FM: P'boro Utd., Year 5 ('08-'09) - Drop Zone!

[Butter]

OK, so either you've wandered into a thread about a new Patrick Swayze film, or it's more FM shenanigans featuring me.

Well, we finally made it to the Premiership after 4 seasons of working our way up from League One. Visit our championship Championship season by going here (http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/forums/showthread.php?t=37497).

Or stay here to find out if we can avoid the drop in Peterborough's first ever season in the English top flight.

[Butter]

June 2008

Elvis Hammond is voted the Fans' Player of the Year.

We're awarded $24.5 million for Premiership TV rights for the upcoming season. $24.5 million! With this windfall, our finances officially turn from "Okay" to "Rich", completely bypassing "Secure". Our surplus is now over $34 million. I appeal to the board to expand the stadium, and they agree to it. Hopefully, they'll agree to give me some extra money if I need it.

The board and fans are both "very pleased" with my coaching job (a step down from the top level of "delighted"), and expect us to battle against relegation from the Premiership in the upcoming season.

The first signing of the offseason is Helsingborg's attacking midfielder Thando Mngomeni. Mngomeni is a left or central player, with eye-popping technical ability, and good speed, but lacks a bit of the mental side. Mngomeni will join the team in December on a free transfer for a fairly cheap price (which I forget right now). Mngomeni is a South African international, and only 25 years old.

Our second signing is another Scandinavian player who won't appear with us until December as well. Fullback Emil Jensen signs a contract with the Posh after spending his entire career with Halmstad in Sweden. Jensen is a Swedish player, but not on the national team. He is solid all around, and should help solidify the left side of defense. He is 28 years old.

EURO 2008 - Hosted jointly by Austria and Switzerland
Group stage
Group A: Spain 7, England 6, Germany 3, Norway 1
Group B: Italy 7, Holland 4, Switzerland 2, Bulgaria 2
Group C: Czech Republic 9, Sweden 6, Denmark 1, Belgium 1
Group D: Austria 6, Portugal 5, France 4, Greece 1

Quarterfinals
Spain 1:1 Holland (Holland adv. 4-3 on PK's)
Italy 0:0 England (England adv. 4-3 on PK's)
Portugal 3:3 Czech Republic (Portugal adv. 4-3 on PK's)
Sweden 2:1 Austria

Semifinals
Holland 1:1 Sweden (Sweden adv. 3-1 on PK's)
England 3:0 Portugal

Final - From Ernst Happel, Vienna
Sweden 3:1 England
-Juventus striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored in the 2nd minute off a nice through pass from Southampton's Mikael Nilsson to put Sweden up 1-0... Ibrahimovic totally befuddled Rio Ferdinand on the play. In the 16th minute, the reverse combination worked, as Nilsson was through on keeper Paul Robinson, and scored again inside the left post. England pulled one back shortly after halftime, as Shaun Wright-Phillips crossed into the six for Frank Lampard, who headed it home. But Sweden put it away in the 84th, as Ibrahimovic again beat the offside trap for a breakaway chance, and he converted it easily past Robinson to provide the final margin of 2 goals. Shaun Wright-Phillips was named man of the match for his consistently good midfield play, but ultimately it was Spurs keeper Paul Robinson who let England down, being beaten 3 times in one on one situations.... Sweden only had 4 shots on goal.

Ibrahimovic was named Player of the Tournament, and won the Golden Boot with 5 goals scored.

[Butter]

July 2008

July starts as always with a flurry of activity. First, we say goodbye to our current assistant manager and one of our scouts, hiring on slightly more expensive but vastly superior replacements.

We also finally nab GK Graham Stack from Coventry on a free transfer. Stack will earn $380k per year through 2011. He is 26 years old, and allowed 54 goals in 47 apps. for Coventry last year, keeping 14 clean sheets.

We also bring in 21 year old French center back Jonathan Roux on a free transfer. Roux will be a reservist, and earn $36k per year through 2013. He has potential, but at 21 needs to start proving himself, or he'll be a career reservist or lower league player.

Leaving the club are former first teamers Str. Mika Aaritalo and AM-R Paul Devlin. Both of their contracts are up and will not be retained. Devlin is 36 and spent 3 years with the team, making 73 starts and 13 sub. appearances, scoring 10 goals and dishing out 21 assists. Devlin averaged a 7.47 in 2005/06, but dropped off in 06/07 and was used sparingly in 07/08. Aaritalo is only 22 years old, but is being let go due to excessive salary demands. He scored 9 goals in 21 starts and 36 substitute appearances over 3 years.

Our friendly schedule is unveiled, and it looks like this:
v. Everton (Champ.)
@ Worcester (Conf. South)
v. Ipswich (Champ.)
@ Darlington (League 1)
@ West Bromwich Albion (Champ.)
@ Chester (League 2)

So, let's get it started.

July 6, Friendly #1
v. Everton (Championship)

Lineup:
GK: Stack
Def: Pritchard, Chalwe, Campo, Dakinah
Mid: Navarro, Monkhouse, Lunt, Nemeth
Str: Johansen, Hammond

Lunt deflects a free kick near midfield, and it cannons off him right to Johansen... Johansen takes it in from 30 yards, beats a man, and scores in the 4th minute. Monkhouse with a through ball to Hammond, and Elvis scores in the 6th minute. Hammond leaves in favor if Robnik in the 19th minute thanks to a slight injury. Wholesale subs at the half. We put it away in the 86th, as sub. Felix Hermsen plays it down the right for Robnik... Robnik crosses to Valois at the back post, who puts a couple of moves on defenders, then plays it square inside the six for sub. Alexis Kubilskis, who scores an easy shot. We pretty much dominate Everton and cruise to an easy win. Monkhouse, Hammond, and sub. keeper Lee Grant pick up 8's.

Win, 3-0
A: 1,153

The trick for us now on the transfer market, is to spot medium priced guys, say from $500k to $1.5M that we want, and that don't have ridiculous salaries (for us, above $750k). We're trying to make some offers, but nothing's coming through yet. Our lowballing tactics aren't appreciated worldwide, let's say.

July 13, Friendly #2
@ Worcester (Conference South)

Lineup:
GK: Masalin
Def: Cave, Landgren, Roux, de Graaf
Mid: Reginiussen, Daniels, Kubilskis, Inzaghi
Str: Puustinen, Faulkner

In the 26th minute, Inzaghi scores on a 20 yard strike from a square ball by defender Jonathan Roux. Worcester score on a breakaway in the 46th minute against the same lineup, as we keep most guys on through the entire match. Not much action for the rest of the second half, and this game ends up even. Not a particularly impressive outing by mostly our reservists.

Draw, 1-1
A: 4,656

July 17, Friendly #3
v. Ipswich Town (Championship)

Lineup:
GK: Stack
Def: Chalwe, El Karkouri, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Campo, Monkhouse, Lunt, Nemeth
Str: Johansen, Hammond

We go with defensive tactics today, but stay in the familiar 4-4-2 diamond, using a counter attacking style. This may well be a style we have to consider using in the Premiership, since our quality will not be up to snuff if we try to pound it down the defense's throat all day long.

In the 43rd, we get our first good chance at goal after facing down a few Ipswich surges, and Monkhouse converts a 1-v-1 to make it 1-0. Monkhouse scores again in the 53rd on a good setup from Ivan Campo. We sub everyone out in the 60th or so. DC Phil Cave promptly scores an own goal trying to clear a ball through the six in the 66th minute. Robnik and Cataldo hook up on a great goal that Franco Cataldo finishes in the 71st to put this one in the books. Monkhouse and Stack pick up our only 8's. Andy sure can beat the lower league competition, I'm anxious to see what he looks like against Arsenal in our first match.

Win, 3-1
A: 1,172

Our first Premiership match will kick it off in style, as we'll visit Emirates Stadium in London to face Arsenal. Then, 5 of our first 17 matches have been picked for feature TV coverage, including Monday night football at London Road against Birmingham City on December 1st.

July 20, Friendly #4
@ Darlington (L1)

We go with another lineup variation here, a 4-2-2-1-1, employing a sweeper and 2 defensive middies to see how that helps control the opposition. Maybe not a good test here against Darlington, but this is the formation I'm considering taking to London to face the Gunners in Round 1.
Lineup:
SW: El Karkouri
Def: Chalwe, Sarr, Dakinah
DM: Campo, Navarro
Mid: Monkhouse, Lunt
AM: Nemeth
Str: Hammond

Luke Pritchard has to enter for an injured Sashi Chalwe in the 18th minute. Not much happens the rest of the half, although we do dominate the midfield and limit Darlington to just one long range shot. We bring the subs on at the half, and switch to a 4-3-3. Darlington scores in the 65th off a corner kick and header back across the goal mouth past reserve keeper Peter Karlsson. Inzaghi managed a couple of decent shots, but we don't score and lose our first of the pre-season. No one rates above a 7.

Loss, 1-0
A: 14,493

Luckily, Chalwe will only need about a week of rest for a minor neck injury.

West Ham approaches me about their recently vacated managerial opening, but I turn them down. That would be a lateral move, though with more cash available for transfers and wages. But if I turned down Portsmouth, I'm sure turning down West Ham, a team that is likely to be lumped with us as relegation candidates.

July 24, Friendly #5
@ WBA (Champ.)

We go with the same tactics and lineup as last game, and again expect the starters to run about 45 minutes, maybe a few extra after the first half is over.

WBA score on a 36th minute rebound when Stack is unable to hold the first shot. We get several chances in the second half, but convert none, and lose a 2nd consecutive 1-0 game. Can't say this formation is wowing me. Probably just junk it.

Loss, 1-0
A: 2,177

Both Stack and Cataldo pick up shin injuries in this match that will keep them out about a week.

We sign yet another defensive player, as D/DM-C Cesar Arzo, a 22 year old former Spanish U-21 player, will join us from Villareal's B team on August 1st. Arzo possesses solid skill all around, and is very strong and determined. He may also become the fastest man on the team. He signs for $340k per season through 2012.

I don't take it as a good sign that we now have 6 players injured who are unavailable for our final friendly, including our top 2 keepers. I may need to sign another physio.

July 27, Friendly #6
@ Chester (L2)

Instead of going with the traditional regular season starting lineup in the final game, I hold everyone out, hoping for a bit of extra rest to avoid the injury bug.

Lineup:
GK: Argenio
Def: Pritchard, Burton, Cave, Carr
Mid: Reginiussen, Eriksson, Kubilskis, Inzaghi
Str: Johansen, Robnik

Chester with a bad giveaway in the 5th minute, right to Robnik, who one-times a pass to Johansen at the back post... Johansen finishes easily. Johansen scores again in the 24th minute off a sensational through ball from Reginiussen. Johansen completes the hat trick in the 50th after a nice long ball from Pritchard. He takes a seat in favor of Nemeth for the remainder. Chester look totally befuddled all match, and we dominate them. Nearly all the starters earn 8's, and Johansen picks up a 10 for his hat trick.

Win, 0-3
A: 5,939

English Premier League odds
Manchester United, Arsenal - 6:4
Chelsea - 5:2
Liverpool - 5:1
Newcastle - 16:1
Middlesbrough - 40:1
.
.
.
Peterborough - 500:1

Clearly the odds indicate that we're relegation favorites. We'll try to buck those odds, but I'm getting a little nervous.

The media approach me and ask if I think I need to bolster the squad to stay up. I say definitely not, the players we currently have should keep us afloat.

Next up: we start the season at league favorites Arsenal.

[Butter]

Apparently, the signing of Villareal's Cesar Arzo does not go unnoticed. The fans express discomfort at signing what they consider a "disruptive influence". Interesting.

We also sign reserve M-LC Elio Balbi to a $44k per year contract through 2013. He is Belgian, only 20, and already displays some impressive ability. He should either be playing for us in 2 seasons, or will bring a nice sale price.

The board shocks me by raising the transfer budget without prompting from $4M to $16M... that's right, a $12M increase. They didn't raise the wage allowance, but this will definitely allow me to sign someone should I find it necessary.

Community Shield - From Wembley
Sunderland 1:0 Manchester United
-On likely their only national stage of the season, Sunderland make clear their intention to rejoin the top flight next year with a surprise 1-0 win over the league favorites. Sunderland had only one shot on goal, but made it count as the Red Devils start the year with a whimper.

I decide to stick with what got me here, formation wise. It may be a disaster early on, but I'll make adjustments accordingly if that becomes the case. Our opening match lineup:
GK: Stack
Def: Dakinah, El Karkouri, Chalwe, Sarr
Mid: Campo, Monkhouse, Lunt, Nemeth
Str: Johansen, Hammond

Aug. 9, Match 1
@ Arsenal (2nd in Premiership last season)
First meeting
Fav: Gunners, 1:2

3'- Jose Antonio Reyes is free on the back post, and Cavenaghi crosses there, but his shot is pretty weak and Stack gathers it with little problem.

15'- Our first good buildup of the day, as Lunt, Hammond, and Johansen have some space, but Lunt's through ball for Hammond is tackled away by Freddie Ljungberg to end the threat.

18'- Monkhouse with a hopeful 30 yard attempt that the keeper can only tip over the bar for a corner.

22'- Gael Clichy finds Patrick Vieira in the center of defense, and he slots it home past Stack... but Cavenaghi is called for offside on the play, a very odd call considering he was nowhere near the action. Hey, I'll take it.

27'- Henry with a cross for Cavenaghi, who rises above his defender from 8 yards and heads it toward the post, but Stack covers it up.

28'- Reyes with a cross inside the six, and Henry is practically on top of Stack as he gets his head to it, but Stack tips it over somehow.

32'- Another nice offensive play, as Johansen slides it to Campo who's open in the arc, but he hits it weakly wide of the post.

37'- Reyes with a cross into the center, where Fabregas fires it off the post, but Cavenaghi collects the rebound and scores. 1-0, Arsenal.

45'+- Sadly, we couldn't find our way into halftime only down one, as Reyes passes to Vieira, who beats Chalwe with ease and slots it home past Stack for a 2-0 Gunners lead.

Arzo in for Chalwe, and Eriksson on for an ineffective Nemeth at the break.

47'- Johansen beats 2 defenders at the top of the box, but can't beat the keeper with his hard shot.

60'- Recently signed Michael Owen (for $46M, I might add) plays the one-two with Reyes, and Owen powers his ensuing shot past a helpless Stack as Arsenal lead 3-0 now.

66'- Ljungberg with a short cross for Owen, who heads it inside the left post for a 4 goal Arsenal lead.

And it goes on and on with Arsenal just peppering us all day with chances, but luckily we hold tight and only lose 4-0. Obviously the wrong tactics to use against the top couple of clubs here. Monkhouse picked up a 5, and everyone else got a 6. Total and complete destruction.

Loss, 4-0, begin in last place
Shots/on target: Gunners 38/20, Posh 6/3
Poss: Gunners, 68-32
A: 54,106

That's right, they had 38 shots! NOTE TO SELF: Defensive tactics against Chelsea and Manchester United. That is all.

Next up, we'll host Wolves to try and get back on track.

[Butter]

After that destruction, the club quietly (and without informing me) raises our wage budget to $25M, including allowing salaries of up to $2.6M for key players.

Must be about time to spend some money.

Wolves are coming to town, and hopefully so are some points. It's a mid-week game, so we play some subs in hopes of preserving our legs early on. Lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Pritchard, Arzo, Cave, Sarr
Mid: Navarro, Valois, Lunt, Eriksson
Str: Johansen, Cataldo

Aug. 13, Match 2
0-0-1, 20th pl., 0 pts.
v. Wolverhampton Wanderers (0-1-0, 12th pl., 1 pt.)
Series: Posh lead 2-0-1
Fav: Posh, 5:4

26'- Eriksson is forced to leave with an injury, Monkhouse comes on at AMC.

38'- Valois cuts it inside to Monkhouse, and he has a go from 25 yards... he sends it in low, and it beats the keeper to the post and goes in! 1-0, Posh, our first Premiership goal!

73'- Johansen is forced to leave with an injury, Robnik on for him.

84'- Robnik seals it up after being played through by Monkhouse, as he slots it home inside the left post for a 2-0 Posh lead!

A pretty entertaining game, but very few chances by Wolves on target... and we make the most of our opportunities, thanks to Andy Monkhouse, who nets a 9 with a goal and an assist, and the MoM. Grant, Sarr, and Navarro pick up 8's.

Win, 2-0, up to 10th pl.
Shots/on target: Posh 13/8, Wolves 12/3
Poss: 54-46, Posh
A: 15,284

Nice to see there's someone around here we can pick on a bit. We notch a good win against our Championship mates from last season.

Eriksson and Johansen both are slated to be out just a matter of days, one with a bruised leg, and the other with a gashed face.

[Butter]

So, now that we're flush with cash, and the board is letting me actually have at most of it, let's see what we can do to actually become a frightening club.

We already have 2 good looking players on their way in December, Thando Mngomeni and Emil Jensen, an attacking midfielder and either sided fullback respectively. But who's next?

The first thing I do is check on players who are still without a contract. If I can save that transfer budget for next year, or the January window, all the better. We put a few offers out on some select players all around the pitch, but mostly I think I won't put all my money on the table just yet.

We put some irons in the fire, and move on to our next match, a road trip to Portsmouth. Lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Dakinah, El Karkouri, Chalwe, Sarr
Mid: Campo, Valois, Lunt, Monkhouse
Str: Nemeth, Robnik

Aug. 16, Match 3 - Televised, From Fratton Park, Portsmouth
1-0-1, 10th pl., 3 pts.
@ Portsmouth (0-1-1, 16th pl., 1 pt. - draw at home v. Tottenham 0-0, loss @ Liverpool, 2-0)
First meeting
Fav: Pompey, 5:4

20'- Referee Rob Styles wastes no time using his book, as El Karkouri and Dakinah pick up yellows in the first 20 minutes, and Chalwe is limping around after a collision that resulted in a Portsmouth yellow.

26'- Nemeth with the first on target shot of the game, collected easily by keeper Mark Schwarzer.

28'- Valois is open, but doesn't shoot when he has the chance and is closed down and dispossessed.

34'- Robnik is free, but has it tackled away, right to Nemeth... good save by Schwarzer to turn it over the bar.

44'- Pompey with their first shot on goal, but Grant watches the 10 yard header skim off the top of the bar and over.

48'- Lua Lua off the Sarr giveaway, and he beats Grant but slides the shot into the side netting.

59'- Yakubu is played through by Lua Lua, but Grant with a terrific 1-v-1 save to deflect the shot wide.

60'- Midfielder Amdy Moustapha Faye lines up a 25 yarder and beats Grant to the near post... that shot looked extremely saveable, but Grant seemed to get a late break on it. 1-0, Portsmouth.

Navarro on for Valois, as Lunt moves to the left wing and Campo to the right wing. We move El Karkouri out to DM as well, and play a 3-5-2. Cataldo on for Nemeth.

68'- Bad luck as sub. midfielder Alessandro Rosina lets loose a 20 yard shot that Grant would have had... if El Karkouri hadn't deflected it into the net behind him. 2-0, Portsmouth.

81'- Pompey defender Matthew Taylor gets his 2nd yellow, and we're up a man for the final 10 minutes. Hammond on for El Karkouri as we shift to a 3-4-3.

We're unable to mount a serious challenge on the Portsmouth goal, and fall in a tough game to lose. Not a bad defensive effort, just one lapse and some bad luck on the second goal. Sarr and Monkhouse pick up our only 8's.

Loss, 2-0, drop to 13th
Shots/on target: Pompey 9/4, Posh 5/2
Poss: 59-41, Pompey
A: 19,410

Chalwe has a damaged shoulder, and will miss about a week.

Checking the standings, Arsenal and Crystal Palace are the only teams to start out with consecutive wins, Arsenal winning all 3 first week matchups, and Palace winning both of theirs.

[Butter]

Sarr is picked in the Team of the Week.

We host Norwich next, who had their best year in a long time in 06/07 and struggled last year, and are off to a slow start this year. Lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Sarr, Arzo, Cave, Dakinah
Mid: Campo, Monkhouse, Lunt, Nemeth
Str: Johansen, Hammond

Aug. 20, Match 4
1-0-2, 13th pl., 3 pts.
v. Norwich City (0-2-1, 15th pl., 2 pts.)
First meeting
Fav: Canaries, 6:4

5'- Striker David Clarkson (formerly of Scottish side Motherwell) with a low drive from 15 yards that skips wide.

17'- Darren Huckerby with a long corner kick, and Phil Cave is ruled to have jumped unfairly with someone in the box and a penalty is given. Former Leverkusen striker Andriy Voronin steps up to take it and converts. 1-0, Norwich.

Cave and Johansen are both rating 5's at the half, but we leave them in. No one else is doing much anyway.

49'- Sarr with a good ball down the left for Monkhouse... Andy with a nice cross to Nemeth, but his header marked for the far post is saved by keeper Robert Green.

61'- Eriksson on for a slightly injured Monkhouse, and Cataldo enters for Cave as we switch to a 3-4-3.

79'- Midfielder Clemens Fritz gets a wide open chance against Grant, and converts for a 2-0 Canary lead.

83'- Navarro on for a tired Campo.

Makes no difference. We go down to defeat yet again thanks to a punchless attack. Johansen picks up a 5, and Nemeth and Cave get 6's.

Loss, 0-2, drop to 17th
Shots/on target: Posh 2/1, Canaries 8/5
Poss: 58-42, Norwich
A: 14,432

Monkhouse will miss 2 weeks with a leg injury, further decimating our already thin midfield.

[Butter]

European Super Cup - From Stade Louis II, Monaco
Parma 0:0 Man. Utd.
- Red Devils win 2-1 on PK's. BOR-ing.

The draw for the 2nd Round of the League Cup is made, and we'll host League Two Crawley Town in a few weeks.

Next up, we visit Blackburn Rovers. Lineup:
GK: Stack
Def: Pritchard, El Karkouri, Arzo, Sarr
Mid: Navarro, Valois, Lunt, Eriksson
Str: Robnik, Cataldo

Aug. 23, Match 5
1-0-3, 17th pl., 3 pts.
@ Blackburn Rovers (0-1-3, 19th pl., 1 pt.)
Series: Rovers lead 2-0-0
Fav: Rovers, 5:4

1'- Young American striker Will Johnson nearly scores in the opening 30 seconds, but Stack with a nice save.

14'- Robnik gets a nice pass from Lunt, but his shot is deflected out for a corner.

40'- Navarro is called for his 2nd trip of the day, and is sent off. Eriksson pulls back to midfield, and we go with a flat 4-3-2.

Campo on for Valois, as Eriksson shifts to the left wing, and Johansen in for an exhausted Cataldo at the half.

63'- Johnson with a breakaway, but Stack with an excellent 1-v-1 save.

68'- Campo has it tackled away, but Johansen collects it inside the box and shoots from the edge of the area, narrowly missing it high.

70'- A cross to the near post finds a good volley and a goal for Blackburn. 1-0, Rovers.

Again, we can't muster any counter attack to Blackburn's offense, and lose with no goals yet again. The entire back line and Stack earn 8's, but our offense again looks quite poor. Those through balls just don't find their way through much at this level.

Loss, 1-0, drop to 18th
Shots/on target: Rovers 20/11, Posh 7/4
Poss: 61-39, Rovers
A: 27,761

Navarro picks up a one match ban for his red card, and Eriksson will miss 5 days with a minor injury.

[Butter]

El Karkouri is picked in the Team of the Week.

So, I like how we played in the defensive stance in this last match, even a man down. I guess we'll have to switch to it this year, though I am loathe to do it. If we keep on in this spiral, I'll get sacked before the end of the year, I'm sure of it. Maybe we'll just use it on the road... maybe we'll have to switch formations altogether, to a more conventional flat 4-4-2.... or even a 4-5-1.

Time for some new players. I've screwed around long enough. These attacking folks aren't getting it done. Monkhouse, Valois, Lunt, et. al. have their place, but they're proving they don't have the quality to beat any of these back lines, even the bad ones, on a regular basis.

We have 2 weeks off before our next tussle, with Newcastle at London Road. Let's see what can be accomplished before we hit Chelsea, Villa, and Man U. in the 3 games following Newcastle.

We give everybody a week to rest, hoping that will slow the spate of injuries.

Our first signing is a striker off the Chelsea reserve squad... 24 year old striker Carlton Cole comes to London Road for a structured deal of $5.2 million. Cole possesses deadly finishing skill, and blazing pace. He is a good worker, and possesses quality determination and appropriate aggression. He lacks a bit in the passing game, but should be a good signing for us. He'll be with the squad through 2012 for $900k per season (and a $500k signing bonus). He was loaned to Aston Villa in the Premiership several years back, and proved his ability then, scoring 14 goals in 27 starts for Villa. But he's rotted away on the Chelsea bench ever since, not even getting so much as a first team start since 04/05. The news reports that the fans are "delighted" with this signing.

We sign another young striker, Rafael Santos, a 20 year old from Sporting Lisbon... he comes over for a transfer fee of $260k. He is not good enough to start right now, but may bring a big transfer fee down the road. He is very good though. He signs for $120k per year through 2011.

The match with Newcastle is postponed until late October due to international call-ups... which means we'll have had nearly a month off by the time our next match rolls around, our League Cup tie v. Crawley Town.

With the end of August transfer deadline less than a week away, we play beat the clock with the offers, counter-offers, and contract sheet offers. It's quite tense, watching that time tick away while waiting for an answer.

Our next signing is 28 year old Southampton winger Fabrice Fernandes, who comes over in a transfer deal worth $3 million. Fernandes is a Frenchman who has mostly been a bench-warmer for the Saints over the last 2 seasons, but he has good passing skill and deadly crossing skill from either wing, though he is a left footer (hard to find, really). Fernandes signs relatively cheaply, for $600k per year (and a $300k signing bonus) through 2011.

AM-LC Hugo Viana of Chelsea comes over for a structured deal worth a total of just over $4 million. Viana has absolutely remarkable talent, and a good head for the game, but he's just a bit slow. He signs with us for $850k per year through 2011 (and a $300k signing bonus). Viana talks to the media about how glad he is to be leaving Stamford Bridge, and is looking forward to playing first team football again. Viana has only played twice since coming to Chelsea from Sporting L. in 05/06. Viana did play in England from 2002-2004, playing 2 seasons with Newcastle, and scoring twice in 38 starts.

So, 2 strikers and 2 midfielders... we'll see if that helps us a great deal. Our transfer budget is now $5.5 million (which we can't use again until January anyway), and our wage budget is still under by a good $17 million. We'll be quite active during the Bosman season as well (hopefully we won't be effectively relegated by that point). Even with the spending spree, the team is still $25 million in the black.

Cole, Viana, and Fernandes will advance immediately into the first team, while Santos will backup the first team.

[Butter]

Looking at the remainder of our fixtures, we will be underdogs in every single one of them, except our 3 remaining games against Wolves and Fulham. This is going to be a hard season.

West Ham hire former Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp to attempt to keep the team up this year. West Ham are already 17th.

We keep everyone resting for another week. I think I may have accidentally never told the players to "rest" during the offseason until the end of June, which would've only given them about 2 weeks off instead of 2 months. Hopefully, this will help.

Champions League action gets underway, but I'll refrain from recapping it this year until the final Group matches are played.

We attempt to sign an Argentinean free agent DMC, but his work permit is denied despite the player having 29 U-21 caps and being only 22 years old.

So, after a good 2 weeks off, we get everyone back to full training... everyone's at 100%, and no one is "lacking match practice", which is a good sign. We'll see if we can keep the injuries at bay now.

Well, Sarr picks up a torn groin muscle in our first training back from the rest, and he'll be out 4 weeks. That's not a good sign.

Now we finally reach our next match against Crawley Town, nearly a full month since our last action.
Lineup:
GK: Stack
Def: Pritchard, Cave, Chalwe, Dakinah
Mid: Campo, Viana, Lunt, Nemeth
Str: Johansen, Santos

Sept. 16, League Cup 2nd Round
v. Crawley Town (19th in League Two)
Fav: Posh, 1:8

10'- Stack with a great long ball for Johansen... Jim settles it, and spots Santos making a run... Santos collects, and shoots from about 18 yards... GOAL! Tucked inside the far post, an impressive first goal for Rafael Santos! 1-0, Posh!

We're not exactly dominating this game, but I've played everyone here who had poor or very poor morale in an attempt to boost their spirits. They're not playing particularly well, but it looks like we'll pull out the win.

74'- Lunt with a good through ball for Nemeth... Szilard settles and slots it home inside the right post for a 2-0 lead.

86'- Valois, Cole, and Monkhouse come on for Viana, Santos, and Lunt.

The final whistle goes, and we advance to the third round. Szilard Nemeth with our only 8, he earns MoM honors. Not a great performance, but it works here.

Win, 2-0, advance to round 3
Shots/on target: Posh 8/3, Crawley 5/0
Poss: 55-45, Posh
A: 2,935

We win $36k for the victory, and get notice that the crowd that came out to see this one was a record low. Nice.

[Butter]

Our Third Round draw for the League Cup is made, and we'll visit White Hart Lane to face Spurs in late October... forcing another move of our matchup with Newcastle, this time to early November.

Now comes the big one... a home matchup with Aston Villa. 3 points would be massive. Dejan Robnik has been improvingly greatly in training of late, so he'll get a look today. Lineup:
GK: Stack
Def: Campo, Chalwe, El Karkouri, Dakinah
Mid: Arzo, Fernandes, Lunt, Viana
Str: Robnik, Cole

Sept. 20, Match 6
1-0-4, 19th pl., 3 pts.
v. Aston Villa (2-3-1, 9th pl., 9 pts.)
First meeting
Fav: Villa, 4:5

9'- Lunt with a 35 yard free kick that he plays wide to El Karkouri... El Karkouri with a long ball into the box for Fernandes... Fernandes is about 15 yards away and to the left of goal, and he runs onto the cross and puts his head to it... and it goes in! What a goal by Fernandes to put us ahead early! Terrific play! 1-0, Posh.

14'- Fernandes with a very good cross to Lunt at about 12 yards, but he puts his shot well high and wide.

16'- Former Chelsea star Eidur Gudjohnsen with a 25 yard free kick that just curls wide.

30'- Viana with a good play to deflect a through ball in midfield, and it falls to Fernandes.... he spots Cole ahead and plays it long to him... Cole is played onside by a defender on the opposite side of the field, and Carlton has 10 yards on the nearest defender... Cole attacks keeper Thomas Sorensen... he jinks around him and taps it home! 2-0, Posh!

45'+- We couldn't quite make it through an entire half clean, as Ivan Campo clatters striker Luke Moore to the ground on a cross in, and a penalty is given. Former Cottager Steed Malbranque steps up to take it.... SAVED! Stack with the nice anticipation, and he parries it wide! 2-0 at the half.

56'- Moore with a shot from 15 yards, but right at Stack.

61'- Nice cross and a close in header goes over the bar for Villa.

62'- Eriksson on for a tiring Viana, Johansen enters for a slightly injured Robnik.

69'- Defender Phil Jagielka leaves injured for Villa, but they've already used their 3 subs, giving us a man advantage for the remainder of the match.

73'- A wonderful ball to Gudjohnsen in the box off a long free kick, but fortunately for us he was offside.

88'- Cole picks out Fernandes down the left, and he cuts it back for Johansen, making a diagonal run into the box... Jim with a hard 15 yard shot, that is parried wide. Good play.

The final minutes tick away, and we get our 2nd league win! Fabrice Fernandes is masterful in his Posh debut, earning a 9 and winning MoM honors. Arzo, El Karkouri, Dakinah, and Stack pick up 8's as well. Couldn't ask for a better kick start to September and beyond than this!

Win, 2-0, up to 17th place
Shots/on target: Posh 12/3, Villans 10/4
Poss: 51-49, Posh
A: 15,302

Sadly for us, 18th place Charlton beat Southampton on Sunday, and push us back into the drop zone.

[Butter]

Fernandes is picked in the Team of the Week.

Birmingham continue their hard start, losing for the 7th time in 8 games, this time to Norwich on Monday night. Birmingham are dead last on a single point. Meanwhile, Arsenal continue at the top of the table with 7 straight victories to begin the year.

Next up, a tough trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea. We stick with the same lineup, but go with a neutral stance, and a counter-attack, along with playing the offside trap.
Lineup:
GK: Stack
Def: Campo, El Karkouri, Chalwe, Dakinah
Mid: Arzo, Fernandes, Lunt, Viana
Str: Johansen, Cole

Sept. 27, Match 7
2-0-4, 18th pl., 6 pts.
@ Chelsea (3-4-1, 4th pl., 13 pts.)
Last meeting: Posh 1:4 Blues (7/29/06, friendly)
Fav: Blues, 4:7

1'- Campo with a throw in to Fernandes, who slides it through for Johansen... Jim with a good pass to the arc for Cole, who turns and shoots, and Petr Cech with a good save at the left post.

2'- Arzo with a steal, and he finds Viana... Viana with a great long ball onto the run of Cole... Cole collects inside the box, just to the right of goal about 12 yards out... he fires a quick shot to the far post and beats Cech and scores! What a start! We lead 1-0 against Chelsea!

4'- Another counter-attack, as Cole dribbles about 60 yards, then leaves it for Lunt... Lunt runs to the flag, then crosses short for Cole, who stands at the corner of the six and volleys... just missing the post! Nearly 2-0 there.

10'- Stack gives it away to former Atl. Madrid striker Fernando Torres... Torres lays it back for Damien Duff, but traffic gets in the way and blocks the shot from going into the open goal... Adrian Mutu with the follow-up, but Stack with a great save to preserve the lead!

27'- Fernando Torres runs with the ball from midfield, and skins El Karkouri AND Chalwe on his way to the goal, but Stack with another quality save to deny the chance.

31'- Damien Duff gets free of his man, and comes up the left of the box... and slots it home past Stack, 1-1. Former Stuttgart midfielder Aliaksandr Hleb made that play.

48'- Cole dribbles a long way around... about 50 yards, then onto the right, then back to the middle before squaring it for Viana, who shoots from 18 yards, but Cech beats it away.

56'- This time, Duff gives it to Hleb.... Duff with a centering cross to Hleb, who heads it past Stack inside the right post. 2-1, Blues.

60'- Landon Donovan comes in for Adrian Mutu.

66'- A wacky play, as Viana and Cole play the ball back and forth into the box... Cole with a 12 yard shot that Cech tries to clear with his feet... but Viana heads it back to Cole, who shoots again, and this time it deflects off a Chelsea defender and goes in! 2-2 on an improbable goal!

71'- Arjen Robben with a corner kick, right to an unmarked Lucio at 8 yards, who heads for the left post, but Dakinah with a great clearance off the line!

77'- Cole takes a knock, so we replace him... Viana also comes off tired, for Cataldo and Monkhouse.

84'- The offside trap is poorly played, and allows Torres a walk-in on Stack, who can't save us this time... 3-2, Chelsea.

Nemeth enters to replace Cesar Arzo, and we go with a 2-5-3 to try and equalize.

We get one final long ball that looks like Johansen can get, but Cech comes all the way to the edge of the box and collects it.

Tough loss, after we played so well! Hopefully, this will serve notice to the league that we're a team on the rise, even with the tough last minute goal allowance. Cole is named MoM, with a 9 rating... notching 2 goals against his former employer.

Loss, 3-2, remain in 18th
Shots/on target: Blues 15/10, Posh 9/6
Poss: 62-38, Blues
A: 38,396

Our U-18 squad notches an impressive win over the Arsenal U-18 team, 1-0 in the 2nd round of the U-18 Cup.

Stack and Kenny Lunt will both miss a couple of days with minor injuries that occurred during this match.

[Butter]

It doesn't get easier for us, as we face the Red Devils at home next.

It's becoming apparent that Hugo Viana is not really a 90 minute guy... but he sure is talented.

David Platt, former Aston Villa boss is named head man at Portsmouth.

Cole is named to the Team of the Week.

We drop to 19th in the table thanks to a Charlton draw, so now this Man U. match takes on an even higher profile. Lineup:
GK: Stack
Def: Campo, El Karkouri, Chalwe, Dakinah
Mid: Arzo, Viana, Fernandes, Eriksson
Str: Robnik, Cole

We stick with the defense against the clearly classier Man U. side.

Oct. 1, Match 8
2-0-5, 19th pl., 6 pts.
v. Manchester United (4-4-1, 4th pl., 16 pts.)
Last meeting: Posh 0:2 Red Devils (3/12/05, FA Cup Sixth Round)
Fav: Man U, 1:2

8'- Not a good start, as Gary Neville takes a long throw, and former CSKA Moscow and Hertha Berlin striker Ivica Olic heads it directly into the net from 5 yards, fending off 2 defenders. 1-0, Man U.

16'- How about a replay on the opposite end... El Karkouri with a long throw to Cole, and he heads it in from about 10 yards out! 1-1.

29'- Midfielder Christopher Eagles with a free kick just on the edge of the area, but he can't get it up and down in time to score.

33'- Robnik with a good shot that's blocked by a defender... Olic is sprung on the counter for Man U., but his 8 yard shot skips past the far post.

Cole picks up a knock in first half stoppage time, and I take care with him, and replace him with Cataldo. Wayne Rooney and Ruud van Nistelrooy enter for Man U at the interval.

48'- Rooney nearly scores immediately off a cross, but his header bounces back off the crossbar and is cleared.

51'- Mikael Silvestre with a great ball for Rooney... Wayne collects, and shoots no more than 2 yards off the end line, but a good 15 yards from goal... and he scores it. I don't know how that goal happened, but Rooney with an unbelievable strike that curls around Stack and goes in.

73'- Monkhouse enters for Eriksson... Viana moves to AMC, and Monkhouse will play the left wing.

79'- Nemeth on for Campo, and we go to a 3-4-3.

We can't create any more chances, and take another one on the chin. But at least the top teams aren't killing us like Arsenal did in that first match of the year. I take a small amount of pride in that... but it's about time to get some results here. Stack picks up a 5, mostly for letting that Rooney goal in, while everyone else rates a 7. Man U's Bastian Schweinsteiger earns MoM for his midfield play.

Loss, 1-2, remain in 19th
Shots/on target: Posh 2/1, Red Devils 17/5
Poss: 52-48, Posh
A: 15,308

That attendance is a record for us.... Birmingham record their first win, 2-0 over Newcastle, and are threatening to jump out of the cellar with another win.

[Butter]

I wish we had Blackburn, Portsmouth, and Norwich on the schedule now. I think we'd win at least 2 of those. But instead, we get Tottenham in 11 days, at least allowing us some time to recover.

Tobias Eriksson picks up a calf injury, and is expected to miss about 2 weeks.

Sarr is thankfully back to full training now.

Tottenham fire their manager Jurgen Klinsmann, and surprisingly my name is mentioned in the media as a possible replacement. Don't think I'd take the job if it were offered to me, though. I'm in it with the Posh for the long haul.

Our next match comes one day following Klinsmann's ouster, as we visit White Hart Lane for a televised match.
Lineup:
GK: Stack
Def: Pritchard, Chalwe, Campo, Dakinah
Mid: Arzo, Fernandes, Lunt, Viana
Str: Johansen, Cole

Oct. 12, Match 9 - Televised
2-0-6, 19th pl., 6 pts.
@ Tottenham Hotspur (1-6-3, 16th pl., 9 pts.)
First meeting
Fav: Spurs, Evens

2'- Robbie Keane nearly scores after a giveaway by Campo, but Stack with a good save.

13'- A scramble in front nearly results in a Tottenham goal, after a shot bounces off the inside of the right post and bounces back in play... but the defense clears it away.

20'- Midfielder Sean Davis with a 25 yard curling shot that beats Stack to the far post and goes in. 1-0, Spurs.

26'- Davis plays Keane through, and Robbie skies a 12 yard shot with both sides of goal pretty open against a pressed back Stack.

33'- Keane with a flicked header across the six to a wide open Scott Parker (former Chelsea midfielder), but he fires it right at Stack.

The inspired Spurs with 16 goal attempts in the first half against our buried defense. We up the attack to try and keep them out of our half in the second 45.

63'- Viana with a curling shot from 20 yards, and keeper Paul Robinson does well to keep it out.

79'- Monkhouse, Valois, and Hammond on for Viana, Lunt, and Pritchard, as Fernandes switches to the right wing and we go to a 3-4-3.

84'- Substitute Alan Smith (formerly of Man U.) gets a breakaway against the backline, and chips it over Stack for a 2-0 Spurs lead.

We muster no more chances, and lose quite badly. Stack, and Arzo pick up 8's, Viana with a 6.

Loss, 2-0, remain in 19th
Shots/on target: Spurs 19/7, Posh 10/3
Poss: 50-50
A: 29,905

We'll be coming back here in 10 days to face Spurs in the 3rd round of the League Cup, which will begin a run of 4 games in 10 days.

[Butter]

Szilard Nemeth hurts a wrist, to keep him out about a week.

Spurs do indeed offer me their head job, which would give me the unique opportunity to be on opposite sides of the same matchup with a gap of just 10 days in between. But I decline.

Arsenal beat Blackburn to make it 10 in a row off the start. I guess we all know who's winning the league.

If I can just string together 2 wins, Birmingham, Wolves, Fulham and West Ham are all playing badly enough that I could avoid relegation. But it's getting those results that is the big problem. I did beat Wolves for one win, so if I can go unbeaten in my last 7 games against those 3, I think we can stay up.

Next up, another visit to White Hart Lane. Lineup:
GK: Argenio (Grant is injured, and Stack is in bad form)
Def: Pritchard, Chalwe, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Reginiussen, Valois, Monkhouse, Inzaghi
Str: Santos, Hammond

Oct. 22, League Cup Third Round
@ Tottenham Hotspur (10th in Premiership)
Fav: Spurs, 4:5

Spurs are also not playing their best XI. Should be interesting.

A lackluster first half is finished with Spurs getting 2 point blank chances, and Argenio denying them both... We go into the second half scoreless.

78'- Argenio finally yields one on a great cross and header from 6 yards.

Lunt, Fernandes, and Cataldo enter for Monkhouse, Valois, and Pritchard... the 3-4-3 appears again.

83'- Cataldo with great anticipation as he steals a back pass and walks in on the keeper, but his shot is deflected wide.

85'- Lunt with a nice ball over the top for Cataldo, who crosses to Inzaghi but it's cleared out.

The match ends, and we lose at Tottenham again. Mads Reginiussen continues to be the most impressive youngster on the team, earning MoM honors and an 8 for his effort... he'll also get returned to the reserves for his effort. Argenio and Dakinah also pick up 8's.

Loss, 1-0, out of League Cup
Shots/on target: Spurs 19/8, Posh 9/3
Poss: 55-45, Spurs
A: 28,432

[Butter]

Italian club Ascoli make a solicited bid of $1.25 million for Argenio, and we agree to it. He had missed training twice in recent weeks, subjecting himself to a one week wage fine. Argenio agrees to a deal with them, and we'll be $1.25 million richer on January 1.

Next up, we host Middlesbrough. Can we slip Crawley Town back in here for a week or something? Jesus.
Lineup:
GK: Stack
Def: Pritchard, El Karkouri, Campo, Dakinah
Mid: Arzo, Fernandes, Lunt, Viana
Str: Johansen, Cole

Oct. 25, Match 10
2-0-7, 19th pl., 6 pts.
v. Middlesbrough (5-2-4, 7th pl., 17 pts.)
Last meeting: Posh 0:1 Boro (9/18/07, League Cup 2nd Round)
Fav: Boro, 4:5

2'- 19 year old striker Lee McKenzie gets a nice pass from Joe Cole, and nearly finishes a lovely move. Stack tips it over. El Karkouri steals the resulting corner, and gets it ahead to Fernandes... Fabrice with a ball into the middle for Cole, and he nods it on to Lunt, who is free on the keeper... offside. The flag was up on the Cole pass.

8'- Cole with a great centering ball to Johansen, who dives onto it, but sends it wide.

17'- Cole with a cross to an unmarked Matteo Brighi (formerly of Chievo), and he heads it in off the post. 1-0, Boro.

22'- Pritchard with a great through ball for Cole... Cole holds off one man, and shoots far post from 12 yards... GOAL! 1-1! Arzo made the steal to key the play! Maybe we can actually hold Boro out and get a point from this one.

Campo is rating a 4, even after the goal, so Sarr enters for him.

43'- Pritchard has it slide tackled away, right into the path of Joe Cole... Cole gets his shot off just before being closed down from 15 yards, and it slips past Stack and inside the left post. 2-1, Boro.

46'- Just after the break, a free kick finds Joe Cole, and he scores from 20 yards past a surprised looking Stack. So much for this one.

58'- Cataldo and Robnik on for Viana and a slightly injured Carlton Cole, as we go to a 4-3-3 for the remainder.

77'- Arzo just misses with a 20 yard half volley on a deflected corner kick.

90'+- Fernandes scores in the second of 3 stoppage minutes on a direct 20 yard free kick.

Stack, Fernandes, and Carlton Cole earn 8's in the losing effort. Our defense was our strength... but we're letting in goals far too easily right now. Joe Cole is the deserved MoM for Boro.

Loss, 2-3, remain in 19th
Shots/on target: Posh 11/5, Boro 14/11
Poss: 53-47, Boro
A: 15,270

Believe it or not, we're only one win from safety, as Wolves are ahead of us by a point, and West Ham are 17th with just 8 points. But it looks like someone woke up Birmingham, so we better kick it into gear at some point. I would help, but I don't know what to do right now.

[Butter]

Next up, a road trip to The Valley to face Charlton Athletic. Lineup:
GK: Stack
Def: Pritchard, El Karkouri, Chalwe, Sarr
Mid: Arzo, Eriksson, Fernandes, Viana
Str: Robnik, Cole

Oct. 29, Match 11
2-0-8, 19th pl., 6 pts.
@ Charlton Athletic (3-3-6, 15th pl., 12 pts.)
Series: Addicks lead 1-1-0
Fav: Addicks, 5:4

8'- Fernandes has to leave due to injury thanks to a midfield challenge... Lunt enters for him.

12'- Viana gets a pass in our own half, then spots a run by Cole... Cole is free down the center, and has only the keeper to beat... and he does so, for a goal! 1-0, Posh!

18'- Lunt with a corner kick... the ball deflects back out to him, and he crosses again... Robnik is there at the far post, but his header is just over.

28'- Sarr with a good long ball to Robnik down the right... Robnik with an excellent cross in front to Viana... Viana's header is just over!

We absolutely dominate the remainder of the half, as Charlton are unable to get a shot on target, while we have 16 attempts at goal.

54'- Hugo Viana with a 20 yard free kick... and it's in!!! 2-0, Posh!

63'- Dakinah on for Robnik, and we go with a 5-4-1 for a while...

70'- Sarr picks up his 2nd yellow card, and we go down a man... Arzo drops to the back line, Viana to midfield, and now we have a 5-3-1.

83'- A low cross is sent in by Charlton, and it's poked past Stack by midfielder Danny Murphy.... 2-1.

My heart sinks as 4 minutes of stoppage time is announced in between clearances.

90'+- Charlton with another low cross that Arzo plays back to Stack... and he gets it downfield.

The final Addicks chance shows a man offside, and the final whistle blows and we're out of the drop zone!! Hugo Viana with his finest match for the Posh, earning a 10 and MoM. Cole, Arzo, Chalwe, Lunt, and Pritchard pick up 8's in the victory. Not a game I expected to win, but I was hoping for a point out of it... but Viana's free kick gave us all 3!

Win, 1-2, up to 17th place
Shots/on target: Addicks 11/1, Posh 23/10
Poss: 52-48, Addicks
A: 19,761

The game pulls us a point out of the basement, and just 2 from 16th place Southampton now.

[Butter]

Sarr gets a one match ban for his red card in the previous match. And Fabrice Fernandes will be questionable for the game against his former employer, as apparently he got cleated pretty hard in this last match and left with a gashed arm, but will only miss about 3 days because of it.

An important mid-season relegation clash with Southampton here. Our first ever visit to St. Mary's, and we've slipped back into the drop zone after an earlier Wolves 3-2 win over Newcastle today. Fernandes is back to 90%, good enough for me to start him. Lineup:
GK: Stack
Def: Pritchard, El Karkouri, Chalwe, Dakinah
Mid: Arzo, Fernandes, Lunt, Viana
Str: Robnik, Cole

Nov. 1, Match 12
3-0-8, 18th pl., 9 pts.
@ Southampton (2-5-5, 16th pl., 11 pts.)
First meeting
Fav: Saints, 5:4

2'- It doesn't take long for us to mess something up, as Sashi Chalwe backs into and over Dexter Blackstock on a cross by David Prutton. A penalty is given... former Blackburn midfielder Steven Reid to take it... Stack saves it! Not well-taken, really, and we get a break.

19'- Prutton with a header off a cross from Eddie Anaclet, but it's well over.

25'- Our first good chance, Lunt finds Cole with an inch of space at the top of the box, and he drives a low shot... wide.

32'- Arzo to Viana... Viana to Robnik at the top of the arc... Robnik with a one touch pass to Cole in space... Cole attacks the goal, and shoots low again from 15 yards... and slots it home past Niemi! Nice crisp passing, and a good finish by Cole, his 7th of the year makes it 1-0.

James Beattie enters the game for the Saints up front, replacing a slighlty injured Blackstock.

35'- Lunt is dispossessed on the right, but Dakinah backs him up... Kofi slides it back to Lunt, on a diagonal run toward the box... Kenny with a cross from about 25 yards, outside the box to the right of goal... maybe it's not a cross... it lofts over Niemi and nestles inside the far post! GOAL! 2-0, Posh on an improbable strike from Kenny Lunt!

Arzo is seriously lagging at the half, so he comes out for Alan Navarro... Szilard Nemeth also enters the game for Hugo Viana, to preserve his legs.

48'- Peter Crouch with a great flick on to... himself... he cuts a great pass across, and Beattie looks sure to score into a fairly open net, but Stack with a marvelous recovery to tip the shot wide... Anaclet is there and re-crosses to Crouch, but Lerch is offsides.

58'- Dakinah with a header forward to Cole... Cole squares it to Nemeth, who sends a long ball into Robnik's run... Dejan is free and clear, and shoots from 12 yards to the left post... but Niemi with a good save to tap it wide.

61'- Crouch and Reid play a nice one-two game down the left... and ultimately it's Crouch with a cut back pass to midfielder Yoann Folly, who runs onto it and shoots far post from about 10 yards... and scores. Very nice play.

Crouch makes a nice play and gets subbed out... Marian Pahars is on, the 32 year old Latvian international.

63'- Cole with a through ball to Nemeth, and his shot is tipped by Niemi... it rolls across the goal line before being cleared for a corner.

70'- Pahars with good play down the left, and he hits a low pass in front of goal where James Beattie connects with it... but weakly, and right at Stack.

71'- Campo on for a tired Robnik, as we switch to a 5-4-1, with El Karkouri moving to sweeper.

83'- Pahars finds himself with space, as El Karkouri doesn't react quickly enough... and it's too late. Pahars with a good shot inside the right post from 12 yards to level it at 2.

Fernandes with a free kick on the edge of the area in the 90th minute, but he skies it.

Tough break, as we lose a 2 goal lead and stay in the bottom 3. Our first draw of the season. Antti Niemi named man of the match in goal for So'ton, while Dakinah, El Karkouri, Lunt and Cole pick up ratings of 8 for us. Not a bad effort, just needed a good defensive play at the end to finish it off.

Draw, 2-2, remain in 18th
Shots/on target: Saints 14/10, Posh 17/10
Poss: 51-49, Saints
A: 24,272

[Butter]

Luke Pritchard is the surprise Young Player of the Month for October. Wayne Rooney nets Goal of the Month honors for his game winner against us on October 1. It was a hell of a shot.

We finally get to that much put-off match at home to Newcastle. This is another mid-week matchup, but we'll have 11 days off after this one. Sarr is finally back from his groin injury. Lineup:
GK: Stack
Def: Pritchard, El Karkouri, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Arzo, Fernandes, Lunt, Viana
Str: Nemeth, Cole

Nov. 5, Match 13
3-1-8, 18th pl., 10 pts.
v. Newcastle United (2-8-3, 12th pl., 14 pts.)
First meeting
Fav: Magpies, 4:5

8'- Dakinah with a good steal... the ball eventually ends up with Nemeth, who just out-runs his defender, and shoots near post... good save by Newcastle!

11'- Craig Bellamy keys a counter-attack, that ultimately finds the foot of Edu, who drives it past Stack and inside the far post, 1-0.

25'- Cole with a breakaway, but his shot is turned over nicely by the keeper... Viana's corner is cleared out, but Sarr gets it back to Viana on the right of the box, and he tries a long curling shot and narrowly misses... a great attempt, but not quite on target.

43'- Harry Kewell with a cross to Jermaine Jenas, and he heads it in. 2-0, Magpies.

66'- With our offense stagnant, we go to the bench for wholesale changes... Eriksson on for Arzo, Johansen for Nemeth, and Robnik for Cole. Eriksson moves up to the center circle.

The changes don't help much. I'm afraid to move too many folks out of the back, and end up losing 5-0 or some such. Lunt gets our only 8, but Stack gets a 5. Not a good showing.

Loss, 0-2, remain in 18th
Shots/on target: Posh 10/5, Magpies 8/4
Poss: 53-47, Magpies
A: 15,285

[Butter]

Birmingham City sack their manager after being unable to move off the bottom for several weeks, and again my name is bandied about as a possible replacement.

Sarr, Pritchard, El Karkouri, Lunt, and Robnik are picked in the Team of the Week... but as our game v. Newcastle was the only one scheduled, that explains that.

Hugo Viana has been in good form for Portugal lately, setting up 2 goals in his last 2 matches for them. Meanwhile, Jim Johansen has played his first 3 matches for the Norwegian national team after a long stint in the U-21's, and has gone goal-less.

Franco Cataldo breaks a wrist during training, and will miss a month of action.

West Ham's Harry Redknapp taunts me in the press, saying his side are ready to play and fear no one. I counter, saying that Redknapp will not be able to keep West Ham in the Premiership. 3 of my players "like his manager's forthright views about West Ham's slim chances of avoiding the drop". Sadly, 4 Hammer players "are determined to prove Butter wrong".

Lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Pritchard, El Karkouri, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Arzo, Fernandes, Lunt, Viana
Str: Robnik, Cole

Nov. 16, Match 14 - Televised
3-1-9, 18th pl., 10 pts.
v. West Ham United (2-2-9, 19th pl., 8 pts.)
Series: Posh lead 2-4-0
Fav: Hammers, 6:4

We've never lost to West Ham, and don't intend to start now. This game would be what I like to call "vital".

2'- Lunt with a wicked inswinging corner, and Robnik heads it... inches wide.

Tackles and cards fly early, including Arzo sending a West Ham midfielder to the locker room with one challenge... but few chances on goal.

18'- Fernandes collects an errant WH pass, and sends a cross to Cole, who strikes from 15 yards but screams it over the bar.

We get a couple more chances, but can't put anything past West Ham keeper Darren Behcet. Their best chance was a poorly taken 25 yard free kick in the 30th minute.

54'- Fernandes to Viana... Viana lofts one to Cole... Cole is loose... he rounds Behcet and slots it home! Where would we be without Carlton Cole? His 8th in 9 starts, and we lead 1-0!

56'- Sarr with a steal of a wide 35 yard free kick... he hits it to Lunt... who sends Cole in again... he's beaten the trap and walks in on Behcet again... and scores! A fierce shot right through the Hammers' keeper, and we lead 2-0!

64'- Lunt runs down the right for about 50 yards... the defense is collapsing on Cole allowing the run... Lunt squares it to Viana at the top of the 18... Viana to Cole, who again draws defenders... Cole slips it back to Viana, and he scores! But Robnik is called for offsides! What? Not even involved in the play, dammit!

75'- Fernandes leaves with an injury, Andy Monkhouse comes on. Nemeth in for a tiring Viana.

84'- Monkhouse creates a chance with a good short pass to Robnik cutting into the box... Robnik's shot from the left is right at Behcet.

And the final whistle goes! West Ham's offense was thoroughly pitiful today, and we take the big 3 points! Carlton Cole a well-deserved MoM award, and a 9 for his 2 goal effort. Kenny Lunt also gets a 9, while Grant, Pritchard, Sarr, Fernandes, and Viana all pick up 8's.

Win, 2-0, up to 16th place
Shots/on target: Posh 15/9, Hammers 5/2
Poss: 51-49, Posh
A: 15,298

Southampton win to stay ahead of us, but Wolves drop into the zone with their loss, and we also pass Charlton with our 4th win of the year.

Unfortunately for us, Fabrice Fernandes will miss a month with strained knee ligaments he suffered in this match. Likely that Andy Monkhouse will come in for him... but luckily for us we're only about 2 weeks off from the arrival of left winger Thando Mngomeni from South Africa.

[Butter]

Lunt and Cole are picked in the Team of the Week. Wolves and Charlton draw in mid-week, keeping us in 16th on goals scored, we have 1 more than Charlton, and we're both sitting on a -9 goal difference.

We get a road match against Crystal Palace, a key mid-season relegation 6 pointer... a win for us would help us move up 2-4 spots in the table. A loss will give the rest of the league separation from the bottom 4. We go with a switch up here on the road against a very offensive Palace side... a 5-3-2, with Viana the playmaker in the center, and we go with tight man marking for the first time this year... I usually use "zonal" marking, but that ain't gettin' it done right now. We also stick with attacking tactics though. Let's see what happens. Lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Pritchard, El Karkouri, Arzo, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Eriksson, Viana, Lunt
Str: Johansen, Cole

Nov. 23, Match 15
4-1-9, 16th pl., 13 pts.
@ Crystal Palace (4-2-8, 17th pl., 14 pts.)
Series: Posh lead 2-0-0 (one friendly win, and one win in the FA Cup in 2005)
Fav: Eagles, 6:4

The man marking seems to be doing it's job... Palace with few breakthroughs early, just one deflected long shot that nearly went in.

30'- Viana to Lunt, who plays it long to Johansen, who has beaten the trap... Johansen is free... to 15 yards, and he slots it home! 1-0, Posh!

45'+- In the fourth minute of stoppage time, striker Collins John gets free behind the defense and powers a 12 yarder past Grant. 1-1 at the break.

49'- Cole and Lunt play it back and forth down the right... then Lunt with a great early ball to Viana, who runs into the box from the arc... Viana has space, and time to settle... he right foots it inside the left post, and it's 2-1, Posh!

61'- Lunt with a 20 yard attempt that is blocked... it falls to Johansen, who tries the volley... great save by Gabor Kiraly to beat it away.

68'- Grant with a nice punch on a dipping cross into the six.

Campo in for Viana... Arzo moves up to midfield. Nemeth comes on, we try him on the right wing for Lunt.

79'- Campo just totally loses his man as Palace counter attack us... the centering pass finds a wide open player, and Campo about 5 yards away just standing there, and the easy shot is converted against a flailing Grant. 2-2.

Robnik on for a tiring Cole.

Both teams make a lot of charges up the field, but they usually die at the end with a bad touch or a cross to nobody in particular. And we end drawn. Not a bad outing, really, but we can't seem to hold those leads. Several 8's today, including Grant, Viana, and most of the back 5.

Draw, 2-2, remain in 17th
Shots/on target: Eagles 16/8, Posh 13/5
Poss: 55-45, Palace
A: 22,363

We remain in 17th place with the draw, but the 4 teams directly ahead of us have just one more point. One win would practically put us mid-table.

[Butter]

Indeed, Birmingham does approach me about their head coach vacancy... but I decline it.

Kenny Lunt is third in the November Player of the Month voting.

We get a poor draw, but not horrible, in the FA Cup draw... we'll face Wolves at Molineux on January 3rd.

We finally sign 25 year old left winger Thando Mngomeni from South Africa on a free transfer. Mngomeni signs for $260k per season through 2012... he has played for Swedish club Helsingborg for the past several years, scoring at least 10 goals in each of the last 4 seasons, with fewer than 20 starts. We also pick up 29 year old fullback Emil Jensen for free from Swedish club Halmstad. Jensen will make $200k per year through 2012. He is pretty fast, a hard worker, and a terrific marker. If he needs work, it would be on his positioning and decision making, but even those attributes are fairly decent (ratings of 12 each). Jensen comes over "lacking match practice", so he'll have to train a bit before joining the squad.

We stick with the 5-3-2, as Mngomeni gets inserted immediately into the starting lineup. Another big game against a bottom club here. Mngomeni starts in a forward position today, as his finishing skill is outstanding, and his position is an AM/F anyway. We'll see what happens. Lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Pritchard, El Karkouri, Arzo, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Eriksson, Lunt, Viana
Str: Mngomeni, Cole

Dec. 1, Match 16
4-2-9, 17th pl., 14 pts.
v. Birmingham City (1-3-12, 20th pl., 6 pts.)
Last meeting: Blues 3:1 Posh (1/31/07, FA Cup Fourth Round)
Fav: Posh, 6:4

Birmingham in a very defensive formation, 4 defenders, 2 def. middies, 2 wingers, and 2 strikers... they look content to sit back and try and earn a scoreless draw. We'll see.

4'- It doesn't take long, as Mngomeni attacks quickly, drawing 2 defenders, then slipping a ball to Cole where the last defender had vacated... Cole dribbles at and around the keeper and finishes! Cole's 10th league goal of the season puts us up 1-0!

14'- Viana puts a wicked bend on a 20 yard free kick, but the keeper is able to tip it away.

20'- Cole picks up a loose ball outside the box, then dribbles to the right... he swings a cross back to the far post, and Mngomeni heads it on from 15 yards... and scores! Not a very powerful header, but he directs it past the keeper to score on his debut in Posh blue! 2-0!

Campo on for a laboring Viana at the half.

Birmingham just can't get anything going, despite 3 offensive subs.

73'- Good midfield possession... Campo to Lunt... Lunt slips it back to Campo... Ivan penetrates the defense, and shoots from 12 yards... GOAL! Great low shot inside the right post, and we take a huge 3-0 lead!

Stack on for Grant, and Monkhouse comes in to give Lunt a breather.

90'- The Blues finally with a good chance, but a 15 yard strike rings back off the crossbar.

Great performance to get out of relegation trouble... for now anyway. Newcomer Thando Mngomeni with a terrific performance, earning a 10 rating and MoM in his start at striker. Grant, Lunt, and Cole pick up 8's as well, as we climb over 4 teams all the way to 13th place, now 5 points clear of relegation.

Win, 3-0, up to 13th place
Shots/on target: Posh 9/6, Blues 8/3
Poss: 56-44, Blues
A: 15,281

This 5-3-2 formation has given us some newfound success... a road draw against a team that's in European play, and a huge home win against a struggling side. Maybe we'll stick with it for a while, especially if Mngomeni continues to perform.

[Butter]

Champions League Group Play, Results
Group A
Standings: Deportivo 11, Benfica 10, Arsenal 10, Trabzonspor (TUR) 2
- Despite having nearly 70% of the ball, Arsenal lose at home to Benfica 1-0 on a 90th minute Benfica goal on the final day of group play, sending Benfica through and sending Arsenal home.

Group B
Standings: Barcelona 15, Chelsea 12, Levski (BUL) 6, Partizan (SCG) 3
- Barca and Chelsea dominate this group, leaving no drama for the final day.

Group C
Standings: Roma 14, Ajax 13, FC Kobenhavn (DEN) 7, Banik Ostrava (CZE) 0
- Ajax beat Copenhagen on the final day to punch their ticket for the knockout stage.

Group D
Standings: Milan 16, Werder Bremen 10, Sporting Lisbon 8, BATE (BLR) 0
- Milan and Bremen were through by the time the final match day rolled around.

Group E
Standings: Juventus 15, Bayern Munich 15, Brondby (DEN) 4, Wisla (POL) 1
- Domination by the Italian and German sides here.

Group F
Standings: Leverkusen 13, Real Madrid 11, Porto 10, Lokomotiv Plovdiv (BUL) 0
- Madrid manage a 1-1 draw with Porto to stay above the Portuguese side and make it to the next round.

Group G
Standings: Manchester Utd. 14, PSV 10, Basel (SUI) 7, Valencia 3
- Easy pickin's for the Red Devils.

Group H
Standings: Newcastle 13, Lyon 10, Parma 8, Celtic 2
- Lyon beat Newcastle 3-1, while Parma drew with Celtic 0-0 to assure Lyon's presence in the next round.

Next up, another big relegation matchup, as we face 17th place Fulham. Again, we go with the 5-3-2. Lineup:
GK: Stack
Def: Jensen, El Karkouri, Chalwe, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Viana, Campo, Lunt
Str: Johansen, Cole

Dec. 6, Match 17
5-2-9, 13th pl., 17 pts.
@ Fulham (3-6-8, 17th pl., 15 pts.)
Series: Cottagers lead 1-1-0
Fav: Posh, 5:4

5'- Midfielder Claus Jensen blazes a 20 yarder over the bar.

9'- Johansen to Cole... Cole blows past a defender, and runs 40 yards into the box... he tries going around the keeper, but his shot inside the near post misses into the side netting.

11'- Ricardo Gardner crosses to the near post, where El Karkouri can't stop young Slovenian striker Borut Semler from heading it in past Stack, 1-0 Fulham.

13'- Instant reply, as Viana knocks it long for Johansen who is offside... but Jim stops his run and lets Cole run onto it... the flag stays down, as Cole is free, and he scores from the left, firing it inside the right post. Nice combination by Viana and Cole, 1-1.

27'- Campo with a steal, and he knocks it to Lunt... Lunt with a long ball to Johansen... Jim is free, and he tries to chip the keeper. It looks like it's going in, but a last second lunge by Danish keeper Stephan Andersen keeps it out.

31'- Stack with a good stop on an 8 yard volley attempt off a corner kick.

36'- Cole and Johansen play the give-and-go... Cole with an angled shot under pressure, and Andersen tips it across the line... Kenny Lunt races in and taps it home! 2-1, Posh!

57'- Striker Danny Webber with a good cross for Papa Bouba Diop... and Diop finishes with a nice header inside the right post from 8 yards. 2-2.

64'- Webber takes a shot himself this time, and Chalwe tries to head it away, but heads it right past Stack into the net. 3-2, Fulham.

El Karkouri moves up to central midfield, and we now go with a flat 4-4-2.

69'- Lunt picks up a loose ball in our half, and knocks it 50 yards for Cole... Cole beats one man, then 2... and fires in between the keeper's legs and in! Carlton Cole with his second of the game to level it at 3!

71'- Arzo in for El Karkouri, Mngomeni on for Viana, and Robnik enters for Cole... all 3 players are tired.

76'- After a long buildup, Lunt plays a square ball for Mngomeni... Thando is open on the left side, as the defense was mostly on the right... Mngomeni drives on goal, and fires far post from 12 yards... GOAL!!! 4-3, Posh! What a game!

We move Campo to the backline, and Arzo to defensive midfield.

84'- A long ball finds a target in the middle for Fulham... Chalwe closes him down, but the shot hits Chalwe's leg and goes in! What a nightmare game for Chalwe! 4-4.

89'- Former Liverpool winger Richie Partridge swings a cross in front of goal, and Diop is there again to head it in! Unbelievable. 5-4, Fulham.

We get no more chances, and lose a crazy see-saw affair. How we gave up 5 goals, I couldn't say. Stack and El Karkouri get 5's, and the rest of the backline 6's, while Cole is named MoM with a 9, despite being subbed in the 71st minute. Lunt gets an 8.

Loss, 5-4, down to 14th
Shots/on target: Cottagers 14/9, Posh 21/11
Poss: 57-43, Cottagers
A: 20,262

Chalwe will be sitting for a while. He's been a dud so far this year. Stack will probably also grab some pine... Grant has far been outperforming him all year, and this game underscores that point. No time to give up on the 5-3-2 yet, as it seems to be giving us even more chances than we had in the 4-4-2.

[Butter]

We're still 5 points from relegation, but the 3 teams behind us are just 1 point back... Charlton, Palace, and So'ton all sit on 16 points.

The 5-4 defeat is a record high scoring game. We'll be doing some lineup shuffling coming up too, as we're hitting a stretch heavy with mid-week games.... we have our next 3 at home, but 2 of the 3 are against 2 toughies... Liverpool and Arsenal. We do get Manchester City to break those games up, but getting 3 points from these 3 games would be impressive.

We are now tied for 6th in the league in goal scoring, 24 goals. But we're also one of the poorer defensive sides in the league, allowing the 4th most goals in the league with 31. Carlton Cole is the league's leading scorer, averaging one goal a match, with 12 goals.

Next up, we face once-beaten Liverpool... they're in 4th, but are only 2 points off of Arsenal's pace. Lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Pritchard, El Karkouri, Campo, Dakinah, Sarr
Mid: Monkhouse, Viana, Lunt
Str: Mngomeni, Cole

Dec. 10, Match 18
5-2-10, 15th pl., 17 pts.
v. Liverpool (11-4-1, 4th pl., 37 pts.)
First meeting
Fav: Reds, 4:7

2'- Gerrard with a 30 yard piledriver, but Grant gets over to turn it aside.

4'- Lunt with a cross to Hugo Viana... Viana gets a head to it, but it just misses wide.

9'- Lunt with a steal... up to Cole... Cole lays it back to Monkhouse, then Andy gives it back to Cole at the top of the arc. Cole leaves Jonathan Woodgate in the dust, and closes in on goal... he fires near post... GOAL!!!! Keeper Chris Kirkland with no chance, and we take a shock 1-0 lead!

19'- Gerrard with a good pass onto the run of former Villarreal striker Juan Roman Riquelme... Riquelme with a hard shot, but Grant deflects it away.

30'- Riquelme's corner kick is punched away by Grant... defender Danny Smith recovers it, and swings in a deep cross... Gerrard is there from 8 yards, and beats Sarr to it... he heads it in. 1-1.

57'- Cole and Lunt play the give-and-go... Cole is free from 12 yards, but his shot is turned aside.

Cole is limping, and we sub him out for Nemeth. Johansen on for a tired Lunt, as Mngomeni moves to the left wing, Monkhouse switches to the right.

69'- Gerrard with a great through ball to substitute striker Djibril Cisse... Cisse strikes it into the top corner, 2-1 Reds.

74'- Eriksson on for a tired Viana... Campo moves up to midfield, as we switch to a 4-4-2.

Not much else comes of anything. We really deserved a point out of this one, too. Alas, it was not to be, though there were several good performances turned in. Grant and Monkhouse pick up 9's, while Cole and Pritchard get 8's. Monkhouse is screaming for some more playing time with this performance. We'll need him, too, as our first-teamers are just dog tired right now.

Loss, 1-2, remain in 15th
Shots/on target: Posh 11/3, Reds 21/15
Poss: 51-49, Posh
A: 15,278

[Butter]

Sadly, we have little choice but to hold a couple of key players out of the next match. We'll see if we can hold on for a draw against Man. City. Lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Jensen, Arzo, El Karkouri, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Valois, Eriksson, Campo
Str: Johansen, Hammond

Dec. 13, Match 19
5-2-11, 15th pl., 17 pts.
v. Manchester City (7-6-5, 7th pl., 27 pts.)
Last meeting: Citizens 2:1 Posh (9/20/06, League Cup Second Round)
Fav: Citizens, Evens

22'- Off a free kick, former Bolton striker Henrik Pedersen with a long shot that hits Sarr and goes in. We're getting no luck right now. 1-0, Citizens.

29'- Robin van Persie with an easy chance inside 10 yards, and he doesn't miss from there... 2-0, Man. City.

40'- Chalwe in for Dakinah, Nemeth for Campo, and we all but sacrifice this game to the gods.

Our best chance comes in the 85th, but El Karkouri sends a 25 yard free kick way too high.

Our 2 strikers created nothing, as did our midfield. Shows how far we have to come before we have any quality depth at this level. Not a good showing. Valois and Hammond, our former stars, both rate 5's.

Loss, 0-2, remain in 15th
Shots/on target: Posh 4/0, Citizens 17/7
Poss: 54-46, MCFC
A: 15,301

[Butter]

Monkhouse is picked in the Team of the Week for his outing against the Liverpudlians.

Our entire first team is pretty down right now, after being beaten in that tight Liverpool match, then having the crap beat out of them by Manchester City... Arsenal should make short work of us. Hopefully we can avoid the 4-0 shellacking we took at the start of the year, though. Lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Pritchard, Arzo, El Karkouri, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Monkhouse, Viana, Lunt
Str: Mngomeni, Cole

Dec. 16, Match 20
5-2-12, 15th pl., 17 pts.
v. Arsenal (14-3-1, 1st pl., 45 pts.)
Last meeting: Gunners 4:0 Posh (8/9/08)
Fav: Gunners, 1:2

Arsenal start slowly, but work up to domination. Vieira misses at least 3 shots just inches wide... we're lucky to get the ball out of our half in the first 45. In the 41st, Cole gets loose, but his shot is saved... Viana eventually gets the ball back, but his shot is also saved. Grant makes a series of spectacular saves to keep things scoreless.

42'- A long ball by the keeper is flicked on by Reyes... Cavenaghi drives at Grant, and slots it home. 1-0, Gunners.

71'- Robnik on for El Karkouri, and Arzo and Mngomeni move to midfield... it's a 3-5-2.

86'- Viana with a very good pass to Cole, but he's closed down quickly... Dede tackles it away... but Lunt picks up the loose ball, and fires a shot at goal, past the out of place keeper and in!!! 1-1!

We switch back to a 5-3-2, Campo enters for Viana.

90'- Mngomeni now in the center, swings it right for Cole... Cole enters the right side of the box, and puts in a perfect cross to Robnik... Robnik's header... off the crossbar!!! Cleared away by Gallas.

Cole with one last cross to Robnik, but the Arsenal keeper handles it.

But the final whistle goes, and we get a miracle point off the league leaders! Not a good 3 game stretch at home, but this was a nice way to finish it. Grant the well-deserved MoM, picking up a 9 in goal for his multiple acrobatic saves. Sarr and Cole pick up 8's... and we nearly had the game winner, Robnik just couldn't quite get his header down. This game is a stark contrast to what we saw back in early August... this team is coming around.

Draw 1-1, remain in 15th
Shots/on target: Posh 10/9, Gunners 25/12
Poss: 52-48, Gunners
A: 15,280

Manchester City beat Southampton 6-0 to push the Saints into the zone, as West Ham escapes... for now. But we're still only 2 points clear, with the bottom 2 teams on 10 points, then the next 3 teams up on 16 points.

[Butter]

We don't get much of a break, as we now have to travel to Wolverhampton to face Wolves... luckily the draw against Arsenal has lifted the team's spirits considerably. Lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Jensen, Pritchard, Arzo, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Mngomeni, Viana, Lunt
Str: Robnik, Cole

Dec. 20, Match 21
5-3-12, 15th pl., 18 pts.
@ Wolverhampton Wanderers (2-4-14, 19th pl., 10 pts.)
Series: Posh lead 3-0-1
Fav: Posh, 5:4

13'- Lunt with a good dipping cross, that Viana heads, but the Wolves keeper gets his leg out and keeps it out of goal.

We just pepper Wolves with chance after chance, until:

19'- Mngomeni gets a deflected ball from a failed Wolves attack... he swings a great pass to Lunt on the right... who spots Cole's run, and hits him with a long ball... Cole is away, and he finishes! 1-0, Posh! Carlton Cole... I can't believe Chelsea couldn't find a space for this guy. He is unbelievable!

28'- Viana with a terrific 30 yard shot that nearly bends in, but the Wolves keeper gets a finger to it to keep it out.

37'- A Wolves defender is booked for a second time for a shirt tug on Cole, and we play the rest of the match a man up.

51'- Lunt's corner is headed away... but right back to Lunt... he squares it for Viana, who has a go from 20 yards... it's deflected, but right into Cole's path, and he nails it! 2-0, Posh! Cole's 15th of the season!

Cole, Viana, and Mngomeni come off, in favor of Campo, Monkhouse, and Nemeth... we switch to a 5-4-1, with Robnik the lone striker.

68'- Jensen with a great ball to Lunt... Lunt gets his man all turned around, and he is tripped right at the edge of the box... it's a penalty! Szilard Nemeth to take it... he strikes it home! 3-0, Posh!

The remainder of the time runs away pretty harmlessly, and we take a big win! The win puts some distance between us and the bottom 5, as we're now 5 points clear again. Carlton Cole wins MoM for his storming 51 minute performance. He gets a 10. Jensen, Dakinah, and Lunt pick up 8's.

Win, 0-3, remain in 15th
Shots/on target: Wolves 4/1, Posh 23/10
Poss: 52-48, Wolves
A: 25,439

Dare I say it was an easy win? We get Wolves again in 2 weeks at Molineux once more in the FA Cup... hopefully, they'll still suck just as badly as they did here.

The win puts me back at having a "delighted" board and fans regarding my performance as manager.

[Butter]

Sarr unfortunately will miss our next match after accumulating 5 yellow cards.

Luckily for us, though, Fabrice Fernandes is on the verge of returning from his knee injury.... which will help us out a lot with our midfield depth. Fernandes was playing very well since coming over for Southampton, but only got 9 starts in before going down with injury.

Lee Grant is playing well above his head right now, averaging a 7.6 at keeper. I had pegged Graham Stack to start for us there, but his ego has been extremely fragile, as has his skill... he has averaged a 6.75 and allowed 25 goals in 11 starts... meanwhile, Grant has allowed just 11 goals in 10 starts. Quite a difference there. We may reach again in the offseason for another keeper and cut Stack loose. Stack is more expensive anyway, and signed to a shorter deal.... not to mention the fact that Grant is 2 years younger than Stack, at age 25.

Here are the players that could potentially leave us during the Bosman period, coming up in about a week:
ML Jean-Louis Valois
D/DM-C Ivan Campo
SW/D/DM-C Talal El Karkouri
Str. Jim Johansen
AM/F-LC Tobias Eriksson
AM-RLC Andy Monkhouse

I have made lowball offers to Eriksson and Johansen... Johansen is still only 21, and I fear letting him go when he still could grow to be an outstanding player. Valois is 35, Campo 34, and El Karkouri 32. None of them have played great this year, El Karkouri and Campo are averaging around a 7, while Valois has barely played, and hasn't played well when inserted into the lineup. None of those 3 will likely be re-signed, though Campo and El Karkouri may stick around if they'll take low wages. Monkhouse is the biggest head-scratcher, as he is all over the place... I'm still unsure about re-signing him. He wants $900k, not unreasonable for a Premiership rotational player, but if I can get him back for around $500k I may take a flier on him for one more year. Monkhouse is 28, and in his prime, but he has yet to prove he can play in the EPL on a consistent basis, though he did pick up a 9 against Liverpool, one of the top teams in all of Europe.... and is averaging a 7.25, but most of that is due to getting average 7's, and the one 9 rating for just that one game.

Midfielder Kenny Lunt complains on Christmas Eve of wanting a better contract. He's signed through 2010, at which point he'll be 30, so I probably won't be giving it to him.

So, our next match is a Boxing Day hosting of Portsmouth... if we beat them, we'll be ahead of them. Lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Jensen, Pritchard, Arzo, Campo, Dakinah
Mid: Monkhouse, Viana, Lunt
Str: Mngomeni, Cole

Dec. 26, Match 22
6-3-12, 15th pl., 21 pts.
v. Portsmouth (6-4-10, 13th pl., 22 pts.)
Last meeting: Pompey 2:0 Posh (8/16/08, EPL fixture)
Fav: Pompey, 6:4

10'- Dakinah with a long ball for Monkhouse... Andy heads it onto Viana... Viana with a long 35 yard curling shot... and it goes in! What a shot by Viana! 1-0, Posh.

17'- Viana with a corner kick to Arzo... Arzo with a good effort from 8 yards and a sharp angle, but a defender hoofs it away.

21'- Cole with another storming run past 2 defenders... his shot is deflected wide, but Kenny Lunt is there to clean it up! 2-0, Posh!

Pompey are lucky not to be down 4-0 at halftime, as they hack another shot off the line, and Viana has a goal called back due to a foul by Arzo on the preceding header.

65'- El Karkouri on for Viana... Eriksson on for Cole, as we switch to a 5-4-1.

We keep Portsmouth out of the box pretty much, and take another good win. Kenny Lunt with the impressive MoM, earning a 10... Monkhouse gets a 9, and Viana and Dakinah pick up 8's.

Win, 2-0, up to 14th place
Shots/on target: Posh 17/12, Pompey 1/0
Poss: 52-48, Pompey
A: 14,670

[Butter]

Kenny Lunt is picked in the Team of the Week.

Next up, a big FA Cup matchup against Wolves... as we all remember Sunderland won the FA Cup on their way out of the Premiership last year, so maybe Wolves will try the same thing, as they have just 10 points.

As the New Year begins, I see that Man U.'s Cristiano Ronaldo wins both the World and European footballer of the year awards.

Hugo Viana is third in the December Goal of the Month voting for his 35 yard effort against Pompey.

Reserve GK Pasquale Argenio leaves the club, as we get $1.25 million from Italian club Ascoli for his rights.

I put some contract offers out there to some select players as the Bosman signing period opens for business.

Our first acceptance comes in, as 29 year old American international fullback Carlos Bocanegra agrees to join us from Fulham. Bocanegra is a top-notch defender, and will actually take a sizable pay cut from his current $2.6 million annual salary to join us in the summer. He'll be 30 by the time he gets to us, but he will become a cornerstone on our left side of defense.... at least for 2-3 years. Bocanegra gets nearly instant approval for a work permit, and he'll join us on July 1.

Tobias Eriksson agrees to stay with the club through 2013, for $650k per season. Eriksson is a flexible attacker, and has always been there when we need him. He is struggling a bit this year, but I think he'll come around.

Our second signing agrees terms, it's 26 year old sweeper/defensive midfielder Ibrahim Kargbo. He is from Sierra Leone, and plays for their national team. Kargbo currently dominates the midfield for Belgian side Charleroi. He is very fast, exceedingly smart, and a quality defender or midfielder. Kargbo has made 26 national appearances for Sierra Leone, but his signing with us will depend on his ability to get a work permit...... It takes a few weeks, but Kargbo does indeed get his work permit, and will join us in July.

Now we hit the FA Cup Third Round... we've not been doing well in the FA Cup lately, maybe this'll be our year to make a run, if we can avoid those early draws on the road to Chelsea or Arsenal. I don't start our entire A team, as we do have a league game in 4 days that I want everyone fresh for. Lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Jensen, Chalwe, El Karkouri, Pritchard, Sarr
Mid: Eriksson, Arzo, Campo
Str: Johansen, Robnik

Jan. 3, FA Cup Third Round
@ Wolverhampton Wanderers (19th in EPL)
Fav: Posh, Evens

This is a pretty tight game early on, mainly thanks to us having 7 defensive players on the pitch... Campo most notably playing out of position.

45'- Wolves with a cross swung out to near the spot, and the header is directed past Grant... 1-0, Wolves.

67'- Wolves with a nice ball into the box, and a midfielder strikes it first time past Grant... 2-0.

Lunt and Mngomeni on for Campo and Jensen... we switch to a 3-4-3, with El Karkouri moving to midfield.

The rest of the game zips by quietly, and we take a beating. Not a good game here, but a not totally unexpected loss considering the way we handled Wolves in our 2 league matches this season. Arzo gets our only 8.

Loss, 2-0, out of FA Cup
Shots/on target: Wolves 6/4, Posh 3/1
Poss: 52-48, Wolves
A: 25,385

FA Cup Third Round Upsets
Man U. 0:3 Bolton (Champ.)
Blackburn 1:3 QPR (Champ.)
Brentford (L2) 1:2 Forest Green (CON)
Port Vale (CON) 1:1 Ipswich (Champ.)

[Butter]

We make a huge signing, as 30 year old Croatian international forward Bosko Balaban agrees to a deal with us worth $2 million per year through 2012. Balaban is a force for Nantes in French League 1, and would team with Cole to give us an extremely potent strike force, if his work permit is granted. Balaban has no obvious weaknesses, and has been very consistent throughout his career. Balaban is right sided forward, so we might could even play him on the right wing, and might well try him there if possible. His work permit takes a couple of weeks, but it comes through, and we waste no time getting his signature down.

Next up, we face Norwich at Carrow Road. Lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Pritchard, Sarr, El Karkouri, Dakinah, Jensen
Mid: Mngomeni, Viana, Lunt
Str: Cataldo, Cole

Jan. 7, Match 23
7-3-12, 14th pl., 24 pts.
@ Norwich (8-7-6, 9th pl., 31 pts.)
First meeting: Posh 0:2 Canaries (8/20/08, league fixture)
Fav: Canaries, 6:4

20'- Kevin Kilbane takes Kenny Lunt out of the match with a challenge... Monkhouse enters for him.

Norwich dominate the first half, and we'd be lucky to take a scoreless draw into the locker room... or:

45'- Monkhouse to Viana, with space in the middle.... Viana slides a through ball to Cataldo... Cataldo from the spot, shoots it toward the upper left corner... and it's in! Cataldo's first of the year, 1-0, Posh!

75'- Campo on for Cole, and we switch to a 5-4-1.

78'- Dakinah with a steal... to Mngomeni... Thando with a great switch of play, long to the right for Monkhouse... Andy holds play up... then turns on his man and swings a far post cross to Viana... Hugo is there with an easy finish! 2-0, Posh!

Eriksson on for Viana.

Norwich can't penetrate our defense, and we take the 3 points! A big road win here. Hugo Viana wins the MoM honors, rating a 9 for his stellar midfield play. Grant also picks up a 9, and Pritchard, Sarr, Jensen, Cole, Cataldo, and Monkhouse all nick 8's.

Win, 0-2, up to 11th place
Shots/on target: Canaries 19/7, Posh 9/7
Poss: 56-44, Canaries
A: 20,589

Sadly, Kenny Lunt is due to miss 2 weeks with a calf strain. Fortunately, it looks like Fabrice Fernandes should be back in the lineup in midfield for our next match.

[Butter]

We make another big signing, as 26 year old Austrian striker Roman Wallner agrees to join the Posh. Wallner currently toils for Hannover 96 in Germany. He has scored 15 goals or more in each of the last 4 seasons for Hannover in the Bundesliga... he has also scored 15 goals in 49 caps for Austria. A world class striker, he'll sign for over $2 million per year through 2013. Wallner's lone weakness may be his positioning, but even that is not poor, just average. Luckily for us, Austria is an EU country, so no work permit worries here.

We also pile some money onto 22 year old South African striker Lebohang Mokoena. Mokoena is crazy fast, and has super finishing skill. He lacks a bit only in his passing and creativity, but even those are average. Mokoena will sign for just under $1 million for us, and will become our 4th best striker behind Cole, Balaban and Wallner. Mokoena currently averages over 1 goal a game for his club side, South Africa's Orlando Pirates. Mokoena will cause some chaos off the bench for us, as he gets his work permit granted. His listed position is "center forward".

All of a sudden, we're on fire, unbeaten in our last 4 Premiership matches, and winners of the last 3... granted, they were over Wolves, Portsmouth, and Norwich, but hey, ya gotta start somewhere.

We try to extend things to 5, as Blackburn Rovers come to town. We get 2 weeks off after this match since we didn't advance in the FA Cup, so we can afford to play some borderline fatigued guys, like pretty much the entire midfield and strike force. Lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Pritchard, Campo, Arzo, Chalwe, Sarr
Mid: Eriksson, Viana, Monkhouse
Str: Mngomeni, Cole

Jan. 10, Match 24
8-3-12, 11th pl., 27 pts.
v. Blackburn Rovers (6-7-9, 14th pl., 25 pts.)
Series: Rovers lead 3-0-0
Fav: Posh, 6:4

We've scored 1 goal in 3 total matches against Blackburn... it'd be nice to post a win and keep our momentum going.

We generally control play early on, and Blackburn's strategy appears to involve grabbing a hold of Carlton Cole, as at least 3 different defenders are whistled for shirt pulls early on. Our defense does a great job though, and we control play throughout the first half.

43'- Eriksson to Mngomeni... Thando tries to cross, but it's blocked... the ball falls to Eriksson, who advances to the edge of the 18 and sends in a good cross for Viana... Viana unmarked at 10 yards, tries a half volley and scores! Viana's 5th of the year, 1-0 Posh!

Valois on for a limping Viana at the half... Eriksson moves to central midfield.

47'- Arzo with a poorly weighted pass to Campo, and a Rover striker nicks it instead... but Grant charges at him and deflects the shot wide, where Arzo cleans up the mess with a good clearance.

52'- Mngomeni with a long ball for Cole... Cole attacks the goal at a sharp angle, but the keeper does well to block his shot.

Blackburn just cannot penetrate our defense... they get one decent ball across the 6 yard box in the 85th, but no one is there to connect with it... and we pretty much just hold our lines and grind out a big 1-0 win. Tobias Eriksson had one of his finest games yet in Posh blue, earning MoM and a 9 rating in midfield... he was very active, making several straight steals off Rover midfielders in the action I saw, and keying several good build-ups. Mngomeni and Grant were the only two players to pick up 8's.

Win, 1-0, up to 10th place
Shots/on target: Posh 15/7, Rovers 5/3
Poss: 51-49, Posh
A: 15,292

We have very little chance of cracking the top 7, as 7th place 'Boro is 10 points clear of us, nor would I expect us to have that great of a season to qualify for Europe... but still, this is a delightful run we're enjoying to guarantee our Premiership survival... mostly thanks to our new formation and the quality new talent.

[Butter]

Apparently, Elvis Hammond got wind that I had offered him around to some other clubs, and now is upset with me and feels he can no longer trust me, since I have him labeled as an "important first-teamer".

So, I go through and change everyone to their rightful role... meaning reducing some "first-teamers" to "rotation" or "backup" roles. This makes pretty much all of them unhappy... but only for a couple of days.

Carlton Cole gets a call from the English national team to appear in their upcoming friendly against Serbia & Montenegro... this will be Cole's first cap, if he gets in the game, after having 11 for the English U-21 squad. Emil Jensen also gets a rare call for Sweden, he would be appearing in just his 2nd national team game at age 29 if he makes it in against Luxembourg in 2 weeks. That's what performing well on one of the world's biggest soccer stages will do for your career.

We take a couple of weeks to just look around, but not a whole lot happens, except most of our desired work permits come through swimmingly (see signings above). We're going to be heavy on strikers next year, that's for sure.

Next up, it's our first visit to St. James's Park to face Newcastle. Lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Jensen, El Karkouri, Arzo, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Fernandes, Viana, Lunt
Str: Mngomeni, Cole

Jan. 24, Match 25
9-3-12, 10th pl., 30 pts.
@ Newcastle United (5-13-6, 13th pl., 28 pts.)
Last meeting: Posh 0:2 Magpies (11/5/08, league fixture)
Fav: Magpies, Evens

1'- Fernandes with a steal near the touch line, and he turns and fires a long ball to Cole... Cole with a 20 yard shot before he gets closed in by 2 defenders, and the Newcastle keeper does well to send it out for a corner.

4'- Mngomeni has to come off with an injury... Franco Cataldo on for him.

Newcastle with generally the better of play in the first 45', but we keep a clean sheet, as do they, heading into the locker room.

63'- Grant punches away an Edu corner... but it falls to defender Steven Taylor, who shoots from 25 yards... and it bounces off of Arzo in front and goes in. 1-0, Newcastle.

77'- Monkhouse in for a tired Viana, Robnik on for Dakinah... we switch to a 3-4-3, with Arzo moving to midfield.

84'- Arzo leaves with an injury, and we move El Karkouri up front, now with a 2 man back line.

We get a couple of good long balls, but have people offside both times, and we lose. Not a bad showing, but we couldn't get many shots today. Grant wins MoM with a 9, and another good performance. Cole also gets a 9, and Sarr picks up an 8.

Loss, 1-0, drop to 11th
Shots/on target: Magpies 22/11, Posh 11/4
Poss: 60-40, Magpies
A: 41,778

Arzo and Mngomeni both have a broken rib, and will miss about 3 weeks.

[Butter]

We make 3 more signings (with appealed work permits that come through) to make our starting XI for next season competitive with nearly any in the Premiership.

First, it's 26 year old Brazilian defender Alex (or Alex Rodrigo Dias da Costa) signing on the dotted line. Alex will join us after spending his last 4 seasons with PSV in the Dutch Eredivisie. Alex will make upwards of $2 million per season, but as a center back, he is nearly without peer. He has a heading rating of 20, and marking and tackling ratings of 15... he has averaged a 7.25 in the Champions League, playing against such competition as Manchester United and Valencia this year. He is quick, smart, determined, a hard worker, and technically sound. His only question mark is fitness, but he has had no major injuries in the last 4 seasons. He will become the cornerstone of our defense.

But, we also sign another Brazilian center back with quality skill. 21 year old Marcos comes over after Sao Paulo decided not to re-sign him. Marcos has the same heading, marking, and tackling ratings as Alex, but is a step slower than his older compatriate. The best part about Marcos's signing is, since he is unattached, he can start for us right away. We beat out Barcelona and Real Sociedad for his services. Marcos signs for $900k per season (+15% rise per year) through 2014.

Both of these signings should allow us to go back to our desired 4-4-2 diamond to start next season. With Bocanegra on the left of defense, Alex and Marcos in the center, and Sarr/Jensen/Kargbo on the right, we'll be a force to contend with in the back next year.

We make yet another striker signing, this time one that is mainly made for a possible future transfer fee. Another Brazilian joins the Posh ranks, Vagner, a 19 year old U-21 Brazilian signs with us, choosing us over Inter Milan, Paris, Roma, and Villarreal. Vagner is another Sao Paulo castoff. He just needs another year or two to develop into a top-notch striker. He'll cost us a good bit in the short term, but should be well worth it at some point in the future. He signs for $1 million per year through 2013, and a fairly hefty signing bonus that we should make back if/when we decide to sell the youngster.

After that flurry of activity, we have another game to play with our 2 new acquisitions. We host Charlton in a night game. Lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Pritchard, El Karkouri, Marcos, Chalwe, Sarr
Mid: Fernandes, Viana, Lunt
Str: Vagner, Cole

Jan. 28, Match 26
9-3-13, 11th pl., 30 pts.
v. Charlton Athletic (4-4-16, 18th pl., 16 pts.)
Series: Even, 1-1-1
Fav: Posh, 5:4

1'- Charlton tells our new signings they can go screw themselves, as a cross to the top of the arc finds Danny Murphy, and he shoots far post and scores past a shocked Lee Grant. 1-0, Addicks after 29 seconds.

Shortly after this fluke, we take control of the game, though.

15'- Vagner lays it off for Fernandes in midfield after a Charlton giveaway... Fabrice wastes no time in shooting it long for Cole. Carlton Cole is in the clear... he jinks around the keeper and strikes it home! 1-1!

Not much happens for a while, as both teams play footsie in midfield but don't make any headway.

52'- Fernandes with a straight steal off a Charlton attacker... and he sends a 60 yard ball for Cole, who's onto it again... Carlton Cole has to hold off a man and shoot early, but he scores past the helpless keeper! 2-1, Posh!

64'- Eriksson on for a tiring Viana.

73'- Fernandes again with a great cross for Lunt, who fires from 8 yards, but it's tipped across the goal line and hoofed away.

76'- Great through ball against a scattered Posh defense... the striker has a step on Marcos and fires, beating Grant... or so he thought... Grant with a great recovery to dive and tip it around the post.

78'- Campo in for Cole, Monkhouse for Fernandes... we switch to a 5-4-1.

We create a number of counter-attacking opportunities, for which I'm sad to have removed Cole... as Vagner looks a bit hesitant to get forward. But, we keep Charlton out of our end and get the win. The Addicks' keeper actually wins MoM for holding us to 2 goals. But Fernandes and Cole should really be the joint winners here, both rating 9's for their terrific play.

Win, 2-1, up to 9th place
Shots/on target: Posh 22/14, Addicks 11/5
Poss: 54-46, Addicks
A: 15,304

A great win considering that we were behind after 29 seconds. I must admit I never dreamed that we'd even get close to the top half of the table this season, but here we are... just 7 points from European play... and with a realistic shot at the Inter-Toto Cup. Who would've thought that our early transfers would have such an impact?

[Butter]

We put even more money out there to solidify our back 4, as 27 year old Italian fullback Cristian Zaccardo agrees to a long term deal, signing for $1.6 million per year through 2013. Zaccardo currently toils for Palermo in the Serie A, averaging a 7.82 in 22 starts this year. He rates a 16 in each important defensive technical category, and has few weaknesses. Zaccardo should make our back 4 of Bocanegra, Marcos, Alex, and he one of the best in the top flight.

And hey, go figure! We travel to Villa Park to face Aston Villa in a battle for 8th place. The best we can do, actually, is to draw even with them on points, but we'd likely still be well behind on GD, unless we beat them 10-0 or something. We just had our last mid-week game for a while, so unfortunately, all kinds of second teamers are on the pitch for this one. A draw would be a miracle, really.

It doesn't get any easier after this... take a look at our next 6 games:
@ Aston Villa (8th)
v. Chelsea (4th)
@ Manchester United (3rd)
v. Tottenham H. (5th)
@ Liverpool (2nd)
@ Middlesbrough (7th)

Yikes. Today's lineup:
GK: Stack
Def: Campo, Chalwe, El Karkouri, Dakinah, Sarr
Mid: Eriksson, Navarro, Monkhouse
Str: Johansen, Robnik

Jan. 31, Match 27 - Televised
10-3-13, 9th pl., 33 pts.
@ Aston Villa (9-9-6, 8th pl., 36 pts.)
Last meeting: Posh 2:0 Villans (9/20/08, league fixture)
Fav: Villans, 5:4

13'- It doesn't take long for Villa... Gudjohnsen with a great square ball to young midfielder Isaiah Osbourne, who strikes it from the edge of the 18, and beats Stack. 1-0, Villa.

It's very windy on the pitch today, which curbs our ability to shoot long balls forward, which is a big part of our attack. Luckily for us, Villa don't have much more success in the attack, and we get the wind at our back in the 2nd half. That'll be good in case we need Vinatieri on to kick a late field goal. What? Wrong football?

57'- I tire of watching our defense get battered, so we move Campo and El Karkouri out to defensive midfield and play a 3 man backline... I also replace a struggling Eriksson with Kenny Lunt.

68'- Since we're still in this one, I bring on Carlton Cole and switch to a flat 3-4-3... Cole replaces Alan Navarro, who was pretty much just a placeholder for an actual player.

74'- Steed Malbranque crosses to midfielder Peter Whittingham, and he finishes to put this one away, 2-0 Villa.

82'- Whittingham scores on a 20 yard direct free kick... we back way off and try to keep it at 3-0.

Not a good game here... Villa takes us behind the woodshed. We were never in it, though 1-0 looked a lot better than 3-0.

Loss, 3-0, drop to 11th place
Shots/on target: Villans 29/16, Posh 3/1
Poss: 65-35, AV
A: 36,328

Thus we end a very positive month of January on a sour note.... sadly, I feel this is just a shadow of things to come considering our upcoming schedule. Luckily, we're already well clear of relegation, or I'd have a bad feeling about this.

Norwich and Newcastle pass us in the table, as they both win later in the day.

We make one last signing before the transfer window slams shut, penning Colombian goalkeeper Libis Andres Arenas to a long-term deal worth $460k per season. Arenas is only 21, and a very good young keeper, on par with Grant right now, skill-wise. He will be with us through 2014... or until we sign someone better.

Fulham beat Portsmouth on Monday night to pass us... and now we're down to 12th, but still 16 points clear of the drop zone.

[Butter]

We'll have 3 weeks off after this match with Chelsea, then gaps of 2 weeks in between the next 2 matches. Maybe we can sneak in a win or two, but at this point I'd be insanely happy with a top 10 finish. Which I don't deem likely to happen.

Next up, Chelsea. We nearly pulled off an upset at Stamford Bridge earlier this year, so maybe we can increase that effort to a win. Lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Jensen, Pritchard, Marcos, Dakinah, Sarr
Mid: Fernandes, Viana, Lunt
Str: Vagner, Cole

Feb. 7, Match 28
10-3-14, 12th pl., 33 pts.
v. Chelsea (15-8-3, 4th pl., 53 pts.)
Series: Blues lead 2-0-0
Fav: Blues, 4:6

1'- Vagner intercepts a ball off the kickoff, and it deflects to Cole. Cole with a 35 yard effort that Cech saves easily.

4'- Sarr with a throw-in at around 35 yards... he finds Lunt, who heads it on to Vagner. Vagner shoots from the arc... and scores! Cech looked surprised, and Vagner places it neatly into the top left corner, 1-0 Posh! Vagner's 1st goal in his 2nd outing!

14'- Lampard with a bending 20 yard drive, but Grant slaps it away.

19'- Sarr with a great long ball for Lunt... it's just out of his reach, and Lucio gets there first. But Lunt steals it away on an errant dribble, then sends a cross in to the near post... Viana settles it, then shoots far post and scores! Hugo Viana's 6th of the year, and we lead 2-0!

35'- Damien Duff with a great ball to Landon Donovan down the center... Donovan with a free chance from 20 yards, but he sends it wide of the right post.

45+'- On their 3rd free kick from about 20 yards in the first half, they finally convert... Argentinean midfielder (and new signing) Andres D'Alessandro strikes it home to give the Blues a way back into the match as we break for halftime.

59'- Chelsea score quickly out of the gate in the 2nd half, as Damien Duff crosses to Lampard, who heads it in from 8 yards. 2-2.

Monkhouse on for an injured Kenny Lunt, and Pritchard moves from center back to left back, Jensen switches to the right, and Sarr moves to center back.

79'- El Karkouri on for a poorly performing Luke Pritchard. We shuffle the back 5 yet again.

83'- Cataldo on for a tiring Vagner.

No other attacks are made. Again we put ourselves in a position to beat Chelsea, but just can't hold up at the back. Damien Duff is named MoM. No one rates higher than a 7 for us, with Pritchard getting a 5 for his 79 minute effort.

Draw, 2-2, up to 10th place
Shots/on target: Posh 10/6, Blues 19/6
Poss: 55-45, Posh
A: 15,296

Lunt will only miss a few days with a strained neck.

[Butter]

Crystal Palace sack Iain Dowie, and again my name pops up as a potential replacement. I'm not going to Palace.

We now have 3 weeks off, and I give everyone a week of rest to start.

The bottom 3 now look like this: Birmingham 18, Wolves 17, Charlton 17. Portsmouth is 17th with 25 points, so those 3 face a long climb to get out of the zone. West Ham has 27 points, then Southampton is 15th with 28 points.

It looks like Birmingham have finally hit their stride, as they beat Portsmouth 2-1 to move within 4 points of Pompey for 17th place. It could get interesting at the bottom if Birmingham can stay hot.

Southampton sack their manager, Kevin Blackwell, and again my name comes up... but Arsenal striker Claudio Lopez is the favorite to become... player-coach, maybe?

Within 2 days, both Palace and Southampton approach me. Southampton offer a $41 million transfer budget, but a wage budget of $30 million, while Palace offer an $8 million transfer budget, but order me to reduce their wage budget from the existing $45 million. I decline both.

Champions League, First Knockout Round, First Leg
Barcelona 1:0 Benfica
Deportivo 0:0 Chelsea
Leverkusen 0:0 Bayern Munich
Man Utd. 3:0 Lyon
AC Milan 2:0 Ajax
PSV 1:1 Newcastle
R. Madrid 0:1 Juventus
Roma 1:0 Werder Bremen

We make one last big signing, penning 29 year old Spanish attacking midfielder Gerard to a 3 year contract worth $1.6 million (with a $500k signing bonus). Gerard is a very good player who has been toiling in anonymity for most of his career. His skill is more than worth the money we'll be paying him, and should help us back up Viana in the attack. Gerard may well start if we decide to go with either a flat attacking 4-4-2, or the 4-4-2 diamond again.

With that signing, I have to imagine we'll be very near our wage budget allowance for the 2009-10 season. We'll see.

Carling Cup Final
Chelsea 2:1 Tottenham
- Apparently, slow starts are common for Chelsea, as they fell behind in the 4th minute of this one, when Robbie Keane crossed short for Sean Davis, who headed it past Cech. It was looking bleak for Chelsea until the 65th, when Arjen Robben's corner kick was headed home by John Terry. We appeared headed for extra time until the 86th minute, when Wayne Bridge's long ball found Landon Donovan down the right... Donovan with a low centering pass that Aliaksandr Hleb touched into the back of the net for the game winner. Chelsea wins the League Cup for the third time in four years.

Finally, we hit our next match... a big road game at Old Trafford. Our first visit to the Theatre of Dreams. Lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Jensen, Marcos, Arzo, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Fernandes, Viana, Lunt
Str: Mngomeni, Cole

Feb. 28, Match 29
10-4-14, 10th pl., 34 pts.
@ Manchester United (16-9-3, 4th pl., 57 pts.)
Series: Red Devils lead 2-0-0
Fav: Red Devils, 1:2

7'- Hugo Viana with a steal in midfield... he knocks it ahead to Cole... Cole lays it off for Mngomeni, who plays it wide to Lunt... Lunt with a one-touch pass to Cole, who beats Rio Ferdinand and is free... he shoots far post and scores! Carlton Cole's 18th of the season, 1-0 Posh!

16'- Bastian Schwansteiger tiptoes along the end line, then lays it back for Rio Ferdinand, who has a go from 12 yards but he hits it wide.

18'- Cristiano Ronaldo with a deep cross to Ivica Olic... Olic heads it back to O'Shea who has a go from 20 yards, but Grant does well to save the swerving shot.

20'- Marcos with a flat-footed giveaway against former Fiorentina striker Fabrizio Miccoli... but Miccoli misses a golden opportunity, as Grant saves us.

23'- Finally, the break through, as Miccoli strikes from 25 yards, a ball that bends just out of Grant's reach.

We're basically unable to mount much of an attack, as Man U. has no problems cutting through our defense right now. We stay 1-1 going into the second half.

56'- Substitute Wayne Rooney with a long ball to Ruud van Nistelrooy... van Nistelrooy beats Grant easily, 2-1 Manchester United.

We make some substitutes in the 70th minute, as they've just packed their half with all their players, basically, refusing to allow us through. The bastards. Vagner in for Marcos, El Karkouri on for Arzo, and Monkhouse replaces Viana... we try to push forward to equalize.

77'- Vagner with a pretty good opportunity from 15 yards, but he sends it high.

85'- Wayne Rooney is free on Grant, but Lee does well to deflect Rooney's shot wide... sadly, van Nistelrooy is there to poach yet another goal. 3-1, MUFC.

And that's how it finishes. Not a bad effort, but apparently we do well to come roaring out of the gates in these matches, but just can't match the intensity for a full 90 minutes. Not a thoroughly surprising loss, however. We were dominated.

Loss, 3-1, drop to 11th place
Shots/on target: Red Devils 24/12, Posh 4/2
Poss: 68-32, Red Devils
A: 64,101

Portsmouth with a big 2-1 home win over Arsenal to move out of danger, pushing West Ham down to 17th, just 6 points from safety now. Norwich and Crystal Palace pick up positive weekend results that allow them to move past us... we drop to 13th after the full weekend's results.

[Butter]

Champions League, First Knockout Round, Second Leg
Ajax 1:2 AC Milan (AC Milan adv. - 4-1 agg.)
Benfica 1:2 Barcelona (Barca adv. - 3-1 agg.)
Chelsea 3:0 Deportivo (Chelsea adv. - 3-0 agg.)
Bayern Munich 3:0 Leverkusen (Munich adv. - 3-0 agg.)
Juventus 2:0 Real Madrid (Juve adv. - 3-0 agg.)
Lyon 0:1 Man Utd. (Man U adv. - 4-0 agg.)
Newcastle 5:0 PSV (Newcastle adv. - 6-1 agg.)
Werder Bremen 1:1 Roma (Roma adv. - 2-1 agg.)

The usual suspects advancing here... 3 English teams, 3 Italian teams, and 1 each for Spain and Germany.

FA Cup Quarterfinals
Charlton 0:1 Brighton (L1)
Tottenham 2:3 Man. City
Arsenal 1:2 Chelsea
Barnsley (Champ.) 0:2 Middlesbrough
-Brighton is 4th in League One right now, but that result is a large shocker. A League One club in an FA Cup semifinal.

We kick off the EPL weekend with Tottenham coming to town in a televised match. Spurs embarrassed us at White Hart Lane a while back, beating us twice in 10 days. Arenas gets his first start in the Posh goal today. Lineup:
GK: Arenas
Def: Jensen, Arzo, Sarr, Marcos, Dakinah
Mid: Monkhouse, Viana, Lunt
Str: Mngomeni, Cole

March 14, Match 30
10-4-15, 13th pl., 34 pts.
v. Tottenham Hotspur (15-9-5, 5th pl., 54 pts.)
Series: Spurs lead 2-0-0
Fav: Spurs, Evens

5'- 2 former Chelsea midfielders hook up, as Sanli Tuncay crosses to Scott Parker, who heads it easily past Arenas from 8 yards. 1-0, Spurs.

12'- Mngomeni heads a Spurs throw-in to Viana... Viana turns on his man and shoots a hopeful shot from 35 yards... and he shoots from the left side of the pitch for that matter... and he scores! An unstoppable strike from Viana, and we even it at 1!

20'- Reid with a cross to Alan Smith... Smith squares the ball for Parker at the top of the box, and Scott Parker has a go from 15 yards... and scores past Arenas. 2-1, Spurs.

We switch to man marking from "zonal" marking to try and pressure Parker a bit more.

23'- Viana with a 25 yard free kick... it hits the wall and rolls to Monkhouse... Andy near the end line on the left of the box, crosses to the center of the six for Carlton Cole.... Cole heads it in past Paul Robinson! 2-2!

33'- Mngomeni and Cole play the give-and-go.... Mngomeni gets into the box, then crosses for Cole... header is saved nicely by Robinson.

45'- Cole gets a pass from Monkhouse, and shoots outside the box from the left... off the upright! 2-2 at the half.

60'- Cole gets a leg in front of a Ziegler pass... and it deflects backward... Cole runs onto it, then past another defender, then past the keeper and taps it in! Cole's 20th of the season! 3-2, Posh!

70'- Simon Davies, who started his career with Peterborough in 1997, with a corner kick to the far post for Sanli Tuncay... Tuncay loses his man, Marcos, and heads it inside the near post... 3-3.

74'- Grant on for a lost Arenas, and Vagner enters for Monkhouse... Mngomeni moves to the left wing.

Spurs pretty much just sit back and take their point. Carlton Cole is named MoM for his terrific 2 goal outing, rating a 10. Hugo Viana picks up an 8, while Arenas gets a 5 in goal, and my decision to put him there probably cost us the match.

Draw, 3-3, up to 12th place
Shots/on target: Posh 12/9, Spurs 8/5
Poss: 56-44, Spurs
A: 15,296

Palace pass us with a draw, but Blackburn remain behind us, losing 4-0 at Manchester City.

[Butter]

Our match with Liverpool is moved due to international call-ups, which means we'll have to play 8 matches in 35 days to end the season.

Carlton Cole has now been on the bench for 2 England team matches, but has not seen action in either.

Former Reading manager Steve Coppell has been named new Crystal Palace manager. Coppell leaves Everton, who are currently sitting 4th in the Championship, for Palace and the Premiership.

I notice that Jim Johansen has now cut his salary request way back, from the crazy $2M+ he was wanting, to a meager $750k per year. I offer him $500k per season and a fairly small signing bonus. He agrees to it, and will stay with us until 2013. I also offer El Karkouri a minor raise, to $400k to stay with us.

Champions League Quarterfinals, First Leg
Barcelona 1:1 AC Milan
Juventus 2:0 Man Utd.
Newcastle 1:1 Bayern Munich
Roma 0:2 Chelsea

UEFA Cup Quarterfinals, First Leg
Liverpool 2:0 Auxerre
Middlesbrough 2:1 Arsenal
PAOK (GRE) 2:1 Sevilla
Sporting L. 4:1 Inter

Jacques Santini gets sacked by the Liverpool board... despite still being alive in the UEFA Cup, and being 4th in the Premiership. Tough crowd. I am NOT mentioned for this job.

Next up, we travel to The Riverside to face Boro. Hugo Viana with a minor training injury to keep him out of action here. Lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Pritchard, Campo, El Karkouri, Chalwe, Sarr
Mid: Fernandes, Mngomeni, Lunt
Str: Robnik, Cole

April 5, Match 31
10-5-15, 13th pl., 35 pts.
@ Middlesbrough (14-4-11, 7th pl., 46 pts.)
Series: Boro lead 2-0-0
Fav: Boro, Evens

Boro dominate the first quarter hour, but we keep them out of our net.

19'- Fernandes with a great short ball to Robnik, who is free in the center of the box... he shoots from 10 yards, but can't quite slip it past the keeper.

45'- Off an El Karkouri clearance of a corner, Robnik does well to find Kenny Lunt down the center... yes, Lunt. He keeps ahead of his man, then chips the keeper from 20 yards, but the keeper lays out and snatches the ball just inches from the goal line. Scoreless at the half.

47'- Substitute forward Arnold Bruggink (formerly of Heerenveen) shoots from 30 yards, taking Grant by surprise, and it sneaks into the top corner.

49'- Off the ensuing kickoff, Mendieta with a steal in midfield, then Joe Cole crosses to Bruggink, who heads it in. Yuk, 2-0 in a matter of minutes.

63'- Pritchard with a clearance on an errant Aruna dribble, and he fires it right into the striker's legs, and it goes past Grant and in. 3-0, 'Boro.

We put in Johansen, Arzo, and Monkhouse for Cole, Mngomeni, and Fernandes.

76'- Lunt with a free kick from about 30 yards, it's just tipped away... but Sarr charges at it and blasts the rebound home. 3-1.

84'- Bruggink gets a great through ball, and fires it home inside the near post for his hat trick. 4-1, 'Boro. This guy didn't even start... what the hell am I supposed to do? I guess starting the 1st team defense might help in my case.

No one rated above a 7. Bruggink and Joe Cole both got 10's for 'Boro. Aside from the initial Arsenal whipping, this may have been our worst showing of the year.

Loss, 4-1, remain in 13th
Shots/on target: Boro 20/11, Posh 11/5
Poss: 54-46, Boro
A: 26,336

[Butter]

Champions League Quarterfinals, Second Leg
Chelsea 0:0 Roma (Blues adv., 2-0 agg.)
Bayern Munich 3:1 Newcastle (Munich adv., 4-1 agg.)
Man Utd. 2:0 Juventus (Juve adv., 4-3 on PK's)
AC Milan 0:1 Barcelona (Barcelona adv., 2-1 agg.)
-4 teams from 4 different countries make the semis for the first time in a while.

Joe Kinnear formerly of Nott'm Forest, but more recently of Bolton Wanderers, is hired to take the reins at St. Mary's. Kinnear is 62, but has positioned Bolton to return to the Premiership, as they're currently even with Cardiff on points at the top of the Championship.

UEFA Cup Quarterfinals, Second Leg
Arsenal 0:2 Middlesbrough ('Boro adv., 4-1 agg.)
Auxerre 0:2 Liverpool (Reds adv., 4-0 agg.)
Inter 4:1 Sporting L. (Inter adv., 5-4 on PK's)
Sevilla 0:1 PAOK (PAOK adv., 3-1 agg.)

A big match as we welcome newly installed manager Joe Kinnear and the Southampton Saints to London Road. Lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Jensen, Marcos, Sarr, El Karkouri, Dakinah
Mid: Fernandes, Viana, Lunt
Str: Mngomeni, Cole

April 11, Match 32
10-5-16, 13th pl., 35 pts.
v. Southampton (6-11-15, 16th pl., 29 pts.)
Last meeting: Saints 2:2 Posh (11/1/08, league fixture)
Fav: Saints, 6:4

1'- Winger Eddie Anaclet crosses to Blackstock... he fires at Grant, but it's parried wide... David Prutton is there to follow up, but Grant gets across and makes a great diving save.

2'- Shortly thereafter Anaclet with another cross that's punched away by Grant... but Crouch is deemed to have been encroached by Grant, and Rob Styles awards the penalty, and shows Grant a caution. Prutton converts the PK, and it's 1-0 Saints rather quickly.

We get 5 yellow cards in the first half, including 2 to Kofi Dakinah... the second for dissent. So now we go down a man. Arzo enters for Jensen at the break... Jensen was rating a 4 for large sections of the first half. Lunt is also rating a 4 at the break, so he comes out for Monkhouse.

Somehow, despite that horrific showing I've just described to you, it remains 1-0 at the half. Which is important, because...

53'- Fernandes turns on his man and sends in a long cross from the touch line... Cole is standing at the edge of the 6 yard box and heads it in! 1-1, Cole's 21st.

56'- Folly with a good through ball to Peter Crouch, and Crouch one-touches it past Grant inside the left post. 2-1, Saints.

Southampton are playing with 4 strikers right now... very effective against our 4 man backline.

68'- Viana is dispossessed in the middle of the box... the ball comes to Fernandes, who gets past Folly and crosses in for Viana... Hugo's diving header... is in! 2-2!

76'- Viana is tired, he comes out. Johansen in, and Mngomeni moves to central midfield.

81'- Cole picks up a second yellow for holding back a midfielder, and he is sent to the showers. It's 11 on 9 for 10 minutes.

Somehow, we manage to survive the final 10 minutes, despite losing Fernandes with a minor injury for a couple of those minutes, and facing down several long balls that weren't quite up to snuff. Viana and Fernandes pick up 8's for their part in the draw.

Draw, 2-2, remain in 13th
Shots/on target: Posh 10/7, Saints 19/9
Poss: 52-48, Posh
A: 15,309

Arzo played most of the second half with a mild concussion, and will miss a few days. Cole and Dakinah will both miss our next match, thanks to the worst referee in Christendom, aka Rob Styles.

We do get notice that Cole's 21 league goals are a new team record... impressive considering the league. Also, the attendance at this match was just 5 short of capacity, a new record.

[Butter]

Mallorca boss Benito Floro is hired on at Anfield to be the new Liverpool head man.

A big road game at West Ham is up next... they're on the cusp of the zone, trying to stay out. Nearly our entire squad is down in the dumps with our recent form. Hopefully, we can resurrect ourselves at West Ham, a team against whom we've never lost (jinx alert). A win and a Birmingham draw or defeat would guarantee us Premiership football for a second consecutive season. Lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Pritchard, El Karkouri, Marcos, Chalwe, Sarr
Mid: Mngomeni, Eriksson, Monkhouse
Str: Robnik, Cataldo

April 15, Match 33
10-6-16, 13th pl., 36 pts.
@ West Ham United (7-7-18, 17th pl., 28 pts.)
Series: Posh lead 3-4-0
Fav: Hammers, 5:4

2'- A 25 yard free kick deflects off Pritchard and goes in, 1-0 West Ham.

West Ham control the rest of the half, but we don't exactly fold... it's just our strike force is sub-par without Carlton Cole. It's still 1-0 going to the second half.

53'- Not much is happening, so we switch to a 4-3-3, and bring on all the subs. Lunt for Monkhouse, Johansen for Chalwe, and Vagner for a slightly injured Cataldo.

65'- Lunt with a free kick on the edge of the 18... he strikes it straight and true, and in! 1-1.

82'- Again, our luck is nil, as new signing Jasar Takak (who we were after for a time) shoots from 15 yards, and it deflects off Marcos and in. 2 deflected goals for West Ham, they lead 2-1. Those deflected goals almost look like computer cheats since they can't "beat" us outright, and our morale is so poor, they had to find some way around us.

That's the way it stays. I would go count up how many goals we've let in on deflections this year, but it would just tick me off. I don't know how many goals we've scored like that, but it seems to be far fewer than we've allowed. Pritchard, Sarr, Monkhouse, and Eriksson all pick up 8's in the loss.

Loss, 2-1, drop to 14th place
Shots/on target: Hammers 16/4, Posh 6/4
Poss: Hammers, 52-48
A: 32,591

Birmingham draw, and Wolves win as they both draw level on 24 points. We're still 12 points clear of relegation with 5 to play, but thank goodness we had that good run in the middle of the season because we're playing like utter shite right now.

[Butter]

A big match for us to try and climb out of the hole a bit, as we host Crystal Palace, who are one place ahead of us. Lineup:
GK: Stack
Def: Pritchard, Campo, El Karkouri, Marcos, Sarr
Mid: Valois, Viana, Monkhouse
Str: Hammond, Cole

April 18, Match 34
10-6-17, 14th pl., 36 pts.
v. Crystal Palace (9-10-14, 13th pl., 37 pts.)
Series: Posh lead 2-1-0
Fav: Eagles, 6:4

4'- Kevin Nolan wriggles free in the middle of defense, but his shot is right at Stack.

17'- A good long build-up ends when Viana's ball to Cole runs a bit far and is cleared to the side... Hammond picks up the loose ball, but has it tackled away before he can shoot.

45'- A long throw by El Karkouri to Hammond... he heads it past Gabor Kiraly and in! An odd goal, but a big one from our former star. 1-0, Posh.

Mngomeni and Lunt on at halftime for Viana and Monkhouse.

59'- Cole with a cross to Mngomeni... he half-volleys it, it deflects off a defender and off Kiraly, who is rushing out to stop the danger... but the ball bobbles away right to Hammond, who has an easy chance and finishes! 2-0, Posh! Elvis Hammond is making a case for himself here!

63'- Former Rapid Vienna midfielder Andreas Ivanschitz is the beneficiary, as our defense tilts too far to one side on a throw-in... he breaks loose on the other side, is found with crisp passing, and his shot goes in off the post. 2-1.

82'- More horrific defending, as the entire back 5 are just all over the place as a ball comes down the middle and finds striker Sandor Torghelle, who beats Stack easily on the 1-v-1... 2-2. Torghelle's 1st goal of the year.

Not a great game, but Elvis Hammond may get a better look at the 2nd striker position since no one else seems to want to claim it.... but he'll only have 4 games there as we have lots of reinforcement coming in next year. Hammond picks up the MoM for his 2 goal effort here, our only 8 of the match.

Draw, 2-2, drop to 15th
Shots/on target: Posh 5/4, Palace 10/7
Poss: 53-47, Palace
A: 15,307

Bolton have won promotion to the Premier League.

Palace boss Steve Coppell comments after the game that he believes I can save my side from relegation. It shouldn't be hard, but I respond that Palace can be proud of their manager as well.

[Butter]

Chelsea beat Arsenal 3-0 at Stamford Bridge to draw level with the Gunners on 72 points, though Arsenal do have a game in hand. Liverpool stands just one point back in 3rd, while Man U. is 4th on 69 points. Tottenham stand at 66 points in 5th, but both Spurs and Man U have played 35 games, while the top 3 are on 32 or 33 games played.

Wolves lose mid-week to Aston Villa 2-0, a result that secures our spot in the top flight next year, as we're 13 points clear of 18th place Wolves with 4 games for us both yet to play. 17th place West Ham are 7 points clear, so it looks likely that Wolves, Birmingham, and Charlton are going down at the end of the season.

Champions League Semifinals, First Leg
Chelsea 3:1 Barcelona
Juventus 2:0 Bayern Munich

UEFA Cup Semifinals, First Leg
Liverpool 5:0 PAOK
Middlesbrough 1:0 Inter

I take a look at the "unhappy" players before our next match, as everyone's morale is pretty well shot at this point. I note that Marcos is now "feeling the pressure of public expectation". I also note that Elvis Hammond simply "dislikes you", meaning me. So much for his playing time. I am a petty bastard. Grant, El Karkouri, Monkhouse, Lunt, and Dakinah all are unhappy due to contract concerns. Tough noogies.

Next up, we visit Birmingham and try to keep them in the relegation zone. Lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Jensen, El Karkouri, Marcos, Chalwe, Sarr
Mid: Fernandes, Viana, Lunt
Str: Mngomeni, Cole

April 25, Match 35
10-7-17, 15th pl., 37 pts.
@ Birmingham City (5-9-21, 19th pl., 24 pts.)
Series: Even, 1-1-1
Fav: Blues, 5:4

Birmingham keeper Maik Taylor does a wonderful job of keeping us out of the net in the first half... Cole and Viana both had excellent opportunities that he turned aside. In the meantime, Lee Grant had to come out and pick up an errant long ball, but that was about it.

60'- Finally, some nice midfield play that ends in a goal. Marcos with a good long ball for Lunt.... Lunt draws 2 defenders, then cuts inside and passes to Cole. Cole with a square pass for Viana near the arc... Hugo Viana with a terrific through ball to Mngomeni, who is onside and free on Taylor and he finishes! 1-0, Posh, Mngomeni's 3rd of the year.

77'- Robbie Savage with a ball down the left for Emil Heskey... Heskey crosses inside, and Grant tips the ball but can't hold it, and Jesper Gronkjaer is there to finish easily. 1-1. The commentary mentions "This Peterborough team look bereft of confidence". I can't argue that point right now.

80'- Monkhouse in for Fernandes, and Vagner enters for Jensen, as we switch to a 3-4-3, with El Karkouri moving into a DM role for the final 10 minutes.

90+'- Lunt with a steal, he plays it up to Cole... Cole back to Lunt, then he takes off... Lunt with a long ball to Cole. Cole is free on the keeper, but attacks the goal from a tough angle. Cole comes at Taylor, then shoots far post... and scores! Carlton Cole with the game-winner in the first minute of 4 stoppage minutes, and we lead it 2-1!

A great win after spitting up the lead late in yet another match, as Cole brings the whole team back from the brink. Talal El Karkouri picks up our only 8, enjoying his defensive midfield role late. Jesper Gronkjaer wins MoM honors for the Blues.

Win, 1-2, up to 13th place
Shots/on target: Blues 10/2, Posh 11/7
Poss: 54-46, Blues
A: 26,599

Birmingham and Charlton have both officially been relegated with the day's results, and Cardiff clinch the second promotion spot in the Championship, so will join us and Bolton next year in the Premiership.

[Butter]

Champions League Semifinals, Second Leg
Barcelona 2:0 Chelsea (3-3 agg., Barca adv. on away goals)
Bayern Munich 1:0 Juventus (Juve adv., 2-1 agg.)

- Carlos Tevez's 90th minute goal for Barcelona at the Nou Camp puts Barca through to the Final against Juventus. Tevez received a corner at the bend in the 6, and fired a shot right at Petr Cech... Cech failed to corral it, and it bounced off his gloves and into the net for the winner.

UEFA Cup Semifinals, Second Leg
Inter 0:0 Middlesbrough (Boro adv., 1-0 agg.)
PAOK 0:0 Liverpool (Reds adv., 5-0 agg.)

As April turns to May, I notice that I have moved up in the Board's eyes... they are now not just merely "delighted" with my work, but are "absolutely thrilled with the level of commitment you continue to show to the club". I assume they say this, noting how many plum job offers I have turned down of late.

Arsenal are just thrashing all comers late in the year, and have gone 6 points clear of Chelsea, though the Blues do have 1 game in hand.

Next up, we face Fulham in a mid-table battle. Lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Pritchard, Sarr, Marcos, Arzo, Dakinah
Mid: Fernandes, Viana, Lunt
Str: Mngomeni, Cole

May 2, Match 36
11-7-17, 13th pl., 40 pts.
v. Fulham (11-10-15, 10th pl., 43 pts.)
Series: Cottagers lead 2-1-0
Fav: Posh, 5:4

16'- The ball bobbles around in front of the goal after a poor Sarr clearance, and Claus Jensen eventually ends up with it in prime position, scoring easily past Grant.

We make a couple of nice moves toward the end of the half, but both Viana and Fernandes shoot well high of the target. Our defense is playing terribly at the break, but we have little choice but to stick with them, as my typical operating procedure is to keep one defender on the bench who can double as a midfielder if need be. Today, that man is El Karkouri.

64'- Grant with a horrific goal kick that comes right to a striker in front of all our defenders... he walks in on Grant and scores. 2-0, FFC.

68'- Jensen with a shot off the wall... the deflection catches Grant in a bad place, and he is able to fingertip the ball wide, but right onto the toe of striker Marlon King who finishes. 3-0, Fulham.

Not the best closer to our home season here.

73'- Monkhouse, Cataldo, and Vagner on for Fernandes, Dakinah, and Cole.

Nothing else happens, and we take a bad beating here. The league appears to have figured this 5-3-2 out, as our defense has been atrocious in the last 10 games or so. I don't think we've had single clean sheet in quite a while, and we've yielded at least 2 goals in nearly every match. Grant and Pritchard pick up 6's, while Dakinah had a 5 before being subbed out.

Loss, 0-3, remain in 13th
Shots/on target: Posh 10/2, Cottagers 9/5
Poss: 53-47, Cottagers
A: 15,304

[Butter]

For the last 2 matches, we switch to a flat 4-4-2, with one midfielder falling back in defensive support, and one pushing forward in offensive support. It can't be any worse than what we've been going through, and it would probably suit our personnel a bit better, considering we don't have a powerhouse dominating defensive midfielder.

I think Carlton Cole is going to get the rest of the year off... the guy scored 22 times this year and will be the league's scoring champion. He deserves a couple of games off.

Liverpool is probably not the best team to tinker against, but here it is. We run a couple of kids up front today, in the 19 year old Brazilian, Vagner, and the 20 year old Portuguese, Rafael Santos. Lineup:
GK: Grant
Def: Jensen, Marcos, El Karkouri, Sarr
Mid: Eriksson, Viana, Navarro, Monkhouse
Str: Vagner, Santos

May 6, Match 37
11-7-18, 13th pl., 40 pts.
@ Liverpool (22-9-4, 3rd pl., 75 pts.)
First meeting: Posh 1:2 Reds (12/10/08, league fixture)
Fav: Reds, 4:7

3'- Milan Baros is played through by El Hadji Diouf... but his shot is blocked by Grant and the rebound shot by Kallstrom is parried wide as well.

10'- Again Baros is free on the left side of the box... he lays it back for Shaun Wright-Phillips, but Grant with another good save.

22'- Viana with a 30 yard free kick... keeper Chris Kirkland blocks it, but Rafael Santos is there to clean up... 1-0, Posh!

28'- Kallstrom tries to find the run of Baros, but Jensen is there... Jensen inconceivably tries to play it back to Grant under pressure... Grant tries to blast it downfield, but Baros sticks his leg out and ricochets the clearance into goal. 1-1.

30'- Corner kick to the near post, where Kallstrom settles, turns, shoots, and scores. 2-1.

37'- Long range shot by Gerrard is blocked, but Diouf is there to tap the rebound in. 3-1, Liverpool.

46'- Liverpool score on another rebound on the first play of the second half... 4-1 now.

58'- An interesting turn of events, as the Liverpool keeper goes out injured... but they've already used all 3 subs. Defender Andy Green moves into goal.

63'- Eriksson is played through down the left... he crosses to an open Viana, who strikes a fairly pedestrian shot past Green. 4-2.

Mngomeni enters for a tired Vagner, and Cataldo on for Marcos as we switch to a 3-4-3.

66'- Under almost no pressure, Green just gives the ball away to Santos, who has an open goal to shoot at from 20 yards, but manages to send his shot wide.

Amazingly, we can't manage another shot on goal, meanwhile Roquelme scores in the 89th to make the final 5-2. Not a good outing, but not a total surprise. Liverpool just dominated the ball in the last half hour to keep us away from their makeshift keeper.

Loss, 5-2, drop to 14th place
Shots/on target: Reds 27/19, Posh 11/7
Poss: 61-39, Reds
A: 53,079

Arsenal only manage a draw at Blackburn, so Chelsea draw to within 2 points of the lead, and have 2 games left to play to Arsenal's 1. Liverpool also still have an outside shot at the title, as they have 2 games to play and are 5 points behind Arsenal, but play Arsenal on May 8 at Emirates Stadium.

[Butter]

FA Cup Semifinals
Manchester City 1:0 Middlesbrough
Chelsea 1:0 Brighton

We have now allowed the 3rd most goals in the league, but are 8th in scoring. That equals a -16 goal difference. The best we can do is 12th, and the worst is 16th on our final match day. We travel to the City of Manchester to face the Citizens. Lineup:
GK: Arenas
Def: Pritchard, Chalwe, Sarr, Dakinah
Mid: Fernandes, Mngomeni, Arzo, Lunt
Str: Santos, Hammond

May 9, Match 38
11-7-19, 14th pl., 40 pts.
@ Manchester City (17-10-9, 6th pl., 61 pts.)
Series: Citizens lead 2-0-0
Fav: Citizens, Evens

15'- Robin van Persie is through... he is turned back by Sarr near the end line, but plays a great centering pass to young Scott Andrews, who finishes for his 10th of the year. 1-0, MCFC.

41'- Arenas is a bit too aggressive in chasing the ball around the box... he watches a pass go to the middle to van Persie, but is too slow to react, and van Persie scores easily. 2-0.

61'- Chalwe and Sarr make a hash of a backpass, and watch Andrews zip in and first time it past Arenas. 3-0.

We go the entire game without forcing a single save. Well, it's good to know that all these shlubs pretty well suck. Mngomeni had a couple of good moves, but our defense has been horrible for the entire final third of the season. Adjustments must be made.

Loss, 3-0, finish 14th
Shots/on target: Citizens 13/8, Posh 6/0
Poss: 67-33, Citizens
A: 42,181

So, it will come down to Man. City v. Chelsea for the English title, and Man. City v. Chelsea for the FA Cup. Chelsea are 2 points back with 1 game to play... a win against the Citizens means the title for the Blues.

As for us, it was an up and down season. We were shutout in 4 of our 1st 5 league matches. We hit a run of good form in mid-November, after beating West Ham 2-0, and hit a run where we got points from 9 of 12 matches, including 4 straight shutout victories. But then, a 3-0 road loss to Aston Villa on the last day of January seemed to mark the end of good form, and an introduction to bad defense. We won just one match in the final 3 months of the season, a 2-1 win over relegated Birmingham. We did manage to yield 2 goals or more in 11 of our final 12 matches, including 7 games of allowing 3 goals or more.... we yielded 11 goals in the final 3 matches of the year. A horrible finish to a promising year. But at least we're staying up.

Carlton Cole finishes 3rd in the Player of the Year voting, and was also named as first team striker on the Players' Select team, alongside Thierry Henry. Cole was the top scorer in the league, and was voted 3rd in English Footballer of the Year voting.

[Butter]

Premiership result
Man. City 3:2 Chelsea
-It was Robin van Persie scoring the game winner in the 47th minute... Chelsea lead 2-0 after goals by Drogba and Andres D'Alessandro... but Joey Barton scored twice in 10 minutes just before halftime, setting the stage for former Gunner van Persie to help his old side to the title with a marvelous 20 yard strike past Petr Cech.

The final league games are played, and we win $7.4 million for our 14th place finish. I'd just love to see what 3rd or 4th would get us.

Standings
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/agprice98/standings-08-09.jpg

Final stats
Not pictured were:
D/DM-C Ivan Campo, who made 18 starts and 8 sub appearances, scoring a goal and averaging a 6.62. He is 35, so he's outta here.
ML Jean-Louis Valois, who made 6 starts and 3 sub appearances, creating one goal and averaging a 6.56. He is also 35, and also outta here.
GK Libis Andres Arenas, who made 2 starts and got a 5.00 rating, allowing 6 goals in those 2 starts. Not good. But he is 21, and not going anywhere.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/agprice98/playerstats-08-09.jpg

Contract status
Not listed are Szilard Nemeth (worth $340k right now, and signed through 2010), Ivan Campo ($60k, thru 2009), and Valois ($80k thru 2009).
Note that Vagner is the highest paid player on the team, and likely the most raw as well. I will likely take the first good offer that comes along for him, as his salary is way too high... but his potential is so great, I figured that the world loves good young Brazilian players.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/agprice98/contract-08-09.jpg

Reserve stats and contracts
Rafael Santos was our leading goal scorer, but our reserves finished 13th out of 14 in their group. Not a good year for them.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/agprice98/reservestats-08-09.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/agprice98/reservecontract-08-09.jpg

[Butter]

Roster review and preview for 2009/10
Goalkeepers
Lee Grant will go into next season as our #1, and Arenas and Stack will battle it out for #2. We'll try our hardest to sell one of them. Signing Arenas, probably not a good idea. We have no new signings coming in, nor any hope of any breakouts from our reserves any time soon. I may try and sign an elite keeper, but that all depends on Grant's performance before the end of August transfer window closes.

Defense
Our defense was atrocious in the final 3 months of the season. Marcos, who I had pegged as being a rock, was actually pretty bad in the center of our 5 man back line. Mid-season signing Emil Jensen wasn't very good either, and Ivan Campo's ability pretty much dropped off the table in his 35th year of life. Sashi Chalwe also had a couple of terrible games, and really wasn't that great overall.

On the plus side, Luke Pritchard performed above expectation, and Sarr did pretty well both on the right wing and in the middle. Kofi Dakinah exceeded my expectation for him as well, and Talal El Karkouri was moved around a lot, but still looked like he had some life left in him... but I'm still unsure about re-signing him.

We have 4 major players coming in, as we plan to switch back to a 4 man back for '09-'10. 29 year old American D-LC Carlos Bocanegra will join us from Fulham, where he had a mediocre year, rating a 6.94 in normal left back duties. 26 year old Brazilian D-C Alex will join us from PSV, where he dominated the middle of the Dutch side's defense with a 7.39 in 31 starts, including 9 Champions League tussles. 27 year old Italian D/DM-R Cristian Zaccardo will join us from Palermo, where he was superb, averaging a 7.76 in 33 starts in the Serie A. Lastly, 27 year old Sierra Leone SW/D/DM-RC Ibrahim Kargbo will join us from Belgian side Charleroi, where he has averaged a 7.5 in 20 starts, including 16 assists. He is a likely candidate to start at DM next year, though we may test him in defense as well.

Our back 4 depth chart going in to the season next year:
DL: Bocanegra, Pritchard, Jensen
DC: Alex, Marcos, Sarr, El Karkouri (if re-signed), Arzo, Chalwe, Pritchard
DR: Zaccardo, Dakinah, Sarr, Kargbo

Midfield
Our midfield got a big boost from Fabrice Fernandes and Hugo Viana. Viana played wonderfully as the central playmaker in the middle of the year. He did have a tendency to tire easily, but I can't really help that... he's got to play. Fernandes had a storming start, and leveled off, but still played very well on the left wing. Kenny Lunt was terrific on the right wing, leading the team in assists from that spot.

Andy Monkhouse was a pleasant surprise, working his way back into the lineup with a great performance against Chelsea mid-season. He can play all 3 midfield positions equally well, and is an asset... if we can re-sign him. Tobias Eriksson had some flashes, but is still young and has a couple of more years to prove himself. Thando Mngomeni seemed to be more effective in a forward role than on the left wing, while Jean-Louis Valois was mostly a non-entity due to age catching up to him.

Since we're switching back to the 4-4-2 diamond most likely next year, we'll have to hunt up a consistent performer at DM. Cesar Arzo seemed to play well there at times. Alan Navarro saw limited action this year, but doesn't appear to have the quality needed to play there consistently. El Karkouri also flashed some good play there, but his age is a concern. Newcomer Ibrahim Kargbo will also get a lot of action there, and we may look for any signings during July to bring in and supplement our need there.

We have a couple of signings that will be coming into the midfield next year. 26 year old Belgian AM-LC Marco Ingrao will be joining us from Belgian club Mons. He is averaging a 7.25 in 19 starts this year, including a goal and 14 assists. Ingrao possesses the crossing and passing skill you want from a left winger, but his determination and work ethic could be an issue. Also, 30 year old Spanish AM-C Gerard will be joining us from lower level Spanish side Tenerife. Gerard was a 4 year starter for Barcelona before joining Tenerife in 2005. He seems to have few weaknesses, aside from his age. He has 16 assists in 16 starts this year, and will be a contender to start in the center of attack. South African Lebohang Mokoena may also compete for the AM-C spot, but he'll be discussed in the striker section.

Our midfield 4 depth chart going in to the season next year:
DMC: Kargbo, Arzo, El Karkouri (if re-signed), Navarro
ML: Fernandes, Viana, Ingrao, Eriksson, Mngomeni
MR: Lunt, Monkhouse, Fernandes
AMC: Viana, Gerard, Mngomeni, Eriksson, Monkhouse

Striker
I have a tendency to sign too many strikers, and next year will showcase that, as we'll probably have nearly 10 strikers on the senior squad to begin next year. Clearly, Carlton Cole comes into next year as our #1 guy. Cole was really the class of the Premiership this year, and almost single-handedly kept us up. The #2 striker will probably come from our crop of 3 signings that were made in January.

As for the remainder of who we have left, no one performed consistently enough to give me any confidence that they can start regularly up front. Vagner played well in limited playing time, as did Rafael Santos, both recent signings, and both very young with tremendous potential. Thando Mngomeni scored 3 goals up front, but was not consistent. The remainder of the strikers I would put in the category of "not Premiership potential": Szilard Nemeth, Dejan Robnik, Jim Johansen, Elvis Hammond, and Franco Cataldo. Of these players, I would rank them thusly: Robnik, Cataldo, Johansen, Nemeth, Hammond. Johansen was re-signed, mostly because he was the youngest. But all 5 of these guys will be with us until their contract runs out, unless we can find a taker on the transfer market... and all 5 of them have been listed.

Now, for the new signings. 27 year old Austrian Roman Wallner will join us from German side Hannover 96. Wallner has scored 21 goals in 31 starts this year for the top flight German club. 30 year old Croatian Bosko Balaban will join us from French Ligue 1 club Nantes. He has 14 goals in 32 starts for Nantes this season. Balaban has played in the Premiership before, playing 8 scoreless games for Aston Villa in 01-02. He is probably the highest quality of the new signings, and can also play the right wing. Finally, 22 year old South African Lebohang Mokoena is listed as a central forward, which gives him possibly a chance to play at AMC for us. He is an amazing physical specimen, and a clinical finisher. His weakness may be that he is a fairly straight-forward player, but he will certainly be given the chance up front to compete alongside Cole. I am looking forward to seeing him in action the most out of any of our new acquisitions. He has scored 17 goals in 16 starts for South African side Orlando Pirates this season.

Our striker depth chart going in to the '09-'10 campaign:
Str: Cole, Balaban, Wallner, Mokoena, Mngomeni, Vagner, Santos, the others

[Butter]

End of May 2009

UEFA Cup Final, From Stade des Trois Tilleuls, Brussels
Liverpool 2:0 Middlesbrough
-Djibril Cisse scored in the 6th minute to put the Reds up, then it was his replacement, unheralded 18 year old striker Jamie Adams, who finished 'Boro off in the 89th minute, scoring off a rebound of an El Hadji Diouf shot. Both sides had trouble with the weather, as the game was played in a gale in the Belgian capital. Both sides had more than 10 shots go off target, and each keeper had to make only 2 saves.

Champions League Final, From Brondby Stadion, Brondby (Denmark)
Barcelona 0:0 Juventus
- Unfortunately, this game was played in the wet as well, and both sides had trouble creating chances. Barca managed just one shot on target, while Juve had 5, but Barca were kept in it by Victor Valdes. In the end, it all came down to the right foot of 33 year old Greek defender (and former Roma man) Traianos Dellas in the shootout for Juve... but his penalty was saved by Valdes, and Barcelona celebrate winning the European title on PK's, 3-2. It was Barca's first European title since 1992, though they were runners-up to Man U. last season.

FA Cup Final, From Wembley
Chelsea 4:0 Manchester City
-This result was not a total surprise, considering that the Citizens beat the Blues mere days ago to keep them from taking the English title. Didier Drogba and Michael Ballack each scored a brace for Chelsea, as they walk to an easy win in the Cup final. Man. City will still get into the UEFA Cup, since they finished 6th in the league. All of this helping to make one of the least exciting FA Cup finals in memory.

Big news from Priestfield, as Gillingham are surprise winners of the Championship playoff, and will be joining Bolton Wanderers and Cardiff in the Premiership next season. Gillingham essentially lucked into the playoffs, as they could've easily been passed by Sheffield Wednesday for 6th on the last day of the season, but the Owls blew it with a 2-0 loss at Burnley, while Gillingham sleep-walked through their final 3 games, losing 2 and drawing the other. But Gillingham sprang to life in the playoff, beating Derby County 4-3 on aggregate in the 2-legged semifinal, and disappointing Liverpudlians everywhere with a 2-1 extra time win in the playoff final, as former Stoke forward Chris Swift scored the game winner in the 105th to put Gillingham into the EPL.

El Karkouri does re-sign with us, for $500k and an $80k signing bonus through 2011.

[Butter]

June 2009

Forward Lebohang Mokoena officially joins the Posh on June 1.

Jean-Louis Valois announces his intention to retire at the end of the 09/10 season. Sad, but necessary.

Manchester United sack Steve Bruce as manager, while Newcastle do the same to Graeme Souness. I am mentioned in neither article as possible new coach. Good.

Financial report
With the $7.4 million in prize money, we currently sit at a surplus of $27.6 million. But our grounds expansion is probably going to be complete soon, and we have several new signings coming in, that will eat into our current wage budget surplus. We doubled our season ticket sales this year from last year, and our gate receipts increased by about $100,000... but there's not much else for that to go, as we nearly sold out every game this year. If our stadium expansion is completed, that will help. Our wage budget is still $25m, and our current spending is just under $13m, so we should be OK with all of the new expensive signings coming in.

Posh players in top 25 of final stats
Goals:
1. Cole, 22
19t. Viana, 9

Assists:
3t. Lunt, 14
14t. Viana, 8

Yellow cards:
2t. Sarr, 9

Average rating:
6. Cole, 7.79

Man of Match (MoM) awards:
11t. Cole, 5

Average attendance: 15,215 (20th/20)
Goals for: 52 (8th)
Goals against: 71 (19th)

Premiership Team of the Year:
GK: Antti Niemi (So'ton)
Def: Mike Zonneveld (Man. City), Hayden Mullins (West Ham), Jonathan Woodgate (Liverpool), Jurgen Colin (Villa)
Mid: Stewart Downing (Man U.), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Man U.), Sanli Tuncay (Tottenham), Cristiano Ronaldo (Man U.)
Str: Carlton Cole (P'boro), Thierry Henry (Arsenal)

[Butter]

Must be time for Year 6 (http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/forums/showthread.php?t=38654).