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NOVEMBER REVIEW
** Yarangga's free kick is 3rd place in First Division goals of the month.
The board continues to be pleased, particularly with the positive team atmosphere. They are also taking note of the good control over salaries and the fact that we are presently on course for a mid-table finish in Group D of the First Division.
The fans main complaint is our 1-0 loss to Persibas at home. That was the opener, a month and a half ago, that had the ridiculous fluke penalty call. It's understandable why it's considered a bad loss -- Persibas is 11th right now, and dead last in goal differential -- but for goodness sake, things happen and you have to get over bad events like that. I'm a lot more annoyed at the last-minute goals we are allowing personally.
GROUP D STANDINGS
Persemalra(19 pts, +9)
Persinab(16 pts, +10)
Persipon(14 pts, +4)*
Persebangga(14 pts, +3)*
Penajam(13 pts, +4)
PSKT(9 pts, -1)*
Yahukimo FC(8 pts, -2)*
Persenga(8 pts, -6)
Persigubin(7 pts, -1)*
Persewar(7 pts, -3)*
Persibas(7 pts, -9)
Persatu(2 pts, -8)
* indicates those clubs that have only played seven matches and may move up after their next match; the others have played eight.
The only team on a better streak than us right now is Persinab -- they haven't lost in six matches, and the only one of those they didn't win outright is that disgusting 2-2 draw against us when they scored at the end to tie it. Persatu has a virtual lock on the relegation spot unless they start improving: they've lost five straight since our scoreless match with them.
Worst-case scenario if we lose today, we are 5 points up the relegation spot and 9 points out of Second Phase qualification(second place). The big challenge for us right now is to try and not sink all the way to the bottom while Ferminus is out. We expect him to be back in mid-February, six league matches from now. Until then, our attacking players are going to be on an island without a lot of help as we are forced to play conservatively and give our defense all the cover we can. MR Patrick Adie is back now, our best attacking midfielder, and that should help a bit. He has not played since pre-season. Our only injuries right now are to the keepers.
The thing of it is, the way we've played there's no question we have a top-half squad; but we've got ground to make up and it's going to be awfully hard to make it up with those guys out in goal.
And what the heck is with the 'P' obsession?! We have exactly one club in our group that doesn't start with the letter P. I have no problem with alliteration, but I like a little variety as well.
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