 2:0 Valencia
PSV 0:1 Leverkusen

Group G
Loko (Plovdiv) 1:1 Feyenoord
Porto 4:1 Brondby

Group H
Bayern Munich 0:1 Sporting
Roma 0:1 Lyon

Group A
CSKA Moscow 2:0 Paris
FC Kobenhavn 0:2 Milan

Group B
Juventus 2:0 Man Utd.
Panathinaikos 0:0 Benfica

Group C
Arsenal 0:0 Celtic
Deportivo 4:0 Ajax

Group D
Betis 1:1 Werder Bremen
M. Haifa 1:2 Partizan

We continue to make contact around the globe in search of a new keeper, just no takers yet.

Sarr and El Karkouri return from Africa to re-join the squad for a big road match at 5th place Leeds. Lineup:
GK: Argenio
Def: Potenza, El Karkouri, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Campo, Valois, Lunt, Monkhouse
Str: Johansen, Hammond

Oct. 20, Match 12
7-2-2, 1st pl., 23 pts.
@ Leeds (5-3-3, 5th pl., 18 pts.)
Last meeting: Posh 1:2 Whites (Friendly, 7/19/05)
Fav: Whites, 4:5

Leeds look masterful in the first 8 minutes, just turning us every which way. Argenio with a fine save after a striker beat El Karkouri badly just outside the box.

9'- Dakinah with a steal, up to Hammond... back to Kofi, who finds Johansen onside... Jim is one-v-one against the keeper... and he scores! Johansen puts us up 1-0 on the road!

15'- Another nice save from Argenio on a deflected long range shot.

22'- Potenza with a nightmarish sequence, whiffing on a clearing header, then chasing the ball down, and laying it back for El Karkouri and/or Sarr, neither of whom react, and Argenio has to charge a shot down and he does well to force it wide from 10 yards.

25'- A good counter, as Lunt finds Johansen in the middle... Jim to Valois... Valois draws a defender, then finds Monkhouse in the vacated space... Andy to within 10 yards, then he slots it far post... GOAL!!! 2-0, Peterborough!

27'- Lunt nearly makes it 3-0, but his shot marked for the near post is tipped 'round the post. Valois' 1st corner is headed out for another... his 2nd comes to Elvis at the six yard mark at the far post... he heads it across goal to the near post, and it goes in! It is 3-0!

48'- Powerful shot from 25 yards by Leeds, but it just goes wide.

52'- Acres of space for Hammond, who plays the one-two with Monkhouse... Elvis with a shot at the top of the area... it's in! Poor play by the keeper, as that shot wasn't hit hard, but we go up 4-0!

64'- Cataldo on for Hammond, Eriksson for Valois, and Navarro for Campo, as we back off.

69'- A 25 yard free kick goes in past Argenio, 4-1.

74'- A ripping ball to the middle finds a striker by himself against Argenio, who can't stop it, and all of a sudden it's 4-2.

78'- Monkhouse with a cross to Cataldo, who half-volleys it from 6 yards, but right at the keeper! Should've been 5.

85'- Monkhouse rips one from 12 yards, but another good save by Leeds.

I got a little anxious there when they scored twice in 5 minutes, but we take the big road win. Elvis Hammond was superb, rating a 10 with his brace, and assisting on 1 goal. Nearly everyone else picked up 8's, but Argenio got another 6 thanks to those 2 late goals.

Win, 4-2, lead increases to 3 points
Shots/on target: Leeds 12/4, Posh 20/12
Poss: 54-46, Posh
A: 20,982

Hull passes Gillingham to move back into 2nd place, 3 points behind us... the Gills drop to 5 points back in 3rd.

[Butter]

Sarr and Hammond are selected in the Team of the Week.

We host newly promoted Barnsley next. A home game against a weak opponent. Lineup:
GK: Argenio
Def: Potenza, El Karkouri, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Campo, Valois, Lunt, Monkhouse
Str: Johansen, Hammond

Oct. 27, Match 13
8-2-2, 1st pl., 26 pts.
v. Barnsley (2-4-6, 22nd pl., 10 pts.)
Series: Posh lead 3-1-0
Fav: Posh, 5:4

6'- Long range shot for Barnsley, but Argenio tips it over the bar.

17'- Monkhouse with a long range shot deflected for a throw... Lunt takes the throw, and Johansen turns to the inside with it, and shoots from 20 yards... it goes off a Barnsley defender and in! 1-0!

23'- Monkhouse with a great through ball to Valois... Valois dribbles toward the left post, and slots it home from 10 yards! 2-0, Posh!

Barnsley can muster few chances... and are keeping us out of the box as well.

73'- Eriksson on for Valois, Cataldo for Hammond, Navarro for Monkhouse.

Not much else happens, as Barnsley played the entire game very close to the vest. Former Posh defensive midfielder started for Barnsley, rating a 7 but picking up a yellow. Argenio and Campo picked up 8's for us, as did Kenny Lunt, who also wins MoM honors. A grinding affair that we're glad to win.

Win, 2-0, 3 pt. lead
Shots/on target: Posh 12/7, Barnsley 9/2
Poss: 54-46, Posh
A: 15,303

Kenny Lunt twisted his knee late in the match, and will miss about a week.

[Butter]

(I accidentally wiped about 3 weeks of action from the hard drive by forgetting to save at one point... so the next 3 games are re-plays... and I actually improved quite a bit on the original results of 1-1-1).

Next up, it's bottom feeders Coventry in a mid-week matchup. Lineup:
GK: Argenio
Def: Potenza, Campo, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Navarro, Valois, Monkhouse, Eriksson
Str: Cataldo, Hammond

Oct. 30, Match 14
9-2-2, 1st pl., 29 pts.
@ Coventry (3-6-4, 19th pl., 15 pts.)
Series: Even, 1-0-1
Fav: Sky Blues, 5:4

A close to the vest matchup, but in the 77th we get a break as a long ball into the box by Sarr is misplayed by a defender and the Coventry keeper leaving a simple tap-in for Hammond. In the 90th, we seal it, as Monkhouse gets on to a deflected ball and has another open goal shot that he converts for a 2-0 win.

Monkhouse picks up MoM, earning a 10... The entire backline had 8's, as well as Campo and Argenio.

Win, 0-2, lead increases to 6 points
Shots/on target: Sky Blues 10/4, Posh 18/8
Poss: 52-48, Sky Blues
A: 11,001

Champions League Match Day 4
Group A
Milan 0:0 FC Kobenhavn
Paris 1:0 CSKA Moscow

Group B
Benfica 2:0 Panathinaikos
Man Utd. 2:2 Juventus

Group C
Ajax 2:2 Deportivo
Celtic 1:2 Arsenal

Group D
Partizan 1:1 M. Haifa
Werder Bremen 0:1 Betis

Group E
Barcelona 3:0 Anderlecht
Chelsea 3:0 Wisla

Group F
Leverkusen 3:0 PSV
Valencia 0:2 Olympiakos

Group G
Brondby 0:2 Porto
Feyenoord 4:1 Loko (Plovdiv)

Group H
Lyon 1:1 Roma
Sporting 1:1 Bayern Munich

[Butter]

I win the Manager of the Month voting for our 3-1-0 league month.

A huge match as we take on the 2nd place Hull Tigers at London Road. Lunt still has not recovered fully from his knee injury. Lineup:
GK: Argenio
Def: Potenza, El Karkouri, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Campo, Valois, Devlin, Monkhouse
Str: Johansen, Hammond

Nov. 3, Match 15
10-2-2, 1st pl., 32 pts.
v. Hull (8-2-4, 2nd pl., 26 pts.)
Series: Posh lead 1-3-0
Fav: Posh, 6:4

A tight first half with several excellent saves, but neither team seems keen on scoring. Hull is the 2nd stingiest team in the league behind us, allowing just 12 goals so far this year compared to our 11. In the 49th, Johansen gets free on a breakaway and scores. Hammond puts it away in the 78th, with a chip over the Hull keeper after a long ball sent the keeper rushing towards him. Hull snatch one back in the 89th, but we take the win, and extend our league lead.

Win, 2-1, lead Gillingham by 9 pts.
Shots/on target: Posh 14/5, Tigers 9/5
Poss: 53-47, Tigers
A: 15,283

A huge early season win, as we pad our league lead to a giant 9 points. Giving us a 3 game cushion to play with if we hit a bad patch of form.

[Butter]

Potenza has hurt his thigh, and will be out 5 days, but should be back well in time for our next match.

We have 2 weeks before our next match, thanks to Euro '08 playoffs.

I take a look at our finances, as I like to do when we have some time off, and here's how we stand right now:
Budget surplus: $7,002,078
Transfer budget remaining: $1,923,083
Wage budget/current wages: $4,400,000 / $3,505,802

Contract negotiations

As you can see, we currently are $900k below our wage budget. So I decide to try and sign Jim Johansen to a long term deal. Problem is, our board won't let us spend over $440k for any one player (he must be designated a "Key Player"), and ol' Jim wants $1.6 million per year. He likes himself. I like him too, seeing as he's scored 8 goals for us already... but I can't come anywhere near that amount.

We continue our wide search for a new keeper, but it's just not happening for us.

Let's see who's due to be eligible to leave during the Bosman period... I'll list them with their current age, wage, and value for comparison's sake:

-ML Jean-Louis Valois, 34, $190k/yr., $1.8M
-Str. Elvis Hammond, 27, $48k/yr., $3.8M
-D/DM-C Ivan Campo, 33, $360k/yr., $380k
-DM-C Alan Navarro, 26, $160k/yr., $70k
-D-LC Luke Pritchard, 20, $44k/yr., $70k
-Str. Mika Aaritalo, 22, $80k/yr., $80k
-AM-R Paul Devlin, 35, $220k/yr., $8k

These are listed in order of re-sign priority. We also have several reserves who'll be leaving us at the end of the season as well, but I'm going to try to keep DC's Phil Cave and Andreas Landgren, along with GK Zlatan Azinovic. All 3 of them show the most promise, and are still young enough to develop some better skill. Cave is 20, Landgren is 18, and Azinovic is 19. They all agree to their new contracts for at least 2 more seasons of football at London Road.

Valois is having a bit of a down year, averaging only just above a 7, but I still want to re-sign him for one more season at least. He wants just a one year extension at $300k plus a $170k signing bonus. I offer him a year extension for $200k and a $40k signing bonus. He rejects that, so we go with $260k + $60k bonus. He rejects that, so we go with his requested base pay of $300k and just a $100k signing bonus. I probably overpaid for him, but he does sign. He does deserve it anyway, he has pretty much carried us the last 2 seasons.

I offer Ivan Campo essentially a one year extension of his current contract for a $28k signing bonus. He agrees to it pretty quickly.

Elvis Hammond has never once made any noise about his contract, nor complained about going to a bigger club, despite the fact that he's well underpaid. He wants $400k per season thru 2010 and a $280k signing bonus. I decide to go with $260k thru 2011, and a $100k signing bonus, along with a $500 per goal and $300 per assist bonus. He rejects the first offer, so I up the base pay to $320k per season. He rejects that, so we go with his requested $400k and the $100k bonus. He continues to reject my contract offers, but I keep offering... I'll let you know when we finally pin him down.

Alan Navarro just pretty much wants the same terms on his current contract, just have it extended thru 2011. I decide to offer him a slight pay cut (to $140k) and a $10k signing bonus to extend thru 2010. He agrees to it rather quickly.

I offer Luke Pritchard $80k per year thru 2011, and a small signing bonus to stay on. He also agrees to his contract in a heartbeat.

I decide against offering contracts to either Aaritalo or Devlin at the present time.

I also considering offering a bigger pay deal to Andy Monkhouse... he had an off year last season, but has already equaled his goal and assist numbers from last season in only about 1/3 of the appearances he had last year. But instead of doing that, I think I'll just wait on another transfer offer for him and try to cash in. Monkhouse lacks in several areas that I think would be a big problem for him in the Premiership, so I just don't see him starting for us on the next level. If I can get his minimum fee release clause amount ($1.7 million), I'd be pretty happy, and could probably replace him without too much fuss.

Johansen scores 2 goals for the Norwegian U-21 team, making it 7 goals in 6 U-21 caps for Jimbo.

We agree to a deal with Japanese defensive midfielder Junichi Inamoto. He is 28 years old, and was on the WBA reserves for the last 4 seasons before being let go. He is currently out of contract and not playing with a team. We sign him for $400k per year thru 2011, along with a fairly large signing bonus (between $50k and $100k). He should be joining us on January 1st. He is Premiership quality all around, but has never had much of a chance to prove it despite playing well on loan for both Arsenal and Fulham in the early part of this decade.

Remember how I sold keeper Thomas Myhre earlier this season rather than lock him up long term? Well, Gillingham is riding him to the top of the table... he has allowed 5 goals in 9 matches... or rather 5 goals in 3 matches, because 6 of those starts have been clean sheets. I'd take that production right now. Oh well, I messed up I guess. Probably should've just kept him on and eaten any potential transfer or non-transfer fee I would've missed out on.

Watford offers us $260k plus a 30% of next sale clause for Fredrik Holster, a reserve striker who is just 19 years old. I decide to take it. He looks like he could develop pretty well, but he could just as easily bust, and I'd feel pretty silly turning down that kind of money for the kid if he turns out to be nothing when his contract is up in 2 years and I get nothing to show for it.

We sign another striker, Slovenia's Dejan Robnik, to a 3 year deal worth $160k per season. Robnik will cost us $240k to his current side, Triglav, but appears to have the skill to justify the expense. He is very fast, smart, a hard worker, and a decent finisher. He is only 23 years old and should be a good addition. He should also join us on January 1.

With this announcement, Johansen lets us know he's unhappy with the signing and wants to move to a bigger club. I decide to offer him around for $5 million, $800k below his current computer-generated value. No takers.

[Butter]

Next up, the road doesn't get much easier as we have to visit Molineux to face 6th place Wolves. Lineup:
GK: Argenio
Def: Potenza, El Karkouri, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Campo, Valois, Lunt, Monkhouse
Str: Johansen, Hammond

Nov. 17, Match 16
11-2-2, 1st pl., 35 pts.
@ Wolverhampton Wanderers (7-3-5, 6th pl., 24 pts.)
First meeting
Fav: Wolves, 5:4

I moved Masalin to the reserves to try and attract a keeper to us on loan, hoping we'd be more attractive... but as it turns out, I forgot to re-insert him onto the substitute list prior to this match, so we're flying without a net: no sub. keeper on the bench in this one.

Back and forth action early, but no one can trouble either keeper.

18'- A good minute long series of possession around the box for Wolves, but Argenio makes 2 classy saves on close in shots to keep the scoresheet empty.

22'- Johansen makes our sale of him ever harder, proving his class again with a brilliant one-on-one move to beat the keeper and slot it inside the near post after a nice pass from Monkhouse. 1-0, Posh.

29'- Another excellent save by Argenio, as he tips aside a 20 yard curling shot.

34'- El Karkouri with a long throw into the box for Hammond... he tries to control it but he's pushed down... Penalty!! Johansen calmly steps to the spot... GOAL! Jimbo's 10th league tally of the season, and we lead it 2-0!

46'- In the opening moments of the second half, Potenza gets beaten on a run, and a seemingly errant dribble is there for Argenio, but he's too slow to pounce on it and the ball is tapped in. 2-1.

55'- Valois' 20 yard free kick comes to Hammond, but the keeper gets there first.

66'- A deflected shot is pushed away by Argenio.

72'- A 25 yard piledriver is tipped away well again by Argenio, and cleared by Sarr.

73'- Another Wolves breakaway, but Argenio is up to the task again, kicking this shot away himself.

Carr comes on for a slightly injured Kenny Lunt, as we drop to a 5-4-1.

79'- Poor defense by Sarr as he stays with his man, watching a through ball zip past him and onto the run of another attacker, but Argenio with another one-v-one save.

81'- A brilliant long ball into the box, flicked on by a Wolves attacker before Argenio can get there, but luckily it runs inches wide of the far post.

Wolves with one long free kick, but El Karkouri clears it out right before full time, and we take the points.

Pasquale Argenio wins a well-deserved MoM award for preserving our lead several times in the second half, he rates a 9. Monkhouse also with a 9, the back line earns 8's all around, and Johansen also picks up an 8.

Win, 1-2, lead remains 9 pts.
Shots/on target: Wolves 16/6, Posh 13/7
Poss: 53-47, Wolves
A: 23,480

We hand Wolves their first defeat at Molineux, one of the tougher places to play on the Championship circuit. We're now 7-0-1 on the road this year, best in the league, while holding only the 4th best home record.

[Butter]

Fredrik Holster agrees on a contract with Watford, so we'll be $260k richer thanks to the Hornets. We'll also cash in on 30% of his next fee (assuming there is one). That'll just pay for our signing of Dejan Robnik. I'll take that trade. Holster's former Swedish club, Nykoping, pick up $52k thanks to a 20% sale clause we had on our initial contract with Holster. Freddy ups his pay 1000%, going from $12k per year on our reserve team to $120k per year for Watford.

A short turnaround and a minor injury to Andy Monkhouse necessitates the call-up of AM-C Inzaghi and DC Phil Cave from the reserves. Inzaghi has the skill to play on this level, he's been dominating the reserves all year. Cave has played sporadically for the senior club in the past. Luckily, we're playing a weak side in Nott'm Forest who have struggled at the bottom all year. Lineup:
GK: Argenio
Def: Pritchard, Cave, Sarr, Carr
Mid: Navarro, Eriksson, Devlin, Inzaghi
Str: Johansen, Cataldo

Nov. 20, Match 17
12-2-2, 1st pl., 38 pts.
@ Nottingham Forest (3-3-10, 22nd pl., 12 pts.)
Series: Forest lead 3-0-0
Fav: Forest, 6:4

14'- A nice ball down the left leads to a chance for Forest, as the cross is swung in at a former transfer target of ours, former Sheffield Utd. striker Andy Gray... Gray beats Pritchard and volleys it home from 6 yards. 1-0, Forest.

23'- A good chance off a corner, and it's headed in at the near post for Forest. Horrible start for our 2nd team, down 2-0.

30'- It's target practice for Forest, as another swift cross comes in and is headed home. 3-0.

41'- Aaritalo on for Johansen, there's no sense wearing Jim out in this lost cause.

44'- Cataldo with a splendid header off a Devlin free kick, but the Forest keeper tips it over the bar.

Forest continue to pepper us with shots, but we hold them off. Navarro gets our only legitimate chance, with a good 12 yard shot in the 87th, but it's saved nicely.

A bad loss, but not totally unexpected. We can't play the first teamers all the time. Argenio picks up a 6, everyone else rates a 7, as the Forest left winger picks up MoM with a 10.

Loss, 3-1, lead shrinks to 8 pts.
Shots/on target: Forest 20/7, Posh 5/2
Poss: 52-48, Forest
A: 20,792

Champions League Match Day 5
Group E
Chelsea 1:3 Barcelona
Wisla 0:1 Anderlecht

Group F
Leverkusen 2:0 Valencia
PSV 1:1 Olympiakos

Group G
Brondby 3:1 Feyenoord
Porto 2:3 Loko (Plovdiv)

Group H
Lyon 3:2 Sporting
Roma 3:3 Bayern Munich

Group A
CSKA Moscow 3:0 FC Kobenhavn
Paris 0:0 Milan

Group B
Juventus 1:0 Panathinaikos
Man Utd. 4:0 Benfica

Group C
Ajax 3:1 Celtic
Deportivo 0:2 Arsenal

Group D
Betis 3:0 M. Haifa
Werder Bremen 1:3 Partizan

[Butter]

Monkhouse still has not fully recovered from a minor shoulder injury, so he'll be held out one more game. Next up, we host promotion battlers Preston North End. Lineup:
GK: Argenio
Def: Potenza, El Karkouri, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Campo, Valois, Lunt, Eriksson
Str: Johansen, Hammond

Nov. 24, Match 18
12-2-3, 1st pl., 38 pts.
v. Preston North End (8-4-5, 5th pl., 28 pts.)
Series: Posh lead 2-0-1
Fav: Posh, 6:4

Both sides put together some counter-attacking play, but neither can get a good shot in.

30'- Finally a shot on target, but Preston puts one off the bar and Campo clears it.

31'- Valois keys a counter-attack to Johansen, who has lots of space and fires one at the keeper, who blocks it back to Jim... who has another go, but it's blocked again and finally hoofed away.

Not much happens for a long time, as Preston is happy to sit back and earn a point. We try to force the issue:

83'- Cataldo in for Potenza, and we push up trying to score with a 3-4-3.

87'- Preston nearly strike on the counter attack, but put a 15 yard shot well over. Monkhouse on for an ineffective Kenny Lunt.

In the end, we're unable to put together any real scary attacks, and we end goalless. Preston's keeper earns the man of the match. Argenio, Dakinah, and Eriksson put together nice games for us and get ratings of 8 each.

Draw, 0-0, lead shrinks to 6 pts.
Shots/on target: Posh 16/6, Preston 6/2
Poss: 54-46, Preston
A: 14,202

Gillingham inches up to within 6 points of us, beating Leeds on the road, 3-1.

[Butter]

A visit to always tough Bolton looms next. Bolton are an odd team this year, allowing the fewest goals in the league at 13, but scoring among the fewest, at just 17. I imagine this will be another grinder at The Reebok. Lineup:
GK: Argenio
Def: Potenza, El Karkouri, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Campo, Valois, Lunt, Monkhouse
Str: Johansen, Hammond

Dec. 1, Match 19
12-3-3, 1st pl., 39 pts.
@ Bolton Wanderers (7-7-4, 8th pl., 28 pts.)
Series: Trotters lead 1-1-0
Fav: Trotters, 6:4

Bolton control early play, but can't get either of 2 shots on target. The breeze is blowing hard toward our goal in the first half, and is affecting long balls and crosses.

18'- An odd play, as Lunt tries to cross it, but instead the ball comes off a defender and onto Hammond's head.... Elvis flicks it at goal, and it somehow squirms past the keeper from 15 yards. A slow meandering header but it works, and we lead 1-0.

23'- Argenio with a good save to tip over a 20 yard curling shot. The ensuing corner comes all the way across the box, and a striker runs onto it from 10 yards and has a rip... it goes in. 1-1.

32'- Bolton with an excellent cross, and a diving header is athletically saved by Argenio.

64'- We keep working at it, and finally get the Trotter defense to break down, as Valois draws a defender that leaves a hole for a Johansen run... Valois slides to it to Jim, who shoots far post from 12 yards and scores! 2-1!

68'- Valois trips another man in midfield, and is shown his 2nd yellow of the match. We're down to 10 for the last 20 minutes plus.

Navarro on for Hammond, and we go with 2 def. midfielders, and move Monkhouse to the left wing, leaving Johansen to roam the front alone.

73'- A Bolton defender picks up his 2nd yellow for holding back Johansen's run, and we're now at 10 men apiece.

81'- Poor defense as El Karkouri chases the ball in midfield, leaving a man open to run behind him... he gets the pass and beats Argenio with a shot to the near post. 2-2.

90'- A deep throw in in their own territory is disastrous for Bolton, as Campo steals it and nods it to Navarro, who is open at the corner of the box... Navarro advances a few yards, then shoots... it comes off a Bolton leg and goes in!

That pretty much ends the action, and we take the big 3 road points! 6 starters earn 8's, but Valois with a disappointing 6 and sending off. Dakinah, Potenza, Sarr, Campo, Lunt, and Johansen all get the 8's. A surprising shootout from The Reebok.

Win, 2-3, lead increases to 8 pts.
Shots/on target: Trotters 9/4, Posh 14/5
Poss: 54-46, Posh
A: 24,128

Hull moves back into 2nd place, and Gills and Wolves are even on 33 points in 3rd and 4th.

[Butter]

Valois gets the 1 match ban for his red card, and Potenza is out for the next game with what's called a "bruised head"... I like to call that a mild concussion.

We call off negotiations with Hammond, as he refuses to sign the deal even when we've given him what he asked for.

Also, Junichi Inamoto has his work permit denied... so much for that, despite having played in Britain for 7 years and owning 59 caps for Japan.

Campo and Sarr are picked in the Team of the Week.

We offer Millwall $20k for 30 year old striker Szilard Nemeth. Nemeth is Slovakian (contrasted to Dejan Robnik, who is Slovenian), and agrees to sign with us for well below his current salary of $340k per year in hopes of playing with a side on their way up. He'll get $150k per year thru 2010. Nemeth is blazing fast and rock solid in all the mental and technical attributes of the game. He is also a former Premiership player, having played for Middlesbrough from 2001-05, and scored 20 goals for them during that stretch. He also has 24 goals in 70 caps for Slovakia. Nemeth will help solidify our strike force in the event of Johansen and/or Hammond's departure.

The FA Cup Third Round Draw is held for play in early January, as the final 64 teams will fight it out here. We get kind of a crap draw, as we'll have to drag ourselves back to Wolverhampton to face league mates Wolves. There are several conference teams and lower, but they nearly all drew to a Championship side or better, effectively ending their hopes. Only one non-league team remains, that's Workington, who draws a home game against League 2 Stoke.

Champions League Match Day 6
Bold indicates already qualified for first Knock-Out stage.
Group A
Standings: Milan 9, Paris 8, CSKA Moscow 7, FC Kobenhavn 2
FC Kobenhavn 0:0 Paris
Milan 2:0 CSKA Moscow
Advancing: Milan, Paris

Group B
Standings: Juventus 11, Man Utd. 8, Benfica 5, Panathinaikos 2
Benfica 1:0 Juventus
Panathinaikos 0:3 Man Utd.
Also Advancing: Man Utd.

Group C
Standings: Arsenal 13, Deportivo 5, Ajax 5, Celtic 3
Arsenal 2:0 Ajax
Celtic 0:0 Deportivo
Also Advancing: Deportivo

Group D
Standings: Betis 13, Partizan Belgrade 10, Werder Bremen 2, M. Haifa 2
M. Haifa 1:0 Werder Bremen
Partizan 1:1 Betis

Group E
Standings: Barcelona 13, Chelsea 10, Anderlecht 6, Wisla 0
Anderlecht 0:3 Chelsea
Barcelona 4:1 Wisla

Group F
Standings: Leverkusen 13, Olympiakos 11, Valencia 3, PSV 1
Olympiakos 2:1 Leverkusen
Valencia 2:1 PSV

Group G
Standings: Porto 12, Lokomotiv Plovdiv 7, Brondby 6, Feyenoord 4
Porto 3:0 Feyenoord
Lokomotiv Plovdiv 1:1 Brondby
Also advancing: Lokomotiv Plovdiv (Bulgaria)

Group H
Standings: Lyon 10, Bayern Munich 8, Roma 5, Sporting Lisbon 4
Sporting Lisbon 3:0 Roma
Bayern Munich 2:3 Lyon
Also advancing: Bayern Munich

So, Partizan Belgrade and Lokomotiv Plovdiv crash the big soccer nations' party into the round of 16. How far can these 2 Cinderellas go? It will largely depend on their draw in the next round.

Next up, the TV cameras visit London Road as we host Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday night. Valois is suspended, Monkhouse and Potenza are tired... lineup:
GK: Argenio
Def: Pritchard, El Karkouri, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Campo, Eriksson, Devlin, Lunt
Str: Johansen, Hammond

Dec. 8, Match 20 - Televised
13-3-3, 1st pl., 42 pts.
v. Sheffield Wednesday (7-4-8, 16th pl., 25 pts.)
Series: Owls lead 2-2-0
Fav: Owls, 5:4

16'- After having the early run of play, we get victimized by our keeper again, as Argenio plays a header off the crossbar badly, and sticks it in our net. 1-0, Owls.

35'- Johansen with a rare quality long shot from just outside the box, but the Owls keeper holds it.

40'- Eriksson leaves with an injury that occurs during a rough challenge... Szilard Nemeth will play at AMC now, and since Devlin has been awful so far, we also bring in Navarro and switch Campo to the right wing, with Lunt moving to the left wing.

55'- Hammond is dispossessed on his attack, but Campo unleashes a 20 yard shot from the top right corner of the box, and just misses.

71'- Cataldo on for Luke Pritchard, and we go to a 3-4-3...

73'- Sarr with a steal up to Lunt... Lunt into the middle for Hammond, who chips it over a defender right onto Cataldo's run... Franco from 15 yards, and he slots it home!! Great equalizer, it's 1-1!

86'- Nemeth to Johansen... Jim with a great ball ahead to Cataldo, who cuts to the left to gather it, then dribbles ahead once and shoots near post from 15 yards... GOAL!!! What a comeback, as Cataldo scores his second to make it 2-1!

We pack our zone with bodies, though most of them are attacking, and are able to salt it away for the comeback win! Franco Cataldo wins MoM with his amazing brace coming on in the final 20 minutes. He rates an 8, as does Kenny Lunt also. Szilard Nemeth also acquits himself well playing out of position in the center of attack.

Win, 2-1, lead remains 8 pts.
Shots/on target: Posh 8/4, Owls 12/3
Poss: 51-49, Posh
A: 15,285

Tobias Eriksson should only be out about a week with his injury.

I have noticed that our serious injuries have been cut down this year, hopefully thanks to the hiring of our 3rd physiotherapist.

Both Hull and Gills win easily to keep pace with us.

[Butter]

A slightly altered lineup for another mid-week game, as visit Wales and face Cardiff. Lineup:
GK: Argenio
Def: Potenza, Carr, Burton, Dakinah
Mid: El Karkouri, Valois, Lunt, Monkhouse
Str: Nemeth, Cataldo

Dec. 11, Match 21
14-3-3, 1st pl., 45 pts.
@ Cardiff (7-2-11, 19th pl., 23 pts.)
Series: Posh lead 1-1-0
Fav: Cardiff, 5:4

9'- Argenio is nearly caught out by a deep cross and a header from the arc, but he is able to clutch the header.

18'- Dakinah with a great ball to Nemeth right in the middle of defense, he settles it and shoots from about 17 yards, but it's saved very well, tipped out for a corner. The corner is cleared for a throw... our throw-in specialist, El Karkouri, winds up and finds Nemeth near the back post... Nemeth heads it in! He had one marker, and beat him easily to score his first for the Posh! 1-0.

24'- Another bizarre play, as a steal by Potenza is played back to the middle... Argenio follows the ball, but it's stolen and sent goalward from about 20 yards, but Carr blocks the shot wide, otherwise it's 1-1. Excellent defense by Carr.

30'- A Cardiff midfielder makes an early run, but is played onside by Potenza, and he has plenty of time to receive the pass and slot it home past a helpless Argenio. 1-1.

42'- Another good series of passing by Cardiff, and Argenio is hedging too far to the right and gets beat near post with a straight forward shot from 18 yards. 2-1, Cardiff.

49'- Lunt finds Monkhouse in the middle, who sends a nice ball into the box for Nemeth... Nemeth with just enough time to shoot far post, and a great diving save denies him a 2nd.

56'- Sagi Burton with a free header from 12 yards on a cross, but he sends it well high.

68'- Valois is played onside and has a good chance, but misses near post. He's having a horrible game, so he comes out for Devlin... Lunt moves to the right wing. Johansen on for Potenza, and El Karkouri moves up to the center circle, so we've switched to a 3-4-3 again.

73'- Burton again with a free header off a corner, this time from 10 yards, and off target again!

An action packed series of possessions ensue, mostly for Cardiff... but Argenio makes at least 2 brilliant saves, and Dakinah with a terrific clearance of a ball that was rolling across the goal line.

89'- Navarro on as we throw all but 2 men forward.

90'+- Lunt with a sensational 80 yard ball that slowly rolls into the box... Nemeth nearly beats the keeper to it, but can't quite get there.

That was it. A thrilling final 20 minutes, but ultimately without consequence. Pasquale Argenio rates a 9 and MoM, making a number of nice saves... Monkhouse also with a 9, Nemeth, Dakinah, and Lunt pick up 8's. Szilard Nemeth looked very impressive.

Loss, 2-1, lead reduced to 6 pts.
Shots/on target: Cardiff 16/8, Posh 10/4
Poss: 50-50
A: 16,261

[Butter]

Chris Carr strains a groin in practice, and will miss 2 weeks of action.

Next up, a huge match as we host 2nd place Gillingham. Myhre starts in goal for the Gills, as we get most of our lineup back to normal. Lineup:
GK: Argenio
Def: Potenza, El Karkouri, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Campo, Valois, Lunt, Monkhouse
Str: Johansen, Hammond

Dec. 15, Match 22
14-3-4, 1st pl., 45 pts.
v. Gillingham (12-3-6, 2nd pl., 39 pts.)
Series: Even, 1-0-1
Fav: Posh, 6:4

Gills control play early, but can't get a shot on target of their first 4.

26'- Johansen is onside and one on one against Myhre, but the angle is too tough and he can't finish.

33'- Monkhouse is all alone down the center, but his shot is wide from 15 yards.

We control the midfield through halftime, but neither team seems able to score today. How I'd love all 3 of these points to put some breathing room between us and 2nd place.

55'- Campo with a nice flicked header at the near post on a corner kick, but it goes over.

73'- Johansen is played onside and has an open shot from 10 yards, but Myhre charges it down nicely, and it goes out for a corner.

78'- A good long ball from the back finds an open striker, who attacks Argenio from the left... but a nice save keeps it even.

86'- Nemeth on for Potenza, and we switch to a 3-4-3 again trying to break the seal.

Sadly, it doesn't work, and we finish scoreless... Thomas Myhre taunts me with another MoM award for his shutout performance. Argenio, Lunt, and Valois (refreshingly) pick up 8's for the Posh.

Draw, 0-0, lead reduced to 4 pts.
Shots/on target: Posh 18/9, Gills 8/2
Poss: 53-47, Posh
A: 14,579

Wolves win at home, drubbing Bolton 3-0 to move within 4 points of us in 2nd place.

[Butter]

Kofi Dakinah picks up a groin strain during training, and he'll miss about 2 weeks.

Wolves and Gills keep up the pressure with wins on Saturday, as Wolverhampton closes to within a point of us, but we play Crewe on Sunday in a televised match. Lineup:
GK: Argenio
Def: Potenza, El Karkouri, Sarr, Campo
Mid: Navarro, Valois, Lunt, Monkhouse
Str: Johansen, Hammond

Dec. 23, Match 23 - Televised
14-4-4, 1st pl., 46 pts.
@ Crewe Alexandra (8-5-9, 17th pl., 29 pts.)
Series: Even, 0-2-0
Fav: Posh, 5:4

A scrappy game early, as both teams earn 2 yellows in the first 17 minutes.

30'- Lunt with a nice ball to Hammond... Hammond under pressure tries to slot it from 20 yards, but it rolls wide.

45'- Johansen with a short cross to Lunt, who volleys from 10 yards, but it's saved and cleared away by the Crewe back 4.

49'- Argenio nearly with a mistake as a ball is poked past him, but El Karkouri races back and clears it.

50'- Johansen is limping around, so Nemeth is on for him.

52'- Another long El Karkouri throw to Nemeth, and he flicks it behind to Monkhouse, unmarked from 8 yards... GOAL!! 1-0, Posh! Great play by El Karkouri and Nemeth to create the goal.

56'- A LOOOONG ball from Argenio to Nemeth, and Szilard beats one man, but tries to chip the keeper and it goes a few feet wide.

62'- Hammond with a great pass to Nemeth, but he shoots right into the keeper.

64'- Two shots in the box are stopped by the defense before Argenio even has to worry about them.

79'- Eriksson on for a tiring Valois.

84'- Cataldo on for a slightly injured Hammond.

87'- Lunt ends the suspense with a 25 yard direct free kick into the top corner! 2-0!

Lunt wins MoM honors with a 9, while several others pick up 8's, including most of the back 4, Argenio, Nemeth, and Monkhouse. A vital win to stay 2 matches clear of Wolves.

Win, 0-2, lead remains 4 points
Shots/on target: Crewe 7/3, Posh 20/8
Poss: 53-47, Posh
A: 9,137

[Butter]

We make an international Bosman signing, penning Zambian international defender Sashi Chalwe to a long-term deal that will see him join the club in June, 2008, just after our season is complete. Chalwe currently plays for South African club Sundowns, and is only 24 years old. He boasts impressive attributes all around, rating 13's or above in all important defensive technique categories (marking, heading, tackling), a 16 in bravery and stamina, a 17 in determination, and a pace of 14. An excellent signing. All that, and he's been given a conditional work permit. Can't beat that!

Next up, we face a struggling Plymouth Argyle side. A quick series of games here, with 4 games between Dec. 23 and January 1st. And they call this the holidays. And El Karkouri, Carr, and Dakinah are out with injury for at least this match, which won't help.
Lineup:
GK: Argenio
Def: Potenza, Campo, Burton, Sarr
Mid: Navarro, Valois, Lunt, Monkhouse
Str: Johansen, Hammond

Dec. 26, Match 24
15-4-4, 1st pl., 49 pts.
@ Plymouth Argyle (6-6-11, 20th pl., 24 pts.)
Series: Posh lead 3-1-1
Fav: Posh, 4:6

Not a lot of action early, as Argyle dominate the midfield, but create no urgent chances.

34'- Valois with a pass from Potenza... he finds Hammond down the center, and plays a long diagonal ball for him... Elvis settles, dribbles, and shoots from 15 yards... GOAL! Hammond's bread and butter, the long ball down the middle, then the slotted shot inside the far post away from the charging keeper. 1-0, Posh. That was Elvis's 50th career goal for the men in blue.

46'- Argyle respond on the 2nd half restart, with a cross and easy half volley from 8 yards... poor marking to allow that chance, and they don't miss. 1-1.

65'- Lunt with a cross that misses 3 attackers at 12 yards and skitters harmlessly out of the box.

69'- Johansen with a short cross to Monkhouse, whose header caroms off the crossbar and is cleared away to Lunt... but it's tackled out for a throw.

73'- Cataldo on for a poorly performing Ivan Campo, as we switch to a 3-4-3.

83'- Nemeth on for an underwhelming Johansen, Eriksson for a tired Valois.

We can't create any more chances, and we earn a point. Just the one lapse at the start of the second half, and that was really Argyle's only on target shot of the match. Sarr earns MoM in defense, with an 8, and Hammond also nips an 8, but everyone else gets 7's.

Draw, 1-1, lead remains 4 pts.
Shots/on target: Argyle 3/1, Posh 9/4
Poss: 50-50
A: 17,931

Wolves draw at home to Sheffield Wed., so we keep our 4 point lead over second place.

[Butter]

Alessandro Potenza tears a calf muscle in training, and will be out for 3 months, a bad blow to our back 4. Luke Pritchard will get the nod there for now. Potenza had been impressive, making our defense one of the best in the league. Pritchard has been pouting about his low-ball contract for a good year now, and doesn't make me feel good about inserting him in the lineup... more than likely, we'll be playing Ivan Campo there out of position a good bit as well.

Next up, we host a surprisingly good Rotherham squad. Rotherham has been playing well this year after narrowly missing relegation last season. Lineup:
GK: Argenio
Def: Pritchard, El Karkouri, Campo, Sarr
Mid: Navarro, Eriksson, Devlin, Lunt
Str: Nemeth, Cataldo

Dec. 29, Match 25
15-5-4, 1st pl., 50 pts.
v. Rotherham (9-8-7, 9th pl., 35 pts.)
Series: Posh lead 2-0-1
Fav: Posh, 5:4

1'- A Miller defender with a deep cross right at Argenio, and he tips it over the bar before the onrushing striker can get a head to it.

6'- Lunt and Eriksson play the one-two, and Lunt charges through the middle and screams a strike at the far post from 16 yards, and it goes in. 1-0, Posh.

We keep up the pressure but can't finish 3 more decent chances.

26'- Good cross into the center, and a Miller striker settles it and scores a quality strike from 12 yards... Argenio with no chance to get that ball into the top corner.

39'- Nemeth with a nice run, but his shot is saved and cleared... Sarr ends up with the ball after 2 more clearances, but his 3rd attempted cross is deflected for an uneventful corner.

41'- Cataldo is free on the left... his shot is deflected to the right, where Devlin collects it and shoots from 18 yards... saved again, deflected back to Cataldo on the left, whose shot is tipped over for a corner. Can't believe we couldn't finish one of those!

49'- A corner falls to a Miller striker who unleashes a powerful shot from 10 yards, but it's way too powerful and hurts a guy in the 27th row.

58'- Hammond on for Navarro, as Campo moves to DM and we switch to a 3-4-3 again.

61'- Rotherham with a cross from 30 yards out... it curls right to a man who is running towards the opposite side of the field... Sarr can't catch him, and the header goes in... a freakish goal, but that would've been impossible for Arsenal to stop, let alone our side. 2-1, Rotherham.

64'- A free kick from 40 yards falls to a striker in the arc... his shot comes off of Sarr, then off the crossbar right to a waiting attacker who taps it in. 3-1, Rotherham.

68'- Cataldo with a long cross from near the flag, and Hammond with a header from 8 yards that just misses.

69'- Johansen on for Campo, El Karkouri moves to DM and we switch to a 2-4-4.

79'- Monkhouse in for Devlin, El Karkouri moves to centerfield.

86'- Monkhouse with a silver platter chance, but he chunks the 6 yard shot wide of the open net.

That's it. Wretched performance all around. Eriksson and Lunt pick up 8's, but there is no shortage of 6's to go around, especially for Argenio who has looked awful of late. A keeper must be had during the January transfer window.

Loss, 1-3, lead remains 4 pts.
Shots/on target: Posh 19/9, Millers 14/7
Poss: 53-47, Millers
A: 14,608

Wolves beat Reading at Madejski Stadium on Sunday, 2-1, to move within 1 point of the lead. They hold a +2 GD advantage on us right now, mostly thanks to the Rotherham loss.

[Butter]

Arsenal's Fredrik Ljungberg and Fernando Cavenaghi (a former Spartak Moscow striker) clean up in the World Footballer and European Footballer player awards.

Dejan Robnik comes over on the transfer from Slovenia... another striker to fit onto the squad. His contract is for $190k thru just 2010, but his immediate value is a bit high at $3.2 million. I'm still trying to sell Johansen while his stock is high, but he's not making it easy for me considering his form has been poor of late.

Reserve Norwegian D/DM Mads Reginuissen also joins the squad for $8k per season... he is only 19 with several impressive qualities.

Next up, another big promotion tangle as we host the Hammers. Kofi Dakinah is still not quite match fit, and we try out the new striker in the starting lineup today. Lineup:
GK: Argenio
Def: Campo, El Karkouri, Carr, Sarr
Mid: Navarro, Valois, Lunt, Monkhouse
Str: Robnik, Hammond

Jan. 1, 2008, Match 26
15-5-5, 1st pl., 50 pts.
v. West Ham United (12-7-6, 5th pl., 43 pts.)
Series: Posh lead 2-3-0
Fav: Hammers, Evens

5'- Robnik is played through by Monkhouse, and his open 15 yard shot is a mile high. Not the most impressive start.

24'- Hammers with a powerful 30 yard strike that Argenio is lucky to slap away, and Sarr clears.

26'- Good cross for West Ham, but it's headed just wide from 8 yards.

29'- Passing around the outside of the box by West Ham, and the ball ends up on Argenio's left... he doesn't react to the pass, and the shot from 18 yards goes into the near upper corner... if Argenio had been paying attention, it was an easy save. 1-0, WHUFC.

33'- A through ball for a charging Hammer striker, and he slots it home from 18 yards past Argenio. 2-0, Hammers.

36'- Masalin on for Argenio... let's see what he can do. Can't be any worse.

55'- Cataldo on for Navarro, Johansen for Valois as we switch to a 3-3-4 with long balls to the front... Monkhouse switches to the left wing, and Campo to the center circle.

Nothing happens for us for 20 minutes, then...

79'- Johansen with a run down the touch line to the corner flag... he crosses to Hammond at the near post, and he's brought down... it's a penalty! Can we come back? Johansen converts! 10 minutes to grab one more...

89'- Johansen with a throw-in to Carr at midfield... Chris plays it 25 yards ahead to Robnik, who heads it square to Lunt... Lunt with a through ball to Cataldo, who strikes at an angle from 15 yards... GOAL!!!! Franco with a powerful strike that the keeper was slow to react to, and we are level!

90'+- A good flick on header by Hammers, but the shot is into the side netting from 10 yards. Cataldo with an excellent cross after some passing on the goal kick, but it whistles across the six with no contact made. And the final whistle goes...

Good comeback! Masalin earns the MoM award with an 8, although he only made 1 save that I noted... Sarr also picks up an 8. Johansen and Hammond linked up to get us started, and the 3-3-4 brings us all the way back, as we avoid our first ever loss to West Ham.

Draw, 2-2, lead increases 1 pt. to 2
Shots/on target: Posh 14/3, Hammers 13/4
Poss: 52-48, Hammers
A: 15,303

Elvis Hammond with a slight heel injury late in this one, and he'll miss about a week of action.

Wolves lose 2-0 at Leicester, so we gain 1 point on them. Gills draw with Bolton to keep pace at 5 points back, and West Ham move up to 4th place at 7 points behind.

[Butter]

Next up, our FA Cup tie at Wolves. We are selected as the feature Sunday afternoon matchup.

Still hunting for a keeper.

We sign a good young AM-C from Estonia of all places. Daniil Ratnikov is 19 years old and signs for $12k per year thru 2012. He possesses good pace, a fair head for the game, just needs some technical work. He joins the reservists.

Liverpool are the only takers for Jim Johansen... they offer us $800k, 50% of his next sale, and a friendly before August 3rd. I know better than to take this... most of the big clubs let the contracts expire on their good young players rather than sell them... usually because their asking price is too high. I decline. I've still got Jim through next year. We'll see what shakes down. I ask them instead for $2 million and 25% of his next sale. They refuse, natch.

Elvis Hammond finally re-ups with us! He gets $400k per year through 2011, and a $280k signing bonus now. He also now has a $7M minimum fee release clause. He has been our most reliable striker for 2 1/2 years now, so this is a well-deserved pay hike for Elvis.

Looking over the roster, I notice I have only 6 Englishmen out of a 21 man senior squad. Not out of the ordinary for a Premiership side, but a bit unusual at the lower leagues.

FA Cup Third Round Upsets
Carlisle (CON) 2:0 Derby (Champ.)
Workington (non-league) 2:1 Stoke (L1)
Wrexham (L2) 1:1 Middlesbrough (EPL)
York (CON) 3:0 Rushden (L1)

Hammond is not back to full speed yet. Luckily, Kofi Dakinah is. Lineup:
GK: Masalin
Def: Pritchard, El Karkouri, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Campo, Valois, Lunt, Monkhouse
Str: Johansen, Nemeth

Jan. 6, FA Cup Third Round - Televised
@ Wolverhampton Wanderers (2nd in Championship)
Last meeting: Wolves 1:2 Posh (11/17/07, Champ. fixture)
Fav: Wolves, 5:4

8'- Johansen is played through down the left, and he floats a nice cross to Nemeth, but his weak header is saved easily.

38'- Wolves break through as a cross is sent to an unmarked man at the back post, and he has an easy 5 yard volley to complete the scoring move... no one could've saved that one, poor defense by the back 4. 1-0, Wolves.

Cataldo on for Pritchard at the half as we switch to the 3-4-3.

52'- Nemeth gets a great ball from Monkhouse, and crosses to Cataldo, who has a golden chance but is denied!! Johansen sends the clearance back in, and nearly accidentally scores from the touch line.

68'- Masalin has been doing a great job keeping us close, but another quick cross and header beats him... our defense looks terrible today, as Sarr gets beat on that header. 2-0, Wolves.

Robnik on for Andy Monkhouse as we try the 3-3-4 again. Campo moves up to the center once more.

71'- An easy pass into space, and a striker shoots from 15 yards and beats Masalin... the first one I thought he could've saved. We fall behind 3-0, and pretty much out of the Cup.

73'- Robnik with a masterful ball to Johansen... Jim with a cross to Cataldo, all alone in the middle of the box, and he one-touches it into the far post, and it deflects in. 3-1... a chance here?

79'- Nope. Wolves score a 4th on a long, easy run and near post shot from 12 yards.

Wolves just dominated us today. Masalin played pretty well up until the final 20 minutes or so. No one rates above a 7, and there are several 6's to be had. A disappointing cup showing... but you have to get some luck with the draw to go far here. They're a better team than we are right now, period.

Loss, 4-1, out of FA Cup
Shots/on target: Wolves 17/9, Posh 8/4
Poss: 60-40, Wolves
A: 25,745

With that out of the way, now we can focus on promotion. But it's always sad to lose in the Cup.

[Butter]

We just cannot find a keeper who has a good combination of a low-ish wage and a not ridiculously inflated value. Though I'm trying my ass off. It just ain't workin'.

Sven Goran-Eriksson retires as English national coach, and Charlton head man Sam Allardyce is hired on as the new boss. He has 6 months to prep for Euro 2008, coming in June.

It doesn't get any easier as we visit Goodison Park to face Everton. Everton currently lie 6th in the table, and we're struggling to stay in first at this point. Hammond aggravated a knee injury in the run-up to the match, so he's out for it, as is El Karkouri, who gets a day off after a poor showing v. Wolves. Lineup:
GK: Argenio
Def: Pritchard, Campo, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Navarro, Valois, Lunt, Monkhouse
Str: Johansen, Cataldo

Jan. 12, Match 27
15-6-5, 1st pl., 51 pts.
@ Everton (12-7-7, 6th pl., 43 pts.)
Series: Even, 1-2-1
Fav: Toffees, 5:4

6'- Valois displays some old form, as he keys an attack down the left, making and receiving several nice passes before finally crossing to a charging Cataldo, who half-volleys it past the keeper! 1-0, Posh! Great start.

18'- Monkhouse is played onside by Cataldo down the left... Monkhouse with a good low shot that's kicked away.

24'- Monkhouse with a wicked 25 yard bending strike that is just tipped around the post.

40'- Monkhouse is free again, but his touch lets him down as he dribbles a bit too far before his shot and has it tackled away.

49'- A cross is headed out by Sarr, but right to the same crosser, who swings it back in to an unmarked man from 8 yards right in front of goal, easy finish... 1-1.

55'- Pritchard gets beat on 2 straight plays, and looks to be running in quicksand. We'll try our luck with the 3-4-3, bringing on Robnik for Pritchard.

63'- Great ball from Campo to Cataldo, who has 2 steps on his man, but fires a harmless shot right into the keeper's breadbasket.

74'- Great stop by Argenio on a tough 15 yard curling shot.

76'- Eriksson on for a tiring Valois.

Both teams run up and down the field, but good defense keeps the ball out of danger.

90'+- Campo with a late challenge on an Everton striker in the box, but he gets the ball away and no foul is called. Eriksson and Monkhouse with some nice passing down the left, and Johansen ends up with it near the end line... he swings a far post cross in to Kenny Lunt who rises above 3 defenders and heads it back across the goal and in! In the third minute of stoppage time, Lunt salvages all 3 points!

Dakinah, Sarr, Lunt, and Johansen pick up 8's for us, but Kenny Lunt is the unrecognized man of the match, with his terrific header at the death to give us a much-needed win! Our first ever win at Goodison Park.

Win, 1-2, lead increases by 2 pts. to 4 total
Shots/on target: Toffees 11/6, Posh 15/10
Poss: 52-48, Posh
A: 34,931

That may have been the biggest crowd we've yet played before. Wolves draw 0-0 at home to Cardiff, so we pick up valuable space between us and our pursuers. Gillingham also draw to fall 7 points back, and Leicester move into 4th with a 4-0 win v. Reading, and are 9 points behind the lead.

[Butter]

We finally pen a deal with a keeper, Coventry's Graham Stack agree to a deal with us worth $300k+ and a $100k+ signing bonus that will find him in blue for 3 seasons. The bad part is, he's not coming until next season. He has never had a GREAT season with the Sky Blues, but he has the talent to lead us into the Premiership, if we make it.

Then we get a bombshell offer, as Derby County offers us a highly structured deal worth $2.492 million AND keeper Lee Grant (who I have bid on very recently and was rejected) for Alessandro Potenza. Wow, I really like Potenza, but I can't NOT take this deal to get a solid keeper on the squad NOW. Potenza is the 15th highest rating player in the Championship, at a 7.55, but I've got to take the deal. The deal works like this: I get $1.7 million over 24 months with no strings attached... THEN I get $750k IF he makes 50 league appearances for Derby, and I also get $4k per appearance up to a maximum of 30 appearances. In addition, there is a 40% of next sale clause tacked on. I agree to it, and hope the Rams can sign Potenza to give us a huge windfall.

Now if I get Grant, I have to decide whether or not to keep the deal with Stack. I have a few months to consider it, since I can back out before the contract becomes final on July 1st.

Grant agrees to our contract offer, and the deal is final. He signs through 2012 for $260k per season, and a small signing bonus. The only rider on the contract is a $400 clean sheet bonus. Grant has allowed 136 goals in 105 matches in the last 4 seasons, including 26 clean sheets. Not stellar, but Derby's defense is partly to blame I'm sure.

FA Cup Fourth Round upsets
Stockport (L1) 3:1 Birmingham C. (EPL)
Crystal Palace (EPL) 1:1 York (CON)

Sarr and El Karkouri are away at the African Nations Cup right now, depleting our squad. Monkhouse picked up a slight injury that will keep him out about 2 weeks as well, further hurting our chances. And to make things more interesting, Grant's first start in net will find him visiting Derby County, his old stomping ground. I decide to switch things up and start our skilled striker Szilard Nemeth at attacking midfielder to see what he thinks of the position. Lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Pritchard, Carr, Burton, Dakinah
Mid: Campo, Valois, Lunt, Nemeth
Str: Johansen, Hammond

Jan. 22, Match 28
16-6-5, 1st pl., 54 pts.
@ Derby County (10-7-10, 13th pl., 37 pts.)
Series: Posh lead 2-0-1
Fav: Rams, 5:4

1'- Off the kickoff, Dakinah with a long ball to Hammond, it's headed back by Derby, but Johansen gets a leg in and deflects it to Valois... Jim takes off and Valois with a through ball to him... Johansen gets the keeper down early and slots it far post and in!!! 1-0 up 19 seconds in!

17'- Dakinah with another nice long ball to Nemeth, who has broken free of the last man... Szilard Nemeth tries to slot it inside the right upright, but a good reflex save denies us our 2nd.

31'- Excellent cross and header by Derby, but Grant with a great diving save to tip it wide.

51'- Grant with another nice save on a 9 yard attempt from an angle... he deflects it clear.

56'- Nemeth nearly makes it 2 thanks to a nice Valois cross, but the new Derby keeper is up to the task.

77'- Navarro in for Hammond, who is still a little touchy after his injury, and Eriksson in for a tiring Valois.

83'- Lunt with a superb cross for Eriksson, who looks like he's got the shot measured from 12 yards, but it's just tipped wide of the post.

We withstand some more pressure, but take the points! Our first clean sheet in 5 matches, mostly thanks to Lee Grant. The new Derby keeper actually received MoM honors, but Grant picks up an 8. Dakinah gets a 9, while Pritchard, Burton, Valois, and Nemeth also pick up 8's. Nemeth will be back in that AMC role again, he played quite well there.

Win, 0-1, lead remains 4 points
Shots/on target: Rams 12/4, Posh 14/8
Poss: 50-50
A: 20,591

Wolves hammer Gillingham at home, 4-0 to push Gills to 4th place, while West Ham hammer Bolton 3-0 to move up to 3rd place. We are 4 points clear of Wolves, but now have a 9 point cushion on the playoff places.

[Butter]

El Karkouri, Sarr, Robnik, and Monkhouse unavailable for this match, so if you're on the senior squad and you're healthy, you're either playing or on the sub list. Lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Pritchard, Burton, Campo, Dakinah
Mid: Navarro, Lunt, Devlin, Nemeth
Str: Cataldo, Hammond

Jan. 26, Match 29
17-6-5, 1st pl., 57 pts.
v. Ipswich (9-8-11, 17th pl., 35 pts.)
First meeting: Ipswich 0:3 Posh (8/28/07, Champ. fixture)
Fav: Ipswich, 6:4

The bookies must not like our recent run of mediocre form, but I think we're snapping out of it here.

Ipswich seem content to lay back and prevent us from going forward. We don't manage a single coherent chance in the first half, and neither do they. Pretty boring stuff.

56'- Lunt with a solid 25 yard free kick that's saved.

66'- Eriksson on for Nemeth, Valois in for Pritchard, as we switch to a 3-5-2 to try to get some possession away from this slow-down Ipswich team.

72'- Campo heads to Valois, who makes a great 50 yard run with the ball... he plays the give and go with Cataldo, then swings it far post, where Devlin is there to gather and shoot... GOAL!!! Just like old times (well, last year), as Valois and Devlin link up for the opener! 1-0, Posh.

74'- Former Posh member Alexis Nicolas gets a yellow for a challenge, and nearly a second for dissent.

86'- Carr on for a tiring Devlin, as we switch back to the 4-4-2.

Grant makes a couple of fairly routine saves late, and we take 3 points again! Not a great effort, but we did enough to win. Campo and Hammond notch 8's in the win, while Nemeth had our only 6 in just 65 minutes of action. Paul Devlin proved his worth even in his advancing age with the big goal.

Win, 1-0, lead remains 4 points
Shots/on target: Posh 10/5, Ipswich 3/2
Poss: 57-43, Ipswich
A: 15,276

Wolves with a 1-0 road win at Burnley to keep pace. West Ham also wins to stay 9 back, as Gillingham are hitting a rough patch now, and are down to 4th place and 13 points behind us.

[Butter]

Not sure what's going on at Molineux, but I have noticed that Wolves are selling a lot of players... for A CRAPLOAD of money. They have sold no fewer than 4 starters and 3 other players for well over $25 million total in January. Yet they continue to give us a run for our money, and have advanced to the 5th round of the FA Cup. Bastards.

We will receive $8k over 24 months (woo, $333 a month) thanks to a transfer of a long forgotten midfielder, Curtis Woodhouse, from Nott'm Forest to Brighton.

Johansen is voted third in the Young Player of the Month voting, while I rate second for Manager of the Month of January.

We catch a bit of a schedule break, at last, as we get to visit last place Luton. Lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Campo, El Karkouri, Carr, Dakinah
Mid: Navarro, Valois, Lunt, Monkhouse
Str: Johansen, Hammond

Feb. 2, Match 30
18-6-5, 1st pl., 60 pts.
@ Luton Town (5-5-19, 24th pl., 20 pts.)
Series: Posh lead 3-1-1
Fav: Posh, Evens

2'- Not a good start, as a throw-in turns into a cross... and the ensuing shot deflects off El Karkouri and in. 1-0, Hatters.

We can't get a good shot off, as Luton is trying to protect their lead.

35'- Finally, we get the Hatter defense spread out, and Monkhouse with a great through ball to Hammond, and he makes his living on these low shots past the keeper... 1-1! Hammond's 10th league goal of the year.

38'- Now we go back to the days of being unsure about the keeper, as Luton crosses one right along the goalmouth from deep that Grant pretty much tips into his own net. 2-1, Luton.

55'- Valois with a perfectly weighted ball from 25 yards out to Johansen that stops about 10 yards from goal, and allows Johansen to run onto it clean and strike it home! 2-2! Valois is returning to form, and Johansen and Hammond are the best striker combination in the league when their both on their game.

86'- Luton have a man go off due to injury, but they've already used their 3 subs. We bring Robnik on for Carr, and Eriksson in for a tiring Monkhouse, and push up to a 3-4-3 to try and parlay it into a goal.

89'- Luton break a man free in the box, and Grant deflects a shot... it looks like the attacker goes down, and the referee blows for a foul, but he books the Luton striker for diving, thankfully.

We play over 5 minutes of injury time thanks to an injury time injury to another Luton player, but even 11 on 9 we can't get a shot in. Not a good result, really. Alan Navarro wins a rare MoM for him, rating an 8. Dakinah, El Karkouri, Monkhouse, and Hammond also picks up 8's.

Draw, 2-2, lead remains 4 pts.
Shots/on target: Hatters 8/3, Posh 11/7
Poss: 53-47, Luton
A: 8,825

Wolves draw at home with Crewe 0-0 to stay 4 points back. West Ham move up to 7 points back, and Gillingham to 11 back of first place.

[Butter]

Dakinah goes out with a twisted knee for about a week. Robnik also is injured in training, and will miss about 2 weeks.

El Karkouri and Hammond are picked in the Team of the Week.

Argenio complains about his contract in the media. No sympathy from me.

Next up, old nemesis Sheffield United, who are mid-table. In the run-up to the match, I make my first ever comment on an upcoming opponent... saying how much I would enjoy beating Sheffield United, since their manager has had no problems talking in the past about how they planned on beating me. I catch him off guard, and he says that we probably won't get promotion... which leads me to promise promotion outright. We'll see what happens. Lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Campo, El Karkouri, Sarr, Carr
Mid: Navarro, Valois, Lunt, Monkhouse
Str: Johansen, Hammond

Feb. 9, Match 31
18-7-5, 1st pl., 61 pts.
v. Sheffield Utd. (11-8-11, 12th pl., 41 pts.)
Series: Posh lead 3-0-2
Fav: Posh, 6:4

2'- A cross in to Grant is misplayed, and headed in for the Blades. 1-0, Sheff. Utd.

We cannot get any good chances on goal despite several good buildups.

45'+- El Karkouri with a long throw to Hammond in the box... Hammond is barged over and it's a penalty! Johansen runs up to take it.... saved! Rassin' frassin' ma-tassin'. Still 1-0.

67'- Johansen with a good ball down the middle to Hammond, but he tries to slot it a little early, and it's saved.

Cataldo on for Campo, and Nemeth in for Valois as Monkhouse moves to the left wing, and we go to the 3-4-3 again.

85'- A ball is played back to the Sheffield keeper, who has wandered about 5 yards outside his box. He then tries to play it right to a defender, but misses the onrushing Jim Johansen, who steals it and lobs it right into the open goal from 35 yards! What a huge mistake for Sheffield, and a great job by Johansen! 1-1!

The final whistle goes, and we are lucky to have grabbed a point... our first ever draw with our fiercest rivals. Grant picks up the only 8 for us, everyone else rates 7's. Oh, if only Johansen had nailed that PK in the first half.

Draw, 1-1, lead increases to 5 pts.
Shots/on target: Posh 16/7, Blades 11/6
Poss: 50-50
A: 15,298

Wolves fall to Leeds 3-1 on the road, and West Ham drops a game to 4th place Gillingham, who jump back into the hunt for 2nd place.

Campo and Johansen were injured in the last match, neither will be out more than 2 weeks.

Elvis Hammond has reached 5 yellow cards in domestic competition, so will miss our next match.

[Butter]

The hard games just keep coming, as we visit failing Leicester in a mid-week tussle. We have several players out, which gives us this lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Pritchard, El Karkouri, Sarr, Carr
Mid: Navarro, Valois, Lunt, Monkhouse
Str: Cataldo, Nemeth

Feb. 12, Match 32
18-8-5, 1st pl., 62 pts.
@ Leicester (11-13-7, 8th pl., 46 pts.)
First meeting: Posh 0:3 Foxes (9/22/07, Champ. fixture)
Fav: Foxes, 6:4

4'- Sarr with a free kick from midfield, to Monkhouse in the arc, who flicks it wonderfully on to Nemeth... but the finish is lacking.

6'- Nemeth is played through, but closed down quickly... he manages to find Monkhouse, who also has a man hanging off him. Andy's shot is deflected to the right... where Lunt runs onto it and taps it home! 1-0, Posh!

27'- A cross is headed away by El Karkouri, but right into the path of a Foxes midfielder, who volleys it past a surprised Grant. 1-1.

45'- Navarro with a great header off a goal kick for the Foxes that gets Cataldo onside... Cataldo's shot is deflected back, and Nemeth tries to get the rebound from 18 yards, but his shot hits the woodwork and bounces clear!

54'- A deep cross is swung into the center of the area... Grant comes out to play it, but instead punches a guy in the back of the head, and a penalty is given... and converted. 2-1, Foxes.

62'- Don't have to wait long for the reply... Lunt with a 60 yard through ball that Cataldo corrals about 25 yards out, and he is able to finish past the onrushing keeper. 2-2.

68'- More great play, as Navarro plays Nemeth onside... Szilard attacks the left side of goal, and cuts it back to Andy Monkhouse for the easy finish! 3-2, Posh! Wonderful passing by Nemeth there.

70'- A great curling shot from 20 yards is saved well by Grant.

74'- A 12 yard strike through traffic is cleared off the line by Carr after a corner kick.

81'- More great midfield play, as Navarro, Nemeth, and Monkhouse work the ball down the field before Andy beats his man at the top of the box, then slides it to an onrushing Kenny Lunt... Lunt at the top left corner of the six scores it high! 4-2, Posh!

Reserve Mads Reginuissen gets his first action, coming on for Cataldo and playing in the def. midfield. Reserve striker James Faulkner is on for Nemeth, and Devlin enters for Lunt.

The final 10 minutes melt away, and we take the win! Lunt and Monkhouse both rate 10's, which may be the first time I've ever had 2 10's at once... but Lunt gets the MoM nod with his 2 goals. Every other starter rated an 8, except for Sarr who picks up a 7. Great team effort.

Win, 2-4, lead increases to 7 pts.
Shots/on target: Foxes 16/6, Posh 17/9
Poss: 52-48, Foxes
A: 27,455

Wolves draw at home to Plymouth, 0-0, while West Ham win, closing to within 1 point of Wolves for 2nd place.

Valois twisted his knee late in the match, and will miss 2 weeks.

[Butter]

How about this result:
FA Cup Fifth Round
Arsenal 1:3 Wolves
-In a match refereed by the notorious Rob Styles, Arsenal went down a man early, thanks to a straight red on a 2 footed tackle from behind. But, they went ahead 1-0 in the 43rd on a headed in corner by former Birmingham striker Mikael Forssell. But, Shay Given was credited with an own goal on a cross that he mishandled in the 52nd, then Arsenal went down 2 men in the 56th, when an Arsenal defender was shown his 2nd yellow for tugging down an attacker on a breakaway. Former Charlton Athletic striker Francis Jeffers went on to score 2 goals in 3 minutes in the 71st and 73rd, and Wolves win going away, 3-1.

El Karkouri, Lunt, and Monkhouse are picked in the Team of the Week.

Champions League First Knockout Stage, Leg 1
Deportivo 2:0 Real Betis
Bayern Munich 2:0 Porto
Leverkusen 1:2 Barcelona
Lyon 2:1 Lokomotiv Plovdiv
Man Utd. 0:1 AC Milan
Olympiakos 1:1 Chelsea
Paris 0:0 Juventus
Partizan 0:1 Arsenal

Next up, a home game against playoff battlers Leeds. Lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Campo, El Karkouri, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Navarro, Monkhouse, Lunt, Nemeth
Str: Cataldo, Hammond

Feb. 20, Match 33
19-8-5, 1st pl., 65 pts.
v. Leeds (14-8-10, 6th pl., 50 pts.)
Series: Even, 1-0-1
Fav: Leeds, Evens

8'- More great team play, as Navarro with a steal in the defensive half, he hits a long ball down the right to Hammond... Hammond slows the ball, then lays it back for Lunt in the arc, who one touches it to Nemeth square, who passes forward to Cataldo, onside from 10 yards, and he hammers a vicious strike into the upper corner! 1-0, Posh! Cataldo's 10th of the season.

30'- Monkhouse with a great through ball to Nemeth, who chases it down and tries to chip the oncoming keeper, but it ends up in the net on top of the goal, goal kick for Leeds.

33'- More great midfield play, as Campo and Sarr play footsie while waiting for a long ball to present itself... finally Campo gets Monkhouse just onside... Andy attacks the goal, and it's blocked wide... Hammond is there to finish it! 2-0, Posh!

Grant with 2 great saves as well in the first half, one on a free kick, and another on an 8 yard free header to keep things at 2-0 into the interval. Cataldo is dragging around a knock, so he comes off for Eriksson, and we put Nemeth up front.

Not much action in the second half.

73'- Carr on for Navarro, who is dog tired. We switch to a 5-3-2.

81'- Devlin on for Lunt.

86'- Devlin is clattered at midfield, and has to go off, so we go down a man.

90'+- In the 3rd stoppage minute, Hammond and Nemeth play the give-and-go, and Hammond is free up the right of the box... he unselfishly crosses to an oncoming Eriksson, who has an open side of the goal to shoot at, and scores from 10 yards! Great series of passes again to seal this one, 3-0.

Andy Monkhouse with yet another 10 and MoM honors... 2 10's in a row is quite spectacular. Again, more 8's than not on the big ratings board as we dominate Leeds all around. Just a wonderful game to watch.

Win, 3-0, lead increases to 8 pts.
Shots/on target: Posh 18/5, Leeds 8/4
Poss: 52-48, Leeds
A: 15,303

Wolves draw on the road to struggling Coventry, while West Ham win in mid-week to pass Wolves for 2nd on 60 pts., Wolves have 59.

Devlin will miss just a few days with a strained neck.

[Butter]

Another short turnaround, and our guys are getting tired. But with only 2 mid-week matches left, we should be good if we can make it through 1 more. Lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Pritchard, Burton, Sarr, Carr
Mid: Campo, Monkhouse, Lunt, Nemeth
Str: Robnik, Hammond

Feb. 23, Match 34
20-8-5, 1st pl., 68 pts.
v. Reading (12-12-9, 8th pl., 48 pts.)
Series: Even, 1-1-1
Fav: Posh, 6:4

6'- Monkhouse with a through ball down the left for Robnik... Robnik with a high cross to Hammond at the back post, but it's headed away from him... right to Ivan Campo at 18 yards, who winds up and volleys it into the upper corner! 1-0, Posh!

21'- Campo steals a throw in, finds Monkhouse who plays it square to Nemeth... Nemeth with a great flick on to Robnik, who is open up the left of the box, and fires a quick shot that goes in past the diving keeper! Robnik's first Posh goal, and it's 2-0!

Reading begin to dominate play, but can't finish a chance, sending several wide of the target.

55'- A great shot from in between 3 defenders finds the target and beats Grant from 18 yards, 2-1 now.

58'- A 25 yard free kick deflects off of Ivan Campo and in for the Royals, and it's 2-2.

78'- Cataldo in for Robnik, El Karkouri for Campo, and Eriksson for Lunt as Monkhouse switches sides.

87'- Great strike by Cataldo from the corner of the area, but it's just deflected out.

The rest of the time ticks away, and we're left with a disappointing draw. Chris Carr is the surprising MoM, winning it with an 8. Carr had 13 interceptions of passes in this match. Nemeth and Robnik also pick up 8's.

Draw, 2-2, lead drops to 6 pts.
Shots/on target: Posh 13/6, Royals 9/2
Poss: 55-45, Royals
A: 15,295

West Ham with an easy road win at Plymouth Argyle to catapult them to within 6 points of first place.

[Butter]

Carling Cup Final - From Wembley
Newcastle 0:2 Chelsea
-Newcastle could muster just one shot on goal, by Craig Bellamy, and could not stop Chelsea's midfield domination, as the Blues win the League Cup rather easily.

Andy Monkhouse deservedly wins the Player of the Month award for February.

Next up, we start March with a trip to struggling Burnley. Lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Pritchard, El Karkouri, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Campo, Valois, Lunt, Monkhouse
Str: Johansen, Hammond

March 1, Match 35 - Televised
20-9-5, 1st pl., 69 pts.
@ Burnley (9-11-14, 18th pl., 38 pts.)
Series: Even, 1-2-1
Fav: Posh, 5:4

Valois feeds quality ball after quality ball to the front, but Hammond and Monkhouse keep hitting 'em into the seats.

30'- Johansen is onside, free by about 5 yards, but his shot is saved nicely... Valois collects the rebound and shoots at an open goal from 10 yards, and sends it over the bar.

45'+- Lunt is played onside by Valois... Lunt attacks the goal, and shoots from 8 yards, but it's deflected to the other side of goal... where Johansen is there to tap it in! 1-0, Posh in the final seconds of the first half!

73'- After another dry patch, Burnley get a good cross off a throw-in, Grant misjudges the flight of the ball and watches it get headed in behind him. 1-1.

Eriksson on for a tiring Valois, Nemeth in for an ineffective Andy Monkhouse.

86'- Cataldo on for a tiring Lunt, and we switch El Karkouri to DM, and Campo to right wing, moving to a 3-4-3 over the final few minutes.

A pretty disappointing match, all around. We couldn't seem to hit the broadside of a barn for most of it. Dakinah, Pritchard, and Campo pick up 8's.

Draw, 1-1, lead increases to 7 pts.
Shots/on target: Clarets 4/2, Posh 19/7
Poss: 52-48, Clarets
A: 19,794

Wolves destroy West Ham 5-0 at Molineux to try and re-assert their claim to the 2nd automatic promotion slot... now West Ham are 2nd on 63 pts., and Wolves are 3rd on 62.

[Butter]

It really doesn't seem like we've been in stellar form to me, but we've now gone 10 straight league fixtures without a loss. But 4 of the last 6 have been draws.

Next up, a visit to relegation battlers Barnsley. Lineup:
GK: Argenio
Def: Pritchard, Campo, Sarr, Burton
Mid: El Karkouri, Monkhouse, Lunt, Nemeth
Str: Johansen, Hammond

March 4, Match 36
20-10-5, 1st pl., 70 pts.
@ Barnsley (8-11-16, 21st pl., 35 pts.)
Series: Posh lead 4-1-0
Fav: Posh, 6:4

3'- Dakinah steals, and knocks it ahead to Lunt... Lunt squares for Nemeth, who plays Johansen through... Johansen with a move around the keeper, and he scores from 15 yards! 1-0, Posh!

5'- Monkhouse with a great short cross to Hammond, who is unmarked from 5 yards, but he chunks it right into the keeper's gloves.

15'- Cross into lots of traffic for Barnsley, but Argenio manages to beat an attacker to it and punch it clear. Nemeth with a nice play on the counter nearly scores, but his 12 yard shot is charged down.

18'- Pritchard heads it back to Argenio, who picks it up... Argenio with a 75 yard ball to Nemeth... Nemeth beats his man in the air, and heads it onto the run of Hammond... Elvis with a great move at the spot to wrongfoot the keeper, and he slots it home! 2-0!

29'- Another great move and cross by Monkhouse, but Hammond heads it well wide.

34'- Great play out front by a Barnsley sub, he slides a through ball to the left of the box, and a striker has a free shot from 10 yards, but Argenio with a very good save.

50'- Nemeth with a great through ball to Johansen... Jim holds off 2 defenders and gets off a shot at a charging keeper from the arc... it's blocked wide, but Hammond runs his tail off to get to the rebound, and angles it home from 12 yards! Hammond's 2nd of the game, and we lead 3-0!

Devlin in for Lunt, Cataldo on for Hammond.

60'- Great cross right in front of Argenio, and a contested header from 3 yards is instinctively pushed aside by Argenio. Monkhouse nearly strikes on the counter, but his shot is deflected out for a corner.

70'- A corner kick steal is converted into a good chance for Barnsley, and they strike on a breakaway as Argenio looks helpless. 3-1.

82'- Grant enters as a sub to boost his morale, Argenio sits.

That takes care of it. Good win. Nemeth wins the MoM, playing several quality through balls from his AMC position and earning a 9. Sarr, Lunt, and Hammond also pick up 9's and Dakinah, Pritchard, Campo, Johansen, Argenio, and Grant get 8's. Very good road effort.

Win, 1-3, lead remains 7 pts.
Shots/on target: Barnsley 9/7, Posh 12/9
Poss: 51-49, Barnsley
A: 20,503

West Ham squeak past Rotherham on the road, 3-2, to remain 7 points back. Wolves drop to 10 back with a scoreless draw at home to Everton.

[Butter]

Champions League First Knockout Round, Leg 2
Arsenal 5:0 Partizan (ARS adv. 6-0 on agg.)
Barcelona 0:1 Leverkusen (Ends 2-2, Barca adv. on away goals)
Betis 4:0 Deportivo (Betis adv. 4-2 on agg.)
Chelsea 3:2 Olympiakos (Blues adv. 4-3 on agg.)
Juventus 3:1 Paris (Juve adv. 3-1 on agg.)
Loko (Plovdiv) 0:3 Lyon (Lyon adv. 5-1 on agg.)
Milan 1:2 Man. Utd. (Ends 2-2, Man U. adv. on away goals)
Porto 0:0 Bayern Munich (Munich adv. 2-0 on agg.)

Next up, we host struggling Coventry. Nemeth gets another start at AMC, and Monkhouse stays on the left since it was so effective in the last match. Lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Pritchard, El Karkouri, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Campo, Monkhouse, Lunt, Nemeth
Str: Johansen, Hammond

March 8, Match 37
21-10-5, 1st pl., 73 pts.
v. Coventry City (8-15-13, 18th pl., 39 pts.)
Series: Posh lead 2-0-1
Fav: Sky Blues, 5:4

Coventry features our future #1 keeper, Graham Stack. I've decided we're going to keep 2 first-team keepers of quality, so Stack will be coming over on a Bosman in July.

A very lackluster first half showed only 1 shot on target for us, and none for Coventry. If they're trying to just earn a road point, they're doing very well.

55'- Great ball by Coventry drops into the box, and a striker has a great shot from 12 yards, but Grant is able to keep it out... barely, as it rolls across the line and is taken away by El Karkouri.

79'- Nemeth with a vicious 25 yarder, but Stack saves it.

Cataldo on for Hammond, Valois in for Johansen as we move Nemeth up front, and Monkhouse to AMC, and Navarro in for Lunt as Campo moves to the right wing.

The final 10 minutes steam past us, and we're left with a scoreless draw. Not a great effort, as everyone gets 7's. Stack picked up an 8 for Coventry, but really he didn't have much to do either. The fans will be demanding their money back after this one.

Draw, 0-0, lead increases to 8 pts.
Shots/on target: Posh 8/3, Sky Blues 2/1
Poss: 62-38, Posh
A: 15,291

West Ham lose at home to Derby to slip another point behind us, and Wolves have to play in the FA Cup, so will have a game to make up later.

FA Cup Quarterfinal Results
Chelsea 1:1 Sunderland
Aston Villa 2:2 Crystal Palace
Blackburn R. 2:0 Leeds
Wolves 0:0 QPR

[Butter]

Wolves lose at Hull 2-0 to squander their game in hand and remain 3 points behind West Ham for 2nd place.

UEFA Cup Round of 16
Teams advancing to the Quarters: Ajax, Inter, Lazio, Udinese, Sporting L., Parma, Liverpool, Southampton

Big match for us, as we visit playoff battlers Hull. The Tigers are always a tough game, but we usually find a way around them. We still need all the wins we can get to try and win the league. Lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Pritchard, El Karkouri, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Campo, Valois, Lunt, Monkhouse
Str: Johansen, Hammond

March 15, Match 38
21-11-5, 1st pl., 74 pts.
@ Hull (15-11-11, 6th pl., 56 pts.)
Series: Posh lead 2-3-0
Fav: Tigers, 6:4

As always, Hull dominates possession but creates few chances. Each side with just 1 shot on target. Not sure what to do at this point. We stick with the starting XI.

56'- Big mistake by Hull, as El Karkouri heaves a throw toward the six, and Hammond gets up and beats the keeper to the ball, heading it into goal... 1-0!

66'- A corner kick swings in for Hull, and Dakinah with a tackle at the edge of the six... and it's a penalty. Crap. I don't know how many we've yielded this year, but this may be only the first or second. Anyway it's converted, and we're level.

79'- Another corner kick causes problems, this time it's swung outward and finds the boot of a midfielder at around 12 yards... and he half-volleys it past Grant for a 2-1 Hull advantage.

Robnik in for Valois, as El Karkouri and Campo move up to midfield as we switch to a 3-4-3 to try and equalize.

87'- Eriksson in for Pritchard, Nemeth in for Campo as we throw 8 men into the attack.

We get one final corner kick swung in, but it is cleared out in the 93rd minute and our long unbeaten streak ends with our first ever loss to Hull. A big win for their playoff chances, putting them up to 5th place past Everton. Sarr somehow wins MoM honors with an 8, while Lunt also picks up an 8. Grant gets a 6 as does Johansen.

Loss, 2-1, lead drops to 7 pts.
Shots/on target: Tigers 10/3, Posh 11/3
Poss: 54-46, Tigers
A: 22,768

West Ham draw at Ipswich, while Wolves beat Rotherham as West Ham is now 7 points behind us and Wolves are 8.

[Butter]

FA Cup Quarterfinal Replays
Crystal Palace 3:0 Aston Villa
QPR 1:1 Wolves (QPR win 4-3 on PK's)
Sunderland 3:2 Chelsea

Next up for us, a big home match with Wolves. Lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Pritchard, El Karkouri, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Campo, Monkhouse, Lunt, Nemeth
Str: Johansen, Hammond

March 22, Match 39 - Televised
21-11-6, 1st pl., 74 pts.
v. Wolverhampton Wanderers (19-9-10, 3rd pl., 66 pts.)
Series: Even, 1-0-1
Fav: Wolves, 6:4

Neither team can manage much to bother the keeper, despite plenty of good action outside of the two penalty areas. Johansen rates a 5 at halftime, but I decide to stick with him for another 20 minutes or so at least.

53'- Johansen nearly rewards me immediately, as Nemeth swings in a cross that is mishandled, and the ball bobbles to Johansen, whose fierce 8 yard shot is barely tipped away.

61'- Monkhouse gets a rebound of a Johansen shot and sends it goalward, but a defender gets in the way and slows it up enough for the keeper to corral it inches from the line.

69'- Navarro in for El Karkouri as Campo falls to the back 4, and Eriksson enters for Nemeth... we switch Monkhouse to the AMC spot.

72'- Eriksson with a cross that Lunt finds up the right side of the area, and he fires a volley into the upright! It is cleared.

81'- Robnik enters for Johansen.

85'- Campo with a great long diagonal ball for Lunt, who gets it 15 yards from the end line, and plays a long ball across the top of the area to Eriksson... Tobias dribbles forward, then swings an early cross into the box, where Robnik gets a toe to it and pokes it past the keeper and inside the right post! 1-0, Posh!!

89'- Monkhouse with a giveaway in the Wolves half, and a quick long ball finds a man free on Grant... he slots it home with the right foot, but luckily the flag went up for offsides pretty quickly.

It's almost a shame this one couldn't have ended in a draw... but not really. Lee Grant picks up MoM honors for his 9 in goal... Hammond and Dakinah pick up 8's as well. The win puts Wolves out of contention for the title, now 11 points behind us.

Win, 1-0, lead remains 7 pts.
Shots/on target: Posh 17/6, Wolves 12/6
Poss: 52-48, Posh
A: 15,293

West Ham easily dispatch last place Luton 3-1, and stay 7 points behind.

[Butter]

Hammond is named in the Team of the Week.

Nemeth sprains a wrist and will miss about a week of action.

We get a breather game (I hope), as relegation strugglers Nott'm Forest comes to town. Lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Pritchard, El Karkouri, Campo, Carr
Mid: Navarro, Eriksson, Lunt, Monkhouse
Str: Cataldo, Hammond

March 29, Match 40
22-11-6, 1st pl., 77 pts.
v. Nott'm Forest (11-9-19, 20th pl., 42 pts.)
Series: Forest lead 4-0-0
Fav: Forest, 6:4

A win today guarantees us at least a playoff spot. But we've never beaten Forest.

Grant with 2 dynamic saves on point blank shots, but a pretty poor offensive first half for us. We stick with the same eleven for the second half.

60'- Valois in for a banged up Eriksson, Robnik on for Cataldo.

71'- Lunt with a great ball forward to Monkhouse... the keeper doesn't commit to charging it fast enough, and Andy collects it and scores around the keeper from 20 yards out! 1-0, Posh!

Forest with a couple more good build-ups, but our defenders keep their cool and are able to contain their attack, forcing Grant to only make 1 good save in the final 20 minutes.

Grant wins MoM with a 9, while Monkhouse, Lunt, and Campo collect 8's.

Win, 1-0, lead remains 7 pts.
Shots/on target: Posh 9/3, Forest 13/6
Poss: 51-49, Forest
A: 15,295

West Ham squeak past Ipswich 1-0 on the road to keep pace with us.

We have indeed clinched a playoff spot, but now we only need 8 points from our final 6 matches to clinch promotion. That's 3 wins... very doable.

[Butter]

Grant is named in the Team of the Week.

Champions League Quarterfinals, Leg 1
Arsenal 2:0 Man Utd.
Barcelona 2:1 Bayern Munich
Chelsea 2:0 Lyon
Juventus 2:1 Betis

UEFA Cup Quarterfinals, Leg 1
Ajax 1:1 Sporting L.
Lazio 1:1 Liverpool
Southampton 4:0 Inter
Udinese 1:1 Parma

Next up, a tough visit to Sheffield Wednesday. Lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Burton, Sarr, Carr, Dakinah
Mid: Navarro, Valois, Monkhouse, Nemeth
Str: Johansen, Hammond

April 5, Match 41
23-11-6, 1st pl., 80 pts.
@ Sheffield Wednesday (16-10-14, 8th pl., 58 pts.)
Series: Owls lead 2-2-1
Fav: Owls, 5:4

We're making scoreless first halves a regular thing. Neither team had a good shot on goal in the first half.

We control play through the 75th minute, but still no goals. Hammond with a couple of very hopeful long range efforts, and Navarro puts one over the bar.

75'- Lunt, Robnik, and Cataldo on for Nemeth, Johansen, and Hammond.

83'- Monkhouse with a great move around a defender, then has a decent go from 15 yards, but it's over the bar.

Well, we created a bunch of chances in the second half, but instead of driving people on goal, we usually settled for a 15-20 yard shot that wasn't close. Oh well, a point isn't too bad. Sarr wins MoM, rating a 9... Grant, Navarro, and Valois pick up 8's.

Draw, 0-0, lead remains 7 pts.
Shots/on target: Owls 7/2, Posh 17/4
Poss: 50-50
A: 26,111

West Ham draw at home to Burnley to match our pace. Wolves draw on Sunday, and now we only need 5 points from our final 5 matches to get promoted.

[Butter]

Sarr and Valois are picked in the Team of the Week.

Champions League Quarterfinals, Leg 2
Betis 0:1 Juventus (Juve. adv. 3-1 on agg.)
Bayern Munich 0:0 Barcelona (Barca adv. 2-1 on agg.)
Lyon 1:2 Chelsea (Chelsea adv. 4-1 on agg.)
Man Utd. 5:1 Arsenal (Man U. adv. 5-3 on agg.)

UEFA Cup Quarterfinals, Leg 2
Inter 2:0 Southampton (So'ton adv. 4-2 on agg.)
Liverpool 2:2 Lazio (Even 3-3, Lazio adv. on away goals)
Parma 2:0 Udinese (Parma adv. 3-1 on agg.)
Sporting 1:2 Ajax (Ajax adv. 3-2 on agg.)

Next up, a visit to Preston North End. Lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Pritchard, El Karkouri, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Campo, Valois, Lunt, Eriksson
Str: Johansen, Hammond

April 12, Match 42
23-12-6, 1st pl., 81 pts.
@ Preston North End (15-13-13, 13th pl., 58 pts.)
Series: Posh lead 2-1-1
Fav: PNE, 6:4

23'- Lunt with a 20 yard free kick... off the crossbar and cleared!

31'- Could it be a first half goal? Campo gets the pass from Lunt, and crosses in to the six... Hammond is there to head it past an out of position keeper for a goal! Hammond's 50th league goal in Posh blue, and we lead it 1-0!

41'- Lunt with a nice ball to Johansen in traffic... Jim gets a bit of space and cracks it low, but it goes wide.

Navarro in for a dinged up Campo at the interval.

59'- PNE miss a glorious chance, as a 25 yard free kick is merely parried by Grant, right to a waiting striker at 8 yards, but he hits it well high of the target.

72'- Another close in half-volley is sent off target by a Preston attacker.

74'- We put this one away, as Hammond appears to want to pull it back to midfield, but instead plays a ball into the run of Johansen... Jim is free of the last defender, and slots it home past the keeper inside the left post. 2-0, Posh.

90'+- Hammond finds Johansen again, and this time a pass fits in between 2 defenders, and Jim just barely has time to settle the ball, turn, and shoot before being closed down, but still he manages to squeeze it in between the keeper and the right post. Great strike. 3-0, Posh!

Great road win against a team that's pretty much out of contention at this point. Elvis Hammond with a goal and 2 assists in earning his MoM award... he rated an 8, as did most of the starting 11.... Valois did rate a disappointing 6.

Win, 0-3, lead increases to 10 pts.
Shots/on target: Preston 10/3, Posh 16/8
Poss: 60-40, Preston
A: 18,091

Good news for us as West Ham lose at home to Leicester 3-0, and Wolves draw... we're guaranteed promotion now, gaining 5 net points on 3rd place today! And we only need 2 more points to win the league! Either West Ham must draw/lose one of their remaining 4 games, or we must win only once to win the title!

[Butter]

FA Cup Semifinals
Blackburn R. 0:2 Crystal Palace
Sunderland 1:1 QPR (Sunderland adv. 4-2 on PK's)


Next up, we host former Premiership side Bolton Wanderers. Bolton fans must be envious since we're on our way back from whence they came. Lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Pritchard, El Karkouri, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Campo, Valois, Lunt, Monkhouse
Str: Johansen, Hammond

April 15, Match 43
24-12-6, 1st pl., 84 pts.
v. Bolton Wanderers (15-15-12, 11th pl., 60 pts.)
Series: Even, 1-1-1
Fav: Posh, 5:4

Can we win the clincher at home? We'll have 3 cracks at it out of our final 4.

We come out blazing, but can't score any of our first few shots.... then:

18'- Bolton with a nice cross and header from 5 yards, and an easy goal. 1-0, Trotters.

Then Bolton switch to a "defensive style" and stifle us for the next half hour. We switch to a 3-4-3 at the half attempting to equalize, bringing on Cataldo for Pritchard.

75'- Nemeth on for a slightly injured Campo, and we move to a 2-5-3.

We're just totally unable to mount a decent attack, and Bolton deny us the championship... at least today. Sarr and Campo pick up 8's.

Loss, 0-1, lead drops to 7 pts.
Shots/on target: Posh 11/9, Trotters 7/2
Poss: 55-45, Trotters
A: 15,300

West Ham win on the road at Reading, 2-0, to cut the lead to 7 points with 3 games to play. Still quite a large lead, but we can't afford to drop any more points.

[Butter]

Our next chance to clinch the title is at home to Cardiff. Lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Pritchard, El Karkouri, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Campo, Monkhouse, Lunt, Nemeth
Str: Johansen, Hammond

April 19, Match 44
24-12-7, 1st pl., 84 pts.
v. Cardiff (17-11-15, 11th pl., 62 pts.)
Series: Even, 1-1-1
Fav: Posh, 6:4

No chances early... we're playing quite tentatively, not creating anything.

36'- Lunt's 25 yard free kick hits the post!

43'- Nemeth nearly scores on a low drive from 25 yards.

81'- Robnik and Valois in for Hammond and Nemeth... Monkhouse moves to the center of attack.

Cardiff pretty much pack their back line for the 2nd half, and we can't break it. It ends scoreless. Grant picks up our only 8.

Draw, 0-0
Shots/on target: Posh 10/1, Cardiff 2/2
Poss: 53-47, Posh
A: 15,077

As the final whistle goes, we head to the locker room to hear the crowd break out in a cheer... as it is announced that West Ham have lost on the road to Leeds, 3-1! We are the champions of the Championship!

It only took 4 years, but we are going to the Promised Land... the English Premier League!

[Butter]

Hey, this headline looks familiar:

Butter brings glory to Peterborough

Peterborough fans are in a jubilant mood, after Butter led them to the incredible feat of winning the English Championship.

A fans' spokesperson announced that Butter is undoubtedly one of the best managers around.

A prominent member of the Peterborough board could not contain his delight following the team's triumph.

Sadly, Luton was relegated for sure sometime last week. Wolves and West Ham have clinched playoff spots, with Wolves now holding a goal difference edge on West Ham for 2nd place.

With 2 games left, time to bring up the youngsters. We bring up the following players from the reserves:
AM-L Charlie Daniels
Str. James Faulkner
AM-C Inzaghi
GK Peter Karlsson
F-RLC Alexis Kubilskis
Str. Jami Puustinen
D/DM-RC Mads Reginiussen
D/DM-RC Gideon de Graaf

And from the U-18 squad:
DC Ian Holmes

We've only lost twice in the league since the new year, yielding just 1 goal in our last 6 matches, and 5 goals in the last 10.

Unlike real life, it appears that Harry Redknapp is just now about to be sacked by Portsmouth... they're 13th in the EPL, but safe from relegation. Meanwhile, Southampton boss Jurgen Klinsmann has leaped to the same job with Tottenham Hotspur... pretty much a lateral move, as Spurs are just 2 places higher in the table at 8th right now, with not much chance to move up to a UEFA Cup spot.

Champions League Semifinals, Leg 1
Barcelona 1:2 Chelsea
Man. Utd. 1:0 Juventus

Kofi Dakinah makes it known that he wants a better contract. I'll consider it during the offseason.

Then, this interesting nugget:
Aston Villa approach Butter
Aston Villa chairman Doug Ellis has offered you the managerial job at Villa Park with the condition that you work to secure the club's long-term financial security.

Ellis indicates that the board would be able to offer you a transfer budget in the region of $15M to fund the purchase of new players.

With the current wage bill also well above budget at around $56,000,000 p/a (per year), the board will require this figure to be significantly reduced should you take charge.

Interesting, but I'm not a big Villa fan. Not a goal of mine to coach there, so I pass.

UEFA Cup Semifinals, Leg 1
Ajax 2:1 Southampton
Parma 0:0 Lazio

Next up, we travel to Gillingham... Gills clinch a playoff spot with a win. Sadly for Reading, the 7th place team, I'll be playing the youngsters today. Lineup:
GK: Karlsson
Def: Pritchard, Holmes, Carr, de Graaf
Mid: Reginiussen, Daniels, Kubilskis, Inzaghi
Str: Faulkner, Robnik

April 26, Match 45
24-13-7, 1st pl., 85 pts.
@ Gillingham (20-11-13, 5th pl., 71 pts.)
Series: Even, 1-1-1
Fav: Posh, Evens

I wouldn't be the favorite if they knew the lineup I was starting.

6'- Inzaghi with an outswinging corner, right to Robnik who is tackled down and the penalty is given... sadly Faulkner hits it straight at the keeper.

18'- Gills score off a set piece, with a nice header from a corner kick... Carr lost his man on the play, creating the chance.

25'- de Graaf with a great ball down the right touch line... Kubilskis tracks it down just before it goes out of play, then swings a cross back across the six, where Charlie Daniels is attacking the far post... he volleys it back across the goal mouth and nestles it inside the right post for his first Posh goal! Nice move there to even the game.

31'- Gills re-take the lead with a long cross in from the right that finds a head inside the six yard box... Karlsson looked helpless.

42'- Karlsson is slightly injured, so we remove him in favor of Argenio.

Not much happens for a LONG time.

83'- Eriksson on for Daniels, Cataldo for Robnik.

90'+- After 2 minutes of up-and-down the field action, Reginiussen passes to Cataldo at around 45 yards, and Franco just takes off, leaving one defender in the dust, then drawing out the keeper and slotting it inside the left post past him! Nice individual effort to level the match.

The match ends even, a better result than I expected. Reginiussen was probably the most impressive player from the action I saw. He picked up an 8, as did de Graaf, Holmes, and Inzaghi amongst the youngsters.

Draw, 2-2
Shots/on target: Gills 8/3, Posh 16/6
Poss: 56-44, Gills
A: 10,698

Good news for Gillingham as Reading only manage a draw in their match to ensure Gills a playoff spot.

Hull lead Reading by 2 points for the final playoff spot, while Wolves drop 3 points behind West Ham by losing their game and watching the Hammers win later that day. They'll have to win and have West Ham lose next week to clinch the 2nd automatic promotion spot. Everton is solidly in 4th place with a playoff spot as well.

At the foot of the table, it's Plymouth, Barnsley, and Nott'm Forest all fighting against being the two teams to join Luton in League One next season. They're all within two points of each other.

West Bromwich Albion has also clinched relegation from the EPL, so we'll miss out on them next year.

[Butter]

Kevin Blackwell, former Leeds and West Brom boss (and sacked from both), is hired as Southampton's new manager.

Champions League Semifinals, Leg 2
Chelsea 0:3 Barcelona (Barca adv. 4-2 on agg.)
Juventus 1:2 Man Utd. (Man U. adv. 3-1 on agg.)

UEFA Cup Semifinals, Leg 2
Lazio 1:1 Parma (Even, 1-1, Parma adv. on away goals)
Southampton 1:0 Ajax (Even, 2-2, Southampton adv. on away goals)

Manchester United clinches the Premiership title, while Sunderland are relegated.

Our final match is a home clash with Crewe. Lineup:
GK: Karlsson
Def: Burton, Cave, Holmes, de Graaf
Mid: Reginiussen, Daniels, Kubilskis, Inzaghi
Str: Faulkner, Robnik

May 4, Match 46
24-14-7, 1st pl., 86 pts.
v. Crewe Alexandra (17-13-15, 13th pl., 64 pts.)
Series: Posh lead 1-2-0
Fav: Posh, 4:5

2'- Kubilskis with a terrific pass to Robnik, who has found a soft spot in the defense, but misses an open 8 yarder.

6'- de Graaf with a bad giveaway, trying to work around an attacker instead of clearing the ball, he loses possession deep in our half, and one pass and a shot later we're down a goal.

Not much happens again for quite a while.

47'- Kubilskis attempting to cross in for Faulkner nearly scores a long range goal, but it's tipped over.

55'- Burton with a great free kick into the box, Inzaghi gets up to flick it onto goal, but it just blazes over the bar.

We get one more chance, but a great cross by Reginiussen is headed away from the onrushing Daniels.

Our final match is a loss this year, but it's hardly disappointing. Daniels picks up a 5, and everyone else a 7.

Loss, 0-1, finish 5 pts. clear of West Ham for title
Shots/on target: Posh 7/4, Crewe 8/1
Poss: 50-50
A: 7,098

Our first small crowd in quite a while. Can't blame them, really.

Wolves win, but West Ham hang on for a draw at Coventry to win the 2nd promotion spot. Hull beat Plymouth Argyle to make Reading's result a moot point for the final playoff spot.

Barnsley beat Everton at home, while Nott'm Forest can only manage a draw at home to Gillingham to make Forest and Plymouth the unlucky final 2 relegated sides.

[Butter]

At this time last year, I said we just needed a couple of more players to get over the hump. Well, Kenny Lunt was pretty much the only main player we added, although Alessandro Potenza had a terrific half-season before he got injured, then we traded him away for a keeper, which we also desperately needed. And Franco Cataldo provided some much needed punch off the bench.

For next year, I would think that we've got to add a bit more quality. The first half of the season will likely be spent feeling out who can and can't perform in the top flight. For those who can't, no loyalty will be shown. We'll have a transfer budget, and I won't be afraid to use it to bring in talent.

Final table
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/agprice98/standings-07-08.jpg

Team stats
Not all-inclusive, because then I'd have to drag up all those marginal reserves that played at the end of the year. The reserve squad stats are for reserve games. Our reserve team once again finished second in their Group, just behind Luton. Luton's reserves were champions, but their senior squad were by far the worst team in the Championship. Maybe they should've brought some of those kids up.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/agprice98/stats-07-08.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/agprice98/reservestats-07-08.jpg

Contract status
As you can see, Paul Devlin is the only senior squad member not to already be re-signed for next year... mainly because we're not going to keep him. All reserve squad members not already re-signed are also not going to return to the club next year.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/agprice98/contract-07-08.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/agprice98/reservecontract-07-08.jpg

[Butter]

Roster review and preview for 2008/09

Glancing at the stats, I'd have to say that striker Franco Cataldo's impact was greater than his average rating indicates, mostly because there were several matches where he was brought on for the final few minutes and didn't have a chance to rate higher than a 7. The same would go for Tobias Eriksson and Alan Navarro as well. Navarro played better than expected, after last year's poor effort he showed how much he wanted to be part of the team. Eriksson finally started to show some flash from the left wing, and will hopefully begin to prove himself next season.

Szilard Nemeth had an impressive 7 assists playing in only about half the season's games, and many of those from the bench. He played often out of position, but proved that he had the skill to compete for the starting AMC job next year. Monkhouse and Lunt are likely the starting wingers for next year, and Nemeth will be given the opportunity to win the starting AMC job. Hammond and Johansen will enter the season as incumbents as well, though Cataldo may edge out Johansen if we have the opportunity to sell him... Johansen still hasn't backed down from wanting well over $1.5 million per year on a new contract, which our board simply will not allow.

As far as new players coming in, we have one good defender and a new keeper slated to join the squad in the pre-season. Lee Grant did well after settling in at keeper, but he was still a little too up and down for my taste. Hopefully, Graham Stack of Coventry, the new guy, will help settle our keeper situation.

The new defender, Zambian Sashi Chalwe, adds to our glut of talent at centerback, and will likely facilitate the use of either he, Campo, or El Karkouri out of position at left back. Both Campo and El Karkouri lacked the control of the game I like out of a defensive midfielder, so that will likely be a target of ours in the offseason. Sarr and Dakinah were our top-rated defenders, and will begin the pre-season as likely to start at center and right-back respectively.

Jean-Louis Valois was signed to one more year, but didn't really have it this season as he did in the past on the left wing. He was mostly benched for the final 1/4 of the season. Carr, Burton, and Pritchard will mostly be spot starters to rest the main back 4. And Dejan Robnik didn't have much of an opportunity to show me anything at striker, though he did flash the speed. He'll be on the bench more next year. Inzaghi will start the year with the reserves, and Pasquale Argenio will as well.

[Butter]

May 2008

QPR is the final team to be relegated from the Premiership.

Championship Playoffs
Semifinals, Leg 1
Gillingham 0:1 Hull
Everton 1:1 Wolves

Semifinals, Leg 2
Hull 2:3 Gillingham (Even, 3-3, Hull adv. 4-2 on PK's)
Wolves 0:0 Everton (Even, 1-1, Wolves adv. 4-2 on PK's)

Final - From Wembley
Hull 1:2 Wolves
-Francis Jeffers scored twice in the first 20 minutes to propel Wolverhampton back into the top flight after spending just one season in relegation. Hull fought back with a 22nd minute goal from striker Jason Euell, but could manage no more against a packed in Wolves defense.


UEFA Cup Final - From De Kuip, Rotterdam
Parma 4:2 Southampton (in extra time)
-This was maybe the most amazing extra time in Europe in 10 years. Parma started the scoring in the 26th minute from a Daniele Bonera goal, when the defender got a header in off a corner kick at the back post, as David Prutton failed to clear it with his own head. But midfielder Matthew Oakley scored off a 25 yard direct free kick 2 minutes before halftime to head into the break level at 1. The second half was fairly tentative, neither team wanting to give up that winning goal. But when the match went to extra time, it seemed that neither side wanted it to end in PK's either. Parma got things started in the 92nd minute, as Saints keeper Antti Niemi misplayed a free kick, and watched substitute striker Alberto Gilardino head it in behind him. Saints strike back just 2 minutes later, as David Prutton finds midfielder Yoann Folly on the left of the box, and his short chip found the head of James Beattie, who heads it home to even it at 2. Unfortunately for Saints, Gilardino wasn't finished... he headed in a corner in the 101st, then completed the amazing extra time hat trick with a score on a breakaway against a pushed up Saints backline, when he chipped a charging Niemi in the 113th minute. The Saints narrowly miss winning their first ever European hardware, while Parma wins the UEFA Cup for the first time since 1999.

Champions League Final - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Manchester United 2:2 Barcelona
-Carlos Tevez put Barcelona up 2-0 early, with a great individual effort in the 20th minute to score past Tim Howard on a through ball from Ronaldinho, then scoring on a penalty after Gary Neville brought down attacker Horacio Peralta in the box on a long throw in. But United grabbed one back before halftime, as former Hertha Berlin striker Ivica Olic scored on a straight steal from Carlos Puyol in the 42nd minute. Then, Djemba Djemba with a nice cross to Cristiano Ronaldo, who headed in at the far post in the 60th to even things at 2. After a tight extra 30 minutes, the game went to penalties. Barcelona took a 3-1 PK lead, but Ronaldinho and Sylvinho missed the clincher, while John O'Shea and Darren Fletcher both nailed sudden death attempts. Then, the shootout went another 5 rounds, including a score by Man U. keeper Tim Howard, before Barcelona's GK Victor Valdes missed the 10th and final Barcelona kick, while Rio Ferdinand converted the Red Devils' final PK to win it, 6-5 on spot kicks. It is Manchester United's first European championship since 1999.

FA Cup Final - From Wembley
Sunderland 1:0 Crystal Palace (in extra time)
-Sunderland gives a big "screw you" to the Premiership, as they win the FA Cup on their way to the Championship next season. A pretty boring game, all things considered, as neither team could hit the broadside of a barn. It came down to a 117th minute goal by little used striker Paul Edwards (formerly of Crewe) to win it for Sunderland. This was Sunderland's first FA Cup Finals appearance since 1992, and their first win since 1973.

And Crystal Palace finished 7th in the Premiership, but will be forced to rue this win a bit extra, as Sunderland get a UEFA Cup spot thanks to their win here, denying Palace automatic European placement.

2008/09 European qualifiers from England
Champions League: Manchester United (cup holder), Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle
UEFA Cup: Middlesbrough, Liverpool, Sunderland (national cup winner)
Inter-Toto Cup: Charlton, Crystal Palace


Financial report
The expiration of our current sponsorship deal, at just $51k per season, brings new money, as we reap a $380k per season deal for 5 years for a new sponsor, mainly thanks to our new foray into the Premiership.

The board also announce our new transfer budget for next year, and they loosen the purse strings a bit... giving us $4 million to work with... a good increase over our current $2.6 million.

Our current budget surplus is just over $9 million, thanks to very good ticket sales and merchandising. Our wage budget also was kept under the expected amount for most of the season. Our wage budget has increased from $4.6 million at the end of last season, to $6.6 million. We're currently over $2 million under budget. Also, the board will now allow us to spend up to $650k on a "key player", and up to $500k on a member of the first team. A large increase over last year's allowance of $480k/$400k. This should help us expand our focus when looking for new Posh-men.

[Butter]

Posh players in top-25 of final stats
Goals
4. Johansen - 19
9t. Hammond - 15

Assists
4t. Hammond, Lunt, Monkhouse - 11
11t. Valois - 10

Average rating
3t. Monkhouse, Dakinah - 7.65
7. Lunt - 7.59
18. Sarr - 7.49

Man of Match awards
11t. Monkhouse - 6

Average attendance: 14,031 (20th/24)
Goals For: 76 (1st)
Goals Against: 43 (2nd)

We also had the 2nd fewest red cards in the league, with just 1, and the fewest yellow cards in the league with 53.

Andy Monkhouse and Kenny Lunt were named to the 2007/08 Players' Select Team of the Year, and Sarr was named as a "sub" on the same team... and transferred keeper Thomas Myhre won the backup keeper honors on that team as well. Whoops.

I am also rewarded with Manager of the Year honors.

[Butter]

Continue on to Year 5 (http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/forums/showthread.php?t=38168).